The Nation September 25, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

News Police seize rocket launchers, guns, others in Lagos Sports Mikel tipped to replace Nwankwo against Liberia Business Bi-Courtney at work on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

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VOL. 7, NO. 2259 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

ONDO 2012

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150.00

•I ’ll transform Ondo, says Akeredolu •AND •‘Mimiko’s claims on weapons false’ MORE ON •Oke to police IG: focus on violence PAGES 8&10

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole paddles a canoe during his visit to the flood-ravaged communities of Udaba, Ekperi, Osomhegbe, Udochi , Agenebode and Ilushi …yesterday

Crackdown on Boko Haram JTF kills 35 members in Yobe Kingpin shot dead in Adamawa 156 sect members arrested Arms, ammunition recovered

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HERE was a massive security crackdown on the Boko Haram sect in the Northeast yesterday.

A kingpin of the sect was gunned down in Adamawa State during a gun fight; 35 others were killed in Yobe.

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

No fewer than 156 members of the sect that has been responsible for unprecedented attacks and the death of close to 1,000 people were arrested in the raids.

Guns and explosives in various forms and shades, am-

munition, army and police uniforms, mobile telephone SIM cards, vehicle number plate, and drugs were among the 67 items seized from the sect’s hideout in Yobe, according to the Joint Task Force (JTF).

The Yobe JTF said a house-

Jonathan visits First Lady in Germany

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has visited his ailing wife, Dame Pateince , who has been in a German hospital for about a month.

The President, who flew out of the country on Sunday for New York to attend the first-ever High-Level Plenary Session of the United Nations on the Rule of Law, had a stopover in Germany.

The First Lady was scheduled to accompany the President to the UN Gen-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

eral Assembly, but she fell ill.

Her state of health could not be ascertained yesterday and it is still not known when she will return to Abuja.

Dame Patience was reported to have been flown out of the country on September 1, following an unstated health challenge. Various Continued on page 2

to-house search, which started at the weekend and lasted till the early hours of yesterday, to flush out the insurgents led to an “unprecedented success in the clampdown on suspected terrorists”.

JTF Spokesman in Yobe Lt. Lazarus Eli, who said the op-

eration was continuous, confirmed that 35 members of the sect had been killed.

In Adamawa, the internal joint army-police security, “Operation Restore Sanity”, said it killed a key commander of the sect, Abubakar Yola, alias Abu Jihad, in a shoot-out

early yesterday, in Mubi.

Also arrested were 156 persons, including four believed to be unit commanders involved in the recent bombings of MTN, Globacom and Airtel base station masts.

Continued on page 2 •Mr. Niyi Olukoya, Ag. Head of Marketing, Globacom, speaking at the launch in Lagos yesterday of Glo Made4Life Promo which offers subscribers the opportunity to own a fleet of 52-seater luxury buses, mini buses, luxury taxis and cash prizes. With him are Mr. Tunde Kaitell of Marketing Communications and Titilayo Ebinisi, Head of Gloworld, both of Globacom.

•ANTI-ISLAM FILM PROTEST IN KADUNA P9 •STRIKE HITS LAGOS SCHOOLS P58

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

NEWS

•Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, protesting over the anti-Islam film in Kaduna…yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

Jonathan visits First Lady

North’s governors raise panel on onshore/offshore claim

I

N spite of the fact that the Federal Government has foreclosed the review of the Onshore/Offshore oil dichotomy, fresh facts emerged yesterday that the Northern Governors have raised a committee to advise them on the next step.

Also, some Northern Senators are meeting today on the issue to suggest ways out for the region.

There has been agitation and debate on the need or otherwise to review the onshoreoffshore oil dichotomy, which partly forms the basis for the allocation of derivation proceeds from the Federation Account.

Some Northern governors, who are championing the review, claimed that the formula has reduced the distributable funds from the Federation Account to all tiers of government.

But in contrast, governors from the Southsouth are demanding a review of the derivation formula from 13 per cent to 50 per cent.

Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) has however foreclosed the review of the judgment of the Supreme Court on the matter.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that Northern governors have not given up on their agitation for

•Senators meet today in Abuja From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

the review of the Onshore/ Offshore oil dichotomy.

A Northern governor, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent, said: “I am aware that Northern Governors have set up a committee on the Onshore/Offshore oil dichotomy. The committee will look into the judgment of the Supreme Court, the current agitation for a review of the dichotomy and weigh options for the North.

“We will make our final position known when the committee submits its report.”

Asked why the Northern governors have raised a panel on the matter, the governor said: “It is because the nation is undergoing a fresh constitution review.”

“There is Supreme Court judgment but it is also an issue that is not beyond political solution which can still be given a legal backing.

“The North is certainly coming up with fresh arguments; it is left to the rest parts of the country to allow the debate to flourish.”

It could not be immediately ascertained when the panel will submit its report, but the governor added: “Very soon.”

Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is one of the proponents for the review

of the Onshore/Offshore Oil Dichotomy, said: “The AGF is talking about interpretation of the judgment of the Supreme Court; I am also talking about politics or political reality.

“I am not talking about onshore /offshore because I wanted to abuse anybody. But this is the junction; this is the point to talk. People are going for constitution review, things are now on the table. I did not say it last year or year before but now things are on the table.”

There were indications last night that some Northern Senators might meet today in Abuja on the demand by the region for the review of the Onshore/Offshore Oil Dichotomy.

A Senator, who spoke with our correspondent last night, said: “We are meeting to look into all sides of the argument on the review in order to be able to advise our governors and Northerners properly on what to do. “ We are also taking into consideration the fact that government is prospecting for oil in some Northern states.”

The AGF had at a valedictory session in honour of Justice Francis Fedode Tabai at the Supreme Court, Abuja, foreclosed the review of the judgment of the Supreme Court on

Onshore/Offshore Oil Dichotomy.

He said: “It is pertinent to remind all interest groups in the matter that it is too early in the day to forget that the esteemed court, in the matter of A.G. Adamawa & 21 Ors v.

A.G. Federation & 8 Ors (2005) NWLR (Part 958) 581 was invited to rule on the constitutionality or otherwise of the Allocation of Revenue (Abolition of Dichotomy in the Application of the principle of Derivation) Act 2004.

“The court, in a well-reasoned judgment, after benefiting from the submissions of some of our country’s finest legal minds, reached the reasoned-conclusion that the Act was not in conflict with the 1999 Constitution and was indeed properly made by the National Assembly to place the implementation of Section 162 of the constitution on a more certain and predictable basis.

“In the light of the unanimous position of the Supreme Court on this issue, expressed since 2005, it behooves on us all to promote the sanctity of our judicial system by recognizing that the pronouncement of this court should neither be treated with levity nor be subjected to undue politicization in the name of politics or the pursuit of particular interests.”

•Mrs Jonathan Continued from page 1

ailments have been attributed for her sudden disappearance from the Presidential Villa.

Till date, there has not been any statement from the Presidency on Dame Patience’s health.

Sources in New York and at The Presidency in Abuja told our correspondent yesterday

that the President made a stopover in Frankfurt from where he travelled to Wisbaden to see his ailing wife.

A source said: “Yes; I can confirm to you that there was a stopover in Germany. That should be expected, especially when the First Lady has been out of the country for quite some time. The most important thing is that the President arrived New York on schedule and he is already settling down for what he came to do here.”

Dame Patience’s Special Assistant on Media, Ayo Osinlu who had confirmed the trip to the media when she travelled, however, insisted that Mrs. Jonathan was resting and not seeking medical attention.

He added that the First Lady was expected back in the country this week but did not give a specific date.

Yuguda’s brother in-law kidnapped in Bauchi

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UNMEN yesterday kidnapped a Bauchi Politician, Alhaji Muhammadu Sade, fondly called Osama bin Ladin.

Yuguda is away in the United States on a trip with President Jonathan Goodluck.

The gunmen killed the security guard, fired several shots, before taking Sade

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

away.

Bauchi State Police Commissioner Mohammed Ladan said: “We are investigating the matter, we have so far arrested one suspect who is helping us in our investigation.”

Continued on page 59

156 arrested in JTF crackdown on Boko Haram Continued from page 1

Five women and six children were rescued in a house believed to be an arms and ammunition dump.

The Brigade Commander of 23rd Armoured Brigade, Brig.-Gen. John Nwoaga, in company with police commissioner and the director of State Security Services (SSS), said the kingpin was shot during a gun battle with his men.

He said over 300 improvised explosive devices, 25 assorted brands of rifles, mostly AK 47 submachine guns, were recovered.

There were over 2000 daggers, swords, bows and arrows seized.

The compound at Shagari Low Cost Housing, Mubi was where the items were seized.

But the sect members seem undaunted, in spite of the clampdown.

The home of the Speaker of

Boko Haram is political, says Oritsejafor

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RESIDENT of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has described the mayhem unleashed in parts of the country by the fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, as political.

Speaking at the opening of a six-day meeting of the Niger Delta Christian Leaders Forum at the Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI) in Calabar yesterday, Pastor Oritsejafor said the group was created and sponsored by those who want to create political space for themselves and if they fail to achieve that, seek to divide the country along religious lines.

He rejected the notion that poverty is one of the factors fuelling the crisis, saying it is a lie by the organisation’s sponsors to mislead Nigerians and the world. the Yobe State House of Assembly, Mr. Adamu Dala Dogo, was on Sunday night set ablaze.

Also burnt down by assail-

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

He said: “Boko Haram is fuelled by extreme religious ideology and not poverty because they have not come out to tell us that they are killing people because they are poor.

“The Leader of Boko Haram is from a very wealthy family background and even that young man who wanted to blow up an American airline, his father is one of the richest men in Nigeria. The claim that the fundamentalist group is created by poverty is a false one by its sponsors and apologists.”

According to Pastor Oritsejafor, the sponsors of Boko Haram have control of a section of the media, so they feed the public with “half-truths”.

Responding to claims that he is a fun-

ants suspected to be Boko Haram members was the house of the younger brother to the governor, Alhaji Sheriff Gaidam, and Hon. Goni

damentalist and a partisan leader, he said: “I have never shot a gun before; I have never killed anybody before. I have never encouraged anybody to kill anybody before; but what I do is to identify the truth and respond to it because I am not afraid of trouble.”

Pastor Oritsejafor described the Niger Delta Region as a great region on whose pedestal Nigeria is standing to lay claim to greatness.

His words: “Niger Delta is a region of great people and it is the region that has given Nigeria its greatness, yet we are poor. The Niger Delta is big yet we are small, the Niger Delta is powerful, yet we are weak, this is time for change. All those things that have eluded us, we shall reclaim them.”

Bukar, a member of the House of Representatives from Yobe state.

An eyewitness said two beheaded bodies were seen be-

ing carried away by security operatives yesterday morning.

The home of the speaker Continued on page 59

•Oritsejafor

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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NEWS RAGE OF FLOOD

Flood is king in Etsako, N

IGERIANS seem to be in for hard times as rains pound more cities and towns almost ceaselessly. From Edo, Nasarawa and Plateau to Kogi, Benue and Bayelsa states, many are counting their losses.

Yesterday, Agenebode, Edo State, was struggling to stay afloat. Roads turned into rivers and people practically swam their way home.

The weekend overflow from River Niger displaced no fewer than 3,000 persons in five villages in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The flood devastated the coastal villages and destroyed food crops. Animals were washed away.

Villages mostly affected include Ekoawele I and Ekoawele II, Oguoyor, Ukpeko-Uzanu, and OgberayaUzanu all affiliate suburbs of Agenebode, where the level of water compelled the use of boats across the ravaged areas.

Temporary emergency camps have been opened for the victims at Uzanu in Agenebode and the primary school at Adogu Station in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area Peter Ojor Anyai described the situation as unfortunate.

Anyai advised victims taking refuge in far away Kogi State to relocate to the temporary camp at Agenebode to get assistance.

The ravaging flood is also reported to have submerged parts of Etsako Central, destroying farm lands and property.

Kingdom Heritage Academy Makurdi, a school owned by the Living Faith Church, has been shut down indefinitely as a result of massive flooding of the premises.

Parents brought their children to school only to find out that water has taken over the entire premises.

Both Winners Chapel and Kingdom Heritage Academy are located on the busy Makurdi-Gboko federal highway in Wurukum, Makurdi, the Benue State capital, where the flooding has closed down many businesses.

Many in Sagbama, Bayelsa State and Akwanga West Development Area of Nasarawa State are mourning the destruction of their food crops worth millions of naira.

Such crops include yams, rice, maize, guinea-corn, beans, soy-beans as well as sugarcane.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred as a result of heavy rain resulting from the over flooding of River Lille, located at the boundary between Kaduna and Nasarawa States, which destroyed food crops.

More than 60 farmers are affected by the disaster.

The Village Head of Lille, Mr . Sarki Ibrahim, said the flood was the worst ever to be experienced in the area.

He said: “The community depends solely on farming for survival; the flood would cause a lot of hardship to the people of the area”.

Ibrahim described the incident as pathetic, calling for the intervention of concerned authorities to come to their aid and help to alleviate the suffering of the farmers in the area.

The village head called on the state government and other wealthy individuals to come to the aid of the farmers.

Rev. Jerry Modibo, a prominent indigene of the area and former Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President in the state, expressed shocked at the situation.

He said: “This incident would cause a lot of hardship, not only to the people of the area but also to outsiders, who

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia, Osemwengie Ogbemudia, Benin, Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi, Olugbenga Adanikin and Helen Iyoko, Abuja

normally buy foodstuff in the area.”

Modibo urged the government at all levels as well as worthy individuals to come to the aid of the people in to salvage them from the predicament by assisting them with materials to ease their hardship.

He also called on the government to expedite action to avert the recurrence of the flood in the area.

The Lokoja-Abuja road remains closed because of the damage done to it by flood.

Alternative to LokojaAbuja Road

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said it had worked out alternative routes to and from Abuja to lessen the agony of motorists, following the temporary closure of the flooded Lokoja-Abuja Road.

The Federal Road Safety Commission on Sunday had announced the blockade of the road due to persistent flooding, which has made the Lokoja area of the road dangerous and impassable as a result of the overflow of River Niger.

In a statement yesterday, the Deputy Corps Public Education Officer of the commission, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, urged motorists driving from Lagos and wishing to use Okene-Lokoja-Abuja route to divert to Okene-Ajaokuta-AyangbaAnkpa-Makurdi Lafia-AkwangaAbuja route.

Those coming from the Southeast should use Otukpa-Makurdi route, and those driving from Abuja to Lokoja should use Akwanga-LafiaMakurdi-Ankpa-Okene route.

He said the commission had also deployed more personnel in those routes to forestall traffic gridlock.

•Youths swimming their way out of the flood in Etsako...yesterday

Over 10,000 people displaced in Kogi, Benue flood The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed relief materials to the camps where over 10,000 Internally Displaced People (IDP) from Kogi and Benue states are taking refuge after they were sacked from their homes with the ravaging flood across north central region of Nigeria.

A technical team from the agency visited areas devastated by the floods along the banks of Rivers Benue and Niger and their tributaries in states over the weekend to assess the damage and identify suitable intervention required to address the problem.

According to the team, most of the affected areas remained flooded with most of the displaced persons resorting to taking shelter in four camps.

The flood in Benue State is said to affect the communities in Makurdi, the state capital, along the river belt, while about nine local government areas were affected in Kogi State, with Ibaji Local Government Area almost submerged.

Other local government areas affected as Bassa, Ofu, Kogi, Omala, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Igalamela and Lokoja, where property, including hotels, residential buildings, offices and fishing communities along the confluence of Rivers Benue and Niger have all been submerged.

NEMA’s Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Charles Agbo, during a meeting with Kogi State Governor Wada Idris, warned of prolonged flooding as more water would be released from Lagdo

•The school where displaced persons are taking refuge at Udaba

•A house taken over by flood in Edo

Dam in Cameroon and Kainji Dam with the intensifying rains.

He urged the government to enforce the standard regulation on urban planning and development as well as permanently relocate communities in the flood plains to safer locations.

“Even after the flood, most of the submerged houses may become too weak and no longer be safe for habitation, in addition to the potential health hazards from the disaster.

“Therefore, the states governments

must rise up to their responsibilities to the affected communities as the Federal Government, through NEMA, would provide necessary support the displaced persons.”

The governor expressed concern of the Federal Government towards the flood situation and requested support to reinforce the efforts by the state government to assist the displaced persons. He urged NEMA and other relevant organisations to identify measures to mitigate future occurrence of the flood.

al-Makura donates relief materials Nasarawa State Governor Tanko AlMakura has donated cash and relief materials worth over N5 million to over 34,000 displaced persons ravaged by flood in some villages in Toto Local Government Area of the State. al-Makura, while donating the money and the relief items to the victims at Umaisha village on Monday, noted that government was sensitive to the plight of the people.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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NEWS RAGE OF FLOOD

Makurdi, Lokoja, others

•People wading through flood in a village in Etsako...yesterday

•People finding their way out of a village ravaged by flood in Edo...yesterday

•A bungalow submerged by water in Etsako...yesterday

“It was only right to identify with the people at this trying moment.”

He said while the government was striving to provide the people with basic amenities, the ones they had, were being destroyed through natural disasters like flood. al-Makura urged the Federal Government to come to the aid of the people in the affected communities.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Toto Local Government Area, Alhaji Umar Bamu, said that 34,210 persons had been displaced by the flood across seven

communities in the area.

He said about 9,000 houses in the area were submerged by water, among them the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) and a primary school.

Crops and other property worth millions of naira were lost to the flood.

Among items donated were bags of rice, beans, gari and millets.

Other items included blankets, detergent, toilet soap, palm oil, and body cream.

The governor was also at the palace of the traditional ruler in the area, the

•Flood In Sagbama, Bayelsa

• Persons displaced by flood in Toto, Nasarawa State...yesterday

•Living Faith Church, Makurdi taken over by flood...yesterday

‘Ohimege Opanda,’ Usman Abdullahi, to commiserate with him and the people of the area over the disaster.

'How to escape falling victims of flood' Minister of Environment Mrs. Hadiza Mailafia has advised Nigerians to adhere to the flood alert system.

The minister explained that lives can be saved and losses minimised if the alerts are taken more seriously.

Mrs. Mailafia spoke while

sympathising with flood victims .

The minister said: "The monumental losses suffered in many states, and the destructions to lives and properties call for sober reflection. It calls for review of our strategies and commitments towards mitigating the devastating effects of climate change."

After inspecting the flood ravaged parts of the North, the minister reiterated the need for residents of floodprone areas to heed the early warnings of the ministry on impending floods, and to promptly evacuate to avoid losses.

The minister appealed to residents to refrain from dumping refuse on drainages, gutters, and the blockage of canals which aggravated floods.

She warned against building houses in flood plains, or banks of rivers and streams. The minister said there is need to encourage planting of trees to prevent environmental degradation.

She appealed to people to embrace and adopt the use of alternative sources of cooking energy such as gas stoves, to preserve the country's forest.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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NEWS

ACN alleges plot by Kwara to crackdown on members T HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday raised the alarm over what it called an imminent crackdown on its members in Kwara State following the defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) into its fold.

In a statement in Akure, Ondo State by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party expressed concern over the “sabre-rattling and provocative” statements that have been emanating from the PDP government controlled organs in the state before, during and after the defection of their former loyalists to the ACN. It has become fashionable for the PDP-controlled government in Kwara State to find in the ACN a ready scape goat for its maladministration, incompetence, profligacy and anti people policies which have totally alienated the long suffering people from their under performing government, the party said.

According to the party, it is no longer a secret that Kwara

•PDP: defectors ’re not our members From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

State government is owing its workers several months of unpaid salaries. However, in its usual penchant for looking for a scape goat for its shortcomings, the state government has perfected plans to arrest and detain ACN chieftains whenever the workers go on strike as if the workers need to be instigated by anyone to demand their legitimate rights.

To keen watchers of Kwara State politics, this will not come as a surprise as the ACN was also held responsible for the violent protest that greeted the ban of commercial motorcyclists in the state recently, and a strident call was made for the arrest of ACN chieftains when the representatives of the government were booed and pelted with missiles at the Muslim Praying Ground last August, the party added.

The profligacy, scandalous

massive deductions by the government of funds meant for local government councils, incompetence, cronyism and anti people policies of the government has brought such untold hardship to the people and left the state under developed that the people are left with no choice than to leave the sinking PDP in droves and embrace ACN, the party explained.

It went on: “For a government that has repeatedly proclaimed to the world that the opposition is dead in the state, the recent massive defection of its former loyalists was bound to jolt and send it to overdrive especially given the quality of the political giants that left to join” the ACN such as: “Chief James Ayeni, the first Chairman of Irepodun Local Government and a three-time Commissioner, the most recent tenure being under former governor Bukola Saraki himself.

“Mr. Jide Usman, an engineer and two term Chairman

of Ifelodun Local Government Council, the biggest local government council in the state.

“Abiodun Dada, a lawyer and former Auditor of the PDP in Ekiti Local Government Area”.

“Hon Ayo Idowu, a member the Kwara State House of Assmbly (2007-2011).

“Chief J. S. Adedoyin, a former Director of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and a grassroots politician.

“Akinmade Yahaya Abolarin, a lawyer and former Legal Adviser of ACPN. “Alhaji Issa Raji (alias Kingibe of Kwara State), a former member of Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission.

“Mr Teju Titiloye, former member, Governing Council College of Education, Kotongora “B. A. Atolagbe, a lawyer and former supervisory councillor, Irepodun Local Government council and former member, Kwara State Scholarship Board and Olanrewaju Shuaibu arguably the most redoubtable grassroots politician in Irepodun Local Government Area, the party concluded.

Jonathan in New York

P •Alhaji Mohammed

But the Kwara State chapter of the PDP described the allegation as tissues of lies and propaganda.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mas’ud Adebimpe, the party said, those the ACN paraded as defectors were never PDP members but impersonators.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all those claiming to have defected are either members of ACN or ACPN. The only party acceptable to the people in the state is PDP”.

The Peoples Democratic Party is undoubtedly formidable and on ground in Kwara State, it does not need to force people into its ever increasing fold, Adebimpe said.

398 Nigerian Muslim women stopped in Mecca

Ogun, Oyo pilgrims of hajj

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HREE hundred and ninety eight Muslim women pilgrims travelling to Mecca, Saudi Arabia were temporarily held at a Saudi Arabian airport for travelling without male relatives, it was learnt yesterday.

A spokesman for Nigeria’s National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) Uba Mana, said Saudi authorities held the women between Thursday and yeserday at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah.

Mana said the women were allowed to proceed with their pilgrimage following diplomatic intervention.

He said Saudi authorities held them for not travelling with a male relative due to a “communication gap.”

Mana added that an agreement between the countries exempts Nigerian women from requiring a male relative to escort them during the Hajj pilgrimage, which costs about $4,000 per person.

•Vice President Namadi Sambo (middle); former Senate President Ken Nnamani (left) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim at the Bi-annual Retreat of the SGF in Abuja...yesterday.

We’re on top of security challenge in Kano, says Kwankwaso From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

•Kwankwaso

F

OR Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, his administration and security agencies are on top of the security challenges in the state.

Kwankwaso, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, said the state has recovered from the security problems it experienced in January with its Internally Generated Revenue increasing from about N450 million to N1.7 billion.

He said: “So, it(the crisis) is not something that is peculiar to Nigeria or to Kano. What is important is that the authorities -the state government and

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan arrived in New York on Sunday for the United Nation’s 67th General Assembly .

Jonathan was received at the John F. Kennedy International Airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Olugbenga Ashiru, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Prof. Ade Adefuye, Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Prof. Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN. The New York Correspondent of the News Agency of the Nigeria (NAN) reports that the President was also received by Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda.

Jonathan is among the first 38 Heads of State, who will speak at the General Assembly today on Peaceful Resolution of International Disputes.

While in the New York, the President is also scheduled to meet with other world leaders, including the Presidents of China, France, South Korea, Brazil, Bulgaria, Finland and Switzerland.

security agencies are on top of the situation.

“We are working with security agencies, the general public is working with everybody to ensure that Kano is peaceful. Kano is a centre for commerce and anybody who is there will always want to support commerce. And we cannot run commerce and industries without peace.

“Of course, we had an unfortunate attack on the 20th of January but if you checked the graph, you will see that it has gone down to almost zero. During the attack, we decided to impose a 24-hour curfew, it was reduced to 18, 12 hours and now it is zero. You could come out 24 hours to do your businesses.”

Kwankwaso urged Nigerians not to see the Kano incident as an isolated case which cannot be overcome.

The governor said: “You see, there was never a time in the history of any country or any

state that there was no crisis.

Some people in Nigeria are very, very forgetful. That is why I have a lot of respect for former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

When we came in 1999, there were all sorts of religious crises, ethnic crises, killings of Northerners in the Southwest and in the Southeast, even in the Southsouth and vice versa.

“We were just sleeping with one eye from 1999 and 2003 because the governors of Niger, Kano and others on the road would say corpses are coming to Kano, watch it.

“We had few cases they were bringing corpses and immediately people saw them in Kano, they will start rioting. And along the line, they will attack people from those areas who were living in Kano. These are things that people have forgotten.

“We also had the issue of Sharia which started in Zamfara and came through many other states including Kano. And that

was really an issue of interest at that particular time. “So, there were many things. I don’t think there was anytime in the history of this country that leaders were not faced with challenges.

“And what we have today is our own version of the security challenge that we are facing in Nigeria. That is why we are all up and doing. We are working round the clock to ensure that our states, especially Kano and other states, are safe so that Nigeria can continue to be peaceful and so that people can continue to be running their normal businesses.”

Responding to a question, the governor said: “People are not deserting Kano, it is not true.”

On security votes, Kwankwaso said the state has cancelled such a recurrent expenditure because it amounts to a waste of public funds.

He said most political office holders used to divert security votes into personal use.

He added: “To crown it all, we looked at areas of wastages; especially various governments are used to this security votes and in the opinion of the state government in Kano, that is an area that governments take money for their personal use in the name of security. So, we decided to cancel security votes.”

To prove that the security challenge in Kano has abated, Kwankwaso said the state’s IGR has increased from N400million to about N1.7 billion per month.

He said: “People are always asking where you get the money? It is simple. One, we decided to block all the loopholes, wastages within the government circle and even beyond.

“Two, we have decided to improve on our IGR. And I am happy to say that when we came in, we were getting N400 million and N450 million from the records of the last administration but now we are well above N1.7 billion per month. Of course, even under the present security challenge.”

HE 500 pilgrims from Ogun State and 38 others from Oyo State were yesterday airlifted to Saudi Arabia by Med-view Airline from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The flight 1037, which airlifted the first batch to the Holy Land at 12pm had satisfied the conditions and processes of travelling to Medina to perform the fifth pillar of Islam.

Addressing the pilgrims before their departure from the National Hajj Camp, Ikeja, Amir Hajj Alhaji Tajudeen Olaotan Bello, urged them to sustain the state’s leadership traits.

He advised the pilgrims to comport themselves in their dealings and be good ambassadors of the state when they arrive in Medina, urging them not to lose torch with their primary objectives of spiritual transformation.

British Perm Secs here

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HREE (United Kingdom) UK Permanent Secretaries, Simon Fraser, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Mark Lowcock, Department for International Development (DFID) and Tom Mckane, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence are in the country on an official visit.

Such a trilateral visit is rare and reserved for the United Kingdom’s key international partners, it was learnt yesterday.

The Permanent Secretaries will spend a day in Lagos and then move to Abuja.

The visit comes one year after talks between President Goodluck Jonathan and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron in Nigeria.

The President and Prime Minister agreed in a Communiqué, which identified the main areas of the bilateral co-operation and committed both sides to action going forward.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

7

CITYBEATS

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

Mint worker caught with fake Naira notes

A

39-YEAR-OLD employee of the Nigerian Security, Printing and Minting (NSPM) Plc, Igbinoso Osakpolor, has been arrested by the police for printing and spending fake naira notes.

Osakpolor allegedly steals naira notes which do not have serial numbers and other security features from the mint.

Osakopolor, a father of three, was arrested following a report by Abdulrahman Abdullahi, an operator of a Bureau De Change where he

Arowolo: Court summons policeman

By Adebisi Onanuga

By Jude Isiguzo

had gone to exchange about $900,000.

It was gathered that when Abdullahi discovered that the money given to him for exchange had no serial and security numbers, he asked the suspect to wait while he went to get the dollars.

While the suspect was waiting, Abdullhai went into his office and alerted the police.

The incident occurred around 4pm on September 19, at Benson Plaza, Lagos Road, Ikorodu and it was re-

• Osakpolor

•The fake money

ported at the Shagamu Road Police Station, from where operatives went and arrested the suspect.

During interrogation, the suspect, a security man at NSPM, confessed that he stole the money from his office.

The suspect also confessed

that he has been stealing money from his office since 2010 and had used same to buy a Nissan Pathfinder Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), marked KRD480AE. Investigation also revealed that the suspect, who used to live in a room apartment in Ketu, now lives in his own

house in Ikorodu.

Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), who paraded the suspect, said N320,000 genuine notes were recovered from him.

His SUV has also been impounded. She said the matter is being investigated.

Family insists police killed newly wedded man

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HE family of Ugochukwu Ozuah, who was killed five days after his wedding, is insisting that the police killed him.

The family’s spokesperson and the deceased’s elder sister Mrs. Nkechi Nonyelu said the police is trying to cover up their complicity in the death of their son at UPS bus stop on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway last Thursday.

•Police: robbers killed Ozuah

By Jude Isiguzo

Ozuah got married five days earlier on September 15.

Lagos State Police Command's spokesperson Ngozi Braide a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said yesterday that the police cannot properly investigate the case in the absence of the principal witness, Irikefe Omene.

Omene, it was gathered, has travelled back to his base in the United Kingdom.

The police are also maintaining that Ozuah was killed by robbers.

Braide insisted that as the principal witness to the murder, Omene should have stayed back to assist police in their investigation.

Mrs. Nonyelu, however, said the family is not impressed with the police’s argument. According to her, all the family want is for justice to be done and the policeman who shot Ugochukwu be brought to book.

She said contrary to police’s claim, Omene wrote a comprehensive statement detailing how her brother was killed by a policeman.

According to her, it will be

ridiculous for the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Anthony Police Station from where the policemen who killed Ozuah came from, attempt to destroy the statement or hide it just to cover up his men.

She said: "The police are just lying to cover up. They know those that killed my brother and should produce them. All we are asking is for justice to be done.”

'Expansion of Lagos/ Badagry road will boost tourism'

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HE expansion of the Lagos/Badagry Expressway from four to 10 lanes will boost tourism and commerce, the Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Oladisun Holloway has said.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), at the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs (NIIA), Holloway said inadequate transportation has limited human traffic to the Badagry axis.

The government, he added, is determined to open up all parts of the state to economic and tourism activities.

He said the Lekki Expressway and construction of the Light Rail System from Cen-

H

• Commissioner for Tourism and IGR, Mr. Oladisun Holloway, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI), Mr. Goodie Ibru, and the Minister of Culture and Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke of the LCCI at the seminar

By Yinka Aderibigbe

tral Lagos would ease the transportation challenges of tourists.

Holloway said the reconstruction of the Apapa Amusement Park would soon begin, adding that plans have been concluded for the establishment of a Wildlife Park at Tekinle Island at

Lekki.

The park, he said, would have lowland Gorillas, Lions and other animals, adding that his ministry would partner with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation on the construction of an ariel canopy walkway and a wider picnic area for the centre.

On the old Ikoyi Park,

Holloway said the glory of the recreation and relaxation centre would be restored as government is determined to bring night life back to the state.

His ministry, he said, has begun the inspection of monuments and tourism sites in the state so as to rehabilitate them, adding that

Lagos businessman sues hospital for N100m with the plaintiff’s counsel.

EARING will begin over leg amputation He said they were recently on October 30, in a

N100 million suit filed by a businessman, Mr. Kunle Ajifolawe, against the proprietor of a Lagos Hospital, Dr. Rotimi Akinola.

Ajifolawe is claiming the damages for the amputation of his leg over what he called the hospital’s negligence.

Ajifolawe, whose left leg was amputated in 2009 in India, filed the suit because of what he called the unprofessional manner in which his case was treated by a doctor at the hospital.

He claimed that when he came to the hospital in June

By Adebisi Onanuga

2009, he only felt a sharp pain in the leg.

He said he did an x-ray, but the doctor told him there was nothing in the x-ray to call for a serious diagnosis of the problem.

The doctor, he said, advised him to take some pain relieving drugs for arthritis.

He said he later went to the General Hospital, Lagos when the pain persisted, and was told that he was wrongly diagnosed.

Ajifolawe claimed to have

spent over N20 million on the treatment of the leg which was eventually amputated because the condition had aggravated.

At yesterday’s resumed hearing, Ajifolawe's counsel, Romeo Ese Michael, said they had written several letters to the counsel for the defendant (Deji Sasegbon Chambers).

He pray the court for a new date and N10,000 costs against the defendant.

But the defendant's counsel, Abdulazeez Jimoh denied any correspondence

informed by Dr. Akinnola to handle the case, adding that they are about filing the necessary processes.

"My Lord I am from Abraham Adesanya Chambers and I can authoritatively tell this court that we have not been communicating with the counsel to the claimant as he had claimed," he said.

When the judge asked the plaintiff’s counsel for copies of the said letters, he could not produce them.

Justice Iyabode Kasali awarded N200 costs and adjourned the case till October 30.

government's plan to turn the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s shrine into an international museum was borne of out of its desire to immotalise him.

Acknowledging that government cannot do it alone, he called on corporate bodies to rise up to the challenges of developing the tourism sector.

A LAGOS High Court sitting in Ikeja, yesterday ordered an investigating Police Officer (IPO), Sergeant Cletus Bayern to appear before it on Friday.

Bayern investigated the alleged murder of a banker, Titilayo Omozoje Arowolo by her husband, Akolade Arowolo.

Justice Lateefat Okunnu threatened to get the IPO arrested if he fails to appear before her on Friday to conclude his testimony.

Bayern, investigated while he was at Aswani Police Station.

His continued absence in court has been stalling Arowolo’s trial.

At the resumed trial yesterday, a Director in the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution, Olayide Eboda, said when Bayern was contacted on Friday, he said he was in his village attending to his father’s burial.

She said Sergeant Bayern would not be back in Lagos until the weekend and asked for an adjournment "since the witness has promised that he will be around for the hearing in October."

Justice Okunnu was not happy with the development, saying the witness would not expect her to vacate the dates already fixed "because he is a police officer.”

The judge said a police officer could not trifle with court fixtures and expect the court to vacate so many days in a criminal trial for his personal business.

Justice Okunnu decried Bayern’s attitude, saying: "This is sheer disrespect for the institution of the court and the rule of law and no nation that wants to develop will condone this.

"When there is no rule of law, we live in anarchy. If he does not appear in court on Friday to give testimony, I will disregard his earlier evidence."

Sergeant had made it an habit to disrespect the court by being absent on fixed days, adding that such an affront would no longer be allowed.

"This is the kind of acts that should be reported to the Police Service Commission for necessary disciplinary action to be taken against Sergeant Cletus Bayern."

She adjourned the matter till Frida.

Task force arrests 40 hoodlums

By Miriam Ndikanwu

LAGOS State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task force) has arrested about 40 hoodlums following its intensified raid on miscreants.

Its Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the suspects were between the ages of 18 and 40.

He said they were arrested at Ojota, Oshodi, Yaba and Ojuelegba areas of the state.

Sulaiman said the unit had received complaints from the public about the nefarious activities of area boys, adding that the suspects were picked along major bus stops and not in motor parks.

He said they would soon be charged to court.

Sulaiman reiterated that no union worker is allowed to collect tolls from the bus stops, saying their operations are restricted to their parks.

“Anyone caught contravening the law will be severely prosecuted,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

8

NEWS ONDO 2012 Sambo, Obasanjo, Mark, Tambuwal lead PDP campaign train

Akeredolu: I’ll transform Ondo •Akande decries youth unemployment T HE Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), yesterday promised to transform the state, if elected in the October 20 election.

The ACN candidate assured the youths of getting 30,000 jobs in his first 100 days in office.

He spoke at the B.T.O. Hall in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during his interactive session with youths, tagged: Ondo Youths for Change Forum.

Akeredolu reaffirmed his promise to increase students’ bursary and give scholarships to students.

He condemned the ruling Labour Party (LP) administration for not treating Ondo State students well, saying youths are the future of the country.

The former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President assured the residents of brighter days ahead.

A popular actress, Mrs Funke Akindele-Oloyede (aka Jenifa), who spoke as a youth ambassador, said Ondo State

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

must be liberated from the clutches of the ruling Labour Party (LP).

Award-winning musician, Akande Abolore (aka 91ce), entertained the guests.

ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande blamed the problems militating against development of Nigerian youths on bad leadership.

He decried the neglect of Ondo State youths, saying they are the future of the country.

Akande, who was represented by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, blamed the rising youth unemployment in the country on bad governance.

He said: “While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not creating jobs at the federal level, the LP in Ondo State has also failed to provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.”

The former Osun State Gov-

ernor urged the youths to ensure that their votes count in the October 20 election.

He advised them to allow ACN to take over the governance of the state after the election, to usher in youth-oriented projects, as obtained in other ACN states.

A member of the National House of Assembly, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who anchored the interactive session, decried the underdevelopment of the Sunshine State.

She urged the residents to embrace ACN as it moves its development agenda across the country.

The state Youth Leader, Comrade Mohammed Enas, emphasised the importance of the event.

He said the time has come for a turning point for Ondo State youths.

Enas said: “This is a historical landmark and a turning point for the youths to redefine and reposition ourselves in the

task of challenging the pervading hopelessness and high unemployment among our youths.

“In the last four years, the well-being of youths in Ondo State hasbeen relegated to the background by the present government, to the extent that we are only deemed fit to be used as thugs for electioneering purposes while our counterparts in other states, under the governance of our party, are progressing.”

At the event were: Wale Akinteriwa, Prince Adegboyega Adedipe, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, Abegunde, ACN state Chairman Mr. Adesoji, Comrade Ayo Adewale, Kehinde Bamigbetan.

Others are: Asiwaju Solidarity Group, Action Youth Movement, Ondo Less Privileged Group, Mr Segun Mayegun, Mr Femi Adekanbi, Erelu Modupe Johnson, Mr Adegboyega Adefarati and Comrade Sola Iji.

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

•Sambo

V

ICE-President Namadi Sambo; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Senate President David Mark; and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, will lead the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign train ahead of the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State.

At the inauguration of the campaign committee yesterday in Abuja, Sambo said the PDP would fight and win the Ondo election on the basis of ‘one man, one vote’.

Sambo, who chairs the campaign committee, explained that the Federal Government

Mimiko accuses Agagu of ‘profligacy’

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HE Olusegun Mimiko Campaign Organisation (MCO) of the ruling Labour Party (LP) yesterday criticised former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu of extravagance.

In a statement in Akure, the state capital, by its Di-

rector of Publicity and Media Relations, Mr Kolawole Olabisi, MCO alleged that the Agagu administration was a hallmark of high-level profligacy and abandoned projects.

The statement reads: “Agagu is ever wont to tell

the world that he left N38billion in the coffers of Ondo State for Dr Olusegun Mimiko. This is nothing but a bare-faced lie and an admission that he did not even know the finances of the state he presided over for six years. No wonder he never

even handed over, despite the fact that he had over six months to do so between the Justice Nabaruma-led Tribunal Judgments of July 2008 to February 23, 2009 when he was finally sent packing.

“The true position is that

Agagu left behind N34.2billion, but sadly, he left for the in-coming government a debt profile and other liabilities that stood at a staggering N117billion!

This is, about 300 per cent over and above the value of the liquid assets…”

would ensure that the election is free and fair.

The PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, bemoaned the loss of Ondo State to the Labour Party (LP) through a judicial process.

Hesaid the PDP would reclaim the state through the ballot next month.

Tukur said: “Ondo State is a PDP state and a very important one to our party for that matter. It was, therefore, a matter of distress to us when we lost it, not through the polls but through a judicial process.

“Our resolve to win Ondo State back is the underlying factor for setting up this highpowered committee.”

Tukur, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, expressed optimism that the popularity and acceptability of the PDP candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, would ensure victory for the party.

Other members of the campaign committee are: Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi; former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu; former Ekiti Governor Segun Oni, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP.

Students back Akeredolu

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•Wreckage of the car...yesterday.

PHOTOS: DAVID ADEJO

Five injured as trailer crushes vehicle A NGRY commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders) yesterday converged at the entrance to a company on Fatai Atere Way in Mushin, Lagos.

They were protesting the crushing of a car by a trailer.

Five people were injured in the car, including a two-yearold boy, Olalade Mubarak.

The boy was in a critical condition yesterday.

The accident victims include Mr Akeem Olalade, his wife, Funmi, and Mubarak, their son. There were also two others. One of them was identified as Momo

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Malik and another person.

Olalade, a civil engineer, said: “I was driving towards Oshodi and, suddenly, I saw this trailer without light reversing on the expressway.

I quickly swerved, but we were trapped under it.

“It would have been a completely differently story if I had not tried to avoid the trailer.”

He urged the reporter to call his father and sister.

At the Accident and

Emergency Unit of the Mushin G e n e r a l Hospital, where the victims were t a k e n , sympathisers, including Okada r i d e r s , pressurised the medics to attend to the victims, who were writhing in •One of the victims receiving treatment in the hospital...yesterday. pains. car, with registration number The accident occurred (Lagos) FS330EKY. about 8pm.

It had five occupants, who Eyewitnesses said the were critically injured. trailer crushed the Audi salon

TUDENTS, under the aegis of Ondo State Students/Youth Coalition, have endorsed the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate in the October 20 governorship election, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

The students said the ACN standard bearer is an agent of change who would transform Ondo State.

A statement by their Coordinator, Jimoh Ibrahim, expressed disappointment in the Labour Party (LP) administration of Olusegun Mimiko, especially its handling of the state’s finances.

The statement reads: “At this critical time in the threshold of a new political era in our dear state, Ondo State, we must stand up to be counted as a generation of youths that refused to be cowed by state power and shunned the lucre in the interest of generations yet unborn. We are confident that our modest stance today will galvanise the teeming masses to action to be counted in the historic transformation which our actions would bring forth to our dear state and by extension to the country.

“It is of note that the Mimiko-led administration took over the affairs of our great state in February 2009. We have been following the projects awarded by this administration; we realise that none of them has been completed, after three and a half years they took over from the last administration.

“For a government that inherited liquid cash of N38.34 billion from the last administration and has collected over N500 billion from the Federal Allocation;

a government that has full access to local government funds for 42 months with capital budgets of over N350 billion in 42 months, it is quite unfortunate that all Governor Mimiko could show are few markets, Mother and Child Hospital, streetlight and fountain water.”

The students’ body added: “Our governor has been spending billions of naira on the Oba-Adesida–Oyemekun Road in the last three years; yet, it has not been completed.

All roads started by the present administration are yet to be completed. These include those of Arakale, Ondo township and Owo. “Also, his failure to conduct a local government election since the inception of his administration is clearly an illustration of his failure and undemocratic tendencies.

“The resources meant for local governments are diverted.

This has forced down some projects down the throats of those local governments.

“The poor performance of the present administration, led

by Mimiko, is responsible for the agitation for change that we are witnessing today.

“Due to non-performance of this present administration and for the fear for our future, we took time to examine all the candidates that are contesting in the October 20 election. We went through their profiles and programmes. We looked at their past activities and how successful they were in their businesses. We decided to give our support to Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the governorship candidate of the ACN, to actualise his dreams for our state.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTMBER 25, 2012

9

NEWS Orji to Reps: Don’t overheat polity with threat

By Joseph Jibueze

•Leaders of the protesters ...yesterday

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Anti-America protest rocks Kaduna ‘

SLAMIC faithful came out in large numbers yesterday to protest against the anti-Islamic film released in America. They said they were prepared to defend the name and personality of Prophet Mohammed with the last drop of their blood.

The peaceful demonstration, which was organised by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (Shiites), covered about four kilometres and was conducted under the watchful eyes of men of the Kaduna State Police Command.

Men wore all-white clothes.

Women were dressed in an all black uniforms.

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

The protesters carried placards with the inscriptions, such as “Death to America”, “Death to Israel” and “No to blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad”.

They distributed a leaflet, with the message “a great catastrophe has befallen the world when from the country of the Great Satan (United States), an Israeli was commissioned to produce an anti-Islam film that mocked and ridiculed Islam, Prophet Muhammad and followers of this great religion.

“The film, apart from outward mockery on tenets and beliefs of Islam,

Our procession is peaceful and we extend our message to the world that we condemn the United States for harboring the perpetrators of the blasphemous clip

’

presented Prophet Muhammad in a display of an unspeakable immoral manner and personality.

“Similarly, the release of this movie at this material

time, was a move to institutionalise September 11 event as an annual ritual to portray Islam as a religion of terrorists.

“We are aware of the covert operations of agents of America in Nigeria, who are bent on defending American interests at all cost. They should know that we are ready to defend the personality of our beloved Prophet with the last drop of our blood.”

Addressing the protesters, the leader of the Movement in Kaduna, Malam Mukhtar Sahabi, called on Muslims to live up to their responsibilities.

According to him, “this

procession is not for any particular sect or group of Muslims but for all Muslims because there is only one Prophet Muhammad and he is for all.

“Our procession is peaceful and we extend our message to the world that we condemn the United States for harboring the perpetrators of the blasphemous clip. America is guilty of the crime. If the west will not tolerate showing the royalty of England naked on the front pages of newspaper, they should equally not tolerate abusing the personality of the holy Prophet Muhammad SAWA who is revered by more people than the entire people of Europe.”

Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Bisi Onasanya (left), and Chairman, Prince Afonja Ajibola, at an extra ordinary general meeting of the Bank in Lagos... yesterday

’

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House of Reps orders release of impounded vessels

HE House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) and the House Committee on Navy have directed the Navy and the Police to release the vessel, MT St. Vanessa, impounded on allegations of illegal bunkering.

The chairman of the Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Muraina Ajibola, announced the directive

yesterday after a meeting of the two committees with representatives of the Navy, agents of the vessel and the Police.

The lawmakers also ordered the police to immediately begin the withdrawal of the court case instituted against the owner of the vessel.

The committees said it had investigated the issue and found that the vessel had not

broken any law.

The committees’ position is against a September 21 report by the Chief of Naval Staff,Vice Admiral Ola Saad Ibrahim.

In the report, Vice Admiral Ibrahim said:“Past antecedents that vessels came into Nigerian waters to engage in diverse forms of illegal activities undetected and unchallenged.

Some of these activities were human trafficking, illegal

dealings in arms, drug trafficking, oil theft, illegal bunkering, poaching and piracy.

“It is a result of such activities common in the West African coast, that the Maritime domain awareness facilities were installed. Consequently, the arrest of MT St. Vanessa would act as deterrent to other vessels engaged in illegalities or entering the country’s

maritime domain without clear purposes.”

