September 23, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

O D •STORY ON ONS PAGE 7 : ES ER T I ARORKTES 48 L SA W RO AGE •Agbekoya issues 24-hour ultimatum •OPC joins search P P

Falae’s family raises N2m as abductors cut ransom to N90m •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3345 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Nigeria’s economy may slip into recession, CBN warns

F

ROM the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday came a warning shot on the economy: Nigeria risks sliding into recession next year.

The apex bank also hinted that the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) might affect the country’s economic

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

growth.

Speaking yesterday at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja , CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele lamented that with "two consecutive quarters of slow growth, the economy could slip into re-

cession in 2016 if proactive steps are not taken to revive growth in key sectors of the economy."

Emefiele added: "The overall economic environment remains fragile. The economy further slowed in the second quarter of the year, making it the second consecutive quarterly less-

than-expected performance."

In the face of the prevailing circumstances, the MPC advocated that a "synergy between monetary and fiscal policies remains the most potent option to sustainable growth."

The committee specifically "noted that liquidity withdrawals from the implemen-

tation of the TSA, elongation of the tenure of state government loans as well as loans to the oil and gas sectors could aggravate the liquidity conditions in the banks and impair their financial intermediation roles, thus affecting the economic growth, unless some actions are imContinued on page 6

•Emefiele

•INSIDE: N222B SPENT ON FUEL SUBSIDY P45 AVIATION WORKERS PROTEST N250B DEBT P45

•NO W THE PLEA: Saraki in the dock...yesterday.

•NOW

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Saraki...docked Senate President pleads not guilty Tribunal fixes Oct. 21 for hearing

WHO SAID WHAT

The Judiciary saved the nation ...One can just imagine what would have happened if there were contradictory decisions by the courts —Prosecution

S

ENATE President Bukola Saraki’s trial for alleged false declaration of assets yesterday began on

I am puzzled why I should be before the tribunal. I thought that the...Bureau should have first called on me, according to the...law.

—Saraki

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

a dramatic note at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The defendant...must enter the dock and take his plea, and thereafter any other application shall be taken. That is the order of the tribunal. —Tribunal

He made valiant effort not to enter the dock (accused box) and answer to the 13-count charge brought against him by

the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

Saraki, who was compelled by the tribunal to submit him-

?

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN? self for arraignment, over one hour after the commencement of proceedings, pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him by the tribunal’s official.

The Senate president on Monday lost at the Court of Appeal, Abuja; the Federal High Court, Abuja and the CCT his bid to prevent the execution of the bench warrant issued against him by the CCT three days earlier.

Continued on page 6

•ECOWAS SENDS TEAM TO REINSTATE BURKINABE INTERIM GOVERNMENT P53

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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NNPC refining p

•Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode (second left), congratulating a member of the Governing Board of Lagos Tertiary Institutions, Mr. Olawale Anibaba at the inauguration of the board at Lagos State House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

With them are: Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule (left) and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

With the measures so far taken to revive refineries and to build greenfield refineries, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC ) has earned accolades from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN). These associations believe that the measures will curb fuel scarcity, guarantee existing jobs in the refineries and create fresh employment opportunities. Besides, they maintain that the multiplier effects will trigger an expansion in the circular flow of income, reports JOHN OFIKHENUA.

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•Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Hindatu Abdullahi (second right), presenting a framed certificate to Programme Officer, Directorate for Education and Culture, European Commission, Mrs Deirdre Lennan, at the Seventh International Conference on Qualitiy Assurance in Higher Education in Africa, in Abuja...yesterday. With them are: President, Guni Africa, Prof. Peter Okebukola (second left) and Conference President Prof. Juma Shabani.

•From Left: Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr Joe Abah; representative of National Planning Commission Secretary, Mr Tunde Lawal and National Programme Manager, FEPAR, Mr Ben Arikpo, at the stakeholders’ validation workshop on policy thrusts, pillars, strategic objectivesprogramme for 2016-2020 Medum-Term Plan (MTP) in Abuja...yesterday.

•The couple, Mr. & Mrs. Adedapo Adedeji Adelabu after their wedding at the All Souls Anglican Church, Kayode Animashaun Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase I, Lagos. With them from right are: Groom's mother/ Ekiti State ex-Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu; bride's father Ayodeji Fetuga; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe and Mrs. Victoria Rotimi.

ITHOUT the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the construction and operation of greenfield refineries will be pretty difficult. All the licensees want to be sure of how they will recoup their investments.

The government has no business in doing business. Therefore, the Federal Government will privatise the refineries after reaching an understanding with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

This was always the alibi of the government for not establishing new refineries till early this year.

But now, even as the government is yet to pass the PIB into law, the music is changing gradually, especially now that the NNPC is to remain the sole importer of petroleum products.

The Presidency and its team in the NNPC are demystifying the impossibilities in the sector seamlessly.

Both in action and words, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu has been demonstrating the readiness of his team to drive the corporation for the benefit of the citizenry.

Addressing reporters in Kaduna last week, he broke the news that plans are underway for government to build new modular refineries within the premises of existing ones. He was quoted as saying that “what is obtainable is that most of our refineries are close to 30 to 40 years old, we need to begin to look at building new refineries in the same land space where they can share facilities so that you will have something to lean on when these old ones are beginning to kick out.”

Should the corporation make good its promise, the government that is now hurriedly rehabilitating existing refineries for optimal utilisation would double domestic supply of petrol to an extent that there may be no need for importation of petroleum product.

The establishment of additional refineries will no doubt lead to job and wealth creation. It will secure the future of petrol supply for Nigeria. With the pronouncement, the corporation has altered the economic equation in the downstream sector as the nation will now have reprieve from those that feed fat on allegedly bloated fuel importation and subsidy.

As brilliant as this idea is, some analysts have raised some questions about the rationale behind plans to establish greenfield refineries follow-

ing the dwindling oil prices and the future of demand for oil. Some are also concerned whether the new refineries will run profitably in view of the fact that public corporations hardly yield profits in Nigeria.

But the NNPC helmsman noted that private investors will run the new refineries but the government will only provide the land.

His words: “I am pushing to build new refineries next to our existing plants in order to boost the nation’s refining capacity for the common good. Prior to his appointment, he had spent 28 years working for private International Oil Company (IOC). There is therefore no gainsaying that his background has prepared him for profiteering.

Besides, the GMD has already spelt it out the NNPC under his watch must run the existing refineries profitably.

His determination to reposition the corporation accounted for his employment of 12 experts from the private sector to assist him jump-start start a new business outlook to enhance the operational environment as a profit-driven business as against the then civil service orientation in the NNPC on his assumption of office.

His explanation that government is only providing the land for the construction of the refineries has simply made it a Public Private Partnership (PPP) since the land belongs to the government.

Although the NNPC is yet to unfold the full plans, it is clear that he must have done his home work before breaking the news. Whichever way it goes, some countries are still the sole owners of some refineries. For instance, 25, Jebel Ali, which the Emirate National Oil Company (ENOC) operates in Dubai, is owned by the Dubai Government. The Libya government also owns the Zamiya Refinery and Tobruk Refinery. In Iran, the government owns nine refineries, including Abadan, Terran refineries and others. But, a private firm also owns Arvand Refineries. In Ghana where oil was discovered a few years ago, the government owns a petroleum refinery.

Besides, Patromax Refinery Limited is privately owned in Bangladesh.

In the Eastern Refinery Limited -a subsidiary of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation the government controls 70 per cent shares while private owners hold 30 per cent equity. Somoil Refinery Limited is privately owned in Angola. In Sonagol Refinery Limited, the government owns 34 per cent share while the reminder belongs to private shareholders. These examples

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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NEWS

g plans thrill NLC, oil workers, marketers

•The Port Harcourt Refinery Company

show that both government and private owners are still big players in petroleum refineries globally.

Privately-run firms have indicated interest to establish refineries. The construction of the Dangote Oil Refining Company, Lagos, started recently and it is expected to begin production by 2018. The IPMAN has secured some acre of land in Kogi for the construction of a refinery. It has received an offer from a Californian firm - Kanen Refinery - to build the association’s $70 million refinery within a year.

According to the association’s Vice Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Dankingari, the modular refinery was constructed in 1974 in California where it will be dismantled and reassembled in Nigeria.

A Nigerian firm, Green Energy International Ltd, recently secured a license from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for Modular Refinery to produce diesel and other refined products.

Besides, reports had it in August that President Buhari granted approval to 65 indigenous firms to build modular refineries in the country.

S the corporation looks for ward to production of petro leum products it is also battling to reduce expenditure on fuel importation since the payment of oil subsidy has become burdensome for government to bear with the escalating foreign exchange differentials on bank loans which it grants to marketers.

For a start, President Buhari has directed the corporation to reactivate the country’s refineries to reduce fuel import. To implement the measure, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, last month said the government was doing everything possible to ensure that the NNPC becomes the sole importer of petroleum products.

The CBN chief noted: “Now, there are other actions that the Presidency

A

‘

These are correct measures. If we get the domestic refineries to work, and we expand the capacity of domestic refining, by building new refineries and using incentives to make private investors to also build refineries.

‘

•Dr. Kachikwu

is putting in place to ensure that we reduce importation of petroleum products where the NNPC will solely, almost solely be responsible for procuring refined petroleum. Those who are importing petroleum products will only just need to go to the NNPC and pick up petroleum products.”

In a bid to ensure steady provision of petroleum products since there is still a gap between demand and supply of fuel, the corporation has secured an interim Offshore Processing Agreement (OPA) with three of its Joint Venture Companies (JVC), namely Duke Oil, Carlson and Napoil to boost the supply of refined petroleum products.

NNPC spokesman Ohi Alegbe said the stop-gap OPA arrangement has been designed to run for three months, an arrangement he said will enable the Corporation allocate a certain volume of crude oil within the period for refining at offshore locations in exchange for petroleum products at preagreed yield pattern.

HE OPA arrangement will help augment in-country pro duction of refined petroleum products from the nation’s refineries to meet local demand.

Responding to how the measures will impact on the country, NLC Secretary-GeneralOzo Eson extolled the plans.

He described them as laudable

T

measures that would attract local operators to invest in domestic refineries. He explained that in the long-run, Nigeria will become self-sufficient in fuel supply and would not have any reason to import the products.

The NLC scribe added that the current importation regime is a burden on the nation’s economy, noting that it leads to high demand for foreign currency and puts pressure on the Naira. He submitted that should NNPC succeed in its plans for refineries, there will be job and wealth creation that will accelerate economic growth.

E said: “These are correct measures. If we get the do mestic refineries to work, and we expand the capacity of domestic refining, by building new refineries and using incentives to make private investors to also build refineries.

“With time, we will become selfsufficient in petroleum products so that we do not need to continue to import. The current importation of petroleum products heavily weighs down the economy. On the one hand, it leads to a huge demand for foreign currency, which then acts as pressure on the value of the local currency.

“But apart from that, if we refine domestically, we will create jobs. Because when we continue to import, we are exporting jobs-other people are doing the jobs. One, we have the raw materials, we send the raw materials abroad other people benefit from the process of refining.

“We can reap those benefits and they will assist our economy to do better- to become more stable and to become more resilient. So these are laudable decisions of government on policy. Nigerians should rally round the government for support.”

The oil and gas industry has been characterised by series of unrests following plans to deregulate the sector and sell off the national refineries as well as remove subsidy.

However, with the recent measures

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that the Buhari’s administration has adopted to tackle fuel supply challenges in the country he has simply earned the accolades and respect of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) that masterminded the protests.

Responding to government’s intervention in the refineries, the association told The Nation that the new measures, which are basically in line with their position, have impressed the oil workers.

According to PENGASSAN’s spokesman Emmanuel Ojugbana, retaining refineries under government ownership is a welcome development.

Restating that PENGASSAN is not opposed to deregulation, the association maintained that supply of petroleum products should not be income based. It noted once there is local refining at the four entities complemented by modular refineries, fuel scarcity will dwindle drastically, too, the measure will boost job creation.

PENGASSAN said: “The NNPC is trying to ensure that it rehabilitates the four refineries in the country for optimal utilisation that would reduce importation of petroleum products.

This was one of the conditions that the labour leaders asked the Federal Government to meet before the sale of refineries or removal of subsidy.”

Lauding President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention that has changed the NNPC fortune, the association explained that his measures are in tandem with the stipulations of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that every member country should be at the apex of its economy.

The oil workers said: “Yes, this is one of the conditions we gave before the downstream of the oil and gas industry can be deregulated and we really appreciate President Buhari’s resolve to ensure that the refineries are back on stream and to retain the refineries under the government ownership. This is in tandem with the OPEC’s mandate that every member country should be at the commanding height of its economy.

“We are not averse to deregulation but our argument is that it must be import driven. There should some level of local refining of petroleum products in the country. This is why we have been clamouring for encouraging investments in the establishment of refineries, especially modular refineries. This will not only increase local refining of petroleum products and stem down scarcity but also enhance job creation in the sector.

“We also argued that it is not saved for Nigeria to sell its national assets that is why we are against the outright sales of the refineries. We therefore propose a model just like the Nigeria LNG model whereby the government will own 51 per cent and the private investors will own 49 per cent. With this model, the managements of the refineries will have some levels of administrative and financial autonomy to ensure adequate running of the refineries.

“PENGASSAN has said times without number that abrupt removal of subsidy can further cause chaos in the country. We advocate that the government should have a timeline for ending importation of petroleum products and increase local refining.”

Since NNPC has earned not only the cooperation of the oil workers, but also the willingness of the operators to invest in building new refineries and the old ones are eyeing optimum production, the current measures will certainly cushion the burdensome fuel scarcity in the country, guarantee the security of existing jobs in the refineries and create fresh employment opportunities. Above all, the multiplier effects will trigger a spiral increase in the nation’s circular flow of income.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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Kashamu seeks to stop Fed Govt from seizing N20b property

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ENATOR Buruji Kashamu has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain the Federal Government from seizing his property worth N20 billion for alleged drug trafficking allegations.

In a fresh application, he sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation from taking possession of his property.

The application is before Justice Ibrahim Buba, who had restrained the NDLEA from arresting or extraditing Kashamu to the United States of America, where he is allegedly wanted.

But NDLEA has asked the judge to hands off the trial.

The agency said since Justice Buba, on June 23, reaffirmed a May 27 order by Justice Okon Abang of the same court stopping Kashamu’s arrest, he might not be fair in the case.

Its lawyer, Mr. J. N. Sunday, claimed the injunction amounted to preventing federal agencies from discharging their constitutional duties.

NDLEA asked the judge to

•NDLEA asks judge to hands off trial

By Joseph Jibueze

withdraw from the case on the basis that he might not reach a different conclusion in the fresh case having ruled in Kashamu’s favour once.

“This court earlier heard and determined suit No. FHC/L/ CS/763/2015. The facts or issues and the parties in the suit are not only the same but are intricately linked and intertwined with this suit.

“Having earlier made findings of facts, it will be difficult, if not impossible for this court to divorce itself from its findings in suit No. FHC/L/CS/ 763/2015, while considering and writing judgment in this present suit,” Sunday claimed.

According to NDLEA, the case file should be returned to the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for reassignment to another judge.

Meanwhile, the AGF, represented by Mr. Oyin Koleosho filed a preliminary objection to the action.

It said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, which it described as a “tortu-

ous act” that does not fall within Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.

According to the AGF, the judge had no jurisdiction to entertain matters of landed property.

Describing the suit as an abuse of court processes, Kolesoho urged Justice Buba to strike it out for failing to disclose any reasonable cause of action against the AGF. Kashamu said he learnt of moves by NDLEA and AGF to seize his property, including a 24-flat housing estate at Egbe and several hectares of land on Lekki Peninsula, Lagos.

He said the property were worth over N20 billion.

According to him, he acquired the property by dint of hard work and through his legitimate business.

He said contrary to NDLEA’s alleged claim, the property were not proceeds of drug trafficking.

Kashamu’s lawyer Mr. Ajibola Oluyede said his client’s rights to own property as guaranteed by sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution

would be breached if the respondents were not perpetually restrained.

Justice Buba had, on June 29, granted an interim order restraining the respondents and their agents from interfering with Kashamu’s right to own property either in Nigeria or anywhere else, pending determination of the suit.

Upholding Justice Abang’s restraining order in June, Justice Buba held: ”There should be no overzealous conduct from either of the parties.

Government agencies must abide by the rule of law to avoid anarchy.

“They (AGF and NDLEA chairman) should be of good behaviour until their appeal is determined “No matter how aggrieved, they should abide by the order of court until there is a counter order from a superior court.

“For the avoidance of doubt, orders of Justice Abang are still subsisting and must be complied with.”

The judge adjourned the fresh suit to September 30.

Buhari to discuss terrorism, global security in New York •To address 70th session of UNGA

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will leave Nigeria for New York tomorrow for a series of meetings and interactions with notable world leaders within and on the sidelines of the main events of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

President Buhari will hold talks with the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, President Barack Obama of the United States, President Francois Hollande of France, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Vladmir Putin of Russia, President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Narenda Modi of India.

The talks will centre on domestic developmental issues, bilateral relations, war against terrorism, countering violent extremism, enhancement of global security, peace-keeping operations, climate change and adoption of a post2015 global development agenda.

President Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, would be accompanied by governors of Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger states, National Security Adviser and permanent secretaries in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence as well as the Federal Ministries of Finance, Health, Industry, Trade

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

and Investment.

The President will deliver Nigeria’s Statement to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday.

President Buhari is also scheduled to address the World Leaders Summit on Violent Extremism to which he was personally invited by Mr. Ki-Moon during his visit to Nigeria.

Also on the President’s schedule in New York are a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, a High-level Roundtable on South-South Cooperation, organised by President Xi Jinping of China and the United Nations as well as participation in the launching of an updated global health strategy for women and children.

President Buhari will also meet with former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Mr. Bill Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is assisting Nigeria in polio eradication, among others, and former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is United Nations special envoy on Global Education and one of the main drivers of the Safe Schools Initiative.

The President will concluded his visit to New York on Tuesday, September 29 and leave for Abuja the same day.

Perpetrators of gender violence to face prosecution says, IGP From: Faith Yahaya, Abuja

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•From left: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu dicussing with the crew members of 93 Days, a movie on the Ebola Virus, Mr Danny Glover, Mr Dotun Olakunrin, Mr Steve Gakas and Mr Pemon Rami, when they visited the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader at his Office in Victoria Island, Lagos...yesterday.

‘Nigeria’s development depends on competent labour’

APC to Metuh: show some decorum

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, to show some decorum in his public statements and avoid the use of trench language in public discourse.

In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Metuh’s increasing resort to the use of putrid language in his press statements was distracting from the message he might want to pass across, while at the same time sending a bad signal to the younger generation, which look up to him and other politicians.

“Mr. Metuh, being the spokesman, first of a ruling party and now for the main

opposition, puts him on the rarefied level of a being a role model and a pacesetter. You denigrate your office and your party when you use that platform to spew out hate and abusive words.

“You might choose to be bombastic, sharply critical and even aggressive in your statements, but you do not have to resort to the use of crude language, such as calling your fellow spokesman a “renowned liar”, a “master liar” or a “shameless veteran”, to make your point. Apart from distracting from the issues at stake, those words reflect more on your personality than on the man you have chosen to skewer, and their vulgarity is stomach-churning,” it said.

The APC said every statement being issued today would become a reference material in the

HE Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has vowed to prosecute perpetrators of gender-based violence.

The inspector general spoke in Abuja when he hosted delegates from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi.

The essence of the visit was to solicit support to prevent genderbased violent crimes against women and other vulnerable persons.

According to a statement yesterday by the spokesperson of the Force, Olabisi Kolawole, Arase assured the ministry of his total support on the clampdown of perpetrators of violent crimes and other gender-based violence.

He noted that the police, under his watch, would be gender sensitive and ensure that perpetrators of gender-based violence refrain from it or face the wrath of the law.

The police chief, however, urged the public to utilise the Nigeria Police Gender-based platform to report any case in this regard.

T •Metuh

weeks, months and years ahead, hence the need to keep them decent, polished and dignifying, even when they were hardhitting.

The party said it chose to call the PDP spokesman to order rather than reply him in kind, hoping he would see the reason for him not to continue on the path of profanity.

“After all, it was American religious leader Spencer W. Kimball, who said ‘Profanity is the effort of a feeble brain to express itself forcibly’,” it said.

HE Federal Government said yesterday the country's development depended largely on a competent and rejuvenated workforce, which is the bedrock of wealth creation in any society.

The government also said it would be employing 25,000 factory inspectors per quarter to carry out regular inspection of factories in the country.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity Dr. Clement Illoh made this known while speaking at a two-day refresher course for Labour and Factory Officers on Grade levels 10-14, Dr. Illoh said.

Dr. Illoh said the labour force in any society determined the direction of that

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

society, adding that human resources were the active producers of goods and services.

"As you are aware, industrial peace and harmony is inevitable in our quest for economic growth and development as no nation can strive when its industrial climate is saturated with industrial disharmony. I considered this workshop apt especially at this time when the nation is channelling its resources to achieving economic transformation, national competitiveness and global ranking.’’

He said the objective of the workshop was to update participant’s knowledge and understanding of labour administration and its various components with a view to im-

proving labour protection services in all sectors of the economy.

He added that the workshop was one of the ways the ministry aimed at closing and removing observed gaps in performance of professional officers and other relevant implementing agencies. This will no doubt reposition and sharpen officers’ skills and competencies in readiness to the change agenda of the administration.

He decried the insufficient number of both Labour and Factory Inspectors to supervise the large number of factories all over the country in accordance with the terms of international standard to be achieved as set up by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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Army arrests soldier training militants in Rivers

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SOLDIER (names withheld), who specialises in training Niger Delta militants, has been arrested in Rivers State by the Army. He was arrested with 12 others; the illegal arms and ammunition were seized.

The discovery and arrests were made yesterday during the mop-up operation in Kula in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.

Some of the arms and ammunition were moved by the militants before the arrival of the troops at the Kalabari community.

The 12 suspects, including the arms and ammunition, were handed over to the state headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation and prosecution.

The Commanding Officer of 2 Brigade Lt.-Col. Timothy Opurum spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt.

Opurum said the soldier, who deserted the Army in 2002, was a member of 13man gang that had terrorised many communities in the state.

The commanding officer said: “Based on intelligence reports, we carried out a

Seven killed in Rivers local govt’s renewed violence ABOUT seven persons have died in renewed killings in Omoku and Obrikom communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State.

It was learnt violence erupted on Sunday, leading to the death of five persons. They were shot dead in Omoku, the headquarters of the local government. Two others were killed on Monday in Obrikom.

The names of the five, who died in Omoku, could not be ascertained; those shot at Obrikom are Clement Nkweke and Chikaobi Johnson.

Sources said the gunmen were on operation “Point and Kill” and Nkweke was their main target.

“But Johnson was killed in error because he was on the scene of the operation,” The Nation was told.

The Chairman of ONELGA, Austin Ahiamadu, expressed dismay at the murder of innocent people, describing the re-

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

newed killings as “satanic, barbaric and senseless.”

Ahiamadu, who said “there is no justification for anyone to kill his fellow human, no matter the level of provocation”, advised the perpetrators of the crime to desist from such wicked acts.

He said the police was investigating. The council chief urged security agents to double their efforts in tackling crimes in the area and assured that his administration was partnering relevant stakeholders to ensure that violent crime was reduced.

Police spokesman Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said: “I have been receiving calls on that, but the DPO has not given me a picture of what happened. So, I cannot comment on it yet.”

•12 others held •Illegal arms seized •11 killed in shoot-out From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

sting operation, where we captured a 13-man militant gang, including its notorious leader, Kenneth.

“We also arrested a soldier, who deserted the Army in 2002 and specialised in training militants in weapons’ handling and operational tactics.

“The soldier, who is a Private, joined the Army in 1998 and served in the 331 Artil-

lery Regiment, Kalapanzi Barracks in Kaduna, before he was declared missing in 2002.

“The soldier, who is related to the leader of the militant group, is in our custody and will be released to prosecuting agencies, after formal dismissal from the Nigerian Army.”

Opurum, who described the operation as “highly successful,” said the troops raided the community on account of incessant militan-

cy, kidnapping, sea piracy, cultism, pipeline vandalism and killings.

He noted that reports showed that the community was not only serving as a hideout for criminals, but as a warehouse for arms and ammunition.

The commanding officer, who led the operation, denied the allegation that troops opened fire on innocent fishermen, traders and destroyed their wares, adding that no innocent civilian

was assaulted during the operation.

The traditional ruler of Opu-Kula, King Hope Opusingi, earlier alleged that soldiers battered his people and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

The monarch insisted that the raid by the soldiers was an abuse of power and a gross violation of the rights of his people.

Eight suspected kidnappers and three robbery suspects were killed in a shoot-

out with men of the state police command, Commissioner of Police Musa Kimo has said.

Kimo, who spoke at a news conference yesterday in Port Harcourt, said six robbery suspects were arrested in the state between September 8 and 22.

He said seven suspected kidnappers were arrested, while six kidnapped persons were rescued.

Kimo added that six suspected cultists were arrested and 32 firearms recovered from criminal gangs.

He said the firearms, included three AK 47 assault rifles, 11 pump action guns, 10 locally-made pistols, three double barrel guns and three single barrel guns as well as 101 assorted ammunition and nine vehicles.

Kimo said some of the vehicles included BMW X 5 J, Toyota Lexus saloon, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Xterra, among others.

He attributed the achievements to proactive measures and professionalism displayed by officers and men of the command, warning criminals to desist from their acts or be prepared to face the law.

Lamido, sons for trial Oct 21 From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

•Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Prof Adebiyi Daramola, and Dean, College of Engineering, University of Delaware, United States of America, Prof Babatunde Ogunnaike after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the frontiers of research and collaboration between both Institutions in Akure...on Monday. With them is Senior Legal Officer, Mr. Patrick Fasuan.

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F

FAAN, immigration officers’ clash disrupts activities at Lagos airport

LIGHT operations and other activities were yesterday disrupted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following a clash between Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigeria Immigration Service officers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the clash occurred around 8.30 am. after FAAN’s security outfit, Aviation Security (AVSEC), prevented other security agencies from entering restricted areas of the airport.

AVSEC personnel demanded that all security officers attached to the airport must present their On-Duty Cards (ODCs) before being allowed into the restricted areas.

During the screening, it was discovered that most of the personnel were using expired ODCs . This prompted FAAN to deny them access

to the terminal.

Those affected by the restriction included officers of NIS, Department of State Security Service (DSS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Some officials of the NigeriaAirspace management Agency (NAMA) and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) were also turned back by the security personnel.

A source, who witnessed the screening, told NAN that an Immigration officer, Mr C.S.I. Obasi, while resisting the AVSEC security officers, was injured in his left eye.

The development degenerated to a heated exchange between officers of both agencies, which led to the discontinuation of the processing of outbound and in-bound passengers.

Passengers were left stranded for over two hours as the airlines could not carry out their flight operations.

The Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Airport Command, Mr Adebola Adetula, told aviation correspondents that Obasi was assaulted by AVSEC officers.

Adetula said the NIS officer arrived at the airport and proceeded to the E-arrival of the airport but was prevented from carrying out his duty by AVSEC based on the allegation that his ODC had expired.

He added that despite entreaties to AVSEC to allow him in and process the passengers, he was refused and attacked by the AVSEC officers.

While confirming that Obasi’s ODC had expired since Aug. 15, he argued that it was the responsibility of FAAN to issue a fresh one.

Adetula said: ”The at-

tacked officer just did surgery on that part of the eye and it was in the same eye he was slapped by AVSEC officers on duty and his glasses got broken.”

However, a FAAN source who spoke on condition of anonymity, debunked the claim that Obasi was assaulted by AVSEC officers.

The source said it was a security risk for people to be allowed into restricted areas without a valid ODC. According to the source, this was the major reason AVSEC officers were demanding the card, adding that it was in line with global aviation safety regulation.

A similar clash between FAAN officers and those of the Nigeria Customs Service took place on June 3 over the same issue.

ORMER Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, two of his sons and some companies were re-arraigned yesterday before the Federal High Court, Abuja, on amended charges of corruption and •Lamido money laundering.

The ex-governor, his sons; Aminu and Mustapha, and an aide, Aminu Wada Abubakar and the companies were arraigned on July 9 before the Federal High Court sitting in Kano.

Yesterday, the prosecuting agency, brought a new charge, and a new person; Batholomew Darlington Agoha, and increased the counts to 27.

The affected companies are Bamaina Holdings Limited, Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited, Bamaina Aluminium Limited and Speeds International Limited.

Yesterday, they were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Ademola. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

One of the counts read: “That you Alhaji Sule Lamido (while being governor of Jigawa State), Aminu Sule Lamido, Mustapha Sule Lamido, Bamaina Holdings Limited, Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited and Speeds International Limited between October 15 and December 18, 2008, within the jurisdiction of this court converted an aggregate sum of N124,649,915 paid by Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Limited into the account of Speeds International Limited.”

Justice Ademola granted them bail on the conditions earlier granted them by Justice Gabriel Kolawole (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja).

Justice Kolawole said one of the sureties must be a Level 16 civil servant in either a federal or state establishment. The other, the judge said, must be an entrepreneur, who must own a property worth N75 in Abuja, Kano or Jigawa.

He ordered the accused persons to deposit their travel documents with the court, which they could retrieve whenever they wish to travel.

Justice Ademola adjourned to October 21 for trial.

Police recover arms, ammunition from passenger car in Yenagoa

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HE Bayelsa State Police Command yesterday said it recovered arms and ammunition from a passenger car in Yenagoa.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr Asinim Butswat confirmed the discovery in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa. Butswat said no arrest was made as the occupants of the car fled before they could be apprehended. “The driver of the car zoomed off and the patrol team pursued it to the Old Assembly Quarters, Yenagoa, where the duo abandoned the car and escaped.

“The car was searched and the following items were recovered: Two Lar Rifles, Breech Nos. 11H936 and 11H9876 respectively, double magazines, 74 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, 28 rounds of 6.62 mm live ammunition.

“Others are one Magnum George F Pump action with breech No. 550 with eight live AA Cartridges,’’ the police spokesman said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

NEWS

•Host President Muhammadu Buhari (fifth right) with (from left): ECOWAS Commission President Kadre Ouedraogo; Prime Minister of Guinea Mohammed Said Fofana; Presidents of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama; Niger Republic, Mohamadou Issoufou; Benin Republic Boni Yayi; Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall; Togo , Faure Gnassingbe; Cote’ D’Ivoire, Alassane Quattara and Prime Minister of Mali, Modibo Keita, during the extraordinary meeting of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on the political crisis in Burkina Faso at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in STORY ON PAGE 53 PHOTO: NAN Abuja…yesterday.

Economy may slip into recession, CBN warns

Senators: we won’t change our opinion of Saraki

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GROUP of senators yesterday expressed support for embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki in his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

In a statement signed by Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba (Sokoto South) on behalf of others, the lawmakers said the trial was mischievous, vindictive and politically-motivated.

The statement said: “We also want to state here, on behalf of our colleagues, that the Senate remains solidly behind Senator Saraki and we express our unalloyed support for his leadership.

“We are happy that he appeared at the Tribunal after availing himself of the opportunity to defend his Fundamental Human Rights.

“We reiterate the fact that he is our choice for the post of Senate President and no politically motivated, mischievous and vindictive trial

From Gbade Ogunwale and Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

will change our opinion of him.

“By his appearance at the Tribunal, he has demonstrated his firm belief in the rule of law and his respect for our judicial process. We join Dr. Saraki in affirming our commitment to the rule of law, constitutionalism and democracy.

“We only hope the other arms of government will ensure that due process and procedures are followed in this trial and on all other issues.

“It is our belief that at the end of this trial, our democracy, Nigerians and the people will end up as the beneficiaries”.

They also restated commitment to the programmes and policies of the Buhari administration.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu led 29 oth-

er senators to the CCT in solidarity with the Senate President.

Some supporters of the embattled Senate President, including placard-carrying women group, were also on hand at the CCB to show solidarity to Saraki.

Senators at the CCT are: Amori Ighoyota (Delta Central), Bassey Albert Akpan (Akwa North East) Abdulrahman Abubakar (Kogi East),Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central),Kabiru Gaya (Kano Central),Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North), Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto North), Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara North) and Theodore Orji (Abia Central).

Others are Senators Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East) Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central), Ogola Foster (Bayelsa West) Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North), Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East) Rose Oko (Cross River North), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi North), Olaka Nwogu (Rivers South East),

Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East), Sunny Ogbuoji (Ebonyi South), Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger East), Isa Hamma Missau (Bauchi Central), Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central) Kaura Tijjani (Famfara North), Clifford Ordia ( Edo Central), Mohammed Ohiare (Kogi Central) Ibrahim Adullahi Dambaba, Rafui Ibrahim (Kwara South),Gershom Henry Bassey (Cross River South) and Ibrahim Dambaba (Sokoto South).

The women took over the road leading to the tribunal singing the praises of the Senate President.

Another grouped that styled itself Northern Youth Assembly Bukola supporters were also at the tribunal The placard-bearing supporters described the trial of Saraki as politically motivated.

Some of the placards read “Leave Bukola alone, No Bukola no Nigeria, Bukola is a leader”.

‘I’m going through this because I’m Senate President’

S

ENATE President Bukola Saraki maintained yesterday his innocence.

In a statement he personally signed last night, Saraki blamed unnamed traducers for his travails, saying he was

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

going through trial because he became Senate President.

"As I stated while taking the plea in the case, I reiterate my belief that the only reason

why I am going through this trial is because I am the Senate President.

“If I were to be just a Senator, I doubt if anybody will be interested in the assets declaration form I filled over

twelve years ago.

"This belief stems from the fact that Section 3 (d) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act provides that If there is a breach or non-comContinued on page 8

Continued from page 1

mediately taken to ease liquidity conditions in the market."

Emefiele added that despite the TSA, "banking system liquidity ratio remains moderate, consequently committee advised on the urgent imperative for banks to aggressively support the efforts of government at job creation by channeling available liquidity into target growth enhancing sectors of the economy such as agriculture and manufacturing, this is with a view to promoting employment creation through con-

scious efforts aimed at directing lending to the growth enhancing sectors of the economy."

The Committee considered that "the Bank (CBN) and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) must strive to reverse the slowing GDP trajectory by actively staking up their efforts at catalyzing economy with substantial new loans to the target sectors earlier highlighted."

The committee also expressed concerns "that growth had come under sever strains arising from private and pubContinued on page 8

ECA to be intact for now •N412.6b Federation Account’s cash shared for August

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HE government will for now no longer share the Excess Crude Account (ECA) but retain the accruals “for the rainy day,” Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance Mrs. Anastasia Nwaobia, said yesterday.

She spoke at the venue of the August Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja.

The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) Alhaji Ahmed Idris, She said some

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) resisted the directive for them to migrate to Treasury Single Account (TSA).

He said the directive compelling MDAs to transit to the TSA "experienced teething problems like apprehension and resistance from some MDAs but insisted that the deadline of September 15 2015 for the miContinued on page 8

Saraki docked for alleged false declaration of assets The senate president in the dock

Continued from page 1

He showed up before the tribunal (CCT) around 9.30 am.

Proceedings were delayed for about 30 minutes owing to power outage (the tribunal having earlier planned to begin sitting by 10 am). Saraki refused to enter the accused box despite request by prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) that the proper thing was for him to “enter the dock and take his plea”.

Saraki sat among his supporters and fellow Senators, who formed the audience in the courtroom, while his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) argued frantically that his client was not required to first enter the dock before his objection to his trial was heard.

Daudu, who queried the jurisdiction of the tribunal, argued that the CCT, unlike the regular court, lacked criminal jurisdiction. He said a trial before the tribunal was not criminal, adding that its order was for his client to appear

A

S prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs and lead defence lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) argued on whether Senate President Saraki should enter the dock or not yesterday, the Senate President remained calm but pensive.

It may be difficult to fathom what was exactly going on in his mind.

The thoughtful expression on Saraki’s face disappeared when the tribunal chairman ruled that he should enter the dock and take his plea.

Immediately after the ruling, Saraki before the tribunal, and that having appeared, he must not be made to enter the dock before his objection could be taken.

Jacobs disagreed. He contended that Daudu’s argument was a repeat of the defence’s failed attempt the last day to stall proceedings. He noted that jurisdiction, the competence of the charge and the application of the Admin-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

stood up, steadied himself, adjusted his flowing agbada and walked to the box.

He entered the dock at 11.24 am.

The tribunal chairman asked a security man to fetch a seat for the number three citizen.

Saraki took the chair, adjusted his agbada and sat down. He gazed steadily at the tribunal chairman.

Before the 13-count charge was read to him to plead guilty or not, the Senate President beckoned on one of the security agents to give him the micro-

istration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) by the tribunal raised again early yesterday

by Daudu had been decided by the tribunal last Friday.

He urged the tribunal to reject attempts by the defence to ridicule the nation’s judicial system and praised the Judiciary for not yielding the alleged attempt by the defence to ridicule it the previous day (Monday).

phone.

After the first charge, Saraki collected the microphone to take his plea but he chose to begin with his remarks. He rebuffed efforts by the tribunal chairman to stop him.

When he pleaded not guilty to the first charge, there was loud ovation from his supporters in the gallery.

At a stage, the Senate President turned back, waved to scores of reporters and photographers who sat behind him. More applause.

Saraki was in the dock for one hour, 30-minutes.

“The defendant is working to overstretch the administration of criminal justice in the country. Yesterday (Monday), this tribunal said he should come and face trial. The Federal High Court ruled and asked him to go and face his trial. The Court of Appeal said it does not want to interfere with what is going on.

“The Judiciary saved the nation yesterday. They want-

ed to put us in a state of quagmire. One can just imagine what would have happened if there were contradictory decisions by the courts,” Jacobs said and urged the tribunal to proceed with the day’s business.

Ruling, Tribunal Chairman Justice Danladi Umar, overruled Daudu and insisted that Saraki must submit himself for arraignment.

“It is the tribunal’s opinion that the charge before the tribunal is criminal in nature. As decided in the case of the Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Atiku Abubakar, where Justice Aboki (of the Court of Appeal) ruled that trial in the tribunal is criminal in nature.

“It is also our ruling that the defendant in this case must enter the dock and take his plea, and thereafter any other application shall be taken.

That is the order of the tribunal,” Justice Umar said.

Saraki walked to the “accused box” where he was offered a chair to sit, following which an official of the tribunal approached him and began to read the charge to him, a count before another.

Before responding to the first count, Saraki complained Continued on page 8

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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NEWS

Tension in Ondo over Falae’s abduction •Kidnappers reduce ransom to N90m •Ex-SGF’s house besieged •Monarchs call for peace •Agbekoyas issue 24-hour ultimatum •Condemnations trail kidnap condemns this rude and unimag-

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HERE is tension in Ondo State over the abduction of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae.

Falae, the traditional ruler (Olu) of Ilu Abo, a village in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, was kidnapped on his farm in Ilado village.

His abductors have reduced the N100 million ransom they earlier demanded to N90million, an aide said yesterday.

The aide, who pleaded for anonymity, said in Akure that the abductors called the family on Monday night and agreed that they could bring N90 million.

The source, however, said the family had raised N2 million.

He said the negotiation was still on between the family and the abductors.

“When they called us on Monday night, they said they could only reduce the ransom to N90 million, but we cannot afford that.

“We begged them to take N2 million but they rejected it; they said they would call us back today but as at this moment, they have not called,” the source said.

When The Nation visited the residence of the former Minister for Finance, reporters were still barred from talking to his wife, Rachael.

The Commissioner of Police,

OPC joins search ODUA People’s Congress (OPC) founder Dr. Frederick Fasehun has directed its members to join the search for the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae.

Fasehun, who described the elder statesman’s abduction as an insult, assault on the Yoruba, warned his kidnappers to release him without delay or face reprisals.

According to him, Falae’s kidnap was politically motivated. He warned that the OPC will protect its own.

“We believe this is a political issue. Any politician in Nigeria must make sure that Chief Falae is released immediately. Otherwise, OPC will take any step available to defend its own.”

An emergency meeting of all OPC leaders has been fixed for Sunday.

The OPC founder said OPC members would search

O

From Damisi Ojo, Leke Akeredolu, Akure and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Mike Ogbodu, who assured the family of rescuing Falae alive, has taken over the investigation.

Sympathisers have besieged the Falaes’ Oba-Ile Road residence in Akure.

Some of them include members of the State Assembly, led by their Speaker, Ms. Jumoke Akindele and Akure Traditional Council, led by Lisa of Akure, High Chief James Olusoga.

Others are members of the An-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

the nooks and crannies of the state and beyond to ensure that Falae is released unhurt.

Fasehun also took a swipe at the Federal Government for “not reacting to Falae’s kidnap 24 hours after the incident”.

He challenged security agencies to produce the former SGF within 48 hours, describing his kidnappers as “enemies of Nigeria’s unity”.

“OPC is not interested in crisis because it was founded primarily for the protection of its own and for building bridges in Nigeria.

“Falae is by any standard a Yoruba leader, a Nigerian leader and a significant leader in Africa.

“He is a leader of Afenifere. He was a leader of NADECO. And any assault on him is an assault on Nigeria and Nigerians.”

glican Communion, Falae’s subjects from Ilu-Abo and politicians.

The State Council of Obas has called for calm. Its Chairman and Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo, said the kidnap was an unfortunate incident for a man who has contributed his best to Nigeria.

He said it was not the time to point fingers but join the government and security agencies in securing the release of the elder statesman.

Oba Kiladejo prayed for Falae’s early and safe return.

Farmers, under the aegis of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) South West zone, have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the abductors.

The Zonal Coordinator, who is also the Ogun State Chairman, Olusegun Dasaolu, said the news of the abduction was a surprise to the farmers.

Dasaolu declared that his association was ready to mobilise farmers to search for Falae.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned the incident. Its Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, “APC

inable act, which no doubt offends the psyche and pride of our people.

“It has become an insult too many for our people to bear, as this same set of people violates the farmstead of our people unchecked and even our highways without control.

“I call on security agencies to bring this unacceptable act of brigandage to a swift end and prosecute without delay the actors.”

Kekemeke urged the Federal Government to ensure that security agencies act urgently in this matter.

He also called on the state government to regulate the activities of these itinerant herdsmen, just like it regulates citizens’ use of public utilities.

The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) demanded for the exSGF’s unconditional release.

A statement by its chairman, Peter Ameh, in Abuja yesterday described the kidnapping as sacrilegious.

Ameh said: “Chief Olu Falae, a prominent elder statesman and revered IPAC member has served our country meritoriously in several capacities and deserves the greatest respect from every Nigerian.

“That anyone will even contemplate kidnapping or hurting this eminent senior citizen is a tragedy for our dear nation.”

Redeemer’s University graduates 447 From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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•Deputy Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Tony Nezianya (fourth right) and members of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) at the agency’s office in Lagos…yesterday

APC condemns Fayose’s airport project

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has described the airport project being proposed by Governor Ayo Fayose as a “wasteful venture and the most economically unviable project at this period”.

The party said embarking on such a gigantic project runs contrary to the governor’s claim that the state has no money expressing fear that the N17 billion project would constitute a huge drainpipe on the state’s “weak economy”.

In a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the party described the planned project as an avenue to siphon money from the treasury.

The project, Olatunbosun said, was mooted by its pro-

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

moter for the purpose of “characteristic flight of the state funds” as, according to him, offers little or no hope for the local economy.

While criticising some community leaders for their “accomplice role” in the project mainly planned for the fancy of the few who see Ekiti State as their private property, Olatunbosun, condemned Fayose’s action of begging and cajoling some first class traditional rulers with “mouth-watering offers” to support “this wasteful venture”.

Contending that an airport is not what Ekiti needs at the moment, Olatunbosun argued that airports in some neighboring states that are more economically viable

have become inactive expressing fear that the same fate could befall the proposed airport.

He said: “Of what economic sense and use is an airport to the economy of Ekiti when the Akure Airport is less than one hour drive to Ado Ekiti?

“What has been the positive economic impact of the Akure airport on the economy of Ondo State, which has hundreds of big industries compared to Ekiti with none?

“We wonder why the governor could not learn anything on the poor state of Ibadan Airport in that highly industrialised city.

“To even think about such a needless and wasteful project has shown Fayose as very insensitive to the plight of the common man in Ekiti.”

HE Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, will next Tuesday graduate 447 students.

Addressing reporters at the 10th Anniversary and seventh pre-convocation briefing in Ede, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, said 15 graduates got First Class, 135 Second Class Upper, 200 Second Class Lower, 97 Third Class and seven Ordinary Pass.

Adeyewa said the wife of the university’s Visitor, Pastor Folu Adeboye and the pioneer Pro Chancellor, Prof. Fola Aboaba, would be conferred with honorary degrees.

According to him, Mrs. Adeboye and Prof. Aboaba were considered for the honours because of their “unquantifiable roles in the establishment of Redeemer’s University”.