“Consequently, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has been requested to liaise on behalf of the Nigerian Navy and the outcome of this efforts is still being awaited.

There is therefore, the need to carefully investigate the activities of MT St Vanessa within Nigerian waters to a logical conclusion.”

ABIA State Governor Theodore Orji has urged House of Representatives members not to overheat the polity with their impeachment threat against President Goodluck Jonathan over budget implementation.

He said it could worsen the tension created by rising insecurity, and called for a peaceful resolution of the issues.

The governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Ben Onyechere, said the “altercation” over budget implementation between the presidency and the National Assembly should be avoided.

“It will exacerbate the current tension created by insecurity in parts of the northern states.

“As such, we must be careful not to create unnecessary distractions from our focus, which is to provide and upgrade the living standards of our people while shunning measures that will increase political volatility,” he said.

Orji said both arms of government must avoid any acts that could be detrimental to the common pursuit of the goal of providing democratic dividends to Nigerians.

“The important thing now is to promote and protect the factors that project national unity because no one knows it all.”

Health insurance firm bags award PREMIER Medicaid International , a Health Maintenance Organisation in Nigeria under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has received international recognition for its commitment to excellence and quality service delivery in the health sector.

Premier is one of the leading companies around the world to be formally presented with the World Quality Commitment (WQC) Award in the Gold category at the 26th International World Quality Commitment Convention scheduled to hold at the Concorde La Fayette Hotel and the Paris “Palais des Congres” Convention Hall near the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees in Paris, France on the 29th October, 2012.

The annual awards are organised by Business Initiative Directions (BID) ,an international organisation which monitors corporations around the world for commitment to international quality standards and best practices in various sectors.

In the letter of award by BID signed by its President and CEO, Jose E Prieto, the organisation said “the award is for corporate achievement to recognise leadership ,quality, innovation, excellence, technology, customer service and prestige”.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Premier Medicaid, Dr. Kayode Obembe will receive the award in Paris.

10

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

NEWS ONDO 2012 Youths urge issue-based campaigns From Damisi Ojo, Akure

YOUTHS from the 18 local government areas of Ondo State, under the aegis of Youth Coordinated Campaign (YCC), yesterday called for issue-based campaigns instead of personality attacks.

YCC Coordinator Idris Usman addressed a large crowd of youths from the Central Senatorial District of the state in Akure, the state capital.

He noted that as the future leaders with over 400,000 voting strength, the youths want to hear about matters that affect their lives.

Usman reminded political parties and their candidates of youths’ plight.

He said: “We’re tired of hearing that the state will be ruled from Lagos or that someone will be ‘Ajele’ to (Bola) Tinubu in Lagos. Let them tell us how they’re going to improve on our education, living conditions and how several of our graduates roaming the streets would be employed.

“We want issues-based campaign, not the blatant lies and rumour spreading all over the place. We, as youths, must not allow politicians to gamble with our lives, because the effect of their misrule today has more devastating effect on our own future.

“We must not let them use their greed and selfishness to destroy our future.

We must rise to protect our generation to come, and it must be now or never.”

He urged the youths not to sell their voter’s cards or work for politicians as their thugs.

‘Kuku should be cautioned’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

A SOCIO-political group, Yoruba Political Integration Group (YPIA), yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to caution his Special Adviser on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Mr Kingsley Kuku, against causing violence in the coastal areas of Ondo State as the October 20 election draws near.

A statement by its Secretary, Mr. Edamisan Mogbojuri Modupe, said: “We are worried that Kuku is intimidating our numerous supporters across the state, particularly in the coastal areas of the state.”

It accused the Special Adviser of insisting that all those who are benefiting from the amnesty but are not the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters would be stopped.

The statement added: “Kuku, in his home town, Arogbo, early this month, said even those who are in various institutions of learning that are not in PDP would be removed from the programme.”

Mimiko’s claims on weapons false, T says Akeredolu HE Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) of the Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday said the allegation by the ruling Labour Party (LP) that it had bought N200million weapons of destruction was false.

Through its Director of Publicity, Mr Koye Odogiyan, the LP yesterday in Akure, the state capital, alleged that “as part of the plans to effect this, arrangements have been concluded by the opposition party to bring to the state, ahead of the October 20 election date, 100 sophisticated guns and the accompanied ammunition as well as bullet-proof vests”.

But in a statement in Akure by its spokesman, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, ACO said the LP allegation showed that the party was practising “elementary

subversive techniques”.

The statement reads: “It is on record that security agents have apprehended LP thugs in several parts of the state with dangerous weapons, as a confirmation of the alarm already raised by ACN in several statements.

It is also a fact that it is the LP that has been unleashing violence on members of opposition parties in the state.

We believe the LP is only trying to practice elementary subversive techniques.

“It was LP thugs that attacked the chieftains of ACN during the late Adebayo Adefarati memorial lecture in Akure. They attacked Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s convoy after the state primaries. They attacked him during cam-

paign in Okeluse. They have attacked our members in Akure during ward meetings in Lafe, Ijoka area of Akure and at Oka Akoko.

In fact, Akeredolu confronted Mimiko for promoting violence during the meeting of the Director of the State Security Service (SSS) with leaders of the parties in Ondo State.

“It was LP that can afford to spend N200million on weapons and not ACN, a party that is not in government. If we had such money, we would rather spend it on our campaign.

“We, therefore, call on the security agents not to allow the LP to practise their diversionary tactics on them. It is the LP that they should beam their

searchlights on.

“For us in ACO, we want to remind Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his cotravellers that the Ondo State people are not cowards and that no amount of intimidation and lies will make them change their minds from voting him out in the October 20 poll.

“The people of the state are determined to vote for ACN, which has promised to replicate the massive infrastructural development of Lagos, provide 30,000 jobs within 100 days in office, to stem the tide of the criminal neglect of the youths of the state.

“The ACN standard bearer, Akeredolu (SAN), is a honest man. He has the pedigree and integrity. He is trustworthy. Ondo State people can trust him to fulfil his promises because he is another SAN with a sound mind.”

• Akeredolu (SAN) (second left) dancing with his running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure (second right), and House of Representatives member, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to the music of 9ice (left) during a parley with Ondo State Youth Forum, organised by ACN in Akure...yesterday.

Story on Page 8.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Oke urges IGP to focus on Ondo violence

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HE Ondo State governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Olusola Oke, has urged the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, to pay more attention to the spate of political violence allegedly sponsored by agents of the ruling Labour Party (LP).

Oke spoke in Akure, the state capital, at a workshop organised by Special Adviser to the President on Inter-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Party Affairs.

He decried the persistent political violence across the state ahead of the October 20 governorship election.

The former National Legal Adviser of the PDP, who was represented by his running mate, Mr Saka Lawal, criticised the Ondo State Police Command for arresting PDP members after alleged attacks by the LP. Lawal said last week in Owo, some LP loyalists alleg-

edly attacked PDP members during a campaign tour.

He said: “Sincerely, I want the Inspector-General of Police to relocate to the state three weeks to the election, to know those behind political violence in the state.

“Just last week, in Owo, on our campaign tour, some thugs in LP T-shirts and caps stormed our campaign ground and started shooting sporadically into the air. Before we knew what happened, the police had arrested our party leaders, saying they

Osun ACN: Ondo LP planning to attack our officials

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HE Osun State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, has said the leadership of the ruling Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State was planning to attack some officials of the Osun State Government with explosive devices.

Addressing reporters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, the party chairman said the ACN authoritatively learnt that the leadership of the LP had concluded plans on the attack.

According to him, the LP

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

wants to cause mayhem in Osun so that the ACN would be distracted from focusing on the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State.

Adebiyi said ACN was confident it would defeat Olusegun Mimiko.

The party chairman said the LP hoped that when the explosions occur, the ACN would blame it on the PDP, its arch-rival in the state, and focus on the event rather than the election.

He said: “We must alert the

public and security agencies to be on the lookout for suspicious elements who could be laden with explosive devices. We have it on good authority that they are targeting state government officials in order to cause a calamitous event that could resonate violently beyond our borders.

“No matter their evil plans, we are going to concentrate fully on the October 20 election in Ondo State and would do everything within democratic limits to ensure that the ACN emerges victorious.”

caused the violence.”

Lawal expressed disappointment that the stateowned electronic media refused to air PDP campaign jingles.

He said the stations refused to showcase their programmes for Ondo State residents though the party had fulfilled the necessary requirements.

Lawal said: “I wonder why the Ondo State-owned stations have refused to collect our political jingles. They use our taxes to run the stations, yet we have not enjoyed the stations. This is unfair.”

On whether or not the PDP could trust the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free and fair election, the PDP deputy governorship candidate hailed the commission for publicly releasing the names of voters on the Election Day. He said: “I must surely commend INEC for its step to publicly release the number of voters in the forthcoming governorship election. The step has given us assurance that they are prepared to conduct free and fair election.”

‘Ondo SMS opinion poll result not true’ From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

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HEAD of the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, a political group, Ondo Democracy Fighters (ODF), yesterday faulted a short messaging service (SMS) opinion poll recently conducted by Gallop Polls Nigeria Limited.

By the result released in Akure, the state capital, Gallop Polls said the ruling Labour Party (LP) candidate, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, polled 77 per cent of the votes.

Its Principal Consultant Anthony Chigbo said 14,500 voters from the state participated in the MTN SMS opinion poll.

According to him, Mimiko polled 11,164; the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Mr. Oluwwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) scored 1,420, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard bearer, Olusola Oke, polled 1,230 votes.

But ODF alleged that the Gallop Poll was sponsored by the state government to create the impression that the LP was the most popular party in the state.

A statement by its state Coordinator, Sowore Fabuluje, alleged that the opinion poll was stage-managed by the government.

The group said: “As part of efforts to ensure that the poll favoured their sponsors, the group only gave the chance to electorate who are MTN subscribers to participate in the poll. But we were aware that in the previous polls conducted in other states by an independent agency, all the telecommunications companies’ subscribers were allowed to participate.”

It noted that before the poll was conducted, the public was not properly enlightened, “except those who are always conversant with daily newspapers”.

Mimiko sacks three aides From Damisi Ojo, Akure

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday sacked three of his Special Assistants.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, said the affected aides are: Adesoji Ojomo, Chris Anota and Kayode Agunloye.

The statement said Mimiko took the decision following reports that the political aides neglected their duties and that this had negative effects on government activities.

The statement reads: “There have been various reports concerning the activities of the sacked aides, which negate the principle of the Olusegun Mimiko administration.

“There have been reports of the activities of the aides, which cast aspersions on the government and portray it in bad light, hence their dismissal.

“Three aides were dismissed for dereliction of duty, absconding and engaging in acts that cast aspersion on the government as well as portray it in bad light.”

The statement added that their dismissal takes immediate effect.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘Govt requires N1.896tr for power’ From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali, yesterday said in accordance with President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation agenda, about N1.896 trillion investment is envisaged in the power sector between 2011- 2015 Mr Sali, who spoke during the launch of the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN ) graduate skill development programme in Abuja, said the fund is expected to cover investments in four major areas of power- generation, transmission, distribution, and alternative energy.

He added that the objective is to provide adequate and sustainable power for industrial growth and national development, as well as intensify rural electrification efforts in a more efficient manner and achieve optimal mix, using the most appropriate technology.

Sali pointed out that the strategy to be adopted in achieving these objectives is to create a deregulated and competitive electric power sector to attract foreign and local investments, noting that the implication for Human Capital Management is that only the best will be attracted to work in the sector.

This, according to him, will go more than just being in possession of a Bachelor’s or Masters degree in Electric Engineering or Power related courses. The possession of practical skills and proven track record would be the requisite qualification for practitioners in the sector, Sali stressed.

Following the need for manpower NAPTIN yesterday began an intervention training Programme for 5,027 skilled employees across the power sector.

This intervention, said the

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-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.5% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending -22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $35.8b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 242.1 $ 156 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 238 RIYAL 40.472

Brazil is an influential member of the BRIC nations with a big apetite for investing in Africa, especially Nigeria. So, there is the need for us to strengthen our partnership with them to attract big investments into our country especially in those areas where we have competitive and comparative advantage.

- Minister of Trade & Investment, Olusegun Aganga

Drop in oil revenue: Fed Govt, others Naira trades flat T to draw from solid minerals’ fund

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HE three tiers of government have agreed to source for more funds from proceeds of solid minerals - no thanks to a fall in revenue last month.

The Chairman, Forum of Commissioners of the 36 states of the federation, Timothy Odaah, told journalists in Abuja that the drop in oil revenue witnessed during the last Federation Account Allocation Committee meeting, was a temporal phenomenon that would not have significant impact on the nation’s economy.

He said: “You have heard contributions being made and what is on ground now is that solid minerals should

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

also be included as the basis for derivation and the essence is to encourage states because almost every state in the nation has some solid minerals or oil buried in their land.

“If that is done, it would be an incentive because we have seen dwindling economy all over the world.”

He added that the clarion call is that every state must do a lot in order to beef up their internally generated revenue.

Odaah said the development would improve at the next FAAC meeting, adding

that there is much understanding because “we wouldn’t have agreed totally but the circumstances have made us to agree to the terms and by next FAAC, there would be much more improvement.”

He also called on the states to diversify their revenue in order to boost developmental projects.

The country suffered a huge decline of N260. 512 billion in gross revenue last month.

The Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla had disclosed that the drop from N825.396 billion to N564.884 billion recorded in July was caused

by security challenges experienced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in crude oil production.

Otunla noted “the drop in oil production was due to a number of factors among which are the security challenges faced by the NNPC, force majure declared at Bonny Terminal and shutdown of Balema Gas Plant and Trans Niger pipeline as well as decreased in Production Sharing Contract and Modified Carry Arrangement.”

The drop in oil revenue compelled FAAC to augment the allocation for the month of August by N143 billion.

HE naira traded flat against the U.S. dollar at both the interbank and foreign exchange markets yesterday, as strong demand for the greenback soaked up liquidity from two oil firms and the Central Bank of Nigeria's currency auction.

The naira according to Reuters closed at N157.80 to the dollar, around the same level it ended at on Friday.

At the bi-weekly auction, the CBN increased dollar supply to $200 million, from the $180 million it sold at last Wednesday's auction, but maintained the rates at N155.78.

Dealers said the local unit of French oil firm Total sold $44 million to some lenders, while Agip sold around $7 million, but strong demand lapped it up.

The naira has traded around the N157-158 level to the dollar over the past one month, owing partly to dollar sales from oil companies and inflows from offshore investors buying bonds.

Dealers expect the currency to hover around current levels throughout the week, as month-end dollar inflows from oil firms boost liquidity.

Minister, agencies sign performance pact From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

• Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, (2nd right), presenting a cheque of N6 million to the Green Family, winners of Maltina Dance All six held at Eko Hotel and Suites. With her is Mr. Walter Drenth, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc (middle) in Lagos... at the weekend.

Unions, aviation agencies meet on debt recovery T

WO days after Arik Air resumed flights at airports across the country, union members and heads of aviation agencies yesterday reopened talks on the huge indebtedness by domestic airlines.

At the meeting, which was held at the headquarters of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency ( NAMA), were officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Ministry of Aviation.

A source said the meeting dwelt on how to recover the debts without putting pressure in the system. Other strategies were explored.

Also yesterday, reports that Arik Air gave directive that it would not permit the Managing Director of FAAN, George Uriesi, to board its aircraft were swiftly denied by the airline.

The airline’s spokesman, Banji Ola, said in a telephone interview, that he was not aware of such directive.

He said : “ I am not aware

• Air Nigeria’s pilots petition CBN over N35.5b By kelvin Osa Okunbor

of such directive. I cannot confirm that because at no time did we give such directive, so I am wondering where that came from.”

Meanwhile, staff of Air Nigeria, have petitioned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), asking it to investigate the disappearance of the N35.5 billion aviation intervention fund given to the carrier last year. The fund was meant for streanthening the firm’s operations before the recent shut down of its domestic flights.

In the petition dated September 12, 2012, entitled, “ Closure of Air Nigeria, call for investigation of N35.5billion Aviation Intervention Fund,’’ the branch chairman of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Air Nigeria,

Roland Ahmed, said the body wants the CBN Governor to probe the N35.5 billion facility drawn by the carrier.

It said, ‘’The fund was released after much pressure to enable Nigeria airlines refinance their huge debts as well as inject life to the administration of aviation. ‘’We understand that the fund extended to Air Nigeria was guaranteed by the airline’s main banker, United Bank for Africa. To this end, we feel obliged to intimate you of the recent closure of Air Nigeria by its Chairman, Jimoh Ibrahim. ‘’Permit us sir, to draw your attention to this, as we believe it to be an anomaly and a defeat of the noble intention of the Federal Government through the CBN. We therefore implore your office to take immediate steps to safeguard, the N35.5billion public fund,

which now appears trapped

by Air Nigeria’s closure.’’

The workers also noted that the airline’s Air Operator Certificate (A0C) expires after 60 days. It lamented that the statement credited to the airline’s chairman that it would reopen for business in 12 months time, was contrary to the provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

The CBN had, while injecting the fund to the sector, said “airlines can now partake from the funds and those that are indebted to banks can refinance their loans and amortise them over a period of 10-15 years.”

The funds were to be dedicated to the airlines that meets the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s certifications.

It was also meant to address all the issues of technical standards and planes’ airworthiness.

The Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi had recently called for a review of the fund because it was not delivering on its mandate.

T

O achieve results, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Mohammed Sada, has signed a performance agreement with the Permanent, Secretary and heads of Parastatals in the ministry.

He said the pact underlined the ministry’s resolve to offer better service to Nigerians.

In a statement, the Deputy Director, Press, Marshal Gundu, said the Performance Contract is a mandate for the minerals and metals sector as well as every staff of the ministry The Minister said the minerals and metals sector has been identified as the key player for the diversification of the economy and the overall socio- economic development of the nation.

“It is no more business as usual. We cannot afford to let Mr. President and the nation down, we shall all therefore be held accountable for the realisation of the targets set for us by Mr. President and we must contribute our quota to realise these objectives. If you do well, you get applause, if you do otherwise, you are called to order.”

He said President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Performance Contract with all members of the Federal Executive Council in his determination to ensure high performance in terms of execution of government programmes for the benefit of the people of Nigeria.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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PROPERTY

Tuesday, September 25, 2012 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

Lagos-Ibadan road: Govt changes gear as ultimatum expires

•Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

The two weeks ultimatum it gave has since expired, but the Federal Government is yet to act on the concessioned Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. It is now promising to enforce the 25-year concession agreement with Bi-Courtney Highway Services (BCHS) after the rainy season. Will it live up to its word? OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE asks •CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

•‘Landscaping of perimeter areas now compulsory’

- PAGE 18

•Oyo rebuilds Olosan Bridge to avert flooding - PAGE 47

•Poor safety standards worry builders - PAGE 48

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

‘Landscaping of perimeter areas now compulsory’

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T is now an offence for property owners and occupiers not to landscape and beautify the perimeter areas of such houses, according to a law posted by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

TheLagos State Parks and Gardens Agency Act is the outcome of a bill initiated by Governor Babatunde Fashola.

At the handing over of the agency to its management team in Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello said the law was part the state’s effort to meet its environmental challenges in line with global international best practice.

About 128 landscaped gardens and 14 gardens were handed over to the management of LASPARK, headed by Olukunle DavidSotade.

Bello said his ministry was positioned for policy promulgation and not implementation, which puts it in the best position to deliver on its mandate.

The commissioner, however, stressed that adequate public enlightenment would be embarked on before full enforcement of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Law No. 13, of 2011. ”It is now mandatory for tenement owners and occupiers to landscape and beautify the perimeter areas of their property. Violation of this shall warrant the penalty of N250,000 or such sums as the state shall incur in doing same on behalf of the tenement, or six-

‘The law stipulates a fine not exceeding N50,000 or one year imprisonment or other non-custodial sentences for any person or corporate body found felling or trimming trees in the state without obtaining the required permit from LASPARK’

•From left: Special Adviser on Environment Taofeeq Folami, Bello and Sotade

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

month imprisonment or other non-custodial sentence.

“The law stipulates a fine not exceeding N50,000 or one year imprisonment or other non-custodial sentences for any person or corporate body found felling or trimming trees in the state without ob-

taining the required permit from LASPARK,” Bello said.

He said state agencies numbering about 89 will help the ministries to formulate proper policies and carry out their oversight functions more effectively.

Also prohibited are walking on lawns/gardens, spitting, urinating or defecating in parks, gardens or

open spaces, and loitering in any park, among others.

Some of the functions of LASPARK, according to him, are administering, maintaining and managing designated parks and gardens. The agency is also expected to charge appropriate fees for the use of facilities provided where necessary, carry out the di-

rectives and policies of the government in respect of the development, maintenance and management of parks, recreation centres, gardens, playing grounds and open spaces, and promote afforestation, among others.

David-Sotade promised to improve on the work already done on the parks and gardens across the state, even as he sought the cooperation of Lagosians to enable him and his team deliver on the job and its responsibilities.

He said the idea is to collaborate with all sectors of the economy by aligning the agency’s corporate goals with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) on the environment and the economy.

Govt changes gear on Lagos-Ibadan road •CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

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T the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum, the public expected the government to move in and do something about the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which was concessioned to BiCourtney Highway Services (BCHS) in 2009.

But five weeks after the expiration of the ultimatum issued in Lagos on Friday by Works Minister Mike Enolememen, the government is shifting the goalpost.

Onolememen told The Nation a few days ago that the government is mindful of the contract stipulations and wouldnot hesitate to enforce the agreement at the end of the rainy season.

When he inpected the Third mainland Bridge, which is being rehabilitated, last month, Onolememen said the government would make its position known in “14 days on the way forward.”

Over three years after the road was concessioned to Bi-Courtney, not much work has been done on it.

He said: “The government is already engaging the concessionaire in a bid to find the way forward.

There has been a series of meetings; the meetings will end next week after that, the way forward will be known.

“What is important is that government is committed more than ever before to delivering that road and doing it quickly considering the economic potential of the road.”

The expressway, which links Lagos with other parts of the country, is dilapidated, resulting in traffic snarl, waste of manhour and frequent accidents.

A community leader in Ibafo, Mr Olugboro Akinyemi, decried the delay on the construction of the road, accusing the government of insincerity and lacking the political will to enforce the contract

with the concessionaire.

He wondered why the government seemed helpless in getting the job done if the contract was done in good faith. Akinyemi recounted commuters’ hardship on the road daily and the government’s lack of empathy. He dismissed the promise by the minister as a political statement.

A resident of Magboro, Mrs Kelechi Ikem, who runs a primary school, lamented the toll on her business. Many parents, she said, now look for nearby schools for their children and wards as the road has become too bad to commute daily.

She appealed to the government to enforce the contract to save the lives and resources of travellers and residents who use the road daily.

Another resident in Arepo, Mr Ajayi Lukas, who works on Victoria Island, leaves home every day before 5am and does not get back before 11pm.

He wondered for how long he would do this and still be effective at work and home, appealing to the government to make up its mind on what to do with the road in the interest of the public.

He decried the penchant of Nigerians to play politics with almost everything imaginable and called on the Federal Government to come up with a definite road map on the Lagos/lbadan Expressway.

The Nation checks revealed that the ministry is mindful of the legal implications of cancelling the concession agreement and is, therefore, taking its time to plug loopholes to save the government from possible litigation and longdrawn court battle.

Another aspect to the issue is that some high level politics was ongoing on the concession as there is a divide between some government officials who want the status

•Onolememen (3rd left) at Third Mainland Bridge on Friday

quo to remain and others canvassing the cancellation of the contract, to make room for a more competent contractor to handle the project to put the government in good light considering the critical position of the road in the economy and politics of the country.

But a source said all depended on President Goodluck Jonathan as nobody seemed to know where his stand.

The minister, while underscoring the government’s sincerity on not just the rehabilitation of the road, spoke of plans to ensure that most highways across the nation are in good condition. He said the launch of Project Safe Passage was geared towards ensuring that Nigerians are provided with good

roads devoid of potholes to promote safe motoring and passage.

On the strategy to deliver the project, Onolememen said government would ensure that contractors engaged by the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) recovered all sections of their road alignments that have failed.

He said the project would be considered as a contingency for failed sections of road alignments across the country and that federal roads without subsisting contracts would be taken over by FERMA through its direct labour scheme for the implementation of the project.

Onolememen said to empower contractors to deliver on the

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE

project, the Federal Ministry of Works had paid outstanding certificates on its projects to contractors within the limit of the 2012 Budget.

He said though rehabilitation and reconstruction works had been stepped up on majority and about 11 road projects completed, many are still unhappy over the state of roads in the country.

He urged contractors handling various projects on federal roads to submit their schedule of work for the safe passage programme within seven days.

Onolememen added that contractors would be accountable to their approved programmes of work and contractors who fail would be sanctioned.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

EDITORIALS

Unworthy process •Only this can explain why we honour someone today only to strip him shortly after

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ONDAY, 17 th September was another day for the Nigerian elite to show- case their latest wardrobe acquisitions. The venue was the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja. The event was the 2012 National Honours Awards Investitures for 155 recipients. For many of the awardees, the journey to being crowned a National Honours recipient was no easy one. Since the awards have come to be seen as a status symbol of sorts, many would go to any length to get their names on the list. But, amidst the pomp and pageantry, the point was clearly not lost on President Goodluck Jonathan, who presided over the event, that the prestige of the awards had over the years become eroded.

It was thus to restore confidence in the awards that the President promised that the honours would be withdrawn from all those who are found to be of questionable character or have fallen short of public expectation. Unfortunately, very many Nigerians, as well as this newspaper, did not put much store by the President’s words. He sounded more like a politician making the right sound bites. The truth of the matter is that it does not take skills in rocket science to identify the ‘unworthy awardees’, blacklist them and strip them of the awards.

For instance, it is well known that former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tafa Balogun; former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank, Mrs Cecilia Ibru and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, are all

awardees who have been convicted for one misdemeanour or the other. What then stops the Presidency from taking decisive action on these and similar cases, to demonstrate that the President is actually sincere about his threat?

In any case, is there not something wrong with a process that throws up awardees for the country’s most prestigious honours, who within a short time, are discovered to exhibit character traits making them unfit for the honours? We believe that part of the problem is that the process, which throws up many of these awardees is itself faulty and unworthy. Why, for instance, should certain office holders become automatic holders of some awards simply by virtue of their positions? What then happens if they abuse their offices or commit some infractions that compel their exit from office?

Would it not be better to wait until such individuals had completed their tenures meritoriously before they are honoured?

In Taraba State, Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai got the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) award. His Deputy, Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi, who had been slated for the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), had his nomination withdrawn at the last minute ostensibly because he had disagreements with his governor and was facing impeachment threat by the House of Assembly.

Again, do the governors not have an overbearing influence on the process of selecting awardees? Does it mean someone from a given state can be denied the

honour if the governor does not like his or her face, and no matter how qualified the person is for the award?

Of course, there are some outstanding Nigerians who were honoured this year, most deservedly. A good example is Chief Mike Adenuga, a foremost entrepreneur, businessman and employer of labour. Others include the six Paralympics gold medallists, Mohamed Tahir Zakari, a level 10 officer of the Office of the Accountant-General, who returned an overpayment to him of N6 million, and Mr. Jelani Aliyu who designed the world’s first electric chair. But then, a list of over 100 awardees every year is unwieldy and can only encourage the emergence of unworthy characters as awardees.

‘In any case, is there not something wrong with a process that throws up awardees for the country’s most prestigious honours, who within a short time, are discovered to exhibit character traits making them unfit for the honours? We believe that part of the problem is that the process, which throws up many of these awardees is itself faulty and unworthy’

Admission racket

•The University of Ibadan matter symbolises the situation in the country DMISSION rackets are not new to Nigerian universities and other higher institutions. Perhaps the news in the case of the country’s premier university, the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, is that a huge admission syndicate had been operating there in the last 14 years or thereabout. It is not yet ascertained how many fake students would have graduated from the university, what is known, at least for now, is that 63 of them were discovered to have gained admission into the university in the 2011/2012 academic session alone. And this is for those already caught; we also do not know how many other such syndicates are yet to be smashed in the university and in other universities.

According to Prof Ademola Dasilva, the university’s director of General Studies Programme, 19 of the fake students were

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‘But the fact that admission racket is flourishing in the country underscores the undue emphasis that we place on paper qualifications. This is responsible for the desperation of many people to gain admission into the university at all cost. Nothing else could have justified the readiness of applicants to pay as much as between N160,000 and N200,000 or more, as in the University of Ibadan case, to get a place in the university, illegally’

apprehended in his unit within two weeks of surveillance. Prof Dasilva said he stumbled on a lead that led to the smashing of the syndicate said to have considerable network in Lagos, Abeokuta and Ibadan.

Three serving staff of the university suspected to be involved are Isaac Ubani (Publication Unit of the Registry), Onaolapo Michael Adebayo (Dean of Science Office) and Adebiyi Omolade (Bursary). The others who operated from outside the university are Kabiru Adetunji (a non-teaching staff of Adelagun Memorial Grammar School, Odinjo, Ibadan); Kazeem Adio Olakunle; Femi Eyiowuawi and the fourth suspect, a former porter in the student affairs division of the university, was dismissed about 11 years ago for a similar offence.

They are all facing trial in Ibadan Magistrate’s Court, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

It is unfortunate that this kind of racket could have been going on undetected in the country’s premier university for over a decade. This is a university that has produced many great minds in many disciplines, many of them renowned worldwide.

But the fact that admission racket is flourishing in the country underscores the undue emphasis that we place on paper qualifications. This is responsible for the desperation of many people to gain admission into the university at all cost.

Nothing else could have justified the readiness of applicants to pay as much as between N160,000 and N200,000 or more, as in the University of Ibadan case, to get a place in the university, illegally.

For a nation that places such emphasis on paper qualifications, it would also have

been expected that it would give qualified applicants equal opportunities to realise their dreams, either by expanding existing universities or by establishing new ones, or both.

Regrettaby, while facilities in many public universities are shrinking or, at best static, the number of prospective undergraduates keeps swelling every year. Not even the establishment of many private universities in recent years has come close to solving the problem.

Governments have to seek ways to expand existing universities and fund them adequately. The six new universities in each of the country’s geopolitical regions would have been applauded but our worry is that the problem is not only about number but also about the quality of teaching and learning that students would get in these institutions. We should also revive vocational schools and other institutions, including polytechnics and colleges of education, and make them worth attending by according their graduates the desired respect that will not make them feel inferior to their counterparts who attended universities.

In the specific case of the University of Ibadan, we are happy that the suspects are already in court. Due process must be followed to the end, even as Prof Dasilva must be given the necessary protection from people who might have felt hurt by his uncovering of their syndicate and have been allegedly threatening him. It shows how far values have sunk in the country when people who should be remorseful for their actions are issuing threats and seeking to intimidate a constituted authority.

What Aung San Suu Kyi could teach President Obama and Mitt Romney “

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OMETIMES IT IS more difficult to learn to work together than to suffer individually,” Aung San Suu Kyi observed to a Washington audience last week.

Coming from a woman who has spent most of the past two decades in isolation, under house arrest, it was a striking statement. The Nobel Peace Prize winner from Burma was seeking support in Washington as her country, also known as Myanmar, emerges from a half-century of dictatorship. What seemed uppermost on her mind were the practical, human difficulties of making democracy work.

She talked about how people in her country, a Southeast Asian nation of 50 million or so, don’t really know how to ask questions of their leaders, a practice that hasn’t been much encouraged in recent decades. Similarly, she said, politicians aren’t used to the notion that they have “a duty to explain their policies.” She fretted that the Burmese fear of losing face makes it difficult for politicians to compromise.

All of which made us wonder whether Washington might not have more to learn from Aung San Suu Kyi than the other way around. No doubt Burma, like every nation, has challenges specific to its history and culture. But the allergy to compromise, the failure of leaders to explain their intentions — much of it sounded drearily familiar.

Here we have a presidential campaign in which both candidates are more eager to tear the other down than explain what he would do if elected.

Since Republican nominee Mitt Romney has been on both sides of so many issues, the problem is particularly acute in his case. He offers platitudes about lowering taxes but refuses to say how he could make the numbers add up. He faults President Obama for having failed to achieve compromise with Congress, yet his dismissal of the half of the country that does not support him hardly seems the basis for a unifying presidency.

Having occupied the White House for nearly four years, Mr. Obama presents less of a mystery. But it is disappointing that he offers no second-term agenda beyond defending and completing the work of his first. He accepts no responsibility for the worsening gridlock that he had promised to alleviate; his only fault, he says, was to trust naively in the good faith of the other side. His takeaway is that “you can’t change Washington from the inside.”

There’s nothing wrong with a president going outside Washington to mobilize support; that’s what the bully pulpit is for. But Mr. Obama’s version of the past four years is incomplete. Republicans were often more intent on thwarting him than helping the country, even reversing long-held positions to do so. But at key moments, when compromise might have been possible, Mr. Obama lost his nerve or failed to lead.

More important than arguing over history is the oft-postponed challenge of repairing the nation’s finances. Even before Inauguration Day, the country, if its politicians cannot find a compromise, will slide over a fiscal cliff of tax hikes and spending cuts that will endanger national security and send the country reeling back into recession. What would President Obama do in a lame-duck session to head this off? What would a President-elect Romney counsel? We have no idea.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who won election to parliament in April, said her party refused to make “easy promises” that it could not fulfill. “Some people tell me this means I’m not a real politician,” she joked.

“Cut taxes.” “Preserve Medicare.” Those are easy promises. Righting this country will require more difficult measures — including Democrats and Republicans working together.

–Washinton Post

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The Joint Task Force on Wednesday claimed it captured the operational base of the Boko Haram in Kano. The JTF also killed one of the influential members of the sect suspected to be its spokesperson with the name Abu Qaqa. Of course, these are remarkable achievements and deserve commendation.

Although, there cannot be clean victory in the war against terrorism but the government can mitigate if there is consistency in counterterrorism policy with long term strategy that is dynamic in approach. The recent attack against the sect's operational base will go a long way in reducing the terrorists’ activities in the northern part of Nigeria. There is no doubt in the

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Is government winning the war on terror? fact that the JTF assault on the sect’s active base will weaken their organizational capacity to launch future attacks on innocent citizens.

The JTF should continue and ensure they locate and destroy all Boko Haram’s operational and command centers in Nigeria. The government should also locate their sponsors and active sympa-

thizers for arrest and prosecution under the new anti-terrorism law.

The judiciary must rise up to the occasion by complimenting the effort of the security agencies.It is disheartening to see how those who have been arrested and charged to court with credible evidences have been released from time to time without punishments commensu-

rate to their deed.

Since his appointment as the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rted) has consolidated on the existing “carrot and stick” strategy with much emphasis on diplomacy, intelligence gathering and quality intelligence analysis for operational tactics. The product of this approach gives timely interven-

Ticking clock of revolution

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IR: I no longer have time for theories, neither do I have time to criticise President Jonathan which has become the past-time of most of us. Though Jonathan sure has his own share of the blame for where we are at present, it is the graveyard peace that we still enjoy that allows for Jonathan’s or any other public officer’s criticism at that.

The revolt in Libya did not start in a day, neither, in my opinion, was it a revolt against Ghadafi. It was a revolt against the greed of the ruling class, which Ghadafi represented – the kind of greed that thrives unabashedly in surplus amidst wants and grueling poverty. This is the kind we currently experience in Nigeria, made far worse by the arrogance of the ruling class which believes that Nigerians are too timid to take their destiny in their hands.

This arrogance makes them look like gods and the rest of us slaves who must lose our dignity in kneeling to lick from the floor the crumbs that fall from their tables.

This arrogance has so blinded them that whatever they ‘generously’ dole out to us from our commonwealth is considered a favour for which we must grovel and beg. Even now, our hands drip blood from the wounds of yesteryears and the present, while they shrink in fear of the wounds of coming years.

There is a saying that humans are to be valued while things are to be used. Unfortunately, the Nigerian

ruling class value things they are to use and use humans they are to value and love. Houses and cars are of more value to them than humans. In their eyes, there is no drop of mercy. Their hearts and conscience are seared. Our existence or death draws no joy or pity from them. After all, we are all just statistics: more than 70% living below the poverty line, 23.9 percent unemployment rate etc.

Statistics we are and statistics we remain while they continue in their acquisitive nature.

What Nigerian politicians forget is that the poor man with no dignity has got nothing to lose. It is the rich who build empires and

if the empires crumble, definitely their health and hearts crumble with them. The man who has for years been pressed down will someday find his voice and stand to his feet from his master’s table with his wounded and bloodied hands to demand justice. In the words of Martin Luther King Jnr: “Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself...Something within has reminded him of his birthright of freedom, and something without has reminded him that it can be gained.”

Professor Femi Osofisan’s book “Red is the Freedom Road” best

describes the situation. The poor man with bloodied hands has felt ceaseless pain from the soles of his master’s shoes so much so that pain now has its gains for him: it hardens and makes him heartless like his master. The mental picture of a heartless man (men) demanding freedom can be sickening to the point of vomit for the lily-livered.

Freedom will sure be gained, but not without pain. As for the already dehumanised poor man, he has felt and mastered pain, but the spoilt rich man and his kids will feel it more and probably never survive it.

• ‘Dimeji Daniels Ado-Ekiti.

tions that prompted the arrest of the influential cadres and enable the JTF to locate the Boko Haram’s operational centre in Kano. The ability of the NSA to coordinate the security agencies thus reducing the traditional rivalry between them is a major milestone achievement.

The government must try to consolidate on this gain by reducing all those things that breed terrorism in the society. While the military, law enforcement in collaboration with the intelligence community are doing their best to clear the mess they never created, the policy makers should understand that the only way out to win the war is to reduce poverty, create employment opportunities for young people, reform the Nigerian justice system and deepen the countries democratic values.

Finally, a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy must be centered on four goals: First, stop terrorists from committing acts of violence by capturing them, disrupting their cells, or if necessary, killing them. Second, keep the most dangerous weapons out of terrorists' hands. Third, recognising that it is impossible to prevent all attacks. Fourth, prevent radicalisation by helping to deal with grievances that are spawning terrorists.

The government cannot achieve all these with the only use of force but through a comprehensive approach deeply rooted in good governance.

• Oludare Ogunlana abovejordan@yahoo.com

Nigerians and London Met University debacle IR: If by November 23, the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA), refuses to reverse its revocation of London Metropolitan University’s visa status and the case instituted by the varsity strikes no chord , close to 1500 Nigeria students studying in the University who cannot secure alternative admission in other schools might face deportation from the UK. On August 30, the UK government revoked London Metropolitan’s highly-trusted status (HTS) for sponsoring international students, based on its findings that a quarter of students studying at the university did not even have permission to stay in

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the country. UKBA also revoked the existing visas of the University’s pre-existing non-European foreign students, which automatically terminates their studentship and left them in the limbo of seeking admission somewhere else irrespective of the number of years already spent.

According to the UK Immigration Minister, 142 of 250 (57%) sampled students from London Met had attendance issues. Which means they hardly attend classes.

Except Nigerians want to lie to themselves, how many of the youths who leave the country on the pretense of going to study abroad end up doing so? Admission

abroad is usually an opportunity to leave Nigeria with its woes of socioeconomic disabilities and the few that ends up in school had to take up menial jobs to cover their fees.

This, to a large extent, may account for their absentism but UK authorities would be killing the vision and aspirations of these determined immigrants by booting them out. The authorities at London Met have established that nonEuropean student in the University are just 11% but the school generates 32% of its income from them.

Penalizing legitimate international students for the sins of London Met is disproportionate and damaging to UK’s international

reputation.

Until African leaders appreciate that higher education is key to sustainable development, they would continue to subject their citizen to ridicule of this magnitude. One thing we fail to understand in this part of the world is the destructive implications of brain drain. If our government claimed ignorance during the slave trade era, their prompting us to enslave ourselves and get abused and humiliated in this era of globalisation leaves much to be desired.

• Sulaimon Mojeed-Sanni Lagos.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

21

COMMENTS

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HE build-up to the October 20 and enough cash. gubernatorial election in Ondo For another, Dr. Mimiko the State is sinking into a hierarchy politician has proved a of spite. At each level of that hierarchy consummate, sly, shifty but is a concert of hate. unfazed player in freeIt tragically limits the right of the Ondo wheeling, ideologically neuter electorate to be pitched and be treated politicking, where old enemies to life-changing electoral menu. It also become friends and old friends, tragically limits the significance of that enemies; so long as the end Olakunle election, for a Yoruba nation resolved justifies the meanness to finding its bearing in a Nigeria on (apologies to Prof. Wole lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola quicksand, no thanks to the country’s Soyinka). abiding violent contradictions.

Witness: the anti-Labour At a level on the spiteful hierarchy are posture of a Labour governor, hurting Action Congress of Nigeria during the January anti-fuel (ACN) gubernatorial hopefuls, who lost subsidy removal protests, the party’s governorship ticket, and left the party in protest. ascertain its progressive political health. After the dismal which ensured the protests were most ineffective in Ondo State, As is the rule with estranged politicians and universally with collapse of Project OGD, during which Otunba Gbenga Daniel, in the whole of the South West. But surely, there must be more neophytes to justify new company, demonising former former governor of Ogun State and favourite of the Afenifere to elections and electioneering, particularly in a national season company, as a rule of thumb, is alive and well. elders, as a counterpoise to the Tinubu perceived threat, of anomie, than equal opportunity racketeering to coral power At another level are the Afenifere grandees who have thrown sensationally self-destroyed, scrambling to the Ondo war front at all costs? their hat into the ring, for a high-octane proxy war. Surely, for the last stand-off makes logical sense.

Besides, Mimiko logs a frightful track record of serial betrayal as a native of Ondo State, Pa Reuben Fasonranti, the Afenifere That sweetly dovetails into Mimiko’s rather plebeian pitch to of political colleagues (witness the late Adebayo Adefarati in leader whose controversial election fissured the once the Ondo electorate to beware of a certain District Officer (DO) Alliance for Democracy, AD and Olusegun Agagu, in PDP). formidable voice of the political progressives in Yorubaland, and his alleged overlord from Lagos. The rallying cry: the The ACN accuses him of similar breach of faith in the current has a stake in the Ondo election. So does Chief Olu Falae, invading Lagos army must be stopped at all cost. Repeat: at all dispensation. That clearly makes trust and mutual confidence another eminent Ondo elder. And so does, for that matter, cost! Sweet emotion! But the Ondo election should be made of building an uphill, if not an impossible, task.

Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the most combative and straight-shooting sterner stuff, given the sophisticated Ondo electorate.

So, with both party (LP) and candidate lacking in brand of the Afenifere titans who seem to chafe at the thought of a Still, on the ACN. There is a lot to be said for urgently pushing integrity, the ACN-Mimiko match-up was always a probability. callow generation staking a claim to the Yoruba progressive more equal opportunity in the party’s consensus candidate The crunch certainly is here! franchise. selection system. That would save it from perennial charges of Still, the October 20 election is not about Mimiko per se (though To be fair, Pa Adebanjo, in his published reaction to Dr. “imposition”; and the consequent demonization of its leaders. as sitting governor he would strive to retain his seat, in a Jide Oluwajuyitan’s piece, “Sons and fathers” (“Re: Sons and It is also a moot point if the ACN’s apparent get-Mimiko-out- warped political milieu where losing an election is often fathers”, The Nation, September 20), stated that he attended at-all-cost strategy is wise in the short run. As Ripples has always Governor Segun Mimiko’s flag-off campaign only because argued, a Labour Party, LP’s Mimiko appears, on its face value, tantamount to a Roman emperor vanquished in a power tussle, he was invited. But it needs little perceptiveness to realise ideologically closer to ACN than the Peoples Democratic Party and falling on his sword) or about Tinubu and his party (though the Afenifere titans’ gripping interest in the Ondo poll (PDP), with its barren mainstream philosophy of structural the ACN appears to offer a sharp alternative, in the context of transcends Governor Mimiko’s civility. underdevelopment. Ideological affinity, in the absence of party a South West that needs regional integration to further assert At the apex of the Ondo hierarchy of spite sits Governor unanimity, would appear best suited for the South West, trying itself in the troubled Nigerian federation).

It is rather about the democratic right of the Ondo electorate Olusegun Mimiko, campaigning hard for an encore. With in the integration project, to preserve its people’s future by to a better deal. Which of the contending parties is likely to the governor’s campaign’s constant stream of hate and scaremaking the best of the Nigerian debacle. mongering, about some alleged “foreigners” come to cart Even then, this ideological affinity argument is terribly vitiated guarantee that? The electorate would decide that. But how can away the Ondo gubernatorial loot, Dr. Mimiko about by some notorious facts about LP and Dr. Mimiko. For one, LP they make a sound decision when the whole place is cluttered exemplifies the cynical quip of patriotism being the last has morphed from its perceived rooting in social democrats with xenophobia, spite and allied din?

The election is also about the strategic place of Ondo in the bastion of the scoundrel. When the turf is suspect patriotism, (like Britain’s Labour Party) to an empty, ideologically vacuous then raw xenophobia becomes a scalding, emotive tool. electoral platform open to about anyone with electoral stress South West economic integration agenda. Which of the contending parties is best placed to give Ondo its pride of All levels on the spiteful hierarchy are, therefore, unitedin this agenda of regional economic rebirth and in-grudge against the ACN and its “leadership” – a “Governor Mimiko would do well place sustainable development? These are the pertinent questions. euphemism for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the party’s national to review his service in the past four Governor Mimiko would do well to review his service in leader.

The estranged ACN former aspirants accuse him of years and state his future agenda, the past four years and state his future agenda, instead of his barren tactics of fear-mongering and mind-poisoning. “imposition”: of a rival in Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the ACN instead of his present barren tactics present Ondo gubernatorial candidate.

His opponents too should clearly state and vigorously sell of fear-mongering and mind- their programmes.

The Afenifere grandees fret at Tinubu’s alleged political conquest of the South West, a region the old lieutenants of The October 20 election is far too important to be limited by poisoning” Awo maintain they have a spiritual watching brief, just to hate and spite.

epublican ipples

Ondo and the limit of spite

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HE nation ought to see itself in debt of gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for terminating Project Cure - Sanusi’s obsession with finding cure for ringworm when a more malignant cancer is indicated. There are several reasons why Nigerians ought to be grateful for the mercy intervention by the President.

First, it seemed unlikely that the “curers” would ever come to agreement with majority of citizens on the need, or lack thereof, for the curious therapy. The situation is hardly helped by the perception of the CBN as an arrogant, insular institution that sees itself above the common herd; certainly not one to be swayed by the weight of public opinion.

Secondly, never, it seems, has a therapy proven to be so divisive; it seems to have verged to the point of constituting a major distraction both to the administration and to the apex bank itself. With due respect to the assumed merits as sold by the apex bank, Nigerians seem to have convinced themselves that the unique selling point simply fell short – and miserably too – on the list of items that should constitute the priority for the bankers bank.

Furthermore, it was one instance in which the apex bank would seek to re-write the rule of economics –a science that prides itself as one involving choice among competing possibilities. When majority of Nigerians appeared united in their rejection of the restructuring, the CBN threatened a fiat as if it was itself not a creation of statute. Not once or twice did I hear the CBN maintain that the planned exercise was not open to debates since it claimed the measure not only had the backing of the law, but had the approval of the President.

The President’s intervention, in my view, may have in fact saved the CBN from itself. Unfortunately, one of the unintended consequences of the Sanusi obduracy is the current situation in which a reconsideration of the entire notion of the apex bank’s so-called autonomy is being called up.

Now, I know a throng out there who would argue that this is no more than a knee-jerk, or if you may, reflex reaction to the Sanusi exuberance. They are probably right just as I would argue that one needed not to cut the nose to spite the face.

But the question of foreclosing the debate on the future of the apex bank, particularly the notion of its autonomy belongs in a different realm. Agreed, there are those who would rather see things from the narrow prism of current experience – something of a punishment for the proverbial lone bull raging in the financial house’s china shop, an individual whose abiding love for hugging controversies would ordinarily appear as incompatible with the conservative traditions of the apex banking institution. But clearly, there are other Nigerians who see in the debate, a great opportunity to realign the rules of the apex bank, to make its processes more transparent and to ensure a more

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

The wages of obduracy accountable institution.

This is where the current concern about the apex bank’s autonomy comes in. What is autonomy anyway? I understand the word at two levels. One is operational; the other is best described as administrative and procedural.

The former is what needs to be preserved. Indeed, I have not heard anyone argue that MRR or whatever monetary policy instruments the apex bank may chose to adopt be made a subject of extraneous oversight. Indeed, its capacity to respond to monetary policy challenges would probably need strengthening, not curtailment.

Outside of the monetary policy terrain however, there should be no such thing as absolute autonomy. A most vivid illustration is the requirement for the CBN to secure written approval from the President in any plan to restructure the naira.

Coincidentally, I have not quite seen anyone argue that this requirement is neither necessary nor desirable. While those pushing for absolute autonomy do not bother to make the fine distinction, it seems to me a part of the deliberate muddling of facts to reinforce a particular line of argument.

The CBN Act of course says that the institution should be sacrosanct. That is precisely the issue. It needs not be. Why – because to allow it, is to make our CBN the most powerful one in the world.

I need to illustrate. Up till August 2009, it was doubtful that many Nigerians knew how powerful the CBN governor is.

After the unprecedented sacking of the executive management of the then ailing banks, the situation would change. I couldn’t recall Nigerians expending much energy debating the action against the bank chiefs whose criminal lapses nearly brought the entire financial system to ruin. If my memory serves me right, most Nigerians readily agreed that the cups of the delinquent bankers were already full and running over.

But then, Nigerians would become divided over a number of issues. I cite two examples.

First, was the unilateral takeover of the banks without recourse to the club of existing shareholders. For a club not adjudged to have been culpable in bringing ruins to their institutions, the class was to suffer double jeopardy from the unchallengeable powers of the CBN. Aside being forced to wear the label ‘guilty by association’, their situation would be compounded with the denial by the apex bank of their right to recapitalise their institutions.

The second example is the apex bank’s unilateral injection of nearly N620 billion of bailout money from its till. Compare the intervention for instance, with the United States’ Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) –put in place by U.S. President George W. Bush on October 3, 2008 to purchase assets and equity from financial institutions as a means of strengthening the country’s financial sector in the wake of the global credit meltdown.

Or even the takeover of the US troubled lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the wake of the sub-prime lending crisis. Both interventions were undertaken by the US Treasury (the equivalent of our finance ministry) as against the Federal Reserve (the apex bank); in both instances, the relevant laws were passed by the US Congress.

The argument as to whether the nation can afford an institution that stands as a law unto itself is one that hasn’t been made convincingly by those making the case for the retention of the powers of the CBN as it is. It is not so much about hanging anything on the neck of the current helmsman whose temperament seems to have exacerbated the issue.

Rather, it merely acknowledges the need to learn from our recent past even as the nation struggles to chart a new course in financial rectitude. Global best practices or not, can anything be wrong with evolving a home-grown solution to our problems?

‘The argument as to whether the nation can afford an institution that stands as a law unto itself is one that hasn’t been made convincingly by those making the case for the retention of the powers of the CBN as it is. It is not so much about hanging anything on the neck of the current helmsman whose temperament seems to have exacerbated the issue’.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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COMMENTS

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EADING Rabiu Kwakwanso in the papers over the weekend on why the South east does not deserve a sixth state like most of the other geopolitical zones in the country has once again reinforced the widely held belief about the arrogance of the northern political elite and the scorn with which they treat non Hausa/Fulani Nigerians.

Kwankwanso as you know or if you don’t is the governor of Kano State, Nigeria’s second most populous state after Lagos and the centre of commerce and industry in the North.

The State is also home to Maitama Sule the politician legendary for his oratorical skills who once said that northerners (read my lips;Hausa/Fulani) are better suited for leadership (in comparison with other Nigerians).

Leadership he concluded is in their DNA. If you add Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the current governor of the Central Bank, another Kano indigene,to the above list and consider some of his provocative utterances and actions at the apex bank, then you begin to have a rather disturbing or distorted picture of the Kano elite, a subset of the larger political leadership in the north.

I say distorted because it is this same Kano that had produced the great Mallam Aminu Kano, the undisputed leader and champion of the masses. From here also came Abubakar Rimi, Sule Lamido (now governor of Jigawa), former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and a whole lot of progressive minded politicians/ leaders, academics living or dead that have contributed immensely to the development and progress of this country without casting aspersions or looking down on the rest of us.

Lest I forget, Datti Ahmed, a medical doctor is also from Kano. And if you recall Ahmed was the one championing the case against administering polio vaccine on children in the north the other time,claiming it was a plot by the western world to kill Muslim children.

Can you imagine this coming from a medical doctor?

These characters are by no means the true face of Kano people and as such should be treated as individuals, so Kwankwanso is on his own I guess.

The Kano State governor now in his second term and who many suspect harbors a presidential ambition (2015/2019?) in challenging deputy Senate president and chairman Constitution Review Committee, Ike Ekweremadu’s call for a sixth state to be created in the South east vehemently opposed

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T last things are beginning to look up in the maritime sector. The recent commissioning of the Onitsha River Port and President Goodluck Jonathan’s pledge that many more will soon follow suggest the determination of the present administration to restore water transportation to its pride of place. If vigorously pursued, marine transportation will become a huge foreign exchange earner for the nation.

Water is about the greatest natural resource God in his wisdom blessed this country with but its potential for rapid transformation of a nation is not widely recognised in Nigeria. So vital is this resource to human existence that the earth and the human body are each made up of 70 per cent water. Some other nations that are similarly endowed have applied this resource to a great advantage in the areas of transportation, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation purposes, aquatic farming and recreation. But here, the reverse is the case. Since the discovery of oil in Olobiri in 1956, ‘the blue gold’ has been relegated to the background.

The maritime sector is about the worst hit.

Since the exit of the British, the sector has suffered serious neglect. A few Nigerians in the agencies entrusted with responsibility of growing the sector have been taking advantage of the prevailing situation to milk the nation dry. Dredging contracts invariably end up being abandoned with the connivance of the supervising government agencies and project consultants. Even when such contracts are completed, dredged silts are deliberately deposited near the channels knowing that with time the silt will surge back into the channel and pave the way for the award of fresh contracts. The stipulation that dredged silt be moved far away from the channel is never adhered to. All these have resulted in the unfortunate situation where some channels have been dredged severally to no avail and at huge cost to the nation. But despite its pitiable state, this sector remains the nation’s second highest revenue earner.

The lackadaisical disposition of successive administrations towards marine development reflects in the fact that the Onitsha Port complex has been commissioned twice. The first was in the early 80s by the National

Southeast and the quest for new state

such a move and called on National Assembly members from the north to be on the look out to prevent any attempt to create an additional state in the east through the back door or amend the constitution to give the president power to pick ministers from the geopolitical zones as opposed to each state.

His argument was that the South east both in terms of landmass and population is too small for an additional state and if any state deserves to be created it should be from Kano state which he says should be broken into three. He pointedly accused Senator Ekweremadu from Enugu state of promoting an ethnic agenda on this issue while denying that he, Kwankwanso is also championing the northern interest. Relying on the last Census figures, the Kano governor said if his state was broken into three, each of he three states will still be bigger than Ekweremadu’s Enugu both in terms of size and population.

While it is not difficult to understand Kwankwanso’s problem or concern over another state in the South east, what is rather disturbing is why would a State governor, a leader of his stature want to deny others their right. If all he wants is two additional states for Kano why say others should not have their own.? But we all know Kwankwanso and some northern elite want more than that. Most importantly they want the North’s numerical advantage in terms of number of states over the South and the political domination (of the South) which it confers on them to be retained at all cost. An additional state in the South east could alter this strength with serious political

and economic implications for the north. One more state for the zone would automatically means more federal resources going to Iboland. Of course you know the implication of this in terms of infrastructural development of the area and may be less money for the other states.

But why should the North want to dominate the rest of us or hold others to ransom or rather have things their way always? Honestly speaking what would the North or our compatriots in the North lose if the Ibos have one more state? I can’t see it? The problem here I think with people like Kwankwanso is that they don’t want to let go of the influence peddling/ dispensing that they have been used to all these years since Lord Lugard’s amalgamation of 1914. But the truth is that the North or its people has not benefitted meaningfully from this near hegemonic control of Nigeria by the northern elite, instead the Kwankwansos of this world have been feeding fat on their undeserved advantages/privileges as leaders of their people to the detriment of this same people.

If a sixth state in the South east will bring fairness and equity as Ibos would want us to believe why is Kwankwanso opposed to this?

If he wants more state(s) out of Kano or elsewhere in the North let him or those in his boat apply and their request should be treated like others; on the table,with the criteria clearly spelt out and known to all. If at the end of the day the South east or any other zone got its wish or failed to the whole nation would know why.

This attitude of its either my way or the expressway as being displayed by Kwankwanso is not in the best interest of the country most especially the North. This is the same attitude the North is adopting over the controversial issue of State police. If the Kano State governor believes his state is big enough to give birth to two other states because of the peculiarities of its size and population, why shouldn’t a state like Lagos,because of its peculiarities be allowed to have its own police force? It is not compulsory for others who don’t want to to have their own separate police, but those who can afford it and want it to be allowed to have it provided they comply with the law? Shikena!

In our warped federalism we still want a very strong central government, a strong state when it suits our purpose and even a powerful region to serve our needs. The North does not want another state in the South east so that it can use its numerical advantage over the south to easily rally the nineteen northern states to veto or out muzzle the seventeen states from the south on any issue that requires national voting in say the National Assembly for instance. Even if nobody at least not Kwankwanso is saying so that is the belief here and this doesn’t bode well for national unity. While he is opposed to the president being allowed constitutionally to appoint ministers on regional basis, he sees nothing wrong in the North constituting itself into a regional bloc to dictate what happens in this country. Eating your cake and having it, eh?

Instead of raising dust or sweating unnecessarily over issues that could divide us Kwankwanso and his likes, and I must confess they are not limited to the North alone, should be routing for fairness and equity.

There are people like him here as well but may be they are not occupying the kind of public office he’s occupying, and when they make his kind of provocative statement only a few pay attention to them.

While calling Kwankwanso to order, it is also necessary to advice our compatriots east of the Niger to also learn how to get things done without necessarily inviting the wrath or annoyance of others. The Ibos have a way of having a good case but spoiling it through bad presentation. They must learn to cooperate with and carry others along. In Nigeria no one ethnic nationality can do it alone. We need ourselves. So, Kwankwanso, no threat please.

The Onitsha River Port: Matters arising

By Cos Nnadi Party of Nigeria (NPN)-led Federal Government, but soon after, the port became moribund as the dredging of the lower Niger River was incomplete at the time the port was opened. Ever since the Onitsha Port has remained idle. Nothing significant was done by any other administration, military or civilian, until the award of the 2009 contract which culminated in the recent commissioning of the complex after a full dredging of the channel. The Goodluck Jonathan administration must be commended for this feat and going by the optimism of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) officials, the inland ports of Oguta in Imo State, Degema in Rivers State and Baro in Niger State will soon come on stream. However, beyond reviving inland ports is the need to sustain them through periodic maintenance dredging. Any attempt to develop marine transportation without laying the foundation for its sustenance will come to naught.

Encouraging as the return of the Onitsha port may be, it is disturbing that we are still not getting our priorities right. Developing inland waterways and ports when nearly all the main water routes leading to the Atlantic Ocean are in various states of disrepair is like putting a cart before the horse. The international ports of Calabar, Port Harcourt, Azumiri, Koko and Ibaka that served the British so well in their quest to colonise Nigeria and for movement of slaves and agricultural produce have for so long fallen into disuse. It is imperative to pursue the development of these routes with the equal zeal so as to complement the inland routes. By so doing, the government will be taking marine development to great heights and the nation will then be in a position to reap its full benefits. The maritime industry has the capacity of stemming rural-urban migration, stimulating economic activities and creating millions of jobs that can catalyse the rapid development of this nation. This is besides its tendencies to reduce the cost of living given that water transportation is by far

cheaper than air or land, and to absorb the pressure on the roads prompted by the movement of cargoes on the highway.

It is common knowledge that inland waterways are secondary channels and are dependent on the international routes to operate. This is because inland ports and waterways have certain inherent limitations that prevent ocean-going vessels from passing or berthing at the ports. For instance, inland ports are usually bordered by roads and bridges that make it impossible for big vessels to pass or berth. And with a draft of between 2.5 and 3.0 metres, inland waterways cannot accommodate big vessels that move on minimum draft of 8.5 metres. Consequently, mother vessels entering the country must first trans-load to smaller vessels which then will convey the goods through the inland channels to the river ports. The standard procedure is that mother vessels that are designed for a draft of between 8.5 and 10.5 metres ferry goods into the country and thereafter transfer the goods to barges, which in turn trans-load to smaller boats that can move on inland waterways and berth in inland ports.

Making the international ports and water channels commercially viable will not only increase the volume of maritime activities but also reduce freight rates. Vessels approaching from the Atlantic Ocean will have several alternatives to explore. They may for instance enter the Lagos channel for Lagos Port or veer into Benin River for Koko Port.

They may also follow the Forcados River to Warri Port; the Bonny River to Port Harcourt and Onne ports or Calabar River to Calabar Port. The horrible state of most of these rivers puts so much strain on Lagos and Port Harcourt ports with attendant congestion of the seaports, delays in the evacuation of ship as well as land traffic that results from the movement of goods in and out of the ports.

No doubt the international channels require much more capital outlay to fix but in the long run, these channels contribute more to the purse of the nation, create more job opportunities and feed the inland waterways.

This question that naturally arises is how to develop the international channels given the several unsuccessful attempts at making them navigable in the past. Happily, the Federal Government is already considering the ‘channel management’ option in respect of the Calabar Port and this appears to be the way out of the quagmire. Besides checking corruption and ensuring quicker returns to the government, the ‘channel management’ approach imposes on a dredging company the responsibility to ensure that the channels are in perfect condition all year round. Under this arrangement, channel managers owe all users of the channel a duty of care. If a vessel gets stuck in a channel or suffers any form of damage or loss as result of poor dredging, the negligent dredging company will be held liable and made to pay damages. Returns to channel managers are also dependent on the usage of the channel. In fact, the ‘channel management’ system has ensured the smooth running of the Lagos and Bonny channels; and will surely do the same in all other routes whether international or inland. The idea of engaging contractors solely for capital or maintenance dredging bristles with problems and has been the bane of marine development in Nigeria.

• Dr Nnadi lives in Lagos

‘The horrible state of most of these rivers puts so much strain on Lagos and Port Harcourt ports with attendant congestion of the seaports, delays in the evacuation of ship as well as land traffic that results from the movement of goods in and out of the ports. No doubt the international channels require much more capital outlay to fix but in the long run, these channels contribute more to the purse of the nation, create more job opportunities and feed the inland waterways’

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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INSIDE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Page 25

Agency donates to hospital - Page 26

FCTA flags off immunisation

Will Abuja residents stop loving fura da nunu?

- Page 27

The listening President - Page 40

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AN anything possibly give Abuja residents more pleasure? Super-rich, middle class or poor, it is an irresistible staple, an obsession.

Fura da nunu comprises two delicacies. Fura is produced from millet which the Fulani call Gyero while Nunu is derived from milk extracted from cow.

By Olugbenga Adanikin and Helen Iyoko

A banker described it as sweet, milky and nourishing with a high concentration of protein, adding that it is a delicacy to be taken daily.

The new drink which is best served chilled has suddenly caught the interest of Abuja residents.

Apart from office workers to whom it is a daily serving, street walkers, job seekers and other pedestrians, especially in the scorching sun, rush to the local stands to have their take.

While some love to take the entire milk drink, others prefer just the cow milk (nunu).

Grace, a student of University of Abuja, said: “I like it because it is

nutritious, though I only take the milk and not fura because it irritates me.”

Hawkers of this local drink strategically position themselves in highly populated areas such as Wuse, Garki, Area 11, Maitama Junction, Area 1 and other se•Continued on Page 26

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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ABUJA REVIEW

Will Abuja residents stop loving Fura D’nunu?

•Continued from Page 25

lected motor parks.

Some choose to take the drink because it soothes their taste. Others love drinking it because of its acclaimed ‘man power’. It is believed to be capable of addressing infertility in men. No wonder men seem to patronise this product more than expected. However, women have also become popular patrons of the food drink. Aside from its health benefits, its consumption is alos thought to increase breast milk, something nursing mothers crave.

The drink is a good source of protein. According to its consumers, it provides the body with energy and strength to last almost throughout the day without eating anything.

Mrs. Hajara Wemune, a Fulani woman who specialises in the sale of the product, said fura da nunu is mainly produced by the Fulani.

Describing the production process as tedious. The milk is properly boiled on fire after extracting it from the cow, to kill all germs.

“It will be boiled on fire until it thickens to form nunu. They will now bring it down from the fire, pour it into a bowl, add a little tap water, mix it together and cover it to get cold.

“But for the fura to be processed, the shaft of the millet will be peeled and ground. Take a little dry one aside, add a little water to a large quantity of millet and mix very well until it blends and becomes strong. Then they will now mould it. Fura and nunu are now ready to drink.”

Gladys Pacie believes that it can be very good for children and women especially men who love to be sexually active.

She said: “I will recommend it for people to take especially breastfeeding mothers. It helps them produce sufficient milk for their kids and it helps men in the area of procreation, especially with those suffering from low sperm count. It helps them solve that problem. As for children, it is proteinous but it has adverse effects too because it has fatty content, so too much of it is bad.”

In contrast, a media practitioner who doesn’t want his name in print debunked the claim that the natural drink could boost men’s sexual performance, though he agreed that it is very rich in protein and fats.

As for him, it makes him sleep well.

“It makes me sleep and feel good.

The fura is boiled on the fire until it thickens to form nunu.

They will now bring it down from the fire, pour it into a bowl, add a little tap water, mix it together and cover it to get cold

T

HE Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has donated hospital equipment and consumables to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), for use at the primary health care level for community new born care.

This is just as the agency also facilitated and funded in-house training for community extension healthcare workers in the territory.

The fura (millet) has protein, nunu also has protein and fats and oil. It is very good and rich. It makes me look fresh. When I was in the higher institution, I took it very frequently; the Kunu aaya (tiger nuts) also help sexually as well as boiled groundnuts,” he said.

Despite the immense benefits of this nutritious drink, some do not like it, fearing that the hygiene standards of the producers are suspect.

Sometimes, the cow milk and millet are swarmed with flies. The water used for its processing as well as packaging is mostly in used bottled water.

This situation may not be hygienic enough. The questions are, how clean is the water? How hygienic is the packaging? Is it produced in a germ-free environment? Are the producers safe from diseases?

These are questions that many ask, but patrons seem not to bother.

They love what they love all the same.

Adetola Bademosi who is also a fan of this drink, decried its production processes, saying: “They should improve on the packaging.

The calabash they use in producing it may not be clean enough. They wash it openly and apart from that, they use ice block to make it cold.”

Speaking further on its effects, Gladys said: “One of the major effects of taking fura and nunu is that the cow milk may not be properly boiled, the environment where it is being produced is usually kept unclean, surrounded with files settling on them, the water used to process the fura and nunu is not reliable and even the containers used to package for sale may not be clean, and all this can be harmful to our health.”

The irony is most Abuja residents

•Business time for the Fulani girl like taking the natural drink. A Fulani woman, who engages in the business, said their customers most times are those people walking in offices because they seem to be very busy, so by the time they take chilled fura and nunu, they gain more energy to do their job effectively and will not get hungry. She said they are being encouraged to produce more while patronage lasts.

In a dynamic society where unemployment keeps soaring, it won’t be inappropriate if relevant agencies such as National Directorate of Employment (NDE), among others, rise to support these entreprising women to further boost their capacity.

This will not only boost their business but it will help to refine and regulate their products and contribute more to the nation’s economy.

Agency donates hospital equipment Stories by Bukola Amusan

Canadian Minister of International Cooperation, Julian Fantino, who made the donation at an event held at the Primary Health Care Centre, Kuchingoro, Abuja said the

presentation was its way of contributing to community healthcare development in Nigeria and the FCT in particular.

He noted that quality health care was necessary for overall development, even as he promised to continue assisting the country espe-

cially in the areas of maternal and child health.

“I want to express gratitude on behalf of the government of Canada for the work that is being done here and to the people administering the programme. We feel we can enable the people here at the local level to deliver quality service that saves lives and render good opportunity to children to grow up to be good citizens of Nigeria and the world at large,” he added.

Fantino also praised the High Commissioner, Canadian High Commission, Mr. Chris Cooter, for seeing to the success of the programme.

Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya, who received the equipment on behalf of the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, observed that studies had shown

that a good number of newborn deaths were caused by lack of skilled care at pregnancy, delivery and post-natal period, low institutional deliveries and poor maternal nutrition among others.

He commended CIDA for the intervention, saying it would go a long way to improve maternal and newborn healthcare delivery and reduce mortality.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwan Mohammed expressed happiness at the donation, saying it would help the community healthcare workers trained to perform better and offer quality health care delivery to the rural populace.

Equipment provided by CIDA includes heightometer, Somalia Hc (B2) and Somalia Hc-therm-clinical kits among others.

Court frees pastor accused of theft A

•Members of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)

KARU Senior Magistrates Court has discharged and acquitted a 29-year-old pastor, who was accused of theft and enticing a married woman.

The case against Pastor Best Egbuah was dismissed for lack of evidence.

The pastor who lives in Karu Market was alleged to have enticed and taken away Ugwu Ifeanyi, a married woman, living in Karu Village, Abuja.

Egbuah had been standing trial since November 2010.

Delivering judgement, Senior Mag-

istrate Celestine Odo said the evidences brought before the honourable court had proven that the accused was not found guilty of the offences for which he was charged.

He, therefore, discharged and acquitted the accused from all the charges levelled against him, saying, “any aggrieved party can appeal the judgment within 30 days.”

Defense counsel Felix Iyoha praised the court for the “excellent’’ judgement.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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ABUJA REVIEW

T

THE Federal Government has urged Federal Capital Territory (FCT) traditional rulers to protect MDGs projects in their communities.

The Senior Special Assitant to the President on Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), Dr precious Gbenol said this in Bwari Local Council during a sensitisation campaign. She was there to inspect MDGs projects in the area.

She told the traditional rulers to see themselves as owners of the projects in their domain, saying until they hold this belief, the leaders may not protect and

Govt urges traditional rulers to protect MDGs projects From Olugbenga Adanikin and Helen Iyoko

maintain the projects appropriately.

Gbeneol used the medium to warn states and local government councils against undue delay of MDGs funds in bank with the intent of earning interest on them.

She informed that the funds

The funds are meant to be used to build infrastructure for water, health, education and environment-related projects that will impact positively on the lives of the ordinary people.

from the MDGs office to the states are meant to be counterpart funded by the respective states and used to build social infrastructure to empower the common people even as she revealed that N1.2b has been released to the FCT since last year.

Gbeneol said: “The funds are meant to be used to build infrastructure for water, health, education and environmental related projects that will impact positively on the lives of the ordinary people. Any council or state found doing so would no longer be able to access further funding.”

She said while urging the traditional rulers to assist in sensitising their communities on the need to not only utilise the MDGs projects but also maintain them.

“The MDGs are about the com-

mon man. The rich man’s children hardly die because they have access to the best hospital, they go to the best schools but the common man doesn’t see danger in the six most dangerous diseases.”

The traditional rulers of Sarki Bwari, Alhaji Musa Muhammed and Esu Bwari, Ibrahim Yaro in their respective remarks promised to protect as well as embark on community sensitisation of their communities to participate in the MDGs. Bwari Area Council Chairman, Peter Yohana, noted that the community has made tremendous progress in the MDGs but pointed out the major challenge facing the projects as vandalising the facilities.

Apart from addressing a town hall meeting of Bwari residents,

•Dr. Gbeneol

the SSAP also visited the MDG funded Primary Health Clinic in Bwari which began operations in June 2012.

Dr Benita Awoh who oversees proceedings at the health centre said the local people with health problems especially women running into hundreds have started patronising the facility.

Two jailed over attempt to smuggle cigarettes to suspect in detention

T

WO men, Danlami Danjuma and Mahmud Suleiman have been sentenced to four months imprisonment each by an Abuja Senior Magistrates Court for attempting to smuggle cigarette to a suspect in detention in a police station.

Police prosecutor, Mohammed Ahmed told the court that the

Stories by Bukola Amusan

case was lodged at the Maitama Police Station by one Christopher Salau on September 13.

He said that on September 13, the convicts, who stay behind Exclusive Stores in Abuja, conspired and hid a box of matches and five

sticks of cigarettes inside a loaf of bread.

Ahmed said that the convicts had the intention to deliver the said loaf of bread to one Dauda and Joshua presently in police custody at the Maitama Police Station.

He said that the convicts were caught in the act by Salau, the

guard on duty at the station and were subsequently arrested.

The prosecutor said that the items were recovered from them on arrest and that the offences, criminal conspiracy and attempt to commit an offence, contravene Sections 95 and 97 of the Penal Code.

Danjuma and Suleiman, how-

•Immunisation helps keep polio at bay

FCTA flags off immunisation campaign

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HE Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide has flagged off the Local Immunisation Days (LIDs) to rid the territory of poliomyelitis.

The LIDs are days that have been designed to improve immunisation coverage for all eligible children and women through the provision of

quality services by 250 health facilities across the six area councils of the FCT. The minister called for concerted efforts by all FCT residents and stakeholders to help eradicate polio from the territory.

She said: “The 250 health facilities within all the area councils and quite a number of outreach sites will

be involved in providing services during the Local Immunisation Days. This, I believe, is with a view to improving access so that community members are encouraged to utilise the services provided.

“The fact that immunisation still remains one of the most cost effective interventions ever developed makes it mandatory for all relevant

stakeholders, religious/community leaders and other leaders of thought within communities to join hands to create demand for this important life-saving intervention.”

She stressed the need for innovative ways to sustain the gains of the immunisation programme which the FCT Administration had achieved over the years.

ever, pleaded guilty to the allegations against them.

“I did not know it was an offence to take cigarettes to someone in police custody, although, now I know better,’’ Danjuma said.

“I didn’t know it was a crime to take cigarettes to somebody in prison,’’ Suleiman also said.

Upon their plea, the prosecutor prayed the court to try the convicts summarily based on the provisions of Section 157(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Akobi in the judgement, said that she was not convinced by the reasons given by the convicts because they tried to conceal the items inside the loaf of bread.

She said that ignorance was not an excuse for breaking the law and that as young men, they should have engaged themselves in useful acts instead of committing crimes.

She, therefore, sentenced each of the accused to two months imprisonment for each of the two offences of criminal conspiracy and attempt to commit an offence.

She, however, gave them an option of N2,000 as fine for each of the offences.

Akobi said that the sentence would not run concurrently to serve as deterrent to them and other offenders.

Senior Magistrate Ann Akobi, however, gave the convicts an option of N4,000 fine.

I did not know it was an offence to take cigarettes to someone in police custody, although, now I know better

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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ABUJA REVIEW

Nyanya residents seek better roads

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ESIDENTS of Federal Housing Authority Estate, NyanyaKaru in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the poor state of the roads in the estate.

A cross section of the residents said that the roads within the estate were no longer passable.

A resident, Mr Chris Mbachu called on the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, to urgently do something about the bad roads to alleviate the sufferings of motorists in the estate.

“The roads have totally failed as the authorities have not considered it vital to maintain them.

In fact, the present state of the roads shows that no rehabilitation ever took place since they were built over 30 years ago”.

Another resident, Mr Inalegwu Odeh, said that the roads were death traps, “they are destroying our cars and many residents are thinking of relocating from the area”.

Malam Abdullahi Yinusa said

•Nyanya residents want their roads fixed From Bukola Amusan

that the drainage system in the estate had totally collapsed, adding that the development had left

residents at the mercy of the canal that ran through the middle of the area.

“We are urging the FCT author-

ity and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure the community is salvaged as the estate is home to many federal work-

ers’’.

The estate has 250 flats, 15 major link-roads and three sub-estates with more than 100 flats.

Abuja light rail to convey two million commuters

T

HE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed has assured that when the Abuja light rail is fully functional, it will transport about two million commuters from one part of the country to the other daily when its first phase is completed in the second quarter of 2015.

Senator Mohammed disclosed this in Abuja during the National Good Governance Tour of projects within the Federal Capital Territory.

The tour, which will cover the 36 states of the federation and the FCT kicked off in Abuja.

Projects visited in FCT included the Abuja rail mass transit scheme being handled by Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) and the Rehabilitation and Expansion of the Abuja Airport Express Road

to 10 lanes. The contract to this effect was awarded to construction giant, Julius Berger PLC. Senator Mohammed said the rail system which is an integral part of the FCT Transportation Master Plan was designed primarily to transport large number of commuters and goods between the satellite towns and the

different phases of the Federal Capital City (FCC).

He further explained that the rail system is divided into six lots which covers a total distance of 252kms and are spread out for phased development. The current phase to be completed within the second quarter of 2015 comprises Lots 1 and 3. Lots 2, 4, 5 and 6 are to be captured in subsequent

Senator Mohammed said the rail system which is an integral part of the FCT Transportation Master Plan was designed primarily to transport large number of commuters and goods between the satellite towns and the different phases of the Federal Capital City (FCC)

Community decries neglect

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ESIDENTS of Iddo Sarki community in Abuja Municipal Area (AMAC), have decried neglect suffered in the hands of their representatives at the local and national levels.

They said the representatives have betrayed the trust reposed in them.

The traditional head of the community, Alhaji Adamu Hassan, who spoke through his secretary, James Bulus, said that their representatives are only concerned about their selfish gains rather than the welfare of the community.

He said that there farmland was confiscated from them by government on several occastions withou compensations and their representatives didn’t speak against the action.

“We, the indigenes of this place don’t know our fate in

terms of where to live, we are being denied our rights over our farmland and our leaders are not saying anything,” he said.

He said that the community is yet to enjoy the dividends of democracy promised by the leaders whne they were soliciting for votes.

According to him, the deprivations and victimisation faced by natives of the Federal Capital Territory is due largely to the fact that people usually appointed to run the affairs of the FCT are non-natives.

He appealed to theFederal Government to give FCT a special status, such that natives of the territory are accorded the opportunity of overseeing the affairs of the territory.

Bulus recalled that when the seat of power was still in Lagos, the natives of the state

were accorded their full customary rights to land ownership and wondered why their case id different.

He complained that the road linking the community with other commuities is in a deplorable state and appealed to the council authorities Area Council in the area of healthcare delivery, adding that the community has a functional primary health centre with adequate drugs as well as personnel.

He, however, said that the community lacks potable water, adding that the water projects carried out by AMAC and the MDGs in the community have since broken down.

In the area of agriculture, Bulus complained that farmers in the community have not been able to access the government subsidised fertilisers and other farm inputs.

phases.

Lots 1 and 3 which make up the current phase cover a distance of 45km and are being constructed at the sum of USD823.5m. This amount, the Minister said, comprises USD500m foreign component to be financed by the Chinese Exim Bank and the balance of USD323m to be sourced locally through budgetary allocations.

The tour took Senator Mohammed and his Ministry of Information counterpart, Mr. Labaran Maku and the Good Governance Tour Team through various major and sub-stations of the rail line including the Wuye by National Stadium, Wupa and Idu major stations.

There are a total of 15 stations on the routes covered by the current phase which stretched from Dei-Dei through Kubwa and Idu to the City Centre and from Airport through Lugbe and Idu to the City Centre. The contractors assured the team that all the 15 stations would be completed by 2015.

In his remarks at the end of the tour, the National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mallam Garba Mohammed commended Senator Mohammed,

•Senator Mohammed

saying that implementation of government projects in FCT have moved on a fast pace since he assumed office about two years ago.

Minister of Information, Mr. Maku equally praised Senator Mohammed and the FCT Administration, stressing that the transformation agenda of the current administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is on full course in the FCT.

Councillor trains 15 youths

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HEcouncillor representing Kwali Central Ward in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon Mohammed Mohammed, has trained 15 youths in the area on entrepreneurship.

Mohammed, who disclosed this in Abuja, explained that the gesture was a partial fulfilment of his electioneering promises to the people, especially the youths in his ward that contributed to his successful election into office.

The councillor revealed that he used his furniture allowance to fund the training as well as providing borehole and other basic

amenities to the people within the ward.

He further disclosed that he also distributed various items to people in his ward such as mosquito treated nets, farming equipments and text books to students in some primary schools in the area.

He said that he has concluded arrangement on how to upgrade the central market located in the heart of the council.

The councillor pointed out that the challenges within the market include poor road network, lack of parking space, insecurity and avoidable deplorable condition which have affected traders in the market.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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The best court is the peoples court. Nigerians have passed a verdict on President Jonathan as far as Justice Salami issue is concerned. Let him do the right thing, the moment he does the right thing and obeys the laws, Nigerians would respect him • SEE PAGE 38

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

’

• From left: Chief Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN), Prof Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), former NBA President Lanke Odogiyan, former NBA President Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and NBA President Okey Wali (SAN) at the summit

Weeks after his emergence as Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr Okey Wali (SAN) has convened a Bar Leaders’ Summit on the association’s future. The summit came on the heels of some members’ agitation for reform and inproved welfare at the last NBA General Conference in Abuja.

Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU reports.

T

HE legal profession is facing monumental challenges. Often times, lawyers and judges are in the news for the wrong reasons, such as corruption and unethical practices. The executive is not spared. It is accused of manipulating the legal system for selfish reasons. President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged refusal to recall suspended President of the Court of Appeal Justice Isa Ayo Salami is cited to buttress such claims.

Lawyers believe that the legal practice should be strengthened by legislation to ensure that there is no encroachment or abuse by others.

To find a way round these challenges, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Okey Nwali went to work soon after being sworn in. The Bar Leaders Summit on the Future of the NBA, held last week in Abuja, was his first major assignment.

After his inauguration as the 26th NBA President on August 31, Wali inaugurated the Bar Leaders Summit Committee, chaired by Chief Solomon Awomolo (SAN), to chart a course for the strategic development and reformation of the NBA for the benefit of lawyers.

The committee started work immediately. Last weekend, at the Lagos/Osun Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Bar leaders from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory gathered to brainstorm on how to restore the glory of the Bar and positively affect the lives of the average lawyer.

Wali said the association has the historical duty to build a 21st Century Nigerian Lawyer for the 21st Century Nigeria.

“We are worse for the alarming disconnect between the average Nigerian Lawyer and the social and legal challenges of our time,” he said.

He added: “This state of affairs has robbed lawyers of the ability to participate in the affairs of the country, both as citizens and as professionals. Our earning capacity as lawyers and the learning environment for

Whither NBA? Nigeria of tomorrow. This is the burden we are carrying today, the burden of renewal.”

The summit, he said, was, therefore, organised to chart a new course for the NBA. It had the theme: The Nigerian Bar Association, the past, present and the future.

The reason for the summit, he said, was to bring together some eminent Bar leaders to appraise the Bar with a view to identifying gaps and articulating recommendations for reform.

Wali said: “Burdened as we are as Bar leaders with charting the direction and role of the legal profession in Nigeria, we must query how well we are discharging our duties. Are we leading the profession in the right direction? Are we performing all the duties thrust upon us by history?

“Should we redefine our role by increasing or decreasing our responsibilities? The NBA plays a tripartite regulatory role in the area of regulation, representation, and focus on public interest. At the heart of representative role is welfare of lawyers and delivery of Bar services to our members.

“My vision is to develop and deliver new and existing Bar services, to manage the relationship of lawyers and key stakeholders,

aspirants into the profession are far from optimal.

“The painful truth is that the dynamism of the Bar falls short of the dynamism of our society.

“The Bar is not able to perform its role in the society due to structural inadequacies.

Professional growth has been stifled by a combination of inadequate training, harsh economic realities, poor regulatory environment, and poor institutions.

“Our great forebearers in the profession did not have to contend with the challenging realities of the internet and globalisation. They lived and practised our profession before deregulation, economic and political reforms, fast-paced transactional environment, that we must live with in today’s Nigeria.”

Nwali went on:“Our practice environment changes around us by the minute. The challenges that have confronted us as citizens and professionals are evolving rapidly.

“If we are to approach anywhere close to the respect that our great professional forbearers commanded in their time, then we have to go the extra mile to renew our profession and build 21st Century Bar for the

‘

With the realisation that most lawyers and judges do not belong to other associations, it is rather obvious that the Bar and the Bench are not only married to the legal profession but are indeed fused as members of the same family

Inside: Lagos CJ to judges, magistrates: join ... - P.31

to generate new legal work for our members.

“This will include insurance and welfare scheme and others. We are working on the establishment of co-operative societies, and even micro finance bank to be run by the NBA,” Nwali said.

A discussion of the NBA’s future without some talk of succession planning, Wali said, was incomplete. “We must prepare the future leaders and members of the profession and its body.”

According to him, many organisations spend most of their time reacting to unexpected changes, instead of anticipating and preparing for them. This, he said, is called crisis management.

His words:“Organisations caught off guard may spend a great deal of time and energy playing catch up. They use up their energy coping with immediate problems with little energy left to anticipate and prepare for the next challenges.

“It does not have to be that way. A sensible alternative is a well-tested process called strategic planning which provides a viable alternative to crisis management.

Strategic planning looks at three to five years ahead.

“It charts a definite course based on strong indicators of what the business environment will be like in those years.”

Wali believes that besides personal satisfaction of taking charge of an organisation’s future, strategic planning offers, at least, five compelling reasons for its use.

“It forces a look into the future and therefore provides an opportunity to influence the future, or assume a proactive posture. It provides better awareness of needs and of the facilities related issues and environment. It helps define the overall mission of the organisation and focuses on the objectives.

“It provides a sense of direction, continu-

’ ‘Salami’s issue an albatross on Jonathan’s ... - P.38

•CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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LAW Cover CONT.

• Former NBA Presidents OCJ Okocha (SAN) and Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Director-General, Ethics and Corporate Compliance Institute, Jideani Chukwuemeka, Chief Solomon Awomolo (SAN) and NBA National Publicity Secretary Mr Afam Obi

Whither NBA? • Continued from page 29 ity, and effective staffing and leadership. It plugs everyone into the system and provides standards of accountability for people, programs, and allocated resources.

“In view of the importance of strategic planning as stated above, my administration seeks to design a five year strategic plan that will define the present and the future.

The envisaged strategic plan will contain issues, programs and policies for future NBA administrations. These will ensure continuity of programs and policies and smooth transition in the NBA.” In a paper entitled: Professional challenges of the Nigerian Bar Association in the 21st century, eminent lawyer Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) said the legal professional had always been the most respected and loved.

Represented by Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), Babalola said the role lawyers play place enormous burden on them.

According to him, being “influential agents of change” requires more than mere rhetorics. It involves action, determination, doggedness, grave risk, diligence and,

above all, consistency, as changing the status quo in any society, anywhere in history, has never been an easy task.

According to him, change is often achieved at great cost, sometimes with human blood. But when the change is finally effected, (positive change of course), he said, the aroma of victory travels far and wide.

Lawyers, by virtue of their calling, are looked upon by the larger society sometimes for rescue operation (figuratively speaking) especially when the society is in dire straits, he added.

Babalola said: “If Nigeria and indeed the world community must succeed in making the transition from traditional to modem society, persons of proven integrity who are endowed with requisite skills and social conscience must initiate reforms and manage the legal systems.

“Thus, the tasks of reformation and, by necessary implication, development call for lawyers who can effectively serve in the specialised roles of judges, government lawyer, law teacher, private practitioner and at the same time serve as guardians and therefore shapers of processes of law at sub-national (local), national and international levels for the good of all.

“The role of lawyers, especially in the area of costs of legal development, cannot be overemphasised. This is more profound in developing nations of the world.

“Often, the assumption has been all too frequent in both developed and developing countries and international organisations that legal systems and institutions can take care of themselves while investments in development can safely by-pass the legal sector.

“Ours is a profession that is very unique in many respect. As I stated earlier, lawyers have a role in nation building. The credible discharge of this role is a topic that should concern all legal practitioners.

“Therefore, it is my hope that summit of this nature will be a regular occurrence in the activities of the Nigerian Bar Association.

We must as a body of professionals remain alive to our duties.”

The Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Dr. Mamman Tahir identified the challenges facing the profession as environmental factors that may hinder ethics; transformation from Profession to Business; prevailing culture of impunity; declining opportunities in Legal Practice/Economy; distortions in reward/value system and ignorance of the rules of professional conduct.

In his paper titled: The paramountcy of the welfare of the members of the Bar, need for versatility and job creation, the Director-General, Ethics and Corporate Compliance In-

“Consequently it serves us better to equip practitioners (through capacity development programs) to secure opportunities in other areas for which legal training is an asset.”

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Onyechi Ikpearu, in a paper entitled: Institutionalisation of cordial Bar and Bench relationship for professional development, said members of the bar and the bench are like Siamese twins.

He said: “With the realisation that most lawyers and judges do not belong to other associations, it is rather obvious that the Bar and the Bench are not only married to the legal profession but are indeed fused as members of the same family.

“With similar interest, objective and aspiration towards the preservation of the Rule of law, cordiality in the relationship is not only imperative, but necessarily healthy.”

After the paper presentations, the meeting broke into working group. Former NBA Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), OCJ Okocha (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN) and former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) took turns to chair the sessions.

A communiqué will be issued later.

Group seeks probe of stolen funds

A

• Solicitor-General of Lagos State Lawal Pedro (SAN) and Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson at the Stakeholders’ Summit as part of the activities marking the 2012/2013 legal year of the Judiciary

stitute, Jideani Chukwuemeka said legal practice is a professional business of formidable societal influence steeped in idealism, self-discipline, public spirit, economy and wisdom.

His words: “Originally it was not enveloped in mercantilism of the Adam Smith persuasion. However, we are living in changing times and no institution, however gorgeous, should be impervious to change.

“Consequently the profession must embrace change, form the training of the would-be lawyer, to the practice in the bar and the relationship between the various areas/spheres of practice, up onto the administration of justice and the Judiciary.”

According to him, the legal education system should be modified a little bit to prepare law graduate for life in the modern market place.

In addition to strengthening professional ethics, organisational and business ethics should be incorporated into the curriculum. This, he said, will equip them with proficiencies in such areas as “conflict of interest”; “enterprise risk management”; “Regulatory Compliance” among others.

Chukwuemeka said: “Let the truth be told, no jurisdiction has ever been able to absorb all its trained lawyers in core legal practice.

GROUP, One Voice (made up of non-government or ganisations under the National Endowment for Democracy) has called for the establishment of a National Judicial Commission of Enquiry to investigate the amount stolen by public officials since 1960.

It wants the commission to recommend mechanisms to locate and recover such funds wherever they may be found.

The group, at a media parley in Lagos, said the project of reinvigorating Nigeria must inevitably include finding, recovering and utilising looted funds to reverse poverty.

One Voice said the Commission of Enquiry should comprise representatives of civil society and relevant authorities. It should also determine the impact of stolen funds on social and economic life and on the cost of democracy, the group said.

One Voice, at the briefing addressed by its Media Committee Chairman, Pastor Deji Adeleye, also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to introduce electronic voter registration that will require updating, review and adjustment in the future.

Ahead of the 2015 election, it said

By Joseph Jibueze

civil society organisations and coalitions should actively participate in voter education, adding that the Electoral Act needs further amendment to improve the legal framework and achieve a more efficient INEC. On electoral crimes, the group said: “One Voice believes that empowering INEC with more adequate legal powers to prosecute electoral offend-

ers, hoodlums and political thugs, political kidnappers, etc would go a long way to ensure free and fair 2015 elections.”

One Voice also demanded that the transparency clause be returned to the Petroleum Industry Bill before it is passed into law.

On the suspended N5000 banknote, it said: “Why should the Central Bank of Nigeria insist that it is what is best for Nigeria, especially as it adds to the cost of governance?”

Lawyer worried over freed prisoners

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LAGOS lawyer, Mr Ahmed Adetola-Quasim, has ex pressed concern over the future of the 233 inmates of the Kirikiri Maximum and Medium Security Prisons recently freed by Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips.

Adetola-Quasim, who is also a director of Prisoners’ Rights Advocacy Initiative (PRAI), while praising the Chief Judge for her action, expressed concern that the manner of their release left much to be desired.

His fear is that throwing the inmates back into the society that way may lead to an unprecedented

By Adebisi Onanuga

spate of robbery in the next few months.

Adetola-Quasim believes it would have been better if the government had rehabilitated the inmates, at least, for two months, and resettled them properly in accordance with suggestions he claimed to have made to the government.

He said unless government put in place rehabilitation programmes for awaiting trials before they are granted freedom, then the future would be bleak for most of them.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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LAW & SOCIETY Lagos State has ushered in a new legal year. It is the first under the new Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips. It was marked with week-long activities, including religious services, a stakeholders’ summit and a dinner, reports JOSEPH JIBUEZE.

Lagos CJ to judges, magistrates: join the train or be left behind

W

ITH a dinner last Friday, the week-long activities to mark the beginning of the new legal year in Lagos ended.

It was a night of fun as judges, magistrates and lawyers momentarily forgot about law and took to the dance floor with Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) to usher in the 2012/2013 legal year.

The week began with religious services, and a visit to the prisons by the Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, who released 233 detainees, and a stakeholders’ summit.

At the dinner, Fashola told the members of the bench to be “above suspicion like Caesar’s wife.”

Admitting that the Lagos High Court is the largest in Nigeria in terms of structure, size, number of judges and cases handled, which make the judges’ workload “daunting”, the judges, he said, are a gold fish with no hiding place.

Fashola said while Caesar’s wife may not have been guilty of infidelity, the fact that she was suspected of wrongdoing was enough for her husband, who had a very high sense of morality, to end associations with her, leading to a divorce.