Speaking on the university’s achievements, the VC said:”The Redeemer’s University was thrown into the limelight for emerging the best rated university in research among high institutions in West and Central Africa and consequently selected as number one Centre of Excellence (African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases) funded by the World Bank in the two regions.

“I gladly recall the first case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria was diagnosed at the Redeemer’s University’s African Centre of Excellence for the Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) Laboratory.”

Ambode inaugurates LASU Governing Council, others

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AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday inaugurated the Governing Councils of the Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED) and the Lagos State College of Health Technology.

The governor, at the ceremony, said his administration’s belief that tertiary institutions are critical in achieving economic prosperity, prompted the careful selection of diverse professionals with proven track record and sterling antecedents, to manage the affairs of the institutions.

Among those inaugurated include Justice George Adesola Oguntade, a retired judge of the Supreme Court as LASU chancellor; Prof Adebayo Ninalowo, pro-chancellor and chairman, LASU Governing Council; Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi, Chairman, Governing Council of LASPOTECH; Alhaja Sekinat Yussuf as Chairman, Governing Council of MOCPED, Prof Tunde Samuel as Chairman, Governing Council of AOCOED and Mrs. Tilley Giyado as Chairman, College of Health Technology.

“With this group of sagacious minds, there is no disputing the government’s resolve to consciously build a new foundation for our tertiary institutions,” hesaid.

New chair for LIRS

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AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has appointed Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo as the Chairman, State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).

Ogunsanwo’s appointment was confirmed by the House of Assembly yesterday, on the governor’s request.

The governor had earlier approved the appointment of new directors to the LIRS Board.

The new directors include Mrs. Akintola Bolaji, Moroof Oludare Tijani, Mrs. Arinola Kola-Daisi, Seyi Alade, Mrs. Afolayan Folashade and Ayodele Adebayo with Jimi Aina serving as Board Secretary.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

NEWS Ayade takes delivery of Calabar Garment Factory equipment

‘I’m going through this because I’m Senate President’ Continued from page 6

pliance with any section of the law, the person involved should be given the opportunity to either admit or deny and that in the case of a written admission, no reference to the Tribunal shall be necessary.

"So, if the CCB had followed the guidelines, procedure or

the due process provided in its own law, we won't be having this trial.

"It is my humble opinion that this case is a vivid example that there is still flagrant disregard for due process in our polity. This trial is not only being observed by Nigerians alone, the international community is watching because Nigeria is a key mem-

ber of this community.

"So, the executive, legislature and judiciary should do the right thing that will truly demonstrate that we have imbibed the spirit of positive change".

Saraki stated that he appeared before the tribunal after he had explored the opportunity to defend his fundamental human rights in other

courts.

He thanked his colleagues, some of who accompanied him to the tribunal, for their support and solidarity.

"I also thank my counsel for the brilliance they have shown in presenting our case and the supporters who were present in the tribunal in their hundreds", he concluded.

Nigeria’s economy may slip into recession, says CBN Continued from page 6

lic expenditure in particular.

It noted the impact of nonpayment of salaries at the state and local government levels as a key dampening factor on domestic demands."

The CBN governor said year on year headline inflation continued to trend upward while month on month measures moderated.

According to him, despite demand, the foreign exchange market "remains significant as oil prices continue to decline.

Arising from this development there were indications that some of the banking sector performance indicators could be stressed if conditions worsen further."

The committee observed that the impact of the persistent decline in global crude oil prices on the fiscal position of government continues to reflect in rising credit to government.

Emefiele said the committee

also noted that the initial market reaction to the decision by JP Morgan to exclude the country from its government bond index for emerging markets "has largely dissipated as yields soon adjusted to their pre-announcement levels" but warned that "there may be second round effects over the next two months as the economy adjusts to that decision."

The committee reiterated its unwavering commitment to the Naira and exchange rate stability despite the pressures stressing that it is "mindful of the possibility of diversion of any extra liquidity to the foreign exchange market."

As a result of this development, the CBN was urged to "closely monitor the nature and sources of demand pressure in the foreign exchange market to ensure that funds are not diverted to demands for foreign exchange but applied to specific growth enhancing asset creation and

lending by the banks."

It further noted that sectors like agriculture, MSMEs are sectors for rapid generation of productive employment and wealth creation as a result these sectors "must therefore be painstakingly encouraged."

The CBN governor stated that gross official reserves decreased modestly from US$31.20 billion at end-July 2015 to $30.63 billion on September 17, 2015. Based on this, the Committee underscored the imperative of growing and protecting the country's foreign reserves and building fiscal buffers in the process of strengthening confidence in the economy which is essential for promoting growth and stability.

Overall the MPC expressed optimism that business confidence will continue to be improved upon as the government continues to unfold its economic plans noting that "in addition, some of the reassur-

ing measures of the administration including efforts aimed at resolving fiscal challenges at the sub-national levels and the fight against corruption and improved business environment will unlock investments."

At the end of the MPC meeting and after considering what it called "the underlying fundamentals of the economy, particularly the declining output growth, rising unemployment, evolving international economic environment as well as the need to properly position the economy on a sustainable growth path", the MPC decided to reduce the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) from 31 per cent to 25 per cent.

By a unanimous vote, the MPC voted to retain the lending rate or Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 13 per cent; retain the symmetric corridor of 200 basis points around the MPR; and retain the Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent.

Saraki docked for alleged false declaration of assets Continued from page 6

that he ought not to be before the tribunal if due process was adhered to. He said his presence before the tribunal was because he was a law-abiding citizen.

Citing the provision of Section 3(d) of the law establishing the CCB, Saraki argued that he ought to have been confronted with any contradiction in his asset declaration form and made to provide explanation, failing which the case should be referred to the tribunal for trial.

When told by the tribunal Chairman that it was not his duty to address the tribunal, Saraki insisted on making the point that he ought not to be before the tribunal if due process was adhered to.

“Mr. Chairman, I will not go ahead. I just want to make this point for you to understand that, as a layman, I am puzzled why I should be before the tribunal. I thought that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) should have first called on me, according to the provision of the law. This is because the prosecution is talking about a new Nigeria.

“We are all before the world and not just before Nigeria and we ought to be seen how we conform to due process.

And that is why I felt before now; some of these issues

•Daudu (right) and Jacob ... on Monday

need to be raised. So, as stated, I want to say that I am not guilty,”Saraki said. He answered “not guilty” to the other 12 counts.

At the conclusion of the arraignment, Jacobs, as required by the ACJA, gave a summary of what the case was about.

He said it was about how Saraki made anticipatory asset declaration in the forms he filed between 2003 and 2011.

“He filed one in 2003, two in 2007 and one in 2011. These are the four asset declaration forms he filed as at when the charge was filed. The court should note that in the form he filed in 2003, he added properties on 15A and 15B Macpherson Road, Ikoyi. We will call only five witnesses to

prove our case that the defendant made an anticipatory asset declaration,” Jacobs said.

He said Saraki actually bought the assets from the Federal Government in 2007 and that he also allegedly operated a foreign account, with which he purportedly move funds out of the country while serving as governor of Kwara State. He said the prosecution needs just two days to conclude its case.

As Jacobs spoke, Saraki’s supporters, who filled up the courtroom, intermittently interrupted him, murmuring.

Some even wondered aloud why he was in haste to have the case heard.

Daudu urged the tribunal to allow his client sufficient time

to prepare his defence.

Before adjourning, the tribunal Chairman vacated the bench warrant against Saraki. He also admitted Saraki to bail on self-recognition (since Jacobs did not object to Daudu’s application for bail) and adjourned till October 21 for the hearing of all pending applications and possibly, commencement of trial.

As Saraki stepped off the accused box after the case was adjourned, he raised his hands and, as if on cue, his supporters, roared “Sai Bukky!” They continued shouting his name while they all exited the tribunal, trailing him as security men led him through the rowdy crowd into his waiting car.

Govt won’t share Excess Crude Account for now Continued from page 6

gration was sacrosanct.

He confirmed that about 600 of the 900 MDAs have so far complied with the directive but that his office was open to guide MDAs still in doubt as to what to do on how to go about transiting to the TSA. He said his office and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were collaborating to enlist and enroll MDAs. The TSA initia-

tive he said "is intended to make them more efficient and to raise more revenue for government."

At the end of the FAAC meeting, N412.608 billion was shared among the three tiers of government. This is less than the the N490.2 billion shared in July.

For statutory allocation, N347.959 billion was shared among the three tiers with the federal government receiving

N168.623 billion or 52.68 per cent of the what was shared under statutory allocation; states governments got N85.528 billion or 26.72 per cent; Local governments received N65.938 billion or 20.6 per cent while the balance of N27.870 billion was shared as 13 per cent derivation to oil and gas producing states.

A total of N59.689 billion was shared by the three governments from Value Added

Tax proceeds. From the amount, the federal government got N8.953 billion; state governments received N29.845 billion while local governments pocketed N20.891 billion.

Mrs Nwaobia said N4.960 billion was also shared as exchange gains proceeds while N12.5 billion was refunded to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) from the excess tax collected from individuals and corporate entities.

•Ayade

E

QUIPMENT for the Calabar Garment Factory under construction have been received by Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade.

The factory, expected to employ no fewer than 1500 people, mostly women and widows is a key project initiated by Ayade to lower unemployment.

The equipment which arrived in two containers include directdrive computerized lockstitch sewing machines, double needle lockstitch sewing machines, four thread direct-drive computerized over lock sewing machines with auto trimmer and button attaching sewing machines. ?

They also include straight button holling sewing machines ,eyelet electrical button holling sewing machines, automatic pocket welting machines and heat transfer machines 38/ 38cm.

Others are pneumatic heat transfer 44/35(removable) computerized servo cutting machines, round knife cutting machines full auto cloth end cutter and piano type air suction ironing tables.

While taking delivery of the equipment, Ayade said his administration worked ?hard with the core Italian partner Goldpride to get to this stage of

taking delivery of the equipment.

He explained that when operational the factory will take a minimum of 500 workers at a go and would run three shifts a day which translates to 1500 workers.

The governor said the garment factory will produce all sorts of clothes with Italian quality bearing in mind that the technology and expertise is from Italy?.

Ayade urged members of the Armed forces, the Police and other Para-military organizations to patronize the garment factory when operational, adding that it is his desire that the factory will not only serve Nigeria but West Africa.

The core investor and Chief Executive Officer of GoldPride, Giuseppe Gemma, said his company is bringing its expertise to bear in what would be the end –product of the factory explaining that at the end of the day the people of Cross River State would be better for it .

He said his company will train Cross Riverians to operate the machines and manage the factory adding that his company will also provide the routine maintenance of the equipment.

He assured that what would be produced from the factory would be of Italian quality.

Managing Director of Tiva Bespoke, said the equipment were of the best quality that is comparable to anywhere in the world and assured that products from the factory will be of the best quality.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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NEWS

Buhari okays N70m for low-key Independence celebration

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has approved N70 million for 2015 Independence celebrations.

October 1, 2015, Nigeria will mark its 55th independence anniversary.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal briefed reporters in Abuja yesterday.

He was represented by the Permanent Secretary (Political) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (OSGF), Ibukun Odusote.

He said President Buhari approved the N70 million although he would have pre-

APC groups elect national officers in Southwest

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HE Coalition of APC Support Group in the Southwest has elected its officers.

The election was held at the ARMTI Hall, Adisa Estate, Apo Area, Gudu, Abuja during the Congress of the Coalition of APC Support Group (Southwest Zone).

The election was conducted for national offices zoned to the Southwest by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Election Management Committee, headed by Chris Owoicho.

Kunle Ehinlanwo was elected as the deputy national chairman (South). Ehinlawo, who got 14 votes, defeated Interim Chairman, Reverend Abraham Adebisi. Doyin Johnson was returned unopposed as the national vice chairman (Southwest), so also were Kehinde Akinsola (National Treasurer) and Kunle Jimoh (National Welfare Secretary), Rauf Sarafadeen Olaiya stepped down for Comrade Majeed Yahaya, who was elected as the national youth leader.

A voice vote of the congress ratified the posts with the conclusion to present the officers for the National Convention of the Coalition, to take place after other geopolitical zones hold their elections.

The election, which was conducted by Southwest Electoral Committee headed by Prince Feyisayo Ijifusi, was witnessed by National Secretary of the Coalition, Mr. Peter Okorafor, North Central Leader of the Coalition, Musa Otigba and National Women Leader, Rev. (Mrs.) Shali Williams Chinedu.

The Coalition of APC Support Groups is a body of all independent groups that worked for the success of APC in the last general elections.

It comprises of about 185 groups across the country.

The Central Working Committee of the APC, headed by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, represented by Chief Segun Oni, APC deputy national chairman (South) inaugurated the Steering Committee of the Coalition on May 27 and directed that democraticallyelected national officers through an open National Convention be put in place within three months.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

ferred the money to go for the payment of workers’ salaries.

President Buhari, he said, maintained that the money was too much to be spent on frivolities, such as celebrations, when Nigerians were grappling to survive the present-day economic stress.

He said: “Let me emphasise, that this year’s celebration is indeed low-key. This is because the present administration appreciates the economic hardship that Nigerians and indeed the nation is confronted with today.

“To address the situation,

government has adopted a general policy to be prudent in the management of our financial resources. This year’s celebration is therefore, in consonance with the cost saving policy direction of this administration,” he said.

According to him, four events were approved by the President.

He said: “The events are: Jumat prayers, international thanksgiving service, ceremonial change of guards and a children’s party.”

The independence anniversary will begin with Jumat prayers on Friday, September 25, at the National Mosque, Abuja. This will be followed by an interdenom-

inational thanksgiving service on Sunday, September 27, at the National Christian Worship Centre, Abuja.

There will be ceremonial change of guards at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on October 1, 2015.

The Children’s party will be held on Saturday, October 3, at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

He added: “Apart from these four events the President will address the nation on Oct 1.

“To ensure a successful commemoration, four subcommittees have been constituted to handle the preparations for each of the four events,” he added.

Atiku urges Nigerians to conquer hate, political intolerance

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ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urges Nigerians to rid their hearts and minds of hate, intolerance and prejudice, which he said could promote violent conflicts and destruction of life and property in the country.

In his passionate Sallah message on the occasion of Eid-el Kabir celebration, the former Vice President said every passing day he was saddened by the “deepening frenzy of hate, intolerance and bigotry”, which produce toxic effects on unity and harmony among Nigerians.

According to the former Vice President, Nigerians should use religion to create a conflict free society, adding that “love is the universal language of all the world’s religions.”

He urged Muslims and other Nigerians to be good ambassadors of the teachings of their own religions.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar appealed to the Muslim faithful to pay greater attention to stemming and eliminating poisonous extremist tendencies by ensuring that people with violent ideologies are not allowed to influence the innocent in the wrong direction.

Atiku said Muslims must speak with one voice against extremism because of the great harm its causing the image of Islam and its adherents.

He said the greatest honour Muslims could do to their religion was to live by its virtues.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

10

NEWS H.I.D AWOLOWO - 1925-2015

•Senator Oluremi Tinubu signing the condolence register at the Ikenne, Ogun State home of the Awolowos...yesterday

•Former Chief of General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd) flanked by Ogun State House of Assembly Speaker Suraj Ishola Adekunbi (right) and Alhaji Dauda Makanjuola Akinola...yesterday

•Senator Kola Bajomo signing the register...yesterday

•From left: Mrs Anthonia Balogun, fashion designer, Mrs Funmi Ajila-Ladipo, Mrs Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, Mrs Tola Oyediran, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Mrs Omotola Ojudu...yesterday

•Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu (left) and widow of former Head of State, Mrs Ajoke Murtala Muhammed

•President, Yoruba Council of Elders, Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo and his wife, Dupe ...yesterday

•The Nation Editorial Adviser, Prof. Olatunji Dare (right) and member, Editorial Board, Mr Olakunle Abimbola...yesterday

•Mr Tokunbo Ajasin and his sister, Mrs Jumoke Anifowoshe...yesterday PHOTOS: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Life

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The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761 and 08112662687

He used to play with figures. Now Dr Sunny Oby Maduka is feasting with words. Maduka, Senior Manager (Audit) at Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), has presented two novels - The Surviving Twins and Tears for Love in Lagos. The Accountant-author, EVELYN OSAGIE reports, is calling for peaceful coexistence and cultural re-orientation.

Behold, man of figures, words

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HEY call him a man of many parts.

He is an accountant-turned-writer, a marine expert, motivational speaker and filmmaker, among others.

Dr Sunny Oby Maduka, Senior Manager (Audit) at Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), brought friends and associates together at the presentation of his books in Lagos.

But they were not his first. The author has three other works - The Whispering Voice (2013), My Nation My Agony (2014) and The Collection of Iluminatory Poems (2014). He has also produced a film, titled: Blood Communion.

In appreciation of the man and his gifts, guests thronged the Best Western Hotel, Victoria Island.

Many wondered where this multi-talented executive finds the time and energy to churn out five creative works and a film within three years.

Moved by Maduka’s agility and flair, Mr Chidi Ogboku, who chaired the event, described him as “an immutable talent” who is influencing many, particularly the young, across the nations.

“Maduka is a man of many parts that is committed to whatever he does. I am not surprise that he keeps churning out books yearly. He is also very passionate about people, especially the young. The best we can do for posterity is to document our aspirations. Great minds, like the late Prof Chinua Achebe, Prof Wole Soyinka and their peers, have done their parts. It is inspiring to note that Maduka is following in their footsteps,” he said.

Besides praising Maduka’s ability to merge diverse vocations, guests eulogised the intellectual depth in his works. They linked it to his being an avid reader. It was also observed that the multitasking author is also an ardent advocate for literacy, culture and moral values.

The book reviewer, Mr Chris Emeka Mba, described the books as motivational, observing that the love expressed by the author in both works transcends “human understanding”.

Mba,, an engineer, was of the view that the literati hold the power to change society. He, therefore, commended the didactic lessons Maduka’s books, while urging guests to borrow a leaf from the author’s efforts at promoting reading culture and intellectual expressions.

He said: “Having read his five books, I cannot but buy into his rare ideals. As an intellectual builder, he is indeed a comparative professor whose books talk about topical issues of global interests. Maduka makes case for culture and tradition. Both books are fascinating but similar in many ways in that they both hammer on the universal benefits of love and cultural reorientation.”

Asked how he is able to keep abreast with the demands of his diverse endeavours, accountantturned-writer said: “Multitasking has been a part of me from a very young age. As I grew older, I became used to doing many things at the same time and doing each well. I only sleep for few hours; and I am happy my wife understands the kind of person I am and supports me.”

Maduka called for proactive steps to ignite

•Dr Maduka

LITERATURE the reading culture in the young, noting that in promoting and supporting writers and their works would improve the literacy rate.

He said: “African must refuse the epithet of literary illiterates with the assertion that we don’t read. We must cultivate the cultural herit-

age of great who were/are not only good in writing but excellent in reading. Africa must arise and honour our literary giants who have put us in the world’s hall of fame, such as Wole Soyinka, Zainab Akali and the late Chinua Achebe.”

While observing that “every creative work has a pondering and reflexive lessons for mankind”, Maduka emphasised that “no nation suc-

‘Together let’s teach ethical values to generations beyond ours by becoming positive change agents in the gloomy earth’s systems. Let us be part of that generation that abhors any form of tribal and religious disunity that has knifed our great African communal heritage’

Saved in Mach 62 as LIFE SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

ceeds without its citizenry understanding the place of reading”.

He decried the decadence in the social order, while naming the failure of government, corporate bodies and society at large to promote worthy causes as its source.

He said: “Together let’s teach ethical values to generations beyond ours by becoming positive change agents in the gloomy earth’s systems. Let us be part of that generation that abhors any form of tribal and religious disunity that has knifed our great African communal heritage. No true African writer would devalue our values through their works. Writers should endeavour to promote our rich moral and cul•Continued on Page 14

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Driven by the desire to satisfy its subscribers, MultiChoice Africa provided a unique platform for leading content providers from across the globe to showcase the best of their packages. The event was held penultimate week at the OutRigger Resort, Mauritius Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

MultiChoice content providers offer exciting bouquet

“O

UR passion for Africa is in everything we do – as a home grown company our roots are firmly in African soil and our growth over the last 20 years has been a result of massive investments we have made in people, content and technology – but as with any business not all of these investments or changes have hit the spot…. so we have from time to time reevaluated our position and made changes to our strategies.

At the end of the day, however, it is really our subscribers we have to thank for staying with us, trusting us to deliver the best television experience and customer service to make their experience world class.” That statement from the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoiice Africa, Mr Tim Jacobs set the tone for media interaction that featured DStv’s and GOtv’s biggest channels such as Sony, SuperSport, Zee World, A+E, Disney, MTV Base, BET, Comedy Central, BBC and M-Net. MNet Regional Director West Africa, Wangi MbaUzoukwu said M-Net is launching and redefining channels while expanding its content offerings to viewers across the continent. She stated that the Africa Magic Original Films initiative saw M-Net producing made for television films with fresh, up and coming talent behind and in front of the cameras in the Nigerian film and television industry whilst the Lokshin Bioskop movies on Mzansi Magic tell compelling local stories which are hugely popular with viewers.

Mba-Uzoukwu noted that the ongoing and significant investments in local productions have positioned Africa on the entertainment global arena and with new technology ‘we continue to reach even more people, ensuring that no one ever misses the M-Net Magic.’

According to her “Our investment drive remains geared not only towards the industries in which we play, but also in the people who power them. Every year, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards celebrates the best film and television talent across Africa and other stars are discovered every day by M-Net just like the international superstar model, Oluchi, who won the first ever M-Net Face of Africa competition in 1998, and the Big Brother Housemates who have over the years carved out exciting careers in entertainment all across Africa.”

Senior Channel Director Comedy Central, Evert van der Veer disclosed that the Comedy Central International Festival, an event which will witness the best comedians from across the continent will be at Johannesburg, South Africa early in 2016 to join talents from the UK and

BRIEF

ANA Lagos gets exco

By Evelyn Osagie

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•Margaret Mathore

ENTERTAINMENT USA for an epic feast of comedy. He said there is also another Comedy Central Roast in the works, which will take the brand outside of South Africa for the first time.

Nickelodeon Senior Channel Manager Tasania Parsadh spoke on the channel’s new application Gameshakerslaunched on 1 September, which brings the ‘second screen’ to life and can be played globally, at any time. Nickelodeon Genius will also be launched shortly – Nicktoons’ first game show, which seeks to inspire kids in the fields of mathematics & science. “We believe everything is fun and interesting, so we’ve created an amazing game show which makes these difficult subjects, fun,”said Parsadh. “We really want kids, parents and teachers to get involved. ”Nickelodeon also shared news of a West African edition of the hugely-popular NickFest, which will see pre-school, kids, teens and their parents entertained in true Nickelodeon style – with the iconic Nickelodeon Slime sure to be a star attraction!

But from MTV Base, comes new prank show You Got Got and the fourth season of MTV Shuga – outside of the hugely-respected MTV MAMA’s, which have put Africa’s top entertainers on the global stage. “Very few brands can talk about the amazing talent and contemporary youth culture space like MTV Base,” said Tim Horwood, Channel Director MTV Base. “We’re constantly trying to grow and push new talent and celebrate the continent’s big artists. We have a show called Rate or Hatecoming soon, which will give artists

•Mr Tim Jacobs who don’t make it onto the playlist, the chance to get some exposure online and in promos onair. People will be able to vote for them, and if the audience demands it, they’ll get their shot on the channel.” Horwood also announced that an East African Chart Show would be launched in 2016 to showcase the amazing things happening in the East African music scene.

The newest member of VIMN family on DStv– BET – is also growing and incorporating more local content. Top Actor SAproduced excellent talent, so the show is being expanded to Top Actor Africato broaden the search for African acting and presenting talent. Announcements about the audition process will be made soon and the show will begin flighting early in 2016.

Channel Manager BET Kgomotso Matsunyane said the channel was particularly excited to have launched BET Buzz on 1 September – a daily show which showcases all the glitz and glamour of the African and international entertainment scenes. A continental version of the prestigious Black Girls Rock event is also on the cards and will form part of BET’s impressive tentpole music awards events, which include the BET Hip Hop Awards, the Soul Train Awards, the BET Awards and the international version of Black Girls Rock. The 4th season of Real Husbands of Hollywood, starring Kevin Hart, is coming soon, as is Being Mary Jane.

MTV Base VJ Nomuzi, said Viacom’s talent development programme – a project she, herself, is a product of, having win the 2012 MTV Base VJ Search has changed her life. “I stood in line for hours and hours to get my chance, and now I work for hours and hours, living my dream,” she said.

HE Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Lagos Branch has new executives (Exco).

The executives emerged after a rigorous election during the Branch convention and election held last Saturday.

The candidates began the process by picking up nomination forms between 12 and 2.30pm, with the chairman insisting that they download a copy of the ANA Constitution from www.ananigeria.com to know the requirements/duties of their prospective positions, and that the forms be filled with two references with full membership of the branch.

He added: “The referees MUST be financial members of the branch; each candidate must sign the declaration in his own hands; the properly filled forms should then be given to the outgoing; chairman and financial secretary for clearance purposes; the forms will be transferred to the electoral officer who will confirm all candidates, and announce the names of contestants to the gathered assembly.”

With all requirements met and the election held, Mr Femi Onileagbon, who recently survived a ghastly accident, has returned as the organisation’s chair for a second term running.

He will be leading the new executives into a two-year term of creative and literary activities in the state. Mr Olu Okekanye also returned as the branch’s vice chairman, even as Mr Yemi Adebiyi emerged as secretary. Mr Bababtunde Vaughan is now the treasurer while the branch financial secretary is Mary Taiwo and Omotola Divine the publicity secretary.

Besides the election into the state’s executive council, the convention also featured readings, business meeting and a discussion session on preparations for the forthcoming ANA National Convention billed for next month in Kaduna.

10th Bamako Encounters opens October 31

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•Mr Ogboku, Dr Maduka and his wife, Priscilla Swanta, Pastor Michael Ogunbayode and Yahaya Abdulsalam

Behold, man of figures, words •Continued fromPage 13

tural heritage through their works.

“I have been inspired by the pains of the rich, the pleasure of the poor, the laughter of a home filled with love, the screaming of the exact opposite. I draw inspiration from the rat race where the rich out runs the poor and unfortunately too, the poor become architects of their doomsday by smiling ingloriously at glaring acts of injustice.”

This writer-cum advocate brings his beliefs to bear on his writings as his works speak of a better future engineered by people-oriented change.”

In The Surviving Twins, Maduka hazardous condemns anti-social traditions, such as the killing of twins. In it, the “abominable” twins and their mother were to be killed in Agafe forest.

The task of execution was to be shouldered by

two noble sons of the soil,but were murdered.

Saved from death, the condemned and supposedly abominable soon became the turning wheel of Afigbo’s progress.

Tears For Love is a love of Michael. The trouble is that Michela is not w in love with the woman he’s agreed to marry: he has hopelessly fallen for Phina. After meeting briefly her at the airport, his whole world turned upside down. But what and how is he going to tell his bride to be, Oluchi? And there’s also the problem of his all-controlling mother; not to mention the fact that Phina has no feelings for him and is barely aware of his existence, except as someone who is destined to marry someone else. Under pressure from all sides, Michael goes ahead with the marriage, but he can’t forget Phina, and begins an exciting journey to find her and make his feelings known.

HE 10th anniversary edition of Biennale of African Photography, Bamako Encounters will run from October 31 to December 31 in Bamako, Mali.

The Artistic Director is founder Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) Lagos, Bisi Silva with associate curators Antawan I. Byrd and Yves Chatap. The theme is Telling Time.

The Bamako Encounters 2015 is a pan-African exhibition with artists chosen from a call for applications. This year a record number of dossiers were received from the 54 African countries and the Diaspora: a total of 800 applications – four times more than for the exhibition in 2011.

A statement on the festival’s website said apart from the artistic aspect of the event, this year’s edition will help focus the news from Mali on cultural affairs of a more ‘positive’ nature in terms of image and economic revival. There will also be a retrospective of past editions while the artistic project will be constructed around the narrative of time. Photographers will be invited to create a narrative of Africa, not through a view of things on the surface but, rather, through the way they use the image to delve into the reality of their time. The approach is designed to create a link between the past, the present and the future of the continent.

As an approach, it is perfectly suited to deal with the recent upheavals experienced not only by Mali, but also by North Africa with its Arab Springs and, more recently, by Burkina Faso.

The team of curators hopes to create a

•Silva

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor Arts

PHOTOGRAPHY fresh view of the creation of photography and video as practised in Africa. There will be both documentary and artistic works, as well as forms closer to installations. It is already evident from the pre-selection of artists process, that a lot of the work is sourced in film and picture archives. Humour abounds and there is no lack of self-mockery on the part of the artists – both of themselves and their countries.

The religious question arises in a curious and subtle fashion in the works to be displayed, bearing in mind the crisis reigning over the continent at the moment.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

15

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

United we stand

•Federal government should nip fresh challenge from the Niger Delta in the bud

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N irony, indeed. At a time that the people are full of expectation of a final push by the Army against the Boko Haram insurgents, the equally deadly Niger Delta militants have threatened to resume their action against the state. Human and material resources are being devoted to addressing the terrorist attacks that once threatened to overthrow the sovereignty of the land and ultimately break up the country.

Unfortunately, too, the Movement for a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSPB), which is the South East version of the subversion threat, has indicated it would soon embark on another fresh wave of violence and open challenge to the sovereign power of the Nigerian state.

These call for urgent action. At a time that the international community is being rallied to fight the Boko Haram war, there should be no distraction. We therefore call on the federal government to visit any attempt at insurrection from other parts of the country with the full weight of the law.

It is on record that, following the earlier wave of protests and the reign of anarchy in the area, it took the introduction of the

‘The threat of regrouping must be nipped in the bud now with with the support of the intelligence agencies charged with monitoring the key figures’

Niger Delta ministry and the amnesty programme to rein in the rough necks in the area. Only then did the reign of kidnap of expatriates and professionals and attacks on public buildings subside. At the height of the subversion of authority, life became so cheap that no one wanted to invest in the oil-rich territory. The national revenue, dependent on oil wealth, plunged and development was severely threatened.

But, that was before the slump in the oil market. Added to it are the prohibitive cost of prosecuting the War against Terrorism in the North East, the inclement economic weather and the corruption in the land. The insurgency in the North got out of hand because the security agencies failed to pay it adequate attention in good time. Now, the militants in the creeks are known and their capacity could be fairly addressed.

The threat of regrouping must be nipped in the bud now with with the support of the intelligence agencies charged with monitoring the key figures.

While the rule of law should be scrupulously adhered to, the full weight of legal provisions should be exploited in dealing with the budding situation.

It has been suggested that politicians may be prodding the militants to strike to disrupt plans by the new administration to ensure that the power and energy sectors are sanitised. The truth in this might has not been ascertained, but it should not be dismissed without investigation.

Where any politician is found culpable,

he should be exposed and charged with the relevant offences in the law.

The MASSOB and its backers must be told that the era of impunity and inaction is gone. It is unacceptable that, 45 years after the civil war with the slogan “no victor, no vanquished,” anyone or group of persons could still be suggesting that Biafra is feasible. All Igbo leaders and elite should call the young men to order before another line of calamity is opened in that part of the country.

This is a convenient point to put the militia groups in the various parts of the country in their place. One of the attributes of a sovereign state is that it has a monopoly of control and use of agencies of coercion. Nigeria cannot be an exception; otherwise anarchy looms. We call on the federal government to be fair in the distribution of resources to all parts of the country and in taking care of the citizens.

This may go a long way in allaying the fears of the ethnic groups and even the economic minorities.

At the end of the hostilities in the North East, we call on government to look into the demands of the various peoples of Nigeria. A convenient point to start might be revisiting the original covenant entered into by the people and political parties before independence and granting more autonomy to the federating units. The emergence of regional groups is perhaps an indication that the Nigerian people still owe more allegiance to the old regions that have largely translated to the geopolitical zones.

Professorial governor • Fetishisation of aptitude and integrity, in tests, is hardly the way to go

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EOPLE of Cross River State must be proud of their governor, Prof. Ben Ayade and his love for scholastic rigour. Yet, isn’t the new governor rather over-playing the scholastic part of him?

Governor Ayade has come out with a rather curious pre-test for his would-be cabinet and other state appointees. They would all have to undergo a mandatory “integrity and aptitude” test.

“His Excellency, Prof. Ben Ayade, wants all the nominees for appointments as commissioners to undergo and integrity test,” declared a release by Christian Ita, the governor’s chief press secretary. “Additionally, the nominees would also write an aptitude test.”

To show that His Excellency means business, a committee to conduct the tests has already been set up, made up of Paul Erokoro, an Abuja-based lawyer, Martin Orim, the chief of staff to the governor and Mrs Grace Ekanem. After the putative cabinet members have had their day with the committee, the committee would shift its attention to would-be members of boards of parastatals and agencies. It is only after that the governor would pass their names to the state legislature for endorsement.

For starters, since integrity and aptitude tests are a sine-qua-non for any sinecure under the Ayade governorship, which body vetted members of the Orimchaired committee — or did His Excellency do it himself? And what of Mr. Ita, who rolled out the diktat — under instruction, of course. Did he too have a private grilling with the governor?

Do not get us wrong. With mass governmental turpitude and the attendant decay in the public space, every political leader ought to take an especial interest in the moral tincture of his lieutenants. Whatever each of them does, their principal, the governor, takes the can: for they act in his name; and hold office at his pleasure.

Aptitude is no less important — for it is a matter of competence; and the ability to grind out results, even with telling circumstances. We do not want to pump officials with so much state resources, without commensurate results, do we?

Still, is sitting virtual examinations on morality, integrity and competence the way out? It could be, but not necessarily so. By the way, did the governor himself write such tests when he was gunning for nomination? And the aptitude bid: since he most probably would pick from among his party peers, when did he start having doubts on their competence: before the elections when their inputs were needed to secure power? Or after: after power had been sealed and delivered?

All this might sound like playing the devil’s advocate but that is exactly what is probably playing out in the mind of the potential candidates for the proposed test.

But such is Nigeria’s political sociology that even the most hurt and humiliated would quietly lick their wounds, stoop to conquer and gain the el-dorado of their dreams — government sinecure with all its lollies.

Governor Ayade must take every logical

step to ensure he marshals a dream team, such that can sustain and improve on the worthwhile legacies of the Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke years. On all objective fronts, Cross River would appear one of the relative success stories of this democratic dispensation.

But he must be careful not to appear, ab initio, crassly disrespectful of his team; and elevating himself to a virtual tin god over his cabinet, when all he needs is mutual respect between him and the cabinet, to fire their sense of individual worth; and nurture a collective creative instinct.

Making full adults sit for “integrity and aptitude” test is taking campaign for rectitude in public offices too far. The governor should forget such an idea, and think of a more nuanced method of achieving his goal, without making the subject of the test feeling hurt or humiliated.

‘But he must be careful not to appear, ab initio, crassly disrespectful of his team; and elevating himself to a virtual tin god over his cabinet, when all he needs is mutual respect between him and the cabinet, to fire their sense of individual worth; and nurture a collective creative instinct’

Writing should be promoted too

S

IR: There have been heightened concerns recently on the poor reading habit of Nigerians. This is especially prevalent among the younger generation. Of course, a poor reader cannot make a good writer. While promoters of music, sports and other such take up the front pages and centre-spread, indeed the most strategic positions in the media, notices on writing competitions and workshops, etcetera are hidden in the most uninspiring sites if not the darkest pages of newspapers with prizes as ridiculous as a book by a famous author (one it is clear everybody already has). It is also sad that establishments and conglomerates, in their corporate social responsibilities would prefer areas (music, sports etcetera), already stimulated enough, with mouth-watering prizes just to rake in ‘corporate social returns’. Where in reading nations, newspapers, magazines and publishing companies are major facilitators and champions of writing, ours would hardly have any category for writers in their overblown usually annual awards. The result is that the promotion and impartation of writing skills is left solely, or with grudgingly little support, to the few established writers mostly confined to schools.

Future writers of repute are not found only in academic environments. They are just everywhere. Sadly, the few competitions organized only see the winners rewarded with funny prizes - they may then go to hell with their knack in writing.

I am yet to see our print media – they because they are writers and should represent everything writing – publish any winning work with intention of vigorously campaigning for the author’s support and advancement.

Instead, they shamelessly publish with slight, authors who have been awarded abroad.

Why won’t our best brains migrate abroad where they would be better appreciated? Our media houses will rather accept and promote deceptions and falsehood from politicians and their aides for whatever selfish and greedy reasons. They will rather collaborate in promoting contests from fashion to beauty in complete disregard of what they represent. The government’s indifference is simply overwhelming. Yet, one gets to often see articles complaining of the loss of interest in reading.

Where is the motivation coming from? Since certificates are the ultimate target, do we not need to get rid of past-level books or more conveniently seek shortcuts to the so treasured ‘paper’?

Writing and writers should be seriously campaigned for and encouraged. Publishing houses and the media generally, academic institutions, oil and gas companies, the government, professional bodies, telecommunication companies, writers themselves, in fact, everybody should join hands in giving writing (which comes with reading) its pride of place in Nigeria because a nation that hates reading is simply dancing it way to the very destructive pit of illiteracy or maybe neo-illiteracy.

• Uzoaganobi Ebuka, Imo State.

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

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

15

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

United we stand

•Federal government should nip fresh challenge from the Niger Delta in the bud

A

N irony, indeed. At a time that the people are full of expectation of a final push by the Army against the Boko Haram insurgents, the equally deadly Niger Delta militants have threatened to resume their action against the state. Human and material resources are being devoted to addressing the terrorist attacks that once threatened to overthrow the sovereignty of the land and ultimately break up the country.

Unfortunately, too, the Movement for a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSPB), which is the South East version of the subversion threat, has indicated it would soon embark on another fresh wave of violence and open challenge to the sovereign power of the Nigerian state.

These call for urgent action. At a time that the international community is being rallied to fight the Boko Haram war, there should be no distraction. We therefore call on the federal government to visit any attempt at insurrection from other parts of the country with the full weight of the law.

It is on record that, following the earlier wave of protests and the reign of anarchy in the area, it took the introduction of the

‘The threat of regrouping must be nipped in the bud now with with the support of the intelligence agencies charged with monitoring the key figures’

Niger Delta ministry and the amnesty programme to rein in the rough necks in the area. Only then did the reign of kidnap of expatriates and professionals and attacks on public buildings subside. At the height of the subversion of authority, life became so cheap that no one wanted to invest in the oil-rich territory. The national revenue, dependent on oil wealth, plunged and development was severely threatened.

But, that was before the slump in the oil market. Added to it are the prohibitive cost of prosecuting the War against Terrorism in the North East, the inclement economic weather and the corruption in the land. The insurgency in the North got out of hand because the security agencies failed to pay it adequate attention in good time. Now, the militants in the creeks are known and their capacity could be fairly addressed.

The threat of regrouping must be nipped in the bud now with with the support of the intelligence agencies charged with monitoring the key figures.

While the rule of law should be scrupulously adhered to, the full weight of legal provisions should be exploited in dealing with the budding situation.

It has been suggested that politicians may be prodding the militants to strike to disrupt plans by the new administration to ensure that the power and energy sectors are sanitised. The truth in this might has not been ascertained, but it should not be dismissed without investigation.

Where any politician is found culpable,

he should be exposed and charged with the relevant offences in the law.

The MASSOB and its backers must be told that the era of impunity and inaction is gone. It is unacceptable that, 45 years after the civil war with the slogan “no victor, no vanquished,” anyone or group of persons could still be suggesting that Biafra is feasible. All Igbo leaders and elite should call the young men to order before another line of calamity is opened in that part of the country.

This is a convenient point to put the militia groups in the various parts of the country in their place. One of the attributes of a sovereign state is that it has a monopoly of control and use of agencies of coercion. Nigeria cannot be an exception; otherwise anarchy looms. We call on the federal government to be fair in the distribution of resources to all parts of the country and in taking care of the citizens.

This may go a long way in allaying the fears of the ethnic groups and even the economic minorities.

At the end of the hostilities in the North East, we call on government to look into the demands of the various peoples of Nigeria. A convenient point to start might be revisiting the original covenant entered into by the people and political parties before independence and granting more autonomy to the federating units. The emergence of regional groups is perhaps an indication that the Nigerian people still owe more allegiance to the old regions that have largely translated to the geopolitical zones.

Professorial governor • Fetishisation of aptitude and integrity, in tests, is hardly the way to go

P

EOPLE of Cross River State must be proud of their governor, Prof. Ben Ayade and his love for scholastic rigour. Yet, isn’t the new governor rather over-playing the scholastic part of him?

Governor Ayade has come out with a rather curious pre-test for his would-be cabinet and other state appointees. They would all have to undergo a mandatory “integrity and aptitude” test.

“His Excellency, Prof. Ben Ayade, wants all the nominees for appointments as commissioners to undergo and integrity test,” declared a release by Christian Ita, the governor’s chief press secretary. “Additionally, the nominees would also write an aptitude test.”

To show that His Excellency means business, a committee to conduct the tests has already been set up, made up of Paul Erokoro, an Abuja-based lawyer, Martin Orim, the chief of staff to the governor and Mrs Grace Ekanem. After the putative cabinet members have had their day with the committee, the committee would shift its attention to would-be members of boards of parastatals and agencies. It is only after that the governor would pass their names to the state legislature for endorsement.

For starters, since integrity and aptitude tests are a sine-qua-non for any sinecure under the Ayade governorship, which body vetted members of the Orimchaired committee — or did His Excellency do it himself? And what of Mr. Ita, who rolled out the diktat — under instruction, of course. Did he too have a private grilling with the governor?

Do not get us wrong. With mass governmental turpitude and the attendant decay in the public space, every political leader ought to take an especial interest in the moral tincture of his lieutenants. Whatever each of them does, their principal, the governor, takes the can: for they act in his name; and hold office at his pleasure.

Aptitude is no less important — for it is a matter of competence; and the ability to grind out results, even with telling circumstances. We do not want to pump officials with so much state resources, without commensurate results, do we?

Still, is sitting virtual examinations on morality, integrity and competence the way out? It could be, but not necessarily so. By the way, did the governor himself write such tests when he was gunning for nomination? And the aptitude bid: since he most probably would pick from among his party peers, when did he start having doubts on their competence: before the elections when their inputs were needed to secure power? Or after: after power had been sealed and delivered?

All this might sound like playing the devil’s advocate but that is exactly what is probably playing out in the mind of the potential candidates for the proposed test.

But such is Nigeria’s political sociology that even the most hurt and humiliated would quietly lick their wounds, stoop to conquer and gain the el-dorado of their dreams — government sinecure with all its lollies.

Governor Ayade must take every logical

step to ensure he marshals a dream team, such that can sustain and improve on the worthwhile legacies of the Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke years. On all objective fronts, Cross River would appear one of the relative success stories of this democratic dispensation.

But he must be careful not to appear, ab initio, crassly disrespectful of his team; and elevating himself to a virtual tin god over his cabinet, when all he needs is mutual respect between him and the cabinet, to fire their sense of individual worth; and nurture a collective creative instinct.

Making full adults sit for “integrity and aptitude” test is taking campaign for rectitude in public offices too far. The governor should forget such an idea, and think of a more nuanced method of achieving his goal, without making the subject of the test feeling hurt or humiliated.

‘But he must be careful not to appear, ab initio, crassly disrespectful of his team; and elevating himself to a virtual tin god over his cabinet, when all he needs is mutual respect between him and the cabinet, to fire their sense of individual worth; and nurture a collective creative instinct’

Writing should be promoted too

S

IR: There have been heightened concerns recently on the poor reading habit of Nigerians. This is especially prevalent among the younger generation. Of course, a poor reader cannot make a good writer. While promoters of music, sports and other such take up the front pages and centre-spread, indeed the most strategic positions in the media, notices on writing competitions and workshops, etcetera are hidden in the most uninspiring sites if not the darkest pages of newspapers with prizes as ridiculous as a book by a famous author (one it is clear everybody already has). It is also sad that establishments and conglomerates, in their corporate social responsibilities would prefer areas (music, sports etcetera), already stimulated enough, with mouth-watering prizes just to rake in ‘corporate social returns’. Where in reading nations, newspapers, magazines and publishing companies are major facilitators and champions of writing, ours would hardly have any category for writers in their overblown usually annual awards. The result is that the promotion and impartation of writing skills is left solely, or with grudgingly little support, to the few established writers mostly confined to schools.

Future writers of repute are not found only in academic environments. They are just everywhere. Sadly, the few competitions organized only see the winners rewarded with funny prizes - they may then go to hell with their knack in writing.

I am yet to see our print media – they because they are writers and should represent everything writing – publish any winning work with intention of vigorously campaigning for the author’s support and advancement.

Instead, they shamelessly publish with slight, authors who have been awarded abroad.

Why won’t our best brains migrate abroad where they would be better appreciated? Our media houses will rather accept and promote deceptions and falsehood from politicians and their aides for whatever selfish and greedy reasons. They will rather collaborate in promoting contests from fashion to beauty in complete disregard of what they represent. The government’s indifference is simply overwhelming. Yet, one gets to often see articles complaining of the loss of interest in reading.

Where is the motivation coming from? Since certificates are the ultimate target, do we not need to get rid of past-level books or more conveniently seek shortcuts to the so treasured ‘paper’?

Writing and writers should be seriously campaigned for and encouraged. Publishing houses and the media generally, academic institutions, oil and gas companies, the government, professional bodies, telecommunication companies, writers themselves, in fact, everybody should join hands in giving writing (which comes with reading) its pride of place in Nigeria because a nation that hates reading is simply dancing it way to the very destructive pit of illiteracy or maybe neo-illiteracy.

• Uzoaganobi Ebuka, Imo State.

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

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT/Pre-Press Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

16

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: From a part-time lecturer at the University of Lagos to professor of Law at the University of Calabar, the sad involvement of intellectuals in moral debauchery of sex exploitation of female students has further confirmed the slip of the Nigerian society into moral anomie. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the university symbolizes structure of moral purity.

The university is a architecture designed for the pursuit of intellectual growth of society and ought to be divorced from the everyday concerns. But as universities become encircled by communities, and as a collectivity of human beings; we cannot but find the saint and the sinner cohabiting. Rape is a subset of sexual assault which is gaining ground due to our docile and sentimental nature which downplays the inhumanity of some of us against the vulnerable. Rape in our ‘knowledge factories’, like the other reported cases outside the walls of universities indicate the erosion of trust in our society. While the UNILAG case indicated abuse of trust, the UNICAL involved abuse of office, threat and capitalization on the vulnerability of the student.

Nigeria is not yet in the league of top 20 countries in the world where rape is more deadly but if we are not careful and enforce the necessary laws, it will get out of hand.

The social networks of randy lecturers are strong that it sometimes frustrates any efforts at reporting.

Why rape students? Sociologically, it is rational action because the benefit outweighs the cost as it is in Nigeria. Rapist lecturers operate like other typical offenders based on power, anger and sexuality. The compromised lecturers operate from the position of strength of their power as having the ability to determine who will be found worthy to graduate. Thus they feel insulted if their subtle request is rejected by

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Anomie and rape in varsities the ladies. They set up obstacles such as test, examinations and openly insult and harass their victims all with the aim of having their way. Rather than taking money, having sex with the student becomes a weapon of perpetual domination and a victory of masculinity. To them, having their way is their ‘victory’ over a disrespectful student. Rape is therefore symp-

tomatic of patriarchal societies like Nigeria. Lecturers who rape students have emphatic or social skill deficits and may justify their behaviours on the basis of cognitive distortions.

The way forward is having a supportive judiciary in attending to rape cases and their punishment if the case ever gets to that stage. If a rape case appears before a male judge,

he is more likely to make a mess of it. The female judge feels affected and likely to dispense off the case with justice. Universities should have dress codes to check nudity and appropriately sanction infractions.

A rapist lecturer should face a degradation ceremony; a shaming parade within the university. Such a lecturer, after prima facie has been established, must be taken across

campus and his picture published in the university calendar. Universities must also be fined if a case of rape is established within their confines.

Doing this will make institutions enforce high moral standard among the workforce. Universities must have a unit to investigate gender and sexual harassment as is being done at the University of Ibadan under the Gender Mainstreaming office. This unit must be made to function and lecturers found culpable must be disciplined within the stipulated laws.

Rape comes under offences against morality in the criminal code and we must arrest it as we cannot allow this moral anomie to continue.

• Dr Oludayo Tade, Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan.

Mama Awo’s glorious exit

S

IR: Report on the death of Mama, Chief Mrs. HID Awolowo hit me like a thunderbolt last Saturday. It came at exactly 4pm while awaiting my flight aboard Arik Airline at Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Ikeja, to Abuja.

I am one of Mama’s ‘children’ and so found her death most painful.

Am still in shock. I was to see her celebrate the centenary birthday being planned in her honour as we both had prayed together for the event to come. My mind went through my last intimate encounter with Mama in June this year. She had asked me to see her in Ikenne and when I did, it was a kind of reunion of mother and child., * Mama stunned me when she asked after my wife and children as she began to name them one after the other! I have never seen a woman so advanced in age still imbued with a crisp mind and very sharp memory.

We discussed the centenary celebration and she agreed, it would be necessary to have it as planned. She was in a high spirit as usual, taking me through some events of the past, which had almost escaped my memory. Mama, at 99 had good plans, not only for her household, but for Nigeria’s oldest private newspaper, The Nigerian Tribune!

Mama was full of gait, strength, vision, courage and wisdom. I envy the people who attended to her on daily basis as the luckiest. She loved to impart wisdom from time to time, while she never slacked in rising to the need of those around her.

She lived all her life serving humanity and touching the lives of generations of needy people!, * The Yeye Oodua was awesome, just like Papa Awolowo, the sage!

It was not a surprise that she carried on gracefully and successfully from where Papa stopped. She became a rallying force for the Yoruba

of Southwest Nigeria, always drumming on the essence of unity of the geo-political zone. A good number of position papers meant to strengthen the southwest geo political zone and the need to promote the unity of Nigeria were formulated in Ikenne, her home. Her strong inputs continue to stand out., * Her selling point had been the super intelligence she was imbued with. She often reeled out dates, long events and incidences with electronic precision. Her type is rare, very rare. Mama stunned me with the manners she regularly held weekly meetings with the management of Tribune newspapers. The Editors would miss her sorely., * I had long years of working relationship with our mama in my days as Executive Director of ANN Plc, Publisher of Tribune titles which she headed. I took directives and directions from her on very salient

issues, which usually confounded the Management Staff. She was always apt in her decisions. She held the company, very firmly, and I feel that hundreds of staff in the pay roll of the company owes her much gratitude., * I commiserate with my sistersTola and Tokunbo. I share in their pains of missing mama very dearly given the invaluable importance of the mother in the lives of her children. But I remain unshaken in my belief that mama’s spirit will continue to guide the accomplishment of the vision and good wishes she had nursed for all her children, the Awo family, the ANN Plc, friends and acquaintances., * • Folu Olamiti, Former Executive Director, African Newspapers Of Nigeria (ANN), Publisher of Tribune titles.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

17

COMMENTS

Our Girls; IDPs cholera/NEMA; Corruption; Tax/IGR Draconian Democracy; PMB’s ADC

O

UR Girls are still missing since April 15, 2014 and still no word.

The disastrous effects of Boko Haram are far reaching. Let us recall that every inconvenience, Tony suffering and deprivaMarinho tion, loss of dignity and educational opportunity, loss of home or job, injury and loss of limb, and death of any of the 3-4million Internally Displaced Persons is due to Boko Haram members. Apparently Nigeria has embarked on negotiation.

It is not Boko Haram who slaughtered Nigerians. It is Boko Haram members, mostly Nigerians. Organisations do not kill, people do. Organisations are not corrupt, the workers are. A victorious Boko Haram would never negotiate but only mutate into a draconian government. Can Boko Haram members talk, come clean and repent with their bloody hands?

Can the Boko Haram members resurrect the 20,000 needless dead for negotiation? Let the corridors be lined with giant posters with 20,000 names and photographs plus adding the Database of the 219 Chibok Girls for the ‘Boko Haram Victims Database’. The latest IDP deaths are not from bombs but from disease, disgracefully 18 dying of cholera. These deaths are directly due to Nigeria’s failure to cater for the needy with ‘common’ clean ‘pure’ water. Nigerian Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, charged with anticipating, preventing and managing disaster, failed these IDPs in camps. The Victims Support Fund must urgently fund clean water for IDP camps.

Buhari is Mr Anti-corruption. Corruption is also about negligence or abandonment of IDPs. If NEMA failed these 18 dead IDPs then let it institute protocol, re-education, reorganisation and staff changes. Nigeria cannot allow 18 IDPs to die ‘just like that’ after surviving the vicious Boko Haram.

What a tragic irony. I warned that IDPs are victims of violence, not beggars or prisoners. Even beggars and prisoners must not die unsung of cholera! There is no excuse for this failure or these deaths. The Ministry of Health should have

O

N Thursday, October 2, 2014, I was in the ancient town of Ile-Ife to attend the wake keep of Olori Beatrice Omosigho Adedapo Aderemi, the wife of late Prince Adedapo Morounfolu Aderemi, the first son of the late Ooni of Ife, the revered Sir Adesoji Aderemi. Prince Adedapo died in October 1963 at the young age of 39.

After the wake keep which held at the Aderemi’s family house, popularly known as Glass House in Ile-Ife, I drove to Oja Ife (Ife Market or Oba Market) located some walking distance from the palace of the Ooni of Ife. I went there just to fraternise with Bunmi Adegoke, my childhood friend and old school mate, who retired from Union Bank as a Manager some years back and now into a distribution business. Few years ago, he bagged the traditional title of Sooko, which literally stands for the head of a branch of a ruling house in Ife. Sooko Bunmi Adegoke is from the Lafogido Ruling House in Ife. Altogether, there are more than 40 Sookos in Ife. That evening, as if I had premonition of what could happen, I had casually asked Sooko Bunmi if at all there was anybody or prince known to the Ife people, who could immediately ascend the throne of the Ooni in case of the eventuality of the reigning Ooni at the time, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, suddenly joining his ancestors. Sooko Bunmi said there was no such person in sight at that time. And like a soothsayer, I jokingly told him that they had better started planning for that because Oba Sijuwade was getting older by the day and was also getting visibly weaker. His reply to this was that if the throne

anticipated and prevented this outbreak in distressed IDPs, in unhygienic Camps. Remember Nigeria lost over 16 youths at the Immigration recruitment stampede? Now we have lost a similar number to cholera, is no one interested? Those organisations and persons charged with looking after the IDPs, are to blame. There is need for a Coroner’s Inquest, a Nigerian Human Rights Commission Enquiry, a National Assembly (NASS) enquiry, an Amnesty International Investigation. All this presupposes that NASS can take time off Sarakigate or Assetgate to work and that Amnesty International, so interested in Boko Haram Rights, might also aid IDPs, the victims of Boko Haram.

Cholera is like typhoid. It is a ‘poor’ disease of poor planning, poor hygiene, poor sanitation, poor toilets, poor washing of hands and poor waste disposal all rampant in Nigeria.

Soap and water, free pure water, drinking water, toilet paper, clean toilets, healthy surroundings- not prison conditions. The IDPs are not the bad guys, Boko Haram is! Preventable death, from cholera or in childbirth, is indefensible.

NEMA should be more proactive than the failed NEPA, which failed to provide service, now known to be due to serial military underfunding and massive corruption. Nigerians say ‘No more deaths in IDP camps’. Any of us could be an IDP tomorrow.

As state governments generate Internally Generated Revenue, Nigerians must reject DRACONIAN DEMOCRATIC BILLS & LAWS resulting in stupidly inflated bills designed to force citizens to ‘negotiate’ the tariff, beg for a reduction, and pay bribes. Imagine that Governor’s consent/signature fees have reached N6million. Tax bills often 60-100+% hyperor super-inflated by tax officials deliberately to cause anguish, stress and mental torture and embarrassment to citizens. Citizens, get a lawyer! There must be protection of the citizen from tax officials. President Buhari must empower the Public Complaints Bureau to receive petitions, initiate its own investigations based on perceived transgressions of public officers and offer pre-emptive advice to government agencies on the levels of bills etcetera. I still cannot comprehend the N25,000, more than the minimum monthly wage, for a vehicle being arrested and towed in Ibadan Oyo State for ‘wrong parking’ without a single warning or even warn-

ing signs. Happily Governor Ambode of Lagos has brought ‘change’ and withdrawn the unlimited and much abused corrupt powers, including cunning entrapment, of LASTMA. All ‘uniformed’ agencies and NNPC and NPA have all been warned about the ‘change’, The Anti-Corruption War, by their new leaders.

President Buhari must demand ‘zero corruption’ and hold heads and Departmental/Divisional Directors responsible.

Nigerians expect heads of the entire top management team to roll at monthly ‘Anti-Corruption War Progress Meetings’ for failure to stamp out such corruption in cash and administrative procedures. ‘Draconian Democracy’ is institutionalised corruption signified by officials approving the use of devilish figures to intimidate the citizenry. The tax system from Lagos State may be going federal but it was and remains extortive and not a citizen/government consensus or even respectful of citizens. Hopefully federal will leave the creative tax consultants and their ways and means behind in Lagos. We expect a 20-30% downward tax review by the Ambode Government. Is it a financial crime to be in Lagos?

Please! A little from a lot is better than a lot from a few. Overtaxation through a DRACONIAN DEMOCRACY IS NO LONGER AN OPTION. President Buhari and all high officials including local government wives should please stop having an ADC stand behind them during speeches. It is a relic of colonial and military regimes but not used by other world leaders.

‘The Ministry of Health should have anticipated and prevented this outbreak in distressed IDPs, in unhygienic Camps.

Remember Nigeria lost over 16 youths at the Immigration recruitment stampede?

Now we have lost a similar number to cholera, is no one interested? Those organisations and persons charged with looking after the IDPs, are to blame’

Needless tussle over new Ooni (1) becomes vacant and the chances are good, he could as well go for it.

About nine months and 26 days later, specifically in the evening of July 28, the unexpected happened.

Oba Sijuwade suddenly joined his ancestors. While the remains of the late Ooni were yet to be interred, the jostling to succeed him started in earnest. Almost everybody who had the privilege of the prefix “Prince” attached to his name in the ancient town became interested in stepping unto the vacant stool. As more and more people - the good, the bad, the flotsam and jetsam signified their intention to contest for the vacant stool as if it was one political office open to all manner of people, so also was tension rising in the town.

It was in an attempt to douse the rising tension that the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, reached out to the Ife Traditional Council members and invited them to a meeting at the governor’s office, Osogbo, on Friday, September 11. The meeting was held behind closed doors with the governor leading four other government officials. The Ife Traditional Council was represented by 13 chiefs out of the 16 that make up the council.

At the meeting, the governor made it known to the kingmakers that he did not know the process of installing the Ooni and he had nobody as candidate to fill the vacant stool. He said that all he wanted was peace in the ancient town and that the kingmakers should map out strategies to reduce

‘One thing to note is that the stool of the Ooni is a very important position. It is so great that it is not something that should be trivialised or ridiculed for any reason whatsoever’

or stop the growing tension in the town. The governor emphasised that he does not want any problem in Ife as far as the installation process is concerned and appealed to the kingmakers to quickly announce the next ruling house so as to douse the tension which the various security reports from the ancient town had indicated.

J.O. Ijaodola, the Lowa-Adimula of Ife, made it clear that Ife has a subsisting gazette to install the Ooni and that there are four ruling houses in Ife, namely: Osinkola, Ogboru, Giesi and Lafogido. Oba S.F. Omisakin, the Obalufe of Iremo Quarters and the traditional Prime Minister of Ife, took over from there. He said Ile-Ife has laid-down procedures for installing an Ooni and it is very straight forward.

According to him, the installation process and selection for the stool of the Ooni is quite different from that of any of the other obas in Yorubaland and that the kingmakers would endeavour to choose or select the right candidate.

The governor then asked the representative from the state judiciary to read the registered gazette relating to the filling of the Ooni’s stool. From the official gazette, it was clear that there are four ruling houses in Ife as stated above. His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adesoji Tadeniawo Aderemi was from Osinkola Ruling House, while His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, was from Ogboru Ruling House. In turn, the next Ruling House to occupy the throne is Giesi Ruling House.

The meeting was then brought to an end.

As a follow-up, on Monday, September 14, the Ife Traditional Council, held a press conference in Ife and officially announced that it was the turn of the Giesi House to produce the Ooni of Ife. But if the governor and the kingmakers

thought that the announcement would douse the raging tension in the ancient town, they were mistaken. As soon as the announcement was made, the Lafogido Ruling House headed to court to challenge the pronouncement. They got an injunction restraining the kingmakers, the Giesi Ruling House and the governor from going ahead with the process of filling the vacant stool of the Ooni.

That morning, I spoke with Sooko Bunmi on the need to respect the kingmakers’ judgment concerning the succession process but he was unperturbed. Little did I know that he was the number one name on the list of the plaintiffs that instituted the court action. Anyway, I believe Sooko Bunmi and his co-travelers are just exercising their fundamental rights to justice and fair play (if any).

The real fireworks have since commenced but it may end up as an exercise in futility. This is because there is a principle of rotation in place in the succession process to the Ooni’s stool. This process has passed through series of litmus tests culminating in several commissions of enquiry in the past. From the look of things, there seems to be an undue desperation in the attempts by some of the Princes in the ancient town to become the next Ooni and they will stop at nothing, including tinkering with history, to achieve this.

Even in the Giesi Ruling House that has been pronounced as the next in line for the Ooni’s stool, the crowd of aspirants to the throne is unnecessarily unwieldy and untidy. They include two brothers of the same father where the younger one who is expected to step down for the older one as tradition demands, is being

Dele Agekameh goaded on by their father who should know better. Not only this.

The younger one has so much commercialized the whole process by doling out money, transformers and tarring roads in the ancient town in order to gain undue attention and advantage. This nauseating attitude has become too irritating to many Ife indigenes who are now saying that the Ooni’s stool cannot be for sale to the highest bidder.

One thing to note is that the stool of the Ooni is a very important position. It is so great that it is not something that should be trivialised or ridiculed for any reason whatsoever. It is a traditional stool that commands respect and has endured for centuries. We are not talking about the Ooni of Ife alone; we are talking about the Ooni of the Yoruba race. Therefore, what is required is an Ooni with undiluted passion, the right vision and mission to develop Ife and the entire Yoruba race. Certainly, not any form of abracadabra!

• To be continued For comments Text (only) to : 08058354382

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

COMMENTS ‘Re: Education and our value priorities. Bravo Gbadegesin for reminding us timely about our rotten educational system. Mandela said: “Education is the weapon you can use to change the world”. Chief Awolowo tried it in the defunct Western Region, and till date the evidence cannot be nationally obliterated.

Desires should be determined by expected value.”All labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied”. (Eccl. 6:7).Nobody can ever satisfy his desires. There should not have been Boko Haram, primitive wealth accumulation, schooling under trees today ,if we had nationally got our educational priority right just after Independence(1960). President Buhari and APC need to curb our institutions from their massive production of Unemployable souls with unwholesome character as being witnessed at the National Assembly. From Elder L .O .David; Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State’

•Buhari

For Olatunji Dare Those public officials who see their elevation to position of responsibility as a clarion call for inebriety and a macabre dance of cant and self devaluation can never be comfortable under President Muhammadu Buhari.

What once was unimaginable has happened. The squeaky wheel doesn’t always get the grease: sometimes it gets replaced. Public officials or politicians should either change or face the law. From Adegoke O O, Bako, Ibadan, Oyo State.

For those questioning how much the president and the vice president have declared, it is important they note that the president has never for whatever reason claimed to have nothing or being a comrade . His belief is, earn or get as much as you can, but legitimately, period. Do they know how long he has been rearing cattle? Talking about 270 cows. What about former / serving public officials who started the business overnight and have several thousands of cows today? On a second note, what he has declared has nothing to do with his relationship with the talakawas, because they know him and his worth.

The whole life savings of the president before he was elected was what former Governor Akpabio used (N30m) to acquire the SUV jeep he crashed in recently. So what are we talking about?

Please let’s save ourselves this display of ignorance and sentiment in reacting to issues. Anonymous Sir, please when did the DSS make public its report on the unlawful invasion of the Akwa Ibom State government house as you seemed to be insinuating in your article entitled These disarticulated times. From Aniefiok Macauley, Uyo No member of PDP can honestly declare their assets. They all don’t give a damn. Anonymous Re: These disarticulated times.

President Buhari now has state’s power to touch many lives even beyond the Talakawas . He started toiling as a boy herding his father’s flock .Hence, those assets including the 270 cows declared have become family’s inheritance.”For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children”(2 Cor.12:14b).You don’t lay up looted assets for your children, it’s a curse. Public officers like Fayose a ‘danfo’driver, and Wike who was allegedly indicted in the Federal Ministry of Education Audit plus

UBEB’s vehicles with him, cannot boldly declare their dubious assets. But God will let loose devourers on stolen propertie. However, what happens after the officers must have left office?

Without appraising their assets you, pay them huge severance allowance?

Over to Prof. Dare. From Elder L. O. David, Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State Hello Dare, I hope our so-called public servants would be allowed to free movement to serve us or have forgotten the OGA kidnappers. From Okoro O.L, Calabar Re-NNPC’s recovery drive-The NNPC has been regarded as a party company which is why no discipline is visible. Now that a Daniel has come to judgment hence a kobo stolen should be retrieved. Only a cleanup of the mess in the company will give the nation the desired respect in the comity of nations. The recovery is imperative and no looking back no matter whose ox is gored. No sacred cows. Enough of party stealing/patronage syndrome.

From Pastor Odunmbaku.

Sir, your article in the ‘Nation’ newspaper of September 15, was a masterpiece in content and in the images it evoked. More grease to your elbow. From Chief Mrs. I. Idowu.

It is necessary for all elected politicians to declare their assets for public to know because corruption in governance has become something else It needs to checkmated. All politicians should emulate PMB and his vice for their assets declaration. From Chika Nnorom Re-these disarticulated times. No matter what any detractor would say, PMB has so far shown an example of a good leader. He declared his available assets. Even if others refuse to declare, we should give PMB the maximum support to deal and penalise whoever is caught to plunder this country. My prayer is that PMB would not be misled into picking ministers who at the end of the tenure will not disappoint him. From Lanre Oseni.

Ref:”These disarticulated times”: Point of correction please .Our “uncommon transformer’s car did not just collide with a U.S. embassy car.

Rather, reports had it that the ex “digital governor and our former Lord of the manor’s car hit the other car from the rear. One then wonders if traffic offence should not be included among Akpabio’s alleged many official malfeasances. From Marshall Mboboh,Ikot Abasi,Akwa Ibom State.

Thanks for your piece - These disarticulated times. For former Governor Godswill Akpabio, who brags, claims to be and parades himself as an eagle - the only bird that flies

without getting tired - it’s a case of ‘the eagles have come to roost.’ Too bad, there will be no hiding place for people like him. From Julia, Uyo For Segun Gbadegesin Re: Education and our value priorities. Bravo Gbadegesin for reminding us timely about our rotten educational system. Mandela said: “Education is the weapon you can use to change the world”. Chief Awolowo tried it in the defunct Western Region, and till date the evidence cannot be nationally obliterated. Desires should be determined by expected value.”All labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied”. (Eccl.

6:7).Nobody can ever satisfy his desires. There should not have been Boko Haram, primitive wealth accumulation, schooling under trees today ,if we had nationally got our educational priority right just after Independence(1960). President Buhari and APC need to curb our institutions from their massive production of Unemployable souls with unwholesome character as being witnessed at the National Assembly.

From Elder L .O .David; Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State.

Re-Education and our value priorities. At this jet age, almost all will have no option than to priotise and repriotise education to be topmost. individuals, communities, states and the nation must abide by development strategies of following the development factors of low population, quality education and merit in all ramifications. Era of expenses on frivolities must stop in Nigeria by individuals, communities and the nation. From Lanre Oseni.

Re: “Education and our value priorities.” I do agree with you that without education, all other values and desires amount to nought. In the olden days, youths will gather under the shade of a tree to receive oral instructions from the BaaleCommunity head-about the tradition, culture and the history of the community before the advent of missionary which established schools to spread the values of education.

Much premium had been placed on education since then. What are our priorities today? Despite so much effort at revamping our battered system of education, we have continued to get it wrong. We have allowed interest in politics and pecuniary incentives to overshadow our value priorities while giving room to mad desires to amass illegitimate wealth. As a result of bastardisation of our value priorities, the society has

•Saraki

failed to get its rhythm. The already devalued standard of our education, without much ado, needs improvement, that is, if we have the political will to do so. We ignore the leprosy and then focus on the ringworm, remember that, time will come, when there will be no more fingers and toes as a complete human being. So, are we to raise our higher to get it right? All what we need, is a good reformer not just any leader who is not ready to take risks. From Prince Adewumi Oyeromade Agunloye For Gbenga Omotoso Since PMB took over the leadership of this country, sanity has return to the nation everybody has to sit up for challenges facing the nation. Impunity would no longer acceptable again.PMB is taking care of insecurity and other social vices in shortest time Nigerians will have cause to smile because promised land is around the corner.

With the assistance of the international community, what PMB need from Nigerians is prayer. From Gordon Chika Nnorom Which concrete steps have been taken by any government in Nigeria against kidnapping? Please speak truth to governments (state and federal). Has there been serious purnishment that will deter others? Regards. Anonymous As I equally pray for the unconditional release of Toyin Nwosu.

I equally believe this would serve as a lesson for those of us who go to parties to show their class to the gallery by spraying naira notes. I want to believe the abduction was informed by the wedding party Steve Nwosu and the wife attended over the weekend with their last N20,000. From Saheed Yussuf.

Re-lexical matters. Whether or not ground is being hit, we all know, the past 6 weeks, that ‘’action’’ is being witnessed from pmb. pmb must desist however, fom being teleguided by anyone no matter highly placed he/she may be in this governancee. Language of opposition will never be soft. It was worse than the present, under jonathan.

From lanre Oseni.

Whenever the news of kidnapping comes around, I could only but pity any abducted person that is in captivity. The harrowing experience and the trauma that is involved and followed after release is better imagined. Please release this lovely soul from the den that you kept her. God be with Toyin Nwosu. Anonymous

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

UGRL certifies 31 Microsoft Office specialists

By Tonia ‘Diyan

COMPUTER technology training company, United Global Resources Ltd, has certified 31 Microsoft Office specialists from the institution.

Speaking during this year’s graduation of the young Microsoft Office Specialists trained by the firm in Lagos, the 31 students, aged between nine and 11, drawn from various private schools in and around Lagos, praised the firm for the training.

Twelve out of the 31 were certified as Microsoft Office Specialists for Office Excel 2010 while 19 got certified as Microsoft Office Specialists for Office Word 2010.

Nine instructors were also certified during the programme.

Proprietress of Lord’s Seeds Children School, Mrs Shade Omokorede, said: The UGRL programme has prepared our pupils for any global ICT challenge that may await them in the pursuit of their future careers.”

Chidinma Eze Jane, a nineyear-old pupil of the school, said the experience she got from the programme was great, adding that the mode of training was practical with very good instructors.

Its General Manager, Mr. Vipul Gajjar, who announced the results of the Microsoft Office Specialists examinations, said: “The feat achieved by the pupils was made possible by our desire at UGRL to train, promote and encourage ICT knowledge and certification among kids in both primary and secondary schools associated with us.”

He commended the children for their growing interest in the acquisition of ICT knowledge and disclosed that 128 children have been trained and certified as Microsoft Office Specialists since UGRL launched the MOS certification training initiative in 2010.

He said more than one million MOS exams are taken yearly in over 140 countries, adding: “The Intelligence Quotient of children on ICT has improved tremendously over the years.”

A parent, Mr Gboyega Aiyepeku, whose son, Abimbola, was certified, explained: “My boy is only nine years old but as a result of the UGRL@School training, he is now certified in a course that adults use to make a living. The standard is very high.”

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‘It is regrettable that the damaging consequences of the Ecowas CET policy on the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Nigeria were not considered despite our desperate attempts to draw attention to this. This policy undoubtedly spells doom for the local industry as imported medicines will become far cheaper than locally produced ones’ Chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG MAN), Mr. Okey Akpa

Recapitalisation: SEC compiles list of compliant capital market operators

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HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is putting finishing touches to the final list of capital market operators with adequate minimum capital base, seven days to the deadline. They are the ones which will continue with their business in the fourth quarter.

A source at SEC confirmed the development, saying this arose following the receipt of final updates from capital market operators.

The source said the Commission was working to ensure that the market has a smooth transition from the previous capitalisation to the new capital base.

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

SEC is expected to revoke licences of operators that fail to meet the September 30 deadline.

SEC in December 2013 announced major increases in minimum capital requirements for capital market functions under a new minimum capital structure that was initially scheduled to take off by January 1, 2015.

It, however, extended the deadline to September 30.

Minimum capital base for broker and dealer was increased by 329 per cent from the existing N70 million to N300 million. Broker, which currently operates with capi-

tal base of N40 million, will be required to have N200 million, representing an increase of 400 per cent. Minimum capital base for dealer increased by 233 per cent from N30 million to N100 million.

Also, issuing houses, which facilitate new issues in the primary market, will be required to have minimum capital base of N200 million as against the current capital base of N150 million.

The capital requirement for underwriter also doubled from N100 million. Trustees, rating agencies and portfolio and fund managers had their minimum capital base increased by 650 per cent each

from N40 million, N20 million and N20 million to N300 million, N150 million and N150 million. A Registrar will have a minimum capital base of N150 million as against the requirement of N50 million.

While the minimum capital base for corporate investment adviser remained unchanged at N5 million, individual investment advisers will have to increase their capital base by 300 per cent from N500,000 to N2 million.

The Nation had reported exclusively that the Commission had directed all capital market operators to file necessary additional updates to •Continued on page 24

•From left: Retail Head, Lagos & Southwest Region, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Funmilola Paseda; Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Police College, Ikeja in Lagos, Mr. Ero Oga and FCMB's Zonal Head, Victoria Island Zone, Mrs. Omowunmi Kalejaiye, during the Work Place Fair by FCMB in Lagos.

Lagos moves to tackle unemployment with support for entrepreneurship

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AGOS State plans to create jobs and support entrepreneurship.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Dr Olanike Oduwole, said the ministry would partner individuals and organisations that will support the government in providing more jobs for the teeming population through the encouragement of innovations and creative ideas. There would be a form of paradigm shift from the conventional white collar jobs.

Oduwole, who spoke during a visit with officers from the ministry to Technology Incubation Centre in Agege, on the outshirts of Lagos, urged individuals to think of what they

CBN okays N120b SME fund for women

By Olatunde Odebiyi

could do to earn a living, instead of pursuing or waiting endlessly for office work which might not be available.

She told the management of the Centre to expand its reach to promote and increase patronage and create awareness about the Centre, adding that the visit was part of the drive of the Ministry to recognise and associate with both government and privately-organisations that had been at the forefront of incubating ideas and promoting entrepreneurial skills.

She said the state government is interested in gainful

and meaningful collaborations.

Chairman, Cooperative Society of Entrepreneurs, Technology Incubation Centre, Agege, Lagos, Mr. Jude Okpala, said there was need to develop talent, technology, capital and technical know-how to leverage entrepreneurial talents in the state.

He appealed to the state government to assist in the provision of more land for entrepreneurs to enable them to further contribute to the development of the state, rather than them seeking for lands outside the state.

He said the Centre seeks to

‘Why some states are yet to establish CPS’

- P22

- P34 why

states

develop and sustain collaborative linkages with research institutes and tertiary institutions, adding that this would help to develop a technologically competitive industrial base through grassroots approach that would link talent, technology, capital and technical know-how to leverage entrepreneurial talents.

“The Technology Incubation Centre (TIC), Lagos is a joint project between the Lagos State and Federal Government. It is established in 29 states of the Federation and six extensions across the country with over 826 products in the market, creating more than 4,756 direct jobs nationwide,” he said.

Jack urges DEMO Africa on value sustainability

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HE Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA, Mr. Peter Jack, has urged the organisers of this year’s DEMO Africa event: LIONS@frica to ensure the event sustains its established brand value as the platform for investors to meet innovative and budding technology entrepreneurs in Africa.

This year’s DEMO Africa is holding in Lagos tomorrow.

DEMO Africa has become the flagship event to connect African startups to the global ecosystem. “It is the place where the most innovative companies from African countries get a platform to launch their products and announce to Africa and the world what they have developed.

According to the organisers, “We invest in technological innovation because we understand the benefits of a vibrant technology ecosystem to a country. As Africa’s population becomes increasingly educated and affluent, the global business community is looking to capitalize on this increase in human and financial resources. There appears to be a new optimism for future economic prospects for Africa and hence a fresh interest in the technology sector.”

The organisers assured Nigerian that preparations were concluded to host about 30 startups carefully selected from across the continent.

“At NITDA, we see this event as the real deal and a major game-changer in how investors are engaged and how startups are funded or goaded to become part of the larger economic framework of not just Nigeria but the entire continent. And we believe the organisers of this event are up to the task. They will deliver on objectives,” Jack said.

DEMO Africa allows startups from all over Africa to meet venture capitalists investors, tech acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across the region and around the globe. The start-ups are given an opportunity to launch their products to a tech eco-system under categories that include: agriculture, health, education, manufacturing, retail, media and entertainment. Others are communication, transport and logistics, energy, finance and banking, water and sanitation, waste management and recycling.

In two years , the DEMO African alumni have generated over $8 million in either investments, business or partnerships from the unique mix of positioning, opportunity such as networking, fundraising, training and exposure that the launch pad offers.

‘Creating wealth through starch production’ - P 35

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

CBN okays N120b T SME fund for women

AfDB unveils continental energy plan

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BOUT N120 billion of the N220 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) fund approved for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will go to businesswomen, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

CBN’s Director of Corporate Communication, Alhaji Ibrahim Mu’azu, said the regulator would empower women entrepreneurs and bridge the N9.6 trillion gap in funding small businesses.

Mu’azu, who spoke at a media workshop in Lagos, said poor access to credit remains one of the biggest limitations faced by small businesses which has to be tackled by stakeholders in the financial services sector.

He said 60 per cent of the fund, representing N132 billion, has been earmarked for offering credit to women-owned businesses, to give financial backing to one of the most vulnerable segments of the society.

The CBN director said the objective was to unlock the potential of

Stories by Collins Nweze

small businesses through credit support and to take such enterprises to positions where they would create jobs and reduce poverty among the citizenry.

He said a huge channel has been created for the administration of the loans through private or stateowned microfinance institutions, finance houses, as well as commercial banks. State governments, he added, are allowed to access up to N2 billion each for on lending to eligible beneficiaries through participating financial institutions in their states.

The CBN’s spokesman said a maximum of 10 per cent of the commercial component of the fund was being channelled to trade and commerce to ensure that productive sectors of the economy continue to attract more financing necessary for employment creation and diversification of the country’s economic base.

“The broad objective of the N220 billion MSMEs fund is to channel low

interest fund through participating institutions, like banks and microfinance banks and state governments to small businesses that need it to create jobs and empower grassroots population.

“The fund has reduced cost of borrowing and created better opportunities for beneficiaries to declare better results,” he said.

He, however, said to access the fund, prospective borrowers must be acquainted with the drawn down procedures and providing the information that would enable their banks consider the loan requests.

But the President, Association of Small Business Owners (ASBON) Dr. Femi Egbesola, said the draw down criteria are unrealistic and beyond the reach of small business owners.

He said commercial banks authorised by the CBN to disburse the funds do not see SMEs’ operators as serous.

Egbesola urged the CBN and commercial banks to rethink their SMEs’ funding strategy because of the huge benefits it would add to the economy.

HE African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has unveiled its plan for solving Africa’s energy problem by 2025.

At a high level stakeholder consultative meeting attended by business and political leaders at its headquarters in Abidjan, the bank said the initiative titled: “New Deal for Energy in Africa,”charts the way for a partnership on energy, adding that it would focus on mobilising funds for the initiative from five key areas.

First, it said, the AfDB would expand its support for energy in Africa; development partners would also be obliged to scale up efforts while countries must also expand their share of financing going into the sector and demonstrate stronger political will to ensure the success of the Deal.

Developmentpartners would also be required to work together to drive critical policy and regulatory reforms of the sector to improve incentives for accelerated investments.

“A lot of financing will be needed. Together, we must close the $55 billion financing gap for energy in sub-Saharan Africa.

And we must raise our level of commitment to meet the $22 billion needed to support universal access to energy in the region,” AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina said at the meeting.

He noted how domestic resource mobilisation would play a crucial role by leveraging on just 10 per cent of the continent’s tax revenues estimated at $500 billion yearly; how ending the over $60 billion annual illicit financial flows out of Africa can help; how developed countries meeting the 0.7 per cent commitment for Gross National Income for development assistance, which can generate more than $178 billion can also help to scale up energy development in Africa.

“The New Energy Deal for Africa will push for the establishment of a Bottom-of the Pyramid Energy Financing Facility for Af-

rica. This should support some 700 million people to afford clean cooking energy stoves. The cost is well within our reach to provide; for it will take only $4.2 billion to solve the problem. We can and must solve their problem – and do so quickly,” the AfDB chief said.

He called for the development of major regional energy projects, such as the Inga dam in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Adesina said Africa must go far and solve its energy challenge by 2025. He added: “And for that we must move together. This is why at the Bank we have proposed the formation of the Transformative Partnership on Energy in Africa.

Under this, we will pull together to drive the needed reforms in Africa’s energy sector to achieve the universal access to energy by 2025. Success lies just ahead of us!”

Also, Co-chair of the African Energy Leaders Group, Tony Elumelu, said the private sector can play a crucial role in the development of Africa’s energy sector, if provided with the required enabling environment.

He said given the situation in which some 600 million people lack energy in Africa, it would be necessary for Africa to explore all good sources of energy to meet the huge deficit, adding that the AfDB was in the best position to bring businesses, governments and international organisations together to make the deal a success.

For his part, former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, in a video message, praised the initiative, noting that Africa’s leaders had no choice but to bridge the energy gap.

Vice Prime Minister, Democratic Republic of Congo, Thomas Luhaka and his Cote D’Ivoire’s counterpart, Daniel Kablan Duncan, praised Adesina for putting together such an ambitious initiative barely two weeks after his investiture. They pledged to mobilise the political support required to ensure that Africa overcomes its “energy poverty”.

•Kogi State Governor. Capt Idris Wada (right) inaugurating the Ecobank-NACA Friendly Centre at Kogi State University, Anyigba... last weekend. With him are Director, Partnership Coordination, NACA, Emmanuel Alhassan (2nd right); Head, Personal Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Kingsley Umadia; and Vice Chancellor, Kogi State University, Prof. Hassan S. Isah.

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Visa introduces EMV chip biometrics

ISA Inc has introduced new biometrics for chip card transactions.

The specification works with the palm, voice, iris, or facial biometrics. It is a first-of-its kind technology designed to work with the EMV (Europay, MasterCard Visa) chip industry standard to ensure open and globally interoperable solutions.

Biometric verification is aimed at preventing fraud as well as making it easier to pay securely. It accepts fingerprints which are read by a biometric reader.

The specification supports “matchon-card” authentication, where the biometric is validated by the EMV chip card and never exposed or stored in any central databases.

Issuers can validate the biometric data in their secure systems for transactions in their environments, such as their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

Because Visa’s design is built on the EMV chip standard, biometric cardholder verification can be integrated with the technology used by 3.3 billion chip cards around the world.

Financial institutions, solution providers, and others in the payments ecosystem can rely on an interoperable and consistent infrastructure for supporting biometrics.

“There is increasing demand for biometrics as a more convenient and secure alternative to signatures or PINs, especially as biometrics technologies have become more reliable and available,” said Mark Nelsen, senior vice president, Risk Products and Business Intelligence, Visa Inc. “However, to support wide adoption, it is equally important that solutions are scalable and based on

open standards. Building on the EMV chip standard provides a common, interoperable foundation, as well as encourages innovation in cutting-edge biometric solutions.”

Absa Bank, a subsidiary of Barclays Africa Group, will be the first to use Visa’s specification to develop a proof of concept trial beginning this fall. Cardholders will use fingerprint readers at select Absa-owned ATMs in lieu of a PIN to complete transactions. To prevent potential fraud as well as encourage easier access to banking, there is strong interest in biometric solutions in South Africa and other developing countries where banking and electronic payments may still be nascent.

Visa has offered to contribute the technology to EMVCo, the global technical body that manages the EMV® Specifications, to further develop and administer the standard for the benefit of the payment industry.

• Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (left) congratulating former NNPC GMD and Chairman Brass LNG Ltd, Dr. Jackson GaiusObaseki, when the latter was honoured in Lagos.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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MONEY Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari agreed with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that naira should not be devalued. But some economists are clamouring for the currency’s devaluation because of the rising gap between its official and parallel market rate. Those not in their camp argue that a further devaluation will worsen things, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

Pros and cons of naira devaluation T

O say that the naira has been troubled in the last one year will be an understatement.

Despite efforts to stabilise it, the naira’s problem is far from being over because its stability or otherwise is hinged on many factors.

Many are seeking a further devaluation of the currency even against the wishes of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The CBN boss has insisted on exchange rate stability and defending the naira. For him, the apex bank is committed to safeguarding the value of the naira and has instituted various policies to achieve the objective.

Buhari said despite the CBN’s growing struggles to keep the naira at current levels, Nigeria has been hit hard by the fall in global crude prices, prompting the CBN to impose increasingly strict foreign exchange rules to save its reserves and avoid what would be the third devaluation in a year.

The naira fell to as low as 242 per dollar in the parallel market in July against the official rate of 197.

It has lost about 15 percent against the dollar over the past year with an official devaluation in November and a de facto one in February.

“I don’t think it is healthy for us to have the naira devalued further,” Buhari said in an interview with France 24.

“That’s why we are getting the Central Bank to make modifications in terms of making foreign exchange available to essential services, industries, spare parts, essential raw materials and so on – but things like toothpicks and rice, Nigeria can produce enough of those,” he told Reuters.

In June, the CBN restricted access to foreign exchange for the import of 41 items ranging from rice and toothpicks to steel products and glass. The stringent restrictions have not gone down well with investors, who have called for a relaxation.

But bureaux de change owners have condemned the clamour for a further depreciation of the naira by international organisations.

Rising from the maiden Bureaux De Change (BDC) Owners Forum in Lagos, at the weekend, its members pledged to support the CBN to ensure the continued stability of the naira.

The decision followed deliberations on recent developments in the subsector and the foreign exchange market.

Identifying the need for professionalism among BDC operators, the forum pledged to strengthen the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) to institute a robust supervision and sanction regime in the BDC industry. To complement this, the forum decided to set up a task force on compliance and ethics for the industry.

Disclosing the outcome of the meeting to the press, Managing

Director/Chief Executive, Sabil BDC, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, said: “The forum also resolved to hold monthly meetings that must be attended strictly by BDC owners with the aim of reviewing developments in the subsector.

“To strengthen capacity building in the industry, the forum resolved to introduce an annual two-days mandatory training for a Director and Manager from each BDC. The Forum also resolved to set up subcommittees on various issues to encourage industry wide participation of BDC operators on issues pertaining to the business of BDC. “The forum also resolved to regularly engage relevant regulatory and government agencies with a view to complement their objectives, and also partner with them to achieve macroeconomic goals of the government.

The forum also resolved to work towards a united ABCON through tours, visits to various zones of the country as well as end of year parties and awards.

“To boost the image of the BDC segment, the Forum pledged to engage in Corporate Social Responsibility activities such as visits and donations to worthy causes across the country.”

The CBN has banned the sale of foreign exchange by banks to importers without the requisite shipping documents and also directed that only imports, which are backed with evidence of shipment and other relevant documents, will qualify for purchase of foreign exchange, among others, to keep the naira afloat.

Also, JP Morgan said it would remove Africa’s biggest economy from its influential emerging markets bond index by the end of October, citing a lack of liquidity and the central bank’s currency restrictions.

Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves fell three percent to $30.69 billion by September 14, from $31.63 billion a month earlier, CBN data showed last Wednesday.

The reserves were down by 22 percent from a year earlier.

Despite assurances from the government, the apostles of devaluation insist that since oil prices around the globe have continued to to the economy and its currency which, there is need for it to be adjusted according to the realities.

For the Head, Africa Strategy at Standard Chartered Bank, Samir Gadio, though a further devaluation of the naira might not happen soon, but an adjustment was im-

• Nigeria currenies

• Emefiele

• Gwadabe

minent.

“Despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s resolve, markets observers believe that it will eventually succumb to pressures and devalue the currency (again),” he said.

Also, Bond Fund Manager, Standard Life Investments, Kieran Curtis, said a further devaluation would restore the economy to competitiveness and promote more capital inflows.

“It will take a combination of weaker currency and higher interest rates to get us back to Nigeria,” he said, arguing that when Nigeria is compared to other oil exporters, it hasn’t had enough of a currency adjustment.

The naira was devalued last November during the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.

The midpoint of the official window of the foreign exchange market was moved from N155/dollar to N168/dollar.

The committee also widened the band around the midpoint by 200

basis points from plus or minus three per cent to plus or minus five per cent. The naira has fallen by 15 per cent in the year and exchanges at N197 to dollar at the official window.

Despite these moves, many analysts believe that further devaluation of the naira is imminent and will boost the inflow of foreign capital and enhance economic growth. For instance, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had predicted that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for 2015 would be around 4.8 per cent from 6.3 per cent last year.