Although the judges may experience “unfair perception,” he said it was in their hands to exhibit discipline in punctuality, in well-researched decisions and in the quality of their judgments.

“Can you truly be above suspicion when majority of your decisions are reversed on appeal?” the governor asked.

To him, much more is expected of the judges. “You are judges of the Lagos High Court, and Nigerians are looking to you for direction.

Where you lead, others follow.”

Judges, he said, must see themselves as social engineers, promote public good and have greater participation in providing security for the people.

The governor said his administration was working towards a new Lagos. “We must match ahead for a new Lagos that is better than the past. Lagos will only prosper if we remain innovative,” Fashola said, noting that the dinner was an innovation in itself.

“Our actions will be remembered long after we have left. Let us do things that will usher in greater prosperity in the land,” he said.

Justice Phillips urged judges who lack computer skills to acquire them, as the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) would form the basis of her administration.

She said computers and laptops would be distributed to every member of the Bench. “I am serving notice on everybody now to get IT-compliant.

“It’s either you hop on the train or you hop off,” she said, adding that notice of meetings would be served via the internet. “You either hop on the train or be left behind.”

A website has been created for the state judiciary, she said, adding that all the judges now have official email addresses. Magistrates will have theirs by year end as the judicial information systems are deployed.

Justice Phillips said new judges would be appointed, while the welfare of all staff would remain a priority. Judges chambers will be refurbished, she said.

Proposing a toast at the dinner, retired Supreme Court Justice George Oguntade said: “I am a liv-

ing witness that the Lagos Judiciary is the best in Nigeria.”

Religious services Religious services were held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos and at the Central Mosque last Monday.

Fashola, speaking at the Central Mosque, appealed to judges and magistrates before whom people will be brought in the implementation of the new Lagos Traffic Law to dispense justice without fear or favour.

Archbishop of Ecclesiastic Province of Lagos, Anglican Communion, Rev Adebola Ademowo, said the alleged killers of Cynthia Osokogu must be brought to justice. The cleric urged the judges to be uncompromising, independent and fearless in the discharge of their duties.

Chief Imam of Lagos State Alhaji Akinola Ibrahim said a special prayer for the release of television presenter Alhaji Rasaq Gawat.

Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Mr Onyekachi Ubani, said he expected the judges to show more consideration to lawyers.

“If a magistrate or judge knows he or she is not going to be around, there is nothing wrong in calling the lawyers ahead to inform them not to bother coming to court. We want to see a justice delivery system that is sensitive,” he said.

• Justice Opeyemi Oke, Justice Kazeem Alogba and Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi at the church service

• Chief Tunji Ayanlanja (SAN) and Justice Solomon Honponu-Wusu (Rtd) at the stakeholders’ summit

Release of detainees “The release of prisoners is going to be a continuous exercise,” Justice Phillips said. Last Tuesday, she freed 233 awaiting trial inmates in both the Maximum and Medium Security Prisons in Kirikiri.

Speaking at the stakeholder’s summit, the Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, allayed fears over possible rise in crime in the state with the release of 233 inmates.

Ipaye described as “barbaric” the practice of keeping suspects in prison while investigations were ongoing.

According to him, since everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, depriving a man of his liberty “by locking him away when there has been no pronouncement of guilt” is not justifiable. It should be done away with, he said.

“It is the most effective decongestion effort that has taken place in a single day,” he said, adding that the freed persons can still be re-arrested if need be.

• Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Mr Taiwo O. Taiwo (left) and Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN)

Stakeholders’ summit Last Wednesday, Justice Phillips launched the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012 and the Family Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012.

The High Court rules, however, are yet to become operational. The Chief Judge said “a lot” still needed to be done in terms of infrastructure and personnel to get them working.

A member of the review committee, Justice Habeeb Abiru, said Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is no longer optional, and there are sanctions for refusal to abide by the rules on ADR. Another member, Justice Kazeem Alogba, said the new rules have closed gaps in the old one in terms of simplicity and practicability of some provisions, such as the written address being filed out of time.

• From left: Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) and Mr Fabian Ajogwu (SAN).

For instance, he said if a lawyer files a written address, but does not appear in court to adopt it for some reason, the court would deem the address adopted under the new rules.

The judge said rules cannot work without the bar’s support. “We’re trying to de-emphasise litigation.

Most cases in our courts are fought on ego basis. ‘I know I owe you, but

I’ll make life difficult for you.’

“What will it benefit you to spend 10 years on a case? I don’t think it is as long as you keep a case in court that determines the financial reward or otherwise,” Alogba said.

The judges praised chairman of the review committee, Justice Opeyemi Oke, who they said worked very hard and galvanised others to ensure that the task was completed on

schedule.

Meanwhile, after the religious services on Monday, journalists were disappointed that Justice Phillips could not address them.

They waited for over an hour to interview her on her programmes for the new legal year and other judicial issues, but she was said to be busy attending to other guests and matters.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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NATIONAL BAR

Nigeria as an emerging democracy: Dilemma, promise Text of the keynote address by Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, at the NBA Annual General Conference in Abuja • Continued from last week

G

ODATHERISM and cronyism have de stroyed and are destroying Nigeria.

Today, it is almost impossible to convince any young man or woman that a first class degree can guarantee you a job anywhere including the areas in which you have excelled. Hardly a day passes that a young man does not send me a text to say, I have heard on good authority that they are recruiting at X and Y establishments, but, I am told it depends on whom you know. I initially dismissed these young people by telling them to go, sit for the examination/test and to pass before they come to me. They laughed at what they considered to be my innocence or ignorance, until I woke up to the situation.

Right now, we are faced with an uncertain future in which, some ten or so years ahead, we shall have a generation of young men and women running the bureaucracy or in public life who owe their future to a godfather, not a country that offered them a chance to excel.

This is dangerous because what we are doing is investing in an unproductive system of clientelism which destroys excellence, stunts national cohesion and compromises our public ethos.

How can we have a country in which the future is being mortgaged on the altars of prebendalism and feudalism? How can the President preside over a country in which his children rely on others for their wellbeing and welfare? We are going to end up say, twenty years ahead when we shall have Ambassadors, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Ministers, Governors and Presidents who came to prominence not by dint of hard work or the transparency of their environment but men and women who will be running a country that is not the primary basis of their allegiance. The reason is because they were pushed to a job with no qualifications other than that they came from a list presented by a man or woman with connections. In life, we have all been guided by others, but in our situation in Nigeria where public officers are openly engaged in the most non transparent ways of recruiting into public service, we face a future that is in mortal danger and a country that will be a mere shell with only such shallow symbols or flags to which command no respect. Are we therefore surprise that communities and states are creating distractions by hoisting their own flags? This is just the beginning of the mess that lies ahead.

Dispute Resolution Mechanisms: The Nigerian environment is still largely hostile to such indicators for modernization and business as, rule of law, due process, transparency, contract enforcement etc. This is a legacy of our authoritarian background.

For Nigeria to redefine its laws to be able to grow and attract investors, it must rethink the nature of the legal system it wishes to adopt. We have not paid much attention to the inherent problems in the legal system that we have adopted in Nigeria. For example, even as a layman, serving at the Oputa Panel opened my eyes to the great injury of the legal system that we have for a largely communal, poverty stricken society like ours. We watched as highly paid lawyers took the stage and turned the platform for articulating the grievance of ordinary victims of injustice and

abuse into a legal gymnasium. It is time for us to wake up to what many people in the world already know; that conflicts and disputes can be resolved as if there is no tomorrow, they can be resolved in less hostile terms.

Rwanda provides Africa with the best test case. The country has become a model for reconciliation with a leadership that has focus and is prepared for sacrifices. Recently, a journalist asked a Rwandan if he expected Paul Kagame to go in 2017. The man replied: Yes, I hope so, and if he does, I will cry.

This is not the place to review the legacy of Mr. Kagame, but the man has become the cynosure of many eyes around the world and has shown that it is better to have talent and honesty than to have oil and dishonesty. Now, Nigerians are hovering around him as a model of leadership. I went to Kigali on a field research in 2004. In the course of my work, I sat through the Gacaca traditional courts which had been set up to resolve some of the issues that were pending in a country where over 200 thousand people were awaiting trial. In less than ten years, 12,000 Gacaca courts have disposed of 1. 2m cases at very minimal financial costs. The Gacaca courts have not replaced the conventional courts in the land, but what we have is evidence of a country that its leadership is determined to ensure justice through the adoption of some creative means that guarantees integrative and restorative justice.

Needed, a Constitution: As usual, with eyes on 2015, the politicians are angling for the best strategy to position themselves for power. Ordinarily, there is nothing wrong with this. There are calls for the amendment of the Constitution while others are calling for a Sovereign National Conference. The general belief is that this is what we need to redress the injustice that is in the system.

How do we account for constitutional mortality? The American Constitution has survived for over two hundred years largely because it has focused on how to reduce the power of the sovereign. There have been three key concepts guiding Constitutions; amendment, suspension or replacement all aimed at guaranteeing Constitutional endurance, resilience or longevity.

The focus of all Constitutions must be to limit the power of government by ensuring that those who have power use it well and that those who do not have power are adequately protected so that they do not resort to unconstitutional means. This has been at the heart of the social crises in Nigeria. To the military, the Constitution was a distraction to their ambition to hold on to power. Thus, without one, the Nigerian Sovereign appropriated power to himself and the result is what we see today with the dictatorial and intolerant postures of public officers to principles of Constitutionalism, order and process.

Individual citizens usually have competing identities and interests that are based a variety of identities. These include ethnic, communal, religious, regional, class and so on.

The duty of a Constitution is to serve as a vehicle for transferring the allegiance of these citizens from these narrow interests to the higher interests of the state. To do this, the state must, through the lofty ideals of the Constitution hold up a higher goal of protec-

• Bishop Kukah

tion, security, welfare and so on to the citizen. It must command his loyalty and respect.

The next challenge is to create the institutions that will align with the ideals encapsulated in the Constitution. These require maturation and the political elites must never be allowed to apply the principles of quick fixes to turn the constitution into a tool that merely accelerates their political climbing. Thus, there is need for courage, patience, disciple, maturity and statesmanship. Although there is a case to be made of the how a Constitution comes about, popular participation is not necessarily the litmus test. Some of the most enduring Constitution were crafted in smoke filled rooms by the elite, the result of disciplined bargaining and negotiation. There is clearly a causal relationship between constitutional longevity and political, economic and demo-

cratic growth of a nation.

Constitutions must be self-enforcing, they must possess and inherent equilibrium from which none can deviate without consequence.

They must possess a quantum of incentives that are sufficiently appealing to all the constituent units and penalties that serve as disincentives to infringement. By way of judicial activism, some unforeseen aspects of the Constitution can be brought to the fore by judicial rulings by radical judges. Here, we recall the roles played by people like the late Gani Fawehinmi or the Bar under the leadership of the combative and assertive late Aka Bashorun. In the United States of America for example, such land mark judgments like Brown vs. Board of Education or the Civil Rights Act, are all evidence of what the Bar and the Bench can do if we are committed to judicial activism.

Constitutions must also include the whole issue of hidden information that is not available to all parties at the time of the framing of the Constitution.

Our Constitution must include the right to rebel and this must be clearly spelt out. Rebellion and public interest litigations help ordinary voices to serve as mechanism for restraint against the excesses of the state. Nigerians have often asked, can we have an Arab spring in Nigeria? The answer is not yet because so far, we are weighed down by petty allegiances and hiding behind little mole hills of ethnicity erected by our village and town crooks who continue to ensure that we do not see the big picture of our collective agony.

Summary and Conclusion: Where I believe that we all agree with Professor Soludo in his vision of a Nigeria that is a dream waiting to happen. This is not the place for us to enter into a debate as to why this miracle has not happened. I believe most of us are familiar with the reason why this is so.

• To be continued next week

Delta North: DPP aspirant petitions CJN

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SENATORIAL candi date of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) for Delta North in last year’s election, Mr Jude Eluemuno Azekwoh, has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar over what he described as the alleged unjust termination of his appeal at the Court of Appeal in Benin-City.

Azekwoh was said to have also petitioned the former CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, over the issue.

In his latest letter addressed to Justice Mukhtar, the former aspirant argued that the manner his appeal was struck out by the Justice

Raphael Agbo-led panel at the Court of Appeal in Benin City is contrary to the position of the law and decided authorities of both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in a plethora of cases.

Dissatisfied with the April 9, 2011 senatorial election in which the Independent National ElectoralCommission (INEC) declared Dr Arthur Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner, he proceeded to the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Asaba with a petition.

According to him, on August 2, 2011, the petition was struck out on technical ground that the pre-hearing

application was by a letter and not through a motion despite the fact that all parties in the suit had taken steps in the case.

He contended that on August 18, he filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Benin-City demanding for justice only for the case to be terminated prematurely without being heard.

“My Lord, as a citizen whose confidence in the judicial system must not be shaken, I am deeply concerned and gravely pained that no decision one way or the other has been reached on my matter, nearly one year after the complaint,” he wrote.

Legal Dairy Firm holds public lecture The firm of J-K Gadzama & Partners LLP will hold its fifth public lecture on September 27.

Venue/Time: Four Points (Sheraton) Hotel, Oniru Chieftaincy Estate, Lagos, by 9am.

Theme: Nigeria in the Year 2012: The Vision of a Cashless Economy.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi will chair the event.

Guest Speaker will be Director-General, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr Frank Nweke Jr. Former head of Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan and Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc Dr Alex Otti will be special guests.

Law Dean to speak at real estate lawyers’ meeting Newly elected Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Imran Oluwole Smith (SAN) will speak at the 2nd Real Estate Lawyers Association of Nigeria (RELAN) Breakfast Roundtable.

Date: Tuesday, September, 25, 2012 Venue/Time: The Hotel Solitude, 2, T.Y Danjuma Street, off Ligali Ayorinde Road, Victoria Isaland, Lagos by 10.00am.

Smith who is also the First Vice-Chairman of RELAN will speak on: Tenancy Law In The Social Context, The Lagos State Tenancy Law in View.

RELAN President, Prof. Charles Udenze Ilegbune (SAN), OON will chair the Roundtable.

• Members of the National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL) after the group’s 2012 PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA Annual Legal Year Mass, held at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.

NBA Onitsha Branch elects officers The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onitsha Branch, Anambra State, has elected new officers to run its affairs for the next two years.

They are Dennis Maduechesi (Chairman), Peter Onwuakpa (Vice Chair), Onyechi Ononye (Secretary), Obinna Ezeife (Publicity Secretary) , P.N Ofoma (Treasurer) and Ebere Okhueleigbe (Financial Secretary).

Other P.O Onubogu (Welfare Secretary) , Chinedu Obiora (Assistant Secretary), Sam Okorie (Assistant Publicity Secretary) and Obinna Ezeife (Publicity Secretary).

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LAW & SOCIETY LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Government Tompolo versus Minister Iheanacho

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• From left: Mohammad, Prof. Ajumo, Prof. Azinge and Justice Bage

‘How to strengthen democracy’

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XPERTS who converged last week at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) for the 2012 memorial lecture of a distinguished lawyer, Dr Felix Okoye, have said that a strong judiciary is requred for true democracy.

They said an effective judicial system is necessary to achieve political stability.

Among the participants at the lecture were Justice of the Supreme Court, Dr Ibrahim Mohammad, Appeal Court Judge, Dauda Bage, former Director General, NIALS, Prof. Ayo Ojomo, former Senator, Oyabo Obi, wife and brother of the late Dr. Okoye, Mrs. Ijeoma Okoye, and Chief J.C. Okoye respectively, and constitutional lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje.

They said although the apex court had lived up to its responsibility in ensuring constitutionalism, there was more to be done to avoid anarchy, even as they maintained that laws that restrict the powers of the judiciary should be reviewed by the legislature.

Mohammad in his lecture “Judicialism and electoral process in Nigeria: what the Supreme Court did; what it may do”, noted that the apex court had since 1979 intervened in the electoral process as many elections have been litigated.

Citing disqualification, substitution and tenure elongation as examples, he said the essence of the apex court’s intervention has always been to promote democratic culture among the populace, strengthen the confidence of the people in the process as well as promote constitutionalism and due process in the political system.

He said: ‘’The fact remains that for a constitutional government to

By Precious Igbonwelundu

emerge and democracy to become institutionalised in any nation for that matter, the role of the judiciary is crucial because the responsibility to ensure that the standards and procedures laid down in a constitution are observed rests with the courts.’’

On the issue of disqualification of a candidate political party’s candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judge noted that the apex court in a unanimous decision held that such powers was vested solely in the court.

He said there was nothing within the provision of section 137(1) of the 1999 Constitution that empowers INEC to disqualify any candidate. ‘’By virtue of section 6(1) and (6) of the Constitution, it is only a court of law that can exercise a function which is exclusively adjudicative in nature. ‘’The court pronounced with finality that within the meaning of section 32(4) of the Electoral Act, mere allegation of crime or dishonest conduct, without evidence of trial and conviction, is not enough to ground the disqualification of a person from contesting a primary election of a political party or any other election,’’ he said.

On the substitution of an elected candidate’s name by INEC or a political party, Mohammad said the court held that no party is permitted to bulldoze its way to rescind

the mandate given to a nominated candidate whether wrongly or rightly for no justifiable cause.

He said: ‘’The Supreme Court per Oguntade held that politics is not anarchy; it is not disorderliness. It must be punctuated by justice, fairness and orderliness.’’

Although the apex court holds itself bound by its previous decision, Mohammad pointed out that there are cases where the court has overruled itself because it gladly accepts it is better to admit error than persevere in error. ‘’For the Supreme Court, the most important consideration is the interest of justice, the development of the law and issues of public policy.’’

He called on the government to institute deep and elaborate reforms that will lead to the restoration of the integrity of the electoral system as well as ensure that future elections meet minimum acceptable international standards. ‘’Government should be magnanimous enough to implement the enduring and durable recommendations made by the Uwais’ panel on electoral rest of the democratic comity of nations as having arrived,’’ Mohammad said.

Agbaje who described section 285(7) of the constitution which gives limited time within which electoral matters should be heard and disposed of as an infringement to the right of hearing, even as he asked if the said section 285(7) was not usurpation to the doctrine of separation of powers.

‘The fact remains that for a constitutional government to emerge and democracy to become institutionalised in any nation for that matter, the role of the judiciary is crucial’

Court orders pastor to pay N583, 340 rent arrears

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N Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered a Lagos lawyer, Moses Olukayode Olatunji, to pay his landlord, Mrs. Olufunso Aderinola N583, 340. 00, being the arrears of rent he owed between January 1, 2009 and February 19, 2010 Chief Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe also ordered Olatunji, a senior lecturer in Law at the Lagos State University (LASU), to pay to Mrs. Aderinola profit at the rate of N41, 670 from March 1, 2010 until he finally yielded possession of the house.

The Chief Magistrate awarded N2, 500 as cost of the action against the defendant in favour of the plaintiff.

Olufunso, wife of veteran journalist, Mr. Dapo Aderinola, in April

By Joseph Jibueze

2010, urged the court to compel Olatunji to pay arrears of rent and quit a four-bedroom bungalow with a two bedroom Boy’s Quarters and an orchard, located at 10, (Plot 688), Redemption Close, Omole Estate Phase Two, Ikeja, Lagos.

Chief Magistrate Komolafe noted that Olatunji, a pastor with the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, was “duly served with the writ personally” on May 14, 2010 by a sheriff of the state’s judiciary backed with an affidavit of service deposed to by the Sheriff of the Lagos State Judiciary, Odutemewo Adedeji.

The defendant, according to the judgment, appeared in court only

once at the inception of the case on June 8, 2010, and was represented by counsel.

“At a stage in the matter, parties agreed to settle out of court, but it yielded no result until the defendant vacated possession without paying the arrears of rent owed the plaintiff,”she said.

Thereafter, the plaintiff applied to prove the case on the arrears of rent left unpaid by the defendant, but the defendant failed to show up in court, she added.

“Based on Order 17, Rule (5) of the Magistrate’s Court laws of Lagos State 2009, if the defendant does not appear, the court may, upon proof of service and of facts entitling the plaintiff to the relief, give such judgment or make such orders as may be just,” Mrs Komolafe added.

AN pass man, is one of our local streetwise aphorisms that approximates George Orwell’s averment in the Animal Farm, that, ‘All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others’. I recall also that while growing up, there was one feisty fellow with an ugly face and huge biceps that used to terrorise our neighborhood, who went by the name Man pass man. The guy was a law unto himself, and for a young mind, I equated him with what I have come now to realise is the prerogative of the state - the right to superior violence. In civilianised parlance, it is called the power of the police.

In the accusations and counter accusations between Government Tompolo and former Minister Iheanacho, the born of contention primarily is whether Tompolo, acting on behalf of the Nigerian Maritime Services Agency (NIMASA), rightfully exercised the power to arrest and detain Captain Iheanacho, summarily. According to the former Minister, Tompolo abducted him and kept him in NIMASA office for a day, before handing him over to the State Security Services (SSS); which immediately released him. The allegation against the former Minister is that crude oil, stolen from the Niger Delta by suspected bandits, was traced to his tank farm; and as such he is suspected to be complicit in the crime.

As a friend commented when the news broke, the problem is the pedigree of Tompolo, a ‘retired general’ of the Niger Delta militancy, acting now as ‘a police’ of the Federal Government. Prior to the late President Yar’Adua’s historic amnesty in 2009, Tompolo was like my childhood man pass man, albeit at a much higher level. He was not only feared by the ordinary folks, he was a terror against the state; and with other militants successfully challenged the police power of the Republic, before they were granted amnesty.

Arguably, Government Tompolo has been reformed and is now a by product of President Jonathan’s transformation agenda. It can be assumed that in pursuit of that transformation, Tompolo was handed over a multi billion dollar contract to look after the maritime corridor of the country and of course Nigeria’s crude oil facilities, which he and his former outlaw colleagues were sabotaging to bring the Nigerian state to its knees. Such a transformation is what rankles many, as he bars his ‘new police’ fangs against his first major public victim - former Minister Iheanacho. I agree as some have argued, that such incongruity is fully a made in Nigeria stuff.

But in his alternate personality, as a NIMASA/Naval police or simply security contractor, the constitution and case laws provide for clear presumption to warrant a lawful arrest, irrespective of who is affecting an arrest. For if the Nigerian police legitimized under section 214 of the 1999 constitution (supplemental), can be held accountable for the exercise of the power of arrest and detention, how can any person rightfully argue that Tompolo’s agency created via an ordinary statute, is presumably beyound any reproach. Now, if Captain Iheanacho carries out his threat to sue NIMASA and Tompolo, the legitimacy of the arrest will be one strong issue that will truly determine the remedy that will be available to him.

A legitimate arrest can be carried out with or without a warrant of arrest. A warrant of arrest as clearly explained by learned author, Oluwatoyi Doherty in Criminal Procedure in Nigeria (Law and Practice), is usually issued by a Magistrate, when the statute or law provides that such alleged offender can not be arrested without warrant; when a serious offence is alleged to have been committed; and when a summons issued by a Magistrate has been disobeyed. It is usually executed by a police officer for the purpose of bringing the alleged offender to court. On the other hand, an arrest without a warrant can be affected by a police officer, judicial officer or even a private person.

One recurring requirement for a lawful arrest without warrant is that either the offence is committed before the person making the arrest or there is reasonable suspicion of the commission of an office.

In many of the cases quoted by Doherty, the test of reasonableness is the determinant. Where for instance the owner of a property or his agent acts reasonably to protect his proprietary interest, he must with reasonable dispatch take the arrested offender to the nearest police station. Both the Criminal Procedure Code and Criminal Procedure Act generally governing the northern and southern jurisdiction of Nigeria respectively provide for this text.

The latitude provided under the common law, the Police Act, the CPA and CPC must all however be in tandem with the extant provisions of section 35 of the 1999 constitution on right to personal liberty.

I must however say that the constitution and the statues are not incongruous, once the text of reasonableness is met. See sections 35(1)(c) and (4) of the constitution. In Government Tompolo versus Minister Iheanacho, the former Minister alleged that he was abducted by Tompolo and that the intention is to cripple his business. In effect he was alleging premeditated malice, which if he can prove by evidence, will defeat the test of reasonableness, and avail him the eloquent protections of the constitution on fundamental rights.

The other characteristics of Man pass Man as a local terror or the obvious circumstances that all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others, must worry the larger society. If truly Tompolo has metamorphosed through a Jonathan’s transformation process, it remains to be seen whether the former warlord has acquired the trained instincts of a constitutional police man or the ordinariness of a reasonable man.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

34

LAW & SOCIETY THE DR. FELIX OKOYE MEMORIAL LECTURE ORGANISED BY THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES (NIALS)

• Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad, former NIALS Director-General Prof. Ayo Ajomo and NIALS Director-General, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN).

• NIALS Librarian Mrs Ufoma Lamikanra and Senator Onyeabo Obi

• Fidelis Ibhagbosoria and NIALS Director of Research, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye.

• Mrs. Ijeoma Chuks-Okoye and Mr Ayo Opadokun

• Dr. Fred Agbaje and Chief Josiah Okoye

• Felix Okoye (Jr) and Ugo Okoye

• Dr Chinyere Ani, Bonny Onuka-Igwe and Dr Franca Nlerum

• Prof. Paul Idornigie and Hadiza Ladi Garba

• Hussaini Ali and Chika Gidado

• Dr Nkoli Aniekwu and Prof Obiora Okafor.

PHOTOS: DAVID ADEJO

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

NATIONAL BAR DINNER TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE 2012/2013 LEGAL YEAR OF THE LAGOS STATE JUDICIARY

• From left: Head Judge, Justice Funmilayo Atilade, Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Mr Sanai Agunbiade cutting the 2012/2013 Legal Year cake.

• Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye and Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye

• From left: Justice Latifat Folami, Justice Olubunmi Femi-Adeniyi and Justice Marian Emeya • From left: Justice Sybil Nwaka, Justice Agnes Nicol-Clay, Justice Morenike Obadina and Justice Yetunde Idowu (standing)

• Segun Ajibola (SAN) (left) and Oladimeji Mako

• Justice Olabisi Akinlade flanked by Rev Olubukola Balogun and Inajomo Folashade of the Judicial Service Commission

• Former Commissioner for the Environment Muiz Banire (left) and Olusina Sofola (SAN)

• Chief Registrar, Lagos State Judiciary, Mr Ganiu Safari (right) and his deputy, Mr Tajudeen Elias

• Mrs Ronke Oshoniyi and Mrs Omotola Oguntade

• From left: Mrs Omowunmi Dawodu, Mrs Nike Akinyemi and Mrs Olufunmilayo Onafowokan

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

LAW & SOCIETY

‘Nigeria suffers from lack of vision, national goals’ Text of a paper delivered by former Chief Economic Adviser to the President Chief Phillip Asiodu at the Muhammadu Lawal Uwais Public Service Award Lecture organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in collaboration with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) • Continued from last week

By Chief Philip C. Asiodu

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May 1967 on the eve of the declaration of Biafran Secession was meant firstly, to address the old demand of the Middle Belt Movement in the North and the CalabarOgoja-Rivers State Movement in the East to complement the creation of the Mid-West Region in 1963, and secondly, as a strategic imperative to contain Biafran Secession Attempt, the 1975 division of the country into 19 states pandered to the desire of some influential sectors for dividing and sharing the national cake, not for baking it. The rapid expansion of oil production and with it the OPEC – led dramatic increases in oil revenues accruing to oil producers made it possible to indulge in this pre-occupation with sharing oil revenues while paying less attention to genuine development and growth of the economy. The formula for the allocation of federally collected revenues (more than 85% of it from oil and gas taxes) – 50% allocated in equal proportion to each state and 50% on the basis of population encourages the demands for further creation of more states.

2.The traumatic massive purge of about 10,000 officials over a period of two months, without due process, involving officials from the rank of Permanent Secretary to the class of messengers being retired or dismissed, including some obvious leaders and role models, some without any terminal benefits or pensions destroyed the professional, nonpartisan, fearless, prestigious, merit-driven Civil Service and Public Service inherited from the British Colonial Administration. In the process, the nation lost a great deal of institutional memory and valuable international connections.

The more senior ones, who inspired by the ideals of the Pre-Independence movement and the patriotic commitments of the leaders of the First Republic, were still energetic in suggesting and developing policies, programmes and projects and who also imbued as they were with the old core values would be able to provide some checks and balances were swept away. The suffering, including the pre-mature death of scores of officials affected by the purge fuelled the resort to “make hay while the sun shines” an obvious euphemism for corruption which now threatens the future of the country.

3.The new Administration abandoned the

There is an attempt at the beginning of the E hope that the traditional principle of promotion according to qualifi 1970 – 74 Plan to suggest the adoption of cations, experience, merit, without some national objectives or ideology. Five principal national objectives are indicated : regard to race will be maintained”. (i)A united, strong and self-reliant nation; The British Ministers had advised that “It (ii)A great and dynamic economy; would be disastrous to have a Civil Service (iii)A just and egalitarian society; under the control of the Executive, and for (iv)A land of bright and full opportunities appointments to change according to the turn of the political wheel would lead to instabil- for all citizens; and (v)A free and democratic society. ity. In some countries such a system had One must also give due credit to the comproved nearly fatal”.

So it was that during the crisis years of 1966 petence and resourcefulness of the Regions’ – 1970 of two military coups and the Civil Civil Services, particularly the Eastern ReWar, Nigeria had a Federal Civil Service gion Civil Service.

In 1970, Chief S. O. Adebo, who was the which had authority. Its morale was high. It was confident, professional, competent, non- Chairman of the Salaries and Wages Review partisan, disciplined, non-corrupt and much Commission stated in his Report : “We have respected. It was dedicated to the service of earlier referred to the arduous responsibilithe people generally. The Civil Service was ties which the Civil Service shoulders. We have suggested that it is on its creditable perable to : •Maintain day-to-day orderly administra- formance as a flexible modern machinery tion of the country despite the escalating con- for the management of complex frontation and defiance of the Federal Mili- programmes that the survival, stability, tary Government by the Eastern Region Mili- progress and development of Nigerian society ultimately depend. This thesis has been tary Government; •Organize the campaign to rally the rest amply borne out by our national experience of the country to support the Federal Mili- over the last decade and does not require tary Government in its desire to maintain further elucidation”. Chief J. O. Udoji, The Chairman of the Public Service Review Comone united country; •Insist on and eventually persuade the mission also said : “It is fitting here to state Military Authorities to invite well-known our appreciation of the achievements made political leaders of the country into the Gov- by Nigeria’s public servants, especially over ernment to give credibility to the Govern- the last 14 years. ………”. ment, ensure the people’s support and asThe 1975 Overthrow of the Gowon Adminsure the external world that the Federal Military Government was not a military tyranny. istration The 1975 coup which overthrew The Thus Chief Awolowo, Chief Enahoro, Mallam Aminu Kano, Chief J. S. Tarka, Mr. Wenike Gowon Administration may have been Briggs, Mr Okoi Arikpo and others were planned over a considerable period but again the planners did not develop beforehand a brought into the Government; •Plan and co-ordinate the required diplo- long-term plan for economic development matic effort to maintain the support of the and growth, or for continuing the task of UN, OAU and of nearly all sovereign coun- developing and strengthening the Nigerian nation by pursuing concrete uniting and intries for the Federal Government; •Organize the resources and logistics to tegrating programmes. However, the enable the Federal Army grow from under Murtala Mohammed / Obasanjo Adminis10,000 men to over 200,000 men and to pros- tration which succeeded Gowon implemented three measures which have impacted ecute the War; •Develop the 3Rs Programme (Rehabili- negatively on governance and the developtation, Reconciliation and Reconstruction) to ment and cohesion of a Nigerian nation : 1.

Whereas, the creation of 12 states in address the immediate Post Civil War situation; and •Develop and launch the 1970 – 74 Plan.

FOURTH INAUGURAL LECTURE OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE

implementation of the 1975 – 80 Plan with its great promise of creating the basis for economic diversification and industrialization.

Some very significant new projects were embarked upon while some properly costed Plan projects were aborted or not started.

More destructively the discipline of planning was abandoned.

This set the stage for the economic stagnation and the degradation of infrastructure, educational, health and other sectors over the next two and a half decades despite the fairly high level of oil revenues compared with the Pre- Civil War situation. The statistical data clearly illustrate this. Indeed the growth rate in the decade up to 1999 averaged only 2% per annum, while the population was growing at 3% per annum.

The woes of the Civil Service were compounded by the promulgation of Decree No. 43 of 1988 which politicized the Civil Service. Under it the ministers, transient as they often were, could hire and fire civil servants; the functions of the Independent Public Service Commission were transferred to the ministries; the Minister replaced the Permanent Secretary, now re-styled Director-General, as the Accounting Officer of the Ministry. Although repealed in 1995 the great damage done to the Public Service under the decree still afflicts the Service.

Vision 20 : 2020 And The Jonathan Transformation Agenda After the death of Gen. Abacha in 1998, democratic rule was hastily restored with the election and installation of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as President in May 1999. Towards the end of his second term Goldman Sachs published a Report which listed Nigeria amongst 10 other countries, and which suggested that if Nigeria pursued all the right policies and achieved international competitiveness she could become one of the 20 largest economies in the World by 2025. The other countries are Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan and Turkey. We should note that even in this list we are No. 7. In adopting the target of the Report, the Nigerian Authorities brought the date nearer by 5 years to 2020!

• To be continued next week

OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES (NIALS) DELIVERED BY PROF LANRE FAGBOHUN IN LAGOS

• Prof Lanre Fagbohun, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN) and Prof Bolaji Owasanoye

• HRM Oba Josiah Olanrewaju, Alakesan Abayomi Alabi Fagbohun & Olori Olamide Fagbohun

• Kayode Opeifa and Chief Theophilus Dada

• Gbenga Ogunbufunmi, Prof. Peter Okebukola and Mrs. A. Bababunmi. PHOTOS: DAVID ADEJO

37

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

FROM THE COURT

Court restrains govt from executing five by hanging

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LAGOS High Court Judge, Justice Mufutau Olokoba, has nullified the death sentence passed on five persons.

This declaration followed an originating summons filed by Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN) in 2008, against the Attorney-General of Lagos State on behalf of the five condemned persons, who were convicted at various occasions and for various offences between 1984 and 1995. They were to die by hanging or firing squad.

The judge, who described the mode of execution of the said punishment as an infraction on the right to human dignity of the condemned persons, granted a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents (Lagos State Government) from executing the condemned persons by hanging or firing squad The applicants had, in the summons, sought the relief of the court to declare: the prescription of mandatory death penalty for offences such as armed robbery and murder a contravention of their right to dignity of the human person as well as not to be subjected to inhuman or degrading punishment under Section 34(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999; that the Criminal Code or Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act of the Federation 1990 in the circumstances of the applicants’ case unconstitutional, null and void.

An order of the court nullifying the mandatory death sentence by hanging or firing squad imposed on them pursuant to Section 319 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State, Cap C18 vol.2 and Section 1(2)(a), (b) and 3 for the offence of armed robbery under the Robbery and Firearms Act (Special Provisions) Cap 398 vol. XXII Laws of the Federation 1990 and Section 367 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Lagos State, Cap C18 col.2 as unconstitutional.

Reports from expert psychologists, pathologists and forensics from the University of Lagos (LUTH), Federal Neuro-psychiatrist Hospital, Yaba and Lagos State University Teaching Hospitals (LASUTH) were filed to support the claims of the applicants that death sentence inflicts mental torture on prisoners.

In his written address, Quakers proposed that the court should determine whether the imposition of mandatory death sentence on the applicants for murder and armed robbery violated their rights to dignity as enshrined in Section 34(a)

By Precious Igbonwelundu

is inconsistent and in conflict with the provisions of 34(1)(a) of the Constitution since the mode of execution is cruel and degrading; whether the applicants’ continued stay or confinement on death row under threat of execution for a long period of time is inherently cruel, inhuman and degrading and whether the National Assembly can legislate or prescribe the sentence of death as contained in the provisions of Section 33(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

He argued that although the Constitution in Section 33(1) sanctions death penalty, the modes of execution by hanging or firing squad as provided in sections 367 of the Criminal Procedure Law 1(2)(a), (b) and 3 of the Robbery and Firearms Act, violate 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution since it involves torture and inhuman treatment.

The applicants’ counsel opined that the very pronouncement of the sentence of death by hanging or firing squad imposes mental torture on the convict which extends to the period between the pronouncement and the actual execution; and the actual execution itself is barbaric, inhuman, degrading and violative of Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution.

Counsel to the state in a counteraffidavit urged the court to disregard the medical reports by experts submitted as exhibits by the applicants on grounds that they do not relate to the applicants and was merely an academic work.

Citing Ogugu vs the State where the Supreme Court held that death penalty per se does not under any circumstance amount to inhuman or degrading treatment but the manner or way a condemned prisoner is kept or executed, he urged the court to dismiss the application as the applicants have adduced no iota of evidence illustrating the way and manner in which they had been treated which amounts to inhuman and degrading.

In his ruling, Olokoba held that mental torture was an inevitable consequence of death sentence on the victims.

• The Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Ayotunde Phillips

“My view on the first part of the argument is that it is an inevitable consequence of the sentence of death. It is a common human reaction to such pronouncement. I do not think there is a man or woman who upon hearing that he has been sentenced to death would shout for joy or would not experience mental torture.

“Once the sentence is pronounced the reaction is one of sorrow, anger, despondency and extreme fear as stated in the further affidavit of Francis Moneke sworn to on October 2, 2008 which itself contains the facts disclosed to him

by Professor J.O. Obafunwa, Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos and also contained in the affidavit of the respondent dated March 17, 2009.

“Since the death penalty itself is constitutional any reaction to its pronouncement by the convict is necessarily concomitant to it and cannot invalidate the law providing for it,” he said.

Addressing the constitutionality of the methods of execution provided by the Criminal Procedure Law and the Robbery and Firearms Act, Olokoba said it was a violation of the right to human

dignity of a person as provided by Section 34(1) of the 1999 constitution Citing the case of Peter Nemi against the State (1996), Olokoba said the ruling of Justice Uwaifo was an eloquent illustration for questioning the method of execution of a condemned prisoner.

“That is why in my humble opinion, a challenge to sections 367 of the Criminal Procedure Law and section 1(3) of the Robbery and Firearms Act questioning their constitutional validity in the face of Section 34(1) (a) of the Constitution is appropriate. It is therefore clear that the court may uphold the death penalty and declare the method of execution unconstitutional.

“Learned counsel for the defendant urged the court to disregard the evidence of experts in the medical field on the question of whether or not death by hanging or firing squad amounts to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment. I cannot.

“This is simply because the court cannot appropriately rely on its own evidence. On any issue of facts, the court must take from witnesses from which it may make inferences.

“Clearly from the affidavits sworn to by medical experts, the overwhelming evidence before the court is that death by hanging or firing squad amounts to torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.

“It is therefore my conclusion that death by hanging or by firing squad amounts to a violation of the condemned’s right to dignity of the human person and inhuman and degrading treatment. It is consequently unconstitutional being violative of Section 34(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. Section 367 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Lagos State and other Law which provides for hanging the condemned by the neck till he is dead is accordingly declared unconstitutional. Section 1(3) of the Robbery and Firearms Act in so far as it seeks to be implemented by the respondent is also declared uncon-

‘It is, therefore, my conclusion that death by hanging or by firing squad amounts to a violation of the condemned’s right to dignity of the human person and amounts to inhuman and degrading treatment; it is consequently unconstitutional’

stitutional and void.

“In the final result of the originating summons prayer (a) on the originating summons is refused.

Prayer (b) is refused. Prayer (c) is granted. The penalty of death by hanging or firing squad is declared unconstitutional and the respondent is perpetually restrained from inflicting the penalty of death on the applicants by hanging or by firing squad,” Olokoba said.

Reacting to the judgment by the court, Quakers said it has revolutionised the administration of criminal justice as it is a departure from conservatism.

The lawyer said death by hanging or firing squad strikes at our humanity and questions our dignity as human beings.

He noted that until the judgment is reversed or set aside by an appellate court, it remains binding and any court that pronounces death by hanging or firing squad can be challenged based on the judgment by Olokoba.

Calling for the review of the Criminal Code Laws, Quakers observed that there has been some unwritten moratorium on the execution of death sentence since the unveiling of the democratic umbrella, as no governor has signed a death warrant for the execution of a condemned person.

“There is a need for us to work on the administration of criminal justice. Lagos is at the forefront of this. Beyond custodial sentencing, there should be alternative sentencing such as community service.

“I am happy that the learned Judge considered constitutional provisions side by side expert evidence before arriving at the judgment. This case has no doubt improved our jurisprudence and it is hoped that more of such cases will be taken to uphold the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people.

“My friends and colleagues initially did not see the possibility of any court in Nigeria upholding my view point on the mode of execution. So, to convince the judge, I had to embark on an extensive research in this area and I was strengthened when I came across a Malawian case of Kafatayane vs Attorney General of Malawi where the court was called on to interpret the constitutional provision of Malawi which, on all fours, is similar in terms of its fundamental rights sections with that in our constitution. The court in Malawi held that it was unconstitutional and an infraction on the right to dignity of the human person,” he said.

Election dispute: DPP, others seek abolition of time limit

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HE Democratic People’s Party (DPP) has approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, to challenge the legitimacy of the constitutional provision, limiting the period a court or tribunal must decide electoral disputes.

The party and six of its members in Delta State argued in a suit before the court that the National Assembly was in error in inserting sub-sections 6 and 7 to Section 285 of the Constitution, without complying with Section 9(3) and first amending Section 36 (1).

They argued that the insertion of both sub-sections in Section 285 violated the provisions and intentions of Sections 4(8), 6(6), 9(3), 36(1) and 294(1) of the Constitution.

The plaintiffs stated that they contested election into various offices under the party in the last general election, challenged the outcome at the tribunal, but that the provisions formed the basis on which the court denied them the right to fair hearing by dismissing their cases without determining them on merit.

Other plaintiffs in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/448/2012, filed by their lawyer, Nelson Imoh

By Eric Ikhilae

include Kingsley-Noye Philips, Cyril Abeye Ogodo, Lovethe Edirin Idisi, Odjuwu Okumagba, Napoleon Gbinije and Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodo.

Named as defendants are the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Attorney General of the Federation.

The plaintiffs raised seven questions for the court’s determination, to include whether Section 285 of the Constitution as altered by the insertion of sub-sections 6 and 7 to the section is not void, having been done in fragrant disregard of section 9(3) of the Constitution.

They also asked the court to determine whether by the combined

effects of Sections 4(8), 36(1) and 294(1) the National Assembly has the constitutional powers to delimit the time for the determination of the civil rights and obligations of the plaintiffs by the court or tribunals established under the constitution.

The plaintiffs want the court to among others, declare that the National Assembly lacked the powers under the Constitution, to alter Section 285 by inserting sub-sections 6 and 7 in so far as the alteration breaches the determination of the plaintiffs’ civil rights to have their rights and obligations determined within reasonable time as required by the Constitution.

They also want the court to declare that Sections 36(1) and 294(1)

‘The plaintiffs, in a supporting affidavit, contended that 18 appeals filed by DPP and its candidates at the Court of Appeal, Benin for both the National and State Assembly were not heard because of lapse of 60 days provided for in Section 285 (7) of the Constitution’

are the only parts of the 1999 Constitution dealing with the time for the determination of the civil rights of the plaintiffs. They are seeking an order declaring as void and unconstitutional all decisions taken on the basis of the said alteration.

The plaintiffs also praying the court for an “order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, all authorities in Nigeria, courts, tribunals, agencies” in the country from enforcing or giving effect to the said Section 285 “in the manner as unlawfully and unconstitutionally alerted by the National Assembly.”

The plaintiffs, in a supporting affidavit, contended that 18 appeals filed by DPP and its candidates at the Court of Appeal, Benin for both the National and State Assembly were not heard because of lapse of 60 days provided for in Section 285 (7) of the Constitution.

They averred that their governorship appeal in the 2011 elections in Delta State allowed on the issue of competence by the Supreme Court was struck out for lapse of 60 days by the court which declared an earlier decision of the Court of Appeal

• Justice Ibrahim Auta, Chief Judge, Federal High Court

null and void on the ground that it was delivered out of the 60 days time line provided in Section 285(7).

The plaintiffs argued that the alteration to Section 285 prevented the tribunals and Court of Appeal from determining their election appeals on merit. Hearing will open in the case shortly after the court’s annual vacation later this month

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

LAW PERSONALITY The Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) did not earn its “The Tiger Branch” pay-off for nothing. The branch is known for its struggles in ensuring justice for the masses. In this interview with ADEBISI ONANUGA, the branch’s chairman, Mr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, speaks on some issues affecting the ordinary Nigerian and the nation.

‘Salami’s issue an albatross on Jonathan’s neck’ T HE federal attorney general chastisised lawyers for en gaging in all sorts of vices, including making comments on matters that are pre-judicial and of corruption. What is your take on this?

It was an issue that came up during the annual general meeting on legal education, the issue of ethics, conducts such that even the president, Mr. Okey Wali (SAN)made a statement that he is not satisfied with the issue of nine months training and issue of ethics that is being taught in the law school. He said he would rather want a situation whereby the issue of ethics would be taught at the university level.

Because if there is any profession that should pride itself with the issue of integrity, it is the legal profession. That if the legal profession loses integrity, just like salt, of what use is salt if it loses its taste. It is integrity that is of utmost importance to the attitude, to the conduct of a lawyer. If a lawyer begins to degrade that profession that is known as noble by engaging in corruption, by engaging in ambulance chasing, or other things like stealing client’s money, being fraudulent in their activities with people, then the Nigerian state will be in problem because everything is built and revolves around law and order and that profession must remain intact with the issue of integrity. So, I am at the same page with the federal attorney general that we must try as much as possible to sanitize the legal profession, get rid of the rotten eggs in the profession.

Those who made report against lawyers to NBA said the association don’t take their complaints serious and when they do it takes too long to get justice?

For me, the issue of those cases that have been reported to the NBA for disciplinary measures should not take up to five or six weeks to come to a conclusion or a verdict about them. There are certain things that must be put in place, that is, procedures and steps that can fast forward and hasten most of the trials of those who have been accused of professional misconduct. I believe that taking into cognizance the views of the new president that the issue of ethics and professional conduct should be taught at the university level, I am on the same page with that and that nine months is not enough for all the teaching of ethics and professional conduct of a lawyer. We should go to the university level, supervise it, and through the law school. We must also be very firm with the discipline of lawyers.

Corruption on the bench has been a contentious issue and reared its head again at the conference of the NBA. What is your take on this?