Still, Nigeria has many indicators in its favour. Though at the detriment of local firms, its foreign exchange reserve position remains healthy. As of July 7, the external reserves had risen to $31.89 billion from $29.1 billion as at the end of June. Foreign currency reserves were $37.3 billion in June 2014.

Analysts have predicted that foreign investors will likely remain

‘I don’t think it is healthy for us to have the naira devalued further... That’s why we are getting the Central Bank to make modifications in terms of making foreign exchange available to essential services, industries, spare parts, essential raw materials and so on – but things like toothpicks and rice, Nigeria can produce enough of those’

wary of Nigeria until there is more policy certainty and a further naira devaluation leading to a dollar surge in the interbank market.

Gadio added: “Even though international investors want a piece of Nigeria, they will stay away, because, right now, they expect to make a 10 per cent loss on the foreign exchange side since devaluation is likely to happen.”

Morgan Stanley analyst Martijn Rats said the global oil and gas industry reaction is like what happened in the slump of 1986, almost 30 years ago, when Saudi Arabia triggered an oil price slide by making a bid for market share.

Then, like now, “as the oil groups cut spending, the wider workforce shrank and costs in the supply chain tumbled. The majors shored up cash flow and, in time, investors reacquired faith in their dividends,” he said.

Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa Plc, Ike Chioke, said a strong positive correlation exists between the exchange rate and crude oil price.

Nigeria’s crude oil – Bonny Light, which traded at $110.2 per barrel in January, last year, hitting $114.6 per barrel by June same year, is now trading below $60 per barrel.

“With the discovery of the shale oil, crude oil prices are projected to moderate in coming years. In addition, the threat by the United States (U.S.) to reduce oil imports constitutes a downside risk on crude receipts of OPEC members.

Consequently, the CBN must establish a “real” and “sustainable” value for the naira as the opportunity cost of “substantial” support for the naira increases,” he explained in a report titled: Naira Trending Towards 2015.

Chioke said Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil ( 70 per cent of total foreign exchange earnings) makes economic growth susceptible to price shocks.

Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking, UBA Plc, Femi Olaloku, said the dwindling oil prices around the globe posed serious challenges to a developing economy like Nigeria’s, hence, the need for the government to also consider various diversification options. For him, further devaluation of the naira is imminent, as such would make the importation of goods into the country more expensive, encourage local manufacturing and inflow of foreign capital.

24

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

THE NATION INVESTORS

Companies look to fourth quarter for capital raising

T

HE primary market would be quite active in the fourth quarter as many companies plan to kick off their capital raising during the period.

The Nation’s investigation indicated that not less than six companies night raise some N160 billion in the fourth quarter, more than N156 billion raised by eight companies in the first three quarters.

Shareholders of UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc are meeting today to consider and approve additional capital raising, including offering special equity stakes to strategic investors and raising new capital through equity and debt issues.

UACN plans to undertake two private placements to strategic investors while also raising capital through rights issue to existing shareholders and an unspecified new issue to the general investing public. The Nation’s investigation indicated that UACN might raise as much as N40 billion in the multilevel capital issue.

Shareholders are expected to approve several resolutions including one that empowers the board to raise N20 billion through any means of capital raising and another resolution that mandates the board to offer some 160.07 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to existing shareholders on the basis of one new ordinary share for every 12

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

shares held as at the closure date.

In a major strategic move, the conglomerate is seeking to undertake a private placement of 230 million convertible non-redeemable preference shares of 50 kobo each to preidentified investors at a price of N45 per share.

In another private placement, the board is proposing a private placement of 100 million convertible non-redeemable preference shares of 50 kobo each to pre-identified investors at a price of N50 per share.

Under the proposed terms of private placement, the preference shares shall be convertible to ordinary shares within five years on terms to be agreed by the directors.

The preference shares holders would not be entitled to dividends but they would be entitled to any distribution of assets and they can attend general meeting and vote as well.

To facilitate the new capital issue, shareholders of UACN are expected to increase the conglomerate’s authorized share capital from N1 billion divided into 2.0 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to N1.7 billion, consisting of 3.0 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each and 400 million preference shares of 50 kobo each.

Already, Flour Mills of Nigeria

Plc has submitted application for regulatory approval to raise N30.25 billion through a proposed rights issue. Flour Mills plans to offer 1.09 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to existing shareholders at N27.50 per share.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, the holding company for Stanbic IBTC Bank and other subsidiaries, had earlier received regulatory approval to raise N20.4 billion from its shareholders. Stanbic IBTC Holdings plans to issue 800 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to existing shareholders at N25.50 per share. The rights issue will be preallotted to shareholders in the book of the company on the basis of two new ordinary shares for every 25 ordinary shares. Stanbic IBTC Holdings’ new issue has however been placed on hold pending the resolution of ongoing investigations by financial services regulators.

Skye Bank Plc, which had planned to raise about N30 billion in new equity funds in the third quarter, was said to be considering floating the supplementary offer in the fourth quarter.

Group managing director, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, had said the bank would be raising some N30 billion tier 1 capital, referring to new equity funds. While Skye Bank is still finalizing the de-

tails of the equity issue, there are indications that the supplementary issue will include an element of rights issue.

Eight companies had raised N155.7 billion in the first three quarters of this year. Three banksDiamond Bank Plc, Access Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc accounted for a total of N103.6 billion, 66.5 per cent of the N155.7 billion. Others included Prestige Assurance Plc, which raised N1.5 billion and Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, which sourced N1.14 billion from existing shareholders.

Head, financial advisory group, GTI Capital Group, Mr. Hassan Kehinde, said the primary market might be more active in the latter part of the year as issuers take advantage of expected improvement in the market outlook in the fourth quarter.

He said rights issue would continue to account for larger part of new equity raising. Rights issue gives the first right of refusal to existing shareholders and thus preserve existing shareholding structure. It however provides window for new investors to buy into the company through rights trading on the secondary market.

Chief executive officer, Finawell Capital Limited, Mr. Tunde

SEC reaffirms suspension order on BGL Group

S

• From left: Human Resources Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Victor Famuyibo, Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, representing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Oba Adewale Shotobi Adegorushen V, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Omodele Joyce Osunkiyesi, at the inauguration of the Accident and Emergency Centre, Ikorodu General Hospital and Agbala Paediatric Ward PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN donated by Nigerian Breweries and Heineken Africa Foundation in Ikorodu.

Recapitalisation: SEC compiles list of compliant capital market operators •Continued on page 21

their statutory filings with the Commission in preparation for final review of the compliance status of each operator.

A market source in the know of the directive said market operators are expected to file any additional information to their last filing with apex regulator of the capital market. The additional information report is expected to highlight changes that had taken place in the firms’ assets and other variables since the submission of the second quarter returns earlier sent to SEC. The source said SEC appeared to have set in motion the process for the final phase of the recapitalisation compliance review noting that most operators saw the latest directive as the last chance to make case for their compliance.

The additional information update is expected to highlight changes in capital base, business combination; either merger or ac-

quisition, any changes in number of functions registered for, subsisting applications with the market regulators, changes in board of directors and executive management, additional investments in key operational areas and other information on changes that might have occurred in the past 11 weeks.

SEC has repeatedly ruled out any further extension of the September 30, 2015 deadline. The apex capital market regulator says that any operator that failed to comply with the new capitalisation will be automatically delisted from the market. SEC’s compliance timetable indicates that a list of the compliant operators will be published on Friday October 2. October 1 is a national holiday in commemoration of Nigeria’s Independence Day. SEC on August 31 drew the curtain on a preliminary deadline for capital market operators to file notifications for mergers and acquisitions or any reclassification of their functions. SEC had initially given

a deadline of July 31 for the market operators to formalise any business combination and reclassification and file the necessary information with the apex capital market regulator. The Commission later extended the deadline to August 31, 2015.

In a July 4 circular to all capital market firms, the apex capital market regulator directed all capital market operators which might have opted for mergers, acquisitions or any other form of business combination as a vehicle to meet the new minimum capital requirements to file their notifications with the Commission not later than July 31, 2015.

The directive also applied to capital market operators proposing reclassification or reduction of their registered functions, including those seeking to downsize from stockbroker to sub-broker, brokerdealer to either broker or dealer and from multiple functions to a single function, among others.

Oyekunle, said the preference for rights issue might not be unconnected with the lingering apathy and erosion of investors’ confidence that arose from market downturn in 2007, which has continued to haunt the primary market.

He said some companies are also mindful of the shareholding dilution that may likely come from public offers while management of some companies feel existing shareholders will understand management strategy and trust their investment with them than new shareholders.

“Most companies are embarking on rights issues due to the certainty that they can raise the required funds from existing investors, particularly the institutional shareholders and some large bloc holders who may be fully committed to retain their shareholding positions in the companies. Those shareholders will definitely have a buy in into such rights issues before they are floated. Another reason is that public offers may not necessarily get patronage or commitment from new investors due to the current state of the market,” said Sewa Wusu, economist and head of research and investment advisory at Sterling Capital Markets Limited.

ECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reaffirmed its earlier suspension of BGL Group and its sponsored individuals.

This followed the September 17 discharge of the ex-parte order obtained against SEC by BGL Plc and its subsidiaries.

The Federal High Court had on September 17 in Suit No. FHC/L/ CS/767/15; BGL Plc & Ors Vs Securities and Exchange Commission, discharged the ex-parte order obtained

by BGL Plc and its subsidiaries on May 27, 2015. The order directed that the status quo should be maintained, halting further action by SEC, including administrative trial of BGL’s officials. SEC had summoned BGL and its principal officials to its Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC), which was scheduled to hold between August 4 and 5, 2015.

The APC hearing in SEC APC/01// 2015 Rivers State Ministry of Finance & 31 othersVS BGL PLC & 31 Others was postponed because of the Federal High Court order.

In a statement signed by the management of SEC, the Commission noted that “in view of the Courts ruling, BGL, its subsidiaries and sponsored individuals remain suspended from operating in the Nigerian capital market”.

“The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Central Securities Clearing System CSCS, Financial Market Dealers Quotation (FMDQ) Plc, Nigeria Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Plc and the general public should further note that the directives of the Commission in its public notice dated the 21st of May 2015 still subsists,” SEC stated.

The Commission in May came down heavily on BGL, one of Nigeria’s leading investment banking groups, with the suspension of the BGL Group and its subsidiaries from all capital market activities.

SEC said its decisions were based on the “report of a detailed investigation into the various complaints received from investors against subsidiaries of BGL Group”.

SEC had late April intervened in the operations of BGL Group Plc, suspended its board and set up an interim management board for the group. The interim management

board, headed by a former president of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Oladipo Aina, was mandated to conduct full investigation into the operations of BGL Group. Other members of the interim board were Mr. Abubakar Ambursa, Mrs. Hafsat Rufai, Ms. Temitayo Siyanbola and Ms. Tonne Ladipo-Ajayi.

On the basis of the investigation report, SEC announced the suspension of BGL Asset Management Limited, BGL Capital Limited and BGL Securities Limited from all capital market activities.

The Commission also directed that all major officials and sponsored individuals of BGL Asset Management Limited, BGL Capital Limited and BGL Securities Limited whose particulars are contained in the Commission’s record as at December 2014 be suspended from performing any capital market activity.

SEC, particularly, cited Mr. Albert Okumagba, the group managing director of BGL Group and directed that Okumagba, who was the president of CIS before the April sack of the board, should cease to be a registered sponsored individual with the Commission following the withdrawal of the registration of BGL Plc as a capital market operator. With this directive, Okumagba, one of the most influential capital market operators, will therefore no longer be entitled to carry out capital market activities.

Besides, the apex capital market regulator stated that it has referred what it described as “suspicious transactions” observed in the course of the investigation to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for further investigation.

According to the statement, BGL Asset Management Limited, BGL Capital Limited and BGL Securities Limited and all individuals involved in the management of the companies have also been referred to the Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) of SEC for further trial.

SEC has postponed its hearing on the complaints levelled against BGL Plc by more than 30 investors following a Federal High Court order which directed the apex capital market regulator not to take any further action on the case.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

PAGE 25

Federal Secretariat: The rot 24 years after When it was built in 1976, the Federal Secretariat, Lagos, was not only a signature of architectural masterpiece, its sheer opulence also stamped on global consciousness the country’s arrival into the oil boom era. But its glory was consigned to the trash can of history in 1991 when it was abandoned following the relocation of the country’s capital to Abuja. ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE writes that 24 years on, it has become a long tale of neglect.

TREES of all shapes and sizes seem to be competing for height with the abandoned 15-storey tower buildings which was once the heartbeat of the nation and the structure that gave Ikoyi its elitist tag. The Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, Lagos home of Nigeria’s federal civil service when Lagos was a federal capital territory, majestically stands as a monument of waste.

The t w o buildings paint

INSIDE

Continued from pages 30-31

‘Why we must eat good food’

PAGE 31

Boko Haram suspect nabbed in Lagos PAGES 30-31

‘Why Lagos grants paternity, maternity leave to workers’ PAGE 26

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

26

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•Operators’ receipt inflated to N100 to N1,300

Anger as tricycle riders mourn their own

•Owoseni

•Police chief pleads for peace

P

OLICE deserve respect from the public and the public deserve same from the police.

This is the view of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni who stressed the need for partnership between them.

Mr Owoseni was addressing members of tricycle operators who were protesting the killing of their member, Mr Godwin Ekpo by a police Corporal attached to the IsheriOshun Police Station in Alimosho area of Lagos State.

The protesters said the death of Mr Godwin in the hand of policemen was one of the many cases in which defenceless Nigerians had been “murdered” by policemen.

Sometime in the early 80s, the country was thrown into deep mourning for losing one of its high profile athletes, Dele Udoh.

To many, the concern and emotional outpouring was not just because of the death of the promising young man but because of the way in which he died.

Udoh, then a foreign-based athlete,

By Chinaka Okoro

was cut down in his prime by police bullets at a check-point in the Ojuelegba area of Lagos.

The “slaughter” of Udoh by an overzealous policeman was said to be as a result of an argument that ensued between them at the check-point. The police claimed that Dele’s death was as a result of “accidental discharge”. That was how and when “accidental discharge” became one of the lexicons in the police circle.

Despite the huge outcry over his death, what has become more worrisome now is that since after the death of the great athlete, many more innocent and defenseless Nigerians have been “murdered” by policemen for little or no reasons.

Despite efforts by government and police authorities to prevent some policemen from giving the institution bad name, the rate of killing keeps increasing.

Against the Inspector-General of Police’s and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni’s instruction against mounting of road blocks by policemen, an eight-man team from Isheri-

Oshun Police Station in Alimosho area of Lagos, had mounted a checkpoint at Obalagbe bus stop Ijegun, where they allegedly extorted various sums of money from tricycle operators.

Obalagbe bus stop was the scene of the recent death in the hands of trigger-happy policeman attached to the Isheri-Oshun Police Station.

Mr Godwin Ekpo, his wife, Idongesit and their two-month-old baby were said to be returning from a church programme at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday last week when the eight-man police team stopped him and demanded money from him. He told them that he, with his family, was returning from a church programme.

As he moved to park well, it was gathered, one of the policemen identified as Aremu thought he was running away and fired a shot at the back of the keke. The bullet hit the woman in the neck. Her husband was also seriously wounded. Mrs Idongesit died instantly while her husband was rushed to Igando General Hospital and later moved to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja for treatment; as his condition was said to be critical. The following day, it was alleged that Mr Godwin had also died.

Enraged by this, members of tricycle operators’ union Ikotun to which Godwin belonged went on protest.

In their numbers, the tricycle operators that ply the Ijegun-Ikotun route literally shot down Ikotun. They trooped out to the road on Thursday, September 17 to protest what they called frequent police brutality and killing of their members. Their placards explained their grievances. Some read, “Isheri Police, your generation will suffer,” “Stop killing us,” and “We are law-abiding citizens and have rights to life”, among others.

One of the leaders of the group, Osas Olobi said when members got wind of the death of their member; they had to gather to protest the killing.

“Last week at Iyana-Isheri bus stop, a policeman from the same station wanted to arrest one of our members for not giving him N100. As they were dragging over the matter, the policeman opened tear gas canister in his eyes. The man died the following week because he was asthmatic.

“We are tired of frequent police harassment and embarrassment. They do

not allow us to operate freely as stipulated by law. They always extort money from us almost at every bus stop. Each operator spends not less than N2, 500 daily.

“Some of our members, 13 of them, were arrested and detained at the station for refusing to give them money. One of us called one woman who is a member of a human rights group. When she came, the DPO and his men manhandled and seized her camera and phone.

“Surprisingly, the DPO himself cocked his gun to shoot the woman and we shouted shoot, shoot so that we will know what will happen,” he said.

Kabiru Olaoye, one of the operators told Southwest Report that he was at his bus stop (Obalagbe) watching how the policemen were stopping and collecting money from tricycle operators.

He said: “It was around 10:00 p.m. when the man was stopped by the policemen. The man told them that he was returning from church with his family.

The next thing I heard was a gunshot which had killed the wife of our member and seriously injured him.

“When I saw what happened, I start-

‘Why Lagos grants paternity, maternity leave to workers’

T

HE Lagos State government has explained why it institutionalised maternity and paternity leave for the parents of the first two babies given birth to by its female and male employees.

“It is part of government’s intervention aimed at addressing the adverse effects of maternal deprivation among families in the Centre of Excellence”, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi has said.

She spoke at the Annual Faculty Day Lecture of the Faculty of Public Health, National Post-graduate Medical College of Nigeria, Ijanikin, Lagos.

The Permanent Secretary noted that the implementation of the paternity and maternity leave was premised on research findings on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and bonding.

Her words: “In full realisation of the public health burden of maternal deprivation on child health and mental health, Lagos State Government has designed relevant policies and programmes which address the promotion of family support activities.

“The government, is determined to protect, promote and restore the health of Lagosians and facilitate their unfettered access to quality health care services without fi-

nancial or other barriers. As stated in its development plan (LSDP) 2012-2025, the state hopes to reduce the prevalence and burden of socio-cultural pathologies arising from maternal deprivation.

“The government is committed to the establishment of skills and empowerment centres for youths and the vulnerable. It will also implement the Child Rights’ and Adoption Laws through the Ministries of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Youths, Sports and Social Development.

This will help in alleviating the negative effects of psycho-social problems caused by maternal deprivation.”

Mrs. Osunkiyesi noted that the topic of the annual lecture, entitled “Maternal Deprivation: A Socio-Cultural Pathology” is intriguing and bears direct relevance to contemporary sociocultural issues in Nigeria.

She added that maternal deprivation due to death, illness and abandonment results in acute anxiety, depression and character instability. These result from emerging psycho-social issues such as rape, crime, suicides and suicidal attempts, juvenile delinquency, emotional difficulties and anti-social behaviour, adversely affect the livability of our cities.

“The topic should also be viewed from the perspective of dysfunctional childhood development and the pivotal roles mothers or primary care-giv-

•Ambode

ers play in achieving optimal socialisation of their children or wards,” she said.

She further explained that the term “maternal deprivation” is a catchy-phrase which summarises the life-long research of a psychiatrist and psycho-analyst; John Bowlby on the effects of separating infants and young children from their mothers or mother substitutes.

She added that the psychiatrists and psycho-analysts have postulated that the relationship between the infant and its

mother during the first two years of a child’s life are the most critical time for bonding.

Osunkiyesi noted that infants and children must form close relationships with a single primary care-giver for healthy development, adding that in most cases, the attachment is with the mother.

According to her, the strategies and programmes geared towards reducing the prevalence and burden of socio- cultural pathologies arising from maternal deprivation must be evidence-based, explaining that maternal deprivation which may be either physical or emotional could be due to death, illness or abandonment.

Besides, it could also be as mild as in trusted foster homes, partial; where mother or mother substitute was unable to provide the required loving care, or complete; as in crèches, hospitals and other institutions.

Mrs. Osunkiyesi posited that children who are cared for physically but lack social interaction and physical contact with their primary care-giver often exhibit many of the same symptoms as children who have been denied contact altogether.

She noted that the deleterious effects of maternal deprivation range from acute anxiety, depression and character instability to crippled capacity for relationships; adding that, as teenagers and adults, individuals

suffering from maternal deprivation can be more aggressive, display emotion-affective psychopathy and more prone to depression.

The Guest lecturer, Prof. Adefunke Oyemade listed that the long-term consequences of maternal deprivation as delinquency, reduced intelligence with resultant poor scholastic performance and inability to show affection or concern for others.

She stated that prolonged deprivation beginning early in life and lasting for as long as three years usually has serious adverse effects on physical, mental and social development, stressing that the effects may be reversed if relief from deprivation is instituted early enough.

The guest lecturer pointed out that many mothers can hardly fulfill children’s need for love, understanding; patience, consistency for fairness, good and companionship because of their numerous social obligations and gainful employment which takes them outside their homes.

“Deprivation is not an inevitable result of mother-child separation. It may occur in the presence of the mother and may be relieved in her absence.

It is evident that deprived children in institutions have not the same opportunities as those living in their own homes. Supportive measure to families should aim to reduce number placed in institutions,” she said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

27

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•The protesters

ed shouting and some residents quickly formed a crowd at the scene and prevented the policemen from leaving. They cocked their guns. Out of fear, the crowd dispersed and the policemen fled.

“Today (Thursday), we heard that Godwin, our member had died. That was why we are protesting.”

Another member of the tricycle drivers association in the area, Nse Okon, said tricycle drivers in the area were being constantly harassed by the police at the Isheri-Osun Police Station, adding that they have a peculiar mode of operation Okon said: “Any time an operator is arrested, he will pay at least N2, 000 before he will be set free. I do not know whether we are working in order to take care of our various families or working to feed the police that are being paid with tax payers’ money. They connive with the head of Agbero to extort money from us.

“Instead of buying the operator’s ticket for the stipulated N100, we buy them at the cost of N1, 300. We are handicapped as government has allowed them to decide our fate. Government should save us from the hands of these Agberos.”

Southwest Report gathered that policemen at that station were fond of unlawful arrest and detention of drivers who refused to give them money.

It was also gathered that the protest against the death of Mrs Idongesit who was breastfeeding a two-month-old baby, led to the release of 13 other tricycle drivers, who had been arrested and detained under contentious situations.

A visit to the Isheri-Oshun Police Station revealed that there were armed policemen in more than five security vehicles. An Armoured Personnel Carrier was also stationed very close to the station.

The member of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade Chinazo Ifechigha, who was allegedly assaulted by the police during the Thursday protest called for justice.

She accused the DPO of encouraging his men to molest and brutalise the mass-

We are tired of frequent police harassment and embarrassment. They do not allow us to operate freely as stipulated by law.

They always extort money from us almost at every bus stop. Each operator spends not less than N2, 500 daily…One of us called one woman who is a member of a human rights group. When she came, the DPO and his men manhandled and seized her camera and phone es that they were meant to protect.

“Because I refused to compromise my position as a member of a group that defends the defenseless and the voiceless, he said he would disgrace me before everybody.

“He pointed a gun at me and the crowd dared him to shoot. He then ordered his men to beat me up because I refused to give him my phone. He embarrassed me before the protesters. But I stand firm to get justice for the couple; and I want my phone back.”

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the incident, said the policeman, Aremu had been arrested and detained.

Addressing the protesters at Oropo bus stop in Ikotun, Mr Owoseni pleaded with them to be peaceful, adding that justice will be done.

He added that the DPO of IsheriOshun had also been issued with a query for disobeying the Inspector-General of Police’s instruction against mounting of roadblocks.

He said: “The police are doing all they can to ensure that the deceased’s children are taken care of. The police corporal involved has been taken into custody. When we complete all necessary disciplinary action, he will be charged to court for murder.

“The team leader and the DPO of Isheri-Oshun Police Station have also been issued queries for disobeying the IGP with regard to policemen performing duties without wearing their uniforms, and without a properly-labelled police van.

“The Inspector-General of Police does not condone such ugly acts. We at the Command headquarters here frown at it. I have visited the home of the deceased, I have seen their children and we sympathised with them. We will ensure that they are properly taken care of.”

He also stressed the need for community partnership and mutual trust among the police and the public.

Lawmaker inaugurates community projects

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From Damisi Ojo, Akure N fulfilment of his promises during the electioneering campaigns to enhance the living standard visited the chairman of Akure South Local Governof members of his constituency, the member rep- ment Area several times to officially register their resenting Akure North/South Federal Constituency at the plight without any tangible result.

House of Representatives, Hon. Afe Olowookere has emHon. Olowookere has also commenced the conbarked on several projects that will alleviate the suffer- struction of town hall for Emiloro community near ing of the people.

Oda in Akure South Local Government Area.

One of the projects is the construction of one- kilomeThe laying of the foundation of the modern town ter concrete drainage and erosion control along Fahall was performed by the lawmaker amid juparusi Layout, off Ijoka Road, Akure the Ondo bilation.

State capital.

The town hall project estimated by the Solely sponsored by Olowookere, the site engineer, Dele Bello to cost N10 milproject would cost between N3.5 million lion would boast modern facilities for and N5 million. the convenience of members of the The All Progressives Congress (APC) community. lawmaker said it was part of his Akure According to the chairman of North/South Community ýDevelopEmiloro Community Development Project (ACDP), promising to exment Forum (ECDF) Dare ecute more projects in order to reduce Olowookere, the sons and daughters the suffering of the people in his conof the community must emulate the stituency. lawmaker, saying he had not forgotExpressing sadness over the deplorten his roots. able state of roads in Akure, OlowookHe urged the people to embrace ere said: “I’ve gone round the state cap•Olowookere peace and unity, noting that without ital and discovered that the roads within unity, there would be no development. my constituency are in deplorable condiThe Olu of Emiloro, Chief Tayo tion. I am not happy with the state of these Alake, commended Hon. Olowookere roads. I have identified some roads that should for the gesture, saying the lawmaker was a have been fixed by the government which have patriotic son who had the interest of the combeen neglected. I have made up my mind to reconmunity at heart. struct some of these roads.”

Chief Alake also called on the people of Emiloro to The chairman of the Landlords’ Association of Faparu- emulate the lawmaker’s example in order to help in the si community, Tolani Ologun, commended Olowookere’s development of the community. gesture.

The chairman of the APC in Akure South, Elder Ayo He said the construction of the drainage system would Alogba, ascribed the intervention of Olowookere in help to reduce the plight of the residents.

Emiloro to the love he has for his people.

He said: “We can hardly bring our cars into the commuAlogba lamented that some people who reprenity. Even okada riders no longer ply our area because of sented the constituency in the past had nothing to the state of the road, especially during rainy season. Ero- show for their representation. sion has sacked some people from their homes. This has He commended Olowookere for the giant strides been our nasty experience. This project is one of the best which he said are lasting legacy he will bequeath the gifts any community can get from its representative. community.

“The road has been abandoned for years. The erosion The lawmaker said he decided to construct the town that has seriously affected the community is caused by the hall because the old one where the community holds flow of current from Abusoro area of the town. It has important events had collapsed. rendered so many residents homeless.

Olowookere said he made the project a priority All efforts made in the past to address the problem because it was in fulfilment of his promise to the did not yield any fruit.” people of the community during his electioneering Ologun said representatives of the community have campaigns.

‘Constituency offices will make me more accessible’

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HE lawmaker representing Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency, Hon. Adedapo Lam-Adesina has inaugurated two constituency offices.

Inaugurating the offices at Ile-Titun area and Oje Market, Lam-Adesina said he was not running a race with anybody by using two offices but only wants to be accessible to the people of his constituency.

“I am representing two local governments; so it is my responsibility to have two offices that will make my people to be accessible to me. I am doing all this in order to bring the dividends of democracy to my people.

“Politicians seem to fail in providing dividends of democracy to

their people because they are far from their people. That informs my inaugurating two constituency offices. I want to go down to the people at the grassroots and I want to be closer to them even if I am in Abuja,” he said.

The lawmaker informed the gathering that channeling requests through the constituency office would be the most efficient method of having them attended to.

Lam-Adesina also advised other political office holders to always ensure that they do not abandon the people that elected them into office, noting that good representation entails doing something positive for constituents.

While commending the lawmaker, the chairman of All Progressives

Congress (APC) in Ibadan South West Local Government, Alhaji Kayode Arowolo stated that Hon. Adesina has started fulfilling his campaign promises within a short while in office.

“He is a promise-keeping person who does not segregate or marginalise the people within his constituency,” he said.

Also, the leader of APC in Ibadan North East Local Government, Elder Ayo Eniade said: “The inauguration of two constituency offices is splendid and we must commend the lawmaker for it.

This is the first of its kind in our local government. His 100 days in office is also very commendable.”

Elder Eniade said.

A birthday with the needy

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HE lawmaker representing Ibadan North State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olaleye has celebrated his 43rd birthday with the physically-challenged.

Hon. Olaleye, who visited the Oluyole Cheshire Home in Sango area of the state, donated food items such as bags of rice, indomie noddle, wheat, semolina, drinks and other valuable items to the inmates.

The lawmaker said the gesture aimed at identifying with the physically-challenged in the society. He noted that no government in the history of Oyo State appreciates the less-privileged as the Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led administration.

He, therefore, urged the people to support the governor in transforming the state.

Hon. Olaleye noted that the legislative and other arms of government never regretted the way the state governor is managing the affairs of the state, saying that if the

state is being governed by another party other than the All Progressives Congress (APC), the state would have collapsed by now.

“We are here to celebrate with you. We are here to show you that we care about you. We are here to complement you. I am here to tell you that no government in the history of Oyo State ever appreciates the physically-challenged people as the present administration is doing.

“Governor Ajimobi appointed a Special Adviser on Disability which none of the previous administrations had done. We have no regret the way Governor Ajimobi has been managing the affairs of this state. If it were other parties in the state, the economy of Oyo State would have collapsed by now. I want to assure you that the state government will continue to support your home at all times,” he said.

The representative of the physically-challenged people, Mr. Kayoed Lawal appreciated the lawmaker’s gesture, saying he could have decided to celebrate his birthday with his friends

•Hon. Olaleye and his wife. With them are the inmates of the home

and relations rather than the physically-challenged.

He said: “We appreciate your generosity and we pray that God will be with you and your family. This home has a school. We have primary and secondary school here. We also have

some intending students but we have limited resources. We need government’s support. This home has contributed immensely to the rehabilitation of the disabled in Nigeria, especially in Oyo State. We want you to help us more.”

The Matron of the home, Mrs Abosede Olafikun said the lawmaker has proved that he cares about the less-privileged, especially the physically-challenged, even as she urged other lawmakers to emulate him.

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SOUTHWEST REPORT

Tourism potential of Ojude Oba Festival

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AJOR Sponsors of this year’s Ojude-Oba festival have commended the organisers of the annual event held for their commitment in promoting the tourism potential of the festival.

Representative of Globalcom, Mr Ayo Ogunranti, FCMB, Luois Ibe and Nigeria Breweries Plc, Mr Tayo Adelaja gave the commendation at a press briefing tagged “Harnessing Our Cultural Heritage for Economic Development” in Ijebu-Ode. Mr Ogunranti said the festival, as a cultural heritage, was worth preserving going by its history in bringing together the indigenes of Ijebu land, both

home and in the Diaspora.

“Our involvement in the celebration of Ojude Oba Festival is therefore geared towards celebrating the unique tradition and customs of Ijebu people.

“Ojude Oba Festival has continued to grow each year and has become well known internationally as it is celebrated by all sons and daughters of Ijebu land both at home and in the Diaspora. I urge everyone to find time to participate in the festivities to have a feel of our extra-ordinary heritage,” Ogunranti stated.

Contributing, Mr Adelaja assured organisers of their support in ensuring the successful hosting of the festival scheduled to herald this

year’s Ileya Festival.

Mr Adelaja said the organisation has continued to keep its consumers actively engaging all year-round through its exciting consumer engagement platform, adding that the company’s brands will create numerous activities to connect with its target consumers during the festive season.

He assured the public that the company will expose its consumer to a 10-day Goldberg Beer carnival where the Ijebu and their visitors will have the opportunity to interact with the brand in a fun and secured atmosphere.

Mr Ibe, who represented the chairman of the organisation, Otunba Surubomi Balogun said this

year’s Ojude Oba Festival will avail the entire Ijebu people the opportunity to discuss the future of Ijebu nation, promising that it is going to be a funfair.

Reacting, the event coordinator, Otunba Wahab Osinusi thanked the sponsors for their support and contributions.

Osinusi said the festival was not only about merry-making but also provides Ijebu people the opportunity to brainstorm on developmental and economic objectives while re-uniting with members of their families.

He assured participants of adequate security, traffic management and health care before, during and after the festival.

60th birthday bash for Yeye-Oge of Are-Ekiti “We do not sometimes realise the futility of our life until we taste what is near death” -Anonymous writer.

The above saying aptly describes the recent experience of Mrs Remi Fadipe-Anisulowo the Yeye-Oge of Are-Ekiti. She is also ex-board member, Ekiti Sports Council. She celebrated her 60th birthday recently.

At the event held recently in Ekiti, she narrated her near-death experience. Fadipe said she would have passed on some four months ago but for God’s grace and love.

Her words: “I am so happy today celebrating my 60th birthday.

I give God the glory for preserving my life till now. You would pity me if you see what happened to me about four months ago. I was in the market getting things ready in preparation for the birthday ceremony when about three bags of rice fell on me and I passed out.

“I was rushed to the hospital and I had thought it was over. But miraculously, I survived it. That is why I’m thanking God with all my heart today for all that He has done for me.

“Serving God is dearest to me; it is what I hold most dear. That is why in my church I belong to several groups in order to render my service to God. “ On the state of the nation, Fadipe-Anisulowo urged Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. She described them as men of integrity.

“I appeal to Nigerians to be patient with President Buhari. He is a man of great virtue and he will give Nigerians good governance.

But we have to be patient with him.”

•Mrs Fadipe-Anisulowo flanked by Chief Falae and his wife

Among eminent personalities that joined Fadipe at the thanksgiving service was Chief Olu Falae. He said of her: “she is one of the finest persons I have ever met. She is well-behaved, friendly, joyful, devoted to the church and members of the congregation.

That I attended her birthday service on a Tuesday morning is a testimony to the great affection I have for her. If everyone is good as she is, the world would have been a greater place to live in.”

Falae also urged Nigerians to be patient with President Buhari. “You

would recall that in 2007, I was his campaign manager in the South West. So, I am very close to him and whatever advice I have for him would be in private. Let us be patient with him. One thing I am sure about him is that he would do his best for Nigeria and Nigerians. Let’s hope that his best would be good enough for Nigeria.”

Former member of Ondo State House of Assembly, Prince Ademola Adegoroye also showered encomiums on Fadipe: “We thank God for Mrs. Fadipe’s

life as she celebrates her 60th birthday. She is a member of my church and also the wife of my uncle, Chief Dayo Fadipe. She has always been a very humble, kind, generous and good woman. She is ever cheerful.

“Another thing that attracts me to her is that she derives great joy in serving God. She has been an active member and worker in the church for over 25 years and there is hardly any programme of the church that she doesn’t get actively involved in.

“I pray that the Lord should continue to bless her and she would continue to find joy in the Lord. I also pray that her children would continue to be great in life,” he said.

Princess Jumoke Aladesanmi Omotosho and Mrs. Awoyomi Olubunmi are childhood friends of Fadipe. They also wished her well.

“I am very excited today for my friend, Mrs. Fadipe on her birthday, because we have been together for a long time. She has been a very good woman and God-fearing. My advice for her is to continue to do her best for anybody who comes her way. I wish her the best in all her endeavours,” Omotosho said.

On her part, Awoyomi said: “I’m a childhood friend of the celebrator.

All I can say about my friend, Mrs. Fadipe is that she is a very nice friend.

I am very happy for her on her 60th anniversary. I urge her to give her life fully to God as we are at the end times.”

Mrs. Alabi Kemi Olabisi is one of the younger siblings of Fadipe who expressed her gratitude to God for sparing her big sister’s life. She said: “I am so happy that she is 60 today. I am particularly happy for her because God had preserved her life. She has always been a mother to me and also to my children. I pray that God would grant her more years so that she would see her great grand children.”

FRSC arrests 46 motorists for traffic offence

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O fewer than 46 vehicles were arrested and booked with 52 various offences in Ogun State.

This was during the joint operation of military and paramilitary exercise organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on the Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway in Ota, Ogun State.

The offences range from tyre violation, drivers’ licence violation, overloading, seat belt, dangerous driving and rickety.

The exercise, tagged: “Operation show of collective support”, according to FRSC Ota Unit Commander, Leye Adegboyega (ACC), was organised as part of the efforts of the FRSC to curb the road impunity causing crashes on the road and to showcase the support and collaboration of other security agencies on the issue of road safety.

By Olalekan Ayeni

He said safety should not be left only to any road safety administration and management agency but also to be the collective responsibility of every well-meaning individuals and organisations in the country.

Adegboyega said the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Police and Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) have agreed to support the FRSC to further enlighten road users on the need for safety, most especially as the ‘ember months’ begin.

The ‘Ember months’, he said, are the most desperate for Nigerians, during which they travel a lot. Noting that this affects both the high human and vehicular movements, he said this increases the high number of crashes on the roads.

Adegboyega said the Corps had developed some goals for the year, this

he said include improving stakeholders collaboration and road use education, improve enforcement, rescue and advisory capacity through road traffic reduction nationwide by 20 per cent and fatality by 30 per cent.

He urged the Military and Paramilitary, road safety management and road users to support the Corps in reducing crashes on the roads.

He said the death and injuries arising from road crashes could be reduced by 50 per cent if motorists could shun drinking and driving, over- speeding, use of phone and other distractions while driving, seat belts and helmets violation and always obeying traffic rules. Violating the traffic rules would cause crashes on the road, he added.

Also, the Corps has urged its Regular and Special Marshals to be more committed to capacity building especially as the ‘ember’ months begin.

The Oshodi Corps Unit Commander, Taiwo Eko (ACC), spoke at the ca-

pacity building workshop organised by the Corps for Special Marshals at Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos. It had theme “Empowered for effective service delivery”.

He expressed the needs of increasing capacity building by Regular and Special Marshals, saying it would enable the Corps to achieve success of making roads safer for the users during and after the ‘ember’ months. Noting that it will also enable the Corps’ to achieve its mission and vision.

He urged the officers to be committed to the duty without compromise to enhance the efforts of the Corps in tackling the roads’ impunity.

He urged the Special Marshals to use e-ticketing for booking instead of manuals, adding that it should recruit people with integrity and legal means of livelihood.

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N Saturday, April 25, 2015, my eldest son Jotham EdgarOluwa Ororho left me at home to go to our place of worship to help in cleaning the House of God, in company of his younger brother Johan. They had gone to prepare the place for a programme we were to have that evening. This was after he had prepared breakfast for the family. But 15 minutes later, I received a call from Brother Baldwin Eze. He said, “Good morning brother, where are you?” I replied that I was about to have my breakfast. “Hurry downstairs and you will meet Brothers Shadrach Ochuba and Bayo, they are taking your son to the hospital.”

I hurried downstairs and when I got into the car, Jotham was already unconscious. He remained that way until Saturday, May 16, 2015, a period of 21 days. Those three weeks were the worst three weeks of my life. His journey started from Medical Emergency at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), to the Theatre and after a twohour surgery, he was bed-ridden to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Surgical Emergency Department and placed on Life Support Machine.

His surgeon, Dr Idowu told us that our son was suffering from Inter-Cranial Haemorrhage. This means that there is a rupture in the veins supplying blood to his brain and as a result, a part of his brain has been clothed by blood. The CT scan we did confirmed the surgeon’s fears. My wife Omolara and I were perplexed beyond compare as we never bargained for this.

However, God was with Jotham and the medical personnel, starting from Dr Idowu and his team, through to the staff at ICU gave us reason to hope that our boy would live. I would describe them as some of the nicest people I ever met. After about one month plus some weeks, Jotham was transferred to the BT Cardiac and Neurology Ward where we spent another one month plus. On the total, we have spent some four months and two weeks as at Saturday, September 12, 2015, sleeping on the floor and waiting for our boy to get well.

Our balance now stands at one million, one hundred and fifty-five thou-

•Jotham on his sick bed

SOS to Ambode His surgeon, Dr Idowu told us that our son was suffering from Inter-Cranial Haemorrhage. This means that there is a rupture in the veins supplying blood to his brain and as a result, a part of his brain has been clotted by blood. The CT scan we did confirmed the surgeon’s fears. sand Naira (N1, 155,000). To be candid, our resources have been depleted and it is impossible for us to pay the balance after spending about two million Naira (N2,000,000) at LASUTH. My wife works at one of the local council development areas in Lagos State. Besides, her mother is from Lagos State. When she sought assistance from the State Government in taking advantage of Lagos State Free Health

Care Programme, she was asked to write a letter to The Chief Medical Director at LASUTH THRROUGH the Director, Clinical Services and Training.

She did. A later directive was that she should write to the State Government. She did again and the letter was addressed to the State Government, which ought to give the directive to LASUTH to release Jotham

after his discharge from hospital. The Government wrote back to the Chief Medical Director asking LASUTH to allow us take advantage of the state’s Free Health Care programme.

Unfortunately, after Jotham’s discharge was issued, the authorities at LASUTH asked my wife to go back to the State Secretariat a t Alausa, Ikeja to get a clearance from the State Government that it will pay the balance.

At Alausa, she was told that the state is broke and that we

•Anthony Edgar-Oluwa Ororho is Jotham’s father.

Foreign missions: Expert cautions Buhari on policy

Council distributes GCE forms to students

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HE Executive Secretary of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Hon. Jaiye Alabi has presented General Certificate Education (GCE) forms to about 50 students in the council area.

While presenting the forms to the beneficiaries, Hon. Alabi encouraged them to study hard so as to obtain good grades.

“I enjoin you to shun all forms of malpractice. The Federal Government does not condone any form of corruption no matter who the person maybe. If you pass well, it will encourage us to embark on more empowerment programmes for the benefit of members of the community.

“It is a turning point in the life of the beneficiaries; but they must study hard. We also organise free coaching classes for them so that they could do well, as they will have no excuse to give for failing. We will continue to assist citizens of this council in many ways as we can to touch the lives of the people of Ejigbo positively.

“As part of our visions to improve the standard of living in this council, we have embarked on people-oriented programmes, which include poverty elevation, health, youth and social development, con-

Boy.”

should go and pay half the cost before our son can be released from hospital. As it stands, we can’t settle the bills for now and Jotham can’t go home. This development has prevented us from continuing with his treatment for we are told that he cannot attend clinic as an inmateonly out patients can be attended to at the Out Patient Department (Clinic).

Jotham is a 14year-old SS2 student and was preparing to write his Senior School Certificate Examination before he took ill. The youngster is emotionally drained and sometimes suffers emotional breakdown and cries.

As his father, I would do my best to give my eldest son all the support that a loving father would give his son; sick or healthy.

I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Governor Akinwumi Ambode, the peoples’ governor to assist us take advantage of the state’s Free Health care programme.

His Class Teacher’s Remark on his Report Sheet reads: “He is a Promising

•From left: Mrs Abimbola, Adeniyi Adebesin, Hon. Alabi and Oshibajo at the event.

By Adejo David

struction of roads at Mashalashi Street, health centre and construction of drainage systems.

“We urge the media and other stakeholders to help in the sensitisation campaign to our people not to block drainage systems by throwing rubbish in them or on the road,” he said.

In a remark, the secretary to the council, Mrs Ike-Nicholas Abimbola said: “We have partnered with your parents and done everything possible to empower you. Therefore, you should be good ambassadors of this

council and don’t put shame on your parents and the council. This is a very big opportunity and advantage you’ve gotten; you must not misuse it.”

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Emmanuella Ojugbeli thanked the council for the gesture.

“I can’t believe I will be writing this year’s examination since my parents were not able to buy the GCE form. I lost hope but I was surprised when I was told that I was one of the beneficiaries of this wonderful programme which is the second of its kind. It is also thoughtful of the council to organise free coaching pro-

PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

gramme for the beneficiaries,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Oluremi Adenike thanked the executive secretary for his love for the people of the area which manifests in his provision of people-oriented programmes.

“May God bless you and all. We will not let you down, we will put in our best and not disappoint you,” she said.

The Council Manager Nurudeen Shobajo promised that the council will continue in making life easy for the citizens as part of their commitment to serve the community.

SUBSEQUENT to Federal Government’s plan to reduce the number of foreign missions in line with the current economic realities, a Political Scientist, Dr. Gbade Ojo has said that the outcome might not be favourable to Nigerians. He therefore urged him to exercise •Ojo restraint.

The don spoke during an interactive session with journalists on the need for the President to rescind his decision to reduce the number of foreign missions, which he said, might not be beneficial to the country.

He said: “Ordinarily, Nigeria may not require diplomats in all countries of the world, but as a force to reckon with in the sub-region, it is advisable we retain foreign missions and diplomats in very many countries of the world because, the whole world has become a global village in the sense that, Nigerians are virtually everywhere in the world and people from other different parts of the world are in Nigeria.”

Dr Ojo, a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science of the University of Ilorin, highlight-

ed the three basic criteria which are needed for the determination of a foreign mission in a country.

These he listed as economic relationship with that country, volume of citizens in another country and balance of trade with another country.

“Those things determine where you have a foreign mission. But if there are small countries that you hardly have anything to do with, you may perhaps, be dependent on yourself. You may not really maintain a mission there.

“But, in any country you don’t have a foreign mission; your citizens begin to struggle to get Visas. As I am to deliver a lecture in Netherlands next month and having discovered that Netherlands doesn’t have an embassy here, I will have to go through the embassy of another country that is friendly with Netherlands to be able to process my Visa. You can see the disadvantage of the stress. But if you have a foreign mission somewhere and they have embassy in your country too, it becomes easier to travel to those places and come back,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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Fed Secretariat: The rot 24 years Continued from page 25

ed in brown texcote, consisting of twin towers each, lay in ruin, buried by an emerging jungle, amid surrounding opulence.

Opposite this “princely jungle” was Dodan Barracks that used to be the seat of power and home to most of the country’s military Heads of State, until the self-styled evil genius, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) shifted the country’s capital to the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

Ironically, while the hub of the country’s bureaucracy lay in ruins and fast becoming a jungle, the impregnable Dodan Barracks seems to have lost nothing, preserved to attend to the needs of guests who frequently visited its banquet halls and warmed its beds.

Apart from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which temporarily occupied one of its wings, no firm had used it since 1991. NAFDAC left soon afterwards, when its office was gutted by fire.

One of the federal projects started by Gen. Yakubu Gowon in 1975, the controversy that led to the nation’s pricey property’s sad end started in 2006, when Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the then Minister of Works and Housing under President Olusegun Obasanjo, concessioned it to Resort International Limited (RIL); a private firm owned by Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) for N7.2 billion.

Babalakin’s idea was to convert the entire complex into a high rise housing complex and hope was on the rise that about 480 housing units might soon be added to resolve the shortfall in the nation’s housing stock.

Going by Obasanjo’s government’s calculation, RIL was expected to convert the complex to four, three and two bedroom flats, among others.

But the plan did not materialise with the Lagos State Government, led by a cream of its prominent sons vehemently opposed the idea of converting the complex from its original function to a residential area.

Led by Lagos monarch Oba Rilwan Akiolu and former Governor Babatunde Fashola, Lagos State Government argued that the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) ought to have reverted to it once the reason for its take-over ceased to exist.

They obtained a court injunction barring anyone from carrying out any further activity within the complex, a situation responsible for its

Ms Caxton-Martin

present state.

One of the tricycle operators Wahidi Ismail who plies the Ikoyi-Obalende route said the mechanics have turned the Federal Secretariat first gate area into a mini-mechanic workshop.

According to him, the mechanic yard had been in operation for about five years, without any molestation from any one since then.

Though its investment as a concessionaire still subsists, RIL is being frustrated to embark on the project because of the court injunction and the state government’s non-disposition to approve the complex to be developed as residential area.

The state faulted the sale on the premise that the complex was too large to be used for residential purposes, especially because that was not the original plan when it was built in 1975.

Babalakin was once quoted as describing the situation as a major threat to the public private partnership (PPP)

When a building has been abandoned for long, it starts to collapse gradually because human beings give strength to the building. The moment people stop using the building, structural defects begin to take place and the building may collapse. “If you take it from an insurance point of view, if there are offices around the building, the insurance firm can increase their premium because part of the risk of their business is the building, which is prone to collapse...Instead of leaving it to rot away, it should have been turned into flats for residents and offices which will generate a lot of money for the Federal Government

•The gate house converted to living home

initiative and the concession option as an alternative to economic growth. He said all stakeholders, the concessionaire and banks, which have all invested a great deal in the project have lost hope. He explained that the project was conceived to convert idle Federal Government’s assets to viable structures.

A source at the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development said the structure must be reverted to its original use as encapsulated in the law.

But health and safety experts maintained that leaving such a facility abandoned for years is a threat to the environment. Thomas Adedeji said were it not for the police who have mounted surveillance at the facility, it would have been overtaken by miscreants and criminals.

“When a building has been abandoned for long, it starts to collapse gradually because human beings give strength to the building. The mo-

ment people stop using the building, structural defects begin to take place and the building may collapse.

“If you take it from an insurance point of view, if there are offices around the building, the insurance firm can increase their premium because part of the risk of their business is the building, which is prone to collapse. People are also prone to defecating around the structure, which can cause environmental hazards; people around will inhale malodorous air that could make them fall sick.

“In my view, instead of leaving it to rot away, it should have been turned into flats for residents and offices which will generate a lot of money for the Federal Government.

That building is in a beautiful location and it shouldn’t be wasted. The problem with us as Nigerians is that we always mismanage government’s property,” Adedeji said.

Adedeji’s fear resonated recently when news made the rounds that the complex had been overtaken by miscreants and criminals. But facts soon emerged that this was a false alarm, as those regarded as miscreants were, indeed, family members of the 24member Mobile Policemen posted to guard the premises since the complex was locked up by the courts.

Taking the Executive Secretary of Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Hon. Ms Toyin Caxton-Martins, round the premises recently, a Police Inspector, who heads the 24-member team at the premises, said the policemen who were posted from Maiduguri, Yobe and Adamawa states had to bring members of their families as a

•The spot where the suspect was arrested

•The spot where the suspect was caught

•Ahmed Hamanbade

ings in the area.

Adamu was said to have concealed some devices suspected to be explosives in boxes, which were

stacked in the ceiling of the house.

Also recovered alongside the suspected explosives were two AK47 rifles.

The suspect was taken to the palace of the paramount ruler, Oba Fatai Aromire Ojora before being whisked away by the operatives.

Boko Haram suspect nabbed in Lagos

S

ECURITY operatives attached to Operation Mesa (OP Mesa) have arrested a suspected member of the Boko Haram sect in Ijora area of Lagos State following a tip-off by residents of the community.

The suspect, identified as Abdullahi Adamu, was apprehended during a raid carried out by operatives of the security outfit comprising the Army and the State Security Service (SSS).

Aminiya (Hausa newspaper) published weekly by Daily Trust had reported the arrest of the suspect on page 8 of its last

By Opeyemi Samuel

week’s edition in which his photograph appeared.

In the circumstances, therefore, residents who saw the suspect’s published photograph were apprehensive and on the lookout. They informed the operatives who raided the area.

The raid, which took place at the Ijora 7-Up area of Lagos, came after a tip-off on the activities of a terror network allegedly co-ordinated by Iranians.

The suspects was arrested after soldiers ransacked one of the build-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

31

SOUTHWEST REPORT

after

o living home

result of the fear of Boko Haram insurgents.

The Inspector, who implored the council chief to assist in weeding the bushes and cutting down the trees that had sprouted in the last 24 years of the premises’ abandonment, said his men had been cutting the bushes themselves to ensure their safety.

Ms Caxton-Martins, who promised to make the environment more livable for the policemen said she is satisfied about the security situation of the abandoned complex, adding that the only time civilians are allowed into the premises was only on Fridays when the Moslems living around the secretariat were allowed to come to the mosque within the premises to pray. She said she will deliberate with officials of the council on how to assist in reducing the pains of the officers posted to guard the complex.

•The suspect, Abdullahi Adamu

The leader of the Hausa community, who resides in the area, Ahmed Hamanbade, said the susContinued on page 32

T

HE Executive Secretary, Badagry West Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Hon. Joseph A. Agoro has praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his commitment to the health of the residents. He said the governor’s inauguration of 20 Mobile Care Units Ambulances and 26 Transport Ambulances for general hospitals and primary health care centres was proof for this commitment.

Hon. Agoro spoke during the sensitisation programme which the council held at Gbaji about the Lagos State Emergency Medical Service (LASEMS) and Lagos State Ambulance (LASAMBUS) unit.

He said to ensure that all hospitals function at the optimum, Governor Ambode approved the purchase of power generating sets and X-ray machines to be installed in all general hospital to ensure that there is 24-hour power supply.

The council chief also revealed that the governor had also approved the recruitment of more paramedic staff and special medical coordinators to ensure smooth provision of medical service for the people.

To this end, he said, it is necessary on our part to enlighten our people on this people-oriented programme and also to let you know the importance of these programmes to our council area.

Hon. Agoro noted that “rapid urbanisation and industrialisation of Lagos State has led to appreciable increase in the number of road traffic, industrial and marine accidents and medical emergencies. This informs government’s commitment to the strengthening of the Lagos State Emergency Medical Service (LASEMS) and establishment of the Lagos

N

Council sensitises residents to health

•Hon. Agoro (middle), the Alapa of Apa, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Adekanmi Oyekan Ilufemiloye Ajose (left) Council Manager, Mr. Olukunle Whenu (right) with representatives of the Army, police, FRSC and other members of the community at the event.

By Ibrahim Adam

State Ambulance (LASAMBUS) in March, 2001.”

Both services run on 24 hours a week basis and have led to significant improvement in the response time and quality of care with attendant improvement in morbidity and mortality rates occasioned by medical emergencies.

These services cover awareness campaign on the preventive aspect of medical emergencies, including home, road, traffic and industrial accidents and how to access services; training of personnel in pre-hospital-based management of trauma and medical emergencies and effective radio communication; establishment of an

U T R I T I O N I S T S HAVE said that healthy eating habFrom Sikiru it is a gateway to Akinola, Ibadan healthy living. people They, therefore, against advised Nigerians skipping to eat good food for breakfast. sound health and “Avoid late wellness. night meal, The call was don’t eat lemade at the first free comgumes, oily munity health and nuand fried food trition fair organised by late in the night.

Phison Nutrition and Never start your day Wellness Centre.

•Ibukun with artificial or soft Speaking at the event drink. Don’t drink chilled held at Rhema Audidrink immediately after torium, Bodija, Dr Dimeal. And more imporran Oyewole, a Senior tantly, seek information Lecturer at the Departfrom reliable sources to ment of Public Health know if you are eating well and Nutrition, College or not,” he said. of Medicine of the UniSpeaking earlier, Mrs versity of Ibadan, revealed Shirley Isi-Ejoh of the Dethat human existence is partment of Human Nutriinfluenced by many faction, University of Ibadan, tors part of which, he said, revealed that most of the is nutrition. nutritional problems that He said: “One of the occur in human beings components of nutrition started when growing up, is healthy eating which adding that “a malnourmany claim to know much ished pregnant woman will give about but sometimes make birth to a malnourished baby.” mistake about; an action that She added that nutrition makes them susceptible to brings together the complex sonon-communicable diseascial and biological factors of how es.” individuals and populations He noted that there is a maintain optimal function and need to create awareness on benefit. “The same food that how to maximise the power somebody eats and benefits from of healthy living for sound may not be good for another perhealth and wellness through son,” she explained. preventive strategy.

On why she organised the fair, His words: “At times, we eat 28-year-old Miss Tubi Ibukumore or less than what the body noluwa said the programme actually requires, unknowingly. was borne out of the need to Wrong food choices and combianswer some salient questions nation, drug use, meal timing about health, nutrition and and health condition affect wellness. healthy eating. If you take a food “With diet-related diseases on the item in the morning and you increase, messages on health, especially don’t have the sensation to eat from health professionals, become priormore, the food is not good.” ity. As the saying goes “information is To live a healthy life, he advised

To enhance prompt response to emergency situations, Governor Ambode inaugurated 20 Ambulances and 14 Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU) in addition to the existing fleet of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for public use in which our LCDA was among effective radio communication network linking the public, LASAMBUS, LASEMS and the Ministry of Health, dedicated (easy-to-remember) phone hotline (112) and free treatment within the first 24 hours of emergency pol-

icy.

“As part of measures to enhance prompt response to emergency situations, Governor Ambode inaugurated 20 Ambulances and 14 Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU) in addition to the existing fleet of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for public use in which our LCDA was among.

“Today, we are sensitising our people and also inaugurating this worthy project in our LCDA to the glory of God and to the service of humanity.”

He thanked the royal fathers, community leaders, Commander of Army, Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), members of staff of the LCDA and other guests for attending the event.

‘Why we must eat good food’

•Free eye test for members of the community

•Dr Diran delivering a lecture

power”, but there seems to be a gap between health professionals with the information and the people that need the message.

“The health and nutrition fair seeks to bridge this gap by providing a platform where nutrition-health professionals are brought to the community where people of all age groups can get information on how to use the power of food for sound health in a fun, interactive and educative manner.”

She said though the fair was the maiden edition “we have been harnessing several platforms to pass the message of health and wellness through nutrition programmes on radio, nutrition talks in gatherings and organisations when invited. We also operate nutrition blog but the free community health and nutrition fair is the first.”

On how to sustain it, she said the health and nutrition fair model is self-sustainable as “it gives corporate institutions several opportunities to advertise their services and products.”

Ibukun, who is an expert in human nutrition, was optimistic that the fair would become a national matter.

“Since a lot of people need to know how to develop a healthy eating habit and lifestyle, I see it going beyond Ibadan into other states in Nigeria for as many people to benefit,” she said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

32

SOUTHWEST REPORT

‘Contribute to nation-building’

Y

OUTHS have been advised to contribute to the growth and development of the country’s economy by engaging in profitable ventures, even as they were urged to eschew acts capable of portraying them as irresponsible and unpatriotic.

The pieces of advice were given by a Belgium-based ex-footballer, Tosin Dosunmu during the unveiling of his world-class events centre he established in Lekki Lagos. Urging them to develop their potential, he maintained that self-discipline is vital to overall development of an individual.

Speaking to Southwest Report on what informed the establishment of the events centre of such magnitude, Dosunmu said he was buoyed by the call by the Federal Government to Nigerians in the Diaspora to either return home and invest in their fatherland or contribute their expertise to nation-building.

Located at Sagote on the busy Lekki-Lagos Expressway, opposite Crown Estate, TT Parkwest Events Centre’s two letters were taken from the name of Tosin and his wife Toyin.

Dosunmu said he was touched by the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s policy to encourage Nigerians in the Diaspora to come home and invest.

On why he chose to invest in the

P

ROPERTIES belonging to the ex-chairman of Ondo State OilProducing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Mr. Debo Ajimuda seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been released by the anti-graft body.

Southwest Report learnt that the vehicles and other property were allegedly released to Ajimuda by the EFCC. The properties, comprising about 13 exotic vehicles and some documents were seized by the anti-graft agency on March, 2012 and put in the custody of the State Police Command following an allegation of N540 million frauds against him.

Some of the flashy cars impounded are 2011 model Tundra with registration number, FY 195ABC, Mercedes Benz 500 with registration number DK 777FST, G.Wagon Benz.

When our correspondent visited the Police Headquarter along Igbatoro Road in Akure, the state capital, it was discovered that Ajimuda’s vehicles, which have been parked under trees very close to the entrance of the command, have been removed.

Police sources revealed that the command received a letter from the EFCC, ordering the police to release the seized vehicles in their custody to the ex-OSOPADEC boss.

It was alleged that Ajimuda was present at the Police Command when the vehicles were released to him.

When asked if the EFCC gave reasons for the release of the property despite the fact that there was a pending case against Ajimuda at the Fed-

By Joseph Eshanokpe

events subsector, Dosunmu, said though he initially planned for a filling station, “because it is the easiest thing for me to manage’’, he changed his mind as he wanted something clean and different from what others had been doing, saying from there, he would expand to other businesses.

Explaining why he chose to locate the business in Lekki, he said: “This is where we have land. This events centre was borne by the words of God and prayers. We bought the land and waited for two years before embarking on construction. It took me another two years before the work was completed.”

Dosunmu further explained that the centre was the outcome of a vi sion he shared with his spiritual director, Pastor Mike Nwanegbo, who gave him the nod, after fervent prayers. “It was a celebration of success and how a young man listened to God and followed it through,’’ the cleric said.

Dosunmu said: “The centre is unique in many ways. It can accommodate 800 guests, has a kitchen, two giant power generating sets to tackle power failure and a bathroom.

Our tent is also different. It could last for 20 years. We have franchise with a foreign firm.”

Continuing, he said: “It was quite challenging. God has been good to

us. I didn’t borrow. I built it from my savings. God started it and completed it. Everything was done by God. I knew from the beginning that football career has a short life span.

So, when you are playing, you have to save for the rainy day. The plan had been there.”

To his colleagues, he said they had similar challenges, noting that it was not easy to be a man at a young age.

“Football brings huge money in a short time. They should start thinking of doing something at a young age,” he advised.

Dosunmu, who was the highest goal scorer in the Belgian premier league, also played in Austria, France and Holland, among others. He said his colleagues were JJ Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo and Obafemi Martins. To him, playing in Europe was a bit taxing.

It was for this he advised the youth. “If you want to be successful, you must listen to those who are experienced. Talent is not enough; selfdiscipline is vital. If you want to marry, do so. Don’t jump around, he added.

Pastor Nwanegbo, a Senior Pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), said he was glad to have Dosunmu as a member of his church in Belgium and be part of the project. The cleric, who flew in from Belgium, to attend the ceremony, said: “We came to celebrate with

•Dosumu (middle) flanked by his wife, Toyin, Pastor Nwanegbo (right) and others at the event.

him.’’

Nwanegbo, who is the Coordinator of RCCG in eight European countries, including Switzerland and Russia, said he has five ex-Super Eagles players in his church. His objective is to reposition them and invest in the country.

On whether Dosunmu’s project would succeed, Pastor Nwanegbo was

EFCC releases ex-OSOPADEC chief’s property •Ajimuda

•The seized cars From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

eral High Court, the sources said they were not aware if the EFCC gave reasons for the release of the vehicles.

Ajimuda, who was arrested immediately after the seizure of his property by the EFCC, was later arraigned on June 2012 at the Akure Federal High Court with four others with 13 countcharges before they were released on bail.

Others arraigned with him were Man Omobayi Alli, Ikuomola Vincent Aghone, Mafolabomi Monday and Olayinka Olaitan Joseph.

Justice Gloria Okeke, now retired, however, granted the suspects bail in the sum of N1million each and sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till September, 2012.

Investigations revealed that the fraud charges against Ajimuda had been allegedly swept under the carpet.

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr. Wole Ogodo confirmed the release of the vehicles in their custody.

Ogodo refused to speak further on the matter, saying he was not authorised to speak on behalf of the EFCC. “They only kept the property in our

custody. We only kept the vehicles safe and I have no information about why it was released. You can contact the EFCC on this matter. I have no information on this,” Ogodo said.

The ex-OSOPADEC boss did not pick phone calls by our correspondent as at the time of filing this report.

But, Wale Odusola, who is a member of Ajimuda’s legal team, gave another account of the story.

Odusola said the seized cars do not belong to the ex-OSOPADEC chairman, adding that eight of the flashy cars belonged to dealers who want Ajimuda to either help them to sell or buy them.

Boko Haram suspect nabbed in Lagos Continued from page 30-31

pect had made some suspicious moves, which attracted the surveillance of some people in the community.

“This morning, while in my shop, I was called upon that a Boko Haram suspect was in our midst, because everyone in the community had been duly notified that when we see any strange face, we should always question the person. When we caught him, he responded to our questions in the Hausa language and we learnt that he had escaped from Mubi in Adamawa State to Lagos,” he said.

In a chat with Southwest Report, Oba Fatai Ojora expressed worry over security lapses in the country.

His words: “We have been calling on the state government to do something about this. This is the second time we will arrest Boko Haram suspects in this community and nothing has been done on that. The one we caught now had even admitted that he is a terrorist. You know that majority of the northerners in Lagos live in Ijora, Agege and Badia.’’

Also speaking, a community leader, Mr Sadiku Fashola said: ‘’During the civil war, the only place that experienced havoc was the Casino Cinema at Yaba. When any bomb was thrown during that time, it entered into the sea and would not explode because the olokun (sea goddess) stood as a protection to the people at that time.

If anything wants to happen in this community, the people will come and inform the Kabiyesi.’’

Another member of the community who does not want his name in print said: “People came to me that they saw one man on the internet and that he is a member of Boko Haram, saying they know where he lives. They said they are going to his house and identify him. They arrested him and handed him to Oba of Ojora,” he said.

A member of the OP Mesa who spoke in confidence because he was not competent to speak on the matter confirmed the raid but did not state whether the suspect is a member of the Boko Haram sect or not.

He said similar raids were also carried out in other volatile areas

•Oba Aromire

of the state, adding that Thursday’s raid was carried out following information on the activities of the suspects.

“OP Mesa as a joint security out-

optimistic that it would.

He said: “We wanted to put something back home. We did something in Belgium but home is home. We’ll monitor it regularly. There won’t be a problem with running it. There is a management team in place.’’

He revealed that Dosunmu also has other projects in the pipeline.

His words: “The day EFCC came, they removed five vehicles from Ajimuda’s compound and the remaining eight vehicles from the compound of his neighbour where they were parked. One Banjo Ayenakin and I are the counsels to Ajimuda. ”In the course of our duty as counsels, we were informed by our client that eight of the vehicles belonged to some dealers who wanted him to either buy the vehicles or help them sell to his friends who may desire to buy.

“Out of the five vehicles removed in Debo’s house, two actually belonged to his wife while the remaining three belonged to him.

We invited about four of the dealers. Following their briefings, we filed an application on their behalf to the Federal High Court where the charge was pending, praying the court to release the eight vehicles whose ownership were not traced to Ajimuda but to the dealers.

We equally filed an application praying that Ajimuda’s name be struck out of the charge because there was no evidence linking him with the offence.

“Recently, we wrote a letter to the EFCC, appealing to them to release the vehicles because of wear and tear. The EFCC, in its wisdom, agreed to release the vehicles.

EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren refused to pick calls to him and did not reply text message sent to him by our correspondent. fit carried out its routine raids and made some arrests.

“The raids were simply part of those carried out everyday based on information at our disposal. The raids give the public confidence that security bodies are working.

“It is the way the OP Mesa was designed and once our sources give us tips, we swing into action,” he said, advising residents of Lagos to go about their normal businesses without fear.

There have been fears that the ongoing violence propelled by the Boko Haram sect in some northern states of Nigeria may spread southwards.

In February, three persons said to be members of Shiite sect were arrested in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital as they were planning to attack some Israeli and American interests in Lagos.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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New chief executive assures Chams’ shareholders of better returns

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HE new Managing Director of Chams Plc, Mr. Olufemi Williams, has assured shareholders that the management would build on the legacy of the past three decades by implementing strategies and developing product portfolio that would ensure stable growth and increased returns.

Williams took over from the founding group managing director Mr ‘Demola Aladekomo, who retired on September 18, 2015. Prior to his appointment, Williams was the deputy managing director, and a Chams Plc veteran having joined the company in 1990 as a computer engineer. He rose to the position of general manager in January 2001, and held same until he joined SuperCard Limited as managing director in March 2004.

Williams was appointed deputy managing director, Chams Plc in January 2012 after the merger of SuperCard Limited with Chams Plc. In a chat with The Nation, Williams said Chams has remained on positive growth trajectory, noting that shareholders could look for-

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

ward to better dividend payout and profitability by the end of the current business year, ending December 31, this year.

According to him, Chams is on course to delivering better results and dividends in the current business year as it has continued to witness improved performance.

Williams said the company has refocused on building new solutions that will provide stable and large products portfolio that can drive sustained performance. The new innovative products from the company include “confirm me”, a status verification system that provides various information about a person including credit status, certificates and membership among others.

He said the new management would build on the legacy of the Aladekomo’s years and the company would remain focused on its longterm strategic growth plan.

According to him, Chams is currently running on a 10-year strategic plan that details key objectives

and performance requirements for everybody in the company, from directors to management, giving the company stability and inclusive growth.

Aladekomo retired at the weekend after three decades of nurturing the start-up information and communication technology (ICT) company into a publicly quoted company. Aladekomo, a pioneer in the Nigerian ICT and past president and fellow of Nigeria Computer Society, founded Chams in 1985 and successfully nurtured the company from a start-up firm into a publicly quoted industry giant. Chams was quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 2008.

Aladekomo’s retirement coincided with the 30th anniversary of Chams and represented a generational shift as Williams, took over the management of Chams.

Aladekomo had led a team of directors and top management of Chams to a commemorative closure of trading at the Exchange last Thursday, his last working day at Chams.

Speaking during the visit to the Exchange, Aladekomo said he was

leaving Chams as a stable company in capable hands, assuring that the company would continue to improve on its fundamental performance and returns to investors.

He noted that with the successful transition from the founding managing director to another Chamsgroomed managing director, the company has crossed another milestone and further cemented its position as a leader in the ICT sector.

“I am leaving behind a company with stronger growth prospects. I am leaving behind a very strong management team led by My Olufemi Williams and we have a highly experienced board, so the company is pretty strong,” Aladekomo said.

While thanking all stakeholders for their supports, Aladekomo assured that he would continue to support the group and the development of the Nigerian ICT industry. Aladekomo will be serving as a non-executive director on the board of Chams Group.

Aladekomo’s retirement came as recent strategic initiatives appeared to be impacting positively

on the fundamentals of the company. Key performance indices of the company showed appreciable improvements in overall performance outlook during the year ended December 31, 2014. Turnover rose from N3.44 billion in 2013 to N4.12 billion in 2014. While gross profit slipped from N1.85 billion to N1.55 billion on the back of higher cost of sales, the company reduced operating expenses to boost the midline. Operating profit rose to N392.3 million in 2014 compared with N320.2 million in 2013.

Profit before tax jumped by 144.9 per cent from N106.92 million to N261.81 million. Profit after taxes also rose by 48.8 per cent from N188.46 million to N280.43 million.

The positive earnings also strengthened the company’s balance sheet.

Total assets improved from N10.72 billion in 2013 to N12.09 billion in 2014 while shareholders’ funds increased from N4.68 billion to N5.92 billion. The company declared N93.92 million as cash dividends, representing a dividend per share of 2.0 kobo.

Microfinance Bank: Untapped window of foreign direct investment

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•From Left: Registrar & Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Adedeji Ajadi; Vice Chancellor, Mountain Top University, Ogun State, Prof. Elijah Ayolabi, Acting President, CIS,Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe; Chairman, Board of Trustee Mountain Top University, Emeritus Prof. Akintunde Obilade and 2nd Vice President CIS, Mr. Dapo Adekoje, during a courtesy visit to the university.

IOSCO moves to enhance cross-border regulation

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HE International Organisation of Securities Commissions has outlined steps aimed at supporting cross-border regulation and embedding the consideration of cross-border issues more effectively into IOSCO´s work. These were part of the highlights of the final report of IOSCO Task Force on Cross-Border Regulation (Task Force).

The International experience of regulators in developing and implementing cross-border regulations in globalised securities markets had highlighted the challenges they faced in ensuring the effectiveness of domestic regulation, without unduly constraining the cross-border offering of financial services or products.

In June 2013, IOSCO established the Task Force to assist policy-makers and regulators in addressing these challenges and to consider in detail cross-border regulatory issues.

The final report indicates that cross-border regulation is moving towards more engagement via different forms of recognition to solve regulatory overlaps, gaps, and inconsistencies. While the increased engagement is mostly bilateral at this stage, multilateral engagement is likely to develop further as markets continue to grow and emerge around the world and with the greater use of supervisory Memoranda of Understandings.

The report presents a series of con-

crete next steps aimed at supporting cross-border regulation and embedding the consideration of cross-border issues more effectively into IOSCO´s work. Among these, IOSCO Policy Committees will start to identify and consider specific cross-border implications of their policymaking. For example, there is a need for consideration of how regulatory timing will work among jurisdictions and whether there should be more multilateral cooperation prior to the domestic policy-making stage.

Task Force members also agree that IOSCO should engage more with the G20 and the Financial Stability Board in order to raise greater awareness of the key issues and challenges faced by IOSCO members on crossborder regulation, including the need for more refined thinking on concepts of “deference”.

The report provides a detailed resource for regulators. It includes a toolkit of three broad types of crossborder regulatory options, supporting case studies, a description of the processes used to assess comparability of foreign regulatory regimes, and considerations on the application of the toolkit. These better equip regulators and policy-makers to develop, implement, and evaluate cross-border regulatory approaches.

The report’s analysis and findings are based on a survey across the IOSCO membership regarding their

regulatory approaches to cross-border financial activities involving, among others, market intermediaries, securities exchanges and markets, collective investment schemes, and financial market infrastructures. Emphasis was placed on the underlying rationale, experiences, and challenges of developing and implementing these approaches.

The Task Force also conducted three roundtable meetings in Hong Kong, London, and Washington D.C., as well as a public consultation, to gather views from the industry and other stakeholders.

Extensive input were received regarding the challenges in complying with cross-border regulations, and how IOSCO can facilitate the development and implementation of cross-border regulatory tools, and enhance coordination among member regulators.

“Promoting consistent regulatory approaches for cross-border market activities is challenging, not least because it must take into account existing differences in markets, regulatory philosophies and other domestic considerations,” said Mr. Ashley Alder, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and Chair of the Task Force.

IGERIA in the last 18 months has battled the sharp drop in foreign exchange inflow fol-

lowing the fall in crude oil price and the unhealthy general global economic outlook.

The development among other things in recent times forced the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to adopt some monetary policy measures to safeguard the nation’s foreign reserves and remain economically viable within the committee of nations’.

Some of the proactive measures include a stop in accessing foreign exchange from the official market for the importation of about 40 items, among other things.

JP Morgan, an international economic rating agency also raised its concerns about the nation’s foreign exchange liquidity profile among other things and threatened to delist Nigeria bonds from the emerging market bourse.

Although the CBN has reassured Nigerians on the nation’s strong economic fundamentals, Mr Alex Enyinnah, Vice-President, African Microfinance Transparency (ATM), said the concerns were unfortunate.

The concerns raised about Nigeria’s foreign exchange liquidity profile, Enyinnah argued, would not have arisen if attention was paid at the other potent sources of earning foreign exchange outside crude oil.

In a fresh voice towards diversification, Enyinnah said that Microfinance banks and institutions remains one of the newest and potent vehicles for attracting added new foreign inflows.

According to Enyinnah, who is also the Director of Programmes, at Grooming People for Better Livelihood Centre, a microfinance institution, Nigerians have failed to effectively buy into the global trend of empowering micro-businesses, youths and women.

“Our late entry in the multi-dollar global business of empowering micro-businesses, entrepreneurs’, poor representation and interaction at international microfinance banks and institutions meetings robbed us of huge foreign inflows.

“We initiated the policy in microfinance banking some years back but the operators refused to take advantage of the international convergence of financers to attract foreign funds through direct equity participation, loans and grants for microfinance banks and institutions,” Enyinnah said.

The ATM Vice-President also insisted that Nigeria’s huge population of 170 million leveraged the

By Olisa Egbunike

nation in attracting investments targeting the empowerment of the rural poor, women and micro and small entrepreneurs’.

While insisting that microfinance banks and institutions can attract more than 300 million dollars, geared toward poverty alleviation, he also floated a caveat that would make global financers to cavort and shift attention to Nigeria.

According to the Grooming Centre director of operations, “Nigeria will only benefit from the pool of global funds, if operating microfinance banks and institutions internalise international micro-banking best practices and develop its micro-banking human capital.”

Expanding the submissions of Enyinnayah, Grooming Chief Executive Officer, Mr Gowin Nwabunka, said microfinance banks in Nigeria must develop peculiar strategies of meeting the needs of micro and small businesses.

The strategies, as suggested by Nwabunka, must be driven by a vision and mission that understands and appreciates micro and small businesses in Nigeria.

According to him, the recent growth of microfinance banks and institutions operations in Nigeria, especially in the urban centers, makes it imperative for operators to define standards and establish code of operational conduct or ethical standards.

Nwabunka insisted that contrary to other opinions, transparency and shared confidence between the masses and microfinance banks provides major link to economic growth, food security, youths and women empowerment.

The other gains of microfinance banks in an emerging economy like Nigeria, he said, are robust health provisions, education and general well-being.

But the unresolved issues surrounding the poor management of most microfinance banks and institutions in Nigeria, Nwabunka also said, challenged Grooming Centre into bridging the gap through capacity building and strategic operational development.

To him, “our added mission as a microfinance institution is to prepare and reposition interested microfinance banks to attract the attention international finance organisations.’’

•Egbunike writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

34

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS PENSION

‘Why some states are yet to establish CPS’

T

HE non-compliance by some sate governments to establish the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) as stipulated in the Pension Reform Act, 2014 is a sign of regulatory weakness by the National Pension Commission (PenCom), an Actuarial Scientist and Chartered Insurer, Dr. Pius Apere, has said.

In a paper titled: “Key challenges of Nigerian pension industry and possible solutions – From an actuarial perspective”, he said there was the need by the Commission to be strict with the state governments.

According to him, the actuarial valuations of the Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) defined benefit (DB) Schemes required by PENCOM at the point of implementation of the new CPS have not been carried out

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

even for those state governments that have already established their CPS. He highlighted them as delayed or non-payment of pension entitlements and misappropriation of existing pension funds, low standard of living or high poverty incidence among pensioners due to pension increases not in line with salary inflation or no pension increase at all and too frequent verification of pensioners

by Pension Transitional Arrangements Directorate (PTAD) (Section 42 of PRA 2014) leading to pensioners dying during verifications.

Proffering possible solutions, the actuarist said the the establishment of PTAD and various

penalties for pension funds mismanagement introduced by PRA 2014 would address some of the lingering challenges of pensioners in the public service pension administration in the country.

He said: “There is need to create pensioners’ biometric database that is suitable for future actuarial valuation, demographic and financial projections, which would also eliminate ghost pensioners.

There is also the need to adopt a pragmatic approach to pensioners’ biometric verification process through a system of self-verification by pensioners capable of automatically updating the pensioners’ database having conducted an initial face-to-face verification in order to minimise the frequency of subsequent face-to-face verification exercise.

“PenCom should put in place an automation of pension and gratuity calculation and payment system to ensure that pension increases are implemented on a timely basis relative to increase in workers’ salaries and also allowing pensioners to receive their benefits as at when due. The Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for the Federal public service should be emulated at the State and local Government levels, “A periodic actuarial valuation of the old DB pension scheme as required by law needs to be carried out in order to ascertain the value of the pensioners’ liabilities at a given date as the scheme runs off. This will enable a realistic annual pension budget estimate to be made for the government(s)

which will reduce the insufficient funds being allocated for pension payment. This would help in the administration of PTAD in minimising the delays and arrears in pension payment.”

He added that PTAD should also set up a realistic pension stabilisation fund (to be invested) with the primary aim to stabilise the pension/gratuity payment system which is always in arrears.

This will ensure that money is readily available to pay the arrears of pension liability.

PenCom said 21 states have enacted laws on the CPS, while 14 were at various stages of adopting the scheme.

The Commission said one state is, however, yet to commence any action towards implementing the CPS.

96,002 RSA holders claim N20.7b from pension fund

A

TOTAL of 96,002 RSA holders who retired before the age of 50 and had stayed for at least four months after retirement without securing employment sought for 25 per cent of their RSA balances from their various Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) in the third quarter of last year.

The Nation learnt that the RSA holders, who are contributors under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), have duly been paid N20.72 billion.

This was contained in a report obtained by The Nation from the National Pension Commission

(PenCom).

Out of this number, 91,355 representing 95.16 per cent were from the private sector and 4,647 representing 4.84 per cent from the public sector.

Meanwhile, the total number of retirees under the Scheme and on Programmed Withdrawal (PW) has increased by 3,340 from 103,081 as at the end of the fourth quarter of 2014 to close at 106,421 as at the end of the first quarter of the year. This represents an increase of 3.24 per cent.

A sectoral breakdown of the total number of retirees shows that while

the public sector accounted for 1,322 retirees representing 38.43 percent, the private sector accounted for 2,118 retirees representing 61.57 percent in the first quarter of 2015.

The report notes that the public sector refers to both Federal and state governments.

It also showed that the monthly lump-sum withdrawals on Programmed Withdrawal in the first quarter of 2015 was N2.55 billion, which cumulatively amounted to N257.43 billion from inception to the end of the period under review.

The report further showed that retirement by Life Annuity (LA) also

increased.

It said the Commission received a total of 1,914 applications for retirement under the LA Plan in the quarter.

It said: “All the requests were approved, which brought the total number of retirees on LA to 15,976.

“In addition, a total premium of N79.18 billion was approved for payment to insurance companies on behalf of the 15,976 retirees in return for monthly payments amounting to N790.10 million.

“A comparative analysis of retirees on LA and PW shows that while 13.05 per cent of the retirees

were under annuity, 86.95 per cent were under PW. Thus, while retirees under the LA, accounted for 9.20 per cent of cumulative lump sum withdrawal, those of PW accounted for the remaining balance of 91.80 per cent.”

During the quarter under review, approvals were given for the payment of N4.44 billion as death benefits to the Next of Kins (NoKs) of 1,450 deceased employees.

The report showed that N77.18 billion had been paid to the NoKs of 27,321 deceased employees from inception to the end of the first quarter of the year.

How financial ignorance can ruin retirement • Penop Chairman, Misbau Yola and Executive Secretary, Susan Oranye at a briefing in Abuja.

Non-remittance of pension: PenOp urges workers to report erring employers

W

ORKERS have been urged to report employers who fail to remit their pension contributions.

Chairman, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp), Misbau Yola, made the call during the PenOp/PenCom Consultative Forum in Abuja.

He said it is the duty of employees to complain to their Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) and the National pension commission (PenCom).

He advised employees not to be afraid, adding that they could report anonymously to avoid reprisal by their employers.

He said: “If you find out your employer is deducting money from your salary for pension and not remitting same, it is your responsibility to complain to your PFA to

see how they can recover the money or report to PenCom. There is a complain channel at PenCom. “Employees must rise up because the law backs them. They must find a means to get their employers remit their pensions. The employee must come together and put pressure on the employer to pay. When your self-help fails, then you can approach PenCom. PenCom has the power of prosecution. You don’t have to be afraid but if you are afraid, you can write anonymously to PenCom.’’ He continued: “While the PFAs don’t have the powers to enforce complaints, PenCom has the powers of enforcement. They have an enforcement departments. In some instances, PenCom has engaged recovery agents to recover the pensions. Unlike FIRS that can seal

premises, PenCom don’t have that power but they can prosecute.

PenCom partners with federal parastatal such that now, if you want to do a job with them, you will show a certificate of compliance. Some major organisations like Mobil and Shell have also introduced similar conditions.”

Yola, however, noted that the fact that PenCom cannot seal off premises of erring employers may also be slowing them in recovering unremitted pension deductions of employees.

He pointed out that employees who complained were vague as they did not provide specific details.

“We really need to speak up. If people are afraid of speaking up because they are afraid to get their rights, how would others get it for them?” he asked.

T

HERE are compelling reasons to be worried about retirement preparedness. Only a minority of individuals give any thought to retirement, even when people are only 10 to 15 years away from it. Planning can make the difference between security versus fragility in retirement. Research shows that those who plan end up with double or triple the wealth of those who do not.

Other factors complicate retirement preparedness. The responsibility for accumulating retirement wealth increasingly falls on employees’ shoulders. And since people are living longer, their retirement accumulations must now stretch over lengthier retirements.

Financial literacy is the critical tool.

Indeed, financial literacy is strongly linked to both effective retirement planning and also to the amount of wealth accumulated for retirement.

Among the ways in which financial illiteracy undermines retirement security, research has identified three critical areas: saving, investing, and drawing down wealth in retirement.

Saving for retirement is a notoriously complicated decision. A lot of information—and a great deal of calculation—goes into determining how much one should save. Complexities aside, the main principle at work is interest compounding. Indeed, a basic understanding of interest compounding points to the importance of saving early and often, to tap the advantage of time in building a retirement nest egg. And someone who understands this basic concept will recognise that current autoenrollment rates for retirement accounts (for workers with pensions) are too low to provide a secure path for retirement.

To save effectively for retirement, retirement saving must be set to grow.

A good rate of return is essential to building a nest egg. A difference of 100 basis points (for example, a return of seven percent versus six percent) makes a huge difference over a long horizon. Again, there is a benefit from starting saving early. The sooner one starts to save, the more time the interest earned on that saving can feed retirement wealth.

There are many ways to achieve strong rates of return. Investment in riskier assets, such as stocks and mutual funds, is one avenue. While risky assets are, of course, no guarantee of high return, financial markets usually provide a reward for risk, and many retirement accounts offer investment options with these assets.

The academic literature also underscores the importance of index versus actively managed mutual funds, since high fees can quickly erode the returns on managed investments.

Moreover, employer matches can greatly increase the return on retirement savings, often above those one could attain on one’s own in financial markets. This is why it is so important to take advantage of them.

Earning high investment returns on assets is only part of the balance sheet, however. To grow wealth, one must also manage debt so that it does not jeopardise retirement wealth. We all need financial knowledge to invest and borrow wisely. Our recent study on a large employer’s pension plan participants showed that employees with higher financial literacy achieved higher investment returns on their portfolios. In another analysis, I found that people with higher financial knowledge were also least likely to borrow at high cost.

• Culled from Forbes

35

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Essiet_daniel@yahoo.com 08180714151

Quality starch processing business has become a money spinner with its usage by both food and non-food industries. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Creating wealth through starch production E

NTERPRISES related to the transformation of food and agricultural commodities can provide employment and create business opportunities.

Experts said the industry is poised for huge growth and could emerge as a high-profit sector on the back of the scope it offers for value addition, particularly with the processing industry getting recognised as a high-priority area.

One of the areas is the starch production,which some business owners see as a massive business opportunity. Already, few Nigerians know the business has such potential. The Chief Executive/President, CassavaConsult Limited, Dele Ogunlade, is one of the early birds to discover this.

He said a lot of entrepreneurs are not exploring the full potential of starch business and its derivatives. This is because few local starch brands are finding prime shelf space in retail chains.

Ogundale, a former Chief Executive, Matna Foods Company Limited, in Akure, which has been in business for over a decade, said there are business opportunities for Nigerians to make money through starch processing as it has become a major ingredient in the production of infant foods,

•Ogunlade

confectionary, glucose and alcohol.

Starch is also used in non food industries such as glues, oil well drilling, adhesives, paper sizing and bonding, textile sizing and strengthening.

To this end, he is determined to help Nigerians explore opportunities across the value chain and encourage more entrepreneurs to take to processing starch to increase their profits.

He is also ready to lead the way in demonstrating how businesses can work side-by-side with governments to promote economic development and tech-based modernisation across the rural areas.

Ogunlade said starch business can play a pivotal role in helping the government tackle unemployment rate. This is by teaching young people to start their own starch businesses, improve their standard of living and employ others, he noted that the demand for starch has increased due to extensive usage across industries such as food , beverages , medicine, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and more.

For instance, starch and its derived products have become important components for paper and glue production, textile weaving and finishing and the fermentation industry, meaning increasing opportunities to create employment and income generating opportunities for youths and small farmers respectively .

As large as the market is, he maintained that it is impossible for small entrepreneurs to play in mass markets because they do not have the resources or capabilities to compete successfully in such spaces.

For those, who cannot afford up to N1million, he advised them to begin with the production of traditional starch, used for clothes or consumed at a local level. He said entrepreneurs at this level, can start cottage starch processing with N200,000.This notwithstanding, the business requires a lot of attendance, but it is easy for a small family enterprise to earn its living from producing native starch.

Beyond this, there is a market for modified starches and sweeteners.

Buyers in this category include food processing , textile, paper and packaging, nutraceuticals and biopolymer industries.

The use of starch by the food industry is also fueled by the increasing campaign for application of natural substances in food production. For instance with the increasing demand for low fat and low calorie food, many food companies are replacing fats with gums and carbohydrates, such as starches.

To start a starch production business, the major consideration is water, power, transportation facilities and raw materials. The factory is supposed to be supplied with modern equipment known to have the highest production efficiency.

Processors need access to, locally fabricated mechanised and high-ca-

pacity equipment, such as mechanical graters.

A lot of money, according to him, is needed to establish a modern cassava starch factory.

Also, the business should be located where there is a cluster of peasant farmers to supply sufficient cassava for production.

Where this is not possible, the company may need to acquire large acres of land to cultivate cassava on a large scale for processing. Starch manufacturing requires special varieties of starch content. Together with the use of suitable cassava varieties, experts expect average industrial yield of starch extraction to exceed 24 per cent.

Companies which produce starch also venture into cassava flour and glucose syrup production.

The higher the starch content, the more money the farmer earns.

As a way of empowering struggling communities through entrepreneurship, he said small scale starch processing can help Nigerians achieve financial independence and break the cycle of poverty.

To this end, medium-scale factories, processing cassava into starch have also been established by local entrepreneurs near farming communities.

Affairs Commission (CAC) so that they can get buyers within and beyond the shores of Nigeria. “We want to clear the misconception that made in Nigeria goods are inferior,” she noted.

Apart from Mrs Bako, Aisha Lawal and Micah Mendie of MIN and GEMS4 facilitated the event.