Now, that the NBA has taken up the matter and has started looking at it, it is a very good omen. We must start looking at it even from the branch level. All the judges in the state high court, all the magistrates in the state, we must begin to monitor ourselves. The lawyers must be monitored. The judges too must be monitored. And that also brings me into the issue of appointment of judges. What are the characters of judges that are being appointed? It was also observed at the NBA conference that most of the people who are being recommended for appointment as judges and magistrates, that the NBA and the branches must have an input in such appointment. We know ourselves. There are lawyers that we know their character and con-

duct. They are not supposed to be on the bench. They are not supposed to hold such position that is a position of trust, a position where they are supposed to determine justice and make pronouncements that will determine the fate of a man, that of life and death. So who becomes a judges or a magistrate is a close matter that should not be left at the alter of ‘I know him’ or ‘man-know-man’. A governor gets a letter or recommendation from a commissioner- oh my relation is a lawyer or is in the Ministry of Justice, make him a judge!

Now the character and integrity of that person is not being examined, his conduct is not being examined. If you put such person whose conduct does not speak well on the bar, he is already known as a professional misfit! Somebody who is accused of professional misconduct and you take him and elevate him to the bench, he would continue with his attitude because nobody has ever punish him.

So we must begin to look at integrity and the character of people we appoint into the Bench and make sure that they men and women of integrity and that they have honour trailing them as a trade mark.

How do you react to the statement of the President that he is the most criticised when taken up on the state of the nation?

I am happy that he knows that he is the most criticised but he also made a statement that before he leaves, he is going to be the most praised. We are looking forward to that. I think by next year, he would have spent about two years in office as the president. We are watching to see those things that he said he would do when elected president. Nigerians are expecting performance, not issues of authority. What is happening now is that most times, he makes decisions that are not in tandem with the people’s yearnings. He makes statements that are at varians with the promises he was making while campaigning for his election as the President. So, people would criticise when he does that especially in the issue of fight against corruption when he said he doesn’t give a damn if he doesn’t declare his assets. That statement is not in tandem with the posture of a man that says he wants to fight corruption. Openness and transparency is the hallmark of a man who wants to fight corruption. Now if you have something to hide and you want to fight corruption, then you cannot be successful in that fight. So, his utterances are one of the things that put him into trouble with Nigerians.

Even his policies somersault, nonperformance, slowness in action.

There is no pronouncement he has made on any issue which he has carried to logical conclusion and most times in defence, instead of pursuing the real thing, he would be chasing shadows. Remember, when he first came in, the first statement he made was on the issue of elongation of tenure. That was the thing that engaged his attention. Whereas that was not what we elected him for.

Then in January this year, remember he also removed subsidy which is contrary to the promise he made, even when the matter has not been reflected in the budget or debated by the National Assembly. So, many things that he does are the things that attracted the comments against him.

If you are the President, what will you have done?

If I have him, I would retrace my steps that I have taken which are making people angry because the bible says, “when the righteous is in power, the people rejoice”. So how come that he is in power and people

are not rejoicing? People are very side, people are sighing. When his name is being mentioned, people get angry. He wasn’t that way in 2011 when he contested. Almost everybody loves him. Everybody was praising him. Now that he has won, it should be the time that people should be rejoicing but people are not happy with him because he is not doing what people expect him to do. So, let him change his ways. Let him begin to make the people feel that there is quality governance being giving to us as Nigerians. Once Nigerians begin to experience quality governance, people would now change their minds about him. So why people are criticising him is that they are not getting value for his leadership. The moment we begin to get value for his leadership, Nigerians will begin to praise him. I am hoping and I believe that what he said that ‘when he is leaving, he is going to be the most praised. Let us hope that when he leaves, Nigerians will begin to praise him.

There is a renewed agitation by various ethnic nationalities for regional autonomy and because of the state of the nation. Please what is your take on this?

When you say people are agitating, it is always as a result of not getting value in leadership and when they are not getting value in leadership, they must as human beings to think of what other ways do you think we can pursue in order to get happiness because the pursuit of every man is to be happy; to have good employment, enjoy the good things of life that God has given and then work and get paid for it. When you are not getting value, when you are not getting joy, when you are not getting happiness in the country where you are living because of inept and bad leadership, you now began to think of other ways you can adopt to begin to enjoy other things that you are being denied at this time by looking for, maybe, their own country or a change in leadership.or doing something that wopuld make those who are in the position of leadership to give you what you want. A lot of people are clamoring, look at the Bakasi people, the Ogonis are decalaring their own state or others because they are not getting what they are supposed to get in the polity. The polity is full of injustice, the policy does not guarantee their lives and

• Ubani

their property. The polity does not give them employment, the polity degrade their environment, the polity does not in any way guarantee good roads for them. When they are sick, the polity does not guarantee them medical care.

Whereas, their leaders go abroad for medical treatment, they go abroad for holidays to enjoy themselves. What I am saying is that agitations comes when people feel dissatisfied.

How do you see the attempt by some state governors to create their own state police?

I am in support of state police. But before they create state police, they should make the environment condusive. This because robbery, kidnapping and Boko Haram will not stop unless the economic conditions are such that people can pursue their economic interest unhindered, and get employment and three square meals in a day, live in a decent accommodation, have good roads, have good medical care, send their children to school with low amount of money. If these things are done, then those people that are criminals who refused to be properly socialised, then you now activate your legal system to take of them and they will be few. But when majority are sad and disgruntled or when majority are being meted with injustice, you have to employ almost everyone as a policeman to man the state. That is not too health. And so before we speak of the issue of state police which I am in support of, I want a situation where the economic condition of the country will be done in such a manner that everyone will be gainfully employed and the create happiness, create joy. Let there be statements from our leaders that will make the people happy. Economic policies, legal policies must be made for the people. Our leaders must always think about the people.

Governance is about the people. The moment you take away the people and you bring economic and legal policies that are against the people, the people will always revolt. If you want to operate a real federal system, there is nothing wrong in having a state police because that is the way to go. Other countries have tried it and they have succeeded. The only way you can have an enduring security is for the people within that environment to be recruited into state police, funded by the people, employ people who knows the nooks and cranies and the criminals in the environment and pay them well so that they can fish them out. The problem we are having with the police in Nigeria is that thieves and robbers are being recruited.

The president, instead of reinstating Justice Isa Ayo Salami, asked for another term, the 5th one, for the acting PCA. What is your reaction to this?

This again is one of the reasons why President Jonathan is the most criticised because he does not do the right thing even when the law is very clear as to what he should do. He decided to listen to hi s political party members, he decided to listen to those who have held this country hostage and who did not mean well for this nation. It is a matter of regret that he doesn’t listen to Nigerians that voted him in. He doesn’t listen to those people he convinced that he doesn’t have any shoe that voted for him. So, as long as he does not listen to the people, as long as he does not obey the law, he would remain the most criticised. If he decides to reinstate Justice Salami, he would be on the side of history. But if he fails to do that, he would be in our history book as the man who claim to obey the rule of law but ended up doing the wrong thing because he is disobeying the law. He does not in any way respect the rule of law. It an albatross. Salami’s matter is an albatross on his neck. Until he does the right thing by reinstating him, not minding the cases he now mentioned are in court, those cases were there when he suspended him, so if he means well for Nigeria, he ought to reinstate him without looking at those cases that he is now pointing at. What is good for the geese is also good for the gizzard. You cannot approbates and reprobates at the same time. That is what the president is doing at this point in time. If he wants to be loved, if he wants to be respected as the President of Nigeria, let him do the right thing all the time. The best court is the peoples court. Nigerians have passed a verdict on President Jonathan as far as Justice Salami issue is concerned. Let him do the right thing, the moment he does the right thing and obeys the laws, Nigerians would respect him.

Justice Kudirat Jose and former Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) at the Stakeholders Summit

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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ABUJA REVIEW ABUJA PULL-OUT PHOTOS

•From left: Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi; Minister of Agriculture and Natural • Hajia Muheeba Dankaka receiving Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) award Resources, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, from President Goodluck Jonathan at the 2012 National Honours Award in Abuja. and Minister of Communications and Technology, Omobola Johnson at the Federal Executive Council Meeting.

• From right: Deaconess Elizabeth Oluwafunmilayo Aderinto; Deaconess Esther Yilda; • From left: Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosu,(left), Lagos State Governor Babatunde Deacon Durodola Israel Akinola; Deacon Elvis Okewu; Deacon Tunji James and Deacon Fashola, and Kwara State Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed at the National Economic Council Danjuma Bulus jointly reading their Deacon's Code of Ethics during their ordination as Church Deacon and Deaconess at Bethel Baptist Church Hayin.

Meeting at State House Abuja.

•From left: Vice President Namadi Sambo; Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and President of Republic of Cote D'ivoire, Alassane Ouattara at a National Defence College Course 21 Lecture in Abuja.

• From left: President Goodluck Jonathan shaking hands with Nigerian Under 20 female team members during the reception organised for them at the Banquiet Hall, Presidential Villa in Abuja.

PHOTOS: AKIN OOLADOKUN

• Commissioners for Finance, Tokunbo Abiru, Lagos State (left), Albert Akpan Bassey, •Clerk of National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa (middle), his wives Hajia Akwa Ibom State and Mohammed Bawa of Niger State during the Federation Accounts Fatima Maikasuwa, Hajia Hajara Maikasuwa during a dinner in honour of the Clerk on the Allocation Committee meeting in Abuja PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE confernment of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON)

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

ABUJA REVIEW

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has proved to many that, indeed there are still one or two things that Nigerians don’t know about him, beside the fact that he is not a Pharaoh or a lion.

He has also shown that he is a listening President as he bowed to public reasoning on the planned introduction of N5000 note.

The President directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to step down the plan. This is the second time within the year the President has had to reverse government policy following public outcry.

The first was the January total fuel subsidy removal. After days of demonstrations by civil society groups, especially in Lagos, the President reverted to partial subsidy removal. So, it was not surprising when the Presidency, which had initially insisted that there was no going back on the policy, decided to step the idea which has the endorsement of the National Economic Management Team (NEMT) down.

Also in the course of the week, the President also pledged to restore honour to the National Honour Award by ensuring that only worthy Nigerians will be so considered henceforth.

In this direction, he vowed to withdraw national honours bestowed on questionable characters. And if his words stand, the former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tarfa Balogun; chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank Plc, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru; ex-MD of Intercontinental Bank, Mr. Erastus Akingbola will be stripped of the National Honours bestowed on them.

To demonstrate his seriousness, the President directed the National Honours Committee to compile a list of persons conferred with the nation’s honours but have been found to be of questionable characters.

The President argued that as an important part of the country’s symbols of value and pride, all holders must not fall short of collective expectations of the people.

This year alone, 155 imminent Nigerians including six Paralympics gold medalists in the just-concluded London Paralympics were honoured by the President.

Again, the President demonstrated his desire to carry out his transformation agenda by setting up a committee that will ensure that the country was not left behind in the Information

The listening President From the Villa

By Vincent Ikuomola Communication Technology (ICT) revolution. The Presidential Committee on Broadband Penetration, which has three months to work, is expected to come up with a Broadband strategy and roadmap for the country.

The President hinted that the country has never participated in past developmental revolutions. This time round, he stressed that the country cannot afford to let the opportunity pass her by.

To this end, he has directed the Ministry of Education to incorporate ICT in school curriculum.

The President also stressed the importance of Broadband which he said has the potential to facilitate the creation of new industries and introduce significant efficiencies into existing ones in all sectors of the economy.

In recognition of these desirable benefits, the President also revealed that the National ICT Policy has set a

target of a five-fold increase in broadband penetration by 2017.

To achieve this lofty goal, he said it has become imperative that a proper and feasible plan is articulated.

Hence, government constituted the committee to develop a comprehensive broadband roadmap for the country.

Another major decision of the Presidency in the course of the week under review was the approval of a 10-year sugar Master Plan aimed at making the country self-sufficient in sugar production.

The initiative is expected to save the country a whopping $350m in foreign exchange annually.

Besides, the implementation of the plan, government argued, will create 37,378 permanent jobs.

Nigeria produces three per cent of local consumption while the rest is imported at the cost of over N100b.

The Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) was approved of at the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The President, who visited Lagos twice in the week, also gave hope to those calling for national dialogue. The President, last Tuesday in his first visit said that the calls by Nigerians for a national dialogue would not be ignored.

Speaking at the launch of the book Jurisprudence of The Living Oracles, a classic written by Dr Tunji Braithwaite in Lagos, the President said there was need for Nigerians to work together to build a new Nigeria.

“This is Nigeria’s stage of development and constitutional consolidation.

“My administration will continue to pay special attention to those urgent matters that will strengthen our union and rule of law and accelerate economic growth.

“The loud calls for dialogue from our citizens will not be ignored.

“For me, dialogue is the most potent weapon in our arsenal for greatness and togetherness,” he said.

Traders get free medicare

T

•Beneficiaries receiving treatment

RADERS at the Abuja International Building Materials Market, Deidei, have benefitted from free medical check-up and drugs.

The exercise was the third in the series organised by Primus International Super Specialty Hospital Karu, the first and second having held at Wuse and Garki Markets respectively.

Addressing traders at the market, wife of the FCT Minister, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, advised them to take their health seriously, especially women and children and carry out routine medical checkups.

While praising the hospital for organising the outreach, she also advised the traders on the benefits of hand washing as many diseases could be prevented if people imbibed a culture of washing their hands often.

Head of administration at the hospital, Nitin Dewan, said the free medical outreach was the hospital’s way of reaching out to the people and contributing to their well-be-

From Bukola Amusan

ing.

Dewan, who encouraged the traders to have checkups at least once a year, disclosed that the hospital was offering the services free of charge, through its eight consultants present at the outreach.

“We have over eight specialist doctors here, we have the orthopaedic doctor who is taking care of joint and bone-related problems, we have the spine doctor who is taking care of issues such as back pain, the general surgeon and the ear, nose and throat surgeon “ We have cure for deafness, if a child is born deaf now, there is a cure and he can get his hearing back with the surgery “We are not charging anything, every service we are offering is free. Because it is an outdoor activity, we were constrained but whatever equipment we could bring we brought and whatever test we can carry out here, we will and everything is free of charge,” he added.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION SEPTEMBER, 2012

WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second column here have applied to the High Court Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties o the deceased.

NOTICES IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) day from the date hereof.

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON: 1.

2.

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S/N

Magret Akinmola (Otherwise known as Mrs Akinbola Margaret ) late of 2, Kano Street, Agijo Via Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of March, 2012 at Lagos.

Alade Teslim Jimmy (Otherwise known as Alade Jimmy) late of House A, Road A4 Caltongate Estate, Chevron Drive Lekki, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 11 th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

Kayode Omosanya Ogunlana late of SW8/735A St. Anne’s Crescent Street, Molete, Ibadan , deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of July, 1978 at Omowunmi Hospital, Ibadan.

Mr Felix Igwe John late of No. 10, Oweh Street, Jibowu , Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of September, 2011 at Master Misericordiae Hospital, Atikpo Mr Alashi Babs Williams late of No. 13, Esho Street, Majiyagbe Ipaja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of August, 2011 at Lagos Eko Hospital.

Kenny Oladimeji Adetunji late of 7, Ayodele Alaba Street, Akute, Lagos State deceased who died intestae on the 10 th day of September, 2010 at General Hospital, Ifo. Mr Lucky Izomoh late of No. 23, Olaiwola Street, Oworonshoki, Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of June, 2009 Ogana Mike Chukwu Ekwu (Otherwise known as Agana Mike Chukwuekwu ) late of 2, Oluwaseun Street, Oworonshoki, Lagos deceased who died intestate intestate on the 22 nd day of March, 2012 at Lagos.

Dayo Adepoju (Otherwise known as Adepoju Adebayo) late of 25, Ifelodun Street, Eliot Bus Stop, Iju Ishaga, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

Peters Olatunji Kehinde late of 20, Wuraola Alonge, Abaranje deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of May, 2008 at Lagos.

Henry Tanimowo late of Ikoga Badagry Expressway, Badagry, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Samuel Olatunbosun Odubanjo (Otherwise known as Odubanjo Samuel) late of 279, Ikotun Road, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of February, 2008 at General Hospital, Lagos.

Mrs John Grace late of 10, Oremeta Street, Ota deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of January, 2012.

Apeh Daniel Bamgboye (Otherwise known as Apeh Daniel Bamigboye) late of No. 8, Enialobinu Street, Oshodi, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of May, 2011 at Ankpa, Kogi Stae.

Chinedu Ibeaha Adline late of 511 Road, B Close, House 13, Festac Town, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of March , 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Olamilekan Wilfred Allwell (Otherwise known as Lekan Badru & Co and L.B. Consulting) late of 40, Funso Adefemi Street, Oko Oba Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of October, 2011 at Ogun State.

Folarin Aderonke Gbemisola late of 30B, Olu Ode Street, Baruwa Ipaja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of May, 2011 at OAUTH Ile Ife. Elisha Bassey Etim late of Block 30, Flat 2 LSDPC Glover Estate, Ebute Metta, Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of September, 2010 at Lagos state.

Mrs Ngozi Cordelia Odinchefu (Otherwise known as Mrs Ngozi Odinchefu) late of 22, Tigbegbe Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9 th day of September, 2010 at Owerri.

Mr Godwin Obache (Otherwise known as ASP Godwin Obache) late of 4, Saka Street, Saka Abule Iroko, Alagbado, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of December, 2011 at River State.

Mrs Caroline Adekunbi Fasanya (Otherwise known as Mrs Caroline Fasanya) late of No. 7, Ogunbanwo Street, Ketu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of September, 2011 at Doren Specialist Hospital Ajah.

Mr Augustine C. Okoboshi (Otherwise known as Okoboshi Augustine) late of No. 1, Oboshi Close, Ikotun, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 23 rd day of May, 2012 Kamoru Akanni Aderinoye late of No. 4, Osho Street, Ikeja, Lagos deceased who died intestae on the 11th day of October, 1984 at Ikeja.

Sunday Bowofola (Otherwise known as Bowofola Sunday) late of 7/9 Burma Road, Apapa, Wharf, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of May, 2009 at Sango Otta Ogun State.

Asuelimen Benjamin late of 8, Alarape Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of May 2008 at Luth.

Mr Aina Adeoye (Otherwise known as Adeoye Aina) late of No. 37B, Ladipo Mushin, Lagos State deceased who died intestateon the 4th day of December, 2011 at Lomico Medical Centre, Mushin.

Alhaji Lateef Lawal late of 9, Banjoko Olowu Street, Ikorodu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

Annan Joseph late of 24, Tokunbo Street, Orisunbare, Idimu, Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of September, 2010 at Lagos.

Samuel Olubiyi Olukunle (Otherwise known as Mr Olukunle Samuel) late of 9, Makinde Close, Off Iju Road, Iju Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5 th day of September, 2011 at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

Mr Sunday Ayele (Otherwise known as Ayele Sunday) late of 6, Femi Ogunleye Close, Alakuko, Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 20 th day of August, 2010 at Ubi Aja Mr Idowu Abiodun Obadina (Otherwise known as Mr Idowu Obadina) late of No. 30, Idowu Anisere Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15 th day of April, 2012 Taiwo Oluremi Jagunmolu (Otherwise known as Jagunmolu Taiwo ) late of 8, Ajoke Street, Off Jonathan Coker Road, Fagba Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 27 th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Joseph Yaw Boampong (Otherwise known as Boampong Joseph ) late of 33, Victoria Street, Iwaya, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of December, 2011 Mr Isaiah Victor Goodluck late of 3 Ayopo Street, Dopemu Agege, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of October, 2008 at General Hospital Fakiyesi Oluwatayo Oni (Prof.) (Otherwise known as Fakiyesi Oluwatayo Oni) late of 3, Idris Aloma Close, Comp. CTR Unilag,Akoka Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1 st day of July, 2011 at Unilag Akoka.

Mrs Evangeline Okafor (Otherwise known as Evan Okafor) late of 2, Raco Way Adaloko Afromedia Ojo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Bamgbose Fatimo (Otherwise known as Bamgbose fatimo Saminu and Fatimo Saminu) late of 17, Aromire Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of February, 2012 at Luth Mushin Lagos.

Taiwo Aderonke David (Otherwise known as Taiwo David) late of 1, Babatunde Oki Street, Ilupeju Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of October, 2007 at Abuja.

Muritala Sansamiyu late of 17, Oshinowo Street, Papa Epe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of March, 2012 at Epe. Mrs Iyabo Obani (Otherwise known as Obani Iyabo) late of 39, Araromi Street, Epe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of December, 2011 at Epe Misaki Ogundokun (Otherwise known as Mr Mesark Ogundokun) late of 1, Tapa Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of April, 2000 at Lagos.

Bridget Ordu (Otherwise known as Mrs Bridget Ordu) late of 7, Hassan Abiodun Road, Ojodu, Berger, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16 th day of March, 2009 at Lagos.

Mrs Arewa Olawumi (Otherwise known as Mrs Arewa Olawunmi) late of 33, Oke Onijo Street, Ijeshatedo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of December, 2008 at Lagos.

Arowojolu Alexander Ebidunni (Otherwise known as Arowojolu Ebidunni Alexander) late of No. 2C, E Close, United Estate, Alagbole Akute Via Berger, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of April, 2012 at Lagos.

Dada Oyeyemi Oyebowale late of 29, Post Office Road, Mushin, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of January, 2000 at Lagos.

Mr Remilekun Jawo (Otherwise known as Mr Clement Oluremi Jawo and Mr Jawo Remi) late of 9/11 , Igbogbo Road, Ebute Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of November, 2011 at Ikorodu.

Samuel Oladapo Oloyede late of No. 9, Omilani Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of September, 1980 at Lagos.

Ehinze Godwin late of 7, Wharf Road, Ikorodu, Ogoloto, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of May, 2009 at Delta State.

Okereke Happiness (Otherwise known as Onunivu Okereke ) late of Close 17, House 6, Satellite Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13 th day of March, 2012 at Lagos.

Professor Adekanmi Vincent Aderogba (Otherwise known as Aderogba Adekanmi Vincent and Adekanmi Vincent Aderogba)late of 3, Idris Aloma Close, Unilag, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23 rd day of December 2011 Shopade Simeon Oluyemi late of 45, Oduntan Street, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of December, 2003 at Lagos.

Alhaji Sulaimon Owolabi Raimi (Otherwise known as Owolabi Sule Raimi, Raimi (Alhaji) Owolabi and Grafik Trade) late of 1, Coner-Stone Estate, Alausa Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs Julianah Abosede Ogunleye late lof 46, Santos Avenue, Abule Egba , Lagos, State deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

Maj. Gen. Henry Edmund Olufemi Adefope (Otherwise known as Adefope Henry Olufemi, Major General H.E.O. Adefope and Major General Henry Edmund Olufemi Adefope) late of 15, Henry Adefope Cresent Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of March, 2012 at Ikeja, Lagos.

Mrs Idoreyin Ekanem (Otherwise known as Mrs Idoreyin Inokon E. ) late of 5, Odudu Ojikutu Street, Ikotun Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of June, 2012 at Lagos.

Oseni Lateef (Otherwise known as Oseni Lateef Okunola) late of No. 9, Anuoluwapo Street, Shomolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26 th day of August, 2008 at General Hospital.

Ayilara Adetunji Ganiyu (Otherwise known as Ayilara Adetunji) late of Thanni Estate, New Site Off Oko Afo Bus Stop, Badagry Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of June, 2011 at Teaching Hospital Badagry.

Alhaji Bamidele Yesiru Karimu late of 11, Maria Ibironke Street, Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of January, 2012 at Lagos.

Adesanya Saheed Olaremilekun (Otherwise known as Adesanya Saheed Oseni) late of 31, Olayemi Street, Mazamaza Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of October, 2011 at Ibadan.

Adewale Babatunde late of 14, Folorunsho Koleosho Street, Egan Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10 th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

Miss Oluchi Eze (Otherwise known as Eze Oluchi) late of 8, Oshifila Street,Anifowoshe , Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of June, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Modiu Adeyemi Alase late of 8, Arole Close Ogudu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of August, 2011 at Lagos.

Martins Ilimezekhe late of 4, Wilmer Street, Isheri Berger Lagos deceased wh died intestate on the 4th day of October, 2011 atAjuwon Ogun State.

Mr Babatunde Erewa (Otherwise known as H.P Securities Limited ) late of Plot 864B, Bishop Aboyade Cole Street, Victoria Island Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 22 nd day of October, 1998 at Warri.

Madam Christianah Olabisi Ajasa (Otherwise known as Mrs Ajasa Christiana Olabisi)late of 12, Afolabi Ekiyoyo Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of December 2011 at Ikorodu.

Christopher Okonta (Otherwise known as Okonta Nnamdi Christopher) late of 63, Tebi Muwo Road, Opposite Ojo Barracks deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of June, 2010.

Mr Aminu Olusola John (Otherwise known as Aminu Olusola) late of No. 9, Peter Edoso Street, Ijanikin , Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 22 nd day of April, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Mustafa Kehinde (Otherwise known as Ken Sammy Foods Enterprises) late of 2, Police Lane, Ajegunle, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of August, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Oladapo Oluwole Ekundayo late of Plot 7, Kilanko Street, Beckly Estate, Abule Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31 st day of October, 2011 at County of West Sussex UK. Bolakale Kazeem Jimoh late of 15, Calvary Homeway Ejigbo, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of August, 2010 at Lagos.

Christiana Okolo (Otherwise known as Christianah Okolo) late of 33, Efon Alaye Street, Ojodu Berger Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13 th day of September, 2011 at Lagos.

Sokan Matthew Adebowale (Otherwise known as Matthew Ade & Company) late of 13, Ogeretedo Street, Dopemu Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of June, 2012 at Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta.

Mr Olukanni Akanmu Johnson late of No. 5, Gbogbolowo Street, Off Ijeja Road, Adiyan Agbado, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of January, 2012 at Philcom Specialist Hospital Adiyan.

Mr Igbasan Ola Festus (Otherwise known as Igbesan Ola) late of 33, Agbebi Street, Ijeshatedo Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30 th day of December, 2009 at Lagos.

Peresei Johnson (Otherwise known as Peresel Johnson) late of 12, Idowu Street, Naid Bus Stop Kuje Amuwo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th dayof January, 2012 Tabe Inyang (Otherwise known as Tabe Inyang Ebim and Inyang Tebe) late of 3, Adebale Street, Iyana Oworonshoki Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of May, 2010 at Abuja Ishola Lasisi Adigun (Otherwise known as Ishola Lasisi) late of 34, Olaleye Street, Oko Oba Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of January, 2011 at Ayetoro , Ogun State.

Mrs Bridget Nkem Osaji (Nee Idu) (Otherwise known as Osaji Bridget) late of 202 Road , B Close, Block 2, Flat 11, Festac Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of November, 2009 at Island Maternity Lagos.

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NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

Mr Sunday Akinmola and Susan Akinmola both of 2, Kano Street, Agijo ,Lagos widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Iyabo Adeosun and Miss Rihanat Yemisi Alade both of House A Road A4 Carltongate Estate, Chevron Drive Lekki, Lagos , mother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mosunmola Adegbesan and Kolawole Ogunlana both of SW8/735A St. Anne’s Cresent Street, Molete, Ibadan the children of the said deceased.

Mr Collins Okorie John and Mr Wilson Okike John both of 10 Oweh Street, Jibowu Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Mrs Olubunmi Babs Alashi and Oluwafemi Babs Alashi both of 13, Esho Street, Majiyagbe Ipaja, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Stella Awuyemetan Ngozi Adetunji and Mr Olumuyiwa Olanrewaju Adetunji both of 7, Ayodele Alaba Street, Akute, Lagos State widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Grace Izomoh and Mr Godspower Izomoh both of 23, Ilado Compound Ojo, Lagos State , mother and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Helen Ogana Madu and Angela Ogana both of 2, Oluwaseun Street, Oworonshoki, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Oluwayomi Adepoju and Seilat Adepoju both of 25, Ifelodun Street, Eliot Bus Stop Iju Ishaga, Lagos, mother and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Mopelola Peters and Olumide Peters both of 20, Wuraola Alonge, Abaranje , Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Josephine Asorose, Abidemi Durojaiye and Elizabeth Henry all of Ikoga Savi Compound Badagry Lagos, three children of the said deceased.

Mrs Olabisi Odubanjo and Olayinka Junior Odubanjo both of 76, Pipeline Aboru Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr John Godwin Edet and Mr Emmanuel Uwem John both of 10 , Oremeta Street, Ota, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Apeh Success Ojonugwa and Apeh Gabriel Mateju both of No. 8, Enialobinu Street, Oshodi, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Chikodi Ibeaha and Stella Ibeaha, both of 511 Road, B Close, House 2, Festac , Lagos , brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Olamilekan Ronke A. and Mr Badru Oladotun both of 40, Funso Street, Oko Oba Agege, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

PST Samuel Olusegun Folarin and Adeyanju Oluwapelumi Folarin both of 30B, Olu-Ode Street, Baruwa Ipaja, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Alice Bassey and Okon Etuk Udo both of LSDPC Glover Estate, Lagos, widow and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

Julian Chima U. Odinchefu and Edith Ijeoma Amarinze (Odinchefu) both of 22, Tigbegbe Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Daina Obache and Master Thomas Obache both of 4, Saka Street, Saka Alagbado, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Esther Ajose and Mrs Olubukola Aigbokhaevbo both of No. 7, Ogunbanwo Street, Ketu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Pauline Okoboshi and Onyeka Okoboshi both of No. 1 Oboshi Close, Ikotun , Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased Mrs Rashidat Adefunmilola Kareem, Mr Fatai Adetunji Aderinoye, Mr Ahmed Adeshola Aderinoye and Miss Simbiat Moradeke Aderinoye all of 4, Osho Street, Opebi Ikeja, Lagos four children of the said deceased.

Mrs Hanna Bowofola and Mr Niyi Bowofola both of 7/9 Burma Road, Apapa Wharf.widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Soni Ehi Asuelimen of 25, Ladipo Street, Mushin, Lagos and Lawrence Enaholo of 2, Ogunmokun Street, Mushin, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Mrs Aina Tawa Adeoye and Mr Egbenniyi Taiwo Kolawole both of 37B, Ladipo Street, Mushin, Lagos, widow and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Isiaka Lawal and Mrs Afusat Tela both of 9, Banjoko Olowu Street, Ikorodu Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Annan Isaac and Annan Bright both of 45A, Bameke Street, Shasha , Lagos two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Olukunle Susan Olusola of 9, Makinde Close, Off Iju Road, Iju Lagos widow of the said deceased.

Mr Desmond Ayele and Mrs Magadaline-Elimimian both of 10, Ademola Abiola Street, Lagos, one of the children and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Christianah Oluyemisi Obadina and Oluwatobi Moses Obadina both of 30, Idowu Anisere, Ikotun, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Nathaniel Abiodun Jagunmolu and Mr Olayiwola Abiodun Jagunmolu both of 8, Ajoke Street, Off Jonathan Coker Road, Fagba, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Felicia Boampong and Mr Aaron Boampong both of 33, Victoria Street, Iwaya Yaba, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Isaiah Hellen and Isaiah Stanley both of 2, Moses Ajulo Street, Ogun State widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Olajumoke Fakiyesi and Mr Ayokanmi Fakiyesi both of 3, Idris Aloma Close, Unilag, Akoka, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Miss Lilian Okafor and Mr Christian Okafor both of 2, Raco Way, Adaloko Afromedia Ojo, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Alhaja Ashiata Bamgbose and Mrs Kudirat Bamgbose both of 17 Aromire Street, Mushin, Lagos, mother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Florence Adeyola David, Idowu Taiwo David and Alaba David all of 1, Babatunde Oki Street, Ilupeju Lagos, mother and two sisters respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Anah Sansamiyu , Mrs Saidat Olamiji Muritala and Mr Sansamiyu Rahmon all of 17, Oshinowo Street, Papa Epe, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Miss Rashidat Bolanle A. and Miss Falilat Abass both of 39, Araromi Street, Epe Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Felix Ogundokun, Abigail Adewuyi and Samuel O. Ogundokun all of 1, Tapa Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos three children of the said deceased.

Austin Morah and Cordelia Okechukwu both of 14, Kosoko Road, Ojodu Berger Lagos two of the children of the said deceased.

Arewa Muyideen, Arewa Sadiq , Mrs Adio Olayinka Temitope and Mrs Adekoya Olusoji all of 20, Ronke Street, Ijehsatedo Lagos, widower, one of the children and two sisters respectively of the of the said deceased.

Arowojolu Julius Tope and Arowojolu Anthony both of No. 2, Jibewa Close, Ojodu Abiodun , Ojodu Berger, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Alhaji Ganiyu Dada of 29, Post Office Road, Mushin, Lagos, and Mrs Bunmi Omotoso of Plot 34, Kudirat Abiola Way, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Morounranti Florence Jawo of 9/11 Igbogbo Road, Ebute Ikorodu, Lagos and Mr Ebenezer Philip Adeyemi Jawo of Block 30, Flat 6, Amuwo Odofin Housing Estate, Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Chief (Mrs) Irene Wuraola Showemimo Coker and Elder Olajide Oloyede both of 9, Omilani Street, Surulere, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Simeon Ehinze and Patrick Ehinze both of 7, Wharf Road, Ikorodu, Ogoloto Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mazi Emmanuel Emenike of Close 17, House 6, Satellite Town, Lagos, and Chigozirim Nnanna of 13, Omenazu Street, Off Faulk Road, Aba Abia State, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Victoria Kofoworola Aderogba and Mrs Foluso Kelly Gerald (Nee Aderogba) both of Apple 3, Pentagon Estate, Km 47 Ogun State widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Ajibola A.Sopade , Bolanle A. Oridedi (Mrs) and Olakunle O. Sopade all of 45, Oduntan Street, Ketu, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Alhaja Titilayo Owolabi, Babatunde Shina Owolabi and Munirat Bolanle Owolabi all of 1, Cornerstone Estate, Alausa, Lagos, widow and two of the said deceased.

Ogunleye Olubode Idowu , Ogunleye Adefemi Adeniyi and Ogunleye Jolaade Yewande all of 46, Santos Avenue, Abule Egba, Lagos, widower and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Olufemi Adefope of Festival Road, Victoria Island, Lagos Hon. Justice O.A.Adefope-Okojie of 1, Works Road, G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos, Mrs Adefolake Adefope-Nedd and Mr Oluseyi Adefope both of 15, Henry Adefope Crescent, Opebi Lagos four of the children of the said deceased.

Mr Ekanem O. Akpan and Mrs Ima James Akpabio both of 5, Odudu Ojikutu Street, Ikotun, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Tajudeen Oseni , Mrs Iyabo A. Dehinbo and Mrs Adijatu Agara all of 9, Anuoluwapo Street, Shomolu, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Anike Risikatu Ayilara and Ayilara Olumide Jelili both of Thanni Estate, New Site Oko Afo Bus Stop, Badagry Expressway Ilogbo Eremi, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Bamidele Isiaka Adewale and Bamidele Azeez Oriyomi both of 11, Maria Ibironke Street, Ikotun, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Abiodun Adesanya and Akorede Adesanya both of 31, Olayemi Street, Maza-maza Lagos, two sisters of the said deceased.

Mrs Idayat Adedayo Adewale and Miss Taiwo Oluwatoyin Adewale both of 14, Folorunsho Koleosho Street, Egan, Alimosho L.G.A. Lagos State widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Miss Ifesinachi Eze of No. 8, Oshifila Street, Anifowose, Ikeja, and Mrs Uzomaka Onuagha of No. 5, Sumonu Street, Okeira, Ogba, Lagos, two sisters of the said deceased.

Mr Babatunde Alase of Plot Block 6 Flat 3, Sparklight Estate, Isheri Lagos and Mr Olawale Alase of 8, Arole Close, Ogudu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Joy Ilimezekhe and Cynthia Ilimezekhe both of 3, Oluwatobiloba Street, Ajuwon Ogun State two of the children of the said deceased.

Oluwatoyin O. Erewa, Oritsejolomi O. Erewa and Toritseju O. Erewa all of Plot 864B, Bishop Aboyade Cole Street, Victoria Island Lagos three children of the said deceased.

Misturat Olasunkanmi Oyefusi of 2, Rufai Street, Surulere, Lagos and Selimot Tijani of 12, Afolabi Ekiyoyo Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos two of the children of the said deceased.

Rose Okonta and Emeka Okonta both of 63, Tebi Muwo Road, Opposite Ojo Barracks Ojo, Lagos, widow and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

Miss Aminu Oluwaseun Mercy and Mr Aminu Omotayo John both of No. 9, Peter Edoso Street, Ijanikin Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mrs Mustapha Kehinde of 2, Police Lane, Ajegunle, Lagos, and Olorunfemi Joshua Sunday of Plot 6, Folorunsho Kazeem Close, Off Taiwo Avenue Magodo, Lagos , widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Omotayo Tolulope Ekundayo of No. 1, Olufemi Oluwasunkanmi Street, Iyana Agbara New Garage Ibadan Oyo State and Mrs Modupeola Atoke Adeolu-Akande of Plot 391, Agodi Ibadan Oyo state , brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Taibat Jimoh of 15, Calvary Homeway, Ejigbo, Lagos and Mukaila Omotosho Jimoh of 16, Wewe Sari Iganmu, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Roseline Okolo of 33, Efon alaye Street, Ojodu Berger Lagos, and Oledinma Leonard of 60, Aina Street, Ojodu Ikeja Lagos, mother and uncle respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Olumide Michael Sokan, Dr Olalekan Samson Sokan, Pharm. Jonathan A. Sokan and Mr Mayowa Moses Sokan all of 13, Ogeretedo Street, Dopemu, Lagos four of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Aderonke Olukanni and Mr Gbenga Olukanni both of 5, Gbogbolowo Street, Off Ijeja Road, Adiyan Agbado, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Bolaji Owolabi Igbasan and Mr Kayode Igbasan both of 33, Agbebi Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Peresei Victor Tamarauemi and Peresei Arerebo Doris both of 12, Idowu Street, Naid Bus Stop, Kuje Amuwo Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr Stephen owen Eteng and Mr Inyang Iyang both of 3, Adebale Street, Iyana Oworoshoki Lagos widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Ishola Rasidat of 34, Olaleye Street, Oko Oba Agege, Lagos and Bello Bose of No. 38, Alhaji Oladipupo Street, Agege, Oko Oba, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Barr. Sunday Godfrey Osaji and Kenneth Ogechukwu Eda Osaji both of 202 Road B Close Block 2, Flat 11 Festac Lagos , widower and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

G.A SAFARI (MR.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

45

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

ONDO 2012

I

T is just three weeks and three days before the electorate in Ondo State will elect the man to pilot the affairs of the state for the next four years. The October 20 governorship election has remained a major talking point within the country’s political space. And, many people have expressed concern about the possibility of an outbreak of violence before, during and after the election.

The concern is germane, given the trend of things in the state in the past few months.

There has been an increasing rise in the wave of political violence, inter party fracas and other sundry forms of intimidation.

The question has always been what would happen on election day and after the results would have been announced? Besides, reference has always been made to the orgy of violence that swept through the state in the not too distant past when a governorship election was manipulated in favour of a candidate which the electorate in the state clearly did not want.

It was in a bid to forestall a possible repeat of such unwholesome and ugly development that the Special Adviser to the President on Inter Party Affairs Senator Ben Ndi Obi, last Friday, put together a sensitization workshop for party executives, stakeholders and candidates ahead of the election. The workshop which held in Akure, the state capital, saw stakeholders calling for free, fair and transparent election which should be held in very peaceful and conducive atmosphere.

Senator Obi must have been inspired by a similar workshop conducted in June in neighbouring Edo State. In the run up to the July 14, governorship election in that state, anxiety was high, that violence coulddisrupt activities in the state. There were accusations and counter accusations by the major stakeholders, particularly, between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The workshop turned out to be the needed tonic almost everybody had been waiting for to call attention to the need for peace, law and order. The election held and, apart from being generally peaceful, it was acknowledged as the freest and fairest since 1999.

President Goodluck Jonathan wasted no time in congratulating Governor Adams Oshiomhole of the ACN who was declared winner. The PDP as a party did same, displaying great sportsmanship. It is on record that the party refused to contest the result of the election.

That was in Edo State. But then, the Anambra State born presidential aide must have considered it a sacred duty to try and replicate the same in Ondo State.

In his welcome address, Obi came up with far-reaching recommendations. He was quick to remind all present that the fact that they were all at the workshop represented a “collective desire to change the nature and character of elections in Ondo State and by extension, our nation”. Obi recalled with a deep sense of satisfactions the results which the Edo experiment of the workshop yielded.

“It all started in Edo State in June 2012 following the need to arrest the dangerous political atmosphere preceding the Edo July 2012 Governorship Election that generated serious anxiety in the nation owing to the escalation of political insecurity, acrimony and rancour in that state. It was a paradigm shift. We are all living witnesses to the great success recorded by our sensitisation workshop in Edo State”.

He added that “This workshop is, therefore, an occasion for party associates and stakeholders to rub mind on how to ensure a crises-free election in Ondo state. It is the time for all stakeholders to evolve the machinery to sensitise our various supporters on the need to adhere to electoral rules.

“We must ensure that our supporters are thoroughly informed that in any election, there must be a winner and ensure that each vote counts. There is no doubt that the political environment in Ondo State is presently passionate and emotional but build-

• Obi

• Gen. Akirinade

• Prof Jega

Stakeholders seek peaceful election The clamour for free, fair and peaceful election resonated at a sensitisation workshop for party executives, stakeholders and candidates ahead of the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State. Assistant Editor AUGUSTINE AVWODE reports. ing on the lessons of the past, there is need for a positive decision to make it safe and friendly once again”.

Outlining the place of periodic elections in a democracy, he spelt out what must be done by all stakeholders to achieve the dreamed free, fair and peaceful election.

“Periodic election remains paramount in a democratic dispensation because it is the moment of truth for both the leader and the led. While election is a nightmare to nonperforming politicians, a great expectation it is to the people as it affords them the opportunity to choose their leaders as well as drop nonperforming ones. But elections cannot perform this function if the right attitude is not developed and right atmosphere enthroned.

“Free and fair election calls for unrestrained right to vote and be voted for, a level playing ground for all in spite of party affiliations; common access to common facilities; one that is devoid of intimidations, misuse of state resources for electoral purposes, violence, riggings and the manipulation of the judicial process in situation of electoral litigations, etc”, he said.

In his address, the chairman of the workshop Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd), while commending the initiative, warned that nothing short of a free and fair election is acceptable. He reminded the audience of what happened in the state once when electoral cheats tried to rob the people of their right to freely choose who to rule them.

“People of my generation cannot forget the stiff, uncompromising attitude, backed by physical demonstration of limitless violence with which the people of this state stood against cheating, demonstrated by electioneering heist in the recent past”.

Harping on the negative consequences of rigging elections, Akinrinade warned in no uncertain terms that: “When an election is not free and fair, people’s faith and confidence in the system are eroded, bad and unwanted leaders are sanctimoniously and ignominiously selected, democracy dividend are denied, crisis of unimaginable proportions with its concomitant violence are enthroned, development is distorted

and lives lost”.

Akinrinade warned those who are planning to ferment trouble to desist saying the election must be a true reflection of the wishes of Ondo people. “Political killings are not only antithetical to democracy; they are also satanic and contrary to the principle of the ‘General Good’. This time around, Ondo State and her people cannot afford to play into the waiting hands of the anarchy that result from manipulated elections. Election must be a true reflection of the people’s collective wish”.

The ACN governorship candidate, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Southwest of the party, Senator James Kolawole, noted that the consequences of not conducting a free and fair election are grievous. He maintained that Ondo State has sophisticated citizenry which makes it mandatory to ensure free and fair election in the state. Kolawole said the ACN, being a peaceful party, will not tolerate and promote any forms of violence.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), represented by his running mate, Mr. Saka Lawal, not only condemned the denial of air time to opposition parties by public electronic media in the state, he also lamented the series of attacks against members of the PDP. He said: “We in the PDP, we are not violent, but the sitting government ever since has not learnt anything from us. Over the last one month, we have been to 203 wards, we have visited about 350 communities. We were at Idanre, we got police permit, but the SA to the sitting governor led thugs to attack our members. If not for the timely intervention of the Commissioner of Police, that rally would have been aborted” In his remarks, chairman of the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Attahiru Jega, who was represented by a national commissioner, Hajiya Aminat Zakari, recalled the positive outcome and subsequent confidence building mechanism that resulted from the Edo State workshop.

Jega noted that the Commission is always concerned whenever the electoral environ-

‘When election is not free and fair, people’s faith and confidence in the system are eroded, bad and unwanted leaders are sanctimoniously and ignominiously selected, democracy dividend are denied, crisis of unimaginable proportions with its concomitant violence are enthroned, development is distorted and lives lost’

ment is over-heated by aggressive language, threats, and other forms of intimidation before during and after elections.

“These do not augur well for all contestants, the voters as well as the political and electoral systems at large. Such an atmosphere also generates, and inevitably creates situations that not only lead to threats to life and property, but could also impact negatively on the credibility of the election”.

Jega stressed that only personal commitment can help the system.

“It is the personal commitment of political parties and candidates that can create the kind of peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections that we all desire as a nation. As you deliberate on some of the most pertinent concerns on peaceful elections, I hope that you will generate concrete suggestions that will assist all Stakeholders in ensuring that the forthcoming Ondo State Governorship Election is conducted in a peaceful and conducive atmosphere”, Jega said.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a Political Scientist at the Usumanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, which he titled: “Trust: That rare value in politics,” said the essence of the exercise was to capture what he called an “illusive and rare value” in politics which he identified as trust.

According to him, people are searching for: “Trust that politicians can rely on INEC to conduct the forthcoming elections in a manner that they can accept the results as genuinely reflecting the will of the people of Ondo State. Trust that political parties and contestants will play by the same rules, and will respect the electorate by giving them enough room to exercise free choice.

“Trust of the people of this state that both INEC and politicians will allow their will to prevail; to remove fear from the entire exercise; and respect outcomes as the voices of the people. Trust that this election will serve as a benchmark for a nation eager to establish the possibility that we can elect leaders freely and openly, and, the heavens do not need to fall in the process”.

The guest lecturer challenged all present to make sure that what would happen in Ondo represents an improvement on the election in Edo State. wish you a very useful workshop”.

The communique signed by all stakeholders. As the d-day draws nearer, all eyes would be on these critical stakeholders to do the needful for Ondo, the state which prides itself as the “Sunshine State” and Nigeria.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION SEPTEMBER, 2012

WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second column here have applied to the High Court Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties o the deceased.

NOTICES IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) day from the date hereof.

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON: 1.

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S/N

Mrs Saidat Ogidan (Otherwise known as Okusan Saidat Ogidan) late of 69, Dosunmu Street, Itire , Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 8th dyaof July, 2006 at Lagos.

Alabi Mulikat Gbadamosi (Otherwise known as Alabi Mulikat) late of 15, Eyi Aro Ogudu Ojota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st dayof October, 2011 at Lagos.

Iwejuo Omeola Emmanuel (Otherwise known as Mr Omeola Iwejuo Emmanuel) late of 25, Arowolo Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th dayof February, 2012 at Lagos.