During the summit, participants were informed of benefits and op-

portunities the women and E-commerce initiative will deliver to women. Small business owners had the opportunity to interact with stakeholders as they relate to their various businesses, especially the legal and regulatory agencies.

At the event, some SMEs registered as vendors on the MIN platform www.min9ja.com.

MSME operators sensitised on e-commerce opportunities

P

RODUCERS of local products in Lagos State have been sensitised on how to access new markets through eCommerce opportunities.

This was the highlight at a summit with the theme: “Business growth and accessing new markets through e-comerce opportunity” organised by Growth and Employment in States (GEMS4) programme in collaboration with Made In Nigeria (MIN) Global Consulting Service Limited in Lagos.

The summit brought Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) operators from various parts of the state to showcase their products.

Items including household utensils, packaged food items, clothes, cleaning products, handbags, beads and jewelleryamong many others were showcased by various SME operators at the event.

According to the Chief Execu-

tive Officer of Made In Nigeria (MIN) Global Consulting, Aisha Bako, the summit was aimed to support low/middle income SME operators, especially those run by women with the marketing and promotion of their products.

Bako said the summit aimed at linking local producers of madein-Nigeria goods to online platforms where their goods can be advertised and sold.

According to her, Made-in-Nigeria goods have been perceived as being of poor quality due to substandard packaging and lack of branding, but a lot has changed in recent times and standards are rapidly improving.

To improve the supply and demand for products by Nigerians, she said her organisation, MIN Global Consulting Services Limited (MIN), is working to create a network of e-commerce traders of Made-in-Nigeria goods. www.min9ja.com She urged the MSME operators

•Some Made-in-Nigeria products

especially women to open email accounts to enable them register for sale of their goods on Made in Nigeria (MIN) website as well as register their products with the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control(NAFDAC) and Corporate

Monarch praises govt on skills acquisition development

T •Ramesh with the cars.

Ramesh Babu, the barber, who owns a Rolls Royce

B

ANGALORE resident Ramesh Babu, is a star in his own league who runs the business of cutting and styling hair.

He is an ordinary businessman, with an extraordinary wealth. He is a billionaire and owns a rent-a-

car fleet of 67 alternative cars.

At the moment his fleet consists of about 200 cars, vans and minibuses, including imported vehicles—a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, Mercedes C, E and S class and BMW 5, 6 and 7 series. He has a fleet of imported Mercedes vans and

Toyota mini-buses.

“This is more of a passion,” he says. As for being a barber, “I will continue to be one as long as my hands are healthy.”

•Source: Indiatvnews

HE Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi Local Govern-

ment Area,Akwa Ibom State, HRM Edidem Udo Joe Ntukubom XII, has praised Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for providing skill acquisition centres across the state.

Ntukubom said this when he received the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Skill Development Projects Centre, Dr. Majorie Abasiodiong in his palace.

He noted that Governor Emmanuel’s administration accords priority to the welfare and well-being of Akwa Ibom citizenry, which has informed prompt actions towards reha-

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

bilitating defunct skills acquisition centres in the state.

The former Council of Chiefs’ Chairman, Ntukubom, said revamping the centres, would provide opportunities for youths to acquire various skills.

The Senior Special aide noted that Emmanuel is poised to spread skills acquisition centres across the state.

She said her visit to the area was to have a first-hand knowledge of the state of the centres, calling on all Ikot Abasi people in particular and Akwa Ibom indigenes at large to support the Governor Emmanuel administration.

36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

BUSINESS AFRICA

VAT: MAN backs govt’s decision

T

HE Manufacturers Associa tion of Nigeria (MAN) has praised the Federal Government’s decision not to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT).

In a statement by its President, Dr. Frank Jacob, the group described the manufacturing environment as very unfriendly, saying it has many challenges that have lingered on for decades.

“Manufacturers in Nigeria are faced with the challenges of providing their infrastructure which in

By Toba Agboola

some states of the federation are subjected to taxes by the government.

“A situation where a manufacturing company is forced to run on generators most of the time is, to say the least, unacceptable. This accounts for about 40 per cent of the cost of production whereas in some climes, these are taken for granted. Lending rates in Nigeria, especially to Small and Medium

Enterprises (SMEs), are about the highest in the world. Major challenges include infrastructure, cost, environmental and social challenges. With these challenges and the consequent high cost of production, Nigerian products cannot be competitive in any way,’’ he said.

Jacob said increasing the VAT rate would only exacerbate the challenges of the sector as well as the cost of production and make local products less competitive.

OPIC invests $400m in SA’s solar plant

O

VERSEAS Private Invest ment Corp.(OPIC), the United States government’s development bank, will invest up to $400 million in a solar thermal plant in South Africa.

The Redstone solar project is being developed by Santa Monica, California-based SolarReserve and ACWA Power, a Saudi Arabian electricity producer. It will be located in South Africa’s Northern Cape province.

The funds from OPIC will be used as an investment guarantee to build and operate the solar plant.

The project is financed by 5.6 billion South African rand ($422 million) in debt and 2.4 billion South African rand in equity from both local and international lending institutions, according to SolarReserve’s website.

OPIC is part of Power Africa, an initiative founded by President Barack Obama in 2013 to support

the growth of energy access in SubSaharan Africa. The financial institution has pledged to provide $1.5 billion of financing and insurance to energy projects across the region by 2018.

South Africa has set a target to build 3.7 gigawatts of clean energy under its Renewable Energy Independent Producer Program. The Redstone solar project will provide electricity to over 200,000 homes during peak demand once complete.

Sierra Leone workers strike at Shandong’s iron ore mine

H

UNDREDS of Sierra Leonean workers at Shandong Steel’s iron ore mine has declared an unlimited strike, alleging unfair treatment, a union leader said.

The Chinese firm, formerly a minority partner of African Minerals in the African Minerals-run project, acquired full ownership earlier this

year and resumed operations in May. Local workers at the site in the Tonokolili District in central Sierra Leone have expressed dissatisfaction with severance packages offered as the Chinese firm seeks to cut costs amid low iron ore prices.

Chinese workers did not appear to be joining the strike.

“Some people opted to leave (but) to our greatest surprise they were only paid two months salary regardless of how many years they had worked for the company,” said union leader Thaimu Bundu Conteh.

Some social security benefits had also not been paid, he claimed. The company could not be reached for comment.

NITDA, NIPC seek support for GITEX

T

HE Director-General, National Information Tech nology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack and the Executive Secretary/ CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs. Uju Aisha Hassan Baba, have expressed support and participation at the GITEX Leader’s Congress on Innovation and Investment, holding next month in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Also tipped to speak for Nigeria at the GITEX Congress, is the Country Director of the ICT4SOML Project, Mr. Olasupo Oyedepo.

‘The Internet of Everything’ (IoT) is the main theme for GITEX 2015. The sub-themes are Big Data, Cloud, Mobility, and Security.

GITEX, which stands for Gulf Information Technology Exhibition, is the third largest technology event on the planet.

GITEX’s 35th edition is holding this year with over 145,000 technology professionals, governments, investors and other trade visitors expected at the five day event. The 34th edition last year with Nigeria as Official Country Partner, had over 143,000 visitors from 150 countries.

GITEX is strategically positioned as the gateway to the Middle East, Africa and South Asia’s ICT Industry.

This year, Nigeria is promoting some of her ICT startups in addition to already

established companies shopping for offshore deals and partners. The Nigerian Country Pavilion with 20 exhibitors in all has the Nigerian Communications Commission and the NIPC, as key government players. The NIPC is leveraging on the event to showcase the country’s investment potential.

The GITEX Leaders Summit is a high level leadership conference focusing on Smart Cities and IoT bringing the government and private sectors together.

NITDA will be showcasing one of Nigeria’s smart city project, in partnership with Chams Plc. The country’s other speakers are expected to feature in the plenary on the impact of IoT or Machine to Machine (M2M) across multiple industries in the GITEX TechVertical conferences that cover retail, oil and gas, banking, healthcare, education.

According to Jack, “Nigeria is using the GITEX platform to promote Nigeria, Nigerian related ICT businesses, where new commercial partnerships can be explored, including those with: telecom operators, mobile app developers, and mobile enabled transaction service providers from Nigeria.”

Part of the activities built around Nigeria’s presence at GITEX is the Nigeria Pavilion Investment Forum, with the country’s pavilion occupying the entrance foyer of the expo.

DISCOURSE

So, you want to export? A question for SMEs In this piece Chief Executive, Multimix Academy, Obiora Madu, writes on how to make it in international trade.

Starting export business Introduction

E

XPORTING is the legitimate transfer of goods and services, with or without an order, across political boundaries for reasons of profit. From the perspective of the exporter, it is a process that begins from having a business idea to creating an external market. It includes: value-addition of some sort, ensuring proper quality standards, packaging, warehousing, documentation, forwarding, shipping and finally the receipt of payment.

To the extent that goods and services move across national boundaries, politics and protectionism in particular may become considerations that affect the type and volume of goods that an exporter can move from one country to another.

Export is conventional when the goods or products shipped are the usual, customary and traditional ones like crude oil, cocoa beans, cashew nuts, sesame seeds and gum Arabic. It is non conventional when they are products or ideas for which Nigeria is not traditionally known. Such products can be: i) Physical: like automobiles or gall stones ii) Intellectual: e.g. franchise or a copyright iii) Skills or human capital: like the 25,000 Nigerian Consultant Doctors practising in the United States or the thousands of Nigerian sportsmen and women playing all over the world. iv) A process: like the technology or knowhow for making a product e.g. paints or automobile. v) A service: like tourism which attracts foreign exchange; or it could be efficient banking services which attract international Dollar deposits.

The opportunity that Nigeria, as an economic unit, offers prospective exporters is immense and mouth-watering.

There is a popular saying that no man is an Island. This also applies to countries because no country in the world is sufficient. As a result of this, goods and services are moved beyond the boundaries of countries under transactions. Every country has to generate

RAMESH

enough foreign exchange to oil her wheels of production and also balance its external account. At the same time she has to also import goods and services not locally available. These imports may be in form of raw materials or technical knowhow.

All these are possible because rapid technological improvement especially in transportation has turned the world into a global village.

Becoming an exporter The starting point is to complete the logical registration procedure with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. After completing this local registration then the real issues in being an exporter come to the fore.

They include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Unlike local trading, export business calls for attention to minor details and because you cannot jump into a plane to go and meet your buyer, you have to be sure of what you are doing and respect all the details contained in your contract and/or letters of credit.

2. Export business requires a lot of patience.

Why a lot of people have failed in export business is because of the desire to sow today and reap today. To be a successful exporter, you have to execute your plans stepby-step and build up good relationships with your buyers and associates abroad.

3. Willingness to learn is another attribute of a successful exporter. International business is very dynami,c for example, like the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credit is reviewed every ten years. This law, which governs letter of credit worldwide, needs to be studied amongst others.

Circumstances in importing countries also change regularly. Therefore to keep abreast of things you must keep learning.

4. There must be specialisation in an export company. A situation where one man is the all and all does not augur well for such company. Somebody has to specialise for example in documentation and stay with it long enough to master it. It must be emphasized here that all aspects of an export transaction are equally important. Any segment of a

transaction, which is neglected, can lead to losses.

5. To become an exporter you need to be trained to be conversant with what you are going into. Subscribe to commodity magazines and publications that will enlighten you in your field. Seek training from reputable organisations like the one I run.

6. Most of all before you gain a strong foothold employ the services of a competent consultant to guide you during your teething stage. If you do not, the losses you may incur will be several times more than the cost of a consultant.

Major issues in import and export business Wherever you find yourself in the category stated earlier, the solution to your problem will be found in these issues arisen.

Tools of trade To succeed, you must have interest which is the driving force and you must also be well informed and up-to-date with your information. You must know the rules and regulations in your country as well as those countries you do business with. In addition to this, you must understand the international regulations e.g those contained in the incoterms, Uniform Custom and Practice for Documentary Credits, Uniform Rules for Collection etc.

What all these point at is that you have to do your homework. If you claim that you do not have time, by the time the transaction crashes, you will have time to count your losses. Just like the absence of disease is not an indication of good health, the fact that you have been importing does not mean you are doing the right thing because if you are subjected to an ideal environment, the reality will come out.

Selecting the right product/finding market Product selection is very important because this determines your success. Just like it will be difficult to sell hot tea in the north in the dry season or ice water in Jos in harmattan, a

• Madu

good product in the wrong environment will not sell.

This therefore, calls for market research and good market intelligent network. This might sound too academic. What I am saying is that you should do enough homework before you choose a product you wish to import or export. If you are an exporter and you export winter clothes during summer, you will have to wait for the next winter. If you are an importer you should know what time of the year to import umbrellas. If you choose the right product and put it in the market at the right time, then you are bound to succeed.

Choosing the right product is not the final process because you have to keep statistics over a period to take decisions.

• To be continued next week

38

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

39

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Bamanga Tukur takes stock of his life at 80, saying it is time to play the statesman. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI examines the political career of the octogenarian, who is one of the founding members of the former ruling party.

Tukur bids final bye to politics E

LDER statesman and former Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Bamanga Tukur chose the occasion of his 80th birthday celebration to say goodbye to partisan politics. One of the founding fathers of the PDP, Tukur who entered politics during the Second Republic in 1983, when he contested and won the governorship election of the defunct Gongola State on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), has indeed carved a niche for himself in the field.

But, the man under whose tenure the PDP broke up, believes he has had enough and, therefore, wants to leave partisan politics for the younger generation. In his address entitled: ‘The Historical Background and Realities of My Earthly Sojourn, So Far,” Tukur said: “It is time to say goodbye to formal politics. I have used several political platforms to serve my country. It is time to rest. At the age of 80, I feel I can serve our dear nation more in the capacity of a statesman and father figure.”

He, however, said his doors were open to all politicians, business men, business women, “and all Nigerians who may seek my advice or opinion on any issue affecting our country or beyond.”

On his experiences in politics, particularly his tenure as the PDP chairman, Tukur said he worked hard to entrench internal democracy, party discipline and party supremacy.

He enjoined politicians to see politics and government positions as avenues for rendering service to the country and not a bread and butter affair, adding that elected officers and government officials should regard their positions as sacred trust to be used to serve the nation.

His words: “I wish to enjoin politicians to play the game according to the rules and to take the interest of the country to heart. I had the privilege of serving as the national chairman of the party during which I tried to introduce sanity in the party affairs. I introduced the idea of internal democracy, party discipline and party supremacy. These are the great ingredients of strong party systems which ultimately drive the democratic process.

“Perhaps, on account of the long period of military reign in Nigeria, politicians have not yet internalised and applied the principle of internal party democracy. I hope that with time, party democracy will be entrenched in our political party system as this strengthens our nascent democracy.

Politicians should avail themselves of their constitutional right to assemble with anybody or political party.

“But, the need to checkmate frequency of defections from one political party to the other can hardly be overstressed.

Political parties are stronger when members submit themselves to the rules and regulations of the party and subscribe faithfully to it ideologies.

“Our political parties should strive to have concrete ideologies as this will certainly help to curtail unmitigated defections in the system for a strong party breeds a strong government. A strong government breeds strong economy.

A strong economy brings development, peace and security.”

Though the PDP was not represented at Tukur’s birthday celebration, it later issued a statement describing the former chairman as a quintessential democrat and humble statesman, who contributed immensely to the development and stability of the nation. The statement added: “It remains proud that the octogenarian, who is one of its founding fathers, has made indelible marks in business and politics within and outside the country”.

The message, which was signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, noted that the party remains grateful to Tukur for his leadership roles and sustained selfless contributions since its formation.

Tukur would be remembered in political circles as the man who paved the way for the crisis that engulfed the former ruling PDP prior to the 2015 general elections. He fell out of favour with party stakeholders when he tried to rein in the powers of the state governors under the platform of the party, who dictated the pace of events even at the national level. His position on the way the party should run pitched him against seven of the serving governors then, who demanded for his immediate resignation as National Chairman. The governors are: Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto; Abdulfatih Ahmed of Kwara; Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano; Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers; Aliyu Babangida of Niger; Sule Lamido of Jigawa; and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa.

The crises under him got to a climax when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and six northern governors staged a walk out during the Special National Convention held August 2013. This development eventually split the party into two parallel National Working Committees (NWCs).

Five of the governors that fought him eventually defected to the APC. Some days later, 37 members of the House of Representatives also left the PDP to join the APC, while 27

•Tukur

It is time to say goodbye to formal politics. I have used several political platforms to serve my country. It is time to rest. At the age of 80, I feel I can serve our dear nation more in the capacity of a statesman and father figure out of the 30 members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly also jilted the former ruling party.

Tukur, who emerged National Chairman at the party’s Special National Convention held in March 2012, was compelled to resign on January 15, 2014 to save himself and the party from further embarrassment. He was said to have lost the confidence of key party stakeholders, like the governors, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), the 36 state chairmen plus the chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), elders, and leaders.

Before he eventually capitulated, Tukur had persistently denied media reports at the time that he was being pressured to resign from office. But, he had no other option. In his resignation letter dated January 15, 2014, Tukur said he was resigning in the overall interest of the party. “I remain available to offer my contributions accordingly to the party, whenever it is needed. Thank you and please accept the assurances of my highest esteem always,” he added.

Announcing Tukur’s resignation at the party’s 63rd NEC meeting, former President Goodluck Jonathan noted that the former party leader agreed to step aside to allow peace to return to the ‘family’. The former President said it was a personal sacrifice for the party to reinvent itself in the face of emerging challenges. Jonathan added that Tukur was not guilty of breach of the party’s constitution.

According to political observers, Tukur stepped on many toes within the hierarchy of the party. Members of the NWC alleged that after Tukur assumed office he started running the party without carrying them along. They said he no longer convened meetings of the committee. Rather than settling down to face his assignment of leading a national

party with national problems, Tukur was also accused of dabbling into the politics of his home state by dissolving the Adamawa PDP Executive Committee led by Alhaji Umaru Kugama that was loyal to former Governor Nyako and replacing it with a nine-member Caretaker Committee Umar Damagun.

Tukur’s non-recognition of Amaechi as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), apparently at the behest of the Presidency, was another sore point. The former National Chairman encouraged the formation of the Governor Godswill Akpabio-led PDP-Governors Forum as a counterpoise to the NGF, notwithstanding that Amaechi won the NGF election. Later, Tukur backed a faction of the body led by former Governor Jonah Jang.

According to observers, Tukur’s greatest undoing was that he deluded himself that once he had the support of the former President and the First lady, he could do with the party and its members as it pleased his whims and caprices.

But, when it became obvious that his excesses posed a threat to Jonathan’s re-election, the former President withdrew that protection and Tukur capitulated.

The current development, according to observers, is strategy by the Adamawa-born politician cum businessman to reposition himself and continue to remain relevant. He appeared to have gradually stepped into his new role in recent times. Speaking as a guest on a political programme on radio last month, Tukur ascribed the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre to the quest

by Nigerians for alternative to a failed party.

He said: “Democracy is government of the people by the people for the people. So, if the PDP fails to deliver on its promises, people will go to the alternative. Change is always good, provided it is going to bring better alternative.” The former chairman, who blamed the PDP’s woes on lack of internal democracy, said certain people in the party didn’t want him to practice internal democracy that he was preaching.

On the contrary, the former governor of Old Gongola State noted that the APC, by making all the elements relevant and allowing the people choose their leaders through elections, allowed the democratic system to prevail for the interest of all.

Recalling the political machinations that led to his exit as the National Chairman, Tukur said: “Jonathan did not insist I leave the party; there are people in the PDP who felt I should not practice what I preach. President Jonathan could not protect me due to the powers of the governors. The governors are very powerful and therefore, if you do not do what they want, you are done away with and I believe nothing can be done to them.

“I was accused of being a virus in the PDP, and I did not deny it. I told them I am a virus for good governance, virus for internal democracy, virus for equity and justice. I hope that virus will continue.”

Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur is a prominent businessman and politician. He served as Minister of Industry in the administration of General Sani Abacha. He is one of the high profile civil servants and military officers who acquired large areas of farmland along the various River Basin authorities. He was President of the Africa Business Roundtable.

He came to national limelight in the mid 1970s, as the general manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority. It was a time the agency was having problems with congestion as a result of a massive cement importation scheme that was started at the twilight of Yakubu Gowon’s administration.

During his tenure, the government built a few more seaports to ease the transaction cost associated with shipping and to ensure adequate facilities for Nigeria’s import and export needs.

In 1982, he left his position as General Manager and soon contested the Gongola governorship race, which he won.

Tukur served as governor for three months before the democratic administration was curtailed by a military coup. After leaving the Gongola State House, he entered full scale entrepreneurship, and was the founder and chairman of BHI holdings. In 1992, he was an unsuccessful presidential candidate for the National Republican Convention (NRC), during which he and a few rivals of Adamu Ciroma lobbied for the cancellation of the first primary due to allegations of favouritism levelled against the leadership of the party.

Tukur attended the popular London school of Economics, where he read Transportation and Economics in 1965.

He went on to obtain a master’s degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburg in the United States. Upon his return to Nigeria, he was appointed to manage Lagos ports.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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The governor has proved he is a ‘peacemaker.

His efforts to resolve the conflict in Berom land is commendable

POLITICS

’

Correspondent YUSUFU IDEGU examines the achievement of Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong and people's expectations about dividends of democracy.

Lalong’s change agenda on the Plateau T

HE people of Plateau State have commended Governor Lalong for what they describe as rescue mission in the state. They are particularly happy, that in 100 days, Lalong has cleared sthe backlog of salaries owed the civil servants by the immediate past administration of David Jang. The governor was also applauded for his effort towards resolving the ethnic conflict in the state.

Even though 100 days is not enough to asses the performance of a government, but many citizens are convinced that Lalong administration will bring change to Plateau State during its four year tenure.

In his assessment of Lalong administration, former Chariman National Population Commission (NPC) Chief Samu'ila Makama said, “We all crave for a change in governance in the state, we have kept our eyes on Gov Lalong for the past 100 days and I can say, so far so good.

There might be no major achievements, but he has given us hope that his administration will do us proud.

“I am particularly delighted with the quality of credible people he has appointed so far especially that of Prof Attahiru Jega to help us develop our state university. Prof Jega is an experienced scholar, he was a former president of ASUU and a former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano. With that experience Prof Jega knows exactly what to do to develop our young university. The institution was badly mismanaged by past administration to the extent that ten years after the establishment of the university it has not graduated any set of student. So bringing in Prof Jega at this stage is a good omen for the university” Makama said: “The decision of the new government to continue with projects inherited from the immediate past administration is commendable because those road projects are key to tourism development of the state. The governor also embarked on massive maintenance of road network across the state capital, port holes has been a source of night mare to residents of the city, but he has taken that pain off road users and motorists”.

A former chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mr Maina and currently a chieftain of theAPC in the state said: “I will judge this government based on their background and antecedent. The state has been under the governance of PDP, but because of lack of internal democracy and imposition, we opted for APC. Again the APC government came to

inherit huge debt, even the PDP government admitted they left a debt of N109 billion excluding several months of salary arrears, so that is a very bad situation for the take off of any new government.

“The expectations of the people were very high and there was no resources to take off.

That was the peculiarity of the new government in Plateau, but even with nothing to start, Gov Lalong has become our change engineer and so far he has given us hope and is taking off in a way that prove he will not disappoint us. I commend his initiative to clear backlog of workers salaries, and most especially, the APC government has refused to abandon inherited project, that shows he meant well for the people and he listen to the wishes and aspirations of the people that gave him the mandate” The labor union has also rated the administration high. The state chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Comrade Gushing Yarlings said, “The welfare of teachers and civil servants were so poor when he took over, but as I’m talking to you now all that have changed, I can confirm that the APC government has made workers welfare topmost priority and the salary arrears he inherited has been positively handled and all the workers are happy for that. Our fear is will he sustain the tempo having started so well, time shall tell”.

The Senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly and a chieftain of PDP, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, has this to say of the 100 days of Gov Lalong: “The governor has proved he is a peacemaker. His efforts to resolve the conflict in Berom land is commendable. I will also express my appreciation for the governor’s concern for the state civil servants who were on strike before he assumed office. I was made to understand the governor has cleared the seven months salary arrears he inherited. I belief the governor has also taken concrete steps to unite the people of the state. But in all, Governor Lalong’s efforts to replicate President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade should be applauded by all citizens of the state because corruption was becoming a tradition, and is a tradition that cannot bring progress to any society” However, the PDP has scored Lalong administration low saying it lacked clear cut ideas on governance.

“It is also sad to note that he has remained without a cabinet, choosing to carry on with an assortment of party faithful and loyalists, cronies and relations, awarding and executing

•Lalong projects. He has not portrayed himself as a leader demanding accountability, a virtue which should force our public institutions to self-account. While Mr. President has amply demonstrated that he has begun the war on corruption and thievery, Barrister Lalong’s actions in the last 100 days have portrayed him as one who lacks the moral capacity to prosecute an anti-corruption crusade in the state. This is because most of the procurements carried out so far have been shrouded in secrecy and executed by close associates and family members.”

But, another opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is full of praises to the new government. The party which fielded a governorship candidate in the governorship election said. “Though 100 days is never enough to judge the achievement of any government, but, there are signals that Governor Lalong is a change agent. The slogan of APC, which is ‘change’ has beginning to take shape on the plateau, we seen ongoing road projects, salary arrears are being paid, and the issue of internal conflict is receiving adequate attention of Governor Lalong when compare to the recent past. We think there is hope of good governance so far, said, Mallam Sabiu Musa, the ADC flag bearer in 2015 governorship election.

The governor has called on the people of the state affairs in the state to be patience with his government. He said, “Our 100 days in office should be seen in the light of the practical steps that have been put in place to address myriad of problems that were inher-

‘PDP not Ijaw party’

T

HE Bayelsa State All Progressive Congress (APC) has flayed the former Governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, for insisting at various fora that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is an Ijaw party.

A stalwart of APC and the party’s Publicity Secretary in Nembe Local Government Area, Mr. Wilfred Ogbotobo, said rather than fanning embers of ethnicism, Alamieyeseigha should tell Bayelsans the concrete achievements of Governor Seriake Dickson and President Goodluck Jonathan to deserve their support.

He said: “Rather than declaring PDP an Ijaw party, whch is a non issue, former governor, DSP Alamieyeseigha should enlighten Bayelsans by pinpointing concrete achievements of Jonathan and Dickson to buttress Dickson’s second term bid”.

Speaking in Yenagoa, Ogbotobo said Alamieyeseigha’s declaration was huge mockery to the Ijaw and the PDP, which hitherto had claimed to be the biggest party in Africa.

He said far from being an Ijaw party, PDP was a platform used to

Nwuche cautions against smear campaign in Rivers

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa impose irresponsible leadership on the Ijaw nation.

“PDP has never been and will never be an Ijaw party. It is a satanic platform that facilitated the emergence of some of the worst political leaders from the Ijaw ethnic nationality in the 21st century.

“We want to agree with former President Jonathan’s statement that this election is beyond Dickson. In this election, certain mysteries would have to be unlocked. Existing relationships would have to be reassessed. Decisions have to be made. A path has to be strewn on which we can move steadily and assuredly toward our collective destiny.

“Bayelsans should rely on the APC as the PDP has successfully made itself unreliable. Former President Goodluck Jonathan eulogised achievements of Dickson in the areas of infrastructural development and security, payment of workersa and reduction of the state’s debt profile.

“We sincerely believe that

ited.

“The traditional expectation from Government is an unprecedented show of support as demonstrated by the desire for change. I know that our people also expect a quick return to a Plateau where the virtues of true leadership are upheld in the fear of God, a deep sense of commonality in our ethnic diversity, mutual respect, tolerance, peace, hospitality, humility and diligence. Our patriotic desire to serve is therefore anchored on the pursuit of truth and the enthronement of a governance process that shows commitment to social justice, economic progress and respect for the rule of law.

“In the consciousness with which I assumed leadership of our dear state, we made promises and gave assurances of what would be done in a term of four years. This is with expectations and from the imagination of the challenges that realistically stared us in the face. We are indeed not willing to relent but sustain the hope of our people in a government that feels their pain and are religiously committed to alleviating their sufferings through the appropriate use of our common wealth.

“The enormity of the challenges that we are confronted with have left us with only the immediate option of making quick fixes that will address human basic needs of the citizenry and guarantee the sustenance of a peaceful environment for good governance.

In this regard, we remained focused and resolute on addressing the lingering labor unrest through the confidence building dialogue with labor Unions on all the issues in contention. These include the payment of salaries, pensions arrears and the immediate response in addressing injustices meted on certain categories of public office holders through the deliberate abuse of the rule of law and public service procedure.

“Our attention was focused also on the issue of finding a long lasting solution to the violent conflicts in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and parts of Jos South Local Governments Areas, which have continued unabated and have left the state with painful memories of horror and a large number of internally displaced persons. Our approach to resolving this challenge is hinged on rekindling first, confidence in government’s sincerity to solving the problems and then the willingness of the communities for an end to the crisis.

“Our efforts in facilitating dialogue through the many consultations are yielding result beyond imagination. Thus, whilst through the efforts of the Special Task Force, the issues of outright criminality and terrorism are checked, the communities themselves through the Peace and Reconciliation Committee set up by government will actively participate in evolving practical solutions to resolving the conflicts”

F

•Alamieyeseigha Jonathan sleep-walked to the endorsement of Dickson because he could not cite a single worthy project as outstanding testimony to his six years at the Presidency and the four years of Dickson whom he imposed on Bayelsa.

“The five-star Tower Hotel project, which he used to demonise Sylva and deny him a second term, has shown no difference. For unknown reasons, they are yet to commission for use the much touted ‘flyover’, now standing like a female juju statue adjacent theTower Hotel”.

ORMER Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Prince Chibudom Nwuche has called on politicians in Rivers State to eschew the culture of bitterness, blackmail and chicanery in their desperate bid to witch-hunt and denigrate opponents.

In a statement in Abuja, Nwuche lamented the situation where Rivers sons and daughters are blackmailed and maligned by unscrupulous politicians to jeopardise their chance of becoming ministers.

He said that he has been a victim of the practice by some misguided persons, on account of his principles, forthrightness and outspokenness.

He said Rivers State has, as a result of this unwholesome practice, lost many important positions to other states like Bayelsa State.

He urged the authorities to be wary of the ongoing smear campaign against former Governor Rotimi Amaechi by the Rivers State government, advising that it is designed to deny him his deserved elevation at the federal level.

He observed that it is ungodly for the authorities to use Rivers State resources, which should be deployed to the development of the state and improving the lot of the common Rivers man, to pull down opponents. He urged all well-meaning Rivers men and women to speak out against the state sponsored witch-hunt in other to preserve their state’s resources and their leaders’ dignity.

The former lawmaker noted that it is normal during electioneering campaigns for contestants to loosely ask their opponents in government to account for monies accruable to the state,and generally make outlandish statements in their bid to win votes for their parties and candidates,but that different rules applied after electioneering and the commencement of governance. Politicians are expected to be more circumspect and weigh their actions and utterances more carefully,and consider the best interest of their states and constituents.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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SHOWBIZ

Port Harcourt agog as Nkem Owoh storms Gaurapad opening

T

HE city of Port Harcourt was recently agog as popular actor, Nkem Owoh, (aka Osuofia) stormed the grand opening of Gaurapad Charities owned by the former president of Performing Musician Association of Nigeria, (PMAN) and Human Right Activist, Bolaji Rosiji.

It was gathered that as soon as Owoh who was the special guest artiste arrived the Ezingbu Link road, near Mummy B Church road, off Stadium road, the mood of guests and well wishers took an upward swing as they were happy to have him in their midst.

While declaring the outlet open, Osuofia gave kudos to Bolaji Rosiji for his vision and congratulated him for bringing such a project to Port Harcourt. According to him, the project will bring health and wealth closer to the people.

The star actor who was very excited took time off to sign some autographs and take pictures with his fans who swarmed round him like bee.

Speaking at the event, Rosiji said

that the mission of Gaurapad is to liberate people afflicted with various health problems side by side creating a revolution in financial empowerment of people while assisting them in taking full responsibility for their financial situation.

The manager of the outlet, Dr. Nneka Osogbue, said that the NGO had over 60,000 members with several branches in Nigeria and it offers financial freedom through its amazing and unique business platform. “Our transdemal products are considered to be effective for various health problem, we are very happy to be in Port Harcourt,” Osogbue said.

Gaurapad recently spread its tentacles to Ghana as it opened an outlet in the Eastern Legon, Accra Ghana.The opening attracted many dignitaries including the filmmaker Chris Attoh and Ghana’s Minister for Private and Public Sector, Mr Rasheed Pelpuo.

The Gaurapad Foundation was founded by Rosiji in 2004, through which he has formed several NGO’s.

• Nkem Owoh with Rosiji (2nd right) and others

As human rights activist, Rosiji teamed up with Beko Ransome – Kuti, Pa Anthony Enahoro and Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, in 2005 as a sponsor of the PRONACO movement (Pro National Conference Organization) to champion the agitation for constitutional reforms.

In 2006, Rosiji became the president of the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria.

(PMAN) Rosiji is not only a musician and artist of note; he is an effective leader

who injected punch and vitality into PMAN. His regime identified the need to help youngsters become performing musicians by the establishment of PMAN owned music studios all over the country. He fought piracy and dirty lyrics. He also encouraged Entertainment Writers by providing them with cameras and laptops.

His love for music started at the tender age of nine, when he started his piano lessons. He later joined the Friends’ School choir in Saffron

How I broke my lip playing the sax, by King Solo

F • Dbanj

• Don Jazzy

2face reunites Dbanj, Don Jazzy

A

T the Fortyfied concert, held on Sunday to celebrate the life and music of the legendary 2face Idibia, there was enough fun to go round. Eko Hotel, venue of the concert was filled to the brim with guests of the artiste who were treated to a good dose of music.

However, one of the highpoints of the evening was 2face’s joint performance with his fellow entertainer, D’banj. Guests were thrilled when the duo mounted the stage to perform the song, I’m Feeling Good which was produced by Don Jazzy.

W

ITH the aim of boosting nightlife in Lagos and improving the gaming culture of Nigerians, Jacaranda Casino, last Friday, opened a new outlet in Lagos.

Joining its three other outlets in Abuja, Imo and Port Harcourt, the management of the casino stated that with the opening, Lagos State just became a much more fun place to be.

The opening, which witnessed the presence of crème de la crème of the Lagos social circles including big names in the entertainment and business world, took place at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, where the casino is situated.

Addressing the media, prior to the opening party, Group Managing Director of Jacaranda Casinos, John Storey, said that the decision to open another outlet stems from his love for Nigeria.

“We have been here for about nine years now and this is out fourth casino. This is our new flagship. We decided to be a new part of the Nigerian night life. When we first came

By Adewoyin Adeniyi

Following the performance, the celebrant pleaded with D’banj and his former partner, Don Jazzy, to consider reuniting with a view to treat their fans to something better.

Apparently impressed by the output, 2face said amidst cheers from the crowd; “Don Jazzy and D’banj, abeg make una do one more hit song, just one. I take God beg una.”

D’banj responded saying: “Sure!

It’s going to happen just for you, abi Don Jazzy.” Don Jazzy in turn affirmed by nodding his head.

OR 29 years old gospel saxophonist, Fapohunda Solomon Olatunji, better known as King Solo, the saxophone is one of the hardest instrument to handle as an artiste.

In a recent interview with The Nation, the artiste narrated his journey into the arts and how his decision to play the sax left him with a broken lip.

“When I started, I had broken lips because it takes a lot of energy to play. But with time, my lips got used to it, and the ridge was not doing any damage to my lips anymore. The sax is not an easy instrument, but when you keep doing it, you master it.”

On mixing playing the saxophone with singing, which is rare

Walden in 1981 and became its secretary a year later. He toured the U.K as a Tenor in Gabriel Faure’s opus: Requiem and he performed Bach with the Pennsylvania State University choir in 1983. His first single, Heart of Gold, became an instant hit with the general public as it soured in numerous charts. It was dedicated to children all over the world and in particular to his long time hero, Gaurapad, who peacefully fought for the emancipation of his people during the renaissance era.

• King Solo

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

among today’s artistes, he stated: “It is more of songs; I have just one instrumental medley in it. I started with singing, and when I started playing the sax, people kept saying I was good with it, so I just added it to my songs. I was taking the singing more as a career then, before the sax came in.

They now blend together; something that is not common.

“Most times, we have people do only the instrumentals. They can’t sing. But I decided to add the two, to make myself unique,” he added.

King Solo, who also teaches music, plays the keyboard, guitar and others.

NCC investigates MTN for copyright violation

I

N a bid to continue its mandate of protecting the copyright of Nigerian creatives, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has invited telecommunications giant, MTN to appear at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday, September 28, over allegations of copyright

By Joe Agbro Jr.

infringement brought against it

by Omenuwoma Okson Dovie.

According to a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria Communications Limited and signed by NCC’s Director of Prosecution, A. T.

Kohol, the CEO is expected to bring ‘all relevant documents including but not limited to call logs to assist in the criminal investigations.’

Dovie, also known as Baba2010 is claiming criminal violation involving MTN’s use of his works as caller ring back tones.

Banky W, MI, others grace Jacaranda opening

By Ovwe Medeme

in, we found that the hotels were pretty boring in Nigeria. That was

many years ago. Casino business in Nigeria is just at its infancy. Nigerians are just getting used to night life

so with this opening, Lagos has become a much more fun place to be,” he said.

• John Storey, Managing Director Jacaranda Casino; Goodie Ibru, Chairman Sheraton Hotel, Lanre Gbajabiamila, Chairman Lagos State Lottery Commission and Jacaranda Casino Director, Yahaya Maikori

For Yahaya Maikori, a director at Jacaranda Casino, there is no better time to launch in Lagos than now.

“We have a huge gaming culture in this country, it’s just that we are being private about it. We are bringing an international standardised facility that is comparable to any other facility outside the country. We are bringing a facility that Nigerians will be proud of, that they will be able to spend time in and enjoy themselves. It is our hope that we will open a big business, employ more Nigerians and list Jacaranda in the Nigerian Stock Exchange sooner than later,” he added.

Compered by Freeze of cool FM, among those present were Banky W, Shina Peller, MI. Others who attended the unveiling were Goodie Ibru, Chairman Sheraton Hotel, Lanre Gbajabiamila, Chairman Lagos State Lottery Commission and a host of others. The event was sponsored by Red Bull and D’usse Cognac among others.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Understanding international terrorism

T

HE Acting Head of Department, Jurisprudence and Public Law Department of Babcock University, Dr Yinka Olomojobi, has added his voice to the global menace threatening many nations of the world – terrorism.

He is out with a new book, etitled: Frontiers of Jihad: Radical Islam in Africa, to be presented in Lagos on Tuesday, September 29.

The book’s preoccupation is worthy of note as it focuses on the most contemporaneous central issue since the Cold War era—the clash of the West and Islamic civilisation. The 366page book is timely and a record of well researched facts and a cautionary exposition for the imperative necessity for bridging the gaps between Africa’s have’s and have’s not.

Even though a substantial intellectual study has grown on issues surrounding the radical Islam since the atrocities of 9/11, Dr Olomojobi’s book provides an enthusiastic and much needed exposition that explores the phenomenon of radical Islam in Africa. The book, which is his third, gives a distinct and comprehensive angle to existing arguments on terrorism.

Dr Olomojobi, who holds a LL.M in International Law, (University of Liverpool, England) and a PhD (Lancaster University, England), he has also written two books: Islam & Conflict in Northern Nigeria and Human Rights on Gender, Sex and the Law. While his first book focuses on the conflicts in a part of Nigeria, his third explores a global perspective to conflicts brewed by radicalism.

In the Frontiers of Jihad: Radical Islam in Africa, the author reveals quite assuredly the clash of civilisations between Islam and the West. Each chapter focuses on issues about the factors that promote radical Islam in Africa.

From Chapter One, the book exposes a careful build-up of arguments and analysis.

In this chapter the author carefully details and theorises how to probe into the study of radical Islam. Aside from using theories based on political science, he adopts a philosophical approach to his work in order to understand

BOOK REVIEW From Uzor Maxim Uzoatu Title:

Frontiers of Jihad: Radical Islam in Africa

Author: Dr Yinka Olomojobi Reviewer: Evelyn Osagie Publishers: Safari Books Ltd. Pagination: 366 Year of publication: 2015

the relationship between Islamists and their notions of jihad.

In Chapter Two, he argues that theoretical explanations of how religion takes the centre stage in society and in international relations, while demonstrating, convincingly, the new role of religion in a globalised world.

Chapter Three offers divergent expositions on in Islam and jihad. It highlights the ways in which jihad is understood and interpreted.

Dr Olomojobi argues that the essence of jihad “is the desire to fight perceived oppression”.

Chapter Four affords the reader with indepth analysis on terrorism and highlights the complexities of defining the term. However, the author fittingly describes terrorism as an act that “generates a psychological notion of fear amongst the citizens of a state. It creates a situation of anxiety therefore using propaganda to channel its grievance to the public, in order to be heard and taken seriously”.

The keenness and forcefulness of the writer’s thoughts and eloquent prose are illustrated in his expositions of radical Islamist groups in Africa. He, then, takes the reader through the vicious activities of Boko Haram in Chapter Five.

From Chapter Six to Chapter Nine, the author explores major jihadi groups and their ideologies in Africa. Dr Olomojobi culminates his expository voyage with the nefarious activities of Al Qaeda in the Maghreb in Chapter 10.

In profiling radical groups, the author does not occupy the reader with contrived arguments, but he highlights facts that have not been compressed worthy of note in understanding the diverse ideologies surrounding terrorism across the world. The author ends with a chapter which reveals the propagation of terrorism through the Internet.

As one reads through the book, one could see that Dr Olomojobi is a perceptive thinker and a profound political analyst, who delivers his augments with facts, illustrating useful insights from other renowned scholars, whilst provoking intellectual rigour and the ability to provoke and capture critical thoughts of the reader. Because of its juicy fresh addition to the study of international terrorism, the book is a must read to political leaders, leaders of thoughts, diplomats and the public at large.

Africa and contemporary artistic production in art history

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FRICA has often been treated as the mythic origin, and a homeland that people want to return to, but not as a place that participates and contributes to the global world.”

The above assertion was expressed by Ms Joanna Wild, a doctoral candidate of the Department of Art and Art History, University of New Mexico at a lecture delivered at the OYASAF (Omooba Yemisi Abimbola Art Foundation) Fellowship in Lagos.

While highlighting the theme for the event, Beyond the Black Atlantic: Contemporary Artistic production in Lagos today, Ms Wild praised the contributions of Africa artists and art scholars growth of world art, urging that they do more to dominate the global art space.

She noted that due to lack of government funding for artists, absence of galleries to constantly represent artists, and hectic situation encountered by continent-based art promoters has been denied access to the transnational art space for so long.

Ms Wild lamented that despite the contributions of Okwui Enwezor, a widely-acclaimed curator, towards the validation of contemporary African Art on a global scale and his curatorial

By Francis Abidoye

VISUAL ART contributions, his findings have been faulted and challenged by renowned art scholars.

“Although many scholars contributed to the global validation of Contemporary African art, Okwui Enwezor, a Nigerian-born United Stateeducated curator, has undoubtedly taken a lead role. He shaped the field through his organization of large scale exhibitions, his directorship on both newly founded and long standing biennials, and his co-publication of survey texts such as Contemporary Africa Art since 1980 but Enwezor’s curatorial and scholarly work hasn’t been unchallenged. “ She reiterated Art Historian Sylvester Ogbechie arguement that Africa is written out of art history as a relevant site of contemporary artistic production because visibility had only been given to a relatively small selection of African artists, such as Yinka Shonibare, observing that such action has led to the drawback in the sector.

“Transnational scholars, critics, and curators have neglected African art on the continent.

•Art connoisseurs and art scholars at the event

Considerations of the “Black Atlantic” would result in representations of transnational experiences defined by the African emigres relationship to a more powerful “Other.” African expatriates such as Shonibare are overburdened by the expectation that they represent Africa, something they decidedly cannot do.” She said.

To exhibit how the global space interact with Lagos artistic works, she highlighted works of Shonibare, Peju Alatise and Ndidi Dike.

Some of the works included Wrapture, one of Alatise’s solo exhibitions that reflected the effects of religious fundamentalism in Nigeria in the past and in the present and her Textile Use; Dike’s Waka-into-Bondage, Drop in the ocean and one way, No easy walk to freedom and Economic fabrics.

Waka-into-Bondage caught the attention of guests. Exhibited at the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), Lagos in 2008, it was triggered by the visitation of the artist to Badagry a coastal town that used to channel slaves during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the 2007 commemoration event of the 200th anniversary of the abolition hideous act in Nigeria.

CYAN’S ORB In league for better schools (III)

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HAT is more than can be said for those who were elected after himbut then that’s my own Cyan Frank-Hanachor opinion! I’m sorry but it hurts to acknowledge scionofpapyrus@gmail.com. the poor caliber of Tel: 08134283539 leadership,intellect and determination that has since replaced him. I’m sorry but coming from Edo State as I do, I feel I’ve earned the right to speak about the forth-rightness, drive and commitment of people from my part of the country on labour issues (please, permit some sentimentality here)!

I know Benin City like the back of my hand – I spent a good number of years there. In fact, I spend most of my holidays there; so I speak with certainty about the colossal change, God in His infinite mercies was able to bring to past in my State!

It took the miracle of God to effect change in a state that had been held in the grabble-hold of poverty, deprivation, retrogression and backwardness because the ruling party since the time of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, had failed to execute any cutting-edge, visionary implementation of development and the provision of the most basic amenities for the poor.

Edo acquired a reputation for everything but positive – the state that attracted the attention of the international community to the trafficking of underaged children for prostitution in Italy, massive repatriation of its indigenes from Europe, armed robbery and kidnapping. I felt the shame and cringe when I remember the stigma that registered with being an indigene!

My people are intelligent and hardworking but very little had been done to ensure what other governments had been surreptiously pushing – heavy investment in the education of its young, laying a foundation for industry and delivery on the promise of a better life for its people.

Instead we watched as each government left without impacting on the poor and voiceless, who had literally being battened to the ground!

I refuse to join the band of praise-singers and those falling over themselves to espouse the exploits of the government of the day but I must say this – the people of Edo State will never forget the years that Governor Adams Oshiomhole prevailed!

They will remember the rejuvenation of the “ancient” mule that had gone lame in its dotage!

They will see the bright, streetlights, glowing merrily with progress despite our predilection for all things moribund! They will attend the newly commissioned health centres and drive through well-paved, tarred roads that had been mere bush tracks in the middle of Benin-City!

They will send their kids to those erstwhile ,horrific schools that were once falling down around their children’s ears and know that someone from Edo North, who’d tirelessly worked for the NLC and decided to serve these Bini’s so we all can see an Edo State that is progressive emerge from the “Dark Ages” ; one that all of us, would enjoy when we visit and have our friends who drove through on their way to the East crow with wonder, “It’s almost as if we were in a different State!”

For the first time in years, I’m looking forward to going to Benin. I’ve promised my Kids that we’d find a car and drive round the town. I want to croon with glee and put my head out of the window to see the changes that were forced on our neighbours – to gloat to the Bini’s that an “Auchi man” has done this for all of us!

That simple man - many say he’s dimunitive who mostly wears khakis (strange and stranger – no potbelly in view)! He did what almost all the other governors couldn’t do – used mere “coins”(literally) to touch the lives of the mostly poor people in Benin! He didn’t wait for the treasury to be bursting with money! He scrounged and saved to bring about more than a “modicum” of progress to a beleaguered state!

Very little has been said of the giant strides of “my” governor but posterity will judge the extent of development which he forced on the people of the state. I bought a copy of the “Punch” of December 6,2014 and felt tears run down my face! I almost felt like jumping through the roof – Asoro Grammar School!

As a young girl, we knew we’d attend good schools; following in the path of our elder sisters.Later as we grew older, we came to realise that Benin had lots of good schools – I mean, really good schools!

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

44

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

CHIEFTAINCY AWARD IN LAGOS

LIFELINE

Stakeholders meet on National Cultural festival From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

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TAKEHOLDERS from across the country has met in Abuja, to discuss modalities on the forthcoming National cultural festival, known popularly as the Abuja carnival.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mrs Nkechi Ejele, who declared the event open, said: “With the theme The creative industry: Pivot to Economic Growth, there is urgent need to develop the carnival to an extent that it would be self-sustaining like other carnivals held successfully across the world.”

From ‘Abuja Carnival’, Ejele said, the event is now named ‘Nigeria National Carnival’ to attract more patronage and indicate national ownership.

As the carnival team presented to guests programmes for this year’s carnival, Artistic Director of the carnival, Mr Abiodun Abe, advocated for collaborative efforts to ensure a year’s success edition.

Abe informed guests that for the first time, the geo-political zones have coordinators to ensure better participation from states in their regions. He corrected the impression that activities for the carnival are only just beginning, saying: “We’ve been contacting states and the responses have been impressive. Also, don’t forget that this is election year and everybody has been waiting for things to stabilise”.

•Dr. Femi Orebe

•Oba Alamu Oloyede Onikosi conferring Dr.Vincent Jose Palathingal and his wife, Elizabeth with the chieftaincy titles of Aare Basegun and Yeye Aare Basegun of Ikosi-Ketu

Dele Abiodun mounts stage at Sobe

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•Segun Sanya

•Michael Jolly, Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group, Devakumar Edwin and Joji Abraham

•Indian children performing on the occasion PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

2015 Uganda Film Festival: Nigerian chairs jury

Intimate Matchmaking hits Lagos screen

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OUNDER of Most Beautiful Deaf Girl Africa, Dr Tolulope Abimbola Okoigahire, is out with a TV dating programme, Intimate Matchmaking.

Having gaining momentum on air at the Rivers State Television for over four years, Mrs Okoigahire is set to storms Lagos screens with her programme on the matters of the heart.

Beyond the screen, she would be bringing her expertise and years of experience to bear on Surulere, where the Intimate Matchmaking office would be located. The official opening of its Lagos office would hold this Saturday by 3pm.

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ELEBRATED filmmaker, Femi Odugbemi, has just returned from another successful international assignment serving as the Chairman of Jury of the just-concluded Uganda Film Festival (UFF) held in Kampala, Uganda.

Odugbemi, a three-time lead judge of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, was also jury’s chair of last year edition when he headlined the festival’s international guests along with Nollywood star actress Patience Ozokwo.

At that time, the organisers of the festival, the Uganda Communication Commission, through its Executive Director Mr Godfrey Mutabazi, wrote a glowing tribute stating that Odugbemi’s “professionalism and commitment displayed during the task, together with the quality of decisions made contributed highly to the resounding success of the UFF 2014.”

It was no surprise, therefore, that Odugbemi was invited once again to chair the jury along with distinguished international members, including a professor of Literature at Makerere University, Kampala, Dr Sister Dominic Dipio; an German film curator MsBarbel Mauch; President of the East Africa Film Network, Mr Leonce Ngabo of Burundi and pioneer Ugandan TV Producer, Faustin Misanvu.

The Uganda Film Festival, in its third outing, showcased films of Uganda filmmakers and other East African countries, including Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania and Rwanda. The festival also featured exhibitions, a film market, training

ORMER president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Admiral Dele Abiodun, will mount the stage at the gala and awards night of this year’s Sobe Day celebration.

The event would hold at St Eugene’s Play Ground, Sobe in Owan-West local government area, Edo State this Saturday.

According to the organising committee chair, Dr Funsho Osoro, the week-long event will also feature football competition, free medical services, folk tales, cultural performances, youths’ night and a beauty pageant. The annual event, he said, is organised to unite all sons and daughters of Sobe, especially those in the Diaspora, for the development of the town.

The event, which was initiated in 1991 to commemorate the merger of Sobe with its kiths and kins, has evolved into a Christmas of a sort for the indigenes. This year’s celebration would be chaired by a US-based academic Dr Kate Obasuyi (nee Addo).

DeROK excites youths with new radio programme

•Odugbemi at the event

By Evelyn Osagie

FESTIVAL workshops and master classes. The final day of the festival was capped with an elaborate gala evening of glamorous red-carpet and awards in various categories.

Speaking at the gala awards, Odugbemi revealed that the jury began work over three months ago with over 130 entries into the 2015 UFF. The pre-selection process for the competitive categories was electronically conducted over the course of 60 days and five nominees per category were identified and announced by the organisers in the first week of August.

The jury then reconvened in Kampala from August 24 to 27 to select the winners. While congratulating the winners, Odugbemi expressed delight at the remarkable progress in the talent and technical quality of the nomi-

nated works, especially in the areas of storytelling, casting, performance, visual aesthetics, cinematic values, sound and music.

While calling for more efforts in the areas of additional dialogue recording (ADR), sound design, music score and final mix, he noted that there has been an improved in the quality of sound, which was usually a weakness of some films in the past..

The celebrated winner of the festival was the feature film Joseph Ken’s House Arrest which carted prizes for Best Feature Film, Best Sound, Best Screenplay and Best Actress. Other winners of UFF 2015, included Boda Boda Thieves, which won the Best Cinematography and Best Editing prizes; Walk With Me by Peter Muhumuza and Johan Oetitinger which won Best Short Film; Matovu Francis’s Chimp-Boda which won Best Animation and “HALF A DOLLAR” by Oris Ssebowa which won the Best Documentary prize.

D

eROK Quality Café Liqueur, a brand from the stable of Intercontinental Distillers Limited (IDL), has deployed a radio programme titled: Night on DeROK, to engage the young audience.

The programme is youth-inclined and seeks to address the issues affecting them. The rationale for the programme, the founders said, “is to encourage affinity and promote bonding among Nigerian youths”. As it commences the radio programme, the organisers said, the brand intends to lift the mood of youths, saying the programme will be synonymous with youthful trends and way of life.

The brand is a uniquely blended, coffee flavoured rich rum based spirit with a dark golden colour. It is a brand that promotes fun and excitement amongst youths. It is a mood lifter and encourages relaxation. The brand thrives on the platform of music and entertainment.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

45

BUSINESS EXTRA

Fed Govt spends N222b on fuel subsidy

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HE Federal Govern ment has spent N222.1billion on fuel subsidy from January to July this year, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwaobia, has said.

Mrs Daniel-Nwaobia, told the House of Representatives panel investigating the implementation of the capital component of this year’s budget, said a supplementary budget would be sent to the National Assemble to cover what has been spent so far.

At the continuation of the public hearing yesterday, she however said President Muhammadu Buhari is set to present a supplementary budget to the National Assembly.

Mrs. Daniel-Nwaobia was represented by the the Director-General, Budget Office, Aliyu Gusau, whose presentation also fell short of the panel’s expectations for the second time.

She defended the extrabudgetary spending, saying it was spent under Emergency Intervention (Fuel Subsidy Crisis) to end the eight-month long fuel scarcity which started in December last year and ended in

• Buhari to present Supplementary Budget to NASS From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

July this year.

She also said Nigeria’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) was depleted to about $4billion by the end of last year and $2.08billion as at June this year due to the drop in oil revenue and payment of petroleum subsidies.

She said the drop inoil prices also affected Federal Account Allocation Committee’s (FAAC’s) distribution.

Mrs. Daniel-Nwaobia defended a N615.96billion loan from the Ways and Means Account at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that was secured without the apporval of the National Assembly.

“This is an item under contingency funds, but it allows room to obtain loans and things like that, but I am not too conversant with the details,” she said.

She however said a 2015 supplementary budget would soon be forwarded to the National Assembly by President Buhari.

“I am aware that the Federal Government is handling

a number of these issues in the supplementary budget in respect of the 2015 budget.

But I am not in a position to pre-empt Mr President in that matter.

“But I believe that he is fully aware of the situation and I am also aware that we have done something in respect of the supplementary budget that we have passed to Mr President,” she said.

Chairman of the panel, Ahman Pategi, said it was against the law to have spent the money that was not contained in the Appropriation Act without recourse to the National Assembly.

He said: “Appropriation is an Act, and we insist on its implementation, we want to know where there are challenges but to spend monies such as the N222.1billion without recourse to the Parliament is not acceptable to us.”

The Committee also berated the Permanent Secretary, the Budget Office and the Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation (OAGF) for presenting contradictory reports despite

being given a week to reconcile their figures.

For instance, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) report put the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) refund to the Consolidated Revenue Account at N6.330billion per month totalling N44.310billion between January and July this year.

On the other hand, the Finance Ministry’s documents showed that NNPC refund was N5.828billion monthly totalling N46.624,766,453.60 between January and August this year.

The Ministry was also accused of making a confusing presentation to the Committee by failing to distinctly highlight how revenue shortfall in its document affected the capital component of the budget.

In addition, the Ministry also failed to show details of independent revenue while presenting incomparable figures for actuals and projected revenues for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for the period under review.

The affected agencies were given a week to work on their documents again.

Aviation workers protest N25b debt owed by airlines

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VER 200 airport workers and avia tion union members yesterday staged a protest at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport , Ikeja , Lagos to protest over the N25 billion the airlines are owing the Federal Government.

Led by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the unions threatened to stop rendering services to major airlines if they failed to settle they are owing the Federal Government within the next seven days.

ATSSSAN and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) blocked ticket counters at the domestic wing of the airport to express their disapproval over the debts owed agencies.

For over three hours during the protest, activities around the airport environment were disrupted.

Addressing the gathering,

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

the ATSSSAN President, Mr Benjamin Okewu, said the protest was a result of the refusal of the airlines to settle their debts to the government.

He said: “This protest is to send a notice to airline management that aviation workers are tired of the incessant indebtednessto all the aviation parastatals.

“Airlines have been enjoying services from aviation parastatal without paying for the services rendered to it.

“We are here to inform the passenger, the airline’s management and every other stakeholders that very soon, aviation workers will be ceasing all the services rendered to such airlines they decide not to pay their debt.

“We cannot continue like this as the change we clamour for and the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari must reflect in the aviation industry.”

NCAA, NAMA sanction foreign aircraft for airspace violation

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HE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a fine of N7 million on a foreign aircraft, Global Express Bombardier 700-100, operated by GAMA Aviation in the United Kingdom for airspace violation and unauthorised domestic operation in contravention of Nigerian civil aviation regulations.

This is just as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) also fined the aircraft $20,000 for violation of airspace rules.

NCAA spokesman, Sam Adurogboye however said the aircraft has been released after it was grounded for some time.

He said since the aircraft was grounded, its crew members have been stranded in Abuja for their illegal operations into Ni-

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

geria.

At the weekend, NCAA grounded Bombardier 700100 aircraft and Embraer 135J with XA-MHA as registration marks for operating illegally in Nigeria airspace.

Speaking to reporters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, Adurogboye said the aircraft was released after the operator paid the N7million.

Adurogboye said since the infractions extended to NAMA, the operator also paid $20,000 to NAMA. He explained that after the investigation of the illegal operation of the airline, a letter of sanction was written to the operator of the aircraft which contained the sanction.

‘Why CBN is supporting MSMEs’

T • From left: Non Executive Director, Heritage Bank, Mr Tony Imadojemu, Executive Director, Mrs Mary Akpobome, Chairman, Mr Akinsola Akinfemiwa, Managing Director/CEO, Ifie Sekibo and Executive Director, Akaeze Udensi during a media parley at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

Lagos Assembly re-orders 2015 budget

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HE Lagos State House of Assembly has ap proved the re-ordering of this year’s budget of the state government as requested by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

The House at plenary yesterday approved N19, 743, 164, 323 for capital expenditure and N5, 697, 089, 009 for recurrent expenditure bringing the total sum approved to N25, 440, 253, 332.

The House also admonished the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget to henceforth do a quarterly review of approved budget to enhance effectiveness and determine level of compliance by the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

By Oziegbe Okoeki

The total budget size for year 2015 however did not change, it remains N489.690billion; while N241,977billion is for recurrent expenditure and N247,713billion is capital expenditure The House transferred budgetary allocation that may not be fully utilised by some MDAs before the end of the year to other MDAs that are in need of the funds.

The House, among others, approved N3.5billion for the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure for special building projects and an additional N1.1billion for the completion of on-going projects for the defunct Ministry of Rural

Development.

It also approved N3.9billion as special expenditure while a total sum of N3.8billion was approved for security and emergency intervention and N2billion was approved as contingency fund.

Other MDAs that received additional allocation include Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Office of Chief of Staff and others.

The House also said the take-off grants of the newly created MDAs be defrayed from the special expenditure votes and general overhead cost.

Ambode had last week presented letter to the House titled: “Re-ordering of priorities under the 2015 Budget”

in which he requested for reordering of the budget.

According to the letter, the governor listed the reasons for the re-ordering to include construction of a pedestrian bridge at Ojodu Berger, construction of fly-over bridges at Ajah Roundabout and Pen Cinema, Agege.

The letter added that the budget re-ordering proposal would cater for the continuation of the construction of blue light rail project, continuation of the construction of the Lekki-Epe Expressway and acquisition of emergency/rescue helicopters and heavy duty equipment (cranes and forklift) and for Employment Trust Fund and Wealth Creation Programmes.

HE Director, Develop ment Finance Depart ment, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Mudasiru Olaitan has said the apex bank is supporting the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) because it beleives it is the engine of growth for the economy.

Olaitan spoke in Abuja at the N220billion MSME Development Fund workshop organised by the Bankers Committee’s sub-committee on Economic Development, Sustainability & Gender in collaboration with the CBN. He said the essence of the workshop was to get the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to key into the strategic plan of the apex bank for the MSMEs. “MSMEs are the engine room for economic growth, vehicle for job creation, tools for poverty alleviation and wealth creation for any country’s economy, so there is need to support them to grow so that the economy can grow,” Olaitan stressed.

In his presentation, the Assistant Director, MSME Development Fund, CBN Mr. Tobin Jonathan, said the workshop was organised to cross-fertilise ideas and

bridge the knowledge gap on the MSME sector by the lending institutions and to also correct the wrong perception of the risky nature of the sector.

He sad: “The rejection rate of MSME applications by commercial banks is very high. We are aware that this is necessitated by the banks’ aversion to risk due to lack of entrepreneurial skills and the poor governance structures of most MSMEs, hence the necessity of the workshop to enlighten the bankers and encourage them more on the need to partner with us on the need to grow the sector.”

In his presentation titled Movable Collateral, Registry Reforms and MSME Financing in Nigeria, Dr. Olasupo Musa of the Monitoring & Evaluation Department, National Collateral Registry said, CBN is collaborating with International Finance Corporation (IFC) to establish a National Collateral Registry to stabilise MSME financing and also boost the confidence of Nigerian banks in playing active roles in financing the real sector in Nigeria, most especially the MSME sector.

46

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 22-09-15

DAILY SUMMARY DAILY SUMMARYASASATAT16-07-15 22-09-15

Continental Re gets new core investor as Emerging Capital divests

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AHAM Finances S.A, the insurance arm of the Saham Group, has acquired the majority equity stake in Continental Reinsurance (Continental Re) Plc following the divestment by the Emerging Capital Partners (ECP).

The Nation had reported in August 2014 that ECP Africa Fund II PCC and its partners, which form the ECP Fund II Consortium, were exploring the opportunity for the divestment of their interests in C-Re Holding Limited, a Mauritius-based limited liability company wholly owned by the ECP Fund II Consortium. C-Re Holding Limited was then the majority shareholder in Continental Re, holding approximately 50.6 per cent of the issued share capital of the company.

ECP yesterday confirmed that Saham Finances SA has acquired C-Re Holding Limited, taking possession of the investment company’s current 53.6 per cent equity stake

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

in Continental Re. One of the biggest Pan African insurance groups, Saham Finances recorded a turnover of more than $1 billion in 2014.

As the insurance arm of the Saham Group, Saham Finances is actively following its growth strategy in Africa and the Middle East with presence in 24 countries through 49 subsidiaries, including 28 insurance and reinsurance companies through 650 branches throughout Africa and has a team of 2,260 collaborators.

Continental Re, which is quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), remained unchanged at 94 kobo per share.

Total trading on the stock yesterday stood at 98,885 shares valued at N90, 766.50 in seven deals.

In a statement, co-chief executive of Emerging Capital Partners (ECP) and outgoing chairman of Continental Re, Hurley Doddy said the ECP’s investment in Continental Re high-

lighted how the venture capital firm has helped high growth companies with proven business models to becoming regional champions.

“With ECP’s support, Continental Re has grown from a primarily Nigerian focused business into a leading panAfrican reinsurer, increasing its presence on the continent from two to six countries. We believe that Continental Re will leverage Saham’s industry expertise and relationships across the continent to further achieve its goals in Africa and create value for shareholders,” Doddy said.

Continental Re was incorporated in 1985 and started business as a private reinsurance company in Nigeria. In January 1987, it began to operate as a general reinsurer and then became a composite reinsurer in January 1990, offering both treaty and facultative life and non-life reinsurance, with a well-diversified business mix and customer base.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 22-09-15

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

47

MONEYLINK Ecobank funds multi-million naira NACA Centre

N100.88b T-bills auction today may be over-subscribed

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is to hold a Treasury Bills (TBills) Primary Auction today, where T-Bills worth N100.88 billion will mature, while an equal amount will be issued.

T-bills are marketable money market securities that serve the purpose of raising money for the government and also help in monetary policy management of the Central Bank. T-bills are short-term securities that mature in one year or less from their issue date. They are usually issued with 3-month, 6-month and one-year maturities.

The new issues, analysts from Meristem Wealth Management Limited said, which are likely to be oversubscribed, will include 91-day,

By Collins Nweze

182-day and 364-day instruments. The CBN is expected to auction N31.19 billion, N10.61 billion, and N59.08 billion in the 91-day, 182-day and 364-day instruments respectively.

Managing Director, Meristem Wealth Management Limited, Sulaiman Adedokun explained that the sell-off witnessed on Treasury bills immediately after the announcement regarding the impending phase out of Nigeria’s bonds from the JP Morgan GBI-EM, there has been a rally on these instruments, with the average rate falling by 1.42 per cent over the four trading days since the last auction.

“We ascribe this trend majorly to the high liquidity

levels in the system, due to the lack of Open Market Operation (OMO) sales over the last six proposed operations.

While, the lack of a full allotment at the last few bonds and bills auctions has pushed activities to the secondary market,” he said.

Adedokun anticipate that the level of stop rates proposed for this auction will be largely influenced by the outcome of the MPC meeting.

Given that the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) has been revised to 25 per cent, we expect a further increase system liquidity, which should result in a more marked oversubscription than was witnessed at the last few auctions, which we anticipate will pressure rates downwards.

“We anticipate a buoyant

K

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

level of participation on the respective instruments on offer at this auction, with the possibility of oversubscriptions on both, based on aforementioned reasons. Consequently, we advise rates with the dual purpose of achieving the best possible yields as well as ensuring the success of the bid,” he said.

Nigeria eyes $50b from sub-Saharan Africa trades

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HAIRMAN, International Sea Trade and Investment Convention’s Steering Committee, Adebayo Sarumi, has said that Nigeria can grow its trade volumes within the Sub-Saharan Africa region from $15 billion to $50 billion annually.

Speaking ahead of the Nigeria’s International Sea Trade and Investment Convention (ISTI), scheduled to hold in Lagos between 5th and 6th of October, with theme: “Exploring New Trade Frontiers” , he said addressing issues of new and direct trade routes between Nigeria and our leading trading partners would help the country achieve the target.

He said the investment conference will also address im-

port and export financing hitches within the economy.

The programme, the organisers said, would explore cross border potentials along the regional trade corridor, the development of viable import/export markets, standardization of goods and services to meet global certification for export, safety and security on our waterways, market linkage, trade and infrastructure investment.

Also the convention is aimed at identifying impediments to export trade restrictions, facilities and Regulations within the maritime sector. It is planned to create the platform for stakeholders to develop a roadmap to address issues of products, standardisation, financing, incentives and the lack of in-

frastructure plaguing the industry.

Sarumi, said the convention would boost Nigeria’s export trade, making it attractive to global buyers and foreign investors.

“We plan to bring the best minds to this two day convention featuring conference and exhibition that will engage interactive discussions, high level networking and unrivaled business intelligence through participation of the industry’s foremost stakeholders, decision makers, investors and trade specialists,” he said.

Sarumi said the convention will set the stage to further consolidate Nigeria’s position as a regional trade, maritime and logistics hub in Africa. This is aimed at supporting government’s diversifi-

CBN to inject dollars into interbank market

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will today, inject dollars into the banking system to ease a shortage of foreign currency and take some pressure off the local unit, traders and banking sources said.

“There was a broadcast from the central bank yesterday (Monday) that we should provide cash backing for dollars sale on Wednesday,” one dealer told Reuters.

The CBN also intervened in the market on Friday although the volume has not been disclosed, traders said.

Companies say they have struggled to get hold of enough foreign currency to

pay for their imports as a fall in the country’s revenues from oil, for which prices have been sliding, has dried up the supply and hammered the public finances.

The CBN had in February scrapped its bi-weekly currency auctions, restricting trading to the interbank foreign exchange market to curb speculation. “We still have large unmet arrears of demand from our customers,” another dealer said.

There was no immediate comment from the central bank.

Liquidity in the interbank market has fallen since last week as commercial banks have been forced to move

government revenues into a Treasury Single Account (TSA) at the apex bank.

The policy is part of new President Muhammadu Buhari’s drive to fight corruption. But analysts say it could suck up as much as 10 percent of banking sector deposits in Africa’s biggest economy - hitting banks’ liquidity ratios.

Emefiele told Reuters last week he was ready to inject liquidity if needed. The local currency is trading at 198.50 to the dollar on the interbank market, 1.50 naira above the peg rate of 197 to the dollar. It is stable at 222 naira to the dollar on the unofficial market.

•From left: Segment Manager, Youth Banking, Diamond Bank Plc, Chinasa Ken-Ugwuh, Student, University of Lagos, Opeyemi Ifetuyibiyi, Head, Consumer Banking, Diamond Bank Plc, Olumide Akindele, Student, University of Lagos, Jessica Ada Ebere and Product Manager, Diamond Students With A Goal (S. W.A.G) proposition, Chinenye Nwosu, at the S.W.A.G "POCKETMONEY4AYEAR - SEASON 1" Draw held in Lagos.

cation program to reduce the country’s dependence on oil.

The event will also create a conducive environment that will encourage and recognize the importance of partnerships with key stakeholders across the globe.

The ISTI 2015 will attract about 400 delegates from all over the world. Participation will cut across respective trade and investment departments from Europe, Asia, North America, South America and the Middle East, for which confirmation has already been received from some.

OGI State Governor, Capt Idris Wada has commended Ecobank Nigeria for funding the multimillion naira Ecobank-National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Youth Friendly Centre at Kogi State University, Anyigba.

Commissioning the ultramodern Centre on Friday, Wada said the partnership between Ecobank and NACA was impressive, stressing that it would go a long way to improving the lives of youths and check the prevalence of the dreaded HIV/AIDs and other health related diseases.

According to him, ‘I must commend Ecobank, NACA and the university authourity for this multi-dimensional facility.

Any effort to check prevalence of critical diseases of modern times must be appreciated.’

Head, Personal Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Kingsley Umadia, said the establishment of the centre is part of Ecobank

desire to give back to society: “For us at Ecobank, the vision of the Youth Friendly centre stems from our desire to use all available opportunity to give back and contribute effectively towards the society in which the bank operates. We believe young people need a friendly environment that would offer recreational facilities and at the same time provide free guidance and counselling HIV/AIDS and other health issues.”

Vice Chancellor, Kogi State University, Prof. Hassan Isah, said he was elated as his school is the first state university to enjoy Ecobank-NACA Youth Friendly Centre.

Director General, NACA, Prof John Idoko, represented

by Director, Partnership Coordination, NACA, Emmanuel Alhassan, stated that the partnership with Ecobank has so far produced 8 centres in various universities across the country.

FITC appoints new head of consulting

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INANCIAL Institutions Training Centre (FITC), a special purpose not-for-profit professional services organisation,based in Nigeria and extending its borders in the West African sub-region, has appointed the Head of FITC Consulting, Ms. Bimpe Olufemi.

Prior to this appointment, Ms. Olufemi was the Founding Director of BibliDoodles Limited, a start-up graphics design outfit. She has over 25 years of professional experience working for FTSE 100 Multinationals, Large corporates and SMEs/ Start-ups in the following industries: Financial Services, Technology & Telecoms, New Media and Retail.

She has a first degree in Psychology from the University of Ife and holds a master’s degree in Information Systems Engineering and an MBA from Cranfield School of Management. As Digital Banking Head for West Africa at Standard Chartered Bank, she was instrumental in building up the business, which successfully placed Nigeria and West Africa on the Standard Chartered digital map.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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NEWS Oyo begins payment of salary arrears From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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IVIL servants in Oyo State have started collecting their outstanding four-month salary arrears.

A socio-political group, the Ajumose Coalition Movement (ACM), praised Governor Abiola Ajimobi for paying the outstanding salaries with the bail-out loan.

The group, in a statement by its Chairman Wasiu Olatunbosun in Ibadan yesterday, said Ajimobi’s resolve was a mark of his concern for workers’ welfare.

Ajimobi had, on Monday, assured that the loan would not be diverted.

“Notwithstanding the inability of the Ajimobi administration to continue with its tradition of prompt payment of salaries and allowance, the regret and concern which the governor demonstrated while the problem lingered was rare and commendable.

“Ajimobi stood firmly by the workers and ensured that the situation did not get out of hand as was almost the case in some other states. The governor brought his virtue of prudence as well as administrative and managerial acumen to bear.”

PDP candidate’s petition dismissed From left: Chief Executive Officer, Jacaranda Casino Nigeria, John Storey; Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lottery Board, Lanre Gbajabiamila and President, Nigeria Gaming Association, Yahaya Maikori, at the grand opening of Jacaranda Casino at Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja.

We’ve lost a woman of substance, says Senator Tinubu T

HE senator representing Lagos Central, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, ace columnist and Editorial Adviser of The Nation, Prof Olatunji Dare, yesterday joined other Nigerians in Ikenne, Ogun State, to condole with the children of the late Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo.

Senator Tinubu described Mrs. Awolowo as an enigma, a political icon and a woman of substance who came, saw and conquered.

The lawmaker said Mama Awolowo was a woman of many parts, adding that she learnt a lot of positive things from her.

Mrs Tinubu said: ”We have lost a woman of substance.

An enigma, a woman of all seasons who touched virtually all spheres of life.

“She came, saw and conquered. A mother, wife, political icon.

“A woman of many parts.

A role model personified. A mother I loved and admired.

A loss not only to her biological children, but to the Yoruba and Nigeria at large.

“Mama was like a mother to me and we know that from her political history with my late mother in-law they were very close, so by extension, I knew Mama HID. I would come here once in a while and we would talk.

•Dare, Anenih condole with family From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

“Mama was a great woman and unlike my mother-inlaw, she was feistier. Mama was a goal getter. I learnt a lot from these two great women.

“For us women, this is the end of the era of women emancipation. They lived and died for a cause. How many women today have a cause to even live for?

“How many role models do we have out there? I keep looking around. Don’t look at me because I don’t even know if I’m one yet but these were the role models we had.

“These were the people who kept us going. It is a great loss for womanhood and this is a time for us to revamp our political history and what we stand for as women.

“It’s quite sad for me as a person because she is someone I loved so much. She was young at heart, open, cheerful, a fashionista.

“At all times, Mama’s gele was always in place. She challenged us and forever, she will live in our hearts.

“Mama was a subject that I

Ondo workers protest non-payment of salaries

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ORKERS in Ondo State yesterday in Akure, the state capital, marched on the office of the accountant general at Alagbaka to demand for payment of their three- month salary arrears The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “Ondo Government, where is our bailout money?”; “Accountant General must go”; “N14:68bn bailout fund fixed by Mimiko”; “Hardship is getting worse”, among others.

The protesters were led by the state Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Sunday Adeleye.

He decried the government’s failure to pay their salaries, despite receiving bailout fund from the Federal Government.

Adeleye gave the government 24 hours to pay all outstanding salaries and deductions.

He called for the removal of

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

the accountant general for allegedly refusing to pay them.

Addressing the protesters, Head of Service Toyin Akinkuotu assured that the workers would receive their salaries soon.

Akinkuotu said all outstanding salaries would be paid, adding that the government would also pay their two months deductions of May and June.

According to him, government is fully committed to the payment of workers salaries and their welfare packages but must ensure that only genuine workers are paid.

Akinkuotu attributed the delay in payment to the anomalies discovered during the just concluded verification in the civil service.

He said the exercise was almost completed.

think someone should write about. Sincerely, not the way we write about people nowadays because we write as big as the pay cheque is.

“If we want to really write about Mama HID, women can learn so much from her. Indeed, she was an achiever. I’ve not seen anyone in our society who has followed that line.

“They didn’t care whether people recognise them or not.

They went out there and made sure they lived and got known along the way and not the way we do things today, making noise over little to be popular without any known cause.

“You can’t come to Mama’s house and find the place empty. People were always around, eating and drinking .

“I’m not in a position to write her book but I’m privileged to have known her and I can count myself as Mama’s child. No contest about heaven, check your ways.”

Prof Dare, in his trenchant condolence, said Mama was an “exceptional matriarch” and a “monument”, wishing her eternal peaceful rest.

“Adieu, exceptional matriarch, model and monument.

Rest in peace,” Dare wrote.

Former Minister of Women Affairs Mrs. Josephine Anenih described Mrs. Awolowo as one of the founding mothers of Nigeria.

She said she wanted to be like Mama who she described as a strong woman.

Mrs. Anenih said she had known Mama since early 70s when she was a student at the University of Ife - now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

The former minister noted that throughout the struggles for the making of Nigeria, the late Yeye Oodua stood solidly behind her husband.

“In our history books where we recorded Awolowo as the founding father of Nigeria, I have never heard of a founding mother.

“Mama Awolowo was the founding mother, because throughout Papa’s struggle, she was behind him that was why he called her his jewel of inestimable value.

“She was not only the mother of Yoruba but the mother of Nigeria.”

The Nation man’s home ransacked NKNOWN persons broke into the home of The Nation correspondent in Ogun State, Ernest Nwokolo, yesterday, ransacking the rooms, kitchen, store and wardrobes.

Nwokolo said the invaders cut the iron bars of the dining room window to enter the building at Ilugun - Itoko community, off Kemta Housing Estate, Abeokuta.

He said books, certificates, documents, files, clothes, kitchen wares, beds, among other things, were overturned and scattered.

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Clamours for TSA From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has urged states to adopt a Treasury Single Account (TSA) as mandated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Its Publicity Secretary,Abayomi Adesanya, said there should be a law restricting all tiers of government from operating more than one account.

It alleged that the Olusegun Mimiko administration operates several bank accounts, despite the fact that the administration inherited few bank accounts from its predecessor, the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu in 2009.

“The introduction of Treasury Single Account (TSA) by the Buhari administration will address this menace and help to monitor the disbursement of state’s funds.”

“Information at our disposal indicates that the governor operates secret accounts that are not known to all the state executives’ members and the House of Assembly, save one or two members and the account managers.”

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HE Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday dismissed the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Akoko Southwest II, Abiodun Ogunbi.

Ogunbi is challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Felemu Gudu.

The petition was filed by Remi Olatubora; Charles Titiloye represented APC, which is the second respondent.

Titiloye had applied for the dismissal of the petition before the Justice Anthony Ogar-led tribunal on the grounds that the application for pre-hearing was incompetent, having been made 31 days after the respondents filed their reply.

The Electoral Act provides for seven days for applying for prehearing by the petitioners.

The tribunal refused Titiloye’s

From Damisi Ojo, Akure application on the grounds that 21 days must lapse for pleadings to close and for the filing of application for pre-hearing.

The Appeal Court, in a lead judgment by Justice Mohammed A. Danjuma, held that the petition had been abandoned after the petitioners’ failure to apply for pre-hearing.

It restated its position held in Gbenga Edema vs Coker Malachi decided by the same court that close of pleadings is not part of the requirement for applying for pre-hearing.

The court, thereafter, dismissed the PDP’s petition, which the tribunal had adjourned for adoption of final written address.

PDP has lost all the five petitions Olatubora filed against the five APC candidates in the House of Assembly.

Robbers attack school in Ekiti

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HERE was panic in Christ’s Girls’ School, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, following a robbery yesterday.

The robbers were said to have entered the school at 1.30 am and made for the administrative block.

They carted away an unspecified number of desktop and laptop computers.

They removed the burglary-proof window before entering.

No pupil was attacked or raped as being speculated in the town. The incident has been reported to the police.

A visit to the school later in the day showed that normal activities were going on.

A senior worker urged re-

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

porters to disregard the rumour that some pupils were raped during the raid.

“They went away with some desktop and laptop computers but none of our pupils was either raped or attacked by the invaders.

“They did not go to the hostel at all, the incident happened at the admin block, the rumour is not true,” she said.

The head teacher, simply referred to as Mrs. Ogundipe, was not around to speak on the development.

She was said to have been summoned by the Commissioner for Education, Jide Egunjobi.

Court stops monarch’s planned installation N Ado-Ekiti High

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Court has ordered parties in the kingship crisis rocking Orin-Odo community in Ikole Local Government Area to maintain status quo ante bellum, pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice.

Justice Dele Omotoso gave the order yesterday in a ruling after listening to a motion ex-parte by counsel to the claimants/applicants, Dr. Babalola Abegunde.

He subsequently adjourned the substantive suit till September 30.

A contestant for the Olorin of Orin-Odo stool, Babatunde Matthew Ejioye, filed the motion ex-parte alongside three others against Akintayo Ogunjobi, and six others.

There was tension in OrinOdo yesterday, following reports that Governor Ayo Fayose

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

had concluded arrangements to present staff of office and instruments of appointment to the second defendant, Femi Ogunjobi today.

The claimants averred that the first defendant convened a meeting on July 27 and arbitrarily screened them out from the kingship race to pave way for Femi, his son and Adebisi Ogunjobi, his younger brother and third defendant.

In his ruling, Justice Omotoso said: “There is need for parties to respect the sanctity of this court by maintaining status quo ante bellum in respect of the Olorin of Orin-Odo Ekiti chieftaincy stool, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

NEWS

‘Rochas a blessing to humanity’

By Joseph Jibueze

Okorocha

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MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who turns 53 today, is a blessing to humanity, his Principal Secretary Dr. Pascal Obi, has said.

According to him, the governor, born on September 22, 1962, in Ogboko, Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, was born without the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth.

Obi said Okorocha achieved greatness by combining resilience, rare intelligence and God’s grace.

“As we celebrate this icon,

this patriotic and detribalised Nigerian leader, the Nostradamus of our time and by popular acclaim, the traditional prime minister of Igboland, on attaining 53 years, may we offer supplications to the Almighty God, who made the gift of Owelle to Imo State, and to humanity, to continue to bless and sustain him to greater heights in the years ahead,” Obi said.

According to Obi, the governor’s humble background was behind his vow to become the silver lining in the cloud of the less privileged.

“Owelle’s passion to liberate people from poverty is anchored firmly on education, as he applies the ancient adage: ‘’Give me fish and I shall feed for this moment; but teach me to fish and I shall feed a lifetime’’. Governor Okorocha has demonstrated

an uncommon love for education to the point of making it the cardinal focus of his Rescue Mission philosophy.

“Today, in Imo State, education is free from primary, secondary up to the tertiary level, including free books, sandals and stipends for primary school pupils; all to the consternation of sceptics, who never conjectured the feasibility of such social enterprise.

“Today, no Imo child has any excuse to remain illiterate; today every Imo family is a beneficiary of Owelle’s educational largesse,” Obi said.

According to the principal secretary, Okorocha launched the Rochas Foundation 14 years ago, even before becoming the governor. The foundation has five secondary schools of excellence in Owerri, Ogboko, Ibadan, Jos and Kano.

“This father of the poor, the comforter of the less-privileged, not only gave tuition,

free books, free uniforms, free boarding and free meals, but partnered his wife, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, to adopt all the over 15,000 children of diverse ethnic backgrounds.

“As a governor, Owelle Okorocha stands tall among his peers. His unrivalled infrastructural transformation of Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe, along with many other landmark projects are legacies, which speak eloquently of his passion to leave footprints on the sands of time.”

Obi said the governor, in his second tenure, was focusing on industrial revolution and attracting foreign investors.

“The people have faith in their governor and we look forward to the harvest of industries, which he has commenced with the recovery of Avutu Poultry, Resin Paints, Aboh Mbaise, Paper Packaging Industry, Owerri-Ebeiri, etc,” he said.

Agency alerts to flooding of rivers Niger, Benue

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HE Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has alerted to a possible flooding of rivers Niger and Benue, asking residents around the rivers to relocate.

NIHSA’s Director-General, Mr. Moses Beckley, in a statement yesterday, said there was a gradual build-up in the flows of the major rivers.

“The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency informs the public that there is a gradual build-up in the flows of our major rivers.

“Therefore, people living around the river banks of rivers Niger and Benue should take necessary precautions by leaving the flood plains to safer locations, while others should obey land use/town planning laws by keeping safe distances from water courses, dams and maintain their drainage systems,” Beckley said.

He added that NIHSA’s monitoring stations at critical locations on River Niger at Jidere Bode, Kebbi State; Baro, Jebba, and Kainji in Niger State and Onitsha in Anambra State, have recorded gradual increase both in the flow and height of the River Niger.

The increase, he said, led to the release of water from

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

Kainji and Jebba dam this month at the rate of 50m3/s.

Beckley said the water level of River Benue has fairly increased at Wuro Boki in Adamawa State, Ibi, Taraba State and Makurdi, Benue State.

According to the DG, more than 60 per cent of areas affected by flood were as a result of heavy rainfall, destroying homes and farmlands.

“The rise in the flow is attributed to the periodic release of water from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon, coupled with the intermittent rainfall in the area, as well as the contributions from adjoining tributaries flowing into the Benue from the both the North Central and Cameroon highlands.

“At the confluence in Lokoja, Kogi State, the water level is presently at 8.32m, which is quite below the recorded value of 10.61m at this time in 2012.

“It should be noted that flash floods which could be triggered by heavy rainfall, blockage of drainage systems and poor urban planning, as well as coastal flooding, resulting from sea rise and storm surges, could still take place,” Beckley said.

Nigeria, ECOWAS decry poor access to climate finance

T •The queue at NIPCO Petrol Station ...yesterday.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

NIPCO sells kerosene at N50 per litre

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HE NIPCO filling station at Fadeyi, Lagos Mainland yesterday sold kerosene at N50 per litre.

Residents with jerry cans of various sizes formed long queues at the kerosene pump to partake of the largesse.

A resident, Mrs. Taiwo Balogun, said: “Kerosene is N50 per litre, can you believe that?

“It is a good development that the government has allowed kerosene to become this cheap. Do you know what this means for businesses and homes? The price of everything else would automatically come down. Last Saturday, I bought this same keg (a five litre) for N650 and today, it is N250. I am happy and I pray this would continue.”

Another customer, Oluchi Ede, who sells roasted plantain said: “We asked for change and we are happy that

• Rear Admiral S.O Paul flanked

by Rear Admiral J.O Okojie (right) and Commodore Ignatius Iliya when Rear Admiral Paul took over as Admiral Superintendent, Naval Ordinance Depot (NOD) from Rear Admiral Okojie at the NOD, Ojo, Lagos.

PHOTO: PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

we are seeing the change. No one would have dreamt that kerosene would be sold so cheaply.”

Damilatu Lawal said: “It is very good that they are selling kerosene so cheap. It should continue and be extended to other filling stations. It gives us peace of mind. Our profit margin will increase and we can now sell cheaply and win more customers. It is indeed very good.

“We just pray that this development continues because we all know Nigeria for starting something good and not continuing it. That is why everyone is rushing it now, because we are afraid that they can suddenly revert to the previous price.”

The Dealer of the filling station, Mr. Kayode Adepoju ex-

pressed optimism with the continuity of the new kerosene policy.

He said what stopped major dealers from engaging in kerosene sales prior to now, was the high landing invoice, high cost of profoma landed invoice (PFO) and bank charges, which led to high purchase and sales cost.

“Although this is the first time we are selling kerosene at Nipco gas station, we are optimistic that we would continue the development. We could not sell before now due to the high landing invoice and high cost of profoma landed invoice (PFO) and bank charges, but we can sell now because government now sells to us on credit.

“This has accorded many other dealers the opportunity to also engage in kerosene sales,” Adepoju said.

The Nipco dealer said kerosene dealers do not receive subsidy from government to carry out the directive.

“It is an initiative by the federal government to ensure that the masses get valued products at regulated and affordable prices. We do not receive subsidy from government, apart from our usual remit. The major marketers have implemented this new directive,” he said.

Adepoju urged government to regulate and enforce the initiative to ensure its continuity and adherence by other gas stations.

“I pray this initiative continues. It would continue if the Federal Government can continue to enforce, through agencies like the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), to go round and check for defaulter.”

HE Federal Government and the Economic Community of West State (ECOWAS) have decried poor access to climate finance in West Africa.

They said despite the laudable structures for the implementation entities of Adaptation Fund (AF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF), access to the fund has remained low in the sub-region.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Fatima Mede, in her remarks at the opening of a three-day regional workshop and capacity-building on access to climate finance in West Africa, said the challenges of inaccessibility of such funds could be due to low institutional capacity to scale through accreditation, among others.

The event was organised by the ECOWAS commission in collaboration with Adaptation Funds Board (AFB) and Heinrich Boell Stiftung (HBS).

“Conditional access modalities, low institutional capacity to scale through accreditation, understanding and aligning the working relations of national implementing entities with the government’s project approval pro-

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

cess; procurement policy, fund disbursement policy and process, as well as issues of environment social safeguards and management plan, are some of these constraints.

“Accessibility to these funds remains an issue, not only due to some conditions associated with such funds, but also due to lack of capacity in preparing implementable projects,” Mrs. Mede said.

She maintained that developing countries need international assistance and resources to support adaptation in the context of national planning for sustainable development, capacity building and transfer of technology.

The permanent secretary noted that the scourge resulting from the impact of climate change in Africa and especially in West Africa was further worsened by the poor state of economic development and low adaptive capacity.

Mede added that the Federal Government was in support of ongoing efforts to establish potential linkages and synergy between the Adaptation Fund (AF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Monarchs to elect new leaders

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HE Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers will, on Friday, elect new leaders.

The leadership, headed by Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, from Imo State, expired two years ago but Ilomuanya resisted the dissolution of the executives.

The council decided that the chairmanship moves to Abia State while Anambra State will get the vice chairman.

Eze Eberechi Dick of Mgboko-Amaise Autonomous community in Obingwa local government area of Abia State has been selected to represent Abia.

Two monarchs from Anam-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

bra State, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfia in Njikoka Local Government Area and Igwe Chris Onyekwuluje of Umunya in Oyi council, are also vying as first vice chairman.

It was, however, gathered that Ilomuanya was not willing to leave office.

One of the monarchs, who spoke with The Nation yesterday, said Friday’s election might be postponed.

“We have chosen Eze Eberechi Dick from Abia as our new leader, but the problem is Ilomuanya does not want to hand over leadership yet, he is still foot-dragging on the Friday date.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

50

NEWS

Alleged corruption: Amaechi sues PDP, others for ‘false claims’ F

ORMER Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has sued the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its Rivers State Chairman Felix Obuah and two others - Jerry Needam and Chris Konkwo - at an Abuja High Court for false allegations.

Amaechi, the former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), is demanding N300 billion as damages done to him and the defamation of his character, reputation and person.

Needam, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Rivers PDP Chairman, is also the publisher of a local newspaper, National Network; Konkwo is the Editor of the newspaper, said to be a propaganda medium for the PDP and Governor Nyesom Wike.

The defendants (PDP, Obuah, Needam and Konkwo)

•Seeks N300b general damages

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

accusedAmaechi of keeping foreign bank accounts and embezzling funds belonging to the state government.

The Rivers PDP, in a statement on August 6 and August 21, alleged that Amaechi stole $757 million (N80 billion) of Rivers State funds and stashed it in an account in his name at Bancorp Bank in Minnesota, United States of America (U.S).

Rivers PDP also alleged that the former governor embezzled millions of dollars belonging to the state and stashed it away in other foreign accounts, including a bank

in Switzerland.

The party alleged that Amaechi’s various foreign bank accounts were revealed and blown open by Christiane Amanpour of America’s Cable News Network (CNN).

The Rivers PDP also claimed that Bancorp Bank, Minnesota, had written to President Muhammadu Buhari that part of the funds was to buy a home for Amaechi in the U.S, adding that the bank (Bancorp) intended to return the stolen fund to Nigeria.

But Amaechi’s media office, in an online statement yesterday, said: “In the fresh suit, filed before an Abuja High Court,

FCT, Amaechi stated that each of the malicious publications by the defendants is untrue and false, motivated by ill-will and without any foundation in truth whatsoever.

“The defendants made the libellous publications after the PDP failed the presidential election (of March 28, 2015) and with a view to rubbishing him (Amaechi) in the eyes of rightthinking members of the society and the persons to whom the libellous publications have been made.”

In his statement of claims in the suit, Amaechi said he did not steal $757 million (N80 billion) from Rivers State and did

not stash same away at Bancorp Bank in Minnesota in U.S or Switzerland.

Amaechi said: “The Bancorp Bank in Minnesota in U.S did not at any time reveal that the plaintiff (Amaechi) embezzled or misappropriated or connived in the embezzlement and misappropriation of money meant for Rivers State people, amounting to $757 million (N80 billion) and stashed it away in his name with Bancorp Bank in Minnesota, U.S. “The Bancorp Bank, Minnesota, U.S did not write and did not communicate President Buhari of any $757 million dollars allegedly looted by the plaintiff (Amaechi) and kept with it and in Switzerland, since no such money was ever looted by the plaintiff.

“The plaintiff did not steal

•Sylva

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HE Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, was last night declared winner of a governorship primary election. But following violence and intimidation that marred the exercise, members of the national electoral committee led by the Governor of Edo State Adams Oshiomhole abandoned the exercise and fled the venue.

But the state chapter, it was gathered continued with the election which Sylva later emerged the winner.

Sylva was said to have been declared the winner by a

member of the APC electoral committee identified as Nelson Alabar.

He reportedly polled 726 votes to defeat his closest rival and former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Warman Ogoriba, who was said to have scored 10 votes.

According to the result declared at about 8pm, the former NDDC Managing Director, Mr. Timi Alaibe, who among some other delegates had left the venue was reportedly awarded four votes.

Sylva described his emergence as a proof of the indivisibility of the APC in the state and the national level.

He said: “I have never been proud in my life. I have belonged to many political parties such as the defunct UNCP and the nearly dead PDP. But I am very proud of the APC with a very clear internal democracy.

“A few years ago, I was unjustly stopped from contesting a governorship primary by my former party. My former party

did that to me. A few days ago, they disqualified a serving senator from contesting.

“It is shameful. I have once again gone through a primary and emerged winner. It is contest like this that makes the difference. It is this contest that makes the difference between the APC and others. There is no doubt that we will win the election.”

Ogoriba, who spoke on behalf of other aspirants was said to have accepted defeat and commended the winner, Sylva.

But aspirants have called for the cancellation of the primary.

Before 8am, suspected thugs invaded the entrance to Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa, the state capital and venue of the primary.

The hoodlums hurled stones at delegates, who lined up for screening.

They created chaos and panic at the venue.

The over 1,300 security operatives deployed in the venue battled the hoodlums and restored the peace.

Most of the delegates were not allowed access to the venue of the primary.

When the accreditation of the delegates started, most of those available were said to be fake delegates in possession of cloned voter’s cards.

The Master of Ceremony (MC) announced that some people with cloned cards had been arrested and handed over to the police.

The rowdiness of the primary was blamed on the absence Oshiomhole, who arrived at 1pm.

The governor’s convoy arrived in the midst of the confusion, two minutes after one of the top contenders and former Governor Timipre Sylva arrived in the area.

Oshiomhole intervened and held a meeting with members of his committee.

Before Oshiomhole’s arrival, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe, with Prince Preye Aganaba and Ebitimi Amgbare, called for the cancellation of the primary.

funds belonging to Rivers State and did not lodge them in any private foreign accounts. The plaintiff did not admit that he lodged and domiciled in his name in an account at Bancorp Bank, Minnesota, U.S any money, as alleged by the defendants.

“The plaintiff did not lodge $757 million or N80 billion in the bank account belonging to him and none was revealed or blown open by Christiane Amanpour of CNN.”

Buhari to discuss terrorism, global security in New York

Bayelsa APC declares Sylva winner Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

•Amaechi

•To address 70th session of UNGA From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will leave Nigeria for New York, United States tomorrow for meetings and interactions with world leaders within and on the sidelines of the main events of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

On the agenda of President Buhari’s talks includes deliberations and interactions with the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, United States President Barack Obama, President Francois Hollande of France, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Vladmir Putin of Russia, President Xi Jinping of China, Prime Minister Narenda Modi of India.

Others are domestic developmental issues, bilateral relations, the war against terrorism, countering violent extremism, the enhancement of global security, peace-keeping operations, climate change and the adoption of a post-2015 global development agenda.

President Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, will be accompanied by the Governors of Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger States, the National Security Adviser and the Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Health, Industry, Trade and Investment.

He will deliver Nigeria’s statement to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 28.

Buhari is also scheduled to address the World Leaders Summit on Violent Extremism to which he was personally invited by Mr. Ban Ki Moon during the Secretary-General’s recent visit to Nigeria.

The President will also attend a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, a High-Level Roundtable on SouthSouth Cooperation organised by President Xi Jinping of China and the United Nations, and participation in the launching of an updated global health strategy for women and children.

He is also scheduled for meetings with former President Bill Clinton of the United States, Mr. Bill Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which is assisting Nigeria in several areas including polio eradication, and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain, the United Nations Special Envoy on Global Education who is one of the main drivers of the Safe Schools Initiative.

The President will leave New York for Abuja on September 29.

Expert advises NPC on water challenges From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

A •Delegates at Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC) primary at Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa...yesterday

Bayelsa won’t take N12.8b bailout cash, says Dickson

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HE Bayelsa State Government has said it will not draw its share of the N222 billion approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for states to clear outstanding workers’ salaries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CBN approved N12.85 billion for the state.

Nineteen states have taken their shares from the funds that have a 20-year tenure.

But in a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Daniel Iworiso-

Markson, the government said Governor Seriake Dickson was not ready to enslave future generations with a debt burden.

Quoting the governor, the statement said: “I do not want to commit the state to unnecessary borrowing and mortgage their future because I love my people; I love my state.

“I am not like others who will go and take facilities and loans and do not care what happens to the people. That is why we have not signed on the bailout funds

because I am not satisfied that we will not be mortgaging the future of our people.

“I am not like that. I care about what happens to this state, even after my tenure.”

Dickson said his administration was reluctant to employ more people, to avoid increasing the wage bill.

The governor noted that the delay in the payment of salaries of civil servants was due to the delay in the Federal Allocation Accounts Committee (FAAC) meeting.

GEOLOGIST and water expert, Mr Michael Ale, has urged the National Planning Commission (NPC) to work with development partners to solve the nation’s water chal-

lenges.

In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Ale, who is also the National President of the Association of Waterwell Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), noted that the NPC could not execute critical planning in the Water sector except it involved expertise in water resources management and planning.

He said: “NPC’s activities are to make sure that any development partner interested in the Water sector is guided right on the areas where critical investment in the sector is required as it fits into the national development strategies. This is possible only when updated information has been obtained from the line Ministry of Water Resources.

“Setting an agenda for water by the National Planning Commission will amount to a duplication of efforts by the Ministry of Water Resources’ development document produced with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency.”

Ale listed the number of active development partners available in Nigeria, saying: “The World Bank, European Union (E.U), African Development Bank (AfDB), USAID, French Development Agency (AFD), UNICEF, Department for International Development (DFID) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are active in supporting water activities in Nigeria...”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

51

NEWS Over 70,000 Nigerians to mount Arafat today From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Makkah

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•From left: Senate Leader Senator Ali Ndume, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Senator Ali Wakil in Miqaut-Medina, Saudi Arabia on their way to the Holy city of Mecca.

VER two million Muslim pilgrims from all over the world, who have gathered in Makkah, Saudi Arabia,

are to mount Arafat today.

They include over 70,000 pilgrims from Nigeria.

Hajj has over the years remained the annual largest assembly of human beings anywhere in the world.

Arafat is a plain about 20 km Southeast of Makkah. Mount Arafat is about 70m in height. It is also known as the Mount of Mercy (Jabal ar-Rahmah).

The pilgrims will spend the day on ‘Arafah supplicating to Allah to forgive their sins and praying for personal strength in future.

Thereafter, they will remain in Muna for three days and perform the symbolic stoning of the devil everyday for the three days, before returning to Makkah city.

One hundred thousand security personnel have been deployed to oversee the Hajj, which began yesterday (Tuesday).

30 traders killed in suicide attack

T

HIRTY traders were on Sunday evening killed in a suicide attack at a market in Monguno, Borno State, a hospital source and operatives of the civilian JTF have said.

Monguno is about 130 kilometres from Maiduguri, the capital.

The sources said 55 persons were injured.

The suicide bombers

•55 injured From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

were said to have detonated their explosives at the market when traders were preparing to go home.

A nurse at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), who preferred anonymity, said on

the phone: “They brought 30 bodies from Monguno in military ambulances and two other vehicles to our hospital in the evening yesterday. About 60 persons were injured.”

A leader of the civilian JTF, Musa Kukalumi, told reporters in Maiduguri that about 28 people were killed and several were injured in the attack.

A source at the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri said victims of the bomb blast were brought to the hospital, but were asked to go to the UMTH or Umoru Shehu Hospital for lack of space.

Police spokesman Victor Isuku told our correspondent on the phone that he had not heard about the attack.

More floods coming in North, NEMA warns

T

HE Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi, warned yesterday that more states would be affected by floods this year.

He said 63 local governments in Kaduna, Jigawa, Kebbi and Adamawa states were experiencing floods, following torrential rains in the last two weeks.

Sidi lamented that people ignored the warning issued earlier by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) on the impending flood, saying “many residents are now displaced by the floods.”

He spoke in Kaduna after touring the affected areas.

The NEMA DG, who could not address the victims, as they charged at him and his entourage, said the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna management agreed that part of the complex

•Kebbi begins distribution of relief materials From Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor, Kaduna and Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi

would be used as a temporary camp for the victims.

When Sidi arrived at the Kigo Road new extension, one of the areas affected by the flood, the victims became furious, abusing him and demanding compensation.

He sympathised with them, saying: “It is natural for victims to lose temper in these circumstances.”

Fielding questions from reporters, the NEMA boss said: “The reaction of the victims was not pleasant, but I think it is normal because when people were displaced, especially if they were not prepared, and obviously from what I have seen, they were not prepared for the flood, although they had ear-

lier been warned.

“You are aware that NIMET, as I said, issued a seasonal rainfall prediction, which showed that northern states would be flooded. As I speak, about 10 councils had been affected in Kaduna State, about 16 local governments in Jigawa, about 17 councils in Kebbi, almost 20 local governments in Adamawa State and other states that were mentioned in NIMET’s prediction.

“Now we have this situation at hand. Yesterday, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai went round and sympathised with the victims. He promised them assistance.

“The solution is that people must desist from building houses in flood-prone areas. They should not build houses near natural water-

ways and green zones. If you build houses in these areas, what you will expect is flood. People should abide by the building regulations.

They should open up the drainages and desist from dumping refuse inside them.”

Kebbi State government has procured materials, including food items and building materials worth millions of naira for distribution to flood victims.

Governor Atiku Bagudu, inspecting the store control unit in Birnin Kebbi, said the government had bought food items, such as maize, millet and rice for distribution to the victims, adding that building and bedding materials were also procured.

He thanked NEMA for its intervention.

T

end.

The governor said Akwaza pleaded for an extension to enable some of his members embrace the programme.

He said it was needed to recover illegal arms, to make the state safe for investment and boost social activities.

“If we can secure life and property, my plans to industrialise the state, create jobs, wealth and opportunities through micro, small and medium scale enterprises will materialise.”

Ortom assured the police and other security agencies of his government’s resolve to provide logistics to them

to enhance their operations.

He said: “I assure the police and other security agencies of our support through logistics, to enable them perform.”

The governor noted that his administration intended to wield the ‘big stick’ at the end of the amnesty programme on criminals still keeping arms.

He enjoined law-enforcement agencies to apprehend defaulters at the end of the September deadline.

Ortom hailed the Inspector- General of Police for fighting crimes.

Ardo requested assistance from the government and

A

NON-POLITICAL organisation, the Movement for Development, has said it was backing ex-Kogi State governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer, Prince Abubakar Audu, for the coming election.

The group’s leader, Adamu Idris-Atola, who visited the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, in Abuja yesterday, described Prince Audu as a man with intimidating credentials, saying no other candidate could match him.

He said: “Prince Audu is coming into the race with intimidating credentials, which

From Tony Akowe, Abuja and James Azania, Lokoja

stand him head and shoulders above others.

“We came to show our appreciation to the leaders of this great party and its executives for the successful conduct of the primary election. The election was not only successful, it was also credible, free, fair and transparent.”

The APC National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, who held the fort for the national chairman, urged the group to work hard for Audu’s success in the election.

IGR: Kwara to meet N2b target, says Ahmed

K

WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has assured that the projected N2million Internally- Generated Revenue (IGR) would be achieved without a burden on tax payers.

Ahmed, who spoke in Ilorin when inspecting the complex of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service and the office of the Revenue Tribunal under construction and rehabilitation, said the revenue generation drive would be premised on the use of electronic system in tax collec-

tion, rather than the introduction of forms of taxes.

He said: “The major issue we want to address is the collection process, which we intend to drive electronically.

Our estimate is that there are leakages, not in payment, but in collection.”

The governor added that his administration was putting in place human and material machinery that would ensure the take off of the new initiative in the next one month.

Hotelier kidnapped in Minna

T

HE owner of Phoenix Hotel Ltd in Minna, the Niger State capital, Chief Cletus Ojukwu, has been kidnapped by gunmen.

They are demanding N50 million ransom.

He was kidnapped on Sunday night when six armed men stormed his home behind his hotel at Tunga in Minna.

A family source, who witnessed the incident, said the abductors wanted to kidnap the hotelier and his wife, but realised that the vehicle they brought could not contain all of them.

From Justina Asishana, Minna

He said the victim was taken to an unknown destination and the kidnappers contacted his family on Monday evening, demanding N50million ransom.

Confirming the incident, police spokesman Bala Elkana said the hotelier was still alive, adding: “We are on top of the situation.”

He said the abductors had contacted the family, adding that the police would ensure the victim was rescued.

Military dismisses purported Shekau audio message

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IGERIANS should dismiss the purported audio message from Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau and draw confidence from the military’s continuing success in the fight against insurgency, the military has said.

The Defence headquarters in Abuja said the audio clip is fake and the Boko Haram sect, which it described as a “devilish and antihuman group”, is being

From Jide Babalola, Assistant Editor, Abuja.

decimated by the armed forces’ ongoing operations.

A statement issued on behalf of the armed forces by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar, yesterday, urged citizens to go about their normal businesses, as the areas liberated from the Boko Haram insurgents were safe.

Speaker hails Ortom’s victory at tribunal

Gangs in Benue surrender arms HE amnesty programme of Governor Samuel Ortom received a boost yesterday when gangs from Kwande Local Government surrendered automatic weapons.

Ortom, who spoke at the Benue People’s House when he received the AIG Zone 4, Mr. Yahaya Ardo, expressed delight that the programme was yielding positive results.

He said it was extended at the request of Terwase Akwaza, alias Ghana, who surrendered arms at the end of last month when the programme was expected to

Group backs Audu for Kogi poll

T

•Governor Ortom

stakeholders, including traditional, religious and community leaders, in intelligence gathering.

He praised the police boss for improving the welfare of the force.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Col. Edwin Jando (rtd), said the surrendered arms were expected by the committee.

HE Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange, has hailed the judgment of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which affirmed Governor Samuel Ortom’s victory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal upheld the election of Ortom on Monday.

Ikyange, yesterday in Makurdi, in a congratulatory letter by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Bem Abunde, described the judgment as “very sound.”

He said: “The judgment has affirmed the mandate the Benue people gave Ortom and the All Progressives Congress (APC)

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

during the general election.”

According to him, the coast was clear for the governor to settle down and provide good governance anchored on change, as desired by the electorate.

The APC Chairman, Comrade Abba Yaro, said he had been vindicated.

Speaking on the phone with The Nation, he said he had noted that the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer, Terhemen Tarzoor, was an exercise in futility and an unnecessary distraction.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

52

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08158604763

Four feared missing in building collapse •LASEMA: nobody died

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OUR persons were feared missing yesterday after a two-storey building collapsed in Lekki, Lagos.

The building was one of three structures being erected at 37 Agungi Ajiran Road opposite Obafemi Olatunji Street in Lekki.

It was gathered that six labourers were working on the building, when it fell at 6.45a.m., but two of them were rescued.

•The collapsed building

By Precious Igbonwelundu

The Nation learnt that the two sustained minor injuries.

It was learnt that emergency agencies did not learn of the mishap till about 8:20am. They also had diffi-

culty getting to the scene early because of traffic gridlock.

The place was cordoned off

by operatives of Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) led by the commander, Tunji Disu, an Assistant Commis-

sioner of Police (ACP), and the Area Commander of Ajah, ACP Kayode Samuel.

At the time of filing this report, no one could give account of the four other persons in the building.

However, after excavating the debris for about eight hours with no sign of anyone trapped underneath, the rescue workers led by Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), General Manager Michael Akindele closed the operation.

“We have concluded rescue operation. I do not know where the people got the information that six people were in the building.

“As I talk with you, no one was found in the building except the two people earlier rescued who sustained minor injuries and were treated and discharged.

“I can confirm to you that no life was lost. The operation has ended and the building agency will commence investigation as to the cause of the collapse,” said Akindele.

How DVC, son, four others died in road crash

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ATHER and son parted ways in Lagos on Sunday, with plans of reuniting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, for the Eid-ElKabir celebrations.

But it turned out to be the last time that AbdulAzeez would see his father, the Deputy Vice-Chancellordesignate of Fountain University, Osogbo, Prof.

Abdul Hakeem Mobolaji alive.

The professor of Econometrics died in an accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Express way, with his 14-year-old son, Muhammad.

He left for Ibadan after a meeting in Ijeshatedo, Lagos on Sunday.

With him in his black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) were his sons – the late Muhammad and AbdulHafiz – and a friend, Mr Abdul-Rasheed Attah, a lawyer.

A passenger bus rammed into the late Mobolaji’s SUV after overtaking another ve-

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

hicle on the narrow road.

The road had been partitioned by the contractor working on it.

The late Mobolaji, who drove, and Muhammad died on the spot. Attah and the late Mobolaji’s second son, AbdulHafiz were injured.

Attah immediately called a relative and gave his phone to a woman to inform the person of the accident.

Shortly after, he and Abdul Hafiz went into a coma.

The Nation learnt that four persons, including the bus driver also died. Many passengers broke their legs.

The late Mobolaji and his son were on Monday buried in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State.

Thousands of people attended the funeral.

Abdul Azeez described his father as the bread winner of the family.

He said: “Who will take

•The late Prof Mobolaji’s damaged car

(FUNAAB), on Saturday, and came to Lagos for a meeting. He hailed from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, and joined Fountain University from the University of Ilorin, where he was a Senior Lecturer and Postgraduate Coordinator.

Described as a respected teacher, the late Mobolaji

was a consultant to the 7th National Assembly and several other institutions including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on economics matters.

•The late Prof Mobolaji

rented a seven-bedroom duplex house in Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos, where she harboured young girls for prostitution. Emerole said the girls paid N10,500 weekly to Terry as commission for fixing them up in sex work.”

He added: “Terry used the building, where she paid N3.2 million yearly, to harbour all kinds of girls

from within and outside Nigeria and charges them N10,500 each weekly. It was in the house that Chisom met Priscilla Bassey Effiong, who claimed to be a businesswoman. Priscilla recruited Chisom for a Dubai-based Ebony Fegor, who has been in trafficking business since 2011.”

In an interview with reporters, the suspects gave contradictory accounts of their roles in the syndicate.

But, Priscilla, an indigene of Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, confessed to the crime.

Terry, who hails from Bayelsa State, maintained that she helped the girls to get jobs in Dubai.

Eromole said the suspects’ activities violated the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

He added: “The suspects would be arraigned in court soon, while efforts are being intensified at the diplomatic level to track all other members of this syndicate who are still in Dubai.”

Agency busts human trafficking syndicate

T

HE National Agency for the Prohibition Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has bust an human trafficking syndicate.

Five members of the gang were paraded in Lagos yesterday by NAPTIP officials.

They are Homuere Terry Smooth, Priscilla Effiong Bassey, Precious Ejiro Owoh, Blessing Gabriel and Rose Gabriel.

The agency said the syndicate specialised in luring young ladies into prostitution overseas. Two girls were lured into prostitution in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE), it claimed.

NAPTIP Head of Press and Public Relations Mr Josiah Emerole said the suspects were arrested in collaboration with local and international law enforcement agencies after videos, which showed the naked victims swearing to an oath, went viral on the social media.

One of the victims, identified as Ann, was rescued by the agency and brought back home to re-unite with her family. Emerole said the other victim whose

care of us now that he is late?

I was expecting to link up with him at Fountain University today (Monday). I was calling his phone on Sunday when I didn’t hear from him whether he has reached Ibadan where he was expected to pick other family members but he wasn’t picking his calls. I called him severally up to 30 times but no one is picking the call. I called the MD of Al Barakah Microfinance Bank to tell him that I have been calling my father but he was not picking his call that he should help me call him but later he came back with some people to announce his death that Allah has taken him back. I pray to Almighty Allah to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss because he was the bread winner of the family and no one else.”

The late Mobolaji was said to have delivered a lecture at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

•From right: Smooth; Bassey; Owoh; Blessing Gabriel and Rose Gabriel

By Wale Ajetunmobi

name was given as Chisom was out of the traffickers’ reach adding that efforts were on to track other members of the syndicate still at large.

Ann was allegedly recruited into prostitution in Dubai by Precious, a Lagosbased make-up artist.

Emerole said: “The process of preparing Ann for the

•Dubai-based traffickers paraded Dubai trip was coordinated

by Rose, an elder sister to the UAE-based Blessing. The suspects attempted to force the victim to a shrine for oath of secrecy. On arrival in Dubai, the oath of secrecy, which could not be administered in Nigeria, was forcefully administered on Ann and recorded.

“The recording was later released on YouTube, a video-sharing website, after Ann escaped from her exploiters in Dubai, where she was forced into prostitution contrary to the initial promise of being given a job at a hairdressing saloon.”

Terry, the agency said,

53

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS Cuba welcomes diplomatic relations with U.S.

P

OPE Francis began his tour of the US, where he is expected to greet thousands of America Catholics and address thorny issues like climate change and income inequality.

US President Barack Obama welcomed the pope as he landed yesterday-a rare honour for a foreign dignitary.

The pontiff will visit Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia.

Authorities have launched one of the biggest security operations in US history to ensure the pope’s safety.

The pope, who has sought bring Catholics back to the church with a more inclusive message, is very popular in the US and is expected to draw massive crowds in all three cities.

A large portion of central Philadelphia will be practically closed off during his visit and federal employees in Washington have been urged to work while the pope is in the capital.

He will start his day meeting today with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House.

He will address U.S. Congress on Thursday and is expected to say the U.S. needs to do more to protect the environment.

He has been in Cuba for four days, ending his trip at the Cathedral of Santiago.

While in Cuba he called on

C

Pope Francis begins historic U.S. visit • U.S. President Barack Obama welcoming Pope Francis at St Andrews Base in Washington, D.C...yesterday

those living in the communist country to live a “revolution of tenderness”.

In Washington, he will hold the first-ever canonisation mass on US soil.

In New York, he will attend the United Nationals General Assembly, visit a Catholic

school and attend a multi-religious service at the 11 September memorial.

In Philadelphia, the pontiff will preside over the Vatican’s World Meeting of Families, meet with bishops in the city and visit a correctional facility.

The event could attract up to a million and a half people.

The BBC’s Will Grant in Cuba says the Pope has avoided any overt political statements during his visit there but commentators say he is expected to be more outspoken while in the US.

China’s President Xi Jinping begins U.S. state visit

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HINESE President Xi Jinping has arrived in Seattle at the start of his first state visit to the US. Mr Xi will spend three days meeting business and technology leaders in Seattle, before heading to Washington for talks with President Barack Obama.

Cyber security is expected to feature prominently in their discussions, after the US said Chinese spying was putting a strain on bilateral relations.

On Monday Mr Xi denied there was any state-backed hacking of US companies.

In an article in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, Mr Xi said hacking and cyber espionage were illegal, and that the Chinese government did not engage in the theft of commercial secrets or encourage

companies to do so.

But he said Beijing-which has previously complained it is a victim of hacking-was “ready to strengthen co-operation with the US side on

• Jinping

this issue”.

US national security adviser Susan Rice had on Monday said Chinese-backed hacking was undermining long-term economic co-operation between the US and China “and it needs to stop”.

While in Seattle, Mr Xi will hold talks with some of the most prominent US technology and business leaders, and will visit the vast Boeing aeroplane factory in Everett, Washington state.

Also expected to be on the agenda later this week is China’s increasing territorial assertiveness in South East Asia.

China claims a vast swathe of territory in the South China Sea in particular, angering many of its neighbours who had competing claims, and in

recent months it has been carrying out land reclamation in the area.

At the same time, China has been increasing defence spending and upgrading its military capabilities.

The US has raised concerns with China about the buildup of tensions in the region and about the possible impact on freedom of navigation.

In the Wall Street Journal interview, Mr Xi said China's work would actually improve navigation, but did not say how.

The visit also comes as China’s economy, which has grown rapidly in recent years, is beginning to slow, causing global concern about a fall in demand from the world’s second largest economy.

Migrant crisis: Opponents furious over new EU quotas

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ENTRAL European countries have reacted angrily after plans to relocate 120,000 migrants across the continent were approved by EU foreign ministers.

Under the scheme, migrants will be moved from Italy, Greece and Hungary to other EU countries.

But Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary voted against accepting mandatory quotas.

Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman said: “Only the future will show what a mistake this was.”

The BBC’s Europe correspondent Chris Morris says it is highly unusual for an issue like this-which involves national sovereignty-to be decided by majority vote rather than a unanimous decision.

Under the EU’s constitution, a country that does not agree with a policy on migration imposed upon it could have the right to ap-

peal to the European Council-if it feels “the fundamental principles of its social security or legal system are under threat”.

But Luxembourg Foreign

Minister Jean Asselborn, who chaired the meeting, said he had “no doubt” opposing countries would implement the measures.

Finland abstained from the

• New arrivals in Hungary...yesterday

vote. Poland, which had originally opposed the proposal, voted for it.

The scheme must now be ratified by EU leaders in Brussels today.

UBAN government has called on United States (US) to lift the economic, commercial and financial blockade placed on it.

The call follows the recent lifting of diplomatic blockade by U.S. Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos E. Trejo Sosa made the call during an interactive session with journalists at the Cuban Embassy in Abuja yesterday.

Sosa argued that “the continued blockade is causing damage and scarcity to the Cuban people.”

He therefore called on US to compensate the Cuban people for all the human economic damages caused by US policies.

He added: “As the Cuban government recalls the issues that are still to be resolved between the two countries, it recognises the decisions adopted so far by President Obama to remove Cuba fom the list of states sponsors on international terrorism and to encourage the congress of his country to lift the blockade and to begin taking steps to modify the implementation of aspect of this policy

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja by making use of his executive powers.”

He explained that the economic, commercial and financial blockade, was a main obstacle to the development of Cuban economy, a violation of international law and affects the interest of all countries including those of the U.S. Sosa stressed that it would be difficult for US to return to Cuba, the territory it illegally occupied which is Guatanamo Naval Base.

He noted that the illegal US occupation of Guatanamo Naval Base, violates international regulations and harmful to Cuban sovereignty.

The Cuban Ambassador pointed out that his people wants the US to stop implementation of programmes aimed at promoting internal subversion and destabilisation.

Sosa however described the relations between Nigeria and Cuba as excellent.

He said Nigeria had been in solidarity with Cuba, and encouraged other African countries to do same.

B’Faso: ECOWAS sends team to reinstate interim govt •Buhari, Mackay Sall to work out political solution

T

HE Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) will today set up a six member committee to reinstate Misha Karfando, in his function as president of the transition government.

Arising from its over seven hours extraordinary summit on the political crisis in Burkina Faso, in Abuja, the regional body said the committee is expected in Ougadadugo, the capital of Burkina Faso.

Briefing Journalists on the decision reached President of Senegal, Macky Sall who read the communique in French also said that President Muhammadu Buhari and himself were mandated by the regional body to come up with the political solution to the crisis Other decision reached according to Mr. Desire Ouedraogo, President of Ecowas Commission are “They have decided to despatch tomorrow a delegation of head of state to go to Ougadadugo, to reestablish Misha Karfando, in his function as president of the transition and Burkina Faso. "They have decided that the chairman of the authority in Alison with the federal republic of Nigeria will initiate a political dialogue among all stakeholders with a view to finding concessional solutions to the items contained in the peace accord proposal presented by president Mackey Sall and president Boni Yayi.

The summit he further said "called on the presidential guards to disarm and demanded the other unit of the army not to use force to avoid loss of human lives.

"They have also called on all the stakeholders to exercise patience and refrain from anything that can derail the national consensus. Finally, they have requested the AU and the

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja international community in the view of the fact they have proposed the reinstallment of the transitional to lift the sanctions imposed on Burkina Faso or not to impose sanctions because we have come back to normal transitional position. So, we have decided also to send the military and humanitarian observers to Burkina Faso in liaison with AU and UN to monitor respect for human rights. So, these at the decision the Summit has taken."

Earlier in his opening remark, President Sall had called for shift of the general election earlier scheduled for next month 11th October to November 22.

Sall who is also calling for amnesty for the military junta.

He further explained that the call for amnesty was not meant to indulge or promote impunity but to ensure peace and security in Burkina Faso.

Sall went further to call for a $1million donation to assist victims of the crisis.

Also, in his welcome address, President Muhammadu Buhari described the development in Burkina-Faso runs contrary to the expectations of ECOWAS?.

He stressed that the extraordinary summit therefore provides the opportunity to review the developments. ?He also commended the process of engagement by the regional body, which according to him has resulted in some measure of understanding towards the resolution of the crisis.

He said: "the recent developments in our sister country, Burkina-Faso run contrary to our ex?pectations and the efforts so far deployed towards the restoration of constitutional order and democracy by our organisation, the African Union, UN and our international partners."

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

Eagles to play friendlies in Mons, Denderleeuw

S

UPER Eagles fans in Belgium will have two matches to look forward to during October international break as Sunday Oliseh’s men will face Cameroon and DR Congo Mons will host one of Nigeria’s friendly games in October, while fans in Denderleeuw will also get the chance to see the Super Eagles in action.

13,000 capacity multi-purpose Stadium, Stade Charles Tondreau – home of former

Belgian league side R.A.E.C Mons will be the battle ground when the Super Eagles slug it out with DR Congo on October 8.

Three days later, Sunday Oliseh’s men will head for Denderleeuw where they face arch rivals Cameroon at the 12,000 capacity Stade Van Roy. This was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation via their Twitter handle.

The Super Eagles last faced the Indomitable Lions in February 2004, when Austine

Okocha’s free kick sent them out of the quarter final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

These games were lined up to prepare Nigeria for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers.

Our October friendlies in Belgium: 8th Vs DR Congo.

Venue: Stade Du Tondreau de Mons.

11th Vs Cameroon.

Venue: Stade Van Roy De Denderleeuw

FIFA PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Pinnick confers with Hayatou

P

RESIDENT of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Alhaji (Dr) Issa Hayatou has emphasised that Nigeria is a very important nation in African, and world football, and would always play an influential role at every turn.

At a private meeting with NFF President Amaju Pinnick in Yaounde, Cameroon on Monday, the continent’s football boss lauded the measures that the current NFF executive has

been taking to rebuild Nigeria football and restore the nation’s glory in the international game.

Pinnick briefed the CAF boss on the various developmental programmes of the Nigeria Football Federation, which Hayatou said he was very much aware of.

Africa’s number one football administrator, who is world – governing body, FIFA’s only Senior Vice President, spoke at length on the unity in CAF which insinuates that CAF

would only support a candidate which has Africa’s interests at heart, for the forthcoming FIFA presidential elections.

The NFF boss then thanked the CAF President and assured him of Nigeria’s steadfastness in support of CAF’s programs.

“As a responsible affiliate body, the NFF will continue to follow CAF’s lead in global football politics and policies. We have a lot of developmental programs that we are about to unveil, and we will always require CAF’s support,” said Pinnick.

Odegbami gets NANS’ support for FIFA president

T

HE National Association of Nigerian Students [NANS] is in support of the FIFA presidency aspiration of 'Segun Odegbami.

This message was released after a recent meeting of this student body at the University of Benin, where the entire National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) resolved to throw their weight and support behind the FIFA presidency aspiration of 'Seguin Odegbami.

NANS further promised to do its best to obtain the support of other fellow African Nations’ students bodies.

The message went further to request a meeting with 'Segun Odegbami and also affirmed that during their imminent meeting with the Nigerian President – General Muhammad Buhari – they will table this message and seek the support of the Nigerian president for Segun Odegbami’s candidacy.

A spokesperson for Chief Odegbami, Dr Ade Adeagbo said: “the overwhelming and unsolicited support of the youth of Nigeria for ‘Segun Odegbami, is a reflection of his status as a living African football legend and role model.

Not only does this students’ endorsement reflect the objectivity of the younger generations in Nigeria and indeed across Africa, it also stands as a collective yearn of Nigerian youth to have someone at the elms of FIFA affairs that they can trust and relate to” Dr Adeagbo further stresses that: “with this form of endorsement, and many of its types received to date, it will be foolhardy for any organisation and/ or agency in Nigeria and Africa not to support ‘Segun Odegbami’s candidacy for FIFA President”.

We have signed contracts – Eagles’ coaches

A

SSISTANT Coaches of the Super Eagles have come out to deny a newspaper report that they have been working without contracts.

Coaches Jean Francoise Luscuito and Salisu Yusuf were at the NFF Secretariat on Tuesday to express anger at the story that insinuated that the coaches have been working without contracts, and therefore with low morale.

“We have signed our contract papers, and the papers have been handed over to us a long time ago. We do not understand where the story is coming from, because we never spoke to anyone about not having valid contracts, or not having been paid salaries,” Coach Salisu Yusuf said on behalf of Luscuito and goalkeeper trainer Alloy Agu.

• Eagles assistant coaches Yusuf continued: “The Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh and ourselves have been working in one accord and there is no problem of motivation. Our commitment to the vision and mission of the present NFF to build a Super Eagles’ team that will re-enact the Golden Era of our

football remains unshaken.”

The Eagles’ assistant coaches later met with NFF President Amaju Pinnick to discuss preparations for the Super Eagles B’s 2016 African Nations Championship qualifying fixture against Burkina Faso, coming up next month.

Musa named Most Valuable Player in Russia

A

HMED Musa has been named Player of the Week in the Rus-

• Musa

sian Premier League for the last round of matches held between Friday, 18th September - Monday, September 21, the league disclosed today.

In the polls, the CSKA Moscow striker was awarded 10 points ahead of second placed Lokomotiv Moscow forward Baye Oumar Niasse, who garnered six points.

It would be recalled that Musa netted his fourth and fifth goals of the season in the

RPL in CSKA Moscow’s come - from - behind 6 - 4 victory over Mordovia Saransk and also notched an assist in that game.

Teammate Seydou Doumbia and Kuban goalkeeper Alexander Belém both tied for the third position with five points.

The Nigeria international will be rested for Wednesday’s Cup game against Baykal.

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘The Ministry of Health should have anticipated and prevented this outbreak in distressed IDPs, in unhygienic Camps. Remember Nigeria lost over 16 youths at the Immigration recruitment stampede? Now we have lost a similar number to cholera, is no one interested? Those organisations and persons charged with looking after the IDPs, are to blame’ TONY MARINHO VOL.9 NO.3346

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

OPEN FORUM

F

OR too long, Nigerian leaders have acted as though the only decisions they had to make concerned who should get what. When Muhammadu Buhari, the newly elected president, announces his ministerial appointments at the end of the month, he should make clear that his government will follow a different course.

He and his colleagues have the power to improve the fortunes of all Nigeria’s people.

Africa’s most populous country faces huge challenges. Its economy, which is also the continent’s largest, has been battered by external shocks, which have been amplified by its excessive reliance on crude oil revenues. As oil prices have fallen, several states became unable to pay workers salaries and have had to be bailed out by the federal government.

Unemployment is high, and growth is faltering. After security, engineering a turnround is the greatest challenge for the Buhari administration.

In part, the country’s troubles reflect its failure to save up for a rainy day when oil prices were high. Foreign reserves have been eroded and the country’s currency, the naira, has been devalued twice in the past year.

It also reflects the country’s excessive reliance on volatile natural resources markets. Yet efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy are hamstrung by the parlous state of its infrastructure. Consider the electricity sector, which generates only one-tenth the amount of power produced in South Africa, in a country that has more than three times as many people. Remedying this shortfall provides an opportunity for foreign and domestic investments.

To make this happen quickly and ensure sustainability, much of the emphasis should be on off-grid renewable energy; Morocco provides the model.

The Nigerian central bank has recently taken measures to control the depletion of foreign reserves, imposing strict controls on foreign exchange transactions in order to prevent the currency from falling further.

That has led many in the financial markets to question Central Bank’s independence; JPMorgan, the US investment bank, removed the country from its Emerging Markets Government Bond Index earlier this month, citing a lack of liquidity in the foreign exchange market, Yet the Central Bank must demonstrate that it is independent, not only from the government, but also from vested private sector interests including investors.

Although some observers believe that JPMorgan’s action will force foreign investors to sell billions of dollars worth of bond holdings, the extent of the damage may be overstated. (China and India have both sustained years of impressive growth

RIPPLES MY HUSBAND HAS STOPPED EATING MY FOOD–Woman tells court

Maybe you’ve been giving him RICE...try POUNDED YAM, BUSH MEAT and PALM WINE

By

PROF KINGSLEY MOGHALU

Replace Nigeria’s patrimony of oil with politics of hope

‘

The real test of strategic economic nationalism will be how long it takes Nigeria to achieve a diversified industrial economy that can support the value of its currency and reduce the structural impact of dependence on commodities

’

•President Buhari

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

despite never having been listed in JPMorgan’s index.)

Even so, there is no doubt that Mr Buhari believes the state should play a big role in managing the economy. He has so far proved reluctant, for example, to abolish wasteful petroleum subsidies, apparently believing that to do so would hurt the poor. He is wrong

about that. The subsidies overwhelmingly benefit the rich and the middle class.

President Buhari would achieve far more by doing away with them, and targeting the resulting savings at conditional cash transfers to the indigent.

The real test of strategic economic nationalism will be how long it takes

‘

It also reflects the country’s excessive reliance on volatile natural resources markets. Yet efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy are hamstrung by the parlous state of its infrastructure. Consider the electricity sector, which generates only one-tenth the amount of power produced in South Africa, in a country that has more than three times as many people

’

A

BOUT 15 former ministers in the expired Goodluck Jonathan presidency are probably still living in denial, unwilling to accept the reality of change and their changed circumstances as powerful people of yesterday.

A report quoted a Muhammadu Buhari presidency source as saying: “Some of the ex-ministers are yet to return their official vehicles, especially the Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), which they were using. It is amazing that some of them are still using pilot vehicles for passage. While some of them claimed they are still entitled to such perks for about three months after leaving office, a negligible few handed over their vehicles before May 29.”

The source also said: “Some of them said they had not fully disengaged because they had outstanding eight months’ salaries, allowances, claims and severance package to collect from the government. We have about 15 of them who have not fully complied with the directive to hand over their official vehicles.”

HARDBALL

Nigeria to achieve a diversified industrial economy that can support the value of its currency and reduce the structural impact of dependence on commodities. This is the crucial task that faces President Buhari’s cabinet. For the factors that weigh on Nigeria’s economic prospects are largely political constraints, which create incentives for officials to pursue misguided policies.

President Buhari needs to devolve more powers, responsibility and accountability to the constituent parts of Nigeria’s federation. The federal system, which concentrates too much power in the capital Abuja, has proved dysfunctional and remote from the people it is supposed to serve. Constitutional amendments are needed to create incentives for economic activity.

Oil patrimony is the result of an unimaginative politics, which assumes that government cannot do anything to enlarge a country’s economy, and that its only role is to divide the spoils. Politicians have therefore concentrated on rewarding their supporters — and as the bounty has diminished, that debate has become more and more bitter.

This politics of oil must be supplanted by something more enlightened. The buck stops with President Buhari, but he cannot bear the responsibility alone. He and his government must set Nigeria and its people on a new and more prosperous course.

The writer is a professor at The Fletcher School at Tufts University and was a deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Living with powerlessness Apart from those who thought they needed to hold on to official vehicles because they were allegedly owed by the government, there is another set with another thought. According to the quoted source, “Some former ministers assumed that they were entitled to some of these vehicles because of the monetisation policy of the government. They said they were awaiting official clarification on the matter.”

The reasons given for the anomaly fly in the face of information that the government has had to write those concerned. The source said: “The government has no choice but to write the affected ex-ministers.” According to the September 21 report: “It was learnt that the memo has started having effect. Some ministers last Thursday returned some vehicles.”

It can be imagined that the ex-ministers involved may be interested in keeping the

official vehicles as keepsakes of sorts. To them, the vehicles must be reminders of a time when power was sweet and intoxicating. To them, not having the vehicles around may be a reinforcing sign of their fall from glory. To them, having the vehicles as souvenirs would serve to massage their dented egos.

However, these former ministers probably need to be told some home truths, although they may not be ready to hear home truths. The official vehicles are what they are said to be, and not personal possessions. Obviously, keeping the vehicles in personal spaces for personal purposes cannot restore the lost status of the ex-ministers.

Holding on to the official vehicles when they are no longer in power suggests that they are clinging to a fantasy. They must get used to their powerlessness, and live with it without the vehicles that symbolise power.

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