Olufojude Kayode late of H1 Close, Block 4, Flat 7, 5th Avenue Last Bus Stop Festac Town, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of May, 2009 at Lagos.

Amoniyan Ebenezer Olufunmise late of 7, Damengoro Street, Off Olateju Street, Odi Olowo Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of July, 2004 at Lagos.

Tiwo Comfort Abiola (Otherwise known as Tiwo Comfort A.) late of 17, Wasilat Street, Ojodu , Abiodun Berger Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th dayof October, 2007 at Lagos.

Arabambi Rufus Kayode (Otherwise known as Arabambi Kayode) late of 13, Ogujebe Street, Dopemu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

Oguntade Solomon Oladipupo late of 5, James Ogbou Close, Egbeda, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Chinwe Nwauju (Otherwise known as Chinwedu Nwauju) late of 14, Aina Street, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st dayof November, 2011 at Lagos.

Chief Mrs Agnes Adetoun Onafuwa late of No. 21, Alhaji Amao Street, Ojota Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of October, 2010 at Ogun State Adunbarin Joshua Anuoluwapo (Otherwise known as Joshua Adunbarin) late of 12, Adelakun Agboola Close, Iju, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of July, 2011 at Port Harcourt.

Muyideen Dele Ajao (Otherwise known as Ajao Dele ) late of 22, Odusanya Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th dayof July, 2011 at Isara, Lagos.

Insp. Etop Brown Udoh (Otherwise known as Etop B. Udoh) late of 17, Gordilore Street, Akowonjo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Kate Olabisi Demehin (Otherwise known as Kate Demehin OL) late of 51, Yusuf Erinfolami Street, Okota Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of August, 2011 at Abuja.

Mr Nathan Udo Ekanem late of 8, Balogun Kuku Street, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th dayof March, 2009 at Lagos.

Mrs Stella Dumbi late of 35, Tunkarimu Street, Ajegunle Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of March, 2012 at Lagos.

Mrs Yusuf Olayeni (Otherwise known as Olayemi Idera and Yusufu Olayeni) late of 9, Adebiyi Street, Shomolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th dayof July, 2002.

Mr Sunday Orji late of 12, Ige Street, By Pako Bus Stop, Alimosho Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Oladipupo Oluwatomi Ebenezer (Otherwise known as Oladipupo Oluwatomi) late of 3B, Ayodele Crescent, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Amaechi Peter Obinna (Otherwise known as Peter Amaechi) late of Ogungbesan Street, Coker Orile deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

Miss Omolola Ayotunde George late of 374, Herbert Macaulay Street, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of January, 2012 at Lagos.

Mrs Okedara Florence Bolatito (Otherwise known as Mrs Okedara Florence B.) late of 4, Moradehun Street, Abule Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th dayof December, 2008 at Lagos.

Patrick Ekhator (Otherwise known as Patrick Aiyowiere Ekhator) late of 103, Isolo Road, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of December, 2011 at General Hospital Mushin.

Olumuyiwa Isaac Akintola (Otherwise known as Akintola Olumuyiwa and Mr Isaac Olumuyiwa Akintola) late of 34, Olakunle Street, Ikotun Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of November, 2012 at Luth.

Adeyanju Yekini Ademola late of Block 1, Flat 4, Iponri Housing Estate, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 13th dayof November, 2011 at Lagos.

Chief Rufus Olajide Babade late of 13, Alausa Adesanya Street, Oregun , Ikeja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of September, 2004 at Josek Hospital Lagos.

Mr Jide Smart Dairo (Otherwise known as Dairo Jide Smart) late of 12, Oremeji Street, Papa Ajao Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of July, 2011 at Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Ibikunle Tajudeen Olasunkanmi (Otherwise known as Ibikunle Tajudeen) late of 11, Timmy Ariyo Close, Badagry, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of June, 2007 at Lagos.

Folarin Popoola (Otherwise known as Mr Popoola Folarin) late of 14, Olusola Street, Iwaya, Onike Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Sobande James Ishola (Otherwise known as Deacon Ishola Sobande) late lof Block 32, Flat 4, Alhaji Masha Road, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th dayof April, 2012.

Proffessor Ernest Olagbade Obe (Otherwise known as Prof. Obe Ernest) late of 3, Ilaje Road, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd dayof May, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Ibe Hyginus (Otherwise known as Hyginus Ibe) late of Block 2, Flat 9, Adekunle Police Barracks Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd dayof December, 2011 at Lagos State.

Mr Oyedele Adeniyi Jamiu late of 30, Showunmi Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th dayof December, 2010 at Bose Specialist Hospital, Lagos.

Mr Mutiu Amusa Adenuga late of 7, Adenuga Street, Ajagunobe Epe, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 8th dayof January, 1976 at Ijebu Ode Mr Leonard Olufemi Peters late of 42, Godwin Omonua Street, Isolo, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of June, 2007 at Heals Specialist Hospital, Isolo.

Mr Samson Akwaikang Sunday Imeh (Otherwise known as Mr Samson A.S.Imeh) late of Block 129, Amuwa Odofin Estate, Mile 2, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Bello Gaosu Olukayode late of 28, Olukemi Street, Cement Bus Stop, Ikeja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of January, 2012 at Lagos.

Sadiq Iliyas Abdullahi late of No. 5, Ajibotowu Street, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th dayof January, 2012 at Okene Mr Saliu Alani Akintola late of 4B, Dada Akapo Street, Orile Agege, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of April, 2012 at Lagos.

Ekwomadu Valentine (Otherwise known as Ekwomadu Valentine Ikedichukwu and Ekwomadu Valentine I.) late of 22, Ireku Street, Oworonshoki Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th dayof July, 2011 at Lagos.

Christopher Amaobi Achonwa (Otherwise known as Achonwa Christopher , Christopher Achonwa and Amaobi Christopher) late of 5, Olaosebikan Close, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of March, 2010 at Lasuth Ikeja.

Mr Salami Olelakan late of 53, Agidi Road, Alapere Ketu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of June, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Emmanuel O. Banigo (Otherwise known as Banigo Emmanuel) late of 32, Ore Ofe Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th dayof February, 1993 at Lagos.

Mr Eze Edwin Nwankwo (Otherwise known as Pa Eze Edwin) late of 18B, Ajanlekoko Street, Apapa Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of March 2009 at Lagos.

Adeniran Akorede Sayau (Otherwise known as Adeniran Akorede S. and Adeniran Akorede ) late of No. 6, Ire Akari Close, Odugbose, Agbede Transforner, Ikorodu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of April 2012 at Lagos.

Adeleke Mikaila Ola (Otherwise known as DSP Ola Mikaila Adeleke) late of 34 Road, E. Close Block 1 Fl Flat 10 Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of January, 2012 at Bauchi.

Mr Christopher Oyebola Alade late of 10, Adesunloye Street, Ita Oluwo Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

Chief Vincent Chukwuma Nwagulu (Otherwise known as Nwagulu Chukwuma Vincent ) late of 14, Inufele Street, Isheri Osun, Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th dayof June, 1999 at Lagos.

Ogunleye Ezekiah Oluwajoba (Otherwise known as Ogunleye Olujoba Hezekiah Mr ) late of 99, Lagos Road, Ikorodu Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of December, 2009 at Lagos.

Omowumi Tajudeen (Otherwise known as Babarere) late of 47, Mosalasi Street, Iponri, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of November, 2010 at Warri, Delta State.

Mrs Bunmi Idowu (Otherwise known as Bunmi Aduke Idowu) late of 7, Molusi Street, Ikate Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of October, 2001 at Lagos.

Mr Ezeani Augustine Obinwa (Otherwise known as Ezeani Augustine Obinnwa and Augustine Ezeani Adazi ) late of 2nd Avenue House 136 Beachland Estate, Apapa, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 14th dayof June, 2010 at Lagos.

Mrs German Justina Isioma (Otherwise known as Buwa Jamani Franca) late of No. 16, Olabisi Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th dayof February, 2012 at All Grace Medical Centre Ijegun.

Mr Nathaniel Kayode Awosanya (Otherwise known as Awosanya Kayode) late of 1, Alhaji Tewogbade Street, Off Egin Street, Ojodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of January, 2012 at General Hospital Ifak Ijaiye, Lagos.

Jacob Abiodun Ashaolu (Otherwise known as Ashaolu Jacob Abiodun) late of 5, Tunji Adejumo Street, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 4th dayof May, 2011 at lagos.

Enilolobo James Olufemi late of 79, Powerline Street, Agege, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of August, 2011 at Oke Aro Mr Johnson Adebayo Ajayi (Otherwise known as Adebayo Ajayi) late of No. 30 Mosaku Street, Oshodi, Lagos,deceased who died intestate on the 22nd dayof October, 2004 at Lagos.

Mr Ogbonnaya Chimezie O. (Otherwise known as Mr Ogbonnaya Chimezie) late of 1, Emmanuel Ikushime Close, Jibowu Estate, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of October, 2011 at I.M.C. Umuahia (Mrs) Agenes Ubong De Medeiros (Otherwise knowna s Mrs Nelson Agnes(Mrs Meideros) late of No. 5, Kazeem Abogun Street, Alfa Beach Road, Lekki, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd dayof November, 2008 at Cotonou , Benin Republic Mr Sekoni Aliu Adewale (Otherwise known as Sekoni Aliu) late of 9, Ogunbadejo Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

Mrs Ezedimbu Ethelmary Dominic (Otherwise kown as Ezedimbu Ethel Mary and Ethelmary Dominic Ezedimbu) late of 89, Shabi Ologbe Close, Off Adewale Crescent, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th dayof March, 2012 at Lagos.

Bazuaye Kingsley Osayende (Otherwise known as Osayande Kingsley Bezuayende and Bazuaye Kingsley O. Bazuaye) late of No. 4, Adebakin Street, Cele Ikosi Ketu Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 14th dayof February, 2011 at Ketu.

Michael Gbolade Onabanjo (Otherwise known as Onabanjo Gbolade Michael ) late of 27, Ibadan Street, Off Shyllon Street, Ilupeju Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of September, 2007 at Lagos.

Agbodike Louis Amaechi late of 10, Ibrahim Sanusi Street, Mile 12, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 12th dayof August, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Ogunkoya Ayodele Olusegun late of 6, Orewaye Street, Anibaba Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd dayof December 2010 at Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State.

Akinyemi David Moyosore (Otherwise known as Mr Akinyemi David) late of 17, Olusoji Street, Charity Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th dayof April, 2012 at Lasuth, Ikeja, Lagos.

Mr Ayo Aderibigbe late of 8, Church Street, Gbagada, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th dayof September, 2010 at Gbagada General Hospital Patience Ebun Oluwa Onabanjo (Otherwise known as Onabanjo Patience Ebunoluwa ) late of 14, Olowu Street, Fafunwa Ipaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th dayof March, 2008 at Lagos.

Busari Ayoola Rufai late of NW8/540, Safori Orogun Ibadan Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 7th dayof April, 2010 at Ibadan.

Mr Rufus Nwafor Ogbogu (Otherwise known as Ogbogu Rufus) late of No. 13, Adesina Street, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs Sarah Folorunso Oremodu (Otherwise known as Mrs Folorunso Oremodu) late of 483, Agege Motor Road, Bolade Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of July, 2009 at Lagos.

Buari Ayinde Olakitan Lawal (Otherwise known as Buhari Ayinde O. Lawal) late of 68, Borno Way Ebute Metta, (East) Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of April, 2002 at Lagos.

Mr Adesoji Adegbesan (Otherwise known as Soji Adegbesan and Adegbesan Soji) late of 51, Kolawole Street, Dopemu, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th dayof January, 2010 at Ilorin Civil Service Clinic.

Mr Augustine C. Obiekea (Otherwise known as Obiekea Augustine C.P) late of 3, Onoja Street, Bariga, Somolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of November, 2009.

Olujobi Olumuyiwa late of Tescom Estate, Ladegboye Village Ikorodu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of April, 2011 at General Hospital Mr Idowu Temitope Ayorinde (Otherwise known as Mr Idowu Temitope A. and Idowu Temitope Ayorinde ) late of Block B, House 9, Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Chief Samuel Nwachukwu Emordi late of 4th Avenue 401 Road, H Close, Block 1, Flat 6, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th dayof March, 2012 at Delta State.

Everist Uchechukwu Obi late of 36, Alhaja Ramota Street, Egbeda, Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of September, 2002 at Lasuth, Ikeja.

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NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

Olalekan Okusan and Adeyemi Okusan both of 119, 5th Avenue Amusa Estate Abesan Ipaja two of the children of the said deceased.

Alabi Razaq and Alabi Gafar both of 15, Eyi Aro Ogudu Ojota, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mrs Pleasure Emmanuel and Mr Iwejuo C. Vine both of 25, Arowolo Street, Ikorodu , widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Folashade Olufojude A. , Mr Olufojude Micheal Olusegun both of H1 Close Block 4, Flat 7, 5th Avenue Last Bus Stop, Festac Town, lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Amoniyan Oluwatosin, Amoniyan Oluseye A. both of 13/14 Shosanya Street, Ilupeju and Amoniyan Oluseun of 712 Road A Close House 30 three of the children of the said deceased.

Tiwo Akinseye and Tiwo Akinmuyiwa both of 17, Wasilat Street, Ojodu , Abiodun two of the children of the said deceased.

Arabambi Kemi, Arabambi Micheal and Arabambi Grace all of 45, 2nd Avenue Peace Estate Baruwa Ipaja, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Folusho Tewogbade Oguntade and Olufemi Oguntade both of 5, James Ogbou Close, Egbeda, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Cletus Nwauju and Alphonicia Ezeagba both of 14, Aina Street, Isolo, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Mayowa Onafuwa of Iyagun Town Ijebu-Ode Ogun State and Mr Adeoye Onafuwa of Temidire Estate, Ibafo Ogun State two of the children of the said deceased.

Adunbarin Olubunmi Eunice of 6, Segun Salau Street, Ketu and Adunbarin Olatunji Mike of Block 7 Block 5 Obafemi Omowaye Street, Magodo,Isheri Phase I, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Assanat Ajao and Halimat Ajao both of 22, Odusanya Street, Bariga, Lagos widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Chituwa Etop Brown Udoh of 112 New Ipaja Road Alimosho and Bassey Okon of 15, Idimu Road Alimosho Lagos, widow and nephew respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Alexander Owodunni Demehin and Mrs Oluwadamilola Demehin both of 51, Yusuf Erinfolami Street, Okota , Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Christiana N. Ekanem and Mr Aniefiok N. Ekanem both of 8, Balogun Kuku Street, Aguda Surulere, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Uche Dumbi and Veronica Dumbi both of 35, Tunkarimu Street, Ajegunle Apapa, Lagos, the only surviving child and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Tawakalitu Olayeni and Basirat Olayeni both of 9, Adebiyi Street, Shomolu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Kate Orji Sunday of 12, Ige Street, Pako Bus Stop Alimosho, Lagos and Mrs Evelyn Ngwuzo of 5, Dopemu Road, Dopemu Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Anu Oladipupo and Oladipupo Joseph both of 3B, Ayodele Crescent, Egbeda, Lagos, mother and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Miss Eunice Mathias of No. 1 Ogungbesan Street, Coker Orile and Mr Levi Equal Ejiofor of 12, Ogunbowale Street, Ilasa Lagos sister and uncle respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Olabisi Olanrewaju Oyegoke of 374, Herbert Macaulay Yaba, Lagos and Mrs Mojisola Fehintola Adogah of 34, Oziegbe Street, Benin City, two sisters of the said deceased.

Mr Sunday Okedara of 4, Moradehin Street, Abule Egba, Lagos , Mr Dayo Okedara and Miss Abidemi Okedara both of 10, Omoniyi Street, Erinko Estate Sango Ots, three children of the said deceased.

Mrs Mercy Ekhator and Mr Osaigbovo Ekhator both of 103 Isolo Road, Mushin, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Olubunmi Akintola and Olumuyiwa Akintola both of 34, Olakunle Street, Ikotun, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Abibat Adeyanju of Block 1, Flat 4, Iponri Estate, Surulere, Lagos Mr Rilhdwan A. Adeyanju of Kings Court Estate Egbeda, Lagos, Mr Yesheed A. Adeyanju of Block 69, Flat 6, Iponri Estate, Surulere, Lagos and Sobir A. Adeyanju of Air Force Base kaduna, Kaduna State widow and three children respectively of the said deceased.

Gbenga O. Babade of 13, Alausa Adesanya Street, Oregun Ikeja and Aderemi T. Babade of 152, Oyadiran Estate, Sabo Yaba, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased Mrs Wemimo Lovelyn Dairo, Miss Damilola Esther Dairo both of 12, Oremeji Street, and Pastor Samuel Olusola of 19, Ajayi Bembe Street, widow , one of the children and Pastor /Relative respectively of the said deceased.

Abibat Ibikunle of 11, Timmy Ariyo Close, Badagry, Lagos and Mr Rasheed Ahmed of Akarapa Victory Estate, Igborosun widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Margaret Oluwakemi Popoola of 5, Aderupoko Street, Iwaya Yaba, Lagos and Eniola Christene Popoola of 14, Olushola Street, Onike Iwaya, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Olufunke Dairo of 11, Danmole Street, Bariga, Lagos, and Sobande Ayoola Olukayode Oladipupo of Block 32, Flat 4, Alhaji Masha Road, Surulere, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Akinjide Roland Obe, Adeleke Obe and Isaac Akin Obe all of 3, Ilaje Road, Bariga, Lagos, two of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Chinedu Ibe and Christiana Ibe both of Block 2, Flat 7, Adekunle Police Barracks two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Sekinat Oyedele and Mr Ismaila Oyedele both of No. 30, Showunmi Street, Mushin, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Surajudeen Adewole Adenuga and Mr Idowu Adenuga both of 22, Jacob Odesola Street, Owutu Ikorodu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Dora Peters and Mr Leonard Oluranti Peters both of 42, Godwin Omonua Street, Isolo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Imeh Sampson and Miss Sarah Sampson both of Block 129, Amuwo Odofin Estate, Mile 2, Lagos, father and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Bello Yisa and Bello Moriam both of 28, Olukowi Street, Cement Bus Stop Ikeja Lagos two of the children of the said deceased.

Khadijat Sadiq and Kairat Sadiq both of No. 5, Ajibotowu Street, Agege, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Taibat Akintola, Mr Tajudeen Olajide Akintola, Miss Kudirat Akintola and Mr Kamorudeen Akintola all of 4B, Dada Akapo Street, Orile Agege, Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Joy Ekwomadu and Ukwoma Ikedichukwu Ekwomadu both of 22, Ireku Street, Oworonshoki Lagos, widow and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

Stanley I. Achonwa and Ogbogy U. Achonwa both of No. 5, Olaosebikan Close Ikeja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Akeem Salami, Kudirat Olusola Salami and Mrs Oluwakemi Mutiat Seriki all of 53, Agidi Road, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos, brother and two sisters respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Grace O. Banigo and Mandy Biedima Banigo both of 32, Ore Ofe Street, Surulere, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Rose Ijeoma Eze and Eze Daniel Chike both of 29, Olubunmi Alonge Street, Pako Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Adeniran Oluyemisi Keji, Adeniran Olukayode Kazeem and Adeniran Olasumbo Adijat all of 6, Ire Akari Close Odugbose Agbede Transformer, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Adeleke Sadiat , Adeleke Sodiq and Adeleke Kamal all of 34 Road, E Close, Block 1 Flat 10 Egbeda, Lagos, widow and two children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Christianah Olayinka and Miss Tolulope Olayemi Alade both of 10, Adesunloye Street, Ita Oluwo Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Uche Nwagulu and Chiedozie Nwagulu both of 14, Inufele Street, Isheri Osun Ikotun Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Victoria Yemisi Ogunleye and Ogunleye Damilare Peter both of 99, Lagos Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Saheed Omowumi T. and Olaitan Omowumi T. both of 47, Mosalasi Street, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Miss Aminat Idowu and Mr Saidi Aderibigbe both of 34, Balogun Street, Oshodi, Lagos, one of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Josephine Ezeani, Mr Obinna Ezeani, Mr Chuka Ezeani and Mrs Chioma Ezeani all of 2nd Avenue, House 136, Beachland Estate Apapa, Lagos widow and three children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Ifechukwude Jemani and Mr Ekwuyasi Azuka Victor both of 16, Olabisi Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, one of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased Mrs Busurat Wuraola Awosanya , Mrs Oluwakemi Adeola Adelaja and Mr Samuel Oluwaseyi Awosanya all of 26, Pipeline Street, Off Akute Road, Alagbole, Ogun State widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Beatrice Olaoluwa Ashaolu and Samuel Olusegun Ashaolu both of 5, Tunji Adejumo Street, Agbado, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Titilayo Enilolobo and Enilolobo Moses both of 79, Powerline Street, Agege, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Kofoworola Funmilayo Ajayi, Mr Abiodun Ajayi and Miss Mopelola Ajayi all of 30, Mosaku Street, Oshodi, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Chinyere Ogbonnaya and Victory Nzube Ogbonnaya both of 1, Emmanuel Ikushime Close, Jibowu Estate, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Caesario O. Carlos De Medeiros and Mr Francisco K. J. De Medeiros both of Block 53, Kosofe Road, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi Lagos, two children of the said deceased Sekoni Aliu Muyidat (Mrs) and Mr Sekoni Aliu Mariam Temitope both of 9, Ogunbadejo Street, Bariga, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Ezedimbu Dominic C. of 89, Shabi Ologbe Close Off Adewale Crescent, Oshodi, Lagos, and Mr Anselem Ekene Ezeudoka of 7B, Shabi Ologbe Close, Oshodi, Lagos, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Bazuaye Blessing and Akpata Pat both of 4, Adebakin Street, Cele Ikosi Ketu, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Olusoji Onabanjo of Plot 11, Elebu Road, Oluyole Extention Ibadan and Akinwunmi Onabanjo of 27, Ibadan Street, Off Shyllon Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Ngozi Henrietta Agbodike of 10, Ibrahim Sanusi Street, Mile 12, Lagos, and Okelie Emmauel of 10, Gbadebo Street, Ojota, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Ogunkoya Olayinka Abosede and Mr Ogunkoya Oluwadamilola Ayoola both of 6, Orewaye Street, Anibaba Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Akinyemi Olumide Sunkanmi and Akinyemi Olubunmi Desola both of 14, Church Street, Atala Mowe , Ogun State, two children of the said deceased.

Mrs Omolara Aderibigbe of 8, Church Street, Gbagada, Lagos and Mr Samuel Aworinde of 32, Diya Street, Ifako, Lagos, widow and friend respectively of the said deceased.

Mojisola Thomas and Yinka Cole both of 14, Olowu Street, Fafunwa Ipaja, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mr Taofeek Danlad Rufai and Mr Isa Opeyemi Rufai both of NW8/540, Safori Orogun Ibadan, the children of the said deceased.

Collins Nweke Ogbogu of 13, Adesina Street, Ikeja, Lagos and Esther Ifeyinwa Hayes of 4, Tanimowo Street, Fadeyi, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Chief Israel Babatunde Oremodu, Mr Solomon Akinsanya Oremodu and Barrister Jonathan Ibukun Oluwa Oremodu all of 483, Agege Motor Road, Bolade Oshodi, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Monsuru Idowu Lawal and Hamed Ayinde Lawal both of 68, Borno Way Ebute Metta, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Olufunke O. Adegbesan , Olukayode A. Adegbesan and Mrs Oluyemisi A. Olugbade all of 61, Adebanbo Street, Dopemu, Agege, Lagos, widow , brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Ada Victoria Obiekea, Mr Ikechukwu Stephen Obiekea and Mr Austine Ogochukwu Iweka all of 3, Onoja Street, Bariga Somolu, Lagos, widow, one of the children and friend respectively of the said deceased.

Madam Olujobi Bolanle of Tescom Etate, and Mrs Abiola Sokoya of Yaba Technology Staff Quarters Yaba, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Idowu Modupe Tina of Block B, House 9, Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah Lagos and Obadina Adewale Olusegun of 101, Ibadan Road, Adatan Abeokuta Ogun State widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Kenneth Emordi of Grace Cathedral City of Grace Ministries, Off Redemption WA Ekae Sapele Road, Benin, Edo State , Mr Emmanuel Emordi of Plot 55, Flat 5, Kings Close, Behind CBN Quarters, Kuru Abuja , two of the children of the said deceased.

Goodwill Obi and Toochukwu Obi both of 36, Alhaja Ramota Street, Egbeda, Lagos State, two children of the said deceased.

G.A SAFARI (MR.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT Firm decries influx of substandard HE need for Nigerians to steel pipes patronise made-in-Nigeria goods has again been brought

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•Olosan Bridge, Oyo State

Oyo rebuilds Olosan Bridge to avert flooding A PRRENTLY bracing for the predicted heavy downpour in its domain, the Oyo State government has rehabilitated the bridge across the popular Olosan River in Alakia Isebo, Egbeda Local Government Area.

Oyo is the only state in the Soutwest listed by the Federal Ministry of the Environment to be affected by floods before the rainy seasons subsides this year.

Olosan Bridge is notorious for being overflown by flood each time it rains with its attendant effect of cutting off 11 communities from the rest of the city.

But the bridge is wearing a new look as its rehabilitation would soon be completed.

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

Besides the comprehensive rehabilitation, the retaining walls have been raised and fortified with hardcore stones to withstand future hazards.

Also undergoing rehabilitation by Messrs OAF & Associates Limited is the 13-kilometre road network within the communities.

Mr. Tunde Okunade, an engineer an official of firm, said the road was being rehabilitated to give residents of the area a new lease of life.

Okunade said since the bridge had been raised from a single-box culvert to a double-box culvert and with the standard drain and supportive access and cross culvert, the era of flood wrecking havoc on it and the entire

•Members of Staff of Coca-Cola

road has become a thing of the past.

According to him, the firmed enjoyed the cooperation of the communities for as long as the rehabilitation lasted. He assured that the road would not be wiped away by floods.

The Chairman of Olosan/Alakia landlords Association Road Committee, Alhaji Isiaka Salami hailed the government for extending democratic dividends to their doorstep.

He specifically thanked Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his Works Commissioner Alhaji Yunus Akintunde for hiring a reliable company to handle the project.

Speaking in his capacity as the supervising officer of the community on the project, Salami said he could attest to the quality of work.

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE

Coca-Cola partners firms to protect environment

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OCA-Cola Company is supporting industry coalition to protect the environment by encouraging proper disposal and management of its wastes, including used packaging materials.

The company, according to its Technical Director, Mr Nkem Akobundu, is supporting the conversion of its PET bottles into fibres for making pillows, clothes and mattresses.

Akobundu spoke at the launch of the new look Eva Water, in Lagos.

He said the company had 13 sites where it treats waste water.

He said: “Our company is conscious of how it manages our carbon foot print. Besides, we have in place energy management devices that reduce our energy consumption.

Where we use a lot of energy we combine heat and water to heat our boilers. Additionally, we do not release gas to the environment, as we

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

have installed coolers with carbon dioxide (Co2) compressors.”

Akobundu also said plans were ongoing with Tetra Pack to recycle the seven-layer paper packaging of 5alive juice.

On the new look Eva, he insisted that it is of the same quality but with a better appeal.

In his contribution, Senior Brand Manager, Still Beverages of Coca Cola, Mr Otome Olumide Oyo, said: “The DNA of Coca Cola runs in all its brands and as a global player in beverages, it is important to us to continue to leverage our global foot print regardless of where we are.

Our new Eva has better handling and stand up distribution challenges, we continuously engage ourselves and also take care in the preservation of the environment.”

Coca-Cola, he said, has supported the recycling of PET bottles since 2005, helping to establish a collection and buyback system that includes 22 collection centres in 10 States across the country.

He maintained that through the project, nearly one billion bottles have been recycled with about 6,000 tonnes recycled this year, stressing that the new Eva bottle is another sustainable way the company is demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability. ”The new Eva water bottle is safe for the consumers and safer for the environment.

We at Coca-Cola would never compromise our existing standards and would continue to bring our consumers the best innovative products to cater to their needs and ensure the safety of the environment,” he said.

to the frontburner with the Managing Director of Nigeria Gas and Steel Ltd (NGSL), Hasib Moukarim, adding his voice to the call.

Moukarim, who made the call in a chat with journalists, said substandard steel pipes and tubes from Europe have flooded the market edging out higher quality local products.

Imported substandard building materials, Moukarim said, have been the major cause of collapsed buildings that dot the nation’s landscape as most Nigerians go for them (substandard materials) because they are cheap compared with the ones manufactured locally.

“Due to the cost of manufacturing, most of our local manufacturers have either packed up or are producing at costs higher than the imported ones.

Some of the imported materials do not conform to any form of standard specifications.

“Most of the materials are made to European standard and, therefore, unsuitable for the tropical climate in subSaharan Africa. In most cases, “C” grade materials, which are very close to their expiry dates, are imported by unscrupulous businessmen who are ready to make huge profits at the expense of the lives of Nigerian users,” he said.

Moukarim charged the Federal Gov-

By Paul Oluwakoya

ernment not to succumb to the pressure by selfish industrialists to drop the quality of construction steel.

He said there was a need for the government to intervene to enable the sector maximise its potential and boost trade and employment.

Building professionals, such as architects, structural engineers, fabricators and consultants, said Moukarim, could help to reduce the high cost of locallymade building materials by considering cost advantage.

His words: “Access to decent accommodation in Nigeria will continue to be elusive until the scarcity and prohibitive cost of conventional building materials and components are checked.

Stakeholders need to look for cost advantage in soliciting for building material for clients. By soliciting the right steel for housing construction of warehouses and buildings, the client gets the cost saving and the professionals get the credit.”

He said foreign products are not in any way near the recommended international standard by the Steel Tube Institute of North America which recommended ´Hollow Structural Sections´ (HSS), a type of steel tube that has greater strength to weight ratios than wide flange beams.

Society seeks engineer as power minister

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HE Society of Nigerian Engineers (NSE) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to replace the erstwhile Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji, with a seasoned engineer to sustain the achievements he made.

Its President, Mr Mustafa Balarabe Shehu a briefing on the developments in the power sector, said Nnaji made significant progress in the power sector before his resignation.

He said: “It is our considered opinion that in selecting a new Minister, President Goodluck Jonathan needs to

consider those with relevant engineering and administrative background, proven track records, and who are politically compatible with his vision and mission.

“The Nigerian Society of Engineers has a pool of highly competent and professionally experienced members who are available for true and selfless service to the nation. Great nation of the world have emerged through that application of their professional talents to drive government goals sufficiently in their areas of expertise.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT Lagos Land Information System set to go online •To train surveyors on e- registration

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

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•Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB), Lagos Chapter executives at the conference

Poor safety standards worry builders ORRIED by the poor safety and health standards in the construction sector, the Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB) has urged the government to improve standards in the built environment.

The institute said health and safety in the sector was at an abysmal level, urging the government to do more.

Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Builders Lagos Chapter, Jelele Akinpelu, at a briefing to herald NIOB Lagos Chapter’s Annual General Meeting, slated for tomorrow, stressed that health and safety in the construction sector, the theme of its meeting, was chosen because of the low level in standards of safety and health in the sector.

“The conformance level is low and we believe the Lagos State government’s recent initiative to launch a safety agency is very germane to standardising the sector. We are calling on government to pass the

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Stories by Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

National Building Code to improve health and safety in the built environment as well as prevent building collapse.” Akinpelu added.

Vice Chairman of the branch and Chairman of the AGM Planning Committee Asimiyu Bashir said the main objectives of this year’s conference were on health and safety management on construction sites; exploring the benefits to clients and other stakeholders; thinking safety and acting safety, among others.

Bashir said “Health and safety should be every one’s concern as accident does not give notice, it just occurs.

To dissect the topic, we have erudite resource persons to educate stake holders on the need to be more serious with health and safety precautions as the effect is costlier than preventing it. Most times, the victims are left

helpless and hopeless.”

Among the panel of discussants/ facilitators are Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mrs Dominga Odebunmi; immediate past chairman NIA Lagos Chapter, Abimbola Ajayi; Associate Professor of Construction Management University of Jos, Dr. Yohana Izam and Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Projects Monitoring and Concessioning Ogun State, Engr. Tokunbo Odebunmi.

Others are General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Femi Osanyintolu and Principal Partner of Spectroplan Limited, a firm of Consulting Town Planners, Mrs. Catherine Kehinde George.

The programme will be held at NECA House, Alausa, Plot 2A, Hakeem Balogun Street, CBD Ikeja under the chairmanship of the Oyo State Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bimbo Kolade.

Surveyors seek systematic risk management in construction

•Mr Thurstan Ollerearnshaw, Deputy President, NIQS, Mallam Murtala Aliyu and Alufohai at the workshop

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RESIDENT of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) Mr Agele Alufohai, has renewed the call for a more systematic management of risks in the construction industry.

Alufohai, who made the call in a paper he presented at the two-day international workshop on the theme Achieving enhanced value in construction projects delivery: The impact of appropriate risk management strategy, said that professionals in the construction industry, such as their counterparts in other industries with high risk exposure, need to have excellent ways of managing risks.

He spoke on Risk in construction development: An overview of the concepts, principles and practice of risk man-

agement.

He said professionals in construction business contend with financial and contractual risks, amongst others.

The NIQS boss said contractual risks are basically those with flaws or problems with ‘contract documents, inappropriate documents or improper contractual relationships.

These problems, he stated, can in turn lead to claims and disputes, disruption or even stoppage of work, delays and inflation in costs.

Similarly, he added, financial risk influences the flow of money, pointing out that this could result from non-availability of funds when they are highly needed. Alufohai said financial risks are encountered not

just in the Third World but also across the world.

However, he emphasised that the problem extends to other issues in developing countries, such as lack of financial infrastructure making for lack of robust infrastructure when it is available.

Other factors militating against smooth operation of the construction industry, he said, include climatic risks, design and construction risks, political risks, taxation regimes and tax incentives.

He, however, acknowledged that some of those challenges do not pose serious threat in Nigeria, especially when one compares it to what prevails in countries such as the Gambia.

HE Lagos State Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and digital mapping would go online before the end of the year to speed up land documentation.

The present land documentation system is slowed down by physical submission and retrieval of land information for processing land titles, particularly Certificate of Occupancy (CofO).

The base station is ready and would become operational once some issues are resolved.

Surveyor General of Lagos State, Mr Joseph Olorunjuwon Ajenla, who stated this at the weekend, said his mission is to integrate data from the land registry, land information systems and GIS to have a robust land registry.

“At the punch of a botton we will have the characteristics of all land in Lagos State, the government will not only earn money but the public will have ease in identifying their properties and the issue of multiple C of O will be a thing of the past.”

He said very soon, the GIS system would be operational, explaining that the takeoff was delayed by some logistics beyond anybody’s control. “The state governor has done a lot in that line. The package has been uploaded and everything is set. It is just some gray areas that are being fashioned out now.”

The control centre, he said, ought to be in the office of the Surveyor General with backup from the ICT centre. “This will be the control area from which everybody will access it from outside through the web. We have the officers on ground to manage all resources the public will need. Once you pay by using the card system, you will have access to the web page.”

He said the surveys for public land was always on time since they had some zonal offices to take care of this and that more would be created. The existing ones include, Eti Osa, Epe, Ibeju Lekki, Ikorodu, Badagry, Amuwo and Ilupeju, adding that all these offices are on ground.

“We are trying to create two more at Ojo to manage the riverine area to Agbara and Badagry will just have a stopover at Oke Afo and those in Ojo will take over from there down to FESTAC. Amuwo will take care of Apapa and environs. We can monitor all the land in Lagos State so that cases of encroachment will be minimised.”

I supervise survey practice in Lagos State as Chairman of Ethics Committee.

You can control but can only give directives to private surveyors except we make legislation to enforce the status that says 40 days after surveying a land the surveyor must bring the red copy (survey information, showing beacon numbers, among others) to the Surveyor General’s office. We have about 500 land information applicants whose red copies are not here and this means the survey plan submitted is just an ordinary paper and they will be thinking that the Office of the Surveyor General has been delaying their application for CofO

•Ajenla

whereas we are not.”

He said besides surveyors not submitting survey plans, there were some erroneous surveys the private surveyors do which they cannot submit to the records office. “So, these are the short comings that we have in the Surveyor General’s office. We will make legislation to ensure that the private surveyors practice ethically. Also, will talk to them to ensure they practice the right way.”

Ajenla said there is a transition in place to ensure that surveyors submit their red copies online instead of submitting the hard copies. “So that our CofO will be e-CofO that is coded and unlike the yellow pages we now have it will not be more than A4 paper and information embedded there can only be read electronically.”

On land acquisition, he said government acquires land for its projects for overriding public interest and to create wealth which was not just money but every other thing.

He said people who fall within this acquired land were usually compensated but that those who bought the land after the acquisition in error were not entitled to compensation.

He explained that there are two categories of acquisition. One is committed which means the government has planned to execute a project on a given land such as a road. Those that are not committed, he said falls within global acquisition to deter land grabbers.

The system, he said incorporates the role of the traditional land owners known as omoniles. “They apply for excision of villages and the government has been very benevolent with them by giving them parcels of land which they must plan in conformity with the designs and layout of the government. They should go in accordance with the state’s schemes so that they will not be creating slums while we are creating civil societies. That is why we supervise them.”

On the issue of high cost of land documentation, he said Governor Fashola has embarked on a reduction of the cost of land documentation. “The World Bank during their visit made the observation and the governor has said he would do all in his power to reduce this cost, not only for individual developers of housing but for every category of people who need land, including investors.

The government, he said is trying to reduce the cost of purchasing land and the cost of building. These could be done through reduction in charges.

LAWMA raises alarm on rail line refuse ESIROUS of continually comdumping bating the menace of waste in

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Lagos metropolis, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has called on residents, especially those living along Rail-corridors to desist from dumping refuse on the rail line.

In a statement, LAWMA frowned at the attitude of some residents who engage in the obnoxious act of dumping refuse along such a sensitive location.

The statement warned that such attitude is capable of spreading diseases and defacing the environment if not checked.

The statement read in part: “Railway transportation in the State eases the burden of transportation for a reasonable percentage of the populace and dumping garbage along those lines can hamper its efficiency and safety as a means of transportation”.

While emphasising government’s

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

commitment towards effective waste management, the Authority warned that anyone caught violating the environmental sanitation laws through such illegal dumping will face the full wrath of the law.

In the same vein, the Authority reaffirmed its call on people who own properties and shops on major roads and highways to comply with government’s directive to secure covered containers for proper disposal of their refuse.

Highlighting the measures put in place, the statement disclosed that the activities of sweepers in the State is being expanded to cover the hinterlands, while local policing are being assigned to such spots for effective monitoring.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

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Firm to build 107,000 bpd refinery in Bayelsa

N indigenous company, EPIC Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Limited, said it had concluded arrangement to build a 107,000 barrel per day refinery in Bayelsa State, which is expected to be completed in 2014.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Hon. Barango Matthew Wenka Jnr. stated this during a presentation on planned refinery to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Lagos.

“EPIC Refinery and Petrochemical Industry Limited will be commissioned in 2014 by President Goodluck Jonathan if the DPR will issue us the operational license without delay,” Wenka stated after the presentation.

The refinery, which will be sited in Oporoma Community in Bayelsa State, Wenka said, is purely a private business concern that has everything ready to make the project succeed despite failures of several firms that had been issued licenses to construct in the past.

The Coordinator of EPIC refinery, Mr. Zakari Umar, an engineer, who also led the EPIC technical team, took the DPR team led by

By Uyoatta Eshiet

Olumide Adeleke, the Assistant Director, Pipelines, Plants and Installation and Joseph Odiong, Manager, Hydrocarbon Processing Plant, through the plant drawings, process description and flow schematics of the refinery.

Presenting the technical details of the refinery and petrochemical plant, Umar said the construction of the refinery would be done in close collaboration with the DPR. Umar explained the design philosophy, technology, design development and components of the refinery complex as well as the construction, stock input and output (the yield), export options and modalities, power generation and social infrastructure of the refinery.

Umar stated that what informed the choice of Oporoma as the site for the refinery is nearness to source of crude oil. He said the refinery complex, will be configured to process 107,000 barrels of crude oil per day (Bonny Light or low

First Bank finances Broron’s oil vessel

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IRST Bank of Nigeria Plc has solely financed the multi-million dollar brand new oil and gas vessel, DSV Arianna. This is a milestone considering the poor response of Nigerian banks in funding oil and gas projects in the country.

DSV Arianna is a brand new 78metre ROV support and multifunctional field maintenance vessel acquired by Broron Oil and Gas Limited to service its clients such as Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and Addax Petroleum Limited.

First Bank’s Group Head, Corporate Banking, Ikeja 1, Oluremi AjoseAdeogun, who spoke to our correspondent during the christening ceremony of the vessel in Lagos, said the bank found the oil company competent. This, he said, was why First Bank chose to fund the acquisition of the vessel. Although she didn’t reveal the amount the bank spent in financing the vessel, she said they (First Bank) didn’t syndicate the loan with any other bank.

She said: “There are a lot of potentials in the industry for Nigerians that own vessels in the oil and gas industry and we think if the banks are willing to support Nigerians that have the capacity in terms of knowledge of the industry and the wherewithal to execute contract of this nature, we can do a lot to stimulate the economy.

“In the past most of the foreign companies are the ones that have vessels of this nature and as a result we had a bit of capital flight in the sense that money that should be spent in the economy was taken out by the foreign companies that own the vessels.

“But now a lot of Nigerians have seen the potentials and are going into it and is good if the banks can support the Nigerian companies that are willing to do the business.”

On what attracted the bank to fund the project despite the company being a relatively unpopular in the oil and gas industry, she said “what at-

sulphur blends). He listed the process units of the refinery to include crude distillation, naphtha reformers, vacuum distillation and gasoil hydro-cracking units. Others include hydro-treating units for kerosene and diesel, residual fluid catalytic cracking and merox unit.

He explained that out of the 107,000 barrels of crude feed per day, 4,287 barrels of fuel gas and 25,320 barrels of gasoline (petrol) will be produced. For kerosene, diesel and fuel oil, he said, 10,332 barrels, 38,714 barrels and 25,897 barrels of the products will be produced on daily basis.

On the proposed market for the products, Umar said Nigeria and other West African countries as well as the United States and Europe would be the primary markets. He also told the DPR that the company would also build a power plant that would generate over 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity to power the refinery, adding that the excess of what would be required by the refinery would be wheeled into the national grid at a reasonable price.

Adeleke promised the EPIC team

of DPR’s support but stated that in time past, other promoters had come for presentations after which nothing happened. Reacting to the statement, the EPIC chief reassured DPR that the funds for the project is not a problem as HSBC had already pooled together about $30 billion required for it. All the bank is waiting for is the approval from DPR for it to start. He said the refinery, when completed would represent a monumental legacy in the transformation agenda of the administration of President Jonathan.

Stressing the need for the construction of the refinery, Wenka said the downstream subsector of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is under-invested. The sector he said, lacks adequate productive capacity, which accounts for the reason refined products are largely imported. The opportunities of profit and technology transfer are being lost to other developing countries, making petroleum products to be perennially in short supply with demand always high.

In view of these, refining of crude oil is attractive to local and foreign investors and above all, government needs to extricate itself from the stronghold of products importation and subsidy scandal.

He said EPIC is ready to commence work if the DPR issues it the license, adding that the company’s technical partner, the Sino Asian Energy (SAE) Group Limited has cutting edge technology and vast experience in the construction of refineries worldwide. The EPIC boss cited other projects undertaken

by SAE Group to include the ultramodern 348,000 barrel per day capacity refinery recently completed in Indonesia.

He said that EPIC and SAE Group are in a joint venture. The SAE Group is to Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) the refinery to EPIC by 2016. According to the BOT schedule, the construction is to take 24 months while the operate period is to last for 48 months. The prestart activities of site acquisition, surveys, assessment, compensation, clearing, fencing and similar issues had been sorted out already, he added.

He also told the DPR that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, which has promised to fast-track the processes and incentives. The project will cost about $30 billion and would be fully funded by foreign financiers. He noted that there is a proof of funds made available

by HSBC.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

tracted us to finance the project is because the company has an existing contract it was running with a foreign leased vessel, so when the company approached us to fund the purchase of its own vessel, and we could see our way out of the finance, we decided to support them.”

Commenting on the level of support by Nigerian banks to the oil and gas industry, she said that Nigerian banks are financing a lot of oil and gas projects. Apart from First Bank, which is doing a lot in that regard, other banks she added are doing something too. “if Nigerian banks cannot finance Nigerian companies, who will?,” she quipped.

She said: “First Bank didn’t syndicate the loan with another bank.

There are a lot of other such requests for financing but the bank evaluates them based on its risk acceptance criteria. For instance, in a project such as this vessel, we consider the company’s experience to be able to deploy the vessel. We also consider your experience in the industry job, the contract and consider if you have the capacity to execute the contract and also ask ourselves if we can see our way out of the loan if we lend you the money. When we have transactions that are viable, we are always willing to finance them, she added.

Broron Oil and Gas Limited provides marine, subsea construction and maintenance services, pipeline and piping engineering, project management services and procurement support services. The company led by Henry Ojogho.

The company currently has an ongoing contract agreement with Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to provide a multifunctional Field Maintenance Vessel (FMV) at QIT (Qua Iboe Terminal) with DPII capabilities for the following field operations: diving, survey operations for positioning and subsea inspection and seabed imaging with ROV.

•From left: Rear Admiral Alison Madueke (retired); Minister of PetroleumDiezani Alison-Madueke and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Andy Yakubu at the service of songs held in Lagos for Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, who died in the June 3 Dana air crash.

Expert tasks House on passage of PIB

T

HE Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) if not passed into law soon, would translate into Nigeria wasting eight years of investment in the oil and gas industry.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, International Energy Services Limited, Diran Fawibe who said this, called on the lawmakers to put in place strong measures to fast-track the passage of the bill.

He called on President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Petroleum Resources to engage the leadership of the National Assembly into meaningful discussions to ensure quick passage of the bill While commending energy reporters on their efforts in bringing to the lime light the industry ac-

By Ambrose Nnaji

tivities, he challenged reporters to do detailed analysis of the benefits derivable from the passage of the bill to the Nigerian oil and gas industry and to the nation’s economy.

Expressing dissatisfaction over what he described as legislative protocols, Fawibe urged the National Assembly to pass the bill devoid of personal or political interest, saying overriding interest of the country should be paramount.

He observed that a lot of investments had found their way out of Nigeria to other African continents including Angola as a result of non-passage of the bill.

“A lot of investments that are meant for Nigeria go to other coun-

tries and Nigeria is no more in the position it was in the 1970’s when it was the only major producer in Africa. Now Angola appears to have overtaken Nigeria not in terms of labour of production but in terms of inflow of investment,” he said, adding that there are yet other countries in Africa that are discovering oil.

He, however, expressed the hope that Nigeria would reclaim the loss as soon as the bill is passed into law. “Of course some stakeholders would be benefiting from the status quo, they gain while the country loses. If we don’t use our oil revenue judiciously to sustain our economy, get to the next level and make the vision 2020 aspiration credible, we need to aggressively look for foreign investment,” he added.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

52

ENERGY

Banks commit $1b on vessel financing, says Nwapa

T

HE Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Ernest Nwapa has said that within the short period the board came on stream, Nigerian banks have committed over $1 billion into financing of oil and gas vessels.

Nwapa criticised the rush of Nigerians into acquiring vessels indiscriminately or expanding their existing fleet without measuring the demand and specifications applicable in the industry. He noted that the positive side of the board’s decision to ensure that Nigerian vessels get jobs before foreign vessels, is that Nigerian banks have developed interest to fund such vessels.

Nwapa spoke in Lagos at the christening of the DSV Arianna, a brand new vessel acquired by Broron Oil and Gas Limited through the General Manager, Capacity Building, NCDMB, Mr Omorode Oviasu, an engineer.

He said there has been an unprecedented interest from Nigerian banks seeking to understand the opportunities and participate in marine vessel financing. Already, there is evidence that Nigerian banks have participated in funding over $1 billion assets in this short period.

Nwapa, in his paper delivered at the event, said that the board is on course in achieving the target set for it in terms of retaining value in-country and creating jobs, among others.

He said the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke had at the inauguration of the Governing Council of the Board

by President Goodluck Jonathan on September 3, 2010, challenged the Board to within four years ensure retention of over $10 billion out of an average annual oil and gas industry expenditure of $20 billion in the Nigerian economy compared to the current sum of less than $4 billion.

The board, he also said, was tasked to create of over 30,000 direct employment and training opportunities; consider the scale of activities to be domiciled in Nigeria; and establishment of three to four new pipe mills to service the demands of the industry and other ancillary manufacturing plants for coatings, valves, fittings and components.

Others include development of one or two dockyards and increased utilisation of existing shipyards for maintaining marine vessels operating in Nigeria, which currently sail out for their maintenance and dry docking; transformation of ownership profile of marine assets supporting industry activity from a current ratio of 20 Nigerian-owned versus 280 foreign-owned vessels to a more equitable ratio of 180:120; integration of indigenes and businesses residing in the oil producing areas into the mainstream of industry economic activity; and capture of over 50 to 70 per cent of banking services, insurance risk placements, and legal services supporting industry activities and transactions.

Nwapa noted that the structured implementation of the Act and strategic initiatives put in place by the Board around the minister’s medium term target is ensuring a total shift from the faulty perspective held by some persons in the industry regarding the capacity of Nigerians to acquire and manage costly and high tech equipment.

He said: “The Board’s strategy on marine vessel utilisation is anchored around four pillars - vessel ownership by Nigerians, Nigerian manning of vessels, utilisation of Nigerian owned vessels by operators,

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

expanding vessel maintenance capabilities and a programme to fit out topsides of larger marine vessels in Nigerian yards. These will lead up to the ultimate goal of full blown shipbuilding in the longer term.

“Significant progress has been made such that today, 85 per cent of category 1 vessels in the records such as crew boats servicing major operating companies on regular contracts are owned by Nigerians. Similarly, the number of indigenously owned PSVs, AHTS and other Category 2 vessels working on regular contracts with operators is steadily on the rise.

“Within the past one year, over 10 Category 2 marine vessels have been acquired by indigenous interests while feedback indicates that more than 20 more vessels are in various stages of procurement.

“Working with the operators, we have been able to extract written commitments and identified a total of 49 category 2 vessels slots that will be given to indigenous vessel owners before the end of 2012. This exercise is ongoing and will ensure that a minimum of $3 billion is retained in the Nigerian economy.”

He however, said this programme of the Board has thrown up fresh challenges, one of which is that many Nigerians have now rushed into acquiring vessels indiscriminately or growing existing fleet without measuring the demand and specifications applicable in the industry. Indigenous companies wishing to benefit from the opportunities must exercise diligence to ensure that vessels being procured meet the requirements.

But on the positive side, Nwapa said that “there has been an unprecedented interest from Nigerian banks seeking to understand the opportunities and participate in marine vessel financing. Already, there is evidence that Nigerian banks have participated in funding over $1 billion assets in this short period.

“It is therefore, imperative that assets procured by Nigerians in this way must be put to work so as to guarantee the viability of the investments. Anything less than this will not only kill the Nigerian companies, which are exposed to the loans but also threaten the local banks that funded the assets,” he added.

He assured that the Federal Government through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board will not permit a situation Nigerians that invest in marine vessels that meet set technical requirements stay without work while foreign owned vessels are engaged by the industry.

“At the practical level, we must address the following issues if we are to make sustainable gains from this initiative: How do we ensure that the vessels are genuinely owned

by Nigerians? How do we ensure that these vessels optimise employment for Nigerians and keep money earned in the Nigerian economy?

How do we ensure that these vessels will continuously be maintained in Nigeria? How do we address the issue of temporary import permit so that it does not stifle vessel acquisition drive by Nigerians? Are the vessels insured by Nigerians?

“In order to address these posers, the Board has requested all the indigenous vessel owners to upload their details onto the Nigerian Content Joint Qualification System. Having done this, we are now in the process of verifying the authenticity of these claims before further categorizing marine vessel owners in line with marine vessel strategy,” he added.

•Broron’s oil vessel, DSV Avianna

Marketers to support NNPC in fixing Arepo pipeline

HE Western Zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria

T

(IPMAN) would assist the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to fix the vandalised major pipeline, System 2B, at Arepo in Ogun State, to ease distribution of petroleum products across the country.

The South-West Zonal Chairman, IPMAN, Mr Olumide Ogunmade said this in a joint communiqué issued by the group after their meeting in Lagos. He condemned the attack of officials of Products and Pipeline Management Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of NNPC, in the course of their official duty. The group noted that such sabotage on socio-economic infrastructure of the country should be stopped.

Ogunmade said the association would support the NNPC in whatever action it takes to restore pumping of products into the System 2B pipeline in the shortest possible period.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

He said that the current products rationalisation within the southwest depots was as a result of the vandalised pipeline at Arepo, which has caused the entire nation a setback in the petroleum distribution sector.

“We commiserate with the management of NNPC/PPMC on their staff that were attacked at Arepo in the course of repairing the vandalised pipeline. We promise to support the management of NNPC/ PPMC in whatever action they will take in restoring the System 2B pipeline in the shortest possible period.

“We also want to appeal to the Federal Government not to surrender to vandals by ensuring the quick repair of the System 2B pipeline. The effect of leaving the pipeline unrepaired is scarcity of products all across the country,” he said.

The group also appealed to the

government to put in place measures that would holistically address the issue of pipeline vandalism. “Strong mechanism should be put in place to checkmate activities of vandals not just on NNPC pipeline network but all oil and gas infrastructure. We also urge the National Assembly to put in place laws that will ensure that vandal are punished,” they added.

Ogunmade said: “We also plead with host communities of NNPC right of ways such as Magboro, Magbon, Arepo, Ogere, Ijedodo, Isawo, Ogolonto in Ikorodu and others, to cooperate with the PPMC management in ensuring the pipelines are protected. Communities where the pipelines passed should be very security-conscious to drive the local economy.”

He added that the level of pipeline vandalism in the country is getting worrisome and needs divine intervention.

The NNPC said oil thieves opened fire on a team of engineers and technicians of the PPMC that came to repair the pipeline and killed three.

Local content: firm manufactures subsea equipment

T

HE local content policy got a boost with the unveiling of the first made in Nigeria Subsea Christmas Tree at the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone. The equipment was manufactured by Cameron Offshore Systems Nigeria.

The event marked a major achievement in the drive for Nigerian content implementation as the Christmas Tree was designed in Nigeria; the frames fabricated at Globestar yard in Warri while critical value add activities such as radiography, painting, production of anodes were also procured within Nigeria.

The Subsea Christmas Tree, which was manufactured for Total Usan’s subsea development project offshore Nigeria was assembled and tested at Cameron Base Onne.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr. Ernest Nwapa, described the Christmas Tree as belonging to the top of technology ecosystem, adding that the accomplishment was a statement for the maturing of the Nigerian supply chain.

He said the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act had started to achieve Federal Government’s aspiration of transforming the oil and gas sector from an importer of over 95 per cent of the industry needs a few years ago to one that manufactures inputs used in the industry and other sectors of the national economy.

Nwapa also noted that the indus-

try, which used to create millions of jobs in foreign economies had begun to generate jobs for Nigerians through the development of facilities in-country where work are being executed while indigenes of host communities were becoming active participants in the activities of the industry, thereby creating growth in knowledge, wealth and general wellbeing.

He praised Intels Nigeria Limitedthe management of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone for the support it lent to the assembling of the Subsea Christmas Tree, noting that huge investments in infrastructure and facilities are being made in the zone to support the growth of work load the industry must place in Nigeria under the Nigerian Content Act. He expressed hope that new jobs would justify the investments and provide the impetus to replicate similar facilities in other parts of the country. He also said that the Equipment Components Manufacturing Initiative, which the Board started to implement recently, was receiving positive support from the industry.

He said: “In the next 3-5 years, Nigeria will have over 25 globally recognised original equipment manufacturers making their equipment or major components here, either directly or using their Nigerian representatives.

“From this segment alone, it is estimated that over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs can be created with a new

industrial complex emerging from the exercise. Over 30 per cent of total procurement costs for manufactured equipment and spares will be spent in Nigeria.”

Nwapa explained that the Board’s implementation efforts would be targeted towards ensuring the training of Nigerians to the highest international standards, supporting companies that set up facilities in Nigeria, working with the Nigerian Content Support Fund to drive down fund costs to local entrepreneurs and feeding work into the local industry being created.

In his remarks, Nigerian Content Director, Cameron, Mr Sunny Nwankwo listed some of the key achievements recorded on the Tree build programme. He said: “Seven subsea injection Trees have been completed-one installed and six in storage. Four Trees are work in progress and at various completion stages. Four Nigerian welders have completed training and certification to ASME-IX international level.

“In 2004 when we established Cameron Onne base, we occupied a mere industrial space of 10,000sqm, today it is 40,000sqm. Our staff strength was only about 50 Nigerians, today we are over 200 Nigerians with over $30 million investment in personnel development and infrastructure and tooling. We were in the past importing Christmas Trees, today we are building Subsea Trees.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

53

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 24-9-12

ShareholdersapproveFirstBank’sholding company S HAREHOLDERS of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc yesterday approved the restructuring of the banking group into a holding company structure, where the lender and its previous subsidiaries will become components of the parent bank-holding company-FBN Holdings.

Shareholders were unanimous on the fairness and transparency of the restructuring and commended the board and management of the bank for adopting a seamless approach that ensures no change in volume or percentage of shareholding.

At the court-ordered meeting held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, shareholders endorsed resolutions transferring some 32.63 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each held by shareholders in First Bank to FBN Holdings in exchange for the same amount of shares in FBN Holdings while other subsidiaries were also transferred to the holding company.

Besides, shareholders authorised the board to delist

By Taofik Salako

the shares of First Bank and subsequently list the shares of FBN Holdings on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Addressing the shareholders, chairman, First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc, Prince Ajibola Afonja said the change into holding company was a deliberate effort by the board of the bank to enhance the competitiveness and unlock the synergies between the subsidiaries.

He noted that besides ensuring that the bank complied with the new banking regulatory regime that requires banks to divest from non-core banking businesses or form holding company to hold such non-core businesses, the holding company structure would create an operating model that would profitably grow the bank’s presence in its core markets.

According to him, the emergence of a corporate centre with responsibility for setting strategic direction and oversight would enhance the corporate

governance standards and support the bank’s long-term growth.

He added that the new structure would protect shareholders’ value by aggregating the bank’s investments.

In his remarks, group managing director, First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya said the new structure fits perfectly into the management plan for the bank.

He assured shareholders that FBN Holding would lead to additional value creation for them, pointing out that the managing director of FBN Holding is a well-tested professional that would deliver on the mandate of the holding company.

He said the holding company structure would streamline and coordinate various operations across non-bank financial services and further exploit opportunities for synergies between subsidiaries.

Onasanya added that with the emergence of the holding company, the banking group has been able to successfully ringfence its capital from any untoward development.

Profit taking takes toll on market

T

HE recent long bullish trend induced profit taking transactions yesterday as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) reopened on a selling spree.

The surge in supply impacted negatively on market position as evidenced by the 0.13 per cent drop on the All Share Index of the Exchange, from 25,873.71 points to 25,839.00 points.

Market capitalisation closed at N8.227 trillion as against its opening value of N8.238 trillion.

Market analysts, said the pull-back is a must watch especially for investors left out in the just concluded bullish run.

Analysts are of the opinion that investors should tread carefully in exiting trades as some equities will definitely

By Tonia Osundolire

resist the downtrend.

Specifically, investors traded a total of 295.800 million shares worth N2.085 billion across 5,180 deals.

The financial services sector was the most sought after with 155.040 million shares worth N1.095 billion in 2,826 deals.

The volume above only confirmed that the banking sector was the most hit by investors on their trip to profit taking.

Out of the 12 banking stocks with price change eight, which represents 53.33 per cent of the banking stocks recorded price drop while four or 26.67 per cent improved on their values.

These include Sterling Bank, Skye Bank, Union Bank and First Bank. Those with flat price, which retained the opening figures were three or 20 per cent of the banking stocks.

Other sectors with relatively high volume were Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Industrial Goods, Conglomerates, Oil & Gas and Services traded 74.865 million shares, 20.267 million shares, 16.803 million shares, 11.095 million shares, 10.475 million shares and 3.454 million shares.

On the price movement tables, a total of 57 equities recorded price change with 33 appreciating while the remaining 24 reduced in value.

Redstar express led the gainers’ table with a gain ofN0.30 to close at N3.30 followed by Sterling Bank with an increase of N0.14 to close at N1.68.

Others on the table were Fidson, AIICO, Cadbury, Learn Africa, CCNN, UACProperty, Wapic and May & Baker.

On the flip side, Livestock led the list with a drop of N0.07 to close at N1.34 followed by Transcorp with price fall of N0.05 to close at N0.96.

Others are Air Services, Japaul Oil, Diamond Bank, Okomuoil, International breweries, Fort Oil, FCMB and NAHCO.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 24-9-12

55

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

MONEY LINK

Low per capital power consumption worries expert

D

IRECTOR-General of the Centre for Management Development (CMD), Dr Kabir Usman, yesterday lamented the low per-capital consumption of electricity by Nigeria.

He said that Nigerians are among the people most deprived of grid based electricity in the world with a per capita consumption that is lower than many other African countries, He spoke at the launch of

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

the National Power Training Institute Graduate skills development Programme in Abuja. The DG he noted that lack of maintenance has culminated in the epileptic power supply from most power infrastructure in Nigeria, which were built in the 1970s and 80s.

In 1999, according to Kabir, Saudi Arabia generated 22, 000 megawatts but 13 years

after, it now generates 51, 000MW. In the period under review, he said Nigeria only managed to increase its total output by 2000mw.

He added that in the same period, Saudi Arabia’s population increased from 20 to 28 million but that of Nigeria rose from 89 million to 167 million.

His words : “Electricity is the most critical of our national economic infrastructure,” as the current inad-

equate power supply has added 40 percent to the cost of goods produced in the country.”

He lamented “Nigeria has the highest number of generators which have become the permanent, making PHCN the standby.”

There are currently about 60 million generators in Nigeria at the ratio of one per household of 2.5 people with annual spend of N1.6 trillion.

Director General of the

Partners join Akintola Williams Deloitte

A

KINTOLA Williams Deloitte (Deloitte Nigeria) has recruited two partners into its fold.

Tawanda Gumbo and Diana Gerrard joined the firm from the African and Asian continents.

Tawanda according to the statement, joined Deloitte Nigeria from Deloitte Zimbabwe and Malawi, where he was Chief Executive Officer for eight years. He is a mem-

ber of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe and holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the University of South Africa.

Tawanda will be audit partner in the Lagos office and will have responsibility for some of Deloitte Nigeria’s Consumer Business, Transportation, Technology Media and Telecommunication clients.

Diana according to the statement, has also assumed

Audit Partner role in Deloitte Nigeria’s Lagos office. She has responsibility for some of Deloitte Nigeria’s Consumer Business, Transportation, Technology, Media and Telecommunication clients.

Prior to joining Deloitte Nigeria, Diana was Audit partner in Deloitte Kazakstan for four years.

Beginning her career with Grant Thornton, Diana proceeded to work for Dickson

Middleton for eight years before joining Deloitte. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

Deloitte is an indigenous professional services firm that provides audit, tax, consulting, enterprise risk, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Financial Advisory Services to clients globally.

Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Mr James Olotu, said the federal government is constructing 10 power stations with a projected capacity of 4, 770 MW when completed. The plants are located at Alaoji, Calabar, Egbema, Gbarain, Geregu, Ihovbor, Olorunsogo, Omoku, Omotosho and Sapele.

According to him, the plants would need 1, 935 technically competent young

G

ernor Manuel Ramos Francia told Bloomberg news.

Ramos Francia spoke at a news conference following the end of a two-day meeting of deputy finance ministers and central bank officials from G-20 nations in Mexico City. Mexico is

providing specific recommendations.

The meetings took place after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said that the bank was ready to buy unlimited quantities of shortdated government bonds of nations signed up for rescues.

presiding over the group this year.

“The risks are there,” Ramos Francia said. “They can be deferred and delayed for the future.”

While central bank moves will “buy time” for European economies, “other types of policies need to be applied,” he said, without

FGN BONDS

S

TANDARD Bank has said it will press ahead with plans to open another 30 branches in sub-Saharan Africa this year, aiming to cash in on booming loan and deposit growth even as the costs of such investment hit its bottom line.

Africa’s biggest bank by assets, Standard Bank is 20 per cent owned by Industrial and Commercial Bank of

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 24-9-12 SYMBOL

REDSTAREX STERLNBANK FIDSON AIICO CADBURY LEARNAFRCA CCNN UAC-PROP WAPIC MAYBAKER

O/PRICE

3.00 1.54 1.55 0.60 22.63 2.01 4.83 12.12 0.61 1.64

C/PRICE

3.30 1.68 1.64 0.63 23.76 2.11 5.07 12.72 0.64 1.72

CHANGE

0.30 0.14 0.09 0.03 1.13 0.10 0.24 0.60 0.03 0.08

C/PRICE 1.34 0.96 1.98 0.60 3.43 35.253 13.41 10.65 3.10 5.80

CHANGE 0.07 0.05 0.10 0.03 0.16 1.55 0.50 0.35 0.08 0.12

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 24-9-12

SYMBOL O/PRICE LIVESTOCK 1.41 TRANSCORP 1.01 AIRSERVICE 2.08 JAPAULOIL 0.63 DIAMONDBNK 3.59 OKOMUOIL 36.80 INTBREW 13.91 FO 11.00 FCMB 3.18 NAHCO 5.92

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

The United States Federal Reserve said that it would make additional purchases of debt in a third round of so-called quantitative easing, while the Bank of Japan (8301) unexpectedly increased its asset-purchase fund to 55 trillion yen ($707 billion) at its meeting last week.

China. It blamed a belowforecast nine per cent increase in first-half profit on costs of investment.

“It really has been growing rapidly and we’ve continued to invest, which is part of the reason for the cost growth that you’ve seen,” Chief Executive Jacko Maree told Reuters Insider, referring to its 16 operations across the continent.

“But if you look at the profitability in Africa you saw the profits growing by some 80 per cent, just looking at the on-the-ground banks on the continent, which is a very big jump.”

He pledged to do all he could to control spending after a 17 percent rise in the six months to the end of June but said costs would continue to climb as the bank seeks to cash in on an estimated 30-40 percent rise in loans and deposits across the continent.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

engineers to man them. This he said, made the training

by NAPTIN timely.

Standard Bank to open 30 branches in Africa

More govt action needed for world recovery, says G-20 ROUP of 20 officials meeting in Mexico City agreed that the latest monetary easing by developed nations will “buy time” for the global economic recovery.

The group said that governments must do more to boost growth, Mexican central bank Deputy Gov-

•President Goodluck Jonathan

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 125.13 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 116.60 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.77 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.10 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.93 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,717.91 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 10.45 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 8,652.66 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 124.96 116.90 0.74 1.10 0.91 1,713.62 9.94 1.33 1.80 8,411.80 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

NEWS Pius Anyim, others for talks THE Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, is among notable speakers that will address national issues at the 36th Annual Conference of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSAN) slated for Thursday and Friday at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja.

Others are the Head, Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bello Sali; Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture, Dr. Muhammed K. Santuraki; former ICSAN President Mallam M.K. Zubairu; ex President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and DirectorGeneral, Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), Mr. Emeka Ezeh; and the President, Institute of Company Secretaries of India, Mr. Nesar Ahmed.

ICSAN President Olatunde Busari said awards would be conferred on deserving individuals and organisations.

IBADAN FLOODS Row over sack of Cross River monarch deepens

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HE dethronement of the Paramount Ruler of the Efuts, Muri Munene Efiong Mbukpa, and the emergence of Muri Itam Hogan as the new monarch last Friday, may have pitched Governor Liyel Imoke with his deputy, Mr. Efiok Cobham.

It was learnt that Hogan emerged on Friday after a purported election in which five of the eight clan heads of the Efut people voted for him.

The Nation gathered that the election, which was reportedly held at the legislative

•Imoke, deputy at war From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

chambers of the Calabar South Local Government Council, was supervised by state government officials.

It was reportedly covered by the state-owned media.

Mbuka’s dethronement

by Imoke is seen in some quarters as “an interference” in traditional matters, which fall under Cobham’s purview.

Mbukpa said he remains the Muri Munene of the Efuts.

‘Mbuka’s dethronement by Imoke is seen in some quarters as “an interference” in traditional matters, which fall under Cobham’s purview’.

The Efut Combined Assembly, which is the highest policy and decision making

body of the Efuts, insisted that having qualified and carried out the necessary traditional rites as the Muri Munene since the demise of his predecessor in 2009, Mbukpa remains their traditional head.

Chairman of the assembly Ndabo Obo said: “Once the traditional rites of the selection processes for the Muri Munene have been done at the traditionally approved location and the selected person is traditionally crowned by the Efut Combined Assembly, the rite can never be repeated until the demise of the incumbent.”

PFN specialist hospital begins operations From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

THE Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) is to set up three specialist hospitals and schools in each of the three Senatorial zones in Anambra State.

The 32 private ward specialist hospital built by the group has become operational in Awka, the state capital.

Speaking with reporters yesterday at the hospital complex, PFN State Chairman Prof. David Eberechukwu said the group wants to put smiles on the faces of the people.

Eberechukwu said: “PFN was not discouraged when the military demolished the former site of this hospital, on which we had spent over N70 million, and I thank God that we have finally done it.

“Very soon, we will start building hospitals and schools in the three senatorial zones, because our watch word is believe in God.”

Nasarawa governor’s son injured in convoy crash •Nephew, two others dead A car on the convoy of Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Almakura was yesterday involved in a ghastly crash that led to the death of his nephew and his Personal Assistant Umar Mohammmed Zaki, a policeman and the driver.

Son of the governor Khalid Almakura was injured in the crash involving the Hilux van in which they were travelling in.

The accident happened along the Toto – Nasarawa road.

Sympathisers have besieged the Lafia home of the governor. The remains of Mohammed have been laid to rest.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (left) discussing with the Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of Diplomatic Services, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr. Simon Fraser, during the Department for International Development’s (DFID’s) visit to the governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja...yesterday.

Controversy trails return of schools in Abia

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ONTROVERSY has trailed the return of some public schools to the mission in Abia State.

On September 14, the state government handed over 19 secondary schools to their original owners.

Governor Theodore Orji, at the ceremony, said the return of schools to their original owners would be gradual.

Orji said the certificates issued to the mission for the takeover of the schools were temporary and the government would watch how they run the schools for one year.

Workers at the school are apprehensive of what their fate would be.

Some teachers at the Holy Rosary Girls Secondary School in Umuahia North Local Government Area said they were afraid of losing their jobs.

The situation is worse at Girls High School, Umueze, where the Methodist Church is insisting on an immediate and complete take-over.

It was learnt that delegates from the church came to the school last Wednesday and told the headteacher to handover to them.

An eyewitness said: “The headteacher told them to give

her some days to prepare her handover note, but they refused. They even came with a mason, who started working on a part of the school fence that had collapsed.”

A new signboard, which reads: “Methodist Church Nigeria School System, Methodist Girls High School”, has been mounted in front of the school.

The headteacher, Mrs. J.E. Iroham, refused to comment on the development.

She said: “I have already spoken to your colleague from the state radio station and will not speak again except I get clearance from my employers.”

Commissioner for Education Mrs. Monica Phillips confirmed the incident at the school.

She said: “We have heard of the confrontation by the Methodist Church. Such is expected and we are equal to the task.

We are looking out for such problems and will tackle them as they come.

“There is no ambiguity in the handover policy of the schools. The terms are clear. If they do not want the headteacher, let them bring whoever they want. We shall continue to pay the staff.”

‘Igbo have no outstanding candidate for 2015’

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NON-GOVERNMENT Organisation (NGO), the Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM), yesterday said Igbo have no outstanding candidate for the 2015 presidential election.

The group was reacting to the Southeast’s clamour for Igbo presidency in 2015.

The group said yesterday in Awka that it has not seen any credible candidate in the Southeast.

Speaking with The Nation yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State capital, TNM leader Comrade Obi Ochije said Igbo have no candidate that can defeat aspirants from other geopolitical zones and urged the Southeast to look beyond 2015.

Ochije said: “There are three questions Ndigbo need to answer on this issue. The first is

who zoned presidency to Igbo? The second is on what platform can they realise their dream in 2015? Thirdly, does the zone have a credible candidate for the position?

“It is not going to be a zonal affair; all the six geo-

political zones would be involved. For now, I cannot see anybody in Igboland, who can win enough votes from other political zones in 2015.

“From what is playing out, it is obvious that Ndigbo have no person to stand for such

election. What they should do is look beyond 2015.

“We should stop quarreling over who becomes the next president. Rather, we should pray fervently for the country’s unity.”

TNM said Ndigbo must liaise with the Southwest to realise its ambition.

Orji backs calls for state creation From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

ABIA State Governor Theodore Orji has supported calls for the creation of a new state in the Southeast.

He said it would bring equality among the six geo-political zones.

In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, Orji said the creation of another state in the Southeast is not negotiable.

He said though he is at the forefront of the call for the creation of Aba State, the new state can be created from any of the five eastern states.

Orji said: “I am not particular about where the state will be created.

What matters is that the zone gets an additional state.

He praised those advocating the creation of new states in the region, especially Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, for their commitment and sacrifices.

The governor said Ndigbo would not rest until their demand is met.

He urged those who are not from the zone and are in places of authority to support Ndigbo.

Abductors of Delta lawmaker’s wife demand N100m ransom From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

ABDUCTORS of the wife of Mr. Kenneth Preyor, the Delta State House of Assembly member representing Bomadi Constituency, Mrs. Campaign Preyor, have demanded N100 million ransom for her release.

Delta police spokesman Charles Muka confirmed the development and said the kidnappers have agreed to negotiate.

Muka said the police would do everything within their power to secure Mrs. Preyor’s release.

He said kidnapping is a capital offence and anyone involved in it would be punished.

Mrs. Preyor was kidnapped at their country home last Saturday at about 11pm by gunmen, who took her away on a speed boat.

LP NEC ratifies removal of Anambra chair

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HE National Execu tive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party (LP) has ratified the removal of the party’s chairman in Anambra State, Mr. Jude Ezenwafor.

LP National Vice-Chairman, Southeast, Chief Callistus Okafor said Ezenwafor was removed because he failed to clear himself of the allegation of fraud against him.

•Party disowns Uba From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Okafor told reporters yesterday in Awka, the state capital, that the party’s NEC has ratified the elevation of the former deputy chairman, Mr. Sam Oraegbunam, as the Acting State Chairman.

He restated that Senator Andy Uba is not an LP member and anybody who

does business with him in the party’s name does so at his or her own risk.

Okafor said: “Let me make it clear, Andy Uba is not a member of LP. He only found shelter in the party during the 2010 governorship election and left for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the election. The Chief Dan

Nwanyanwu-led LP believes in the constitution and rule of law.

“This party does not believe in godfatherism. That is why we do our things based on the constitution and have no faction as is being speculated.”

Ezenwafor threatened to sue the party for defamation of character, if it fails to apologise to him within two weeks.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

57

NEWS IBADAN FLOODS

Girl, 13, ‘defiled’ by teacher From, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

13-YEAR-OLD girl in Auchi, Edo State, has been defiled by a teacher.

The victim, who was seeking admission into the Muslim Arabic Junior Secondary School in Auchi, said she was on her way home last Tuesday at about 4pm when the teacher, simply identified as Mr. Abu (a.k.a. pop), came after her and said the Headteacher wanted to see her.

She said Abu took her back to the school on his motorcycle and lured her into his office, where he allegedly covered her mouth with a cloth, tore her underwear and forcibly had carnal knowledge of her.

The victim said Abu gave her N240 after the act and warned her not to tell anyone.

The victim’s parents got to know about the incident when she got home writhing in pains and vomiting.

The suspect is said to be in police custody.

The victim is receiving treatment at a private hospital.

The Medical Director of the hospital was not around when The Nation visited the hospital.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

TWO children of a Benin businessman, Mr. Juande Iyamu, were yesterday abducted by gunmen.

The gunmen killed the driver conveying them to school atabout 7:30am at Iguosa on the BeninLagos Expressway.

Eyewitnesses said they came out when they heard gunshots and saw the gunmen dragging the children away into their vehicle.

The driver died before he could get to a hospital.

Iyamu, popularly known as Yaweh water, was visibly shaken by the incident, but he declined comments.

Edo Police spokesman Anthony Airhuoyo said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

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US hails Oshiomhole on re-election THE United States (US) Government has congratulated Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole on his re-election.

The US Consul-General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins, expressed his government’s felicitations to Oshiomhole during a visit to the governor yesterday.

Hawkins said: “I have come to congratulate you on your re-election.”

He and Oshiomhole had a closed-door meeting for almost two hours.

•From left: Chairman of the Project Implmenentation Committee on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Mr. Olusegun Ahmadu (left) with the Project Adviser, Yolas Consultant, Mr. Gbenga Babalola and the Site Agent, Borini Prono, Mr. Piero Adami, working at Km 32, LagosIbadan Expressway...yesterday.

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IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said the state’s 2013 budget must be precise.

Amaechi spoke in Port Harcourt during a threeday training for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on budget planning, implementation and monitoring organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

He said the training would help the government assess the budgetary demands by MDAs in the implementation of govern-

ment policies and programmes.

Amaechi said: “The key to the 2013 budget is that it must be scientific to achieve government policies and programmes.

“I will also demand a statistical breakdown of the budgetary demands by the MDAs to assess our spending.

“The government will restructure the Civil Service and all Directors and Permanent Secretaries, who have served for eight years in either of the positions, would be retired and their

pension paid to the Pension Board.

“I am disappointed that there is low compliance with Information and Communications Technology (ICT) by civil servants. We will train civil servants who are deficient on ICT.” Amaechi said civil servants who are not ICT compliant and cannot draw up programmes relating to their ministry’s policies would not be promoted.

He said the procurement of computers for MDAs would be included in the 2013 budget.

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From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

demic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The union has been on strike in protest of the re-appointment of Prof. Barineme Fakae as the institution’s Vice-

Chancellor by Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

ASUU said Fakae does not qualify for the position and his re-appointment did not follow due process.

During a visit to the Port Harcourt office of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation,

•Muslim women: we used grant judiciously

T Funeral for Ovie-Whisky The family of the late Justice Victor Ovie-Whisky has denied media reports that there is discord among the relations and nuclei family on the deceased’s funeral.

In a statement on behalf of the family, Mr. Anthony Ovie-Whiskey, a lawyer, said: “We urge the public to disregard the report. The funeral will hold on September 27 and 28 as earlier announced.”

•Amaechi

Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Levi Gogo Charles described the workshop as “an avenue to understand the importance of budget preparation to achieving the government’s objectives”.

‘RSUST ASUU strike uncalled for’ HE Regional Director of the National Youth Development and Intervention in the Niger Delta, Captain Graham Boms, yesterday condemned the strike by the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) chapter of the Aca-

HE Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has told the state’s branch of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) to discontinue the building of the Almajiri School in Benin, on which the association said it has spent N7.6 million.

The project is part of the Federal Government’s Almajiri Education Project.

A SUBEB official, Mrs. Esther Ogedengbe, in a letter to the Association, said the stop-work order was necessary to prevent the association from “misusing or diverting funds meant for the building of a basic three-classroom block”.

The letter reads: “FOMWAN should discon-

From, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

tinue the ongoing Almajiri project as a result of non-compliance with the implementation modalities of the National Commission for the Implementation of the Almajiri Education Project (NCIAEP).

“The reason is that the SUBEB monitoring team could not locate the project, which is supposed to be on the premises of the association’s school at Iwogban Quarters on Ikpoba hill, Benin.”

FOWMAN President Hajia Fatima Hassan said the association is not “misusing or diverting” funds meant for the project.

Hajia Hassan said

FOWMAN is developing a 1,000 x 1,000 plot of land it owns at Uteh on the Benin bypass for a 15-classroom block, which would be the school’s permanent site.

She said the idea of building and equipping only a threeclassroom block is contrary to her association’s proposal to NCIAEP, adding that their stay at Iwogban is at the mercy of the Nigerian Army, which is laying claims to the plot.

Hajia Hassan said she was not aware that SUBEB was supposed to supervise the project, which she said is being supervised by “a competent five-man team”.

She said the association spent N7.6 million of the grants on drilling a borehole and laying the foundation of a two-storey building.

Edo commissioner resigns From Osagie Otabor, Benin

2013 budget must be precise, says Amaechi

Edo stops Almajiri school project

•Oshiomhole

Gunmen kill driver, abduct two children

publishers of The Tide, Boms said: “I am asking ASUU to move away from its hidden agenda and support Fakae and his transformation agenda for the institution, which is in line with the state and Federal governments’ policies.

“Fakae is doing well and ASUU should not stand in his way. If the strike continues, the students will suffer. Some will miss the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and others may lose the academic year.

“The lecturers have no business with who appoints or who is appointed VC. Amaechi’s decision followed due process. ASUU should allow Fakae continue with the good work he is doing. I have gone to RSUST to see things for myself. Fakae should be allowed to work.”

EDO State Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities Prince Clem Agba has resigned his appointment to resume duties at Chevron Nigeria Limited.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole accepted his resignation.

Agba said his leave of absence from Chevron has expired and it cannot exceed four years.

In a statement yesterday, Commissioner for Information Louis Odion said Agba’s leave of absence ended last week.

Odion said Agba would now occupy a new office at Chevron as Manager, Community Procurement Operations.

Before joining the Oshiomhole administration in 2008, Agba was a Senior Contracts Advisor on Facilities Engineering at Chevron.

The government thanked Agba for his “robust contributions to the state in the last four years” and wished him well in his new assignment.

Odion quoted Oshiomhole as saying that “while Agba always showed uncommon enthusiasm to work, most outstanding was his role in the design and execution of the flood and erosioncontrol programme of our administration”.

PUBLIC NOTICE UJUNWA I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Ujunwa Florence Ikwunne now wish to be addressed as Mrs Ujunwa Florence Ikwunne Anyalewechi. All former Documents remain valid, Nigeria civil defence corps and public note.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under PART “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act No 1 of 1990.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES ARE • PASTOR SAMUEL OMONIYI - PRESIDENT • BARR. COMFORT SAMUEL OMONIYI - WOMEN PRESIDENT • PASTOR TOSIN FASUA - VICE PRESIDENT • PASTOR AYODEJI FASUA - GENERAL SECRETARY • MR. WALE ADEGBOYE - MEMBER • MRS. AYENI MAGRET - MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES •To preach the gospel of salvation to Nations of the world.

•To take divine presence of Jesus Christ to the Nations of the world.

Any objection to this registration shall be forwarded to the Registrar – General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: PASTOR SAMUEL OMONIYI (PRESIDENT)

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

58

NEWS

Govt, NUT officials meet as schools fail to reopen in Lagos G

OVERNMENT officials and the leadership of the Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) were meeting last night to resolve the dispute over the non-implementation of the 27.5 per cent Teachers Salary Allowance (TSA).

The emergency parley was triggered by the teachers’ refusal to admit pupils in public secondary and primary schools to begin the 2012/2013 academic session after the long vacation.

Talks between the government and NUT (state) officials had broken down when the government offered to effect the payment from January next year.

According to the NUT Chairman in Lagos, Mr. Kayode Idowu, they were being paid 9.2 per cent of the TSA, claiming that the government promised to implement the full

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie, Adegunle Olugbamila, and Olawale Dawodu

pay from April 2011.

Spokesman for the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Lanre Bajulaiye, said a meeting to resolve the strike was ongoing last night.

“We are on it. We are in a meeting right now and the meeting may even extend till tomorrow (Tuesday). But I can assure you that something positive will come out of it,” Bajulaye said.

As early as 7am yesterday, pupils were seen in their uniforms boarding buses or trekking to schools.

However, rather than receive lessons and information about the new academic session, they were left to their fate.

In many of the schools visited, the teachers neither con-

firmed nor denied the strike, but let the pupils loiter until they returned home.

The compound housing the Ikeja Junior and Senior High Schools were deserted before noon.

The security man said the pupils had gone home, while the principals of both schools were not around.

Pupils who were seen hanging around the premises said their teachers did not attend to them.

“They did not tell us anything. We only found that the gate was left open. So when nothing was happening, pupils began to leave,” said a senior secondary pupil.

At Itolo Girls’ Junior Secondary School, Surulere, the few

teachers around refused to speak on the strike.

“We cannot speak to the press because we were told not to. We cannot comment on the strike. If you want to hear anything at all, go to the district office,” they said.

Oluwaseyi Tako and Fasakin Tayo both from Adebola Baptist Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos were still basking in the euphoria of starting the new session having been promoted from JSS3 to SS1.

However, they were denied entry at the school gate. “We met some of our teachers who told us to return home because they are on strike,” the pupils said.

At Costain Road, Bolaji Bay-

an and Faruq Bolaji, both pupils of St Paul Primary School, Costain were busy playing when our reporter ran into them.

With their shirts’ buttons loosened, they were later joined by two other pupils as they hurled pebbles at each other in the heat of their ecstasy.

“Our teachers asked us to go back home today, though they did not tell us why,” Bolaji said.

‘They asked us to come back on Wednesday if there is going to be school,” his friend, Bayan, interjected.

The scenario was the same at the Eko Akete Senior Secondary School, Campbell Street, Lagos Island where some of the rather confused pupils stayed back despite the instruction from their teachers to go back home. One of them, Mathew Adeniyi, said the teachers informed them of the strike late.

Jonathan makes case for rule of law From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has called for the strengthening of the rule of law both at the national and international levels.

This is as he assured the global community of his administration’s “unwavering commitment” to upholding the rule of law and implementing all pledges made by Nigeria to the international community.

He said that administration will continue to encourage the judiciary to play a pivotal role in the advancement and elaboration of the rights of Nigerians through effective oversight over the actions of the executive and legislature.

Jonathan made the declaration during his address to the first-ever High-Level Plenary Session of the United Nations on the Rule of Law yesterday in New York.

The President said the rule of law at international level must be based on the core principles of the United Nations which were reaffirmed in the 2005 World Summit Document.

This, he said, implies that countries must in good faith, honour their international obligations, including the obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force, the obligation to settle disputes through peaceful means, the obligation to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and abide by international humanitarian law.

“Nigeria subscribes to the view that it is only an international system based on the rule of law that can guarantee the protection of the rights of individuals and the interests of the less powerful in the global arena.

“The principle of equality of States remains an important element in the promotion of the rule of law at the international level. The international community should therefore discourage any semblance of selective observance and enforcement of international law.

“Nigeria recognizes the important role of the International Court of Justice and other international tribunals in the peaceful resolution of international disputes.

•Pupils of Mind Builders School, Central Business District (CBD,) Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos praying during the first assembly of the term...yesterday.

Fayemi: leadership no popularity contest

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said offering quality leadership is not about contesting for popularity but an exercise that involves taking hard decisions and executing projects that would seem to be at variance with popular demands of the people.

The governor said satisfying the people and developing various communities involve executing policies and programmes which may not pander to common sentiments.

He noted that to lead successfully involves sacrificing fleeting personal or group gains for lasting ideals of the nobility.

Fayemi said most of those occupying high positions in the state were making personal sacrifices to support development.

The governor added that “physical infrastructure is cutting personal infrastructure”.

Fayemi spoke at the Jibowu Hall of the Government House in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during an interactive session with reporters.

The governor said he had been consistently circumspect about receiving awards, adding that he took the Governor of the Year award given to him

Governors Forum greets Ekiti governor The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has congratulated Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi on his investiture as “Governor of the Year 2011” by the Leadership Newspaper.

Fayemi, had last Tuesday, in Abuja, received the Leadership’s Governor of the Year Award’ at a ceremony where former Defence Minister, Lt Gen. Theophilus Danjuma and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal were also recognized as ‘Person of the Year’ and ‘Politician of the Year’ respectively.

The Governors Forum, in a congratulatory letter dated September 19 and signed by Chairman and Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, hailed the award, which it said came in recognition of Fayemi’s transformative governance in Ekiti State.

The letter reads in part: “On behalf of all your brother governors in Nigeria Governors Forum, I write to congratulate you on the conferment of the Governor of the Year Award 2011 by Leadership Newspaper Group.

“We rejoice with you and the good people of Ekiti State as you are recognised for bringing compelling imagination and courage to the centre state of transformative governance in Ekiti State.”

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

by Leadership Newspapers because the newspaper said it based it on his social security scheme for the elderly.

He said major projects, such as road construction/rehabilitation, free education and others, were equally focused on by most other ad-

ministrations.

According to him, the achievements of his administration are the “products of planning, political will and God’s grace, as we could do all and still not to succeed”.

In apparent reference to criticisms of his foreign trips, Fayemi said the state was not financially responsible for his trips abroad.

The governor explained that he paid for his foreign trips from his personal accounts since inception.

He said: “There is nothing we are doing now that is different from what we promised the electorate in the state before we came to power.”

Fayemi spoke on his administration’s relation with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Ekiti State.

He said: “I like the job the NULGE is doing for its members, but we will release the information we have at the appropriate time. We know those responsible for the fleecing of the local governments.

“I don’t have problem with the workers; the problem is with the syndicate that has taken over Ekiti State.”

He said his administration had concluded plans to begin an Independent Power Project (IPP) to boost electricity supply in the state.

“Ekiti is bringing an independent Power Project (IPP) to concentrate first in Ado being the hub of the state for which I am being criticised. I do it not because I love Ado people more than others but because this is where peoiple get their first impression and appreciation of the state.”

Bi-Courtney begins reconstruction on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

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ONCESSIONAIRE of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Bi-Courtney Highway Services Ltd, yesterday began major reconstruction on the 106km highway with two top contractors.

The company said it has engaged Messrs Borino Prono Construction Company and CCC Construction Nigeria Ltd to embark on the reconstruction, starting from four critical portions on the road.

A statement issued by BiCourtney’s spokesman, Dipo Kehinde, said: “The reconstruction will go on simultaneously in four critical portions of the road.”

While envisaging that the work might affect traffic flow on the road, Bi-Courtney said it had taken the precautionary measures of engaging traffic control officers and flaggers who would facilitate the flow of traffic during construction hours.

The statement reads: “We urge motorists to drive with care, observe the rules and obey traffic signs.

“We are working with stakeholders, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Nigeria Police, tanker owners and other road users to minimise the impact of this exercise on motorists.

“Bi-Courtney hails the commitment and vision of President Goodluck Jonathan to infrastructure development through Public Private Partnership (PPP). This vision, being promoted by the Federal Ministry of Works, is worthy of support. We assure Nigerians that the Federal Government and our company are committed to this important road project.”

Police recover 11 rifles, rocket launchers, dynamites in Lagos

By Jude Isiguzo

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LEVEN General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), five rocket launchers and dynamites have been recovered by the police in Lagos.

Also recovered are over 250 magazines and 17,000 live ammunition.

The deadly arms and ammunition were recovered by the operatives of the State Special Anti-Robbery Squad yesterday, following a tipoff.

It was learnt that residents of Ajangbadi area of the state informed the police of strange activities by suspected arms dealers.

A police source in SARS, who confirmed the recovery to The Nation, said policemen who were investigating a robbery case had gone for investigation in the area.

The source said one of the robbery suspects who was arrested after interrogation decided to take policemen to the gang’s armoury.

The police said it was at the armoury that the arms and ammunition were recovered.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

59

NEWS Judge’s transfer stalls Bankole’s trial

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ORMER House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole had his trial stalled yesterday, following the transfer of the presiding judge, Justice Donatus Okorowo to the Federal High Court,Taraba.

Bankole is facing a 16-count charge of contracts inflation and awards without due process slammed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The contracts financial profile according to the anti-graft agency, is N9 billion.

Justice Okorowo had adjourned trial till September 24, 25, 26 and 27.

At the last sitting, the court had admitted some documents tendered against the accused by the EFCC. The alleged contracts included: 400 units of 40-inch Samsung TV sets supplied at

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

N525, 000 each instead of N295, 000; 800 units of HP Compaq Desktop Computers at N330, 000 each instead of N160,000; 100 units of Sharp Digital Copier 5316 at N270,000 each instead of N160,000 and 400 units of HP Laserjet at N150,000 instead of N60,000.

The alleged scam also included: two Range Rover (bullet proof) vehicles, two Range Rover (not bullet proof) vehicles; three Mercedes Benz S-600 cars and 400 DSTV Systems all purchased without due process.

They included minutes of series of meetings puortedly held in the conference room of the former speaker which contained details the contract scam.

Bankole, through his counsel, Wale Akoni (SAN), had challenged the document,t saying they were not numbered serially and incomplete.

The rosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo blamed it on typographical error which he argued did not affect the contents of the documents.

Admitting the documents as evidence, Justice Okorowo held that since the validity of the documents was not in contention, the court had no option than to rely on it.

He advised the defence counsel to address the issue in his final address.

Under cross-examination, a prosecution witness, Adeboye Adeniyi, tendered letters giving details of the contract entered by the House with some companies.

After he was discharged,

Yuguda’s brother in-law kidnapped in Bauchi Continued from page 2

•Bankole

the prosecution counsel, Oghenovo Otemu asked for a long adjournment to enable him subpoena other witnesses.

His prayer was granted by the court despite objection by the defence team.

The trial was adjourned till September 24, 25,26 and 27.

Illegal refineries shut in Aba

F

OUR persons, believed to be operating two illegal petroleum refineries in Aba, Abia State have been arrested by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The NSCDC said the sealing of the illegal refineries followed the information from concerned citizens .

Many items were recovered from the suspects as investigation commenced.

Spokesman of the Corps, Victor Ogbonna said 16, 25litre cans of substance believed to be adulterated products and other items were recovered.

Ogbonna said the illegal refinery was identified at 41 Milverton Avenue by a team of its joint anti-vandals and counter terrorism squad, where Michael Udeze and Ifeanyi Aduzie, were arrested.

He said the second illegal

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuhia

refinery was located at 12 Umuoji Street by 139 PortHarcourt road, in a house that has 14 rooms. Substance suspected to be AGO [diesel], was recovered.

He spoke on the second illegal refinery: “our team recovered substance believed to be AGO, while Mrs Chibuzor Nwaogu and one Nnamdi believed to be owners of the illegal refinery were arrested and are being investigated”.

The NSCDC, Nathaniel Ubong condemned the operation of illegal refineries and oil bunkering that has been giving the state a bad name, adding that his command will not relent in its efforts to ensure that the illegal businesses are closed.

Ubong noted that those operating illegal refineries and

oil bunkering in the state caused reduction in revenue accruable to the state from the Federation Account, adding that Governor Theodore Orji is doing all in his power to put a stop to such illegal businesses in the state.

He advised those who are involved in the business to relocate to another state or start another type of business as the command is ready to compliment the effort of the governor. “My command is ready to tackle such group of people operating in the state”.

The commandant urged traditional rulers and other concerned citizens in the state not to relent in giving them information, stressing that they need such information to function properly, as they are determined to sanitise the state from illegal businesses.

Ubong also told the community leaders to educate their

people on the dangers of allowing illegal refineries and oil bunkering to flourish within their communities, “the laws of the land must be allowed to take its course and it will never be compromised for any reason”.

Sade,is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State and a very close political associate, is a brother-in-law to Governor Yuguda.

He is also a businessman and a top car dealer in Bauchi.

A family member to Sade, Mallam Hafizu Dahiru, said yesterday that his daughter called his wife and informed her that gunmen kidnapped Sade in their residence along Railway road, Bauchi.

Hafizu said Sade was kidnapped on his way to a nearby Mosque from his house for

Enugu councillor arrested for car snatching

A

LOCAL government Councillor (names withheld) has been reportedly arrested by the police in Enugu for alleged car robbery.

Sources close to the local government secretariat at Enugu-Ezike in Igboeze North, said the who was based in Onitsha, Anambra State, he came into office this year, was last week whisked away by

Crackdown on Boko Haram Continued from page 2

and the two others are located at Shagari Low Cost Housing Estate on Gashua Road, one of the troubled areas of the city.

The onslaught on the houses was said to have been lunched between 2am and 4am on Sunday night. The local security attached to the houses fled when the assailants came in a large number.

“Nobody was killed because the Speaker, the lawmaker and the governor’s brother evacuated their immediate families

the morning prayer, at about 5 am.But before they took him away,the assailants shot and killed the security man at the entrance to the house.

No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnap.

State PDP Assistant Publicity Secretary, Bashir Bukar Riminzayan, condemned the kidnap.

He attributed the development to bad leadership saying: “we advised our leaders to be fair and just to all”.

Riminzayan appealed to security agencies to beef up security in the state and protect lives and properties of innocent citizens.

soon after peace eluded Damaturu.”

“The local guards attached to the houses also fled,” Kabiru Musa, a resident said, adding: “However, when I peeped through the window this morning, I saw a military pick up van zooming up with two beheaded bodies…it was a gory sight. I also saw smoke billowing in the direction of the house of the speaker.”

A source at the Yobe State Police Command confirmed the burning of the three houses and the killing of the two civilians.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

law enforcement agents, following a tip-off.

It was gathered that the lawmaker was linked to a car snatched somewhere in Seme border which was traced to Obollo-Afor in Udenu Local government Area of Enugu State, where it was showcased for sale by a motor dealer.

Following an interrogation, the motor dealer confessed to the police that the vehicle belonged to the councillor.

It was learnt that the state government had to withdraw the Councillor’s offered pending the outcome of his trial.

Enugu Police spokesman Ebere Amarizu said he should be given time to get details of the matter.

He said the councillor was not in the custody of the Enugu State Police Command.

It was, however, learnt that his arrest was carried out by the Rivers State Police command, where the case was reported.

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers Good afternoon sir. I am 20 years old. When I was 11 or 12 years, a boy slept with me but I did not bleed. Please am I still a virgin? Now that I am an adult, I had sex and I bled a lot.

Maybe I am a virgin but I don’t know – Patricia Dear Patricia, a virgin is a woman or man who has never had sex. But you have had sex twice already so you are not a virgin.

The reason bleeding is associated with the loss of virginity is because in the process of having sex for the first time, the mucous membrane that partially covers the vaginal opening, known as the hymen, often gets torn, hence the bleeding. But not every woman bleeds when having sex the first time because not every woman’s hymen gets torn right away. That is what happened to you – Uche I recently introduced my wife to your column. We have been having sexual problems and I think it has to do with the fact that both of us had no sex education. At first it was difficult to talk to her about it but after she started reading your column, she is now willing to address the problem but she will not watch adult movies. Thanks – Obesere That’s okay. You can learn a lot from books as well. Books like Erotic Massage, Sex Secrets and Marathon Sex will teach both of you enough to have a satisfying love life – Uche What are the best novelties for a married man who works and lives away from his wife in another town and does not want to have an affair? Thanks – Chukwuma Dear Chukwuma, the two main love toys for men are masturbators and love dolls. Masturbators are small and portable artificial vaginas made with cyber skin, a synthetic material that feels just like real skin. A good example is the Sasha Grey Masturbator and Pipe Dream’s Extreme Masturbator. Love dolls on the other hand are life size blow up dolls that you can inflate and deflate after usage.

Asian Dream Love Doll and Deserving Derby Love Doll are good examples – Uche My penis is short and I have only satisfied my wife once in 14years of marriage and even to do that, I had to take Viagra for erection. Since then that Viagra did not work for me again and my wife has been complaining of my weakness in bed – Augustine Austin to enlarge your penis, use a combination of Max Size Supplement and Potent Developer Penis Pump. Max Size is also an erection enhancer and will give you strong erections to perform for hours. Also use a vibrator during intercourse.

A lot of men don’t know this but a vibrator is a man’s most reliable tool when it comes to satisfying women. Use it on her for 10 to 15 minutes and then you can finish up by yourself. I guarantee you that she will never complain again. It works like magic – Uche Thank you for the Enzyte erection enhancer. My erections are very hard now and I make love for hours – Daniel You are welcome Daniel. Enzyte is very good - Uche How can a woman be sexually satisfied when her man does not last up to two minutes in bed? I am tired of this – Tina Dear Tina, Rock Hard Delay cream will help him last longer.

But he may not like it if you just go and buy it for him. A man has his pride. So tell him that you know a great solution and hopefully, he will get it himself. For the time being, get a vibrator to help you get some satisfaction. The Lucid Dream G Spot Vibrator is fantastic and affordable – Uche That’s it for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

60

FOREIGN NEWS

Turkey pro-Kurd party urges talks to end conflict

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UITAN Kisanak, head of Turkey’s main Kurdish party, has called for talks between the government and Kurdish militants to prevent a further escalation of violence.

According to her, the escalation of violence could undermine efforts to draw up a new, more liberal constitution.

It is estimated that more than 700 people have been killed since elections in June 2011, according to the International Crisis Group, the highest toll in a 15 month period since Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) chief Abdullah Ocalan was captured and jailed in 1999.

Last week, fighters from the PKK - labelled a terrorist group by Turkey, Washington and the EU ambushed a military convoy, killing 10 soldiers and wounding about

60.

“Violence dominates now, from the Kurdish side and is also defining state policy,’’ said Gultan Kisanak, co-chair of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP).

“If fighting intensifies further, there’s a high risk it will spill over into ethnic clashes as social tension rises’’.

“Let’s return to the path of dialogue and negotiations and lessen the war,’’ she told Reuters at the weekend.

The upsurge in violence coincides with efforts by Turkey’s parliament to draft a more liberal constitution to replace a hardline charter drawn up after a 1980 military coup.

The government says it will include greater political freedoms for minorities.

Parliament reconvenes after summer recess on October 1.

Recognising Kurdish identity and rights are fundamental to Turkey’s effort to join the EU, as the country became a candidate for membership in 1999, But its drive has stalled over slow progress on human rights and arguments about Cyprus.

“The Kurdish problem is about rights and freedom, it’s a legal issue, and a solution requires a constitutional foundation,’’ Kisanak said.

“We need to focus on policies for peace and establish a climate of peace. Otherwise it’s insincere to work on a constitution while people are dying and blood is being spilled.”

Some political analysts link the violence with the failure of secret peace talks, thought to have been held in 2010, in Oslo between intelligence officials and PKK negotiators.

South Sudan accuses Sudan of supplying arms to rebels

S

OUTH Sudan on Sunday accused Sudan of air-dropping weapons to rebels, just as the presidents of the African neighbours were about to meet to finalise a border security deal to restart oil exports.

Sudan dismissed the charges and any links to rebels in the South, which seceded from Khartoum in July last year under a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of civil war.

Sudan, in turn, often accuses Juba of supporting rebels in its borderlands.

The claims came as Sudan’s President Omar Hassan alBashir arrived in Ethiopia to wrap up with his southern counterpart, Salva Kiir, two weeks of talks to end hostilities.

African and Western officials have been trying to mediate a border security agreement between the rivals which came close to war

in April.

South Sudan’s army spokesman Philip Aguer said Sudanese military aircraft parachuted eight parcels of weapons and ammunition to forces of militia leader David Yau Yau in the country’s east on Friday and Saturday.

The rebels later attacked the town of Likuangole in Jonglei state, but were repulsed by the South’s army (SPLA), he said.

“Yesterday and today Antonov planes have dropped arms and ammunition around Likuangole in front of everybody, including UNMISS (the UN mission in South Sudan),’’ Aguer said.

“This is not in the spirit of the current talks in Addis Ababa. While Khartoum talks peace, their deeds on the ground tell a contrary story of hostile acts of conspiracy against the Republic of South Sudan.

UNMISS was not immediately available for comment.

Sudanese army spokesman al-Sawarmi Khalid said, “The Sudanese army has no relation to any rebel group in South Sudan and is not giving any military support to these groups.’’

Yau Yau, one of several militia leaders fighting the government in South Sudan, is attempting to recruit armed youths from the Murle ethnic group since arriving in the area in late July, residents in Jonglei say.

A shortwave radio station with links to the Yau Yau rebellion says the group is fighting the government in reaction to abuses committed during a state disarmament programme.

Rights groups and UNMISS accuse South Sudan’s army of human rights violations during a disarmament push aimed at ending a cycle of clashes between the Murle and Lou Nuer tribes.

Japan protests as Chinese ships enter disputed waters

T

HREE Chinese ships briefly entered what Japan considers its territorial waters near disputed islands in the East China Sea on Monday, prompting an official protest from Tokyo.

The development also renewed diplomatic efforts to cool tension between the rivals.

In a move that could further complicate the territorial row that is threatening relations between Asia’s biggest economies, a group of fishermen from Taiwan which also claims the rocky isles, said as many as 100 boats escorted by 10 Taiwan Coast Guard vessels would arrive in the area later on Monday.

China’s Xinhua news agency said in the morning that two civilian surveillance ships were undertaking a “rights defence”patrol near the islands, citing the State Oceanic Administration, which controls the ships.

One fishery patrol vessel was also detected inside wa-

ters claimed by Japan.

Japan lodged an official protest.

By afternoon, all three Chinese vessels had moved further away, the Japanese Coast Guard said.

Sino-Japanese relations deteriorated sharply after Japan bought the islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, earlier this month, sparking anti-Japan protests across China.

“In recent days, Japan has constantly provoked incidents concerning the Diaoyu islands issue, gravely violating China’s territorial sovereignty,”China’s Xinhua news agency said.

The ship patrols were intended to exercise China’s “administrative jurisdiction” over the islands, it said.

“Following the relevant laws of the People’s Republic of China, (the ships) again carried out a regular rights defence patrol in our territorial waters around the Diaoyu islands.”

Sino-Japanese ties have

long been plagued by China’s memories of Japan’s military aggression in the 1930s and 1940s and present rivalry over regional influence and resources.

Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Chikao Kawai will visit China on Monday to discuss Sino-Japanese relations with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun, the Foreign Ministry said.

The arrival of Taiwan vessels in the area could complicate the potentially fraught game of cat-andmouse being played near the islands, where mainland China has launched an effort to assert sovereignty by sending government ships into the disputed waters.

Taiwan television showed the boats leaving Suao port in heavy rain, sporting banners and large Taiwan flags.

The Taiwan fishing group said their boats would sail around the islands to reassert their right to fish there and did not rule out trying to land on the rocky isles.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION SEPTEMBER, 2012

WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second column here have applied to the High Court Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties o the deceased.

NOTICES IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) day from the date hereof.

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON: 1.

2.

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S/N

Oni Raimi Agbola (Otherwise known as Oni Raimi Agboola) late of 52, Adealu Bus Stop Agege, Dopemu Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of August, 2001 at Lagos.

Ayanda Rosemary Omolara (Otherwise known as Mrs Ayanda Omolara ) late of 1, Emmanuel High Street, Ogudu Ojota Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of January, 2012 at Lagos.

Mrs Wuyep Nuri Nandap Dogonyaro (Otherwise known as Wusep Nuri) late of 13, Stephen Toba Close, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of May 2011 at Naf Medical Services Mrs M.A.Ogunse Monsurat Ayodele (Otherwise known as Mrs M.A.Ogunse and Monsurat Ayodele Ogunse) late of 23, Oguntolu Street, Onipanu Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of August, 2011 at Lagos.

Chief Abel Sunday Abiodun Awodipe (Otherwise known as Abel Sunday Abiodun Awodipe Chief) late of 14, Orimolade Avenue College Road Ifako Ogba Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of August, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Olufemi Awolokun late of 8, Asunta Close, Old Akute Road, Station Bus Stop, Ishaga Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of November, 2010 at Lagos.

Olatoun Odusolu (Otherwise known as Odusolu Moriamo Olatoun and Odusolu Olatoun) late of 7, Alhaji Okelola Street, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of May, 2008 at UCH Ibadan.

Mrs Badmus Shakirat Abimbola (Otherwise known as Badmus Sakiratu) late of 2, Badmus Aderounmu Close, Owutu Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of July, 2011 at Ikorodu.

Mrs Akinleye Taiye Osenat (Otherwise known as Taiye Osenat Akinleye Odunsi) late of Block 2, Room 49, Olosan Police Barracks Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of February, 2011 at Lagos.

Azuh Gloria late of 5, Arigidi Street, Mangoro Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23 rd day of May, 2010 at lasuth Ikeja.

Babafemi Ibidapo Akinbile (Otherwise known as Akinbile Babafemi Ibidapo ) late of 16B, Ojodu Abiodun Road, Ojodu Berger, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of October, 2009 at University College Hospital Ibadan.

Mr Timothy Ayoola Oyebade (Otherwise known as Mr Oyebade Timothy) late of 28/30 Salvation Road, Opebi Lagos, deceased who died intestate o the 9th day of April, 2012 at Crystal Specialist Hospital.

Mr Ajitoni Rilwan Bayo late of 563, Abeokuta Expressway, Abule Egba, Lagos deceased who died intestate o the 10th day of May, 2011 at Lasuth Ikeja, Lagos.

Nwaorgu Aaron (Otherwise known as Nwaorgu Aaron Umunna) late of 24, Falohun Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of February, 2011 at Luth Idi Araba Lagos.

Mr Osuolale Alabi Adedoyin (Otherwise known as Mr Osuolale A. Adedoyin and Adedoyin Alabi Osuolale ) late of 2, Shobamowo Street, Ipaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of February, 2012 at Ogun State.

Dr Miss Omodele A. Audifferen (Otherwise known as Audifferen Omondele) late of 10, Kassim Achiomu Street, Akesan, Lagos, deceased who died isntestate on the 2nd day of May, 2011 at Benin Republic Junaid Zainab Oluwakemi late of 11, Junaid Owokorodun Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who deid intestate on the 30th day of March , 2012 at Lagos.

Mrs Faith Ugo Amadi late of 8, Olabisi Street, Ojota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of June, 2012 at Lagos.

Olusanya Charles Felix Adesoji (Otherwise known as Mr Olusanya A.B.) late of 90, Kajola Obawale Street, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of November, 2010 at Ijebu, Ogun State.

Yisa Jamiu Osoja late of Ajaralopo Behinde Saw Mill Badagry, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7 th day of September, 2007 at Lagos.

Joycey A.Orikeze (Otherwise known as Mrs Joycey Abumchukwu Orikeze Joy and Mrs Joy Orikeze) late of 36, Olagoke Avenue Akinjoe, Satellite Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15 th day of April, 2012 at Lagos.

Faosat Idogbe Alabi late of 43, Fadehan Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23 rd day of Novmber, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Dominic Babatope Ojo Ibigbami (Otherwise known as Ibigbami Tope Dominic) late of Block C Flat 6, Federal College Education Quarter, Akoka, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of June, 2012 at Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Awhase Thovoedo Wasiu Joyi (Otherwise known as Awhase Thovoedo Joyi) late of 1, Olorunda Street, Morogbo, Badagry Expressway deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of January, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Dominic Ehiaghe late of 14, Rev. Ogundele Street, Ifako Ijaiye, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of July, 2011 at Anioma Hospital, Owa Agbor Delta State.

Alhaji Karim Hassan (otherwise known as Karim Hassan) late of 7, Surulere Street, Off Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13 th day of December, 2009 at Lagos.

Mrs Margaret Beyioku late of 1, Fagbemi Street, Oworonsoki Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of December, 2010 at Ogba.

Esther Akanke Solanke (otherwise known as Sholanke Esther) late of 5, Ifeoluwa Avenue, Adeoni Estate, Ojodu Abiodun, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of March, 2006 at Lagos.

Mr Azangwu Igbong Joseph (Otherwise known as Azagwu Joseph) late of 60B, Agbamu street, Mosafejo Orile, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of October, 2009 at Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Dr Charles Chuba Agbim (Otherwise known as Agbim Charles Chuba) late of 16, Bello Street, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of June, 2011 at Lagos.

Fasanya Matthew Ade (Otherwise known as Fasanya Mathew Ade and Fasanya Matew Ade) late of 14, Alisau Street, Langbasa Ajah, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of November, 2009 at Lagos.

Ebiola Moses Peretu (Otherwise known as Ebiola Insp. Moses and Insp. Moses Ebiola ) late of 7, Nojimu Street, Agbado, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of December, 2008 at Abuja.

Alh. Hamed Kolawole Olowu (Otherwise known as Alh. Olowu Kolawole Hamed) late of 5th Avenue, U Close House 8, Festac Town, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of September, 2007 at Lagos State Azeez Beatrice Mopelola (Otherwise known as Mrs Azeez Beatrice ) late of 7, Yusuf Street, Opeki, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died iantestate on the 15th day of October, 2011 at Luth, Lagos.

Mr Unorji Hyacinth late of 8, Oyebanji crescent, Command Road, Ipaja, Lagos deceased who die dintestate on the 30th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

Olowu Bernard Oladipo late of No. 6, Adepegba Street, Ilupeju Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of July, 2000 at Lagos.

Olawale Aderombi late of 25V, 252 Road, Festac Phase 2, Abule Ado Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of October, 2011 Fagbemi Adebayo Raji (Otherwise known as Mr Adebayo Fagbemi and Adebayo Fagbemi Raji ) late of 7, Labinjo Idi Oro Mushin, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of February, 2011 at Lagos.

Akpamgbo Chibuzo Maduka (Otherwise known as Mr Chibuzo Maduka Akpamgbo) late of 98, Oyadiran Estate, Sabo Yaba, Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

Arogundade Olufemi Festus late of 6, Arandun Street, Egan Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

Alhaji Ganiyu Lamina Aremu (Otherwise known as Alh. Lamina Aremu Ganiyu and Lamina A. Ganiyu and Alh. Lamina Ganiyu) late of 3, Lamina Ganiyu Crescent, Alakuko, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs Olufunke Babalola (Otherwise known as Babalola Funke, Funke Babalola and Olufunke Temitope Babalola ) late of Plot 4, BS Street, FHA Estate, Ipaja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of February, 2012 at Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Adeloye Elijah Oke late of 6, Emmanuel Aina Street, Ikoga Igborosun Badagry Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of May, 2012 at Lagos.

Adenuga Adenola (Otherwise known as Mr Adenola Adenuga) late of 14, Jankara Street, Agbado, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Daniel Odidika (Otherwise known as Mr Odidika Daniel) late of 9, Araromi Street, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Adelaja Emmanuel Adeyemi late of 18, Oshifowokan Street, Itire Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of February, 2008 at Lagos.

Mr James Abejide (Otherwise known as Abejide James Oyedele) late of 1, Akinyemi Street, Akowonjo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of June, 2012 at Owode Ijako.

Mrs Christian Olaloye late of 44, Abayomi Street, Lawanson Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26 th dayaof October, 2001.

Olumuyiwa Babatunde Olubanjo late of 7, Joseph Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of August, 2011 at Lagos.

Koto Patience (Otherwise known as Okoto Patience Idawan and Okoto JP.) late of No. 8, Jimoh Alayesoro Street, Igando Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of August, 2010 at Lagos.

Miss Love Ihuoma Onokalah (Otherwise known as Love Onokalah) late of 407, Lagos Abeokuta Express way Pleasure Bus stop, Oke Odo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th dayof July, 2011 at Lagos.

Engr. Emeyonu John (Otherwise known as Emeyonu John and Engr. Emeyonu John Akujobi) late of No. 4, Shobade Avenue, Behind Life Changing Church, Akujobi Agbado, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of June, 2011 at Isolo General Hospital Inspector Godfrey Simeon (Otherwise known as Inspector Godfrey Akaraka Simeon and Simeon Godfrey) late of 19, Ajike Street, College Bus Stop, Ifako Ijaiye deceased who died intestate on the 18th dayof March, 2012 at Yaba, Lagos.

Mrs Alice Nwaogu (Otherwise known as Nwaogu Alice) late of 88, Ago Palace Way Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Felix Kunle Akintola (Otherwise known as Mr Akintola Felix Kunle) late of Plot 9, Labak Estate, Abule Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs Comfort Ojeifo (Otherwise known as Miss Comfort Alekhomeh) late of 16, Dada Aghedo Street, Ago Palace Way Okota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23 rd day of April, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Adesola Muyideen late of 1, Ademola Ashiru Street, Ayanwale Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15 th dayof January, 2007 at Lagos.

Chief Lucky Egwakhide (Otherwise known as Egwakhide Lucky) late of 80, Emmanuel High Street, Ojota Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of April, 2010 at Auchi Edo State.

Mrs Awoyemi Monisola Abimbola (Otherwise known as Awoyemi Monisola) late of 107, Alhaji Amoo Street, Ojota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd dayof October, 2011 at General Hospital Ikeja, Lagos.

Mr John Ayodele Alake (Otherwise known as Alake John) late of 82, Ayangburen Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of August, 2011 at Rapha Hospital, Ikorodu.

Miss Modupe Oyewunmi Olaloye late of 44, Shifawo Street, Surulere, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 5th dayof December, 2003 at Ms Julia Ifeoma Ugwueke late of 9, Salaudeen Street, Orisunbare Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4 th dayof October, 2011 at Lagos.

Ashaka Emmanuel Olusoji (Otherwise known as Ashaka Emmanuel) late of 44, Flat 4, Ogba Housing Estate, Phase I, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th dayof April, 2011 at Badagry.

Mr Falowo John (Otherwise known as NAF/68/4223 FS Falowo J.) late of 12, Shodamola Street, Fagba Iju Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Oduniyi Olusegun Idowu late of 3, Onibudo Street, Akute, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of January, 2011 at Luth Lagos.

Mr Princewill Okoro late of 27, Okunfolami Street, Ayobo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of February, 2011 at Lagos.

Okobi Fortunator Ifeanyi late of 1, Victoria Olayemi Street, Ota, deceased who died intestate on the 15th dayof March, 2011 at Ota. Benson Okoye (Otherwise known as Mr Okoye Benson) late of A84G Alaba International Market Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of August, 2010 at Lagos.

Mrs Esther Ebunoluwa Ajayi (Otherwise known as Ajayi Ebunoluwa Esther ) late of 44, Olateju Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of August, 2008 at Idimu, Lagos.

Olufemi Joel Aladejare (Otherwise known as Femi Aladejare) late of No. 19, Olufemi Street, Ikola Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who deid intestate on the 30th day of May, 2012 Mrs Dorcas Tayo Ojo (Otherwise known as Ojo Dorcas) late of 5, Oluwo Street, Papa Ashafa Dopemu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

Mrs Christianah O. Onafowokan (Otherwise known as Onafowokan Christiana Olaleye) late of 37, Aladelola street, Ikosi Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of December, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Peter Odigie late of 21, Okelola Street, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died on the 13th dayof March, 2011 at Lagos.

Dr G.I. Azubuike (Otherwise knowna s Mr Gilbert Ihegworo Azubuike) late of 4, Kajola Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos,deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of November, 2011 at Aba Ukwella Paul late of 26, Ilaje Street, Kirikiri, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th dayof March, 2008 at Lagos.

Mrs Saliu Sikirat Abeni (Otherwise known as Sikirat Abeni Saliu) late of 3, Anuoluwapo Street, Sasa Lagos,deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of May, 2011 at Lasuth Ikeja, Lagos.

Ephraim (Jnr) Mathew Orji (Otherwise known as Mr Ephraim Jr. M. Orji ) late of 16, Mortune Avenue Valley Estate, Dopemu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of September, 2010 at Lagos.

Akindehin Akinyanju (Otherwise known as Austin ) late of 46, Apata Street, Shomolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of April, 2012 at Shomolu.

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NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT Bashir Bola Oni and Taiye Oni both of 52, Adealu Bus Stop Agege, Lagos two of the children of the said deceased.

Salami Abdul Rasheed and Isiaka Adekunle both of 1, Emmanuel High Street, Ogudu Lagos State two brothers of the said deceased.

Mr Wuyep Nandap Dogoyaro and Mr Wuyep Timchang Nandap Dogoyaro both of 13, Stephen Toba Close, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Mojirayo Moriamo Sam Ademola Miss Tawakalitu Ogunse and Mr Azeez Adetayo Ogunse all of 23, Oguntolu Street, Onipanu Shomolu Lagos three children of the said deceased.

Chief (Mrs) Marcellina Helen E. Awodipe and Irene Abimbola Awodipe both of 14, Orimolade Avenue, College Road, Ifako Ogba, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased Mrs Mogaji Oluwakemi (Nee Awolokun) and Mr Ayodele Awolokun both of 8, Asunta Close, Old Akute Road, Station Bus Stop, Ishaga, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Ayodele Odusolu of 7, Alhaji Okelola Street, Ipaja and Oluwatobi Odusolu of 22, Seriki crescent, Meiran, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Badmus Modinat A. and Badmus T. Adekunle both of 2, Badmus Aderounmu Close, Owutu Ikorodu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Miss Akinleye Abosede, Miss Folashade Akinleye and Miss Dolapo Akinleye all of Block 5, Room 21 Adekunle Police Barrack Yaba, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Nkwor Patrick Lewis , Nkwor Grace Obiageli and Azuh Ifeanyin Pius all of 5, Arigidi Street, Mangoro Agege, Lagos State father, mother and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Adebambo Akinbile and Mr Olumide Akinbile both of 1, Akinbile Close, off Olanreti Fasan Street, Magodo G.R.A. Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Mrs Keji Oyebade of 28/30 Salvation Road, Opebi, Lagos and Dr Adeyemi Taiwo Adu of 9, George Street, Ajuwon, widow and uncle respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Ajitoni Azeez Kunle and Mr Ajitoni Dauda Kola both of 563, Abeokuta Expressway, Abule Egba, Lagos State father and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Professional Executor Trustees & Investment Ltd of 30, Ibezim Obiajulu Street, Surulere, Lagos, the trust company appointed by the beneficiaries.

Adedoyin R. Adenike (Mrs) of 107 Express Road, Iparadija , Itele , Ogun State and Adedoyin Oladele Afolabi of 2, Shobamowo Street, Ipaja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Dr Ekundayo Audifferen of 10, Kassim Achiomu Street, Akesan, Lagos and Mrs Elizabeth Dada of 10, Olayemi Street, Ijanikin, Federal Second Gate, Lagos brother and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Mudrakat Junaid of 11, Junaid Owokorodun Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos, mother of the said deceased Amadi Emeonye and Anthony Oguzo both of 8, Olabisi Street, Ojota, Lagos, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Olusanya Adebola and Miss Olusanya Yewande both of 90, Kajola Street, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Isa Fatimo Selome, Isa Asiata Sonayon and Isa Yunus Towheyo all of Ajara Lopo behind Saw Mill, Badagry, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Orikeze Cosmas of 36, Olagoke Avenue Akinjoe Satellite and Mrs Ngozi Echekubelu of Shop 1, Close, 1 Junction Satellite, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Ralph Biodun Alabi and Oluwaseun Eyitayo Alabi both of 43, Fadehan Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Florence Modupe Ibigbami, Mr Babatunde Kolawole Ibigbami and Miss Oluwakemi Ibigbami all of Block C, Flat 6, FCE Quarters Akoka, Lagos , widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Susan Joyi and Oluwaseyi Joyi both of 1, Olorunda Street, Morogbo Badagry Expressway Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Esther Ehiaghe, Mr Walter Ehiaghe , Mr Lucky Ehiaghe and Mr Daniel Ehiaghe all of 14, Rev. Ogundele Street, Ifako Ijaiye Agege, Lagos, widow , two of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mohammed Karim and Ajid Karim both of 7, Surulere Street, Off Adeniyi Jones Avenue Ikeja, Lagos two of the chidren of the said deceased.

Mr Olujinmi Beyioku of 1, Fagbemi Street, Oworonsoki Lagos, the only child of the said deceased.

Chief Micheal Olalekan Solanke, Mrs Olubunmi Irewunmi and Miss Olubukola Solake all of 5, Ifeoluwa Avenue, Adeoni Estate, Ojodu Abiodun Lagos widower and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Scholastica Azangwu and Emmanuel Azangwu both of 60B, Agbamu Street, Mosafejo Orile Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Ikechukwu Anthony Agbim and Chuka Agbim both of 16, Bello Street, Ketu , Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Fasanya Ola Perry and Fasanya Dupe Joy both of No. 14, Alisau Street, Langbasa, Ajah Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Olaomopo Ebiola and Miss Oluwatoyin Mary Ebiola both of No. 7, Nojimu Street, Agbado, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Hakeem Kolade Olowu, Miss Aramide Olowu and Mrs Azeezat Bolanle Aromasodun all of 5th Avenue V Close, House 8, Festac Town, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Engr. Bandele Rasack Azeez, Azeez Khal Folaranmi and Ajibola Magret Adesola all of 7, Yusuf Street, Opeki Ipaja, Lagos, widower, one of the children and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Benedeth Unorji and Chibuzor Unorji both of 8, Oyebanji Crescent, Command Road, Ipaja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Olaitan Olowu of No. 8, Oba Awhi Street, Okokomaiko Lagos, and Olapeju Martins Duru (Nee Olowu) of 7, Majekodunmi Street, Ilasa Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Bilikisu A. Aderombi and Miss Bukola Aderombi both fo 25V 252 Road, Festac Phase 2, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Akeem Fagbemi and Musiliu Fagbemi both of 7, Labinjo Court Idi Oro Mushin, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Akpamgbo Anayo Daniel and Akpamgbo Chinedu Samuel both of 98, Oyadiran Estate, Sabo Yaba, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Adebisi O. Arogundade and Tolulope O. Arogundade both of Block 356, Flat 4, Iba Estate, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Rashidat Ajoke Awosanya, Fatai Ganiyu, Muinat Anike Ganiyu and Mariam Iyabode Ganiyu all of 3, Lamina Ganiyu Crescent, Alakuko, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased.

Olalekan Babalola and Tunji Adabale both of Plot 4, Bs Street, FHA (Shagari) Estate Ipaja, Lagos widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Adeloye Grace Taiwo and Adeloye Joel Ojo both of 6, Emmanuel Aina Avenue Igborosun, Ikoga Zebee Badagry, Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Adenuga B. Oluwaseun of 11, Ayagbami Street, Orile Agege, Lagos and Mrs Adenuga Bosede of 6, Egbosa Ijaiye Ojokoro Lagos, two widows of the said deceased.

Uchenna Ethel Odidika and Divine Prince Uchenna Odidika both of 9, Araromi Street, Oshodi, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said decased.

Adelaja Abejide, Richard Odukoya and Miss Adelaja Adeola all of 18, Oshifowokan Street, Itire, Surulere, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Mary Abejide and Miss Esther Abejide both of 1, Akinyemi Street, Akowonjo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Oyepeju Mofoluwaso Ogunsanmi, Mrs Tokunbo Ogbe and Mr Adewale Ogunsanmi all of 44, Abayomi Street, Lawanson Surulere, Lagos, two of the children and grandchild respectively of the said deceased.

Olayinka Adenike Okubanjo and Olugbenga Abiodun OLubanjo both of 7, Joseph Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, sister and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Okoto Martins and Okoto Elijah Tega both of 8, Jimoh Alayesoro Street, Igando , two of the children of the said deceased.

Rev. Nnamdi Onokalah of The Pottess Touch Assembly, Obator Close Off Iwife Road, Portharcourt, Rivers State and Miss Selina Onokalah of 52, Kikelomo Street, Akute, Ogun State, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Emeyonu John Chima and Mr Emeyonu Paul Chuka both of No. 4, Shobade Avenue, Behinde Life Changiag Church, Agbado Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Hannah Akene Simeon and Ebitariemi Godfrey Simeon both of 19, Ajilete Street, College, Ifako, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Uzoma S. Nwaogu of 88, Ago Palace Way Isolo, Lagos, the only surviving brother of the said deceased.

Mrs Yinka Akintola of Plot 9, Labak Estate, Abule Egba, Lagos and Mrs Kemi Binuyo of 10, Sanyaolu Street, Oko Oba widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Nelson Ojeifo and Miss Tina Alekhomeh both of 16, Dada Aghedo Street, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Nosimat Adesola of 1, Ademola Ashiru Street, Ayanwale Ikotun, Lagos and Mukaila Adesola of 2, Elizabeth Street, Ijegun Road, Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Zuwetu Egwakhide and Clinton Egwakhide both of 80, Emmanuel High Street, Ojota, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Awoyemi Oluseye of 107, Alhaji Amoo Street, Ojota, Mr Omotoso Moses Olaniyi and Mrs Ariyibi Abiola Morolake both of 8, Asiyanbi Street, Alagbado, Lagos, widower, father and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Yemisi Alake, Mr Sola Alake and Mrs Abosede Aladeyinka all of 82, Ayangburen Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Tokunbo Ogbe and Mr Adewale Ogunsanmi both of 44, Shifawu Street, Surulere, Lagos, sister and nephew respectively of the said deceased.

Miss Mary Julius , Dr Paulinus Nwokeji Ngwueke and Mrs Patricia Nnennaya all of 9, Salaudeen Street, Orisunbare Lagos, the only child, father and mother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Felicia Titilayo Ashaka and Mr Ashaka Oluwaseyi both of 44, Flat 4, Ogba Housing Estate, Phase I, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Falowo Taiwo, Falowo Esther , Falowo Stella and Falowo Augustine all of 12, Shodamola Street, Fagba Iju, Lagos , four children of the said deceased.

Mrs Oduniyi Rasidat and Mr Oduniyi Olufemi Adedare both of 3, Onibudo Street, Akute, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Irene Okoro, Mr Ovie Okoro and Kelvin Okoro all of 27, Okunfolami Street, Ayobo, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Okobi Simeon Oyemalechi and Chukwurah Wisdom Ewinwe both of Km 7, Idiroko Road, Opposite Honda, Ota, Ogun State , brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Benson Nkemdilim Okoye and Patrick Okafor Okoye both of A84G Alaba International Market Ojo, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Sunday Olusola Ojo, Mr Solomon Ayodele Ajayi, Mrs Elizabeth Jumoke Ajayi and Mrs Omolara G. Obafemi all of 17, Redemption Street, Abule Odu Idimu, Lagos, four children of the said deceased Prince Julius Aladejare, Mrs Julianah Bose Aladejare and Bunmi Aladejare all of No. 19, Olufemi Street, Ikola Ipaja, Lagos, father , mother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Emmanuel Ojo and Miss Temilola Elizabeth Ojo both of 5, Oluwo Street, Papa Ashafa Dopemu, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Akeem B. Onafowokan of 5, Ifodo Street, Alapere Ketu, Lagos, and Biola Babalola (Mrs) of 9, Eguavon Street, Igbale Sango ,two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Rose Odigie and Mr Mathew Odigie both of No. 21, Okelola Street, Ipaja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Maudline Ngozi Azubuike and Miss Susana Ijoma Azubuike both of 4, Kajola Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Margaret Jumai Ukwella and Miss Susan Ojochememi Ukwella both of No. 26, Ilaje Street, Kirikiri Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Saliu Ibrahim Alasi, Miss Sherifat A. Saliu and Miss Fatima A. Saliu all of 3, Anuoluwapo Street, Sasa , Lagos, widower and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Oluchi Ephraim Orji, Master Daberechi David Ephraim Orji both of 16, Mortune Avenue, Valley Estate, Dopemu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Blessing Akindehin and Bunmi Akindehin both of 46, Apata Street, Shomolu, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

G.A SAFARI (MR.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 7 NO.2,259

‘Outside of the monetary policy terrain however, there should be no such thing as absolute autonomy. A most vivid illustration is the requirement for the CBN to secure written approval from the President in any plan to restructure the naira’ SANYA ONI

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

S Nigeria prepares for its Independence anniversary, I was hoping that the beleaguered Jonathan Presidency would, out of the discontinuities of the year past, diligently search for a common thread around which common purpose can be constructed, to reinvigorate the Administration and move a stalled nation forward.

A key event in the celebrations, a lecture delivered by Ghana’s former president John Kufour, offered President Goodluck Jonathan a fine opportunity to articulate this common thread and, with it, weave a narrative that can reassure and inspire his compatriots and summon them to greater endeavour.

Even those who felt that a foreign head of state, serving or retired, was not the most appropriate person to present the lecture on such an occasion, would still have allowed that it was as good a platform as any for the host to reach out in solidarity and renewal to his compatriots.

But Dr Jonathan blew the opportunity big time.

Even if Dr Jonathan is saving his National Day broadcast for precisely the kind of address, charging him with blowing the opportunity presented by the Kufour lecture hardly amounts to a rush to judgement.

He could have confined himself to some bland remarks on the substance of the lecture and the guest speaker. He could even have drawn some praise – which he surely can use – by claiming it as an instance of the commitment of his Administration to the spirit of ECOWAS and the African Union and the African Peer Review Mechanism that it invited a former head of state from the neighbourhood to deliver the Independence Anniversary Lecture.

Instead, Dr Jonathan chose to use the occasion to denounce and demonise Lagos residents who staged, in response to his ill-advised decision to end a phantom subsidy on petroleum products last January, one of the most stirring and ennobling protests Nigerians have witnessed in recent memory.

Lagos, consistent with its status and history, was the epicentre of the protests that went on without loss of momentum for nine days and would have continued if Dr Jonathan had stuck to his vow that there was “no going back” on the issue. He did not go back all the way to the status quo ante, but go back he did, forced to beat a petulant retreat.

Most parts of the country, except the Southeast, were also convulsed by the protests. It is necessary to recall this fact, which Dr Jonathan seems to have conveniently forgotten or deliberately ignored. Rarely had Nigerians been so united, for so long, on a single issue, with such firm resolve.

In his extempore recreation, the protests had nothing to do with the contentious subsidy; rather, they were a pretext for executing a plot to topple his Administration. The protesters were not actuated by genuine grievances; rather they were “manipulated” by persons intent on preserving a corruption-soaked regime of subsidy reimbursements.

“Look at the demonstrations back home, look at these areas this demonstrations are coming from, you begin to ask, are these the ordinary citizens that are demonstrating? Or are people pushing them to demonstrate?” Dr Jonathan

RIPPLES SUICIDE BOMBER HITS CHURCH, KILLS 4, INJURES 50 IN BAUCHI - News

...and there goes another CANDIDATE for HELL

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

In lieu of cassava bread and fish pepper-soup

•Bakare

•Lakemfa

quipped.

Then he zeroed in on Lagos, in the manner of someone who had been nursing a bitter grievance.

“Take the case of Lagos, Lagos is the critical state in the nation’s economy, it controls about 53 per cent of the economy and all tribes are there. During the demonstration in Lagos, people were given bottled water that people in my village don’t have access to, people were given expensive food that the ordinary people in Lagos cannot eat. So even going to eat free food alone attracts people. They go and hire the best musician to come and play and the best comedian to come and entertain, is that demonstration? Are you telling me that that is a demonstration from ordinary masses in Nigeria who want to communicate something to government?”

Yes, Dr Jonathan; that demonstration was “from ordinary masses in Nigeria” who wanted “to communicate something to government.”

And what these “ordinary masses” who had put aside the divisions of class and creed and tongue wanted to communicate was this: that they are tired of being victims of serial misrule, of policies that subvert rather than advance public well-being, of cluelessness and lack of vision

in high places, of having their names taken in vain, without corresponding adherence to their interests and values.

This was the same message that rang out loud and clear wherever the protesters staged their rallies.

Thanks to that N1 billion annual feeding allowance from the public purse, Dr Jonathan was probably too busy eating fresh-baked cassava bread and fish pepper-soup and any victuals under the sun or even beyond it that presidential plate may fancy – to hear what the protesters were saying or see what was really going on.

But did he not read the “security reports” sent daily to his office by “security agents”?

If those reports are of any value, they would have recorded that one Friday afternoon at the height of the protests, demonstrators formed a protective ring around their Muslim brethren to enable them say their Jumat prayers in relative peace without constituting a target of opportunity for religious fanatics or agents provocateurs.

That is the kind of solidarity Dr Jonathan should seek to build upon, not demonise; solidarity born out of common purpose, and of the realisation that we all are keepers of one anoth-

HARDBALL

R

ESPONDING to a newspaper report on the appalling state of the multi-billion naira National Stadium, Abuja, President of the Senate, David Mark, suggested last week that heads ought to have rolled if Nigerians had not become accustomed to mediocrity in everything. But heads wouldn’t roll, he regretted, in spite of the fact that “the National Stadium, Abuja, our supposed symbol of sporting excellence, was recently discovered to be decrepit, overtaken by weeds and reptiles.” Pointing to the abandonment of such a costly edifice, Mark declared that what worried him the most was that “our psyche is beginning to accept this malady as normal.” Then he summed it up: “Ordinarily, such an appalling state of affairs ought to have been followed by voluntary resignations or mass purges. Nobody has resigned, and nobody has been fired. Distinguished colleagues, there is no doubt that a drastic overhaul of our sports administration is long overdue.”

The most remarkable thing about Mark’s bewilderment is his statement that our psyche has begun to assume that neglect and slothfulness were normal. It is understandable why the senate president took umbrage so dramatically. No one would see photographs of the neglected stadium and not feel scandalised. He was probably not exaggerating when he won-

er.

The security agents would have told him that no serious crimes were reported while the protests lasted. Their reports would have related that the bottled water that seems to have moved Dr Jonathan to such high dudgeon was provided by some of the civil society organisations that coordinated the protests, and that no “packaged meals” were on offer.

Perhaps they would have remarked the woman in the Lagos suburb of Agege who ordinarily fried and sold akara by the roadside but gave away her entire ware for one day to the protesters as a mark of her support This was the spirit that animated the protests.

It is therefore an egregious misreading of the events of last January to portray the protesters as the unthinking dupes of unpatriotic manipulators bent on extracting unearned subsidy reimbursements from the treasury even if that meant plunging the country into bankruptcy.

It is worse: It is a libel, and a gratuitous one at that.

Now, it is incontestable that the Presidency has the most formidable instruments of manipulation at its disposal – NTA and FRCN, to mention only two. So why didn’t it deploy them to manipulate Pastor Tunde Bakare and Owei Lakemfa?

If the protesters could not eat fresh-baked cassava bread and other delicacies flowing from the state-of-the-art grill at the Presidential Villa, why can’t they eat akara without being slandered?

If they cannot afford the pleasure of downing cocktail after choice cocktail, why begrudge them bottled water?

Even it they were served “packaged meals,” when did that qualify as conduct deserving presidential censure? When did “packaged meals” become the preserve of the Presidency?

If residents of Dr Jonathan’s village cannot afford bottled water, whose fault is it? What did he do to empower them to afford bottled water when he was a director of the development agency for the oil-producing areas, OMPADEC, later as deputy governor, and subsequently as governor of Bayelsa?

Can it be that, as President, he caused a university to be sited in the village with federal funds and corralled a government contractor to “donate” a church to the community but didn’t give a damn about providing something as basic as water for his people?

If there is any redeeming grace in all this, it is in the revealing glimpse the Jonathan we still don’t know provides into the presidential mind.

We now know that he is not in the least intimidated by those seeking to join issues with him, or for that matter by manipulators.

“For me,” he said at the Independence Anniversary lecture, “if I see somebody is manipulating anything I don’t listen to you but when I see people genuinely talking about issues I listen.”

So, there you have it.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Senator Mark takes umbrage dered why no one had been sacked over the matter, and why the situation had lasted as long as it did. He was also right to link the debacles in sporting competitions to uncommitted sports administrators, poor maintenance of facilities, mismanagement and corruption. He was indeed right to view recent failures in international sporting competitions, particularly the Olympics, as a reflection of our domestic troubles and inadequacies.

But he was wrong to assert that our psyche was “beginning to accept the malady as normal.” Our psyche wasn’t just beginning to accept the malady as normal because of the decay and neglect of the stadium in Abuja. Maladies have been accepted as normal in Nigeria for a very long time, perhaps as long as the country’s independence. He was also wrong to have inferred the National Stadium in Abuja to be our only symbol of sporting excellence. Where would he place the National Stadium at Surulere in Lagos, which also suffers dire neglect? Where would he place the National Arts Theatre at Iganmu also in Lagos, which maintenance is done in fits and starts? What of the Nigerian

Railways, Nigeria Airways, Nigerian National Shipping Lines, etc. all of which collapsed under the weight of neglect and corruption? Have we maintained the airports, though another 11 are to be built with Chinese loans simply so that we can have at least one airport to match the best in Europe, according to the Aviation Minister?

What of the various expressways and grain silos? Malady, any type of malady, has long been accepted as normal in these climes.

If Mark and his fellow legislators need real excuse to take umbrage, perhaps they should recruit an enterprising newshound to help them prepare a long list of projects long since abandoned by federal and state governments, complete with photographs. Thereafter, they should set aside a day of mourning and prepare to let the dams break. If the stadium in Abuja is too bushy for them to indulge their wailing, the country should be persuaded to build them a wailing wall, and lend them the dignified presence of the president and governors and other officials who have all contributed to turning the country into a barren landscape of abandoned and “decrepit” projects.

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WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO