September 25, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

My abduction ordeal, by Olu Falae

Judge refuses to quit EFCC’s case

NEWS Page 7

NEWS Page 4

•‘I slept on the floor for three days’

•‘Agency’s fear unfounded’

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3347 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

Fitch Ratings: Banks need liquidity injection

N150.00

Rumpus as Saraki, others pray in Ilorin •Police arrest eight •Senate President: I wasn’t attacked

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By Collins Nweze, Snr. Finance Correspondent

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NTERNATIONAL agency Fitch Ratings yesterday said Nigerian banks needed more liquidity following the withdrawal of public sector deposit.

The agency said the withdrawal of the estimated N1.3trillion from the banks as a result of the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) meant that they lost 10 per cent of their deposits.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), it said, should boost the banks’ liquidity.

Continued on page 6

•www.thenationonlineng.net

•CBN boss Godwin Emefiele

ANY dignitaries yesterday had a bad Sallah experience in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

They were pelted with missiles and water sachets in protest against what many described as a bleak Sallah.

At the Eid praying ground were Senate President Bukola Saraki and many others.

From Yusuf Alli, Ilorin

The protesters were angry over the non-payment of workers’ outstanding salaries despite the bailout funds from the Federal Government. The government insisted salaries had been paid.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Al-

haji Muhammadu Bashir (who had nothing to do with salaries) were not exempted by the protesters.

The police arrested eight suspects in connection with the incident. More suspects were being hunted in the disruption of the Eid-el Adha festival, highly cherished Islamic injunction in Ilorin Continued on page 6

•INSIDE: CBN’S MEASURES PUT FIRMS IN TROUBLE P11 MBEKI PANEL BACKS BUHARI P5

Nigerians among 717 Saudi stampede victims SEE ALSO PAGES 6&8

Pilgrims Welfare Board chair dead From Jide Babalola, Abuja

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O fewer than 717 people, including Nigerians, taking part in the Hajj pilgrimage were yesterday killed in a stampede near the Islamic holy city of Mecca.

Another 863 people were injured in the incident at Mina, which occurred as two million pilgrims were taking part in the Hajj’s last major rite.

It is the deadliest incident to occur during the Hajj in 25 years. About two million people are performing Hajj this year including 70,000 Nigerians.

One of Nigeria's respected Islamic intellectuals, Prof. Tijani El-Miskin, is among the casualties.

El-Miskin was a professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies. He was among the 11 candidates who last year vied for appointment as University of Maiduguri Vice Chancellor.

El-Miskin was Chairman of Borno State Pilgrims Welfare Board.

In a text message from Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Umar Farouk, who went on the pilgrimage with the late El-Miskin, expressed deep grief over the loss of lives, adding that "whatever happens to man is the wish of Almighty Allah".

He lectured at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna years ago.

The late professor was well known as a strong advocate of the unity of the Muslim Ummah.

Hundreds of pilgrims died during the stampede at Jamrat in Saudi Arabia They were participating in the devil-stoning rituals when the incident occurred WILL THE on Thursday morning.

CHIBOK Preparations for this GIRLS EVER RETURN? Continued on page 6

•A woman being taken away on a stretcher ...yesterday

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•Saudi emergency personnel helping an injured person…yesterday.

•An injured person being taken away by emergency officials …yesterday.

PHOTOS: AFP

•TINUBU: CORRUPTION WAR ’LL STRENGHTEN COUNTRY’S INSTITUTIONS P50

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

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Long, •President Muhammadu Buhari (third left), during the Eid-el-Kabir prayer at Kofar-Arewa Prayer Ground in Daura, Katsina State...yesterday. With him from left are: son of the Emir of Daura, Ado Umar; the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar; Distric Head of Daura/ex-Deputy Comptroller of Customs. Alhaji Musa Uba; Senior Special Assistant (SSA) PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN. to the President on House Matters, Alhaji Seriki Abba and others.

Senate President Bukola Saraki tried but failed to stop his appearance at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Tuesday.

His case is unlike other public officers who were able to stop their prosecution through injunctions. JOSEPH JIBUEZE reviews some high profile cases that were never concluded due to restraining orders or interlocutory appeals.

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•All Progressives National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (second right); former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (second left); Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa (left); the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu (middle) and former Federal Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, at the Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Dodan Barracs Praying Ground, Obalende, Lagos Island...yesterday.

•President/Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (second right), receiving a ‘Thank You Card’ from Managing Director, Teens Empowerment & Salvage Initiative (TESI), Chinasa Jonathan-Ojei (left) during an appreciation visit to Dagote for sponsoring Kayode Ogedengbe, (second left) to the University of Maiduguri. With them is the Patron, of TESI, Prof. Pat Utomi.

HE word change may have finally come to the judiciary. A high-ranking public official has appeared before a court to face criminal charges.

The Court of Appeal dismissed Senate President Bukola Saraki’s exparte application seeking to set aside the bench warrant issued for his arrest. The appellate court said it would not interfere with the proceedings pending at the lower court.

Justice Armed Mohammed of the Federal High Court also refused a similar application by Saraki. He, instead, adjourned for hearing of the Senate President’s substantive suit.

Justice Mohammed held that, in view of the constitutional and radical nature of the issues raised in the respondents’ objection, the only reasonable thing for the court to do was not to waste time on interlocutory applications.

To observers, these developments augur well for the anti-corruption crusade being promoted by President Muhammed Buhari.

They said that Saraki’s trial could have been halted by an injunction, restraining the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) from trying him over alleged irregularities in his asset declaration.

Several factors could have been responsible for the judiciary’s newfound resolve not to obstruct justice or slow down the process through injunctions.

Primarily, it is believed that judges are also implementing the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, designed to check the abuses that criminal trials are fraught with in the country.

The Act repealed the Criminal Procedure Act and the Criminal Procedure Code as applicable in all Federal Courts and courts in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

To ensure speedy trial, the Act provides that objections shall not be taken or entertained during proceedings or trial on the ground of an imperfect or erroneous charge.

After the plea has been taken, any objection against the charge raised by the defendant shall only be considered along with the substantive issues and a ruling thereon made at the time of delivery of judgment.

The Act provides that accused persons are at liberty to file interlocutory appeals if they so desire, but, an application for stay of proceedings pending appeal will not be taken during the trial.

Cases stalled by interlocutory appeals

•From left: Director, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Mr. Adediran Aderemi; Commercial Director, Mr. Mark Pfister; Fundraising Officer, Save Our Souls (SOS) Children's Villages, Nigeria, Ms. Ashionye Enumah; Finance and Controlling Advisor, SOS Children's Villages, Nigeria, Mr. Abu Tunde and Legal Director/Company Secretary, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Mr. Uche Uwechia when GSK's team visited the SOS Village at Isolo, Lagos.

Not a few high-profile cases have been stalled by injunctions and interlocutory appeals arising from them.

They all follow a similar pattern.

Defence lawyers twist the legal process to the advantage of their clients. After a charge has been filed, they (lawyers) file applications challenging the charge for reasons, rang-

ing from the charge not being properly filed; being outside where an alleged crime occurred; being brought under a wrong law, among others.

Even in situations where the judge dismisses such objection, the defendant proceeds on appeals and once an appeal is filed, the defendant will ask for a stay of further proceedings pending the outcome of the appeal.

To exhaust the complete remedy in a case from trial court to the Supreme Court could take over 10 years, when the original litigants could have been dead and substituted. And in some cases, the substitutes could also have died and substituted.

The process of interlocutory appeals aggravates the situation to the extent that by the time the Supreme Court decides that the case be continued at the lower court, most of the witnesses might have died or documents no longer traceable.

The Odili case The case of former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, stands out because unlike others, he was never arraigned.

In March 2007, he obtained a remarkable Federal High Court injunction restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating his tenure.

Soon after he left office, he secured a “perpetual injunction” that permanently restrained the EFCC from “arresting, detaining and arraigning Odili on the basis of his tenure as governor.”

Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, who made the order, added that the EFCC had no power to “in any manner, howsoever, investigate the account or financial affairs of a state government”.

In March 2008, “for the avoidance of doubt”, Justice Buba issued an order that the EFCC could not “arrest, detain, arraign and/or prosecute (Odili) on the basis of its alleged investigations into the affairs of Rivers State” during Odili’s tenure.

The judge declared that the “purported findings” of the EFCC’s investigations were “invalid, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.”

Perhaps, more baffling is why the EFCC has not contested the ruling till date. It was learnt that an EFCC official claimed that through some unexplained error, the commission was never even aware that the 2008 injunction had been issued until the time to appeal it had expired.

“These professions of total ignorance are hard to fathom, considering that this was one of the EFCC’s most important cases,” a source said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

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NEWS

bumpy road to justice The Oduah case

Abdullahi Adamu

There is also the case of former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah. Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court in Lagos had, on August 26, re-

Abdullahi Adamu, now a senator for the second term, was a former governor of Nasarawa State.

He was in the saddle between 1999 and 2007. He became a senator four years after leaving office. In February, 2010, Adamu was arrested by the EFCC for alleged embezzlement of public funds. On March 3 of the same year, he was arraigned alongside 18 others on a 149count charge of fraud involving over N15 billion, but the case is said to have been stalled due to an interlocutory appeal. Adamu’s case suffered delay right from the beginning with the transfer of the presiding judge of Federal High Court, Asaba Division, Justice Marcel Awokuleyin disqualified himself from the case citing personal reasons

strained anti-graft agencies, including the EFCC, from questioning or arresting Mrs. Oduah, over the purchase of two bulletproof vehicles until her suit is determined.

According to her, unless the court intervened, “the APC (All Progressive Congress) will unleash repression against her and others and this may cause the country to recede to a oneparty state, with gross adverse effects and irreparable damage to our nascent democracy.”

The bulletproof vehicles, acquired under her watch by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), were said to have cost N255 million, an amount that sparked public outcry.

But the judge stopped the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) from inviting the former minister for interrogation.

The EFCC, it was learnt, did not file any application to discharge the restraining order within the time allowed to do so.

Justice Yunusa adjourned till November 16 for hearing of her suit.

Joshua Dariye In September 2004, British authorities in London arrested ometime Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye on allegations of money laundering and seized about £90,000 in cash from him.

Dariye allegedly skipped bail and returned to Nigeria to resume office.

An English court sentenced Dariye’s associate to three years in prison in April 2007, for laundering more than £1.4 million of public funds found to have allegedly been stolen by the governor.

At the expiration of Dariye’s tenure, the EFCC charged him with 14 counts of money laundering. But more than seven years after he left office, the case is still pending.

The frustration by the EFCC to prosecute him is a perfect case study of the court’s ability to generate delays so extreme that they are almost a form of impunity.

Soon after he was charged, the Federal High Court granted him bail, and his lawyers subsequently filed a motion asking that all of the charges against him be dismissed.

When the motion was denied, Dariye appealed and the lower court had no choice but to halt proceedings until the former governor’s appeal could be heard.

The Court of Appeal eventually ruled against Dariye in June 2010. Just as trial was about to resume in January 2011, Dariye appealed to the Supreme Court and in April 2011, Dariye contested and won election into the Senate.

Danjuma Goje Former Gombe State Governor, Senator Danjuma Goje and four others, were first arraigned in court on October 17, 2011 on alleged conspiracy, fraud and money laundering charges. He allegedly embezzled N52 billion public funds. The case is still pending.

Bukola Saraki Prior to his current charge by the CCB, Senator Saraki had been a subject of investigations by the Special Fraud Unit of the Police, following allegations of a loans scam preferred against him. The loans were allegedly secured by Saraki between 2004 and 2009 when he was the governor of Kwara State.

Saraki had sued the Inspector-General of Police. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/231/, he sought to restrain the SFU from investigating an allegation of N9 billion fraud, leveled against him. He subsequently filed a fresh suit seeking to stop the police from prosecuting him, which reportedly, is still pending.

Orji Uzor Kalu Abia State’s former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu was one of those swooped on by the EFCC immediately after he left office in 2007.

On July 27, 2007, Kalu was arraigned before an Abuja High Court on a 107-count charge of money laundering, official corruption and criminal diversion of public funds in excess of N5 billion. The agency ac-

cused Kalu of diverting billions of naira belonging to the Abia State government to Slok Airlines. Kalu pleaded not guilty to the charges. An interlocutory appeal is said to have stalled the case.

Some socio-political groups in Abia State, including NdiAbia League, Abia Youths Consultative Forum and Abia Peoples Congress - jointly petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari to order the anti-graft agency to expedite action on Kalu’s case and bring his prosecution to its logical conclusion.

“It is shocking that the trial of Kalu by the EFCC is still on eight years after he left office. Abians are disturbed by this ugly development. It s inexplicable why EFCC has gone to sleep, leaving the case hanging for eight years now. We hope the EFCC has not been compromised on the matter as it is being insinuated in some quarters,” the groups said.

Jolly Nyame In July 2007, former Taraba State Governor Rev Jolly Nyame was arraigned on a 41-court charge. He was alleged to have embezzled N1.3 billion.

Trial commenced in his case, but it is still pending.

Saminu Turaki Former Jigawa State Governor Saminu Turaki was docked on a 32count charge on allegations that he stole about N36 billion from the treasury over an eightyear period. He was granted bail in the sum of N100 million on July 27, 2007 by Justice Binta Muritala Nyako. The case was reportedly transferred to his home state and is said to be pending at a Federal High Court in Jigawa.

Boni Haruna A former Adamawa governor Boni Haruna was arraigned before a Federal High court sitting in Abuja on an amended 28count charge of embezzling the sum of N16m.

The case is still pending.

Gbenga Daniel In September 2013, Tunde Oladunjoye, a principal prosecution witness in the trial of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, withdrew from testifying in the case; accusing the prosecutor of improper handling of the trial. Daniel was charged by the EFCC with mismanaging state funds while he was governor in the Gateway State between 2003 and 2011. The commission docked him at the Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta, on a 38-count charge of fraudulent conversion of

land, failure to declare assets, stealing and corruptly acquiring properties.

Farouk Lawan A former Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, Farouk Lawan and its Secretary Boniface Emenalo, were charged with collecting $620,000 as bribe from oil magnate Femi Otedola. It was in order to remove the name of his company from those indicted by the committee which probed monumental oil subsidy fraud and uncovered a defrauding of the country.

They were arraigned on February 1, 2013 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gudu, Abuja.

Their trial started under Justice Mudasiru Oniyangi. As progress was being made, the judge was elevated to the Court of Appeal. After the loss of several months, the case was reassigned to a new judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko on June 11. On November 18, Justice Banjoko surprised a packed courtroom when she announced that she was withdrawing from the trial and would no longer adjudicate the case. The case was to be re-assigned to a new judge and it is still pending.

Ndudi Elumelu A former Chairman of House Committee on Power, Ndudi Elumelu, sought to stop his trial until the EFCC showed him a copy of the proof of evidence it intended to use in prosecuting him. Elumelu and 29 others were charged by the EFCC before the Abuja Federal High Court over allegation of defrauding the Federal Government of N5.2 billion earmarked for rural electricity projects. Twenty-one of the accused persons were corporate persons.

Ayo Fayose Shortly after his impeachment in 2006 as Ekiti State governor, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, was charged over allegations of financial misappropriation under his watch between 2003 and 2006. He escaped arrest by EFCC operatives who laid a siege while he was featuring on a live programme in the studio of an Abuja-based television. Contrary to reports, the EFCC said it has not dropped the charges against Fayose, who contested and won the governorship election almost a year ago.

The case, the anti-graft agency said, will resume after the governor’s tour of duty.

Immediately after he picked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket, the E-11 group and others challenged Fayose’s eligibility to contest the elec-

tion. In a determined bid to stop the case from being heard, thugs disrupted proceedings and physically assaulted a High Court Judge to ensure the case was never heard.

The first attack occurred on September 22, 2014 when thugs invaded the Ekiti State judiciary headquarters where Justice Isaac Ogunyemi was to deliver a ruling on the case. The thugs beat up workers and the presiding judge and lawyers had to run for dear lives. They smashed windows and furniture.

In the words of the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, “the policemen and other law enforcement agents deployed within and without the premises in large numbers were looking on completely uninterested and unconcerned while these thugs were on the prowl beating and maiming workers and court users.”

On September 25, thousands of people believed to political thugs stormed the High Court premises, beating and maiming the staff.

Unconfirmed sources said the Presidency directed the military and the police to ensure that the courts remain sealed until after Fayose’s inauguration as governor on October 16. Soldiers, armed to the teeth barricaded the court premises with Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), as from October 7, turning back judges, lawyers and litigants on the basis of an alleged “bomb” threat.

On October 13, the NJC directed Justice Daramola to make a formal announcement to reopen the courts. He did on October 14, after two weeks of forced closure, even as workers stayed off. Two days later, Justice Daramola swore in Fayose as governor.

James Ibori After the acquittal of former Delta State Governor James Ibori by Justice Marc e l l e o u s Awokulehin on a 170-count charge of sundry allegations including financial misappropriation and money laundering, a Court of Appeal, sitting in Benin, the Edo State capital upturned the ruling.

It was in an appeal against the lower court by the EFCC. Ibori fled to the Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE) after the reversal of the lower court verdict and the pressing of fresh charges against him by the anti-graft agency. It was at the UAE that Ibori was arrested by INTERPOL and extradited to the United Kingdom (UK) for trial over the same offences for which he had been discharged and acqitted in Nigeria.

The former governor was found guilty as charged and was jailed 13 years by a UK court.

The way forward A senior lawyer, who also prosecutes for the EFCC, said: “The EFCC should tell Nigerians why these cases and others have not been concluded. While the courts are to blame for delays, there is more to their non-conclusion than meets the eye. It will take a Buhari administration to deal with corruption in all honesty. I will urge the President to order an investigation into why these cases and others have been pending for nearly 10 years.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 2015

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How Nigeria, ECOWAS restored civil rule in Burkina Faso, by Osinbajo

Group holds conference for singles, married

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ICE President Yemi Osinbajo has explained the role played by Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the restoration of civilian rule in Burkina Faso.

The restoration came a day after President Muhammadu Buhari hosted an extraordinary session of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, where it was decided that last week’s military coup in the West African nation cannot stand.

Osinbajo, who represented President Buhari on Wednesday in Ouagadougou, among select group of West African leaders in the Burkinabe capital, said the leaders were there “to convey the recommendations agreed by ECOWAS leaders in Abuja, and we have witnessed the reinstatement of President Michel Kafando as the Transition President of

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Burkina Faso.”

Speaking with reporters in the capital city after a series of consultations, meetings and a formal ceremony, Osinbajo stated that the restoration of civilian authority in Burkina Faso “is a very good sign, a positive thing,” observing that ECOWAS played a significant role in the process.

He said: “As you know President Kafando had been detained by the Presidential Security Regiment - the presidential guard - but they have now stepped down as you can see, and they are now part of the process to ensure that the transition goes on. What we have seen today is how ECOWAS states came together basically to agree and see to it that President Kafando was reinstated and now that has been accomplished.”

Praising the leaders of

ECOWAS, including Buhari, President Boni Yayi of Benin, and the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Macky Sall of Senegal with the leaders in the West African region, the Vice President said “now we are all looking at how to advance the transition process here in Burkina Faso.”

He said while there is still difficult issues to be resolved as fallouts of the coup crisis, it was clear that progress would continue judging from the fact that the people were determined, all the groups involved are now engaged in the process and are cooperating.

Osinbajo reiterated Nigeria’s continued brotherly support for Burkina Faso, while commending the international community for coming together to condemn the coup.

According to him,”I think it is very clear going by the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the le-

gal instruments of the African Union, that coups are no longer fashionable and no longer acceptable. In fact, it is punishable to take power by force. As soon as this coup took place, the entire ECOWAS, AU and the entire international community rose with one voice against it.”

After Tuesday’s summit in Abuja hosted by President Buhari, ECOWAS selected a group of six leaders, one each from Nigeria, Benin, Senegal, Togo, Niger and Ghana, to visit Ouagadougou and proffer the recommendations of the West African nations towards solving the disruption of civil transition in Burkina Faso.

President Yayi of Benin was named as facilitator, while Nigeria was represented by the Vice President. In what included a series of talks and events all Wednesday, leaders from the six West African nations met with the RSP, Burkina Faso military

By Adeola Ogunlade

•Osinbajo

and civil leaders and presided over the formal ceremony to effect the restoration of power from the presidential guards, led by General Gilbert Deirdre.

On his arrival on September 23 - in the Burkinabe capital, Prof. Osinbajo was received at the Ouagadougou Airport by General Deirde, while he was escorted back on return through the same airport by the restored Transition President Kafando. He returned to Nigeria Wednesday night.

Nigerian doctor gets UK award

By Sunday Oguntola

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UNITED Kingdombased Nigerian obstetrician and gynaecologist, Prof. Rotimi Jaiyesimi, has been selected to receive the legend recognition award by highly-rated CA magazine.

The awards are for exceptional citizens of Caribbean and black origin in the United Kingdom.

The legend recognition, according to the magazine, is the “highest recognition given to individuals who have demonstrated and done extraordinarily and consistently over the years to enhance or impact the society for good.”

The organisers praised Jaiyesimi, a Visiting Professor, University of Sunderland and Associate Medical Director for Patient Safety, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals, England, as a medical doctor with a difference since he started practice for 37 years.

A citation on the website of the magazine on Jaiyesimi said: “He is a skilled teacher, has lectured world-wide and has published 37 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

“He has been involved in the training of hundreds of doctors, acting as clinical supervisor, educational supervisor, mentor and coach.

“Most of these doctors have gone on to be leaders in their specialty both in the United Kingdom and internationally.

“He is an international medico-legal expert, a trained mediator, mentor and coach.”

On his contributions to his country of birth, the magazine said: “Over the years he has been involved in health issues in Nigeria and has played an active role in transfer of skills and knowledge without remuneration.”

The award ceremony holds on November 21 at Hilton Hotel Tower Bridge London.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL ministry, Family Booster Ministry has concluded plans to organize its annual singles and married Lagos conference holding on Sunday, September 27, at the Gymnasium hall, National Stadium, Lagos.

The founder of the ministry, Pastor Bisi Adewale made this known in a release made avaliable to The Nation yesterday said that the conference is focused on equipping the married and singles, especially the youths in Nigeria with positive information in every area of lives which include spiritual development, promoting healthy marriage, building good relationship, academice, finances, career, association and others.

He said that the programme tagged: ‘Pillars of Marriage’ is poised to bring together thousands of singles and married from across the country as the programme has become an annual event that has been inspiring and transforming Adewale, who will be ministering on that day with his wife, Yomi, informed that they will be joined by other ministers of God, including popular Benita Okogie; Aperire; Provers 360 and Living Voices. They will minister in music and others.

Adewale, who recalled that last year’s edition was a great success because of various testimonies that followed, said that the 2015 edition, which is expected to be greater, will feature book bonanza; fire prayers; dynamic teachings and free recharge cards.

Residency cards ready for collection •From left: Council Manager, Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos, Mr. Bashiru Kaffo; Director, Corporate Communications and Community Social Responsibility, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Oparah; Executive Secretary of the council, Hon. Toyin Caxton-Martins and Head, Public Relations, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Adefemi Adeniran, when the Executive Secretary, Ikoyi Obalende LCDA visited Airtel Nigeria on the proposed first economic summit of the council in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Judge refuses to withdraw in EFCC’s case

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USTICE Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court in Lagos has refused an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to withdraw from adjudicating a fundamental rights suit brought by a businessman, Jyde Adelakun.

The commission said it was denied fair hearing. It asked for an order disqualifying the judge from the case.

But Justice Yunusa said EFCC’s prayer came late. He said he was nevertheless obligated to hear every application before him “no matter how downright stupid” it might be.

EFCC had asked for a stay of further proceedings and that the case-file be returned to the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta for re-assignment.

The commission said the judge allegedly refused an application to consolidate the case with another related to it, and allegedly ignored a pending order freezing the applicant’s bank account.

EFCC said the judge also refused its application for a

By Joseph Jibueze

short adjournment to file a further and better affidavit.

It claimed Justice Yunusa forced its lawyer to adopt its counter-affidavit or deem it abandoned. The lawyer had to do so “reluctantly”.

“The EFCC will not be treated fairly in this case as there is a real likelihood of bias against it,” the commission’s legal officer Israel Akande said in a supporting affidavit.

Ruling on Wednesday, Justice Yunusa said he had a duty to declare “what the law is and not what the law should be”.

He added that EFCC did not object to the case since it was filed in August, or ask that it be re-assigned to another judge, until Tuesday.

Besides, he said the fact that EFCC did not get a favourable ruling in a previous case was no reason to accuse him of bias. He said judgment in the case was ready and would not be arrested.

The judge, therefore, dismissed the application, saying it was “lacking in merit.”

Delivering judgment in Adelakun’s fundamental

rights suit, Justice Yunusa held that the applicant was wrongfully detained by the commission.

He said EFCC did not obtain a court order before detaining him, adding that keeping him beyond 24hours violated his rights.

“The respondent admitted arresting the applicant, but he was not arrested with a warrant of arrest. No arrest warrant was exhibited. For an arrest to be valid, there must be a warrant. The respondent (EFCC) acted irrationally.

“The exercise of arrest powers merely to obtain information from a suspect is illegal.

There is nothing to show that they did basic preliminary investigation.

“Why was the report of investigation not attached to the counter-affidavit? The court cannot rely on mere averments. It must be substantiated,” the judge said.

Justice Yunusa said security agencies should be careful not to get intoxicated by their powers to the extent that they harass the citizens they were meant to protect.

“The Constitution provides

that no person should be detained unnecessarily. Once a person is arrested, their liberty is curtailed. It does not matter how long the detention lasted,” the judge said.

The judge declared the applicant’s arrest illegal. He ordered that his bank account be unfrozen and Adelakun given “unhindered or unfettered access to his funds.”

He also restrained EFCC from arresting and detaining him.

Meanwhile, the commission has filed a criminal charge against Adelakun and his company, Touch of Fame Energy Company, at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.

According to the information, the defendants were accused of conspiracy to receive stolen property, about $2,181,000 (N434,040,810) from JP Morgan Chase Bank, USA, “knowing same to have been stolen.”

EFCC’s prosecutor Kayode Oni said the alleged offences contravene Section 326 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No. 11, 2011.

He said the accused persons would soon be arraigned.

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AGOS State Residency Registration Agency (LASRRA) has said registered residents can now collect their permanent residency cards from their Local Government or Council Development Areas.

According to a statement by the agency, there was a need to decentralise the collection of permanent residency cards for residents, who earlier participated in the registration exercise.

The statement noted that many residents from various local government and council development areas had registered at their different locations, emphasising that they should collect their cards at their different LGAs/LCDAs so as to ease the collection process.

The statement stressed that as part of strategy put in place to ensure a hitch free collection and distribution process, every resident would receive a short message (SMS) from LASRRA as soon as their cards were ready for collection.

The Agency said residents whose registration telephone contact details had changed should notify LASRRA through the help desk lines: 014483440 and 01-4483450, saying only the Permanent Registration Cards of Civil/Public Servants could be collected at the LASRRA Headquarters at 4, Registration Close, Off Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

5

NEWS Kyeremateng joins MicCom Foundation

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•Lagos and Ogun State Coordinator, Special Marshal and Partnership (SMP), Mr Toyin Kadiku (second right), Sector Head, SMP, Bridget Asekhauno (second left), Oshodi Unit Head, SMP, John O. Okafor (ARC) (second right), Academy Press Unit Coordinator, Kayode Odediran (right) and Ladipo Unit Coordinator, Mr Felix Okafor at the Eld-El-Kabir special patrol in Ilupeju, Lagos.

Mbeki panel backs Buhari’s moves to recover looted funds

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s antigraft stance and plans to recover stolen funds have earned the backing of African Union (AU)/United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s (UNECA) High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs).

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who heads the panel, gave the backing while answering a question from The Nation at a news conference after the “First Subregional Workshop on Curbing IFFs” in Nairobi, Kenya.

Mbeki, who noted that he had not closely followed what Buhari’s administration was doing, said the body would support the Federal Government’s plans to recover stolen assets.

He added that the Federal Government’s plan would encourage other African governments, if it succeeds.

His words: “I wouldn’t say personally I had followed closely what President Muhammadu Buhari is doing. But certainly with regards to the matter of the recovery of assets took out of the country illegally - whether it is money

•Nigeria’s example ’ll inspire other African nations From Bola Olajuwon, Nairobi, Kenya

that is stolen by somebody or whatever happened - the recovery or repatriation of those assets is very much part of the programme to follow up on the findings of our panel on IFFs. “Certainly, if President Buhari or Nigerian government is attending to that, we would applaud that. We would say it is a very correct step to take to ensure that indeed these outflows, which left the country and the continent illegally, must return.

“It would be very good if Nigeria could succeed in this, because it would encourage the rest of the continent to act with the necessary vigour to find and repatriate such funds. It would be a very good thing indeed.”

The sub-regional conference brought together key decisionmakers from the East, South and North African nations to discuss following concerns that IFFs from Africa were huge and increasing from the initial $50 billion annually.

Among the meeting’s new findings was the need for closer monitoring of commercial routes of illicit outflows from the continent.

Another finding was that new and innovative means of generating illicit flows were emerging.

The ex-president called for stronger stance by governments and financial intelligence institutions in the fight against IFFs He said African countries needed closer collaboration and coordination to deal with the problem.

“It’s an African problem, but the solution is global because these monies leave African to other countries,” he said.

Mbeki noted that the burden to deal with the issue remains with the African countries.

“I am saying, therefore, that the biggest role is with us as actors within the continent to make sure we deal with this and cooperate even on the issues of repatriation of what has been stashed abroad.

“As African nations, we shouldn’t lose leadership on

this issue because it is as important as the numerous development challenges that we are trying to address as a continent,” he said.

Mbeki said African nations have been rendered poor through corruption and corporations that were evading paying billion in taxes.

“This happens at the expense of development projects in the region. If these monies were retained in the respective countries, African countries’ would not be facing simple challenges in health care and poverty,” he added.

Mbeki said lack of financial transparency in such dealings, which in many cases were being carried out by government officials, limits the efforts put in place to fight IFFs. “That is why we are asking political leaders in East Africa, West and Central Africa, North Africa and South Africa regions to be responsible for their nations.”

Mbeki called on governments to establish strong regulations in tax collection and customs.

ESPECTED family physician Dr. Doris Kyeremateng has joined the board of MicCom Cancer Foundation. The foundation was established by the founder of MicCom Golf Hotel and Resort, Ada, Osun State Prince Tunde Ponnle, in memory of his wife who died of cancer.

Dr. Kyeremateng, a Ghanaian who is based in Canada, was in 2006 installed as the President of the Manitoba College of Family Physicians. As President, Dr. Kyeremateng represented the province of Manitoba on the board of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).

Dr. Kyeremateng migrated to Canada in 1995 and has been practicsing in Winnipeg. She owns and runs the Autumnwood Medical Center in Windsor Park in Winnipeg. She obtained her MD. at the University of Bergen, Norway in 1992 where she practised as a General Practitioner until 1995,

•The late Mrs. Ponnle

when she moved to Winnipeg with her family.

She completed a two-year Family Medicine residency programme at the University of Manitoba in 2000.

Dr. Kyeremateng has donated a mammogram machine to the Ada, Osun State-based foundation. The Foundation’s Primary Health Centre is being expanded to accommodate the mammogram. A radiologist is to be engaged from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) to join the technical experts.

Tinubu seeks better Nigeria

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ATIONAL Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Muslims in Nigeria and across the world not to give up but hold up their faith that a better Nigeria is possible.

In a statement to mark the Eid El Kabir, released by his media office, the former Lagos State Governor said:"Today Nigeria is set on a new path of recovery because millions had faith In the change message and Agenda of the All Progressives Congress. They must continue to back up their faith with good works of patriotism. " All people of faith must at this time of Nigeria's Renaissance bound together and work together to give Nigeria that great push to a new functional society that it so deserves".

Continuing Tinubu says Nigeria is lucky to have had another shot at greatness with the Muhammadu Buhari led APC government. " “Our country is set on an irrevocable path of progress and no matter how much reactionary elements try to slow down the government they will fail because Nigeria has taken full flight under Buhari and their is no shooting it down. On my party I remain a firm believer in Nigeria and a committed soldier to the battle ahead against poverty, ignorance, Mis-governance and impunity. Having laboured all my political life to partner with others to get Nigeria to this station, we will not roll over for a few with a retrogressive agenda to take over or distract the Buhari government from the onerous nation building task ahead", Tinubu expressed satisfaction that the country's re-engineering has started in ernest and all hands must be on deck to ensure that this journey ends at a destination of a functional Nigeria and a model for Africa. A reference point of development

Why Ayade insists on aptitude test for commissioner-nominees, by aides

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ROSS River State Governor Ben Ayade’s decision to subject commissioner-nominees take aptitude and integrity test is to ensure only the best make State Executive Council, his aides explained yesterday.

Two of his media aides, Emmanuel Ulayi and Solomon Asha, in an article, said the governor should be praised and not attacked for the move.

The article reads: “The main idea of government is not just to run an organised society with civilised laws to guide human conducts, man’s relationship with his fellow man but also to ensure the provision of the right environment for the expression of the full potentials of the citizenry and services that will bring happiness at least at the basic level to all in such a state.

“To ensure the realisation of the above objectives, every society or modern state must as a matter of necessity have their citizens train in all fields of human endeavours at least at the basic level while those

By Wale Ajetunmobi

with the financial and requisite intelligent quotient obtain such training that will take them to the peak of their areas of specialisation and become specialists in such areas.

“It was based on the imperative of people specialising in different fields/areas, must be experts, to be able to provide the best of services for the good of the state and its people that one of the most prolific philosopher in the ancient times whose writings equally wielded enormous influence in the intellectual world, Plato, a student of Socrates in his wisdom divided the state into three class of the Philosopher-King, the Guardians or Soldiers and the Artisans or professionals of all fields of human endeavours. Plato said that no society will be complete without the aforementioned.

“The beauty of Plato philosophical and ideological postulations clearly solidifies the very germane saying that square pecks should be put in a square hole, meaning that the

right persons with the right professional training and knowledge should be place to take charge of areas commensurate to their professional competency. In the other word, a man who studied Accounting should not be put in a position to head medical practitioners or become Chief Medical Director and vice versa, meaning that a round peck should not be put in a square hole. Following the philosophical schooling/ orientation of Plato, it will not take a clear and logical thinking individual seeing that his postulations are rooted on integrity and ethical principles.

“It is in line with this same philosophical and ideological orientation that the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Benedict Benyaushuye Ayade recently set up a 3-man screening Committee to evaluate all nominees for the positions of commissioners, Chairmen and members of Boards, Agencies and Parastatals, and Special Advisers to undergo integrity and aptitude tests after which

their names can now be sent to the Cross River House of Assembly (CRHA) for confirmation. ”It is clear that the essence of our dear governor coming up with a screening committee for the said nominees is purely to ensure that those to be saddled with the tasks of heading their various ministries, boards, agencies and parastatals, contributing to the running of the state through their inputs at the State Executive Council Meetings are not only square pecks in square holes, but that they are men and women with proven integrity bolstered with solid ethical foundation that will drive them to stand for accountability and transparency in accord with the new order of things which are the watchwords of his administration.

“Ayade pronouncements, body language and actions lucidly points towards the direction as a result of his robust ambition to change the well known mentality of our people by preparing them ahead of time for the various oppor-

tunities that abound in the 21st century; and to succeed in doing that it become imperative that he work with a tag team, a think tank as members of the State Executive Council and other persons who will be the head of boards, agencies and parastatals in the state.

“From his previous experience over the years both in the private and public sector, the governor is aware that competency in a particular area of specialization is a sin-qua-non towards the provision of qualitative service delivery at whatever level such services are required; but Ayade is equally not unaware that beyond competency lies two of the most important virtues, accountability and transparency, without which the delivery of such services whether in the public or private sector will not be successfully achieved.

“It is therefore based on this reality that Governor Ayade is going all out to make sure that those who will at the end of the day emerged in the already mentioned positions are men

and women who fully appreciate the vision, drive and pragmatism with which he came with into leadership/statecraft for good governance.

“Ayade should be commended for this bold initiative of bringing innovation of letting government appointees at the said levels realise that it is not business as usual in the new Cross River State being driven by him and for them to get it clear from the onset that competency plus accountability/ transparency, integrity rooted in ethical values is the driving force of his administration; hence they need to pass the said aptitude tests to shape in to the other side or remain on the other side of the line. Indeed, by this singular act Governor Ayade is steadily bringing the most sorts for innovation into statecraft and governance.

When there is a total innovation in the way governance is being run, there will equally be a complete transformation in every compartment of the state and the people of the state will be better for it.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

NEWS Nigerians among 717 Saudi stampede victims Continued from page 1

•Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (left) shaking hands with wife of the first civilian governor of the state, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Lagos House, Ikeja…yesterday. With them are Ambode’s wife Bolanle (2nd left) and the wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mrs. Aderonke Ojo (3rd left).

Dogara condoles with Muslims over pilgrims’ death

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OUSE of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday described as unfortunate the death of scores of pilgrims in a stampede in Mina, Mecca In a condolence message to

the Muslim community by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker described the stampede as unfortunate.

Dogara said: "I am deeply touched by the tragic incidence

in Mecca during the symbolic stoning of satan by pilgrims, which is the second such incidence in this year`s Hajj.

"My special condolence goes to families of Nigerian pilgrims who lost their lives in

the stampede and the Nigerian Muslim faithful at large.

"I call on Saudi authorities to conduct thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate Continued on page 8

Attack on dignitaries barbaric, says Kwara govt

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HE Kwara State government has condemned the attack on dignitaries at the Ilorin Eid praying ground during yesterday’s Eid-elKabir celebrations.

It described the action as “absurd, barbaric and unislamic.” In a statement by AbdulWahab Oba, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed The government said it heard of plans by some aggrieved politicians in collaboration with some of the local government employees and teachers to protest arrears of salaries owned them

•‘Salary arrears being paid’ From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

by their various local government authorities.

“As a result of this government quickly went out of its way to negotiate and secure bank loans to offset the arrears pending the time when the federal government bailout will be released as a result of which the concerned workers promptly received their salaries as directed by the governor”.

“Government therefore wonders for what purpose and to whom the attack on

Thursday was directed since majority of state and local government workers, including primary school teachers, have received their salaries.”

The state government said those that are yet to receive their salaries will be paid on Monday as Thursday and Friday are public holidays.

The statement urged politicians not to turn the state of harmony into another state of violence urging the police to bring to justice without delay, those already apprehended while imploring the people to

mark the Eid El Kabir holidays peacefully and with prayers for the quick resolution of the challenges facing the national economy.

The government said there was therefore “no reason for anyone or group to spread negative rumours or incite trouble on any account as Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed approved the payment of state and local government workers last Tuesday in anticipation of monthly allocation to the state and Federal Government salary bailout for local government councils”.

Senate President not attacked, says media office

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ENATE President Bukola Saraki was not attacked in Ilorin, his media office said yesterday.

In a statement, it said: “The Senate President arrived at the venue this morning (yesterday) without any incident, prayed with other Muslim faithful, including the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness (HRH), Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari,

Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ali Ahmad and a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Alfa Belgore, among others.

“Before the Senate President left the prayer ground, he spoke to reporters who had asked him about his message for Nigerians to mark the Eid-el-Kabir.

“We want to say that noth-

ing can be further from the truth as the Senate President was never attacked nor was there any attempt made on his life to warrant him being ‘whisked away’ as reported by a section of the media.

“We however observe that there was a protest allegedly staged by local government employees over purported non-payment of salaries which hoodlums at-

tempted to hijack but this development was immediately curtailed by security agents.

“Therefore, to say that the Senate President was attacked at the venue of the prayers is totally false and a figment of the imagination of those behind the story because the protest was never targeted at him, neither was any missile hurled at him.”

year’s Hajj were first marred when a crane collapsed at Mecca’s Grand Mosque last week.

111 people were killed in that incident.

Pilgrims travel to Mina, a large valley about five kilometres from Mecca, during the Hajj to throw seven stones at pillars called Jamarat, which represent the devil.

The pillars stand at three spots where Satan is believed to have tempted Prophet Abraham.

People were going towards the direction of throwing the stones while others were coming from the opposite direction. Then it became chaotic and suddenly people started going down.

There were people from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Senegal among other nationalities.

People were just climbing on top of others in order to move to a safer place and that’s how some people died.

People were chanting Allah’s name, while others were crying, including children and infants. People fell on the

ground seeking help but there was no-one to give them a helping hand. Everybody seemed to be on their own.

“It affected some members of our group. I lost my aunt as a result of the stampede and at the moment, two women from our entourage - a mother and her daughter - are still missing,” a pilgrim said.

The Saudi civil defence directorate said in a statement that the stampede occurred at around 09:00 local time (06:00 GMT) at the junction of Street 204 and Street 223.

The pilgrims were walking towards the five-storey structure which surrounds the pillars, known as the Jamarat Bridge.

The incident happened when there was a “sudden increase” in the number of pilgrims heading towards the pillars, the statement said.

This “resulted in a stampede among the pilgrims and the collapse of a large number of them”, it added.

Security personnel and the Saudi Red Crescent were “imContinued on page 8

How it happened, by Nigerian pilgrim

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SAUDI Television Channel, 'Saudi 2' said death toll had risen to

736.

According to various accounts, the deaths were caused by a stampede close to Jamrat owing to the high number of pilgrims who converged on Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.

A pilgrim from Sokoto, Alhaji Muhamadu Ilela, who was at the scene, said the deaths occurred because the Saudi police blocked one of the gates leading to the

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Makkah

Jamrat area. ‘’For over one hour, the queue didn’t move and we were in the scorching sun.

After some time, people started collapsing because of the heat wave, This was what caused the initial deaths. A stampede followed which caused the deaths of most pilgrims.’’ he alleged.

The Public Relations Officer of the National Hajj Continued on page 8

‘Banks need liquidity injection’ Continued from page 1

The agency also said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)’s decision that cut Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), a mandatory reserve requirement on all local-currency deposits, to 25 per cent from 31 per cent to ease liquidity pressure, stimulate new lending and boost economic growth will not add liquidity to the banking system because it releases no additional foreign currency.

The agency said the banks are low on dollars. It said:

“Lower reserve requirements will not offset the tighter foreign currency liquidity at banks. A currency split of public-sector deposits is not disclosed but in our opinion, foreign currency deposits are substantial, held up by oil-related deposits. The centralising of public-sector and governmentrelated foreign currency deposits at the TSA has made it increasingly difficult for commercial banks to meet customer demand for forContinued on page 8

Rumpus as Saraki, others pray in Ilorin Police arrest eight in connection with attack

Continued from page 1

Emirate.

Riot policemen were drafted to strategic areas in the city to prevent a reoccurrence of the attack.

As early 7am, worshippers had trooped to the expansive Eid Praying Ground to observe the two Nafilat prayers.

Although the prayer was fixed for 9.30am, there was tension as early as 8am at the praying ground.

It was evident that most worshippers were out for a showdown because initial sermon segment of the Sallah fell on deaf ears.

As Saraki and others arrived the praying ground, there was intermittent shout of "Ole! Ole!! Ole!!!(Thief, thief, thief).“E san owo wa to ri olorun” (pay us in the name of God),

T

HE police yesterday said they arrested eight suspects in connection with the attack on Senate President Bukola Saraki and other personalities at the Ilorin praying ground.

Police spokesperson, Ajayi Okasanmi, described those that arrested as “miscreants”.

Okasanmi added that there was no record of any civil servant or government official among those arrested.

Said he: “The state police command deployed no fewer than 2000 policemen in synergy with other security agencies to make sure that the Eid-el–Kabir celebration is a huge success. In the course “Ebi n pa wa!” “Ebi yii tito Saraki!””A o ki run, e fun wa lounje” (We are hungry, enough of hunger Saraki, we don’t want to pray, give us food) The first segment of the

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

of prayers, there was the insurgence of criminals which we put into consideration while planning our security strategy. We know they normally come to beg for money from well-to-do members of the public.

“So they came as usual, but we noticed they were becoming unruly. We had to come out to prevent them from getting to where the VIPs were seated. We then chased them away and we arrested about eight of them. They are in our custody and we have started investigation.

“We learnt that one or two persons were injured; but there has not been any offi-

protest occurred when Saraki and other dignitaries’ arrival was announced.

Shortly after the announcement, worshippers surged forward and threw stones, missiles, and pure water sa-

cial reports as to if anyone was injured.

The motive of their unruly behaviour is yet to be determined. As far as we are concerned, the people arrested are miscreants.

“From the stories we are hearing, one or two vehicles have been damaged but we have not seen the vehicles. We also heard that one person was injured but we have not seen the person.

“The prayers went as planned and the dignitaries came back to their various destinations without any hitch. Among the people arrested, there was no record of civil or government functionary; the eight arrested are miscreants.”

chet at the dignitaries, many of who were innocent of the anger of the affected worshippers.

The police, security agents, and members of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, bat-

tled to curtail the protesters.

They formed a barricade to keep them away, but the mob was deviant.

The security agents succeeded in paving the way for the observance of the prayers

•Dr. Saraki

amid tension at about 9.50am.

But the initial incident made many worshippers to miss the prayers because at a point the microphone got disContinued on page 8

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

7

NEWS Why arrears were not paid once, by Oyo labour leader

Peace Corps seeks Ambode’s support

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From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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HE Chairman, Nige rian Labour Congress (NLC) in Oyo State, Waheed Olojede, has explained that the four months outstanding salaries were being paid in installments to ensure that no group is shortpaid or left out.

Payment of May salary began on Tuesday; June was paid on Wednesday.

Some workers and stakeholders had wondered why the government did not pay the four-month arrears at once.

Olojede said Governor Abiola Ajimobi invited labour leaders to a meeting on Monday, where the modalities for payment were discussed.

According to him, labour leaders insisted on installmental payment to prevent “complications” as witnessed when some workers did not receive their salaries or received only a part.

He said payment of July and August salaries would be made next week in line with the agreement.

Olojede said: “We held a meeting with the government on Monday, where the two parties agreed that the bailout loan would be used to defray outstanding arrears for May, June, July and August.

“We agreed that the payment should begin immediately. So, payment began on Tuesday with May salary. On Wednesday, June salary was paid.

“The arrangement is acceptable to us because an attempt to ask the government to pay the four-month salaries at once may bring some irregularities in the payment.”

•Oyo State Commissioner of Police Leye Oyebade displaying a locally made pistol when some robbery suspects were paraded in Ibadan

HID’s nonagenarian sibling in tears over sister’s death •Grandson pays tribute •Adesina commiserates with family

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HE 94-year-old brother of the late Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo, Pa Festus Taiwo Adelano, wept profusely yesterday at the Awolowos’ Ikenne home.

Adelana, who was brought into the Efunyela Hall inside the sprawling compound at 3:20pm on a wheelchair , said he had been having dreams about his sister’s death.

“Ha! Ha! Ha! I have been dreaming about my sister, that was why I decided to come to Ikenne to see things for myself.

“She (HID) had always said I would be the one to bury her. Oh, now she’s gone!,” he said in tears.

From Odunayo Ogunmola, The nonagenarian, who was Ado Ekiti given a handkerchief to clean KITI State Governor Ayo his face, said the late matriFayose has given finan arch took good care of him.

He was one of the many cial lifeline to 75 indiNigerians and groups, who viduals, whose houses and have continued to visit to conshops were destroyed by flood dole with the family. in Ikere-Ekiti last week.

The visitors include the The flood tore through the community when the Osun River overflowed its bank after torrential rains. Hundreds of people were sacked from KURE, the Ondo State their homes; some schools capital, was agog yeswere also affected. terday, following the Fayose, who sympathised re-union of the former Secrewith the victims, promised his tary to the Government of the administration’s readiness to Federation (SGF), Chief Olu expand the waterways and Falae, with his family.

The former minister of ficlear blocked drainage in the nance regained his freedom aftown.

The governor said the gov- ter four days with his abducernment had to present its tors.

His release came few hours token to the people while waiting for the emergency after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered Inspector agency to do its own.

He, however, warned General of Police Solomon Arase to rescue Falae immepeople against deliberately diately. blocking waterways and Falae, the National Chairdrainages or constructing man of the Social Democratic structures close to river Party (SDP), was abducted on banks. his 77th birthday on Monday Fayose said: “We have al- from his farm in Ilado, Akure ready committed huge North Local Government amount to expanding water- Area by hoodlums suspected ways and clearing drainage in to be Fulani herdsmen. towns across the state. But a Arase led top police officers, situation whereby people who brought Falae to the House, want to stand in the way of Government nature is wrong. People Alagbaka, where the freed should stop blocking water- politician was received by ways and throwing refuse into Governor Olusegun Mimiko at 4.30 pm. drains.”

Succour for flood victims

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From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

former Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi; former minister of education Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan Prof.

Isaac Adewole; the President of the Campaign for Democracy and Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin and the former chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola.

The first grandson of the late Mrs. Awolowo, Segun, said his grandmother lived an exceptional and extraordinary life.

Segun, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, described the lateHID as a pillar of support to her husband.

“For me, Mama was more than a grandmother because I lived here with both of them.

I grew up here. They were like parents to me. She lived a good life.

“When I reflect on her life, I realise it was extraordinary to marry a man like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to live with his ideals and to support and make him strong when he was weak. She covered for him and the family.

“We are thankful to God for her life. She was not sick.

She was not in the hospital for years. She was frail but alert.

“For her to pass on peacefully is a thing of joy. We, in our human ways and selfishness, wanted her to be alive for her 100th birthday, which we were preparing for, but it is not to be. This is God’s wish for her.

“It is a thing of great joy and it calls for celebration. She was an epitome of great womanhood. She had become an example to mothers and wives for her devotion to her husband, family and country.

“I am not going to reveal to reporters memorable mo-

ments with Mama because I am writing a tribute.

“For her and Papa, they have made the name Awolowo synonymous with service, service to the country.

“Her shoes are too big to fill, but it is my hope that the legacy of service to the country which the name Awolowo symbolises will forever be upheld.”

The president of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said: “Mama was an epitome of resilience, tenacity and commitment in immortalising the great and enduring legacy and achievements of her husband.

“As a boy, I benefited from the free primary education under Awolowo’s visionary policy.

“The free primary education laid the early foundation for millions of us. We will remain forever grateful for the opportunities you gave to us.”

Jubilation in Akure as abductors free Falae

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•No ransom paid, says IG From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Falae refused to speak to reporters but was excited throughout his stay at the Government House.

He reportedly told the governor that he had a bad experience, having been made to sleep on the floor during his captivity.

The IG, who handed Falae over to the governor, decried the kidnapping and crimes, saying the police would soon end the trend.

Arase, who said no ransom was paid, added that the former minister was found by police officers on the Owo/ Akure Road, where he was dropped by his kidnappers.

The police boss said no arrest had been made but promised that his abductors would be punished.

He said: “We are going to devise strategies to ensure that hoodlums do not overwhelm

the state. It is not possible. Security challenges, such as this, are not new.

“We will continue to disgrace them; we will continue to catch them. Right from Monday when he was kidnapped, policemen had been working underground and we thank God for the success recorded.

“No ransom was paid. The public will know as soon as we make any arrest. I assure you we will not rest, until we overcome this challenge.”

Mimiko thanked God for Falae’s safe return. He said his return was proof that God answers prayers.

“We are happy he is back.

We thank God he is back safe and sound. We are just happy that he is back,” he said.

Residents trooped out to receive Falae as the news of his release hit the town.

A crowd besieged his residence at Oba-Ile, thanking God

for the safe return of their kinsman.

Falae also refused to speak to the crowd.

He, however, waved while entering his house escorted by many policemen.

HE Assistant National Commandant, Establishment and Recruitment, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Patriot Habib Mutairu, has promised to uphold the corps’ “tenets and philosophy”.

He solicited for “mutual partnership with the Lagos State government”.

Mutairu, the Lagos State Commandant and the Southwest Zonal Commandant, served as the Edo State Commandant before his elevation.

He spoke at the presentation of the Peace Ambassador Award to Dr. Abraham Olusegun Michael.

“We have focused on assisting schools in the enforcement of rules and regulations, set up an anti-student loitering squad, promote internal peace and security in schools, promote advocacy and campaign, involvement in cult related issues, establishment of peace club in schools and counselling of students,” the statement stated.

Other activities of the corps, according to the statement, include employment scheme, “leading to the engagement of well over 100,000 unemployed youths”.

N1.47b bond certificates for Osun retirees From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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HE Osun State government, under the Contributory Pension Scheme, has issued N1.47 billion bond certificates to 188 primary school and local government retirees.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented at the presentation of certificates by the Head of Service, Sunday Owoeye, promised the pensioners “better days ahead”.

According to the governor, the beneficiaries were the second batch receiving the bonds certificate under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

He added that the beneficiaries in the first batch received N593 million bond certificates last December.

The governor assured the retirees that his administration would remit all necessary dues to the scheme.

He said: “I want to assure those who are in the scheme that irrespective of the challenges we are facing now, we shall fulfill our obligations by remitting all dues as soon as funds are available to us.”

Aregbesola debunked claim by some retirees that the government had diverted the bailout funds.

New VC for Ajayi Crowder varsity

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51-year-old professor of Christian Studies, Dapo Asaju, is the Vice Chancellor (VC), Ajayi Crowder University (ACU), Oyo. The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), described Asaju as “a round peg in a round hole”.

Olanipekun said his choice was a unanimous decision after he came first in the interview conducted for shortlisted candidates yesterday.

According to him, Asaju scored 88 per cent to beat four other s to emerge the new VC. Eight persons applied for the job of which five were

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

shortlisted for interview, according to Olanipekun.

The pro-chancellor listed the factors that earned him the job as merit, performance, antecedent and record.

Asaju became a professor in 2004.

He teaches at the Lagos State University (LASU). He was Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Acting Dean, Faculty of Arts, Member of Council, Lagos State University (LASU) and a visiting associate professor, Bayreuth University, Germany, among others.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

NEWS Nigerians among 717 Saudi stampede victims Continued from page 6

Hajj: Previous tragedies

mediately” deployed to prevent more people heading towards the area, the directorate said.

The civil defence directorate said the victims were of “different nationalities”, without providing details.

As well as victims from Niger witnessed by the BBC’s correspondent at the scene, Iran’s state news agency, Irna, said at least 47 Iranians were among the dead.

The wounded were taken to four hospitals by more than 220 rescue vehicles.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who headed an emergency meeting after the stampede, has ordered an investigation.

The Saudi health minister, Khaled al-Falih, said the crush occurred because many pilgrims moved “without respecting the timetables” established by authorities.

Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV reported that the head of the central Hajj committee, Prince Khaled al-Faisal, had blamed the stampede on “some pilgrims with African nationalities”.

But the head of Iran’s Hajj organisation, Said Ohadi, told Irna that two paths close to the scene of the incident had been inexplicably closed off by the

Saudi authorities, resulting in the build-up in pilgrims.

The Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. It is the journey that every able-bodied adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lives if they can afford it.

The number of people attending Hajj rose from 57,000 in 1921 to a high of 3.2m three years ago, according to the Saudi Central Department of Statistics and Information.

That figure dropped to just over two million last year.

Dogara condoles with Muslims

‘Banks need liquidity injection’

Continued from page 6

death of hundreds of pilgrims including Nigerians and take necessary measures to avert future occurrence.

"I also pray God to grant the families of the victims the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and quick recovery to the injured".

2006: 364 pilgrims die in a crush at foot of Jamarat Bridge in Mina 1997: 340 pilgrims are killed when fire fuelled by high winds sweeps through Mina’s tent city 1994: 270 pilgrims die in a stampede during the stoning ritual 1990: 1,426 pilgrims, mainly Asian, die in a stampede in an overcrowded tunnel leading to holy sites 1987: 402 people die when security forces break up an anti-US demonstration by Iranian pilgrims

Continued from page 6

eign currency,” it said.

Fitch said foreign currency availability was already strained in 2015 due to falling oil revenues, central bank action to defend naira depreciation and heightened negative investor sentiment towards emerging markets.

It said warnings throughout the year that JP Morgan intended to remove Nigeria from its Emerging Markets index, which occurred in mid-September, also triggered heavy foreign currency outflows as investors sold Nigerian securities

•Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari (middle) bidding President Buhari goodbye at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina...yesterday. With them are Katsina State officials.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

Buhari leaves for U.S. after Sallah prayers in Daura

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday joined Muslim faithful in observing Eid-el-kabir prayer at his native home, Daura, Katsina State.

The prayer was led by Chief Imam Sheikh Safiyanu Yusuf of Daura, at Kofar-Arewa Eid ground around 9.30 a.m.

In his sermon, the Imam stressed the importance of sacrifice in Islam.

He said the sacrifice could be done win ram, sheep, goat,

cow or camel.

Yusuf said that the meat could be given to the needy and even non Muslims.

He urged people to continue to pray to the almighty Allah to give the country peace, unity and stability.

Emir of Daura Alhaji Umar Farouq, directed all mosques in the emirate to organise special prayer for peace and stability in the nation.

He prayed to Allah to continue to guide the President to

be able to lead the country right. ‘’We need to intensify prayer for peace and stability in the country, because nothing can be achieved without peace,’’ he said.

Some of the important personalities who observed the Eid prayer with the president include Director, Department of Security Service (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Musa Daura, and other prominent sons of the emirate,

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Buhari and the Emir slaughtered their rams after the prayer at the Eid ground.

NAN also observed that there was adequate security at the Eid ground and the prayer ended peacefully.

The president left later for the United States to attend the activities of the 70th Assembly of the United Nations. He travelled through the Katsina Airport.

Rumpus as Saraki, others pray in Ilorin Continued from page 6

connected.

Some other worshippers scampered to safety when the mob was persistent in hurling stones, pebbles and missiles at the dignitaries.

Saraki, the Emir and most of the dignitaries went ahead with the Sallah.

Immediately the two Rakat prayers ended, the worshippers surged forward again.

They were raining unprintable words on the dignitaries and throwing more missiles.

The security wall around the Senate President was, however, thick and it protected him from any personal harm.

The police and security agents fired teargas to disperse the mob.

Saraki was guarded into his vehicle.

Others who were victims of the mob action were ex- Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, State Assembly Speaker Ali Ahmad, former Speaker Razak Atunwa (now a member of the House of Representatives), Rep Amuda Kannike, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Alhaji Kawu Baraje, the Taliban of Ilorin, Prof. Oba Abdulraheem, members of

the Assembly, all the Baloguns, Magajis and prominent leaders in Ilorin Emirate.

The police have started probing the incident.

Our correspondent saw one of the suspects being taken away in a security van.

Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi, said: “We have arrested eight suspects in connection with the incident.

“We are interrogating the suspects and before Monday, we will release the details of our findings.”

The protest was triggered by the delay in payment of salaries.

The Eid-el Kabir was celebrated with hunger by many citizens of the state following non-payment of salaries for three to four months by the state government, in spite of the bailout by the Federal Government.

Although there were lastminute salary alerts for civil servants by the g o v e r n m e n t o n Wednesday night, the tension had peaked due to the inability of many to get cash for Sallah.

While local government workers are being owed for three months, some workers have not been paid for four months.

A source in Saraki’s camp said: “The protest was actually not targeted at Saraki; it was borne out of the delay in payment of salaries by the state. The Senate President, the Emir, the Chief Imam and other leaders were victims of circumstance. “ In fact, the Sallah was designed to give Saraki a befitting reception and welcome him back home after his arraignment at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday.

“If any Emir will be attacked, it is not in Ilorin Emirate where the Emir is loved and revered.

“Immediately the arrival of Saraki was announced, the mob assumed that the governor was on his entourage and without finding out, they started attacking the dignitaries.

“It is erroneous to say that Saraki and others were deliberately singled out for attack.

The President of the Senate has nothing to do with outstanding salaries in Kwara State.

“And if you look at it, what has the Emir and other leaders got to do with non-payment of salaries? Why should the mob attack these leaders for God’s sake?

“We are suspecting sabotage; we believe some fifth columnists or forces are at work. Some propagandists went about with different insinuations that the bailout funds were diverted.”

A source in the government said Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed was really proactive to prevent the incident.

The source said: “When the governor got security reports of likely unrest over salaries, he met with the Nigeria Labour Congress and leaders of National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to allay fears that he had received the bail out funds and diverted it.

“The governor opened the books of the state, almost swore to the leaders that he had not received any bailout funds.

“The leaders of the workers showed appreciable understanding.

“When it was obvious that the workers were unprepared to mark Sallah without salaries, the governor went all out to source for N400million to pay the workers.

“At least some of the workers got alerts for two months’ salaries on Wednesday night and early Thursday.”

How it happened, by Nigerian pilgrim Continued from page 6

Commission, Uba Mana, said that Emir of Kano, who is the leader of the delegation, and others were meeting.

The Saudi Civil Defence Directorate reported on twitter that 4,000 personnel had been sent to the scene of stampede, along with more than 220 emergency and rescue units.

Incidentally, the emir of

Kano earlier in the week urged pilgrims to accept the arrangement which the Saudi Authorities have put in place over ‘’the stoning of the devil’’ at Jamrat.

Amirul Hajj Sanusi revealed that performing the stoning of the devil in batches and spreading the time for the Islamic rite to include the period of Zawal (sun rise) is necessary to protect the lives

of pilgrims.

The Emir noted that ‘’on many occasion, pilgrims have been killed at the stoning site from stampede arising out of thousands of pilgrims converging to do the throwing at the same time, among number of causes.’’

Emir Sanusi II recalled that 266 pilgrims had died in 1994 while 98 others were injured

at the stoning site that year.

Ten years later, 251 pilgrims died in 2004 and in 2006, 346 also died, he added.

According to him, ‘’all these incidents happened at the Jamarat. The frequency and sheer enormity necessitated the following arrangement of the concerned authority, by performing the ritual in a way that will protect human life.’’

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

9

NEWS

Why Ondo workers have not been paid

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IVIL servants in Ondo State are yet to receive their three months’ salaries, despite the receipt of the N14.686billion bailout fund from the Federal Government.

The non-payment led to Tuesday’s protest where aggrieved workers demanded the removal of the Accountant-General, Fredrick Ajibokun.

The workers accused Ajibokun of conniving with the government to delay their salaries.

But a government insider said the accountant general should not be blamed as he was only acting on instruction “from above”.

“Is it possible for the gov-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ernment to give an order and the accountant general, who is a mere civil servant, will say no? The workers’ leaders should direct their grievances to the right channel,” he said.

Also, one of Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s former political aides, who pleaded for anonymity, said the delay was caused by the fresh verification carried out by the government.

According to him, “the verification is to give those who did not participate in the previous exercise the opportunity to do it so that their names will not be deleted completely from the system.

“I can assure the workers that immediately after the

verification, the workers will be paid. Even political aides are still being owed.”

The Joint Negotiating Council Chairman, Sunday Adeleye, said the workers were demanding the accountant general’s removal, adding that he connived with politicians to deny civil servants their right.

Adeleye explained that the government had accessed the bailout fund two weeks ago and had no excuse not to pay.

“Last week, the commissioner for Finance told me that he has directed the accountant general to pay workers.

“The bailout fund came to the government account two weeks ago, they should have directed the accountant gen-

eral to effect our payment, they failed.

“I called the accountant general to confirm but he did not pick my call. Every effort we made to get his side proved abortive, which means something is wrong somewhere.

Spokesman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Victor Omodara said the delay in the payment was caused by the Sallah break.

According to him, the union leaders met with the government where it was agreed that the July salary would be paid immediately.

August was to be paid within the next 24 hours, but the arrangement failed because of the two-day holiday.

Ogun to eliminate malaria by 2020

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HE Ogun State government has vowed to tackle malaria through the use of Long Lasting Insecticidal Net (LLIN).

The Director, Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Yusuf Quduus, said this at the 2015 Multi – Year Training Plan (MYTP) at Ijako in Ado – Odo / Ota Local Government Area.

He said the MYTP which was supported by “Support for National Malaria Programme” (SUNMap) would cover year 2015 – 2020 on malaria elimination, adding that the MYTP was designed to discover the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) in the outgone year and to further explore opportunities for malaria elimination in the year under review.

“MYTP is meant to look into the achievements and short comings from 2009 – 2014 and recommend ways out through sensitisation and trainings with regards to the use of LLIN,” Dr. Yusuf said.

The director said Ogun State has achieved more than 90 per cent in LLIN distribution since the beginning of the year with the support of SuNMaP and other development partners.

The State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, Mrs. Olamide Adeyinka, said SuNMaP had been partnering with Ogun State in relation to malaria elimination, adding that more efforts would be geared towards the private health providers to increase the coverage.

Let’s uphold love, says Fayemi ORMER Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has urged Muslims to uphold the lessons of love, loyalty and sacrifice which the Eid-el- Kabir teaches.

Fayemi, in a goodwill message, said the Eid el-Kabir festival also offers another opportunity for sober reflection, soul searching and spiritual renewal, which Allah demands from the faithful.

He advised that the lessons of sacrifice and loyalty, which Eid-el-Kabir teaches should not be lost to the pomp and ceremony that accompany the festival. According to him, Allah brought victory and joy to

F

Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Ismail, after the duo demonstrated uncommon sense of sacrifice in fulfilling His will.

Fayemi, while urging Nigerians to continue to pray and work for peace in the country, urged the Muslim faithful and adherents of other faiths to make peaceful coexistence and harmony their watchwords in the quest for a greater and more prosperous Nigeria.

“It is only through the fear of God, love for one another and commitment to peaceful living, that we can collectively confront our challenges as a nation and build the Nigeria of our dreams,” Fayemi added.

Be tolerant, Bello advises •Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha (second left), with her daughters and aide at the Eid El- Kabir prayer at AnNur Mosque in Abuja...yesterday

Ekiti pensioners protest exclusion from bailout

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ENSIONERS in Ekiti State are set for a showdown with the Ayo Fayose administration, following alleged plans to exclude them from benefiting from the N9.6 billion bailout loan released from the Central Bank.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has given the government till Tuesday to pay civil servants the arrears of their September 2014 salaries, 2014 and 2015 leave bonuses, among other benefits.

The union said it would stage a “massive protest” and make the state “ungovernable”, if the government failed to accede to its demands.

A thick pall of gloom enveloped the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) on Wednesday, following government’s decision to exclude retirees from the bailout largesse.

The state NUP Secretary, Rufus Ogedengbe, said the pensioners were “shocked” when the Head of Service, Gbenga Faseluka, said on Tuesday that they would no longer benefit from the bailout funds.

Faseluka, at a briefing to mark the civil service week, said the bailout funds would only accommodate the arrears of pensions but would

•TUC sets Tuesday deadline for payment of arrears From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

not cover arrears of gratuities.

Ogedengbe said the latest “bombshell” that pension arrears would no longer be paid from the bailout funds was a shocker.

He said: “On Tuesday, the Head of Service called us on the issue of bailout and we were told that the bailout fund does not cover pensions and gratuities for both government pensioners and local government pensioners.

“We received the information with shock; we were very surprised because we thought that that this was an opportunity for the government to pensioners.

“We asked why and they told us that the government will continue to try to find ways to address the issue.

We will continue to pressurise the government to do something about this.”

TUC Chairman Kolawole Olaiya declared the union’s readiness to protest next week, if workers were not paid by Tuesday.

Olaiya, who spoke yesterday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, also warned government against diverting the bailout funds.

He said workers would make the state ungovernable, if they found out that any government official diverted the money.

The TUC chairman warned the government against playing games, adding that failure to pay workers by Tuesday might spark an industrial crisis.

Olaiya said: “We have been expecting workers’ accounts to be credited but the governor has been approbating and reprobating. By Tuesday, if the accounts are not credited, there will be problems in Ekiti State.

“Our leave bonus for two years (2014 and 2015), September 2014 salary arrears, arrears of deductions are there, whether that of pensioners is there, I don’t know.

“All these must be given to workers latest by Tuesday, if this is not done there will be problems.”

Warning against any plan to divert the fund, Olaiya declared: “Should the government divert it and we have the evidence, we will make the state ungovernable.

“Now that the government has fulfilled conditions to access the funds, if anyone diverts it, it will not be palatable.”

But the governor has said he should be counted out of the plans to divert the bailout funds.

Fayose said as a lover of workers and a firm believer in the biblical injunction that a labourer was worthy of his wages, he would never contemplate punishing workers.

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IGER State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello yesterday urged Muslims to renew their commitment to the pursuit of the nation’s peace and progress.

He advised them to imbibe the virtues of obedience, tolerance, faith, perseverance and sacrifice as exemplified

by Prophet Ibrahim.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibraheem Dooba, said Muslims must pray for an end to the incessant security challenges particularly in the North.

Bello called on Nigerians to tolerate one another and assist the less privileged. The governor appealed to those

Poverty responsible for corruption, says Ladoja From Jeremiah Oke, Ibadan

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ORMER Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja has blamed the insecurity and corruption in Nigeria on poverty.

Ladoja said leaders would continue to steal, if the masses kept quiet.

He spoke yesterday at his Bodija home after the Sallah prayer, advising security and anti-graft agencies to rise up to their duties.

According to Ladoja, government at all levels should ensure that all Nigerians live above poverty level, “if we are truly serious about corruption”.

“All we need to know is that there is abject poverty in the land and to avoid the trend, is for government to ensure that people live well.

“Salaries of workers are not being paid as at when due.

Corruption and kidnapping are the outcome of the economic crisis facing the nation today.

“There is need for the government to make the masses feel the impact of the change in the land. What the masses should do is to carry out their own programmes rather than talking on the ills of the past administrations.

“The masses should also be blamed because they encouraging leaders to steal because they know they will get something from the stolen funds.”

accusing him of being slow in governance to be patient stressing that things must be done carefully in order not to derail and lose the opportunity provided to fix the state.

He assured the people that his administration would work assiduously to ensure the people derive maximum benefit from “positive change”.

Adeola: pray for Nigeria’s peace HE senator representing Lagos West, Solomon Adeola, has enjoined Muslims to continue to pray for the nation’s peace and progress.

In his Eid-El-Kabir message, Senator Adeola said a strict adherence to the teachings of Islam in the areas of love, brotherliness, piousness, peaceful coexistence as well as tolerance will assist the new administration to achieve its agenda.

The senator said he would continue to represent his constituents by ensuring that they continue to enjoy dividends of democracy from the government as well as from his programmes.

He urged Muslims to shun social vices as contained in the Quran as such are not only detrimental to the individuals’ well-being but harm the fabric of society in various ways that may not be immediately seen.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

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NEWS EID-EL KABIR CELEBRATION

•Oyo State Governor Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi(right), Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dauda Makanjuola, Alhaji Alimi Togunde, Senator Soji Akanbi, former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi and Alhaji Idris Arisekola at the Agodi GRA, Ibadan Praying Ground...yesterday

•Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar I11 (right) and Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba, at the Sokoto Ground...yesterday

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola(middle) acknowledging cheers from Muslims faithful, in Osogbo...yesterday

•Adamawa State Governor Muhammadu Bindo (right); Wakilin Adamawa, Alhaji Hassan Adamu(left) and Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo in Yola...yesterday

•From left: Otaru of Auchi, Haliru Momoh; Daudu of Auchi, Aziz Momoh; Acting Chairman, Etsako West Local Government, Busari Yesufu and others, at the Auchi Ground...yesterday

•Jigawa State Governor Muhammad Badaru (second left); former member, House of Representatives, Farouq Aliyu(left); Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi(second right) and former Deputy Governor Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud, in Dutse...yesterday

•Bauchi State Governor Muhammed Abubakar (left), Madakin Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Gidado, and Ajiyan Bauchi, Alhaji Bello Kirfi, at the Central Mosque in Bauchi...yesterday

•Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu (right) and Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, in Birnin Kebbi...yesterday

PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI AND NAN

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘Business continuity is broader than disaster recovery alone, but some people don’t have disaster recovery facility. The regulatory authority takes this requirement very serious and has said any PFA that cannot establish a disaster recovery plan should not bother doing the pension business’ -Managing Director, AIICO Pensions Manager Ltd, Eguarekhide Longe

• From left: ENL Consortium’s Mr. Mark Walsh; Mr. Chinedu Okpareke of Sahara Group; Chairman, GMT Energy Resources Limited, Mr. Seinde Fadeni; Chairman, Badagry Ship Repair and Maritime Engineering Company (BSMEC), Dr. Taiwo Afolabi; Mr. J. P Seo of Hyundai Heavy Industries; Mr. Y.S Kang of Samsung Heavy Industries and Project Director, BSMEC, Mr. Laolu Saraki at the 4th Stakeholders meeting between BSMEC, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries on the development of the $1.5billion shipyard repair facility for LNG, VLCC, VLGC & ULCC vessels in Badagry.

‘Govt approves 90 contracts’

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BOUT 90 contracts were approved be tween January and June, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) said in its bi-annual report.

The report, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on yesterday statedthat the contracts will be executed over three years.

It said contracts for the supply and installation of 753, 002 electricity meters under the Presidential Initiative to Nigerians were awarded through the Ministry of Power at the cost of N27.1 billion.

It said 23 contracts, ranging from the provision of solid waste collection in Abuja Municipal Area Council to the construction of sewage facilities and management services, will be executed in the Federal Capital Territory..

The report added that four of the contracts will be implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources, including the rehabilitation and expansion of the Central Ogbia Regional water supply in Bayelsa.

The report also said that the Ministry of Water Resources awarded contract for the construction of Irawo Earth Dam project in Oyo State.

It said that five contracts were awarded through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources for the construction of the Head Office building complex for the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in Bayelsa.

It said the Ministry of Works awarded contract for the expansion of Suleja-Minna Phase two Road in Niger with funding from the Subsidy Re-investment Programme 2014 appropriation.

The report also said that the government awarded contract through the Ministry of Works for the expansion of AbujaKeffi expressway and the expansion of Keffi-AkwangaLafia-Markudi road.

It said the Ministry of Education awarded contract for Phase two of the expansion/completion of the TETFund intervention in special Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Project, educational training laboratories and workshop/ equipment for 73 Nigerian public universities.

Firms in trouble over CBN’s measures

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ANUFACTURERS could run out of raw materials and be forced to shut down as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) forex policy has effectively banned the import of almost 700 goods to prevent a currency collapse, Reuters said.

Selected luxury items such as make-up or brown bread imported from Europe, have become scarce in some shops as the CBN denies importers dollars, seeking to stem the fallout from a crash in vital oil revenues.

The central bank has restricted access to foreign currency to import 41 categories of items to stop a slide of the naira, but the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said this in fact amounted to about 680 individual items.

The foreign exchange bans are part of a long-term plan

by President Muhammadu Buhari to encourage local manufacturing, but they run the risk of pushing the economy closer to recession after growth halved in the second quarter compared with the same period last year.

Many items on the apex bank’s list - ranging from in-

cense and toothpicks to plywood, glass and steel products — are not available in Nigeria in sufficient volumes, Reuters claimed.

While Nigeria grows a lot of tomatoes, transport is poor and it lacks facilities to produce the concentrate needed by factories making tomato paste, a staple in the West African nation.

“We’ve taken this matter up with the central bank and the highest authority in this country ... Fiscal authorities will also be involved, they weren’t before,” Remi Ogunmefun, the Director- General of MAN, said.

The apex manufacturers representative body had told the CBN that 105 items should be removed from the list, but the bank said it could not afford to do so, but agreed to look into the removing 44 items.

MAN also suggested that 93 finished items should be added to the list because Nigeria produces enough of them.

The economic crisis is a blow to Buhari who wants to end dependence on oil revenues, but faces criticism for failing to name a cabinet four months after taking office.

Since the apex bank un-

veiled its controls in June, executives have had to deal with foreign suppliers worried they won’t get paid. They also struggle to convince banks to approve dollar payments.

“It takes minimum 10 days now to get dollars, before it was 24-48 hours, and sometimes when you request like $100,000, you only get $80,000 and it’s getting worse,” said an executive at a large furniture company,who asked not to be named.

It’s not clear which imports are still allowed as the CBN lists only categories. He can still bring in beds and chairs to be assembled in Nigeria, but not sofas.

Some firms have defaulted on contracts and lost credit lines. “Many companies have defaulted on fulfilling foreign obligations ... even blue chip companies ... for the first time,” said Muda Yusuf, Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry With no cabinet in place, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele finds himself discussing policies usually reserved for a Finance or Economy Minister.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Emefiele justified the

IPMAN praises Buhari on fuel supply From James Azania, Lokoja

T • Emefiele

controls — which Buhari has backed — as a way to create jobs in a country hit by poverty despite its oil wealth.

“I read an advertisement in a paper that shortly after we announced the foreign exchange exclusion for the importation of tomato paste, they advertised for almost 1,000 jobs,” he said, citing the example of a tomato paste company, a sector that experts do not in fact expect to flourish now.

Emefiele has ruled out another naira devaluation but on Tuesday loosened monetary policies to inject liquidity into banks, which had been forced to transfer government revenues to a central bank account as part of an anti-corruption drive.

Nigeria stepped up import controls when Buhari led a military government in the 1980s and the economy suffered then too.

‘Why govt should provide incentives for MSMEs’

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BUJA Chamber of Commerce and In dustry (ABUCCI) has asked the Federal Government and other stakeholders to support and provide incentives for the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

President of ABUCCI, Tony Ejinkonye, who stated this at the 10th Abuja International Trade Fair, entitled ‘Entrepreneurship as a Panacea for Economic Growth’ said the theme of this year’s fair was chosen based on the reality that about 75 per cent of the organised private sector was made up of SMEs. He said the call became necessary given the importance of MSMEs in the devel-

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

opment of any economy, and urged the government to reposition the manufacturing sector, as it is the engine of growth of any economy.

Ejinkonye also appealed to the government to make the development of infrastructure a priority, saying it was important for the current administration and other stakeholders to seriously address the transport sector, especially the rehabilitation of the railway system and road network facilities.

He said this would greatly enhance the transportation of both raw materials and finished goods. He noted that the current administration’s effort in bringing solution to the fuel crisis had led to an increase in

economic activities in the country.

On the trade fair, he said it was targeted at promoting accelerated development of commerce, as well as promote the revitalisation and diversification of the economy to boost non-oil exports.

According to him, 2015 is also designed to galvanise international entrepreneurship into the nation’s economy.

“Entrepreneurship is the engine that drives every 21st Century economy; robust entrepreneurships is a must for a robust national economy,” he said.

Meanwhile, John Chukwu, FCT Permanent Secretary, represented by a Director, in the ministry, Abubakar Sani, said the theme of the fair was

timely and commendable, given the current economic realities of the nation’s economy.

Chukwu noted that the increasing number of unemployed youths has made entrepreneurship a viable platform to deploy the hands of job seekers and economically empower them.

He said in a bid to reduce unemployment in the territory, the FCTA established Abuja Enterprise Agency to key into the Federal Government’s job creation programme.

“We strategically established the Abuja Enterprise Agency as a special purpose vehicle for the development of entrepreneurship skills and the provision of viable financial muscle to support entrepreneurs,” he said.

HE Independent Pe troleum Marketers A s s o c i a t i o n (IPMAN), Kogi State chapter, has commended the Federal Government and President Mohammadu Buhari for ensuring availability of petroleum products across the country.

The Chairman of IPMAN, Joel Olufemi who made the commendation while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja yesterday, said the long queues that used to be the order of the day in petroleum stations across the country have become a thing of the past.

He explained that the federal government has ensured that petroleum products is made available in abundance, noting that it has made easier for motorists to buy without stress.

He said during the holidays, including the October 1st Independent Day anniversary, there would be enough fuel for motorists travelling to different parts of the country.

He refuted allegations that the officers of Weight and Measurement Department, Ministry of Trade and Commerce, are in the habit of collecting bribe from members of the association.

He described such allegation as baseless and a figment of the imagination of those making it.

He said that it is only the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) that has the mandate to visit filling stations, regulate price and ensure correct measurement of fuel discharged to motorists at the official pump price of N87.00 per litre.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

12

In spite of its massive job creation potential, the agric sector is hardly attracting the requisite attention. But things may get better as the alumni of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, is making moves to reawaken interest in agric entrepreneurship, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

• Tractor on a farm

Rekindling interest in agribusiness The reunion of the alumni of the Federal College of Agriculture (FECA), Akure, the Ondo State capital, has opened a new vista of opportunity for the agricultural sector.

The forum brought together agribusiness representatives and academics. The Country Representative, Harvest Plus, Dr Paul Ilona, gave the alumni and students insights on business opportunities in cassava production.

The school has produced men, such as the late Chief Moshood Abiola and the Chairman of Elizade Group, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, who have worked extremely hard to become Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs.

While many have chosen to pursue their own businesses, others have held on to government positions and contributed to changing the way agric business is done.

Some alumni said if the college is supported to improve on entrepreneurial education, the nation will benefit tremendously. One of those who expresssed this view is the Chief Executive Officer, X-Ray Farms Consulting and AF Marketing, Afioluwa Mogaji.

Better known as African Farmer, Mogaji, who obtained a National Diploma (ND) in General Agriculture from the college, created his own business after graduation.

He founded his own farm production group that grows and sells vegetables. He is proud that the institution contributed to his greatness. It was with great enthusiasm that Mogaji began his endeavour, from the cultivation and processing stages, and all the way through to packaging and marketing.

With his farms spread across the country, he earns money every day.

The skills he has learned through the school’s programmes have been vital to his success as an entrepreneur.

Named by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as a ‘Champion for Change,’ Mogaji said one of the challenges facing agriculture today is the shortage of people who view it as a business.

He said younger farmers are beginning to usher in a revolution in thinking agriculture as an endeavour that needs a business and management perspective.

• Chief Ojo

• Odedina

• Mogaji

To sustain agriculture as an industry, he said the government and the private sector need to empower more people to go into agriculture with a business management perspective where they take on risks and seek out returns.

According to him, the government has to provide an environment that rewards the efforts of agribusinesspersons that are working to change agriculture into an integrated industry with best management practices, people and technologies.

Earlier, Project Director, Cassava Adding to Africa (CAVA), Prof Kola Adebayo, a former student of FECA, said the agriculture sector represents great opportunity for young people.

He said many Nigerians have found agro entrepreneurship to be a way out of poverty. And more are likely to take that path in the future.

For young people to take to agriculture, he said farming must be made to be intellectually satisfying and economically rewarding.

To achieve this, he said young people should be given functional education to manage the entire crop cycle, starting with sowing and extending up to value addition and marketing.

The Provost, FECA, Dr Samson Adeola Odedina, said Agribusinesses are facing a severe shortage of highly skilled workers. This, he attributed to disconnect between the content of education and the operations of agribusiness.

He said institutions have not been able to transition their research results into products and services, which enterprises need. To address this, institutions have to change the curricula to train graduates on how to efficiently operate agribusinesses. creation to new heights.

He said such programmes should equip students with sound business concepts and commercial understanding of the agrifood industry.

Odedina said graduates will have career opportunities in many areas, including food marketing, product development, packaging, sales, promotion, advertising, business development, retail management, brand management, food security and transport logistics.

For him, a qualified agribusiness person must have business skills including agricultural expertise, finance, accounting, marketing skills, and human resource management.

He said the college is determined

to establish a higher profile brand and reputation through quality graduates.

As its graduates are successful, he said they will be able to give back to the school in some form. By giving back to the school, they would have established a higher reputation for their alma mater, which further enhances the prestige of the college certificates.

He said the institution has raised many alumni, one of whom is Chief Ojo, a business mogul. He said the college has produced experts that have helped the government and the private sector to improve food production nationwide.

In addition, Odedina said a lot of farmers have benefited from the college’s technical assistance, thus helping to ensure food security and improve livelihoods.

Besides providing high-yielding seeds and equipment, he said the college has supported farmers with equipment and techniques to improve harvesting and preservation to ensure an all-year round farming.

While food production has increased, he said revenue to farmers and farmer households has also grown positively, with modern agriculture ma-

‘Government has to provide an environment that rewards the efforts of agribusiness-persons that are working to change agriculture into an integrated industry with best management practices, people and technologies’

chinery also being introduced and training for local farmers.

Due to the successes recorded in by alumni, the sector has been revolutionised.

He, therefore, expressed the hope that the reunion would deepen the successes made so far.

He praised the West Africa Agriculture Productivity Programme (WAAPP) that gave the school the funds to work with schools and farming communities around it. Through adopted villages, he said the college has demonstrated the profitable of agriculture in poultry production, cassava production and value chains, and aquaculture production and processing to schools and communities in Ondo State and people are making a living from it.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer and Programme Director of Multimix Academy, Mr. Obiora Madu has said that agribusinesses need skills to compete in international markets.

He said the nation has an agricultural potential to enable Nigerians capture large amounts of foreign currency and develop agriculture into an industry that benefits all.

He said Nigerians need skills in production, processing and distribution.

The challenge to him and others is that the agriculture sector lacks people with capabilities that will provide needed the stimuli to help the agribusiness become a new industry.

With the trends in the international food industry evolving, he said agro entrepreneurs have to develop a pragmatic export business plan,create a standard product that will not be rejected by foreign buyers.

Madu said his organisation is ready to work with the government to establish agriculture as a new business and find business persons that they can work together with.

According to him, opportunities exist for business matching and that would-be entrepreneurs would find what’s important through firsthand experience in export agriculture.

He stressed that agro businesses must appreciate the essential elements and overcome barriers in progressing to the next phase.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

Remove administrative bottlenecks for farmers, govt urged

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The President, Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), Dr Femi Egbesola, has urged the governments to remove any bureaucratic bootleneck for farmers if the nation is to grow its agriculture.

He said this would help farmers to boost productivity, create more jobs and keep the economy afloat.

He stressed that barriers thwart growth.

According to him, delayed actions on farmers’requests presented to government agencies are affecting

Stories by Daniel Essiet

businesses.

Egbesola called for a review of red tapism and issues retarding progress in the sector to help make Nigeria the best place for people to start and grow farming businesses.

He wants a robust plan put in place to reverse long-term declines in farming productivity and the nation’s self-sufficiency, increase the productive potential of farming, to stimulate investment, help

farmers manage market volatility and ensure that the drive to increase food production is at the heart of each government department.

He indicated that rising credit and interest rates are hurting farming businesses.

He said higher rates were already in place and likely to rise and the broader economy and the farm sector have struggled in the past years.

Egbesola implored that measures be taken to improve the industry.

Late rains cripple farming

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ARMERS in the Southewest are battling water shortage during the planting season no thanks to late rains.

The Programme Coordinator, Farmers Development Union (FADU), Mr Victor Olowe, cited small yams that have been harvested by farmers as evidence of the water problem.

Farmers had complained of lack of rains, which affected their early planting.

The problems of farmers with climate change was visible in most part of the North and South where farmers are reviving their agricultural heritage.

According to reports, farmers can only cultivate paddy, millet, beans and other commodities in the few areas of land due to late rains.

Crops are limp,while livestock are struggling to find feeds as farmers anxiously await rains.

Despite a reasonable start in the season, many crops are drying off from a lack of substantial follow-

up rain.

While it is not happening everywhere, farmers in the Southwest are concerned with the problem.

Observers believe productivity this year will be reduced drastically.

The Provost, Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igbo Ora, Oyo State, Prof. Gbemiga Adewale, said bad weather could cripple harvests, adding that this could affect food prices.

He urged farmers to focus on tackling climate change, saying it is crucial to tackling miserable harvests.

The resulting tight supplies of many feed grains could drive up the prices of agricultural commodities.

Besides, livestock and poultry producers are lamenting the effects of smaller supply and climbing cost of feed.

Vice President, Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria(ASBON),Mr Stephen

‘Improved shrimp production vital to growth’

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•Mr Ogunyinka presenting a certificate to a participant Ms Oyewoga Lateefat Titilayo during the ceremony.

Lagos Permanent Secretary assures farmers of govt’s support

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AGOS State government has reiterated its commitment to support farmers to boost food production and create opportunities for small farmers. he Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Olajide Basorun, stated this while delivering his keynote address at the award of certificates to 55 women and youths who were trained by the Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) in the three value chains rice, poultry and aquaculture.

He said the state is ready to work with small farmers to assist them in solving food problems.

The trainees were exposed to modern techniques and commercialisation.

The new partnership aims at optimising food production in various areas of the state. Basorun said the state would work with them to improve food production, food security and rural incomes.

Basorun congratulated the participants, surging them to make good use the training. ”We have engaged you; we have taken you from whatever you are doing to come and do farming and you have agreed because you have passion for it. We have equipped

• Basorun

you with necessary information about the latest technology you need to use to succeed in farming,” he said.

Basorun said the obejective of empowering the women and youth is to diversify the economy from over reliance on crude oil.

He continued: “Before, it used to be about crude oil, now agriculture

is a business. In other climes, the richest people are farmers, and that is why we need to focus on the benefit we can derive from agriculture produce. CADP was from to commercialise agriculture and shift from the hole and cutlass farming.’’

Earlier, the state Project Coordinator of the Commercial Agriculture Development Project, Mr Kehinde Ogunyinka, said the space for the first batch of the trainees was keenly contested among over 100 candidates.

He said they were chosen on merit and were certified to have passion for agriculture.

The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of certificates to the trainees by the permanent secretary.

Speakinging on behalf of his colleagues, Jimoh Nurudeen thanked Governor Akinwumi Ambode for his efforts to revitalise the agricultural sector of the state. He also thanked the state Ministry of Agriculture, the World Bank, CADP and other stakeholders for supporting the scheme.

He, however, promised that they would make good use of what they have learnt as well as any assistance they got from the scheme.

NCREASED shrimp production is vital to the economy, Prof Martins Antekhai, has said.

Antekhai of the Department of Fisheries, Lagos State University (LASU), said investors could explore investment opportunities in small, medium scale shrimp aquaculture to meet an anticipated shortfall in seafood supply.

He said there’s a huge business opportunity in shrimp production to fill the growing supply-demand gap in the face of rapidly expanding demand.

The shrimp production supply chain provides opportunities for small farmers, cultivating companies, input and feed providers, processors, transporters and marketers.

Investors, according to him, can explore intensified farming methods with industrialised processes to seek profits.

Antekhai said there was the need for Nigerians to get involved in shrimp production to benefit from the global shrimp exports market being explored by leading producers, such as Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico and Nicaragua.

With $5 million, he said investors could made good returns. The international price of a freshwater prawn stands at $380 while a large fresh tiger shrimp sells for $975 per kilogramme.

The model farm costs $4.7 million to build, including the hatchery and a processing facility.

Initial investments involve building ponds, irrigation system, processing plant, cold storage, feed mills, hatchery, pumping station, farm stores, warehouse and waste water treatment.

He said the produce would be processed and exported abroad.

He noted, however, there were challenges for producers, following increasing demands from international consumer for better food safety standards and traceability.

Poor infrastructure, he noted, also has made it difficult for Nigeria to improve domestic and global shrimp production volume.

According to experts, shrimp is the most valuable fisheries commodity in the world, accounting for about 15 per cent of the total value of internationally traded fisheries products.

Agribusiness to get priority attention under Buhari

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ATIONAL Programme Coordinator (NPC) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), Dr Aimen Onojah, has said agricultural produce in the President Muham-madu Buhari administration will receive great patronage.

He added that the administration would make agribusiness the thrust of its agricultural policy.

Onojah spoke at the opening of the Marketing and Processing Demonstration Training at National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Represented by an officer of the VCDP, Esinulo Kennedy, Onojah said: “This is a Federal Government project that involved six states.

They are Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Niger, Ogun and Taraba. It was packaged to reduce poverty among Nigerians and to stimulate the much needed economic growth of Nigeria.

“It is a pity that most projects in Nigeria are not sustained but this will be held on a sustainable basis.

It was packaged to favour the nation’s agric policy under a value change system with zeal for mar-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

ketability. What is the value of produce without a market for it?”

Earlier, the Acting Executive Director, NCAM, Dr Yomi Kasali described the available human and material resources at the institute as “the best” for the proposed policy of the government on prompt marketing of agric products in the country.

He said: “NCAM is not new to organising this type of training programmes for donor-assisted projects. For five years, the centre organised training/workshops and provided technical back stopping for the processing and market expansion component of Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP).

“The strength of NCAM derives from its mandate, which is to transform the Nigerian agriculture through the development of indigenous technologies that can reduce drudgery, thus leading to an increase in the quality and quantity of agricultural produce. This mandate is being achieved through innovative and adaptive research activities.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

14

THE NATION

BUSINESS LABOUR

Labour seeks probe of automobile industry M

EMBERS of the Steel and Engineering Workers’ Union of Nigeria (SEWUN) have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the sale of automobile firms by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), some years ago.

They are asking for a review of the privatisation process, claiming that due process was not followed in the sale of the companies.

The National President of the union, Elijah Adigun, in his address, at this year’s Annual Industrial Relations Conference in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, urged the Federal Government to set up a probe panel to look into the sale of automobile industries and to determine why the guidelines provided for in the Privatisation Act, to the effect that the controlling shares of these companies should be sold to core investors, was not followed in the sale of these companies by the BPE. He insisted that for President Buhari to succeed with his agenda of creating jobs, he should take a second look at the privatisation

by BPE, as no company privatised in the iron and steel industrial group is doing well.

“For instance, Anammco Limited, National Truck, Steyr Nigeria Limited, Leyland Nigeria Limited are companies sold to auto traders instead of core investors who have knowledge, exper-

Stories by Toba Agboola

tise and skills of vehicle manufacturing.

The labour leader noted that before the privatisation of the auto plants, they had a combined workforce of nearly 7,000 compared to about 300 workers they now have, cummulatively.

“It will interest you to know that before the privatisation of these auto plants, they had a combined workforce of nearly 7,000 compared with about 300 workers they have now,” he stated.

“Clearly, the figure here is an indication that the privatisation of these companies has brought economic woes and wastages to the country, rather than the blessing envisaged by the Federal Government. Even salaries are hardly paid to their workers,” he said.

Adigun, who expressed his union’s support for the Buhari-led administration’s battle against corruption, said it should not be selective and should be extended beyond the last regime to ensure that those who illegally appropriated the nation’s wealth are brought to book.

He called on the government to grow the economy by exploiting other natural resources to create wealth and generate employment, adding that government needs to look at other areas apart from oil sector.

The General Secretary of the union, Michael Ogbolu, in his paper, said the theme of the conference, “Survival strategies in an unfriendly environment-the Nigeria experience”, was quite appropriate, given that corruption has brought Nigeria to its knees.

Calling for urgent attention to rejuvenate the power sector which he said holds the key to the restoration of the manufacturing sector, Ogbolu expressed dismay that most vibrant factories in the past have been converted to places of worship due to unfavourable business environment.

He condemned the insurgency in the Northeastern part of the country, which he said has a negative effect on its members’ companies’ volume of trade, leading to the loss of jobs in the sector.

His words: Our Country which was a lucrative market for P.Z Industry Nigeria Plc, Dagcom Nigeria Limited, Jubaili Brothers Nigeria Limited, J.M.G. Limited and Cummings (West Africa) Limited, among others, has totally lost its share of the market in the region.”

He praised Buhari for the efforts to remove Nigeria from the list of pariah nation’s and work in synergy with comity of nations to end insurgency in the North East of Nigeria, so that we can live in harmony with one destiny and restore the market volume of our inndustry.

Workers earn N730 per hour in Q2, says NBS

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ORKERS earned N730.85 per hour for their labour in the second quarter of this year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported.

The report on labour productivity released by the NBS indicated that the wages of labour in the second quarter of this year was higher than the N669.57 per hour which workers earned in the first quarter of the year.

The increase represent an improvement in the standard of living.

The NBS stated: “High labour productivity can be an important signal of the improvement in real incomes (wages of labour).”

NMA debunks sale of hospitals

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HE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has debunked the claim by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) that government plans to sell off hospitals under the guise of public-private partnerships (PPP) . The association said the union was afraid of the work place discipline that private sector control would bring to hospitals.

Head of NMA’s clinical governance committee Dr Joseph Ana ac-

141,368 jobs created between May, August

A

TOTAL of 141,368 jobs were created in the second quarter. This represent a 69.9 per cent reduction from the 469,079 jobs recorded in the preceding quarter.

In a report made available to The Nation by RTC (Resources and Trust Company) Advisory Service (a private economic consulting firm in Lagos), and signed by the Senior Consultant/CEO, Opeyemi Agbaje, there are now 19.6 million people either unemployed or under-employed persons in the second quarter compared with 17.7 million in the first quarter.

The report said the Nigerian economy has experienced a sharp economic downturn over the last two quarters and the domestic manufacturing sector is now in recession. It however, said that the economy is expected to pick up with time.

“We observe that the economic costs of the absence of an Economic Team and coherent policy in terms of lower growth, declining manu-

facturing performance, declining Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), rising inflation, increasing unemployment, declining capital market performance and low job creation, have been quite severe. In terms of personnel and appointments, we note that the President has made some good selections as well as several controversial ones.

The Report said a full macroeconomic review was carried out, based on data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which showed that real GDP lowered to 2.35 per cent in the second quarter from 3.96 per cent in first quarter.

“Oil sector output declined by 6.79 per cent while non-oil output grew slightly by 3.46 pr cent. Five sectors namely mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, accommodation & food services, and public administration recorded negative growths.

“Manufacturing sector output growth in particular worsened from -0.7 per cent in first quarter

to -3.82 per cent in second quarter. This was largely attributed to oil refining, other manufacturing and food, beverage & tobacco.

“Nigerian economy has experienced a sharp economic downturn over the last two quarters, and the domestic manufacturing sector is now in recession. A slide to an actual economic recession may still be averted by sound policy and economic leadership,” the reports said.

The reports also reveal that within the manufacturing, the falling sub-sectors include beverages and tobacco (-5.9 per cent); textile, apparel and footwear (-3.17 per cent); electrical and electronics (0.38 per cent); motor vehicles and assembly (-0.48 per cent); and other manufacturing (-6.40per cent).

In addition to manufacturing, other poorly-performing economic sectors include oil and gas, electricity, hotels and restaurants (accommodation and food services) and public administration.

cused JOHESU of wanting its members to continue with their bad work ethics while they receive salaries ferom the government.

A recent report quoted JOHESU of accusing the government of planning to sell hospitals.

He stressed that private sector involvement in health would bring in corporate efficiency, discipline and resources which government alone cannot afford, if it is to deliver on health promises.

Expert attributes industrial accidents to negligence

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• From left: Adigun, Ogbolu, President-General, SEWUN, Comrade Emmanuel Adesanya and Principal Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Paul Okonma at the conference.

The report also showed that the total hours workers spent on labour in the second quarter increased from 31.28 billion hours recorded in the first quarter to 31.50 billion hours.

The NBS reported that the labour force grew from 73,436,104 recorded in the period under review to 74,010,602 in the second quarter.

“The purpose of this brief report is to review recent trends in labour force and labour productivity in Nigeria, as well as compare with other emerging economies, with a view to highlighting possible areas of interest in the analysis of labour productivity in Nigeria,” the NBS said.

FRICAN labour experts have attributed industrial accidents, injuries and diseases in work places to negligence by industrial entrepreneurs who often compromise safety standards and regulations.

Director at the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC), Mr. Daniel E. Neburagho stated in Harare, Zimbabwe at a workshop on Employment Injury Compensation Schemes.

Neburagho said the workshop was a collaboration of ARLAC and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to strengthen labour administration systems in 19-member countries.

According to him, ILO statistics reveals that only 33 per cent of the global labour force is covered by the law on employment injury through mandatory social insurance, adding that the statistics also indicates that even when voluntary social insurance coverage and employer liability provisions are included, only 39.4 per cent of the labour force is covered by the law.

He observed that, in practice, ac-

tual access to employment injury protection is even lower, largely because of poor enforcement of legislation in many countries, the majority of which are in Africa and Asia.

He stressed that, often times, industrial accidents, injuries and diseases occur because safety standards and regulations are compromised by industrial enterprises.

He said: “As the popular saying goes, prevention is better than cure and once adequate preventive measures are in place, it obviously reduces the incidence and liability of catering for injuries and diseases during work.”

While emphasising the need to enhance working conditions in respect of occupational safety and health, he expressed optimism that as more countries move from employer liability as the basis for employment injury protection to a mechanism based on social insurance, levels of protection for workers are likely to improve.

Participants at the workshop were drawn from Ghana, Lesotho, Liberia, Nigeria, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.

TUC mourns HID Awolowo

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HE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) mourns Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, the matriarch of the Awolowo family and wife of late Obafemi Awolowo, who reportedly died last week in her sleep at her Ikenne, Ogun state home.

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Secretary-General, Comrade Musa Lawal, said the woman once described as “ jewel of inestimable value” by her husband has left so much to be desired.

According to the congress, the

nonagenarian until her husband’s demise on May 9, 1987 was his pillar of strength, adding that though mama was old yet “we had wished she lived more years to see the dream of her husband concerning Nigeria come to pass.”

While we mourn Mama’s demise, we take solace in the fact that she left a worthy legacy behind. There was no doubt that she was a woman of uncommon strength and virtue. It takes a lot of gut to sustain the laudable political legacies and values of her husband, the great Chief Awolowo.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL

LETTER

H.I.D. Awolowo (1915 – 2015) • Awo’s ‘jewel of inestimable value’ is gone!

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HE lived to a ripe old age; her death on September 19 put a dampener on plans for the celebration of her 100th birthday on November 25. Hers was a long and eventful life, often of interest to the public because of its socio-political dimensions.

Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, popularly recognised by her initials, HID, was a fascinating figure, especially because she was the wife of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the legendary Nigerian political titan and progressive leader who died in 1987. Famously described as “a jewel of inestimable value” by her husband, HID’s image glittered on account of the glowing commendation by the man she married in 1937 and stuck with until death separated them.

In a moving and revealing testimonial, HID’s husband said of her: “She has been of immeasurable assistance to me in the duties attached to my career as a public man…I do not hesitate to confess that I owed my success in life to three factors; the grace of God, a Spartan selfdiscipline and a good wife. Our home is to all of us a true haven; a place of happiness, of imperturbable seclusion from the buffetings of life.”

But HID was also significant in her own right, beyond the glory of matrimony.

Apart from her entrepreneurial spirit and success in business, she demonstrated a remarkable capacity for administration as the head of the African Newspapers Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Publisher of Tribune titles. The Nigerian Tribune, founded in

1949 by Chief Awolowo, is Nigeria’s oldest surviving private newspaper. Until she died, HID kept the company’s flag flying, but not without some cost to her husband’s principles and the newspaper’s image.

It is a reflection of not only her husband’s legacy but also her own personal worth that when she was alive her family home in Ikenne, Ogun State, was a mecca for various shades of political players who desired her support in pursuance of their political ambitions. She was politically accommodating, and the variegated complexion of the sympathisers drawn to her home by the news of her death spoke volumes about her politics of inclusiveness.

It is noteworthy that President Muhammadu Buhari said in a tribute: “Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo will always be honoured too for the indelible legacy of very significant, behind-the-scenes contributions to communal, state, regional and national development.” This aspect of her life was also highlighted in a tribute by a former executive director of AAN Plc, Mr. Folu Olamiti, who said: “A good number of position papers meant to strengthen the southwest geo-political zone and the need to promote the unity of Nigeria were formulated in Ikenne, her home.”

Her many-sided life had a notable cultural angle. The matriarch was a well-respected traditional title holder; and her major title, Yeye Oodua, suggesting that she was regarded as a mother figure by

the Yoruba people, reflected her wide cultural significance in her native Yoruba environment. In this connection, HID was co-chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum formed to protect and advance Yoruba interests within the country’s framework.

There were particular moments in her life when she attracted spontaneous sympathy from empathetic compatriots following touching personal losses: the deaths of her husband and three of her children at different times. These experiences provided the public with a window into her indomitable spirit and solid equanimity.

Her terminal moments fittingly reinforced her acknowledged strong familial values. A statement by her daughter, Mrs. Omotola Oyediran, on behalf of the family, said HID died “as she had always wished, surrounded by her children, grand children and great grand children.”

‘It is a reflection of not only her husband’s legacy but also her own personal worth that when she was alive her family home in Ikenne, Ogun State, was a mecca for various shades of political players who desired her support in pursuance of their political ambitions’

Vandals Vs Nigerian state • Oil thieves’ ambush and killing of 9 DSS operatives are a killing too many. High time these vandals were crushed

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IL vandals’ wilful murder of security operatives — the latest being the Directorate of State Security (DSS) 9 — is the fatal audacity of a dog in hot pursuit of a wolf: what the Yoruba would call Ajanlekoko. It is high time the Nigerian state cracked down and crushed this criminal scum.

The murder of the DSS 9, at Konu, a creek border settlement between Ikorodu in Lagos and Arepo in Ogun State, was a climax of such wilful and despicable killings of citizens and security agents. The oil thieves, who don black vests and black pair of trousers, with red bandanas tied round their heads, probably did so, so they could be stealing our collective patrimony in peace.

The vandals had, on September 16, in the thick of the night, ambushed and shot the nine DSS operatives dead in cold blood — with the mindless vandals carting away the bodies of their victims. That mindless killing put the virtual fear of God — or well, naked fear of the vandals! — in the nearby Oke-Oko community, near Ikorodu, Lagos State, with panicky residents fleeing. The state was well and truly captured in the vandals’ net; and even the bravest of citizens had genuine reasons to fear.

That DSS killing was reportedly less than six hours, after another set of security agents were felled, by the same suspected thieves, at Ishawo, also in Ikorodu.

At Arepo, it would appear a standard gory fare, of criminals always breaching pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Na-

tional Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), routinely killing citizens and security agents alike that dare to stray into their den, and burying them in shallow graves in the surrounding creeks.

The Nation had a close shave, when one of its photo-journalists, in Arepo to cover a pipeline fire incident, escaped death at the last second, after he had virtually said his last prayers — he, with a professional colleague from another newspaper house.

Even before, after a particularly gory campaign against security operatives, the police fled the area, virtually conceding it a no man’s land, a Hobbesian jungle, where the oil vandal was king. That has been the setting for this continuous anticitizen outrage; and these criminals’ devil-may-care contempt for the Nigerian state.

The question is: when will all this nonsense stop? Right now, we say without any hesitation. The Nigerian state must impose its will on every inch of the Nigerian landscape and, once and for all, give these free-killing criminals a bloody nose, and completely pacify the areas where they perpetuate their heinous crimes.

But to get the most effective result, planning, cold meticulous planning, is key. For starters, intelligence. That the criminals have struck at will is, perhaps, because of two terrible reasons: intelligence leaks from the security plane; and little or no intelligence glean on the vandals’ enclave. That should explain criminals ambushing security agents, when the reverse ought to be the case.

Then there is the absurdity of the secret police storming a crime scene, totting arms. If DSS has to be that visible, then there is something terribly amiss.

Let DSS concentrate on its intelligencegathering business. That is the value it can add to the campaign. If the police are too soft to counter these murderous vandals and the military is too hard, what about a special security outfit — perhaps inside the police or outside of it — like the coast guards in the United States, being formed to take charge of this menace?

With intelligence leaks blocked and the DSS penetrating the vandals’ haven, neutralising their plans even before they are hatched, smashing this disturbing crime empire can only be a matter of time.

So, let managers of Nigeria’s security apparatus sit up. The oil vandals’ murderous impunity must not be tolerated for a second more. We must wipe out this collective shame; and safeguard the lives of law abiding citizens against marauding pipeline criminals.

‘With intelligence leaks blocked and the DSS penetrating the vandals’ haven, neutralising their plans even before they are hatched, smashing this disturbing crime empire can only be a matter of time’

What’s the matter with Union Bank?

S

IR: We, the aggrieved pensioners of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc nationwide (pensioners from 2006 to 2014) have been maltreated, pauperized, traumatized, tortured, tormented and completely dehumanized by the recalcitrant posture of Union Bank and PENCOM. Some have been sent to their early graves.

For almost four years, Union Bank has refused to remit the full legacy fund/accrued pension rights into our various Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs). By this action, we find it impossible to access our full monthly pension. This has made us to be in real mess and bondage; life has been extremely difficult for us and we have been unable to cater for our families.

Despite many entreaties, protests and write ups in various national dailies urging the bank and PENCOM to correct all these anomalies, the bank remains adamant and unperturbed. This is sheer impunity which must be stopped. We have cried and shouted enough about these injustices and inhuman treatment meted on us.

We are in a dilemma and we are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and call both PENCOM and Union Bank to order.

Union Bank must comply fully with part x (1) (a) (g) and part iv 15 (c) (2) of the Pension Reform Act 2014 as amended.

However, the good news is that PENCOM on Monday, September 21, again directed the bank to credit our Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) on or before October 31.

On Wednesday, September 2, the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Mrs. Chinelo AnohuAmozu described non-remittance of pension funds by employers as a grave crime; she stated this after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

Will Union Bank comply this time? Will Union Bank continue with these impunity, recklessness and crimes unchecked?

These injustices and inhuman treatment meted on us must stop.

The bank must remit full and commensurate legacy fund/accrued pensions rights into our RSAs. The criteria and computation of the actuarial valuation of legacy fund/accrued pensions each aggrieved pensioner is entitled to must be made transparent and open to all; it must not be shrouded in secrecy.

•Lanre Onawola, Apata, Ibadan.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

16

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: Abians listened with rapt attention to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s interactive radio programme with an Aba- based radio station, Magic FM recently. The programme captured the governor’s journey in his 100 days in office and what Abians would expect from his government in the next 100 days.

One assurance definitely generated excitement among Abians, especially those living on the fringes of Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road.

The governor had in the interaction disclosed his intended interventions on the deplorable state of the road.

Ikpeazu said he has entered into discussions with his Akwa Ibom counterpart for some interventions on the road. The second level of intervention is the proposed by-pass that will cut through Ururuka Road and burst at a point around Onicha ngwa, along the same Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road.

These proposed interventions are cheering news for Abians

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Ikpeazu and Aba-Ikot Ekpene road and people from Akwa Ibom and Cross River alike who ply the road for business and other purposes.

To say that the road, especially the Abia axis is in a deplorable condition, and is a disaster begging for attention is an understatement. It has been grossly neglected by past administrations of which the Jonathan’s administration is the most culpable.

The road project was reportedly awarded in 2009 to Brent Investment Ltd, by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration at the cost of N2.9 billion with a completion period of 20 months; the contract was meant to reconstruct the failed

section of the highway.

It has been alleged that inadequate budgetary provisions in the past years has been responsible for the delay and the gradual failure of the road hampering economic activities in the commercial city of Aba and other cities in the South-east.

For example, the federal government did not make budgetary provisions for Aba-Ikot Ekpene road in 2013 budget, and so the contractor did not do much in terms of coverage and project completion. Also, the 2014 budget which was tagged all inclusive with a provision of N120 billion for the Federal Ministry of Works for capital projects could not proffer the solution.

Ikpeazu’s proposed interventions on the road are therefore timely and laudable. The dilapidated state of the road has exposed people from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Abia and a part of Rivers to great suffering as they cannot access their respective homes.

The governor also promised some remedial works on AbaPort-Harcourt Road to relieve the pressure on Aba-Owerri Road, pending when the African Development Bank loan would be accessed and full rehabilitation works carried out on the road.

Abians are earnestly waiting for these interventions.

•Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu, keshiafrica@gmail.com

Aylan Kurdis and the refugee crisis

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IR: Aylan Kurdi is the Syrian child from Kobane whose body was washed up on a Turkish beach. A single image appears to have had the potential to change the course of history. The photograph of Aylan Kurdi’s death has crystallized a crisis and encapsulated a sense of urgency from both European public and policymakers alike.

Aylan was not the only Syrian child that died; many children were killed by Assad’s chemical weapon and highhandedness, as well as refugees that died in the sea, fleeing the war-torn Syria to Europe.

Suddenly Kurdi’s death ap-

pears to have woken Europe up to what this crisis means – that a fire of the intensity of Syria’s conflict was never going to be confined to the region alone.

New data from the UNHCR showed that 366,402 refugees have crossed the Mediterranean Sea this year, with 2,800 dying or going missing en route.

However, the factor that gave rise to this conflict in Syria is the Arab spring that toppled Arab sit-tight leaders, the likes of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, Hosni Mubarak Egypt, Ali Abdallah Saleh in Yemen and Mu’ammar Ghaddafi of Libya, in 2011.

The Syrian dictator Bashar Al-

Assad, backed by Russia, Iran and the Hizbollah in Lebanon, became nervous of the situation that consumed other Arab leaders, hence he became ruthless after realizing that he had become engulfed in a conflagration he could not contain.

The Syrian conflict has created over four million refugees. Add to that nearly two million more fleeing persecution in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia; this has become a crisis that no amount of European generosity can address.

The problem is likely to get worse. The war in Yemen, which resulted in an almost 80 percent of the population needing hu-

manitarian assistance and the long-running Libyan conflict have yet to release their burden of displaced and desperate people.

The Syrian ruler, Assad should resign and pave way for a lasting solution; he cannot preside over the affairs of the people he had been butchering!

Al-Assad had lost control of the country; just as he had lost control of his own armies.

Of course, the solution has to be an end to these conflicts and the associated persecution. But none of these conflicts shows signs of abating soon.

• Abdullateef Tanko A. nayashit@yahoo.com.

Agony of poor policing

S

IR: Spate of burglary in rural communities is compounding the plague of poor folks and the anxiety of city dwellers who have to lock down their village homes after each visit. Life never leaves one with an easy choice. If it is not one thing, it is another. Residents of Anambra State have been living happier since the excellent effort of Gov. Willie Obiano to drastically cut down the high incidents of kidnapping. Atmosphere of security has prevailed in the state. Of late, it appears criminals have reverted to old time burglary.

Effort by government to focus on wiping out kidnapping might have inadvertently opened a hole for burglars to sneak through. Perhaps, it is celebrating the success of reducing incessant kidnapping so soon that allowed security operatives to move their eyes away from vigilance for other crimes. For whatever may be the reason, a reassessment of the process is needed for calibration of security measures in rural areas.

The vacuum in protecting the poor in rural areas is disturbing. Some people make the horrendous joke that because the burglaries mostly affect the poor that is why there seems to be neglect by law enforcement to address the scourge. Unlike the spike in kidnapping which became a policy issue. The worst case scenario is that victims have nowhere to make complain. They fear that going to the police will wind up costing them more. Officers will demand money to carry out investigation.

Transitioning in many rural communities is bringing new residents who are not indigenes. The old method of natives securing their villages is no longer effective. Most of the civil defense men are aged and not capable of surmounting the wave of burglary activities. It is scary that villagers have no one to protect them, especially, at night. I hope government would increase community policing in rural areas.

•Pius Okaneme, Umuoji, Anambra State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015 16

17

COMMENTS

Expensive folly • (Ignorant youth, motivational speakers, youth leaders…con-artists)

Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040 IKE captives, our youth are shackled by webs of ‘brilliant’ arguments. They are smitten by random sound bites and quotations by professional ‘life coaches’ and ‘motivational speakers.’ It doesn’t matter that anecdotes they retail are not much expression than sound.

It doesn’t matter that characters by whom they are spellbound, are ultimately foetal-adults with no honest livelihood and relatable experience to their name. Young, fresh graduates and undergraduates; rich, spoilt brats without the least anecdotal work and life experiences mount the podium at random, hawking clichés and mesmerizing sound bites to teach clueless, idle youth to tread paths even they would rather not tread. Sublime, isn’t it?

It is our tragedy today that Nigeria parades ‘promising’ youth with the heart of a lion and wit of a hyena. It’s our tragedy that our youth talk the talk of champions and walk the walk of cowards.

A simple lust remains our woe.

Now more than ever, we are desperate to harvest sugarcane where we planted thistle. That is why we become easy prey for rampaging

L

motivators to rip off.

Their talk is of ‘seed.’ Bet their unfortunate, middling, ignorant audiences do not know that every session they attend, they plant no seed; rather they present as fertile earth for their crafty motivators and ‘youth leaders’ to sow in and reap from.

Let us not dwell on their usual fallacies; there are no universal solutions and approaches to life that are practicable by all and applicable to all. Peculiar problems beget peculiar solutions. Individual remedies lie in the hands of individual man. They are usually relative and self-taught, as different circumstances dictate.

Which is why, I maintain that our ‘motivational speakers’ and ‘youth leaders’ are fraudsters – particularly the child-adults role-playing wise adults. What is it that gets to you?

Their clean-cut suits or passionately belted pick-me-ups, and psychobabble they steal from more reputable frauds or reliable role-models every day?

Today, the Nigerian educational system fails: the western model and our indigenous, religious, cultural models inclusive. The evidence abounds in the quality of our middling youth. Were we as promis-

‘This is the cold hard truth that you’d pay to avoid.

Covey and Tracy et al may not be frauds but Nigeria’s increasing band of psycho-babblers constitute the worst form of fraud. The reason why these foetal-adults and lazybones thrive is because there is a strong demand from an audience desperate for the illusion they sell. You’

W

HEN the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board was established by a Decree in February 1978 by General Obasanjo’s Military Government following the presentation of Angulu’s committee on the same subject I screamed in a headline titled JAMBAFORITI as my instantaneous reaction to the bogus idea. I recognized from Day One that the godfather of JAMB was politics and not in any way concerned or related to solving tertiary education admission problems in the country.

JAMB came into being ostensibly to reduce instances where a candidate might apply to and gain admission to about three universities thereby creating confusion in the admission system. And that was when the total number of universities in Nigeria was less than 10. In August 1988, the Federal Military Government led by President Babangida amended the decree of 1978 and included polytechnics and Colleges of Education admissions thereby compounding the already nasty situation.

I had no doubt in my mind that the whole concept of centralising admissions process and procedures to tertiary institutions like all the other centralised bodies and agencies in the country was only headed for catastrophe. Till tomorrow, it is Obasanjo alone who could answer why he centralised television broadcasting, the country’s stadia, the universities and other glorious landmarks which were proud legacies of their founding fathers.

No sooner than a few months after JAMB was created and forced down the throats of university administrators that insinuations started to fly about that the ploy was to bridge the growing gap in education between the Northern region and the Southern region of the country. And within a year, reports had started streaming in of JAMB results being manipulated and the children of the rich and influential were receiving excellent JAMB results for examinations they did not write.

Hundreds of thousands of students who did not write JAMB examinations and those who were merely awarded huge marks found their way to the universities only to be found wanting at the first tests conducted in their respective departments. Year in-year-out, thousands of fake students who gained admission fraudulently were expelled from tertiary institutions. The whole scenario became a huge mess.

Poor parents who are desperate to get their children and wards into tertiary institutions resorted to all unimaginable tactics ranging from hiring people to write examinations for their children to outright offering their bodies to lecturers and JAMB officials so that their children and wards could be rigged in.

But that is not the worst part of the story. The more un-

ing as we are deemed to be, we would understand that the so-called regenerative words of Zig Ziglar, Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, Stephen Covey would sound just as lame springing from the lips of the lazy, scheming brats parading themselves as Nigeria’s array of “upward, mobile, promising youth leaders and motivational speakers.”

Were you as intelligent as you claim to be, you would understand that even Ziglar goofed when he said that “Success is dependent on the glands - sweat glands,” for success hardly depends primarily, on hard work. There are other essentials including attitude, perseverance, doing what you love and loving what you do. After all, a person may be a passionate artist, and be successful – just because he loves what he does, nothing feels like “work,” let alone, hard work.

You see, motivational phrases that are based on one person’s experience don’t really work for the vast majority of people – successful or not. At least, you could quote the likes of Ziglar, Covey et al. You could hardly glean appreciable anecdotes from Nigeria’s band of ‘motivational speakers.’

It’s about time you saw them for the fraud they have become – for what promising youth in their prime would abandon medicine, law, journalism, education, engineering for ‘motivational speaking’ even before they earned their first keep?

It’s the lazy, fraudulent type that does that. It’s the scheming, greedy kind that does that. True motivation, wherever it is truly given, requires neither a fee nor payment of any kind from the recipient. It need not be seen as a money-making venture.

The giver, is at best, honest and iconic; an indisputable champion and veteran in whatever discipline

he is practiced. He inspires the youth and elderly alike without being aware or having to force it.

And many of such role-models would neither hawk nor vend any magic formula to attaining success or self-actualisation.

The best they could do is to share the adventures of their souls in the stormy and pliant realities called, ‘life.’ And the best you could do is to excite by their fortitude and faith in the universe’s steadiness in process of retribution and rewards, as determined by individual human’s endeavors and contributions to the global enterprise.

There are no top 10 secrets to getting rich. Once you’ve solved your current problems, you’ll be rewarded with a whole new set of harder problems. There is no free lunch. No psychic to tell you the winning lottery numbers.

That book you read? Well, that’s just some narcissist’s story that had to be embellished a bit so that you might be excited to buy it. There are no easy answers.

This is the cold hard truth that you’d pay to avoid. Covey and Tracy et al may not be frauds but Nigeria’s increasing band of psycho-babblers constitute the worst form of fraud. The reason why these foetal-adults and lazybones thrive is because there is a strong demand from an audience desperate for the illusion they sell. You. The truth is otherwise too painful, and no one wants to pay good money for it – they are already living it. That is why they fake escape from it. Do you too? Remember, there is no luxuriant path to success. The lanes are strewn with hindrances and so on.

You are a fraud if you are more interested in getting ahead than doing what is right – like following the slow, steady path of honest industry to progress or something

like it. Bet this is where you get to say: “Keep spewing rant and whatnots, those young girls and boys are smiling to the bank every second.”

Well, what can I say; the universe always corrects every imbalance and deceitfulness to its equilibrium.

That is why those thriving, scheming ‘youth leaders’ and ‘lifecoaches’ you see in Nigeria today, could fall into irrelevance, bankruptcy and disrepute tomorrow by a subtle twist of fate.

It’s about time you lived life by your own terms. It’s about time you repossessed that quiet confidence and steadfast belief in your innate ability to confront and solve challenges as they arise. You need no master plan or magic formula–just a general direction in which to proceed, content that confronting some bit of vicissitude in the road less traveled might better allow your inimitable aptitude to flourish.

You need not the heart of a lion and the wit of a hyena to navigate the shoals of objective reality and perceptual delusions. You could try the slow, steady path. Or you could seek direction by serving as soundboxes for the emptiness and fraud your favourite ‘motivational speakers’ perpetuate. If you choose the latter path, knowing that having attempted every perfect formula you pay them to oblige you, you will find suddenly, that obvious yet ignored pointer to the path you ought to have traveled.

Then you will realize how dismal your life has become. You will find you have squandered your youth on impotent saws and debilitating sound bites. You will find you have avoided harsh, unalterable reality for the love of pick-meups and sugar-coated shortcuts, only to encounter it in its most vindictive temper in your twilight.

Jambaforiti is Nigeria’s JAMB

By Tola Adeniyi. wholesome problem of the JAMB palaver is the serious frustration it has imposed on millions of aspiring candidates over the years. In some years, only 20% or less of over a million candidates who sat for the JAMB examinations got admission to tertiary institutions. This figure gets multiplied year-in year-out with a result that today in Nigeria there must be over seven million frustrated young men and women who have had the misfortune of being edged out by the almighty JAMB; some of them more than seven times!

Bright and brilliant teenagers with excellent results in their WAEC Examinations sit for JAMB or GCE examinations only to find out that the poorest students in their respective classes and schools are the ones adjudged the best by corruptionridden JAMB. The All Progressives Congress and the President it produced with the clarion call for change must stretch their light to other problems beyond fighting corruption. Even though corruption is enough reason to scrap JAMB, the entire education policy of Nigeria needs overhauling.

JAMB might be considered at a point in time to be a probable cure for some anomalies in our admissions process, it has now become clear, as it has always been clear to me from Day One, that the idea is a gross anomaly in its entirety. You do not bridge education imbalance from the top.

The bridging, if there is ever a thing to be called so, must start from elementary school.

In our good old days and very much before my time 50 years ago when I gained admission to the prestigious University of Ibadan, qualified students were admitted directly into the universities and technical colleges by the authorities of such institutions. There was no interference of any type from any quarter. In the 50s and 60s the Prime Minister or Premier or Minister could not get their dull children admitted into any tertiary institution. If their children failed their qualifying WAEC or GCE Examinations, the best they could do and did do was to employ private teachers to coach such children until they were able to make the grade.

In my generation, once you got the prerequisite grades in your WAEC or GCE examinations, you submit your application to any university of your choice and within a month or two your admission letter was in front of you. Our parents did not have to lobby any lecturer or Vice Chancellor.

Our mothers did not have to rendezvous with a randy lecturer at Point Zero hotel!

Nigeria has tried JAMB. JAMB has failed her. There is no shame in retracing one’s steps if one finds out that he or she is going astray. Nigeria must go back to the old glorious days, tried and trusted days of Higher School Certificate course to prepare our teeming youth for tertiary education.

We should go back to our WAEC days where students with good grades were admitted to do Prelim preparatory to their undergraduate programme.

Government must also take a second look at NECO or whatever the tortuous duplication is called. WAEC and GCE are just enough. JAMB and the so-called Post-JAMB should be scrapped today. Our youth are suffering. They are grumbling. They are disenchanted with the country’s confused education policies. And care must be taken to avoid inciting them to wage unending war on the society at large.

JAMBAFORITI has done incalculable damage to the psyche of our youngsters, who have now been driven to drugs and other hallucination inducing agents, Nigerian youths are frustrated and dissatisfied with JAMB which has ruined the future of millions of them. And I say without fear of contradiction that many of the youths whose bright hopes had been shattered by JAMB have found ready succour in kidnapping and armed robbery ‘professions’. Since JAMB declared them unfit for tertiary education, they found their way to the Heartless College of Kidnapping and the Murderous University of Armed Robbery!

•Jambaforiti, perish with your woes!

Nigeria has tried JAMB. JAMB has failed her. There is no shame in retracing one’s steps if one finds out that he or she is going astray. Nigeria must go back to the old glorious days, tried and trusted days of Higher School Certificate course to prepare our teeming youth for tertiary education.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

18

COMMENTS

Akure: A monarch and his political ambition

A

FRIEND had invited me to a social event in the thick of the presidential election campaign. At the table were my friend and two other men, one of whom was already known to me as both of us had discussed politics during some chance encounters. Proudly an Ondo town man, he never saw anything wrong with the Mimiko and Jonathan administrations while I would argue that Iroko is the worst to ever happened to the people of Ondo State since the invention of plywood and that Jonathan was the most pathetic and incompetent president in Nigeria’s history.

Since I never met the other guy at the table, I was introduced by our mutual friend at whose behest I was at the event. Almost as a sidekick, our mutual friend drew, jokingly, our attention to the fact that all the three of us are from the same state, except him, being a Lagosian.

“Where’re you from in Ondo State?” the guy I was meeting for the first time asked me.

“Akure,” I replied.

“Ah! You people are not a force to be reckoned with. You’re not in charge of the state.

We the Akokos and Ondos are,” he deadpanned.

“I see,” I retorted. And he went on to give me some anecdotal instances to buttress his point. I was stunned. But I listened calmly with hardly anything to say as counter argument.

What stunned me was not the veracity of his statement (as I have suspected long ago that Akure indigenes may largely be inconsequential in the state’s political scheme of things), but his audacity to rub this on the nose of someone he was meeting for the first time. That statement unsettles something in me each time I think about

By Femi Odere it.

The new Deji of Akure, Oba AladetoyinboAladelusi’s coronation came at a time when politics and the business of politics were the only games in and across the Nigerian landscape. In the aftermath of his coronation, some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Barrister Isaac Kekemeke, the state chairman of the party, paid a courtesy visit to Oba Aladelusi. In a speech to these party stalwarts, the new Deji was reported to have indicated that the fundamental political objective and directive principle of his monarchy is to see an Akure indigene in the Alagbaka Government House after the 2016 governorship election. Also, during another courtesy visit by members of the Executive Council of the Akure Community Development Forum (ACDF) led by Chief Reuben Fasoranti, in a news report entitled: “Akure is next to rule Ondo, says Deji” in The Nation newspaper on Monday, August 24, Oba Aladelusi was reported to have reiterated his earlier stance that his desire is “to ensure that the state’s next governor is produced by [the] Akure community” and that he was ready to use his “influence and connections to ensure that his dream comes to fruition.” Oba Aladelusi said his “major ambition on the throne was to ensure [that an] Akure indigene becomes the governor” and “urged politicians and other eminent personalities who were (sic) indigenes of Akure to rally round him to ensure the realization of his dream.” The monarch was reported to have “lamented that Akure, despite being the state capital, has not produced the governor since Ondo State’s crea-

Oba Aladelusi may want to take stock of the political elites and other eminent Akure personalities vis-à-vis the extent of their economic and political capacity as a group in Nigeria and the Diaspora by calling a summit of Akure indigenes as soon as practicable in order to chart a new and sustainable political course for his subjects.

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ENERAL Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the world’s most powerful military commanders ever, once quipped that he had better face a hundred bayonets than a single newspaper. Obviously, what the French General wanted to point out was the lethal nature of the power which the press wields—even a single newspaper; no one can afford to face it. It is ironic therefore in Nigeria today that a particular citizen can beat his chest as it were and say “I have done what Napoleon could not do” because for eight years the man has been forced to face the onslought of a particular news media. That man is Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, the immediate past Governor of Abia State, who has been having a running battle with his predecessor in office Dr Oriji Uzor Kalu, publisher of the Sun newspapers. Please note that I only know both men by reputation.

Not for one day have we read any pro-Orji news or commentary in Kalu’s media. Nor have they ever published a rejoinder from Orji’s side to balance an ugly, skewed publicity equation. Thanks however to the open-heartedness of other media like The Nation, ThisDay, National Mirror, The Guardian, The Punch, Vanguard, Tribune etc. that have been the saving grace; otherwise T.A Orji would have been undone long ago. Those of us watching from a distance can no longer afford to keep quiet. This is media tyranny writ large. This is man’s inhumaniy to man. It is an abuse of privilege which William Shakespeare said manifests when people “disjoin remorse from power”. It’s also abuse of freedom—freedom to own or establish a medium of communication, which the framers of our Constitution purposely married with the right to Freedom of Expression, in Section 39. We should feel concerned because the abuse or denial of one man’s right anywhere is the abuse of other people’s rights everywhere. It is T.A Oriji today; it may be the turn of Abubakar or Adeyemi tomorrow. Why do we face this problem today? Marrying freedom of expression with freedom to own and operate a press or medium is a very good idea because it makes them a couple.

But then, like in every marriage where no law forbids abuse on either side, the marriage of the two freedoms in one and the same Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution is liable to abuse or selfish exploitation such as we are witnessing today in the Orji/Kalu drama. Therefore, in order to deal with such situations or prevent same, it is necessary to amend the constitution and add a fourth subsection to Section 39(1) which says “every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to

tion about 40 years ago.”

One may never know if the Akure monarch’s desire to see an Akure indigene in the state’s Government House was a spurof-the-moment, carefully crafted and politically correct rallying point to his subjects to close ranks after a rancorous kingship tussle. Neither can it be ascertained that this perceived sense of unfairness to Akure indigenes have always been embedded in the monarch’s subconscious, waiting for expression at the opportune time, which has now presented itself, having received the staff of office as the paramount ruler of the Akure kingdom. But whatever may be the reason(s) for Oba Aladelusi’s position, it was a profound and noble declaration that should be interrogated by not only Akure political elites, but also its well-meaning indigenes. It’s a call to duty that should engage the minds of Akure indigenes in a representative democracy.

While the Oba is on the right track concerning what he sees as his subjects’ political disadvantage, who, incidentally, are adjudged as having the strongest voting strength in the state, it should also be stated in no uncertain terms, however, that the realization of Oba Aladelusi’s political ambition for his subjects lies not in mere bringing this disadvantage into the public consciousness, but rather in scrupulously looking at those fundamentals that may have inhibited an Akure indigene from ascending to the highest political office in the state.

A good starting point, it seems to me, is this eerie feeling that the economic and political foundations of Akure’s political elites, critical to their ascendance in the state’s body politic, are much weaker relative to the economic and political architectures of other ethnic groups with which they must contest for political power. Their rancorous and fractious dispensation of their political capital in terms of their votes, to which Oba Aladelusi alluded in the news report when he said that he “regretted that indigenes of Akure have failed in the past to unite and speak with one voice” have almost always been their undoing. Perhaps their weak economic and political strengths, coupled with their politics of “Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)” may have found their roots in their lack of psycho-emotional bonding that

would have naturally predisposed them to lending each other some helping hands which seems to come natural to their ethnic counterparts such as the Akokos or Ondos. With the aforementioned, they may have unconsciously disempowered themselves, or may not have paid enough attention to how others have deliberately disempowered them in order to make it difficult, if not impossible, to stand shoulderto-shoulder with other political heavyweights from other ethnic groups in the state. The present Mimiko administration which is practically a government of Ondo/Idanre/Oke-Igbo axis is a classic example. A government doesn’t get more exclusive than that.

Perhaps Oba Aladelusi may want to take stock of the political elites and other eminent Akure personalities vis-à-vis the extent of their economic and political capacity as a group in Nigeria and the Diaspora by calling a summit of Akure indigenes as soon as practicable in order to chart a new and sustainable political course for his subjects. Perhaps it’s also important to interrogate further the monarch’s political ambition to see one of his subjects at the Alagbaka Government House in light of the political machinations that brought about the emergence of the Oba from among other contestants. As much as what the monarch said was important, it’s equally imperative to listen to what was not said.

As a paramount ruler who owes his staff of office to Governor OlusegunMimiko, a Machiavellian political operative who will stop at nothing – literally – in his quest to dominate the southwest politics, one hopes that Oba Aladelusi (with all due respect to the crown and his person) is not being unsuspectingly goaded by one of the two “whitlows of the southwest” into making that declaration. One hopes that the statement was not a prelude to a “political IOU” that Governor Mimiko must extract from the monarch at election time to achieve a nefarious objective of dividing Akure voters, thereby rendering them inconsequential once again. Just as eternal vigilance is the prize of liberty, cognizance must be taken of Mimiko’s Machiavellian political maneuverings in different guise and coloration. Akure’s political interest will be better served in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the long run even if its indigene fails to secure the governorship ticket in the next election.

•Odere is a media practitioner. He can be reached at femiodere@gmail.com.

Orji/Kalu rift: 1999 Constitution to blame

By Edmond Agarzue hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”The amendment being proposed here which should come immediately after subsection (1) or after the existing sub-section (3) is as follows: “Because it is impossible for everybody to establish their own medium, every medium or press established pursuant to sub-section (2)of this section, for the purposes of dissemination of information, ideas opinions and news shall enforce the Fairness Doctrine by ensuring feedback mechanism so that without discrimination in any form anyone reasonably feeling injured or hurt in anyway by the activities of the medium/media can exercise the right of reply in or through the same offending medium/media possibly in full measure.”

Be that as it may, this intervention was not necessarily prompted by any urge to seek remorse or relief for Orji.

Far from that; essentially this intervention became necessary in order to condemn a worrisome trend that ridicules Nigerian journalism as exemplified in two recent write-ups credited to Ebere Wabara, Dr. Kalu’s media adviser. In the first write-up in Daily Sun of September 1, entitled “Koos James, Orji & Kalu,” the author wasted valuable space penning a high-falutin piece that bordered on ego-trip in the name of a rejoinder marred by poetic licence, empty grandiloquence and an attempt at rogue intellectualism with a disastrous result. In fact, the very second paragraph of the piece made up of 40 odd words had no finite verb and therefore ended as a meaningless phrase. The second in Daily Sun of September 7th entitled “Justice Abang blasts T.A Orji” proved more disastrous as it raised serious doubts about his grasp of basic principles guiding judicial reporting. One doesn’t need to be an egg in order to recognize a bad omelette. Although I am not a journalist, I can always point out bad journalism any day. If Wabara and his team have run out of issues in their self-declared fight with T.A Orji there is no sense in resorting to unprofessional hara-kiri. The right thing to do is to call a truce and move on. Kalu no longer needs all this ridiculous fawning by Wabara who delights in addressing him as “FIFA President”

even when he is yet to enter the race proper; not an adviser who delights in addressing him as “Forbe’s billionaire” or “Pillar of sports in Africa” – all in a useless attempt to curry his favour. Rather what he needs now is a media adviser who knows that in writing a rejoinder to an unfavourable publication by your opponent, you don’t go about repeating the same offending negative words used against your boss.

For example Wabara said in his full page verbiage of 1/9/ 2015: “Government is a continuum. There is hardly any former governor who never left a conflagration of debts”, (column 4, line 10). Really? So Kalu left not just a huge debt in Abia but a “conflagration of debts”? Well, we are hearing this dimension for the first time. All we knew all this while was that the man left a huge debt amounting to N55 billion.

Anyway, Wabara may be right because leaving N55 billion debts in 2007 with nary a legacy to account for it in a poor state like Abia could have sparked off a conflagration but for the mature way T.A Orji handled the matter. Wabara also argued in his ego-trip that because Kalu contributes to the anti-corruption debate in Nigeria the man could not be grouped among the corrupt—a position that contradicted Kalu who in his write-up in Saturday Sun of 12th September 2015 clearly grouped himself among corrupt Nigerian civilian rulers thus: “what we have witnessed rather sadly within the few years that civilians have been in the saddle of leadership in Nigeria is endemic corruption. And with corruption came other vices”.

So what was Wabara trying to tell us?

•Mr. Agarzue writes from Abuja.

‘If Wabara and his team have run out of issues in their self-declared fight with T.A Orji there is no sense in resorting to unprofessional harakiri. The right thing to do is to call a truce and move on’

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

19

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

Ebonyi, Fed Govt fight erosion

Kidnap suspects held in Ebonyi

PAGE 21

Workers, foundation donate to inmates

•PAGE 24

•PAGE 23

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

•PAGE 34

Travelling to Igbokenyi is quite an ordeal. From Onitsha, Anambra State, you board a boat to Illah in Delta State, from where you trek to the neglected Igala-speaking, rustic community. But NWANOSIKE ONU reports that things may have started to change

•On their way home, just off the boat in Illah, Delta State

Inside Anambra's forgotten community T

HEIR only road to the outside world is a narrow path, flooded in the rainy season and overgrown in the hot period.

On it, residents of Igbokenyi in Anambra West Local Government Area of the state march to Illah in Delta State where they board a boat on the bank of River Niger. At the end of their trip outside, they march back on the same path to their rustic community of perhaps over 100,000 people.

Their resilience is as remarkable as their peculiarities. They speak Igala language of Kogi State, with whom they have a boundary. But they are in Anambra, though quartered on the Delta end of the Niger, and speak smattering Igbo.

There is a primary school in Igbokenyi but there is hardly any-

thing else bearing a modern mark, except perhaps the clothes the people wear. No paved road. No secondary school. No hospital. And no fond memories from any government of any stripe.

Their mud shelters are hardly better than what their forebears bequeathed to them. It is rare to see any fair-skinned person, the reason for which is hard to see.

The people know what suffering is like. The only thing they say they do not know is why they are where they are, and why no one seems to care whether they live or die.

They have no pipe-borne water, and perhaps count themselves lucky to, at least, have the great Niger to draw from and wash in.

The visitor to Igbokenyi gets to Illah first, by boat from Onitsha, An-

‘The people know what suffering is like. The only thing they say they do not know is why they are where they are, and why no one seems to care whether they live or die’ ambra State, or Asaba, Delta State.

From Illah, you walk, as the residents do, on that bush path, to Igbokenyi. It is not the pleasant of journeys, but that is the lot of the residents, and the visitor must also put up with it.

The people are in agony. All

they have is mud houses like in the ancient times.

The only source of making ends meet in the area is farming.

Even their farm products are always difficult to transport outside the area because of lack of transportation means, except through the River to

the cities.

But during one of his tours to some churches round the state months back, a philanthropist in the state from Umuchu community, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, who wept seeing such backwardness, told the Anglican Church in the area that he would provide boats to ease their transportation problems.

The Nation realised that a prospective visitor to the forgotten community would move to Illah in Delta from Onitsha in Anambra state, before embarking on another stressful boat journey to Igbokenyi.

The 150 high-capacity engine boats worth one million naira do•Continued on page 22

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

22

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Inside Anambra's forgotten community •Continued from page 21 nated to St. Mary's Anglican Church in Mbamili Diocese by Ezeemo, had given hope to the hopeless.

One of the inhabitants in the area, Mrs. Rose Oguno, told The Nation that Anambra government past and present does not know that Igbokenyi exists.

She said, "We have plenty and assorted foods here, but there is no means of transporting them to anywhere; this can best describe the situation we have found ourselves in this area" Also, for Prince Igene Osaji, the community is an abandoned one and according to him, they had taken their fate in their own hands adding "we did not create ourselves; neither did we put ourselves in Anambra State" Osaji said, "The people in this community need help, we are suffering, it is a kind of one eating one's flesh, we are in pain because nobody cares for us" "At least these boats will not only be used by the church, the people of the community will equally benefit because we live for one another in this area and do things in common" Fidelia Atu, who is one of the big farmers in the place, told the Nation that what they were doing in Igbokenyi was suffering and smiling.

"As a result, we have decided to keep to ourselves because there is no amount of cry that will make the government of Anambra state visit us here, we believe that the government sees us as people without future and hope" "But they are not God, we are still living and multiplying and we believe God that one day, we are going to meet a savior in this area like this man who has donated the 150 boats to the church" "If we have people like him who visit this place, then we will have the feeling that we belong to the society, we thank Ezeemo for his benevolence and only God can reward him," Atu said.

Though, he did not go to the community again to deliver the 150 boats, but when the Nation contacted Ezeemo on phone, he said he was

touched on the level of neglect suffered by the people of Igbokenyi over the years.

He told The Nation that he visited the community in March, 2015 and was amazed by poor transportation system experienced by the people and wondered if government had not been informed about their plight.

According to Ezeemo, "we have to travel through Ellah in Delta state to come to this place and half way drive, we trekked and entered a boat with our hearts struck to our mouth" "It is unbelievable that such a place still exist in the state ,the development going on in the state should be extended to this area, what is governance if the people at the grass roots cannot feel it, or abandoned and neglected from their normal ancient experience to modernity" Ezeemo, further said that poor transportation system experienced by the community, no doubt, had hindered their efforts in show casing their various agricultural endowment.

He therefore, called on the state government and other wealthy individuals in Anambra state to join hands in giving lasting meaning to the existence of the people of the community through provision of essential amenities.

While receiving the boats, the Anglican Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, Most Rev Henry Okeke, accompanied by his wife Julie and other priests, said that the boats were fulfillment of a promise by Ezeemo.

He said that the donor had become a willing instrument used by God to bring succor not only to the church, but to humanity.

Okeke, urged God to continue to shower His blessings and protection on Ezeemo's family, adding that he had alleviated the sufferings being encountered by the church in Igbokenyi community and its people.

Speaking with the Nation, the parish priest of St. Mary's Anglican Church, Igbokenyi, Rev Victor Ogbalu, said not only the church but the entire community were in a frenzing over the donation.

He said Ezeemo had given the people hope that their end had not come, describing this as a great gift to the church and humanity.

•Pamela standing in front of a typical Igbokenyi building

•A donated boat being blessed by the Anglican Church members

Experts make case for girl-child

I

dropped out of school in 2011 when I was in Class Four,” said Catherine Kloji, 16. “I left because I didn’t have school uniform and could not pay my school fees. Mum is poor and wants me to learn a trade so I could use the skill to make some money so that hopefully one day we can afford to pay my fees and uniform again.”

Miss Kloji, was one of many girls in hard-to-reach communities for whom experts pleaded at a Lagos event.

She is learning to sew and make a living from it. It is four years since she quit school.

The plight of the hard to reach girls who are shut out of school because of inadequate funds was the focus of a high-level dialogue organised by the Action Health Incorporated and funded by Ford Foundation. The event held at Protea Hotel in Lagos.

The stakeholders who attended the programme included policymakers, entrepreneurs, donors, community members, media, civil society and young people.

Speaking at the event, the former Chairman on Diaspora, House of Representative, Abike Arewa said that the “

•Participants at the event

By Adeola Ogunlade

need to upscale the effort toward inclusion of the girl child in school is very apt as girls are more vulnerable no matter how educated they are.

She said that we need to double up work on implementation of the child right act because we want to get to a stage where there will be no child that

will be out of schools in Lagos.

She lamented that many girls are vulnerable and they need our support to lead a normal life despite being a girl.

In her speech, the Executive Director, Action Health Incorporated, Essien who spoke on the Education, Health and Socio-Economic Realities of Out-Of-Schools Adolescent Girls in

Lagos Slums said that according to the United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2014 that In Nigeria,over 5 million girls of school age are not in school.

She said while several UN conventions and local policies appear to guarantee the well being of young persons in Nigeria, there are indications

that many girls remain extremely socially and sexually vulnerable particularly those living in the slums and low income communities across the country.

She said sadly, very little is being done directly/indirectly to seek out these girls and address the challenges they face.

•Continued on page 23

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

23

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Experts make case for girl-child

Kidnap suspects held in Ebonyi From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

T

HE police are making some headway in scaling back violent crimes in Ebonyi State with the arrest of a gang of suspected kidnappers.

The state Commissioner of Police Peace Ibekwe Abdalah said the suspects were notorious and had been terrorising the state.

The command recently rescued a kidnapped doctor unhurt after he was abducted from his hospital in Abakaliki, the state capital.

It followed it up by arresting a gang of suspected kidnappers who abducted the Afikpo Zonal Manager of the Nigerian Breweries Limited, Kehinde Baruwa who was kidnapped just by the street where he lives, off Ndibe Beach Road in Afikpo North Local Government Area.

The suspects paraded included Gabriel Ibiam Otta from Afikpo, Tochukwu Okezie from Ubakala Abia State, Emeka Samson, a commercial motorcyclist whose bike was allegedly used by the suspects.

One of the suspects who went to collect ransom for the release of the victim was killed by the police with the money recovered.

Briefing reporters at the police headquarters, Abakaliki, where the suspects were paraded, Mr. Abdalah said the suspects had demanded N50m ransom from Baruwa’s wife for the release of the victim which they later reduced to N300,000 during negotiation.

According to her, at the point of collection of the ransom around Afikpo Government Secondary School, the Anti-Kidnapping team of the State Police Command who had taken over the scene arrested two members of the gang who came to collect the ransom.

•The suspects

•Some weapons allegedly used by the suspects

“The suspects volunteered vital information to the police which led to the successful rescue of the victim that was being held captive at Ubakala in Umuahia, Abia State.

“The kidnappers’ den was stormed by a combined team of anti-kidnapping and SARS,

Ebonyi State Police Command, and two more kidnappers were arrested while some escaped,” she disclosed.

She said two locally-made double-barrel pistols with two live cartridges were recovered from the suspects, adding that in-

vestigation into the matter is still ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.

The Commissioner of Police in the state restated her earlier warning to criminals to keep off from the state or be ready to face the long arm of the law.

‘Policemen killed our son’ From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

•The late Ikechukwu

T

HE family of Ikechukwu Vincent Uwagbaokwu, a polytechnic student killed in Umuahia, Abia State on September 10, has accused policemen from the state command of the murder.

The Uwagbaokwus have also petitioned the state Commissioner of Police Joshak Habila over the killing.

The police denied the accusation.

The family of the slain student, in their petition through their counsel Dr. Godwin Chionye, accused the police of the gruesome murder of the 21-year-old Imo State Polytechnic student.

The petition read in part: “On the 10th of September, 2015, Mr Ikechukwu Vincent Uwagbaokwu, a Marketing student of Imo Polytechnic went to bed at about 9:00pm but at about 10:50pm there were persistent banging on the door of the family house of the Uwagbaokwus.

“When Mr Anthony Uwagbaokwe [brother of deceased] came out to see who was banging on their door, he saw about ten fierce men in police uniform who had taken strategic positions in all the surroundings of the house.

“One of the men in uniform who came with a Hilux pickup van and black Camry Saloon car, hit the door of one of the occupants [names withheld] and forced it open, and when the occupant came out, the men in police uniform, who refused to identify themselves, said that he is not the person that they are looking for.

“The police went to the direction pointed to by the man they first met who allegedly directed them to the place they were looking for and the armed policemen forced the wooden door open and on sighting Ikechukwu Vincent Uwagbaokwu, one of the policemen shot him and he died immediately.

“Our clients raised alarm but no-

•Force: not true body came to their rescue. The matter was reported to Ehimiri Police Station in whose jurisdiction this area falls, but the police could not give any useful assistance as they denied sending policemen out on that day to effect any arrest.”

The family’s lawyer said that after the incident his clients reported the matter to the Ehimiri Police Station where the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) gave them order to deposit the deceased at Madonna Mortuary in Umuahia.

In his reaction, the father of the deceased, Mr. Emmanuel Uwagbaokwu, a 54-year-old house builder, said, “I am not suspecting but those who killed my son were policemen from Ehimiri Police Station, Umuahia”.

Uwagbaokwu who was crying, said, “Immediately I reported the matter to Ehimiri Police Station and the DPO there denied sending his men to duty to that area that night, he however ordered some police team to follow us to the scene of the incident. On the way, the team dodged us and they did not reach our house”.

He called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase to order for full investigation in order to unravel the killers of his son.

“My son Ugochkwu, who was sleeping at the corridor allegedly heard when one our neighbours [names withheld] showed them Ikechukwu’s room”.

Reacting to the allegation, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Ezekiel Onyeke in a telephone chat denied the involvement of the police in the killing of the student.

‘Our clients raised the alarm but nobody came to their rescue. The matter was reported to Ehimiri police station in whose jurisdiction this area falls, but the police could not give any useful assistance as they denied sending policemen out on that day to effect any arrest’

•Continued from page 22 She cited a research conducted by Action Health Incorporated on the hard to reach communities said “1 in 4 girls has never attended school.1 in 3 of those who ever enrolled never made it beyond primary school and only 1 in 3 completed JSS3”..

She added that the Lagos State Development Plan (2012-2025) puts the number of slums in Lagos at over 100. In these slums, many of the residents lack basic amenities, access to services and opportunities, with a vicious cycle of poverty and deprivation.

She opined that from a 2010 research carried out by Action Health Incorporated (AHI) among 480 adolescent girls in Iwaya - a densely populated slum in Lagos, showed that almost half (45.2 percent) of girls aged 10 -14 had never attended school while none of the girls surveyed reached beyond secondary school level. This finding reveals the rising demographic of out-of-school adolescent girls and this should be a concern for all.

She said despite an increase in the number of programmes supporting girl-child education and empowerment in Lagos state, out-of-school adolescent girls living in slum communities remain marginalized.

These girls lack opportunity, safe spaces and other services necessary for their healthy development.

“They need formal and/or nonformal education, sexual and reproductive health information and services, vocational skills and businessrelated training, as well as protection from sexual abuse and violence as these will help reduce their vulnerability while protecting and improving their well-being and that of their communities”, she said.

Essien opined that effective investment in out-of-school adolescent girls is not only the right thing to do but the smart thing to do.

When girls are empowered with age-appropriate information, skills and resources it creates a multiplier effect of sustainable change that benefits families, communities, and nations.

The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly,’Rt. Hon Mubashiru Obasa promised that the state government will do more in making laws that would benefit hardest to reach communities.

He said children and the youths are the pillars of development in our society and we will do more in making the state safer and secured for them.

Obasa noted that it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to advocate for the adolescent and girl child well being and reduce the amount of peer pressure within their community.

He said we promised that the involvement of the Lagos state house of assembly on laws and resolutions on the right of the girl child will be effective, appropriate and more accommodating for adolescent across the 40 constituency in the state.

Also speaking at the event, The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas, said even though the Federal Government had instituted some vocational programmes for affected girls, it could however not execute them alone.

Thomas said it was the responsibility of state governments to map out empowerment programmes that would rehabilitate and reintegrate out-of-school girls into the education system.

She said, “The state government has a duty to eradicate poverty and develop the infrastructure of the state for a better society. They know what is going on these communities through their various engagements with the leaders. The agencies and ministry cannot do it alone.

Stakeholders should...support these girls.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

24

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Ebonyi, Fed Govt fight erosion E

BONYI State and the Federal Government have teamed up to tackle erosion, perhaps the worst environmental threat in the region.

The collaboration is considered a strong step forward by the Dave Umahi administration because erosion ravages most parts of the state, especially Afikpo North, Afikpo South and Ohaozara local government areas.

Recently, a joint ecological survey was undertaken to ascertain the level of the problem with a view to tackling it. This is reflective of the need for the federal government to immediately intervene, so as to avert further destruction of private and government properties and loss of life resulting from the negative impact of this natural disaster.

The devastation caused by gully erosion in the council areas were made explicit as officials from the Presidency, Ecological •Houses going with the erosion Fund Office alongside state officials took a tour of affected locations in the state.

This ecological challenge affected roads, bridges and houses among others in the areas visited.

The areas include Ogwuma Edda, Mgborokum Road in Ekoli Edda, Omanwu Ezieku Road in Ekoli Edda, Isiofu, Ekoli Okagwe Road, Achiogba Waterfall in Ekoli Edda, Libolo Erei Road, Old Council Secretariat in Nguzu Edda among others in Afikpo South Local Government Area.

Also, in Afikpo North LGA, the team saw the impact of gully erosion at Amangbala, Eke Market Road opposite Zenith and Eco Bank, Amasiri, among others.

Speaking with The Nation, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Afikpo South Local Government Area, Mr. Eni Uduma Chima who appreciated the effort of the present administration toward involving the Presidency in the eradication of gully erosion in the state, revealed that 15 sites in Afikpo South were identified by the Ecological Fund Office, Abuja.

The council boss who ex•One of the erosion visited plained that the biggest site of gully erosion was the former loFrom Ogochukwu Anioke, cation of the council headquarters Abakaliki added that the natural disaster had forced people in the area to within the council area.

“We have 15 gully erosion sites relocate to erosion-free zones

Imo prepares students for leadership From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

L

EADERSHIP comes with enormous challenges, so leaders should be prepared to cope with its challenges.

This was the thinking of the founder of the Nneoma Leadership and Citizenship Forum and wife of the Imo State Governor, Nneoma Rochas Okorocha that led to a one-day seminar for Senior Prefects in both public and private schools across the state, with the theme, “tomorrow’s leaders”.

The event which was held at the Imo International Convention Center (IICC), was an interactive section between the young student leaders and selected resource persons, who drilled them on the essence of leadership and what it entails to be a good leader.

To the organisers, the young students as tomorrow’s leaders need to develop the right attitude towards leadership through such •Continued on page 36

•Some of the students at the seminar

‘The collaboration is considered a strong step forward by the Dave Umahi administration because erosion ravages most parts of the state, especially Afikpo North, Afikpo South and Ohaozara local government areas’

and the biggest was the former location of Afikpo South council headquarters. This natural disaster forced the council headquarters with six other buildings to be

relocated to a new site. Governor Dave Umahi has been active and responsive to the need of the people of the state and that was what led to the arrival of those

from the Presidency to handle issues of gully erosion in the LGAs. “Six roads leading within and outside the Council area are in a bad condition following the impact of gully erosion as the state government had made serious effort to ensure that it is tackled without delay. We sent photos and video clip of the devastating impact of gully erosion in the council area and today officials from the Presidency are here to carry out an on the spot assessment, so as to provide lasting solution to the problem”.

Mr Eni lauded the efforts of the state government for getting the federal government involved.

“This shows that the governor really loves the people of Afikpo and cares about their welfare. We have no doubt that the partnership between the state government led by Engr. Dave Umahi and the FG led by President Buhari will lead to the control of this erosion scourge” His counterpart, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Afikpo North LGA. Mr. Oko-Enyim stressed that all hands must be on deck to tackled incidences of gully erosion throughout the state.

He commended both the state and federal government for the timely intervention adding that his council area was going through the challenge of gully erosion for quite a long time.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

PAGE 25

Concerns for baby whose dad was killed by policeman in Port Harcourt H How tradition delayed Olu of Warri’s ‘death’ PAGE 26

My problem with Okowa,

by Ekpan chief PAGES 28-29

Edo community demands good roads PAGES 28 - 29

Rivers: Unending echoes of PAGES 27 horror

E was not born when his father was killed by a policeman in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, for allegedly not giving a N100 bribe. His mother was delivered of him two months after the sad incident. After his birth, he was named ThankGod David Legbara. His father was David Legbara. He was a commercial bus driver in Port Harcourt. He was murdered on August 7 by a policeman attached to Kala Station for refusing to give bribe.

His father’s death automatically made him fatherless. Now there are concerns about what tomorrow holds for him. His mother, Gift Legbara, can barely afford to feed him well.

Legbara’s death created a scene that almost truncated business activities in Port Harcourt. There were protests for three days protest by angry commercial drivers under the aegis Rivers State Association of Road Transport Workers. Some of the protesters went nude demanding compensation to the family of the deceased and scholarship for the then unborn baby.

The then Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, in a statement, confirmed that a police officer on stop-and-search duty shot the victim. He also assured the protesters that the police would ensure the safety of the widow and contribute to the welfare of the baby, who was born a fortnight ago.

Mrs. Legbara and his baby are now at their home in Mgboushimini community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. She was lucky to have a safe delivery because the maternity where she delivered had no facility to handle emergency situation.

When Niger Delta Report visited the family, it was evident they need help. Their living condition is nothing to write home about.

The area they live is a swamp waterfront settlement; their house is made up of wood and red mud.

Narrating what she went through as a pregnant woman when the sad news was broken to her, Mrs. Legbara said it would have been a double tragedy.

“I almost gave up the ghost. I thought it was a dream, later it looked as if I was in a different world where nothing existed. But I thank God that I didn’t die with the pregnancy. When my husband died, I was in the market. I felt cold in my whole body, I felt like eating but I couldn’t, I was restless. I was feeling cold seriously. One of my customers came to the shop to patronise my goods, but because of the cold I could not attend to her.

She asked if I was okay, I told her I didn’t know what was wrong with me. After that, someone called me and told me that they shot my husband. I told her to be serious that it was not a joking matter; she still repeated it that they shot my husband but refused to tell me where the shooting took

•ThankGod David Legbara From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

place.”

She continued: “That day I felt like dying. I said ‘God, where will I start from? I don’t have anybody.

He was the only hope I had, he was the breadwinner of his family. I told the people who informed me about my husband’s death to allow me go with them to see him but they refused due to my condition.

The onlookers started blaming the woman who informed me of my husband’s death. In spite of our poor condition, we were very happy as husband and wife. The police murdered my husband at the time that things were about to get

I need help from the government. I don’t have anybody who will help me. I want them to train the child from nursery school up to university level

‘

better. As a commercial driver, he drove another man’s vehicle and rendered account daily. But later he got a vehicle to drive on hire purchase and he had completed the terms of agreement, meaning that the bus now belonged to him be-

‘

fore he was killed.”

Mrs. Lagbara wants the police to assist train her baby to the university level. She noted that her late husband planned to ensure that his children got good education.

•Continued on page 31

• YOU HAVE STORIES FOR US? PLEASE CONTACT US ON 07066954441 OR 08123521990

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

Concerns for baby whose How tradition delayed Olu of Warri’s ‘death’ dad was killed by policeman

I

T was one of those times when tradition muzzled a people and prevented them from expressing their emotions and grief, at least publicly. An overcast of gloom had pervaded Iwere (Warri) Kingdom in Delta State, as the rumour gathered momentum that the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II had joined his ancestors. It started in the early week of September, but the people could not mourn one of the gravest tragedies of the last three decades because their tradition forbids them from acknowledging the news until the whole hog of rites had been completed.

Olu Ogiame Atuwatse II was the centripetal force that moved and glued the Itsekiri nation. He was the pride of the Itsekiri, a group that prides itself as ‘one people under one monarch’. They occupy, but are not restricted, to the three Warri local government areas of Delta State. The Itsekiri tribes are found in communities, such as Ugbolokposo in Uvwie Local Government Area, in Ologbo and other villages and hamlets in Edo State and they all revere their Olu as a deity that is second only to God. But the death of Atuwatse II remained a rumour until last Saturday, when the Ojomo of Warri Kingdom, Chief Yaya Pessu, who acted the role of Ologbotsere, symbolically broke the pot of white chalk to announce his death. The rite freed the people from the burden of secrecy and era of topsy-turvydom.

The much revered monarch was last sighted by this reporter at his palace, when the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, consulted with him before the constitution of the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission. Three Itsekiri indigenes – Mr Godwin Ebosa, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi and Mr Victor Woods – made the board.

Days later, Niger Delta Report learnt that the monarch had joined his ancestors after a domestic accident. His death took place at a private hospital in Lagos where he was flown to for medical attention. Prior to the sad event, the monarch had been slowed for years by a protracted ailment.

Despite the report, prominent Itsekiri leaders, traditional titleholders and members of the royal family in of the kingdom (Otolus) kept mum.

Some of the palace chiefs who are close to this reporter suddenly stopped taking his call, ostensibly to wade off inquiries about the monarch’s death.

The Iwere Integrity Group, in a terse statement denied the report but left open many possible interpretations. The statement was signed by over 30 members and the chairman and secretary, Mr Moses Fregene and Robinson Ariyo.

Barely a day before the Ode-Itsekiri announcement, this reporter spoke with Prince Ebiyemi Emiko, one of those considered as possible successor. The trained journalist also feigned ignorance. Prince ‘Yemi said he wasn’t aware of the death of his brother or that one of the most exalted traditional stool in the land was vacant.

By that time, Chief Yaya Pessu, the highest ranking and oldest member of the Olu Advisory Council, had sent out invitation for a National Assembly of the Itsekiri people. There was anxiety and uneasy calm in the kingdom. Telephone lines of prominent Itsekiri leaders and members of the JOS Ayomike-led Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, rang incessantly as people called for information and news on latest developments.

It was under this specter of tradition-induced silence and tension that

From Shola O'Neil, S'South Regional Editor, Warri

the Itsekiri nation gathered at their ancestral home of Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) in Warri South Local Government Area on Saturday. The atmosphere at the Aghofen (Palace) in OdeItsekiri was tense. About all the Ojoyes (noble titleholders) were present; they were led by the Chief Pessu and Chief Isaac Jemide, the Otsodi of Warri Kingdom – the duo are the only surviving members of the Olu Advisory Council.

The only dignitary missing was Chief Gabriel Mabiaku, the Iyasere, who died weeks earlier and the most important personage in the kingdom.

Olu Atuwatse II was visibly missing and his shadow loomed over the overcrowded galleria; it spread through the roads and walkway from his palace to the waterside and darkened the horizon.

Those who went to the arena hoping, against hope, that the man whose numerous titles include Ogbowuru Afomasin would somehow materialise, had their hopes dashed when Chief Pessu and other chiefs trudge in their traditional white chiefly robes and red cummerbunds. But this time, they also had the symbolic black sash over the red and the usual spring in their gaits was missing.

They came from far and wide, from various clans and lineage of the famous tribe. Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, led Igba and there were chiefs Hayman, Walter Omadeli, Mene Brown, Nelson Utienyinone, Emmanuel Jones, Edward Olley and E A Tetseola, among others.

At the dais where Pessu and Jemide other chiefs sat, an immaculate white chair stood empty; its void symbolised the absence of the highest authority in Iwere (Itsekiri) land.

Even younger men like Mr Temi Kingsway-Eyoyibo and Oregbemi Onamoren- Beecroft, who besieged Ode-Itsekiri decked in his kemeje (traditional male attire), knew that something was amiss. The reality that they were about to hear a bad news about the monarch they loved and respected began to dawn.

“I felt proud being an Itsekiri and in my ancestral home, but at the same time, I dreaded what was coming.

Ogiame Atuwatse II was our father, he was our baba and the one whose pronouncement settles all arguments,” Onamoren-Beecroft told our reporter; his voice was laden with emotion.

A few minutes later, after singing the Ara Olorire (Itsekiri National Anthem) and other formalities, the Chief Priest, Chief Pessu, who bore earthen pots of efun (native chalk) raised one over his head and smashed it unto the ground. The poignant rite was accompanied by cries of Ale je efun, which literarily means ‘the ground has eaten the native chalk’, and ‘Ata tse’ (the anchor is broken) signifying that Olu was no more.

The rite was followed by murmurs of ‘eh oooh’, gnashing of teeth and shaking of heads as the import of the ceremony seeped through the sea of people. Some cried, others were too dazed to react. The time was 11:50am.

Canon shots rent the air, the boom reaching as far as neighbouring communities like Ubeji, Ugbuwangue and the others communities in the kingdom and the Oil City of Warri metropolis.

But barely 25 minutes later – at 12:15pm, the crowd was animated and in jubilant mood.

Chief Pessu, after consulting with Jemide and other Ojoyes, announced that the late monarch would be suc-

•Continued from page 25

•The late Olu of Warri

• The Olu of Warri-designate

“The police officer who killed my husband did not allow him to have more children with me. This is my first issue after our marriage.

To be frank, I need help from the government. I don’t have anybody who will help me. I want them to train the child from nursery school up to university level.”

Mr. Gobari Deebom, a lawyer, said: “We have not relented since the day of the occurrence of this incident even till now, because our interest is how to sustain the interest of the family; especially the wife and the new born baby. Our plan is how to give him a befitting education from nursery to university and for the baby to be an independent person in life.

“We have written to the Inspector General of Police. The time frame we gave to them has elapsed, not even a call from any of them, despite that we are not relenting.

We have also written letters to the governor of Rivers State pleading with him to assuage the pain of the wife, the new born baby and the aged mother at home on sympathetic ground; we are hoping that our governor as a liberal man will assist the family. Though they have not called but we still hope in God that things will work out fine.”

For now, all eyes are on the police to fulfil the promise of helping train the baby. Many are also waiting to see what will become of the killer cop. Justice, observers insist, must be done.

•A cross section of chiefs and Itsekiri people

•Mrs. Gift David Legbara and her baby.

•One of their neigbours knocking at the door where the poor family resides PHOTOS: PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA

AGIP on the pathway of ecocide

• The palace ceed by his younger brother, Prince Ikenwoli Godfrey Gbesimi Emiko (aka Abiloye). And the ‘eh oooh’ and sorrow swiftly turned to shouts of joy. There was no doubt that the choice was a very popular one.

It was reminiscent of a similar rite nearly three decades ago, when Chief Ogbeyiwa Newe Rewane, announced the death of Olu Erejuwa II, who reigned from 1936 to 1987. But the euphoria and rapturous response that greeted Saturday’s announcement of Prince Ikenwoli contrasted with the announcement of then Prince Toritseju Emiko as Olu-designate in 1987, because a section, perhaps the large slice, of the kingdom preferred Prince Ikenwoli, who was also his late father’s choice.

The response that greeted the emergence of Prince Ikenwoli, indicated that 28 years after missing out on the throne, he was still a very popular choice. His emergence was the first time in centuries that an Itsekiri monarch would be succeeded by his brother, but there was no dissent.

Prince Tsola Emiko, the first son of the late monarch, as was earlier

• Breaking of the pot of chalk

‘

Prince Ikenwoli has been prepared for the role he is to assume a very long time ago; he is an Abiloye, the Itsekiri’s crown prince of sort. Apart from his formal education, he was schooled in the Itsekiri culture and tradition and that is why there were murmurs when he was overlooked in 1979. But that is not enough; he has merely passed a stage and there is now the last and final stage that will put him head and shoulder above his subjects – the Ideniken reported by The Nation, was disqualified on the account of his maternal lineage. The 1979 gazette on the monarchy was unambiquous: only princes born of Itsekiri or Edo mothers can ascend the throne. Prince Tsola’s mother is a Yoruba.

The announcement brought consolation to the grief-stricken nation.

‘

Men, women and youths erupted in singing and dancing as their new monarch surfaced to take the vacant white chair surrounded by regally dressed chiefs.

Shouts of ‘eeeeeeeeee iwoooooooo, eeeeeeeeeee iwoooooooo’, rented the air as the 60-year-old University of Benin graduate was led before thou-

•Becroft waiting at Ode-Itsekiri sands of singing and dancing Itsekiri men and women.

Decked in a sky blue damask kemeje and a matching wrapper, the Olu-designate emerged. He carried himself with the same grace and dignity that he had maintained nearly 30 years after he missed the stool.

Edged on all sides by younger Ojoyes including chiefs Ayirimi Emami, Thomas Ereyitomi and Francis Omatseye, among others, the man who would be addressed as Olu of Warri in a few months, was sat on the white chair at the centre of the room.

The day’s job was done and Oludesignate had completed the first stage of a long walk to the throne of his father.

But the rite is far from finished; he still has to participate in the burial rites and ceremonies of his older brother and predecessor. The final rite of passage will culminate in the ‘Iken Rites’, at the Royal Cemetery in Ijala, one of the five most important communities in the Warri Kingdom.

The 1979 Gazette of the defunct Bendel State, which is the law regulating succession to the title of the Olu of Warri, states that the Omoba’s fail-

ure to perform and complete the burial rites and ceremonies is bar to his installation, irrespective of the event of last Saturday.

The gazette, made under Section 8 of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, 1979, also specified that after interring the late Olu, Omoba Ikenwoli would proceed on “Ideniken” where he remains for a period of three lunar months.

The period is used to complete the burial rites and ceremonies for Atuwatse II. A very knowledgeable members of the kingdom also informed NDR, that the Ideniken is also an orientation and induction course for the next Olu. “Prince Ikenwoli has been prepared for the role he is to assume a very long time ago; he is an Abiloye, the Itsekiri’s crown prince of sort. Apart from his formal education, he was schooled in the Itsekiri culture and tradition and that is why there were murmurs when he was overlooked in 1979. But that is not enough; he has merely passed a stage and there is now the last and final stage that will put him head and shoulder above his subjects – the Ideniken,” our source added.

•Continued from page 29 Although a few meetings have been held with family representatives of the deceased, nothing tangible has been done in terms of responsibility and liability.

Agip’s insensitivity and delay is highly unacceptable.

The following are the victims of the explosion whose death occurred on July 9th: Mupe Afoh Anthony (HSE-NAOC-Florina); Matthew Iyom (CRV Supervisor –NAOC Crest); Godspower Okorosei (Vowgas Welder); Promise Kpora (Vowgas Pipe Fitter); Michael Izeku (Vowgas Store Keeper); Longinus Dum (Vowgas HSE); Ositadinma Ugwu (NOSDRA); Theophilus Duabo ( B Y S MENV); Amos Omereji (Helper); Undo John (Vowgas Pegger); Epunumokumo Linus (Community Man); Corporal Audu Rikoto (Vowgas Gunboat); Eze Akpojota (Vowgas Swamp Buggie Mechanic); and another whose name is yet to be disclosed.

That this trend is normal occurrence to oil companies particularly Agip has been shown in the cases presented. Doubtless, a clear pattern of ecocide and criminal liability has been observed in Agip’s operations in the Niger Delta. If a CEO of an oil company persistently takes decisions that consistently undermine human and environmental health across a period of time, this crime is tantamount to ecocide and crime against humanity. The incident in Azuzuama is yet another sad episode from NAOC operations as the testimonies from bereaved families and officials of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment also show.

Pathway to Revocation of Agip’s Operational License The impunity and flagrant disregard for environmental regulations by Agip has resulted in massive environmental degradation and destruction of rural livelihoods over several decades of its operation in the Niger Delta. The laws governing oil spills and prevention of environmental degradation and security of lives and property have been severely compromised. As in other cases, the vegetation, trees and cash crops and livelihoods on both sides of the pipeline covering several hectares were severely burnt.

Certainly, Agip is not meeting their own internal rules. They are also not meeting the regulations and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The state of

the art clean up technology remains the crude setting of oil spills ablaze. We demand the revocation of the operational license of Agip for their persistent and criminal liability in the frequent fire explosions and deaths recorded.

As an environmental advocacy group monitoring the environment over two decades, again, we observe incontrovertibly a consistent trend of Agip’s pipeline explosions leading to needless death that have trailed the company’s operations since 1995. These incidents can be traced mostly to negligence and equipment failure and the substandard mode of clamping procedures.

As a result we call on the Federal and state governments to set up an investigative panel to review Agip’s operations as well as its spill contingency plan and protocols, which have so far put production and profit at the fore and left safety at the back seat.

Remediation and Compensation Although a few meetings have been held with family representatives of the deceased, nothing tangible has been done in terms of responsibility and liability.

Agip’s insensitivity and delay is highly unacceptable.Beyond the need for investigation, Agip must provide public response to the frequent fire explosion incidents, and conduct immediate clean up and environmental remediation. While a price cannot be placed on the loss of human lives, we urge the payment of the sum of US$2 million each to the families of the bereaved since their bread winners have been taken away from them abruptly. This will also serve as a deterrent to Agip and other oil companies on the need to put lives first before profit.

Constitutional Review of the Legislative Duty of states on the Environment At present state level environmental responsibility on oil matters is almost nil. One major constraint is that while the environment is in the Concurrent List of the state and federal government, oil and gas and allied matters are the exclusive preserve of the federal government. This lacuna is making the state woefully handicapped in this regard. This issue requires immediate legislative action for reform and expansion to include the jurisdiction of states on oil and gas matters in order to proactively safeguard the environment, lives and property.

•Ojo is Executive Director, ERA/FoEN

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

27

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Day security agents raided Calabar brothel From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

T

HEY did not expect it. So, it hit them hard. By the time the dust settled, 54 suspected prostitutes and 58 men suspected to be their customers were arrested in a raid carried out by the Cross River State Security Adviser, Mr Jude Ngaji, at Peace Garden Hotels located at No 1 Old Odukpani Road

by Flour Mill, a popular red light district in Calabar.

Three women suspected to specialise in recruiting unsuspecting young girls into prostitution were also arrested, Ngaji said.

He said the raid was carried out between 11pm on Monday to 2pm on Tuesdayin collaboration with State Area Command of the Nigeria Police where the girls, aged 13 to 25 and were caught in “compromising positions” with the men.

Ngaji, who took reporters on a tour of the raided hotel, which was in poor sanitary condition, yesterday, said the girls were from Cross River and various neighbouring states, he said.

He said the raid was necessary as the state frowns at prostitution, especially involving underage girls, and also that the place was a hideout for criminals. These he said were not good for the tourism profile of the state.

His words: “We also arrested three women who normally bring these girls from other states and tell them to come and be nannies in Calabar and when they arrive, they are forced into prostitution.

“These are the women who collect money from customers and supply the girls to service them. We also found CCTVs which we believe is used to monitor the girls so they don’t hide money or collect numbers from customers.”

Ngaji said the government would not relent in its fight against prostitution and criminality. He said the matter has been transfered to the police for appropriate action.

•A room raided in the hotel

•Another room ransacked by security operatives

•Another room raided in the hotel

•The exterior of the hotel

FRSC F ACES WATER RA TE FA RATE

•Vehicles impounded by FRSC submerged in flood in its Benin office

•Flood destroyed FRSC fence In Benin City

INTERVIEW

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Edo community to govt: give us good roads T

HE people of Uwessan, a community that comprises of eight villages, are not happy. What pained them is that they see communities around them enjoy basic amenities such as good road network, electricity and water but they are still yearning for government to come to their aid.

Uwessan is located in Esan Central local government. It is a boundary community between Estako West and Esan North East local government areas in Edo State. Indigenous of Uwessan are mainly farmers but they find it difficult to convey their farm produce to where they could sell for profits because the main road connecting the community to other communities is an eye sore.

The road which connects from Utako in Esan North East through Ujabhole to other communities in Uwessan is about 21 kilometers. It is supposed to reduce travel to Abuja from the Eastern part of the country without motorist getting to Ewu along the Benin-Auchi express road. The road however cuts off at Utako and has been overtaken by weeds. Residents who live opposite each other along the road cannot walk through to the other side.

Side drains constructed on the road and was abandoned have collapsed. The drainage was said to have been constructed in 2005 by the then Chairman of Esan Central, Okhai Enegbo but was

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

stopped because of funding.

Residents in the area blamed former Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen for the collapsed side drains because flood water from Uromi was channelled to the drains. Besides, they said the former Minister focused on building roads within Uromi and environs without extending same to other local government.

Apart from the inaccessible road to Uwessan, the residents said access to portable water has remained a mirage to them since the days of Awolowo. Water tap erected in the community many years ago still stand but no water.

Charles Akhere, a businessman, said his house used to be a like a fighting spot during the dry season as people struggle to get free water.

According to him, “This road is appalling when you are going from Utako to all the villages. We have no business following another long route. Uwessan as a whole, there is no road. We go through another road.”

“When it is time for campaign, you see politicians here. It has affected development of Uwessan.

Good road network is vital to development. If the road were good, those places where you find bushes, people would have built houses. A journey of five minutes would take you longer hours. It has affected business and our farmers are mainly affected.”

•Clockwise: The Bad Roads In The Community

“We don’t have a single borehole dug by either the state or local government in the whole of Uwessan. During dry season, you

see my house like a war front because people are looking for water. There are no teachers in the secondary school here. Oshiomhole

has renovated the primary school but our grammar school is appalling. I built house for female corpers here. It is at Uwessan you

find the worst road in Esanland”.

Vice Chairman of Uwessan Youth Movement, Henshaw Oligbi, described the situation as

pathetic. He said vehicles stopped playing the road for the past 16 years.

His words, “That is the original road to access Uwessan Community. It was the original road connecting Southern and Northern part of the country via Auchi before it was diverted to Ekpoma-Ewu-Auchi road. For the past 16 years, the road has been abandoned. Successive government has promised to construct the road for us but after election, we will not see them again.”

“During the days of Action Group, we were told politicians used the road to campaign but nothing was done. We are farmers but no road to move our products to the market. Uwessan is made up of eight communities but the road is our headache. We have been neglected for so long that we don’t have government presence in our communities.

All the developmental structures were through self help or through our sons who excelled in their chosen careers.”

“The electricity was brought by late Sunday Okoduwa. Uwessan has the highest population in Esan land. Oshiomhole promised to construct the road during his second term electioneering campaign. We need govern-ment to construct the road so that we would stop passing through long distance.”

Paul Iyoha, Ujabhole community youth president, said, “This is the only access road we have that lead

to the eight villages in Uwessan.

We have not been passing that road for many years now.”

“The road has been in a deplorable condition. There is no accessible road in the whole of Uwessan. You see lorries falling off the road. We have paid our taxes and it is government time to help us. We have been trying through self help. Flood water from Uromi destroyed the whole drainage that was constructed. There is no pipe borne water. The last time we had water was during the days of Awolowo. Since the water scheme broke down, we have not had water. We get water from wells.”

Retired Commissioner of Police, Young Emmanuel Arebamen, said it was bad politics that caused the situation of the road linking Uwessan to other communities.

Arebamen said the Auchi expressed road was diverted to pass through Agbede by powerful politicians even when the colonial masters saw that the stretch of road between Ewu-Agebde and Auchi was swampy and not suitable for road construction.

According to him, “The only solid road in that axis is through my village. I am surprised that what politicians promised my forefathers, they are promising my children in my presence.”

“Our people are suffering.

Nobody can go there and buy anything. The schools were built by our collective effort. What is the essence of government? We want Oshiomhole to come and work in our community.”

Okowa’s interference in Uvwie Motor Park crisis bad, says Ekpan Prime Minister High Chief Newton Agbofodoh is the Unuevworo (Prime Minister) of Ekpan, Uvwie The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Ehiedu Aniagwu, Local Government Area of Delta State. In this denied the allegation against his principal. interview with Polycarp Orosevwotu, he speaks on a variety of issues, including the recent Motor-Park crises, Governor IFEANYI OKOWA’S OTHING can be further from the truth than the position of the CLO-Chief Agbofodoh seems very respected Uwvie Chief Newton Agbofodoh. In the first place economical with the truth.Gov Okowa cannot alleged involvement, among others. everybody in Delta is a supporter of the governor even those

Governor not guilty of allegation, says aide

N

W

HAT was the cause of the recent Uvwie Motor Park crisis and attendant gun-battle?

The Motor Park, from inception, is run by the local government council. Motor parks and markets are run by local government not by state. So if the local government decided to change the leadership of motor park, I don’t see where it concerned the state government or the governor of a state.

The state government coming into the issue is interference as far the Uvwie motor park and market are concerned. And I am sure that is what brought the little fracas that happened, because the ones that were there before refused to remit to the council, they collect the money and put in their pockets. The council chairman decided with his councilors that those managing the motor park cannot be eating government money without remitting to the council, rather, they should leave and let other people that will remit to the council come in. That is exactly what he did and the people ran to the governor that they were being victimised because they work for Okowa.

How can they say they are being victimised because they worked for Okowa, when the council chairman is a PDP and the people who ran to

Okowa are also PDP? How can you say you worked for Okowa and the chairman of the council did not work for Okowa and he is PDP chairman, how come?

And one expected that the governor would listen to the council chairman and hear him out, but he asked his boys to go and take over the garage. With the assistance of the Inspector General of Police, those security agents deployed to all the park to cause mayhem and to intimidate the people were ordered to leave.

What is your take on the suspension of the Uvwie council chairman by the Delta State House of Assembly?

I am not a legislator, but if they say they have suspended the council chairman, it is expected that the law will define it if they have the right or not.

Suspension l thought, comes when the councilors had complained or written to the House on any issue but when they have not, l wonder, what was the business of the Delta State lawmakers on an internal problem that had to do with the council; though,I am not a lawyer.

Those involved in the motor park are two of your sons, don’t you think, it was your duty to invite them for peace talk?

who contested election against him, because they are Deltans and we believe that they mean well even the particular chief, just as much as the Governor does, to that extent, we are saying that they are all supporters of the government and Gov. Okowa. So anybody does anything we can say he is not a Deltan because he has committed something wrong .If take it from that perspective the man is right that anybody who is doing good or doing bad is the supporter of the Gov Okowa because they voted for Okowa and his mandate is total.He is Governor for everybody. Gov. Okowa being the chief security officer feels the headache when there is trouble in any part of the State and to that extent he cannot support anyone to cause trouble because the trouble bounces back to him. Maybe Chief Agbofodoh needs further briefing perhaps he did not get his facts right. I must tell you that the Gov Okowa is very disturbed by the situation in Uwvie particularly with respect with the development at the motor park and to that extent he did not hesitate in directing the security agencies in the State to put everything within the bounds of the law to arrest the situation in Uwvie. If you look back the situation is not as bad as it was two weeks ago. It was not by magic and it was not because those troublemakers were tired of trouble.

It was because Gov.Okowa took steps and Gov Okowa will not rest on his oars until Uwvie becomes peaceful.

We would have reacted and settle it if they had called or explained to us, but when you now interfere, they say you are not a politician, but because we know they have political leaders, we expected such issues to have been addressed by their leaders.

Most times, some of our visitors who had stayed with us over decades are taking it for granted to start creating problems for us in our own land because we take them as our own and we don’t discriminate, and that should

not be an excuse to start measuring up with us.

There have been peace since this local government chairman came into power if not that the state government went to rob Peter to pay Paul over this recent crises. We expected that as the governor of the state, the chairman is under you, when you see things happening to your own, you have to invite both parties and ensure the differences are settled.

There is also the issue of protest

just start removing people from positions without being properly briefed about all developments in all the communities in the State .If anybody’s tenure is exhausted either Gov Okowa will make move for the revalidation of the tenure or another person will be appointed .Okowa will not do anything illegal. Do not forget Senator Okowa just left the senate, the highest law making body in the land to that extent he knows what the law says and so he will not travel the path of injustice or condone illegality.

Everything is being done to bring about a harmonious working relationship between the oil companies, the communities and leaders of the different communities.

against Community Liaison Officer, CLO, whose tenures ended, what led to the protest?

Yes, we had Community Liaison Officers that their tenures came to an end recently but because they know the governor, they ran to him as they did in the case of the Uvwie MotorPark and they were issued a letter through the Secretary to the State Government for reinstatement with security agents deployed to all the companies to prevent us from going close to the companies.

But again, with the assistance of the Inspector-General of Police, who ordered his men to leave, those that were reinstated out of fear, left but one of them who came back with Hilux Van with security agents to resume was disallowed to go in. Now you can see how we are being oppressed by the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for no just cause.

The CLO positions have tenures that expires every three years as approved by one of the Uvwie council chairman and if one’s tenure expires,

it is expected that new CLOs has to come to position. But those that their tenure expired resort to using the governor’s machinery to intimidate us for no reason, and that brings to mind if he is a sectional governor, going by his attitude and see how we are being oppressed by the governor.

Ekpan community has been host to a lot multinational oil firms, how has this transformed your community in the area of development?

Well some of the companies we have in Ekpan are trying but some don’t at all. when we sincerely request for job, they don’t listen but that has not made us to stop asking, because we have a lot of youths in this community that don’t have job. So, we are still crying to the government to talk to the companies, mostly NNPC, to assist us because a man who is not working is an angry man and the one working will ever remain peaceful.

We are making this appeal because WRPC, PPMC and NGC which are subsidiary of NNPC are not doing well at all with the community, if we ask them for employment, they will tell us no vacancy but the next minute, we will see people being employed from Abuja to our community and it is not good for us. We don’t want to take laws into our hands, that is why we have resolve to protesting to let government know that these companies are not helping situations.

Our demands are genuine as it is our right for them to employ our youths because the company is in our land, so they don’t expect us to go and work somewhere else when we have the company here. All the land the company occupies are our fathers’ and mothers’ farmland, now the companies are occupying them, where do you expect our fathers and mothers to farm?

On effects of refinery and other companies activities on health...

You can see the refinery had occupied a large area which our forefathers and mother used to farm, so it is affecting us as a community. This is aside the pollution we breathe day in, day out, mostly when it is raining.

If you put in a white basin when it is raining, it tells you what we breathing and there is no solution to the excessive pollution we inhaled everyday from the flare and NNPC don’t see what is wrong about it and yet they will not provide employment to the community. Our mothers and fathers had always suffered from this flare at about the age of 40-50 years and grow old fast as a result of what they inhale from the refinery and we don’t get any benefit from it. You can see the pains that NNPC had brought to us..

Well, Chevron had given scholarships to our community, even Shell had given us too but NNPC, I don’t think so, they have not given us scholarship but what they do from time to time, maybe two years they give us skill acquisition for hair dressing and other things like tailoring and at the end of the training, maybe one or two weeks they will provide the starters pack There has been relative peace in Ekpan community since you assume the position of the Unuevworo, how come?

It is true that there is relative peace in this community, not only in my reign, we have been maintaining the peace and that is why we are confidently calling on investors that are ready to invest in this community to come provided what the community is due as a host community is given to them.

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE AGIP on the pathway of ecocide

I

F environmental sustainability is to be achieved in Nigeria there must be transparency and accountability especially in the oil and gas sector.

Once more, we wish to draw the attention of the government and general public’s attention to the reckless oil extraction in the Niger Delta. The oil companies’ impunity and non-adherence to best practices over the years has ruined the Niger Delta environment. Since 1956 when oil extraction began, gas flaring and frequent oil spills have been the order of the day. Added to this is the tragic and frequent pipeline blowouts that occur almost on a daily basis from oil and gas operations.

A case in point is the recent Agip Azuzuama tragedy of July 2015 which claimed 14 lives while others sustained serious injuries. The environment was devastated and rural livelihoods destroyed.

The Azuzuama incident stands out as a metaphor of oil incidents by oil companies like Agip operating in

died on the spot. The four unhurt labourers working about 100 metres away carried the injured to the nearest community 10 kilometres away and two of the injured later died in the community. The seven injured were later admitted at Ahoada General Hospital. This was in addition to destruction of the environment, farmlands and biodiversity.

It will be interesting for Agip to tell the world its level of responsibility and liability and what preventive measures were taken. Was there any adequate clean up and compensation to the bereaved families these past years?

On 13 May 2000, 6 youths died in a tragic incident which occurred in Etieama community in Nembe Local Government Area during a clamping operation on a ruptured section of Agip’s Brass-Ogoda pipeline. The incident is said to have been caused by spark from a ma-

the region. Not only has the Nigerian Agip Oil C o m p a n y (NAOC) been implicated in the burning of oil spill sites in the past, fire outbreaks during repair works have been commonly associated with the company.

The records of such frequency are well known to Agip and the regulators.

Broadly, this press briefing sets out to address three main issues of ecocide, a call for probe of Nigerian Agip Oil C o m p a n y (NAOC) operations, and the need for remediation and adequate compensation for victims. It firmly adduces evidence and a case of ecocide against Agip.

A Case of Ecocide Agip’s operation fields are crime sites tantamount to ecocide. As an environmental advocacy group that has been monitoring the environment for over two decades, we have observed a consistent trend of Agip’s pipeline explosions and death. Environmental destruction and needless death have continued to trail the company’s operations from 1995 to the present.

Before we turn to the incident which claimed several lives in 2015, perhaps more pathetic is the Agip Ozochi tragedy which claimed at least 7 workers attempting to clear a major spill by a state of the art technology of spade and bucket.

The spill occurred in early June 1995 and eventually 7 persons were roasted while clearing oil spills using spade and bucket. When the spill occurred, Agip reacted by contacting DAEWOO, a contracting firm for the clean up. The firm in turn hired 20 unskilled labourers from Ozochi, Odua, and without any supervision from Agip or DAEWOO and without any training and proper clean up kits, they were mobilized to site on 25 June. As instructed, they dug pits into which they transferred the crude oil in order to set it ablaze later. During a short break at noon, one of the crew members decided to smoke a cigarette. He struck a match and the entire spillage site erupted in flames.

14 of the labourers were instantly trapped in the inferno, and 5 men

chine used during the clamping.

On Sunday, 29th July, 2012 a similar incident happened along Agip’s pipeline within Ayamabele/ Kalaba community environment, in Okordia clan, Yenagoa LGA. 16 individuals were lucky to have escaped when a fire was ignited in the process of the clean up. They fled the scene of the fire eruption.

Death by Fire: A Case of Agip’s Equipment Failure and Negligence On 9 th July 2015 Agip’s facility exploded with massive fire along TebidabeClough Creek pipeline at Azuzuama in Bassan Clan Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa state. The incident occurred during a Joint Investigation Visit to a damaged section. ERA Field Monitors discovered on site that: i.

Agip’s Tebidabe-Clough Creek pipeline and explosion is clearly a case of negligence due to equipment failure while attempting to clamp a leaking oil pipeline by substandard and crude methods, ii. The oil pipeline may have remained active and never shut down while repair effort was ongoing thereby putting lives at risk and placing production as more important than safety of those working at the repair site, iii. There was no ‘Fire Man’ or fire service personnel in the team who could have put off the fire while it was still little rather than the crude method of scooping mud filled petrol, iv. Although the site was a difficult terrain and muddy, there were no precautionary measure or escape plan put in place in the event of fire.

When the explosion and fire finally occurred as a result of scooping mud filled petrol to quench the building sparks of fire, 14 people were roasted alive instantly. They included a Nigerian soldier, an official of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, an official of the regional NOSDRA office, Agip staff and community youths. Till date, the full list is yet to be made public. Up till date, Agip is yet to respond officially and publicly on the incident.

•Continued on page 31

By Godwin Uyi Ojo

‘‘

When the explosion and fire finally occurred as a result of scooping mud filled petrol to quench the building sparks of fire, 14 people were roasted alive instantly.

‘‘

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

30

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Sound bites from Rivers governorship petition tribunal

T

HE Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal has been full of drama since the 1st Respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), opened its defence on September 17. The electoral body was said to have flown 20 out of twenty-three Electoral Officers involved in the election into Abuja to testify in its defence.

They were reportedly lodged at Awala Hotel, Wuse Zone 11.

Six of them came to the court to give their testimony.

INEC’s lead counsel, Mr. Ikpeazu (SAN) confidently called in the Electoral Officer for Obio/Akpor Local Government Area as his first Defence Witness (DW1), who was led to adopt his witness deposition, in which he repeatedly claimed that the election was free and fair. However, the situation changed almost immediately under a firebrand cross-examination led by Chief Olujimi SAN. Under cross examination, the EO denied being aware that Card Reader was meant to be used for the April 11 Governorship Election. When pushed further, the EO maintained: “I am not aware that card reader was to be used for the Governorship Election in Rivers State.” The credibility of the witness was battered when in response to Olujimi’s question he claimed that the election in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area took place the same day, April 11, whereas it is on record, even from INEC’s documentations, that at least election in two wards were rescheduled for the following day, April 12.

INEC called it a day after this witness and applied for adjournment till the following day. With the disappointing response of that single witness, the entire “election” in Obio/ Akpor LGA had been successfully discredited. The 19 other Electoral Officers were immediately flown back to Rivers State. On September 18, when the matter was called up, Ikpeazu was reported ill and asked for further adjournment to Monday, September 21.

On Monday, when the tribunal resumed, the counsel to INEC called in some witnesses who testified as Youth Corps members, who claimed to have “conducted election” at the polling units. Unfortunately, all the witnesses, who claimed to have been trained for the job, denied being aware of clear guidelines for the election, one of which is to the effect that where the card reader fails, the election should be postponed to the following day, a directive that is clearly written

‘

The climax of the drama was at the point when Chief Olujimi under cross-examination requested one of the witnesses to read out a portion on the Electoral Manual, but the lady claimed that her sight had failed her and the entire tribunal burst into laughter

‘

•Peterside

•Wike

Unending echoes of horror

V

ERY few Nigerians are actually surprised at the horrendous revelations from the Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja. Those who followed the mass media from the build-up to the elections proper and the so-called announcement of results which followed after would actually not be shocked at the awful disclosures from witnesses at the tribunal.

Apart from the endless complaints by members of other political parties aside the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP before the election and after, the over 80 election observers as a matter of fact, sounded the alarm bells with their reports, especially with regard to widespread violence, killings, intimidation, harassment, ballot-snatching and stuffing, subversion of the will of Rivers people and other forms of impunity.

What may have come as a surprise to many Nigerians are the revelations by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, army officers, the police, agents of the Department of State Security, DSS members of the All Progressives Congress, APC and those of other political parties.

To those who perpetrated these horrifying violence and crisis that marred the governorship election in Rivers State, a day of reckoning was definitely not in their calculations. Like before, they had unleashed terror on people with the hope that the familiar path of impunity and lawlessness that had become common place feature in our state, particularly during the last administration would go on unchecked.

For me, the revelations at Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal are not only absurd but also unprecedented. This is the first time in Nigeria’s history that we are witnessing this level of violence, bloodbath and subversion in one single election in one state. Nothing would have been more telling than the disclosures of serving security operatives on election duty in the state. They captured in very graphic details, the violence, the intimidation, deaths and ballot-snatching and stuffing that characterised the exercise in almost all parts of the state.

I was particularly jolted by the testimonies of two soldiers, Captain Ahmed Al-Makura and Captain Jeremiah Salisu who were posted to Ikwerre and Gokana Local Government Areas respectively. The soldiers were emphatic with their submissions which they hinged on the fact that an election could not have taken place in a state of war.

Indeed, what happened in Rivers State during the elections, especially on April 11 is only comparable to war. The tragic part however is that many innocent sons and daughters of Rivers State suffered great harm, for aligning ‘wrongly’, politically. That is apart from those who lost their lives.

By Onumajuru Eleba

down on the electoral

manual for the election. A Deputy Director from INEC, in charge of ICT, had also

By Afiesimama Daminabo

There is also the heartbreaking account by Godwin Mba, an officer of the Department of State Security Service, DSS who revealed how cult groups and thugs worked for the PDP in Andoni Local Government Area.

Benson Chukwuma, a representative of the Director-General, also in a similar account in Ogo Bolo, also told the tribunal about the anticipated violence which was all too evident because of the tension and security reports. Mr. Tafa Michael, a Superintendent of Police who was posted to Tai Local Government Area said he actually caught agents of PDP thumb-printing at a house opposite the PDP secretariat at Tai. He said he arrested over 70 people on that day alone which included PDP members, INEC Staff, youth corpers and others.

Another oddity in the horrifying revelations came from Mr. Yusuf Buba of Police Mobile Squadron, Ogoni who revealed how an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kenneth Akabue supervised the rigging of the April 11 election in Khana Local Government Area. These are in addition to other accounts of compromise and complicity by the electoral umpire, a position that Charles Okoye, who heads INEC’s Department of Elections and Party Monitoring, a body established by the electoral body to monitor elections emphasised in his presentation. In fact, Okoye described the April 11 election as a mockery of democracy. What a verdict!

At some point during cross examination, Mr. Ebikoru Tebekaemi, INEC’s Electoral Office for Obio/Akpor told the tribunal that he was not aware if card readers were used in the April 11 election. This left many wondering how an electoral officer would be so ignorant of INEC’s policy on card readers which was a well known decision even among politically naive voters.

When asked to comment on the damning report of Elections Operations Support Centre, another body INEC established to monitor elections, Tebekaemi said after prolonged hesitation that the body only worked partially.

These are indeed terrible times, a reminder that our march to nationhood is still a long journey ahead. For all these to have happened, not in the North-East where there is insurgency shows that there is serious work for this present administration.

But when justice eventually comes to candidates who took part in that sham of an election, what happens to the wounded and the dead? I must state here, and unequivocally too, that those who visited violence and mayhem on people and homes for their political beliefs must as a matter of fairness, be brought to book.

That, for me, is the only the way the souls of those who were killed can rest.

•Daminabo, an economist and public affairs analyst, lives in Abuja. given evidence for the petitioner in that regard. The climax of the drama was at the

point when Chief Olujimi under cross-examination requested one of the witnesses

to read out a portion on the Electoral Manual, but the lady claimed that her sight had failed her and the entire tribunal burst into laughter, as spectators were heard whispering Prof. Etu Efeotor.

Ikpeazu urged the tribunal to order the police to maintain order. Prof. Efeotor was the Rivers State Collation Officer for the March 28 Presidential Election, who could not read out collation figures because according to him the figures were “written under special circumstances”. Even when the Tribunal ordered the witness to read, she simply refused to. It was the provision which directed that where the card reader failed or was unavailable till the time fixed for the close of accreditation, election should be postponed to the following day.

INEC had planned to call 50 witnesses in six days and many were wondering how the evidence of 50 polling units Presiding Officers, assuming INEC is able to call such number, would assist their case when higher authorities who monitored the elections at a general and wider level had testified at the tribunal to say that the election did not hold as prescribed under the law. They contended that if the POs were able to prove compliance, it is only as it relates to their respective units, maximum of 50 polling units, which would be very insignificant in a State of over 4,442 polling unit. They expect that the Resident Electoral Commissioner that superintended the election should be brought to testify as to the conduct of the election. Regrettably, it is not likely that the legal team is willing to take the risk of fielding the REC or any senior INEC officer.

Expressing their deep concern, many seem to be suggesting that it is a very bad case for Governor Nyesom Wike and the PDP. This seems to be the general view and atmosphere for both the petitioners and some of the respondents’ counsel, but whether the tribunal will agree with them is a different issue. One of the lawyers of PDP simply put it this way, “the APC has tried, their evidence is overwhelming. We will try our best and leave it to the court. It is not a do-ordie, but honestly, to me, they have proven their case but I am not the tribunal.”

•Eleba is of the SNP Online News.

Yenagoa Institute launches schemes to address youth unemployment

T

HE Institute of Science and Technology, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has launched some innovative, practical job creation schemes designed to tackle acute youth unemployment and insecurity in Africa.

The schemes are TeachFirst Solutions (TFS), Public-Private Partnership Job Creation Solutions (PPPJCS), and Youth Engagement and Entrepreneurial Training Solutions (YEETS).

TFS is aimed at African governments experiencing unemployment among their university graduates in maths, science and technology fields, while the PPPJCS is aimed at both governments and private sector organisations and is, particularly, useful for addressing unemployment among educated or literate young people. The latter scheme is also designed to provide high technical skills to young people as well as aid workplace productivity. The third scheme, YEETS,

is aimed at governments experiencing high unemployment among their artisans or low skill people. It is particularly useful in dealing with challenges pose by youth violence, kidnapping and insecurity.

In all the three schemes, the Centre for Youth Employment and Job Creation at the Institute of Science and Technology will design and write-up the scheme and train people who are to implement them. Each scheme, which comes with built-in review, monitoring, research and evaluation – all designed to guarantee results and assure quality, guarantees jobs and training places for the unemployed young persons.

On the innovations, James Ogunleye, professor of innovation and enterprise and Deputy Rector at the Institute, said: “A significant reason for the current high

rate of youth joblessness in Africa is a virtual absence of interactions between education and the labour markets. Be that as it may, what is missing between the youth and employment is innovation”. According to him: “the Institute of Science and Technology solutions are both strategies to prevent and actions to address youth unemployment, kidnapping, gang violence and general insecurity anywhere in Africa”.

The Institute of Science and Technology is a new interdisciplinary research-led school dedicated to applied research and education in science and technology.

Its main objective is to empower our generation and contribute to nation-building by helping to uplift the progress in business, science and technology and to undertake cuttingedge research that will inform policy and development in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

32

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HE two of them bear Timi. Both of them I have met at close range once.

One in his office while he was managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the other came visiting this newspaper as governor of Bayelsa State.

Timi Alaibe, who served as NNDC chief and later as the pioneer chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, came across to me as a gentleman. I was working with a magazine when I met him and the image maker of the interventionist organisation at the time, for reasons best known to him, was not giving our crew the needed support. Alaibe came to our rescue and made his Special Assistant, a poet and ex-Daily Times reporter, to work with us and get us all we needed. It has been about nine years or so and the memory lingers.

I formed no real opinion of Timipre Sylva, when he came visiting our corporate office.

But what I always remember is the fact that he had one overzealous security man who would not allow me put my tape recorder directly in front of the governor, even in our own boardroom. He made me do 360 degree movement before I could place my recorder close enough to His Excellency. So much for security reasons.

Sylva’s problem with the first family, not long after his visit, became open and he was prevented from seeking a second term of office. Many people believe he actually ran into problem with Dame Patience Jonathan who later enlisted the support of her husband, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, to get Sylva out of office.

His ordeal provided the room for Seriake Dickson to become governor.

Sylva later teamed up with others to give the All Progressives Congress (APC) teeth some two years before the last general election, which swept off Jonathan and ushered in Muhammadu Buhari. Jonathan’s removal gave room for hope that the APC could win the governorship of Bayelsa. Sylva joined the race. Dickson did too. And Alaibe did not allow lethargy to stop him from joining the race to occupy the Bayelsa Government House.

And here lies the conflict.

Alaibe knew the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket was not his for the taking. Even though Dickson only enjoys the ‘compromised’ blessing of the former first family, wrestling the ticket from him, Alaibe knew would be a herculean task. He pitched his tent with the APC. By the time he joined, Sylva had entrenched himself as the landlord of the house. Without him really, there would not have been anything like APC in the state at the time it was formed. He took all the risk to identify with Buhari at a time an average Ijaw man saw anybody against Jonathan as the enemy of the Ijaw nation, despite the fact that he did not do much to lift the Niger Delta in his six-year reign as president.

Immediately Alaibe joined APC and declared interest in being governor, I knew there was fire on the mountain. Three days ago, my

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people and matters

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

Bayelsa on my mind

•Dickson

•Alaibe

fears were confirmed. Sylva was declared the winner of the governorship primary election, which was upturned on Wednesday by APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun. He said the primary was rescheduled because of security challenges.

Members of the national electoral committee led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole abandoned the exercise. The process continued, with the state chapter of the party taking charge. The former governor was eventually declared the winner by a member of the APC electoral committee identified as Nelson Alabar. He polled 726 votes to defeat his closest rival and former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Warman Ogoriba, who was said to have scored 10 votes.

Sylva was elated. He described his emergence as a proof of the indivisibility of the APC in the state and the national level.

His words: “I have never been proud in my life. I have belonged to many political parties, such as the defunct UNCP and the nearly dead PDP. But I am very proud of the APC with a very clear internal democracy.

•Sylva

‘

I have no problem with Sylva flying the flag of the party, but Alaibe should be factored in. He has his support base and the APC can benefit from harnessing this rather than risking a situation where Dickson will harvest all the aggrieved and make political gains of it

‘

“A few years ago, I was unjustly stopped from contesting a governorship primary by my former party. My former party did that to me.

A few days ago, they disqualified a serving

LAST WORD

senator from contesting.

“It is shameful. I have once again gone through a primary and emerged winner. It is contest like this that makes the difference. It is this contest that makes the difference between the APC and others. There is no doubt that we will win the election.”

Ogoriba was quoted to have spoken on behalf of other aspirants and accepted defeat. It remains to be seen whether or not the national arm of the party will accept Sylva and present him as its flagbearer to INEC. The exercise ended with many aspirants crying foul. Even Oshiomhole on Wednesday wrote off the exercise. It was thus not surprising that it did not stand.

Alaibe, Prince Preye Aganaba and Ebitimi Amgbare spoke with reporters before shunning the exercise. They alleged that thugs, suspected cultists and ex-militants invaded the entrance of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa, the venue of the exercise. They added that stones were hurled at delegates who lined up to be screened for the exercise creating chaos and panic in the area.

The ex-NDDC chief said: “You have seen the rancourous process leading to the primaries.

The process is being marred by irregularities, violence, intimidation and complete disrespect for aspirants, agents and party officials.

“This is an enactment of negative history for a party that stands on the mantra of change. I think something is missing somewhere and we need to get it right. We have had delegates perceived to be loyal to us, threatened, beaten and wounded since morning.

“Quite a lot of people you see here are not delegates. Most of the authentic delegates are outside. We need to put a stop to this process.

“Some other times we can get the security dynamics rights so that we can get the methodology of the primaries right. We cannot continue with this process.”

Aganaba described the process as shameful and said it failed to represent the values and principles of the party.

Sylva said he heard no such complaints and that things went well.

By now, Alaibe must have realised that he is considered an outsider, a man who wants to reap where he did not sow. And Dickson must be smiling. His enemies are fighting. That is good news. They should fight the more, he must be praying.

My final take: I have no problem with Sylva flying the flag of the party, but Alaibe should be factored in. I believe he has his support base and the APC can benefit from harnessing this rather than risking a situation where Dickson will harvest all the aggrieved and make political gains of it. If that is allowed to happen, the blame will not be elsewhere but on the APC itself. The time to get things right is now. Otherwise Dickson can start preparing for his victory thanksgiving. A house divided against itself cannot stand. A word, they say, is enough for the wise. And those who have ears, let them hear.

BY MIKE ODIEGWU, YENAGOA

Azuzuama 14 ...Justice must be done

S

ILENCE on the painful and harrowing death of 14 victims of the explosion that occurred along a pipeline operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Bayelsa State is no longer acceptable.

Like the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Iniruo Wills said, in other parts of the world the July 9, 2015 incident would have attracted global attention and dominated discussions for a long time until justice is done. Unfortunately, the incident occurred in Nigeria where human life costs little and operational standards for multinational companies are relegated to the background.

But the Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth (ERA/FoEN) has taken up the matter. To the envinromental advocate, the tragedy which happened along Agip’s TebidabeClough Creeks pipeline in Azuzuama Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state cannot be swept under the carpet.

A section of the pipeline was damaged and the victims were at the sight to conduct Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the cause of the rupture and effect repairs. But the pipeline exploded, went up in flames and gutted the entire mangroves. The fire consumed 14 persons including a soldier and burnt many others.

An employee of Agip, seven employees of

Vowgas, a firm contracted by the oil firm to effect the repairs, a member of staff of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, an official of the National Oil Spill Detection and Regulation Agency (NOSDRA) and a representative of the community perished in the inferno.

ERA’s report of the tragedy which was released recently in Yenagoa identified the victims as Mupe Afoh Anthony (HSE-NAOC-Florina), Mathew Iyom (CRV Supervisor-NAOC Crest), Godspower Okorosei (Vowgas welder), Promise Kpora (Vowgas pipe filter), Michael Izeku (Vowgas storekeeper) and Longinus Dum (Vowgas HSE).

Others are Ositadinma Ugwu (NOSDRA), Theophilus Duabo (Bayelsa ministry), Amos Omereji (helper), Undo John (Vowgas pegger), Epunumokumo Linus (community man), corporal Audu Rikoto (Vowgas gunboat), Eze Akpojota (Vowgas swamp buggie mechanic) and unidentified person.

The incident is clearly a case of negligence due to equipment failure while attempting to clamp a leaking oil pipeline by substandard and crude method.

It is believed that the oil pipeline might have remained active while repair effort was ongoing thereby putting lives at risk.

Worse still, there was no fireman or fire serv-

ice personnel in the team who could have put out the fire while it was still little. The fact that the site was a difficult terrain and there were no precautionary measures or escape plans put in place in the event of fire further indicted the oil giant.

The incident was one too many in Agip operated oil fields. In June 1995, the Agip Ozochi tragedy claimed at least seven workers who attempted to clear a major spill using “a state of the art technology of spade and bucket”.

Again on May 13, 2000, six youths died in a tragic incident which occurred at Etiama community in Nembe Local Government Area during a clamping operation on a ruptured section of Agip’s Brass-Ogoda pipeline. The incident was reportedly caused by a spark from machine used during the clamping.

Also, on July 29, 2012, a similar incident happened along the company’s pipeline within Ayamabele-Kalaba community environment in Okordia clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area.

But 16 persons were fortunate to have escaped the fire that erupted at the scene.

No wonder ERA has described Agip’s operation fields as crime sites tantamount to ecocide.

Last year, 800 spills occurred in Agip operational areas in 2014 while 200 had so far hap-

pened in this year.

The spokesman of the bereaved families, Mr. Karibi MacDonald, said in Yenagoa that Agip had neither shown remorse nor commiserated with the families of the victims.

“It is very unfortunate that Agip is so insensitive to the needless death of 14 Nigerians due to the poor safety records in their oil fields, there has been no contact with the families of the bereaved.

“The stance of Agip since this incident occurred has been regrettable they have not bothered to contact any of the families even during the burial of the victims, my own brother was buried three weeks ago and we did not see Agip.

“It is very sad that a foreign company can be this arrogant and be shying away from its liability and could not even commiserate with the bereaved families.

“We are calling on the federal government who are their joint venture partners to call them to order to avert incurring the wrath of the dead, the total lack of remorse by Agip is unacceptable.”

The Azuzuama incident stands out as a metaphor of the recklessness of the oil giants.

The July 9 incident had not received the attention it deserved. Now is the time for action.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

33

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•Participants at the event

T

HE Abia State government has flagged off a scheme designed to equip youths with requisite entrepreneurial skills.

The scheme launched at Boys Technical College (BTC), was tagged E4E or Education for Employment.

Mr. Endi Ezengwa, the programme’s consultant, has been interacting with industrialists, with a view to securing their partnership on the project. Ezengwa, who is also the chairman of Kiara College United Kingdom, said he was partnering with seven government ministries; ministry of youth development, ministry of agriculture and others, adding that bringing in the services of industries would ensure that the programme’s success.

He disclosed that the programme which was expected to provide employment for about 100,000 (25,000 each year) youths within the first four years of the incumbent administration, stressing that the programme was not political.

He said that they were going to make use of the existing skill acquisi-

Abia launches jobs scheme From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

tion centres built across the state by the out-gone Chief Theodore Ahamefule’s administration as their training centers.

“We are here to have a stakeholders meeting with owners of industries and businesses in Aba. We want to consult and carry them along. We want them to also tell us what their needs are so that the programme can be holistic. We don’t want to do haphazard programme. So we have met with ministry of youths, ministry of rural development we are now meeting with educational institutions amongst others. So, we want to be able to carry everybody along in this programme because Okezie Ikpeazu is very serious about youth empowerment and want it to be done properly. So he is the one who sent me. he is willing to invest in this programme but we need to show return on in-

‘We are here to have a stakeholders meeting with owners of industries and businesses in Aba. We want to consult and carry them along. We want them to also tell us what their needs are so that the programme can be holistic’ vestment. It won’t be business as usual, we have to show that there will be output on investment. We also need to be sure that whatever that we will provide has value for money and that it will be fit for purpose; meeting the three cardinal principles of this programme. This is to prevent

what has been happening before from repeating itself. We hope that we will give it our best and make sure that this is something that will last beyond his tenure as a governor.

“The target audience of this interactive section is industrialists in Aba. There has been so much said about

T

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

senate to set up a committee to look into the issue concerning the road which has become an albatross to our people”.

The senator said that the erosion menace at Isuikwuato has attracted the attention of New Map, a World Bank-assisted programme on erosion control, which is based on counterpart funding, adding that they would soon move to site.

On the issue of appointments in the federal government since the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Ohuabunwa said that alienating Ndigbo is not good for the country.

Ohuanuwa said that Ndigbo are part of the tripod stand on which the country stands.

He said, “Ndigbo are disappointed with the neglect of President Buhari and his APC-controlled federal government in the area of appointments as regards Ndigbo, as there are competent Igbo people who are capable of handling any

•Continued on page 34

‘Why many lawmakers failed reelection’

‘100 days unconstitutional’ HE Senator representing Abia North zone, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa has said that the celebration of 100 days in office by the executive arm of government is not constitutional, but rather a creation in political settings to measure the success or failure of the executive.

Speaking with The Nation in Umuahia, Ohuabunwa said that Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has done well in his first 100 days in office exemplified by massive road construction and reconstruction across the three senatorial zones of the state.

Ohuabunwa regretted the constant rainfall in Aba where most of the road constructions are going on, saying that it has slowed down the work in the city.

“We all know that Aba is the face of Ndigbo and once it is gotten right every other thing will follow,” he said.

Ohuabunwa said, “We at the senate are working as I have moved the motion for the repair of Arochukwu Road which made the

Aba and our ingenuity, creativity and industriousness, but this has not transcended into cash and the improvement of our lives. So E4E is an interface that we want to create in order to help to transform the energy of the youths; to convert them into money when they become entrepreneurs, self sustaining and also when they work with established industries.

That way, it is a win-win programme because it is going to ensure there is low crime rate, more money to everybody and we will all be happy. If we must be like the Taiwan and Chinese, we must learn to think and behave like the people that we are trying to imitate.

“Students will be taught practical skills and craft on their chosen areas by the stakeholders they are going to learn the trade from and we are going to monitor the project very seriously. If the prospective candidates were supposed to learn a particular trade for 3years for instance, we will make sure that the candidate stays

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

A

•Senator Ohuabunwa

position of authority.

However if Mr President feels that he cannot find any one in his party, I am ready to loan my elder brother, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa to him, as he is as transparent as any man President Buhari may be looking for, since Dr Ogbonnaya Onu is not good enough for him.”

CIVIL society group, the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) has blamed the frosty relationship between lawmakers and their constituents for the former’s failed reelection bids.

The group observed that lack of constituency offices resulting from this poor relationship, explained why many lawmakers failed to win their reelection bid.

Speaking at a press conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the Executive Director of CCG, Dr. Adewale Balogun, flayed the gap in the relationship between the legislators and their constituents, pointing out that such vacuum portends ill for the electoral system.

He said, “If the legislators used their constituency office effectively and built a cordial relationship with their constituents, it would have improved the chance of their being returned to the House”.

Balogun said that a CCG’s survey on Imo State Constituency Offices, indicated that “only a small percentage of Imo citizens visit or know where the constituency offices of their representatives in the state House of Assembly are, while many others also indicated that they never see their elected representatives, and that when they do, it is invariably just prior to elections.”

The CCG boss acknowledged the good work done by a few elected representatives who, he said put in much effort to demonstrate real concern for their constituents even in absence of well-designed and thought out guidelines related to what is expected of them when they are engaged in constituency work.

He stated that for any government to qualify as been democratic, it must be all inclusive and participatory, close and accessible to the people, satisfy their needs and aspiration, promote equality and social justice, and ensure •Continued on page 36

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

34

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•PZ staff with officials of the prisons and items donated

M

Workers, foundation donate to inmates

EMBERS of the staff welfare association of Paterson Zochonis (PZ) at the Aba plant, as well as the Inner Heart Foundation have lifted the spirits of people behind bars in the commercial city.

On a visit to the Aba Prisons, the workers and staff of PZ presented over 50 tubers of yam, a sewing machine, a bag of beans, five bags of rice, two bags of garri, about nine pillows, mosquito nets, bags of salt and sugar, a deep freezer, cartons of bar soap and detergents, cooking oil, about 20 in addition to an undisclosed amount of money.

Last year, in the maiden edition of the outreach, the workers’ welfare union built a four-room toilet for Eziama Community Primary School in Aba North Local Government Area. The workers also gave N390,000 cheque to a staff of the school, Mr. Chika Kalu Sampson for

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

the treatment of his daughter, Chika Kalu for a hole-in-heart surgery.

Though as it was not the custom to allow journalists talk to the inmates, but the smiles and joy expressed by the inmates shows that they would always pray that either the group continues to remember them or that a donation of sort should continue to come their way.

Some of the staff who spoke to our reporter including Mr. Emma Ofordu said that they were extremely happy to have touched the lives of others in need positively.

Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Abadom, the General Manager for PZ Cussons Nigeria, Aba, said, “We are the foremost manufacturers in Nigeria. We have one of the biggest soap plants in Nigeria and what we do is that once every year, we look for a corporate project that we can use to

touch the heart of communities around us. Last year, we visited some schools and we made some donations to them. This year, we have decided to come and visit the prisons and also to contribute and handover some of the things which you see around here for the welfare of the prisoners and to ensure that the reformation process goes on smoothly in order to achieve the desired result at the end of the day”.

How they come about the money for the items? Mr. Abadom, said “Every single thing that you see here was purchased from the contribution of the entire staff of the company (PZ Cussons, Aba). So, what we do is that at the beginning of every year, we will come together and make pledges; everybody contributing from his or her salary. We look at it as a humanitarian gesture to assist the less privilege around our community.

Abia launches jobs scheme

cause if everybody reaches out to assist one another, chances are that there will be drop in crime. There will be assistance and people will be able to get the benefit. We cannot wait on the government to do everything, it is not fair. The government is actually doing their very best to assist and bring things up.

However, we as well, we need to assist the government in every little way we can do that; whether it is reaching out to the children or the community or whether it is to build pipe borne water or borehole; in any way we can help the government. At the end of the day, it is still our premises and where we reside and by that, we will as well help the government to get to the level where we want to be”.

On his advice for his colleagues, the Aba Plant manager added “The •Continued from page 35

Enugu approves N4.2b for salaries

•Continued from page 33 back on the job to complete the training and at the end of the training, they will be certified. This will enable them go for government contracts and even compete favourably with their counterparts from the Polytechnics and universities”, Ezengwa stated.

Sir Onyebuchi Nwankpa, Director, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, represented by the Senior Technical Officer of the ministry, Mr. Aloy Chukwu, described the state government’s step to empower youths in the state with skills as laudable and describe technical and vocational education as one that would not only to put the youths off the streets, but to ensure that they have food on their tables.

Chukwu who noted that most economies of the world are now private sector driven said that the benefits of programme would include sustaining existing industries and as well, improve the state economy with well-equipped manpower which the programme was going to provide.

He expressed the readiness and commitment of the ministry to ensure that they assisted in their own capacity to ensuring that the purpose for which the government initiated the programme was met.

Speakers at the event however urged the organisers to ensure that the programme works, citing examples of such programmes that looked lofty and yet could not stand the taste of the day or met the purpose for which it was initiated.

They also want government to assist them by providing them with the enabling environment and machines to work optimally and as such boosting trade and investment in the state even as they prayed that the programme achieves the purpose for which it was meant for.

“We believe that in helping the community as stakeholders of the community, the overall society can be better. We don’t confine ourselves to our work environment; we also reach out to the community. So, it’s actually from the contributions of the workers from their salaries that all these items were bought. It is not by compulsion, but voluntarily. A lot of donations were made without people even knowing who donated them, we announced those that want their names to be announced and those who donated anonymously were not mentioned.

“What we are doing is not synonymous with the plant here in Aba, it is ongoing in all the branches of the establishment across Nigeria; it is Pan-Nigeria. They equally try to reach out to their local communities. So, this is only an arm.

“By what we have just done, it is a means of encouraging others be-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

•Governor Ugwuanyi

T

HE Enugu State Executive Council has approved the procurement of a bailout

fund of N4.2billion through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the liquidation of the outstanding salaries, pensions and arrears including subventions for parastatals, institutions and boards.

The council equally approved the procurement of N10billion loan from the CBN for infrastructural development.

The state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin Udeuhele disclosed the development while briefing reporters at the end of the state executive council meeting.

The approvals, he explained, were sequel to the memoranda from the Commissioner for Finance Mrs. Eucharia Offor requesting the urgent need to liq-

uidate all workers entitlements and consolidate on the state’s ongoing developmental projects.

According to the commissioner, the council also approved the relocation of motor mechanics and other allied workers in Enugu metropolis to the Mechanic Village, Umuatugbuoma Akegbe Ugwu in Nkanu West Local Government Area, sequel to a memo from the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo.

The council had further mandated the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry to open up more mechanic villages at Nsukka urban, Emene, Ninth Mile Corner among others to improve the environmental status of the state’s urban areas as well boost its economic and commercial life.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

35

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Alor, home of former Anambra State Governor Dr Chris Ngige and other illustrious indigenes, has been without a traditional ruler for some time. In this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, one of the claimants to the stool, Chief Chukwuemeka Ikegwuogu, sheds light on the tussle, adding that the people’s choice will be crowned. Excerpts:

Workers, foundation donate to inmates

some people.

What advice do you give your people of Alor in the present circumstance?

I advise my people particularly the youths to keep calm since the matter is in court. I believe that truth shall eventually prevail and whoever is the candidate of the people will surely mount the saddle as the traditional ruler of the community.

•Continued from page 34 seed we sow now, we hope to see the benefit in the future. It is not necessarily about monetary benefit. For the very fact that you can wake up in the morning and walk around your environment happily and safe, it’s a big achievement. So, it is not necessarily in terms of monetary reward, we expect the society to be better. Once the society is better, you will reap from directly and indirectly from that society and that’s our prayer”.

The head of the Prison facility DCP (Deputy Comptroller of Prisons), Ugba Stephen who received the items on behalf of the staff and inmates said that the items would go a long way in meeting the needs of the inmates and facility and debunked the notion that items donated to the inmates were being diverted and shared among the staff other than the purpose for which it was meant for.

Mr. Stephen used the opportunity to appeal to other private and corporate organizations in and around the commercial city to emulate the gestures of the PZ staffers which he said would ensure that the daily needs of the inmates were met.

“The items are for the inmates and if it were possible for one of the inmates to come here, you will personally ask them about how I feed them. Any item that is given to them will be distributed to them and they can attest to that. So, that is the principle of my life because if you cheat someone today, God will pay you back in one way or the other.

So, the best is to make sure that you give your best to humanity; give your best to the inmates that you are caring for.

“I am impressed with what they brought because we have written a lot of letters for companies to come to our aid. Some have come and those items they brought were used for the purpose that it was meant for. So, this item that you see will be fully given to the inmates.

“All hands are not equal. We will keep appealing to other companies to see how they can come to our aide. People responds at their own pace based on their financial capacity and I strongly believe that they will come to our aide.

“I pray that God replenishes their purse because they are touching the lives of those in needs and God in his wisdom will touch their lives abundantly,” the DCP prayed.

During their visit to the Enugu and Anambra states ministries of health on the elimination and control of NTDs in Nigeria, Dr. Bridget Okoeguale, Director of public health, Federal Ministry of health, empasised the need for collaboration in the fight against the diseases.

“We have target to eradicate some of the neglected tropical diseases”, she stressed.

Okoeguale stressed the importance of educating the people in the grassroots on ways to prevent and control the sporadic neglected tropical diseases She appealed to the federal government to collaborate with the state government to provide basic incentives like motorcycles, T- Shirts, and umbrellas to health workers in the states to facilitate the sharing of drugs against NTDs. The permanent secretary in the Enugu state ministry of health, Mr. Moses Otuji who represented the commissioner for health gave his

assurrance that “ Enugu state has the wherewithal to combat the NTDs”, therefore it requires a concerted effort to eliminate the killer- diseases.

Otuji further emphasised the commitment of the state government in the fight against diseases. He said that “Enugu state is lucky to have a governor who is interested in heath -related issues.”

In Anambra State, the commissiner for health, Dr Joe Akabike expressed his concern in the eradication of the diseases and assured that the state was not ready to revert the wheel in the fight against diseases.

“We should sensitise those affected by the diseases on how to apply the drugs and as well as show them love”.

The programme officer in Sir Emeka offor foundation, Mr. Peter Onu disclosed that Sir Emeka Offor was a key supporter in the campaign for eradication of the killer-diseases.

He therefore appealed to the state governments to take bold steps in the fight against the diseases.

‘The right candidate will be king’

S

INCE last year when you granted an interview saying your people had chosen you as their king, not much has happened, and the community has been apparently calm without much being heard about the chieftaincy crisis.

No. The community has not been calm. What we have in Alor can be described as an uneasy calm, but so many people are not happy with the direction things are going. For example, Ndi Ichie, Ndi Ozo, Ndi Idi, etc who are the custodians of culture and tradition of Alor community have made their position very clear that the throne be taken to where it currently belongs and that is Uruezeani village where I come from.

Where is Senator Chris Ngige in this whole episode, being from the community?

Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige has been a man of the people in Alor and indeed the whole of Idemili race and beyond, even before he became the governor of Anambra State. He is highly respected and influential in the community. When the crisis started, he was a sitting Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He once told the community that the throne should be taken to where it belongs and that is Uruezeani village.

Are you concerned that those who oppose your kingship may use their weight and all necessary means to stop you?

I am not afraid of anybody. I only fear the Almighty God the maker of the universe and all therein. I most sincerely believe that nothing will happen to me because I am on the path of truth and honour as far as Alor community is concerned.

You complained last year to law enforcement agents that your life was being threatened. What is the situation now?

You remember I granted an interview last year. That interview was published on Wednesday, 23rd July, 2014. Immediately, the interview was published, my life came under fire because I refused to accept…Chinedu Okonkwo as the Igwe of Alor as Chinedu Okonkwo was never elected as such. He is not even qualified to contest because he is not from Umuezeani Village. I am the popular candidate. My popularity cuts across the community. [Someone] called my mother on the phone that fateful Wednesday morning when the inter-

view was out and told her to warn me to stop challenging the governor’s position.

What happened thereafter?

At about 1pm on 1st August, 2014, when I was discussing on the phone with my lawyer to brief him on the security developments around me, some four hefty men swooped on me and told me that they were security men and that the Commissioner of Police and the governor wanted to see me and that they were detailed to bring me. When I resisted their mission, they bundled me into their vehicle. When we got to Amawbia Roundabout by Express, instead of going towards the Police Headquarters or Governor’s Lodge, they faced Enugwu-Agidi along NTA Road.

When I realised that their mission was sinister and that they might kill me, I jumped out of their vehicle and dashed into the bush.

What action did the law enforcement agents take thereafter?

The state police command at the time said they never sent anybody to bring me to the CP or anybody in the command. Even the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Chief Chikodi Anara told me that the governor never sent anybody to me as claimed by the assailants. That was when it became clearer to me that those people were assassins. I did not recognise any of the faces that bundled me into the vehicle and I cannot tell you now that I suspect anybody on that issue, but one is being careful.

What was the reaction of Alor Community to the incident?

Immediately, the news hit Alor, Onowu (traditional prime minister) and Ndi Ichie (Elders) summoned an emergency meeting of the elders’ council and the town union caretaker committee. Onowu told them point black that if anything happened to me, the community would not accept it, that you don’t take somebody’s right and kill him at the same time. That was when the Town Union Caretaker Chairman, Mr. Sylvester Ilogbaka shouted that he was never part of any plot against me and that any petition written by anybody in any quarter against me would never have his blessing and support.

We learnt that the other of your opponents, Mr. Chinedu Okonkwo was crowned on June 14.

(Laughs) That is not true. He has

•Chief Ikegwuogu

‘The state police command at the time said they never sent anybody to bring me to the CP or anybody in the command. Even the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Chief Chikodi Anara told me that the governor never sent anybody to me as claimed by the assailants. That was when it became clearer to me that those people were assassins. I did not recognise any of the faces that bundled me into the vehicle and I cannot tell you now that I suspect anybody on that issue, but one is being careful’ been telling people that he would be crowned since last year, but all to no avail. He can’t even do it. There is an order of court from the High Court of Anambra State, Ogidi Division hanging on his neck. If he does anything like that, he will go to prison.

Besides, Ndi Ichie, Ndi Idi and Ndi Ozo who are responsible for coronation have since expressly rejected him.

So I wonder who is going to coronate him. He is just deceiving himself and

Businessman, foundation tackle tropical diseases

T

HE Jimmy Carter Foundation in collaboration with Sir Emeka Offor Foundation and the Federal Ministry of Health have mounted a campaign against neglected tropical diseases.

The team visited Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states where it held meetings with commissioners of health and other stakeholders in the health sector.

The two foundations plan to give free drugs to all states in Nigeria to facilitate the fight against river blindness and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) like leprosy, guinea worm, buruli ulcer and other related killerdiseases endemic in some states of the federation.

The Jimmy Carter foundation had

•Dr. Okoeguale From Chris Oji, Enugu

in the past years been in the forefront of the fight against guinea worm disease in Nigeria.

In line with the Federal Ministry of Health’s campaign on eradication of

•Dr. Mmiri

river blindness before 2020, the foundation alongside Sir Emeka Offor Foundation joined the ministry on advocacy visits to state ministries of health in South-East to collaborate with them in the fight against NTD.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Imo prepares students for leadership •Continued from page 24 training which will give them the platform to ask questions and get answers concerning the rudiments of leadership positions.

For the brightly dressed school prefects, the impact of the seminar was spontaneous and electric. Some of them could not contain the joy and ecstasy of coming face to face with some distinguished Nigerians from both the public and private sector, including the state Governor, who accorded them great honour as leaders in the making.

Delivering a paper titled, “building tomorrow’s leaders”, the wife of the Governor, stated that, “I believe strongly in the need to inculcate good leadership skills in our youths who of course will become leaders of tomorrow. Our future, the future of our nation is in their hands.

A cursory look at our society today and you will agree with me that something needs to be done.

“We have as a nation lost our way, the country has all the natural resources that God has endowed us with and we should be amongst, if not the greatest country on earth but we are not. The reason we are not where we are supposed to be as a nation is because of leadership failure. We need strong, competent leaders. As our generation appears to have failed in this regard, it is important that we build tomorrow’s

•Governor Okorocha and one of the students

leaders today. I believe that leaders are made and not born. To be a great leader, one has to exhibit certain qualities. These qualities can be learnt at home, in schools or in a forum like this. I believe in catching them young. You are all potential leaders.

We want to build future leaders who have the right moral values and ethical principal. Every child has a peculiar talent imbued in him by God which could be made useful through self discovery.”

She challenged the students to strive to be the best in their academic pursuits, stressing that as

tomorrow’s leaders; the society is waiting for them.

The facilitator also pointed out to the students that there was a reason why they had been appointed senior prefects in their various schools, urging them to imbibe the ethical principles and values that would be instilled into them during the programme.

She maintained that the main objective of the leadership and citizenship forum was to nurture and inspire young people as future leaders and instill moral and ethical values in them.

The resource persons drawn

from both national and international organizations tutored the students on such topics as “Developing a Leadership Mindset for Excellence”, delivered by Linus Okorie, “Becoming a Model Citizen”, by Muyiwa Afolabi and “The Magnitude of Attitude: Being the Best”, by Ubong Essien.

In his paper Okorie, a leadership analyst, noted that leadership starts from the mind through a process he called “KASH” Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, Habit.

He maintained that great leaders must possess a vast repertoire of knowledge through reading, developing the right attitude, acquiring marketable skills and good habits.

Others harped on selflessness, integrity, dedication and discipline and personal sacrifices as prerequisites for attaining great heights in life.

The governor urged the students not to allow the obstacles of life deprive them from attaining greatness. He also urged them to avoid self-doubt and be passionate in the pursuit of their career.

Okorocha who spoke on the topic, “Starting”, noted that Governor Okorocha the greatest challenge facing any prospective entrepreneur or leader is “starting the project which he has envisioned”.

He stressed that as future leaders, they should avoid negative peer pressure as it impedes progress in life.

The Imo governor further harped on the need for students to discover themselves early in life and have passionate desire to accomplish their ambition, adding that God always helps those who have determination and focus to succeed.

Some of the students who expressed gratitude to the organisers, said that they have been prepared to take up their roles as leaders in their respective schools, while they evolve into the leaders the nation is waiting for.

•Hon. Ossy Prestige (fourth left) with members of his foundation and the 50 shortlisted Europe-bound schoarship beneficiaries PHOTO: SUNNY NWANKWO

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IFTY of the 500 graduates who applied for an overseas scholarship scheme sponsored by a lawmaker Hon. Ossy Prestige have been selected.

One of the criteria required that the candidates must be resident in the Aba North and South constituencies which Prestige represents at the House of Representatives.

The gesture is organised by the lawmaker’s Youth Empowerment Scholarship Scheme.

The successful candidates from various universities and polytechnics in Nigeria will study for their Master’s degree in any European universities of their choice free of charge.

Mr. George Ezeikpe, the Director General, Ossy Prestige Foundation, said the lawmaker will also fund their feeding, accommodation and tuition.

Ezeikpe stressed that the 50 students were chosen by merit.

Addressing the successful candidates, Hon. Prestige congratulated the candidates, warning against tru-

50 get overseas scholarship From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

ancy or absconding from the programme.

He said that sending them abroad for studies was to acquire and transfer the knowledge to their host communities and state except those that their host countries may wish to offer employment after graduation.

Prestige was optimistic that by the end of his first four years at the National Assembly, he would have sponsored over 200 graduates.

“I want to say congratulations to all of you. If you remember the day you were taking the exams, I was there briefly to encourage everybody to work hard because what we are doing is something that has to do with the ability of you to prove yourself. It is a very simply thing for me to sit in the comfort of my parlour to write names of those to send overseas for their degree programmes. I am sure that out of

55 or more of you here, I may not be able to know up to three persons among you, which means that it is truly by merit. There was no influence from anywhere and I never influenced anything because I wanted the best to emerge.

“I had over 1000 phone calls from friends and relatives, even associates on one choice or the other, but I said NO, that it was going to be purely on merit. And why I want it to be on merit is that I want to encourage those who are actually working hard; those who knows the importance of education but doesn’t have the means from their various families to better their education.

“I am sure that, there is no relation of mine that I can’t take care of, but there are some who have this certificate but do not have anyone that would train them further in their education because there is no means.

“So, I want you to see yourself as

very lucky to have come through this very particular process. It is not all about going to the overseas to study. If God has given you this opportunity, you should use it very well and make the best out of it. We want to develop people and it is based on one of the promises I have made during my campaign that, one key area I will do my best is on human capital development.”

Bailout: Group seeks salary priority From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

T

HE association of Southeast House of Assembly Candidates under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded 2015 elections has urged all the state governors in the zone to use the bailout fund released last week by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay accrued workers salary.

The CBN would this week release about N338billion to 23 states including 4 other states of Abia (N14.152b), Ebonyi (N4.063billion), Enugu (N4.207billion) and Imo (N26.806billion) respectively.

The leader of the group, Comrade James Chibuzo Chikwendu speaking in Aba, the Abia State commercial city said that it was important that the state southeast governors should pay their workers their salary arrears after they had worked tirelessly for their respective states.

He however warned against the diversion of such funds on other projects which the fund was not meant for, adding that such moves would mean yielding to the temptation of misappropriating and diverting the fund for the purpose for which it was meant for.

“We commend the presidency’s prompt release of funds to the troubled state governments in Nigeria and urge them to use the fund judiciously. As it is a right steps in the right direction which has the backing of law.

“We implore state governors to ensure that they pay workers and pensioners, owed arrears of salaries and gratuities, and resist any temptation of misappropriation or diversion of the fund”.

Chikwendu also commended the President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice Yemi Osinbajo for recently slashing their salaries by 50percent, adding that it doesn’t only show their level of patriotism but has shown that they were willing to save the country from economic wastages and urge other political office holders to emulate the steps taken by the Buhari and Osinbajo.

According to the leader of the group, “We commend the government of President Muhammadu Buhari for his ability in curtailing the excesses of the Boko Haram Sect in the Northeast and we urge the federal government to bring on board a workable formula to solve the insecurity situation in the country.

“Though it is now clear that insurgency is almost witnessed in all parts of the world, the present administration has taken a bold step following the recent appointment of service chiefs which we believe the team is for the total annihilation of the insurgency rocking the country, Mr. President’s trip to USA soliciting for support is also part of his commitment to tackle insurgency and recovery of looted funds by former political office holders. We are confident in Mr. President’s assurances to Nigerians that he will not spare anybody who steals public fund even it they are members of the ruling party. It is also a right step in the right direction and we commend him for sticking to fight corruption”, the group stated.

While promising their unflinching support for the president however assured that they stood behind the aspirations of the party to capture the southeast in 2019.

‘Why many lawmakers failed reelection’ •Continued from page 33 the security of lives and property.

Dr. Balogun advised individual representatives to maintain close contact with their electoral areas through their constituency offices, consult the people on their needs and present them to House of Assembly for consideration and report back to their electorate the decision taken by the House and actions that would be taken to develop their area as a whole.

Also speaking, the Programme Officer, Mrs. Juliana Iregbu-Ihejirika said that legislators should facilitate the flow of information and services back to the constituency to make government more real and accessible.

She noted that legislators collect millions of naira as constituency allowance, adding that the fund was never used for what it was approved for, which is to build an office that would serve as a private and local workspace for the representative and also as an incubator for new projects and initiative.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

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DISCOURSE

Regional integration and enhanced productivity as a recipe for paradigm shift in Southwest Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, in this piece, gives insight on how Southwest states can develop in the context of declining oil revenues Introduction In spite of the confounding fiscal crisis that threatens to ground the wheels of governance to a halt and what HE, the Vice President aptly described as a deceptive national growth figure which does not account for the structure and quality of an evident jobless trajectory with worrying mystery index, in most current global economic statistics, Nigeria’s economy is enjoying prime time attention as one of the newly emerging global economies. For instance, since its rebasing project in 2014, Nigeria is said to have risen to the top as the largest economy in SSA, far ahead of its continental rival South Africa. But far more gratifying is the global GDP ranking which sees Nigeria as the only African countries that makes the first 30 largest economies in the world at the 23rd position. Nigeria is followed at a distant 34th position by South Africa.

This economic assessment marches the several spate of global outpouring of hope and optimism about ‘Africa Rising,’ especially by the World Bank. In May 2014, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) president, Ms. Christine Lagarde, considers this period an exciting time for Africa. She noted that history has shown, for nearly two decades now that Africa is clearly taking off, strongly and steadily. Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, has also had cause to celebrate the “African Lions” and the story of hope that is unfolding in Africa.

Nigeria’s global GDP ranking clearly exemplifies this celebratory mood. But the fundamental question is: How long will these bubbly excitements last? This question is more apposite within Nigeria’s economic profile which sits squarely but uncomfortably on oil. As a mono-economic and dependent oil exporting country, Nigeria and other such countries have been subjected to decades of price movement and the continuous circle of booms, busts and dramatic technological changes. Before the formation of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1971, oil prices were fixed by consumers. This kept oil prices at around $1.5 for a very long time.

However, the formation of OPEC changed the framework for fixing oil prices from the powerful consumers to collaborating exporters. This caused the ‘first oil shock’ that raised price steeply from its average of around $1.5 to $2.7 to between $3.0 and $12.79, and later jumped to $35.5 during the ‘second oil shock.’ This was due to the interplay of demand and supply forces. From 1992, global crude oil price have since moved from $18.4 per barrel to $61 in 2006 and reached $115.05 per barrel by June 2014. By August 2015, however, crude oil hovered around $43.2pb leading to a more than 60% loss in revenue for oil exporting countries like Nigeria.

In this lecture, I will be concerned with outlining the economic dynamics of Nigeria’s dependence on oil and its severe consequences. I will do this in two segments. In the first, I will discuss the declining crude oil price situation experienced in the global oil industry since June 2014. In the second segment, I will discuss the effects of the decline on the global economy on Nigeria and especially on the states across the country. Finally, I shall move from this gloomy statistics to interrogating the on-going move in the direction of regional integration, especially amongst the South Western states of Nigeria, as a solid option for building resilience against oil revenue shocks.

Oil and the Global Economy Crude oil has the status of being one of the resources in the world with

geopolitical significance. This means that crude oil has the capacity to instigate wars and make peace. States have fallen on its behalf and millions have been slaughtered to ensure that it flows or it ceases to flow. The dynamics of geopolitics has a very strong dependence on where this oil is found and to what purpose it is used, and by whom. The Middle East is the centrepoint of the global oil game and crisis There are three obvious sources of the fluctuation in the global oil market: • Global oil demand driven by emerging economies; • Increasing world production of crude oil leading to significantly lower prices. This is mostly accounted for by increase in American production from an average of 5.489 million barrel per day between 2009 and 2011 to 7.454 mbpd (2013), 8.731 mbpd ( July 2014) and 9.701 mbpd (April 2015).

This astronomical rise in production made oil price crash unavoidable; and • Geopolitical disturbances which held back growth in oil production.

The geopolitical and economic activities and dynamics of the United States and China in the Middle East theatre actually constitute a straightforward example of how national interests intersect the oil market and the resultant fluctuations. The Arab-Israeli (or Yom Kippur) War of 1973 is significant because it caused a major economic destabilisation in the Middle East whose effects spread out into global proportions. The 1973 energy crisis was sparked when the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) declared an oil embargo whose deep ramifications led to the first and second oil shock, and eventually caused the oil glut of the 70s. Nations need oil to power their territories. And so, the reaction of any state to these oil fluctuations is characteristic. The United States, for instance, stepped up its geopolitical policies that have the stockpiling of oil and oil fields at its core. On the other hand, China also constitutes another significant major oil player, especially as one of the emerging economies on the global scene. Although these countries accounted for only 40% of the world total demand in 1984, China alone accounted for 57% of the global increase in consumption since 2005.

However, the activities of the United States and China have been significant on another. And this has to do with the decline in oil price since June 2014. The persistent decline was characterized by increasing supply in fossil (crude oil) in the world market; and increase in non-fossil fuel (shale oil) in the world market. For several decades, the US has been stock piling its crude oil reserves. This was associated with its energy security policy to free itself from the external shocks based on its heavy reliance on crude oil from fragile countries. This policy was accompanied by heavy investment in non-fossil fuel (precisely Shale oil), to provide an alternative to crude oil that also constitute clean energy. The increase in crude oil supply by the Saudi Arabia led OPEC; however, have forced prices downwards to make business possible for Shale companies in the US to survive.

In what could be best described as price war between the Oil investors in the West and East, the sustained increase in the supply of crude oil in a period when Shale oil investors were hoping that crude oil prices would stay high, however, further accelerated the fall in global crude oil prices.

Box 1: Performance of the Global Economy in the Context of the Declining Crude oil Prices Table 1: Global Economic Outlook

and Performance Countries/ Economies 2013 2014 2015 Advanced Economies 1.41.82.4 Emerging Markets and Developing Economies 5. 04. 64.

3 US 2.22.43.1 China 7.87.46.8 Nigeria 5.46.34.8 Source: IMF World Economic Outlook (April 2015) There are three cogent ways by which this debilitating decline in oil prices has affected the global economy. The first is the noticeable contraction in the global economy. The sharp declines in global oil prices, over the past seven months, translates in other words to significant revenue shortfalls in many energy exporting nations, while consumers in many importing countries are paying less to heat their homes or drive their cars or to generate electricity.

On the one hand, for instance, Russia is losing $2.0 billion for every dollar fall in crude prices and to defend its ruble, it increased interest rates by 17 percent; Venezuela is grappling with escalating inflation rate (as high as 60%); and Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait are cutting down accumulated reserves to cope with the development. On the other hand, Japan is using this to reduce inflation while India is using it to reduce subsidy (which is likely to reduce by about $2.5 billion in 2015.

Second, and more positively, the decline in oil prices has turned attention to increased investment in alternative and renewable energy. This explains why, despite the current supply glut driven by crude oil and activities in Shale oil production, investors are still optimistic of the prospect in Shale oil investment in the United States. The need to ensure cleaner energy consumption and sustainable development environmental friendly energy production and consumption are other effects that the decline in crude oil price has suddenly opened the eyes of the world to.

The realisation by OPEC of the need for a stronger regulation constitutes the third way by which the decline in oil price affected the global economy.

Reports from Reuters.com noted that OPEC’s kingpin Saudi Arabia felt vindicated after the strategy of allowing oil to flood the market has begun to achieve what it was aiming for – falling prices. As a global oil glut pushed prices down 60 percent between June 2014 and January 2015, the report noted that signs began to emerge that OPEC’s rivals, including North American producers, will have to curtail output of their expensive barrels.

Nigeria and the Global Oil Economy The terrible effect of the global decline in oil process on Nigeria was signalled by three major factors: • Cessation of the US (a major Shale producer with increasing domestic crude oil capacity) as Nigeria’s major oil importer; • The quick entrance and exit of China as Nigeria’s major crude oil import; and • Decline in major global stock markets For instance, the significant rise in US oil production (from an annual average of 5.489 mbpd between 2009 and 2011 to 9.701 mbpd in April 2015) led to its cessation of oil imports from Nigeria in July 2014. Nigeria’s Bonny Light is sought in the US for its ease of processing, but with the massive exploitation of Shale Oil, a lighter crude, in the US, the demand for Nigeria’s crude bottomed out. The data provided by the Energy Information Administration division of the US Department of Energy showed that as against a peak demand of 41.76 million barrels of Nigerian crude by the US in March 2007, only 1.48 million barrels was bought by the US from

The terrible effect of the global decline in oil process on Nigeria was signalled by three major factors: • Cessation of the US (a major Shale producer with increasing domestic crude oil capacity) as Nigeria’s major oil importer; • The quick entrance and exit of China as Nigeria’s major crude oil import; and • Decline in major global stock markets Nigeria as at August 2014. In 2015, mere 30,000 barrels per day were pumped. The matter is then made worse by corresponding economic and contrary activities on the part of China which is fast becoming a major global player in oil.

As for China, and because of its need for the heavy and sweet crude oil to feed its industrial and manufacturing appetite, it became necessary that Nigeria’s light and sweet crude will fall out of favour with the Chinese policy makers. The alternative for Nigeria was to turn to the Asian market. But Asia as an alternative is a weak market for three reasons. One, the volume of exports there cannot compare in volume to what the United States and China imported before now. Two, India is now the largest importer of Nigeria’s oil. But Nigeria has to compete with Venezuela for India’s attention. Three, Nigeria also has to contend with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for the Asian market (which accounts for about 25% of the global market) by cutting price differentials to gain market share.

There were ample warnings that could have been heeded and serious structures put in place to cushion the effect of the impacts of the decline and fluctuations. For instance, once such signal of an imminent decline there was the frequent revising of the MTEF crude oil price benchmark for the 2015 budget in Nigeria. Crude oil price benchmark set for the 2015 budget was first set at $77 then reviewed to $73, and later to 65$ by the Executive arm of government. By February 2015, however, the National Assembly passed $52 dollar per barrel as the crude oil price benchmark. Another potent signal of what was to come was the fluctuation on the stock exchange market. Available data from the Nigerian Stock Exchange shows that average market capitalization in June 2014 was about N13.72 trillion.

By August 2015, however, the average market capitalization stood at N10.34 trillion: indicative of a 24.64% decline. In the same vein, the average all share index as at June 2014 was 41,788.85 points, but declined to an average of 30,140.98 points by August 2015: indicative of a 27.87% decline in the performance of the index. Both signals were perhaps and unfortunately overlooked.

Being a mono-economy, therefore, the impact of the global decline in oil price was enormous on the Nigerian economy. It came in terms of (a) loss in oil revenue to over 60%; (b) terrible fiscal crunch; (c) decline in stock market performance; and (d) depreciation of the naira relative to the dollar.

In an attempt to cope with the fiscal pressures of this decline on various dimensions of the Nigerian econ-

•Dr. Olaopa

omy, the Nigerian Government economic strategies also led to several intended and unintended consequences. Consider, for instance, the effect of the coping strategies on Nigeria’s financial reserves and accounts which were adversely affected. The foreign reserves for instance fell from $38.278 billion in September 2014 to $28.335 billion in June 2015—a worrisome 25.97% decline. The Excess Crude Oil Account, on the other hand, fell from about $10.00 billion in 2012 to $4.11 billion in October 2014 and later to $2.07 billion in May 2015. External borrowing was another coping strategy; it rose from $6.527 billion in December 2012 to $9.518 billion in December 2014 and $10.316 billion in July 2015.

Never has there been in Nigeria a period where decline in crude oil prices have revealed the vulnerability of the 36 states and the Federal government of Nigeria as observed since June 2014. While the Federal government has a number of ways to cushion the effect of the declining oil revenue on the implementation of its capital project and recurrent expenditure, the 36 states in the six regions of Nigeria have remained increasingly susceptible to revenue shocks hence leading to fiscal crunch in these states. The effect of the decline manifests in terms of (i) low allocation from federation account following low inflow; (ii) back log of unpaid salaries; (iii) difficulty in executing capital projects; (iv) rising domestic debts especially to banks and local contractors; and (v) mounting external debts.

The pertinent question to raise from all these gloomy facts and statistics is: What fundamental roles can the states play in redressing this unfortunate situation that brings the greater share of the burden of the decline in oil prices bearing down mightily on their necks? This is the argument: Since the state and the local governments constitute the very point at which economic activities are really felt by Nigerians, then it becomes a critical demonstration of the necessity by the state governments to take the bull by the horn in addressing and redressing the economic predicament. What then is to be done?

What will constitute a viable solution to decline in global oil price?

Modelling National Productivity Paradigm: Imperative of Regional Integration in the Southwestern States The southwest states have a strong historical framework that lends a crucial support for any attempts by the governors in these states to constitute the vanguard of good development initiatives. For one, these states are the historical inheritors of the socioeconomic and political legacies of the old Western region in Nigeria. That region was distinguished by the national credentials of its political gladiators—Awolowo, Adelabu, Akintola, etc., and especially its socioeconomic achievements in terms of infrastructural landmarks that not only impacted on the lives of its inhabitants, but also made it the first in terms of so many development indicators.

(To be continued)

THE NATION FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

39

rejected the former President, citing ineptitude, marginalisation and inability ‘toSouthwest fulfill his 2011 promises. The outcome of the poll underscored Afenifere leaders’ waning popularity and diminishing influence, unlike 1999, when it could bark and bite ’

POLITICS

Travails of Falae I

LU-ABO, a rustic village in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, was in agony for four days, following the abduction of the village head, Chief Oluyemi Falae. His where about was unknown. The people were seized by panic. Since, according to his workers, the chief was maltreated before the abduction because he resisted his assailants, he may have sustained severe injuries.

However, his kinsmen heaved a sigh of relief yesterday as he was released by his captors. But, the old man has not recovered from the shock.

Throughout Nigeria, Falae, economist, administrator and Afenifere chieftain, is perceived as a harmless person. He is against violence in all ramifications. While in power, he had shunned opulence and materialism. Although a progressive, he has embraced conservative lifestyle. In retirement, his intervention in national life is always in the national interest. His arguments are robust and lucid.

For him, Nigeria can still be a better place for all, if the national question is resolved.

But today, Falae, 77, is a victim of violence.

He was kidnapped on his farm in Akure. It is a double tragedy for the Falae family, which is just recovering from the death of its son, Deji, a former commissioner, in a plane crash.

Akure traditional rulers, chiefs and associates of the elder statesman were enveloped by anxiety, following his forceful seizure by kidnappers.

A shocking Deji of Akure, Oba Aladesulu Aladetoyinbo, contacted the state government. Townspeople were asking questions: what is the motivation for abducting the retired civil servant? What kind of food are the abductors giving the old man in captivity?

Will he have access to his drugs? How will he change his clothes? How will Falae, who has not amassed wealth, raise the N100m ransom?

The Olu of Ilu-Abo is a national figure, having served as the Managing Director of the NAL Merchant Bank, Secretary to Government and Finance Minister. Even, when he stirred controversy as the apostle of Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), he articulated his views without provocation and endeared himself, at least, to his boss, former President Ibrahim Babangida. His assets are his credibility and integrity. Even, when he supported former President Goodluck Jonathan against Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the last general election, despite the abysmal performance of the former leader, public criticism of his inexplicable alliance with Dr. Jonathan was mild.

He had sought for presidential power twice, but without success. For him, the contest for public office is not a do-or-die affair. The Akure chief, who was a chieftain of the proscribed Social Democratic Party (SDP), thought that his chance was bright during the transition programme packaged by Babangida. But, it ended in fiasco. Shortly before the collapse of the ill-fated Third Republic, the midwife was also disgraced out of office. In 1999, Falae picked up the gauntlet again. He was the presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy/All Peoples Party (AD/APP). But, he lost his deposit at the presidential election. A nonviolent politician, he approached the court for justice. But, when his prayer was turned down, he accepted his fate with philosophical calmness.

Falae continued his intervention in Afenifere, the Yoruba pan socio-political

F

•Former Governor Sule Lamido

By Emmanuel Oladesu Group Political Editor

group. Ilu-Abo, a rustic village in Akure, where he is a monarch, is his base. He had turned to farming to make ends meet, as his plastic industry was ebbing away. In the ancient town, he is a moral authority of some sorts. A patriot, he had wanted to use his influence to create more local governments in Akure. But, the move was resisted by old chiefs who feared the balkanisation of the city. In later years, they agonised over their lack of foresight.

The Akure ‘boy’ is emotionally attached to his root. He believes in its culture, customs and tradition. Falae was a major participant in the popular Egungun festival of yore. Youths always trooped out and followed masquerades from morning till evening when the messenger from heaven returns to the abode of the spirits (Igbale). It was during one of those festivals that his admission letter to the University of Ibadan was handed to him by a friend. He was captivated by the Egungun dance and did not bother to look at its content.

To him, the letter bearer was an agent of distraction. But, when he got home and his parent requested wanted him to share the joy with them, he was confused. He had forgotten that the letter was in his pocket. When he brought it out, his joy knew no bound. It was more than the joy of following the masquerade.

At the University of Ibadan, Falae was a brilliant student. He was also an activist. In fact, the former Minister of Information, the late Chief TOS Benson, once said at an event in Lagos that he suspected that he was among the tertiary students who dragged the parliamentarians out of the National Assembly in Lagos during the protest against the Nigeria/ British Defence Pact, which the Balewa government was pushing. After graduation, he taught briefly at Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure. His first point of call in the civil service was the Office of Statistics. As one of his senior colleagues, the late Pa M.D Olayinka recalled, Falae did not find the place challenging enough. He sought transfer. But, in the mainstream civil service, he became a star technocrat, climbing the hierarchical ladders, until he became the Permanent Secretary.

The crowing of his glorious career was his appointment as the Secretary to Government.

He became the economic mouthpiece of the government. Towards the end of the administration, he was appointed as the Finance Minister. Falae had confided in Babangida that he would contest for the Presidency. Thus, when he resigned and joined the presidential race, he was among the top contenders. He and the late Major General Sheu Yar’ Adua were running neck to neck. It was on the eve of the presidential primaries that one of his associates, Hon. Alex Adedipe, a Second Republic Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly, died in an auto crash on his way to Akure to mobilise for his Akure kinsman. At the middle of the game, Babangida changed the goal post. The contenders were banned, unbanned and banned. Following the ban, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe came to the central stage.

Falae was among prominent Nigerians who decried the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential poll. He joined forces with other Afenifere chieftains-Senator Olaniwun

•Falae

‘

Townspeople were asking questions: what is the motivation for abducting the retired civil servant? What kind of food are the abductors giving the old man in captivity? Will he have access to his drugs?

How will he change his clothes? How will Falae, who has not amassed wealth, raise the N100m ransom?

’

Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Ganiyu Dawodu, Senator Kofo Bucknor Akerele, Senator Bola Tinubu, Dr. Femi Okunrounmu, Senator Ayo Fasanmi and Chief Segun Adegoketo insist in the reversal of the annulment. He was persecuted by the military for the cause he believed in. The cries of the progressives fell on the deaf ear of the soldiers of fortune and lords of manor. After tossing around the politicians, the military shoved aside the interim contraption headed by Chief Ernest Sonekan and proclaimed Gen. Sani Abacha as the Head of State. The political class was back to square one.

For five years, the victims mounted pressure on the military to return to barracks. They cold only make a headway, following Abacha’s sudden death. Up came Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who hurriedly put together a transition programme. Two parties-the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APP-met the registration deadline. The two parties were rooting for Falae because they knew that the President should come from the Southwest to compensate the zone for Abiola’s travails and death in detention.

In fact, prominent PDP leaders, including the late Chief Solomon Lar, were addressing him as the in-coming President. But, when Ige and other Afenifere chieftains pulled out of the PDP, and later, the APP to avoid contamination by the so-called Abacha politicians, Falae encamped in the AD, which the Chief of General Staff, Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe, advised the Head of State to register, despite its inability to meet the deadline by the electoral

commission. Akhigbe, who was governor of Ondo and Lagos states. reasoned that, if the Southwest pulled out of the transition programme, it will suffer a credibility crisis.

However, the AD failed to overcome the challenge of bitter struggle for power among its leading lights. Ige and Falae were the presidential aspirants. The former governor of Oyo State believed that, in terms of seniority and contributions to the progressive family since the days of Awolowo, he was more qualified.

But, those who supported Falae played up the sentiment that he had been branded a Yoruba irredentist, warning that he would not command a national acceptance. The majority of the 24 Afenifere/AD wise men opted for Falae.

When the late Chief Hammad Kusamotu broke the news to Ige, who was abroad, he described it as the second fall of man. The party was never the same.

Ige felled betrayed by his colleagues, the Awoists. Cracks appeared on the wall. The crisis had weakened the AD, ahead of the 1999 election. Crisis resolution mechanism was absent. Although the AD teamed up with the APP to present Falae as a joint candidate, the joint platform crumbled before the seeminly more formidable PDP arsenal. On that note, Falae’s presidential ambition became a permanent dream.

In post-1999, AD split into two. Ige, who had joined the Federal Government, was being resisted by his Afenifere colleagues. A leadership crisis broke out in the AD, with Ambassador Yusuf Mamman and Alhaji Ahmed Abdulkadir, leading the factions. Reconciliation was deadlock. But, in Lagos, the rift between Tinubu and Dawodu has also polarised the leaders. The woes of the party were compounded in 2003 when it supported former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s second term ambition. In 2007, when Falae decided to try his luck again at the presidential election, his platform, the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), could not fly. His next point of call was the MPPP, and later the new SDP, of which he is the chairman.

Having given up his presidential ambition in utter sensitivity to the reality of the times, he embraced the pastime of drumming support for the resolution of the national question. He explained that he accepted nomination to the National Conference set up by Dr. Jonathan, in furtherance of his belief that, unless the multi-ethnic groups reach a common ground on peaceful co-existence, Nigeria will not move forward. But, as another delegate, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), pointed out, the Yoruba agenda collapsed on the floor of the conference.

Also, Afenifere leaders, including Falae, drummed support for Dr. Jonathan’s re-election in the Southwest. But, the region rejected the former President, citing ineptitude, marginalisation and inability to fulfill his 2011 promises. The outcome of the poll underscored Afenifere leaders’ waning popularity and diminishing influence, unlike 1999, when it could bark and bite.

However, despite Falae’s position on contemporary issues, many Nigerians have continue to hold him in esteem. This may be due to his incorruptible record as a public servant, modesty, integrity and lack of avarice. Thus, many Nigerians sympathised with his family over his abduction by suspected herdsmen.

Ondo State Information Commissioner Kayode Akinmade, who condemned the abduction, described it is sad development. He said the government, which immediately reviewed the security situation in the state, will ensure that the ugly incident does not repeat itself.

Jigawa PDP, APC trade words over alleged N135m fraud

ormer Jigawa State commissioner for Information Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim, has warned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to desist from making false allegations capable of denting the image of the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration.

He was reacting to the allegation by the Managing Director of Jigawa Television Authority, Alhaji Ishak Hadejia, that the N135 million earmarked for the station was embezzled by the previous government.

The former commissioner said the allegation was in bad faith, adding that Hadejia was trying to mis-

From Adamu Amadu, Dutse

lead the public.

Ibrahim said the eight-man committee saddled with responsibility of producing a blueprint for the take - off of the station submitted a good report to the government. He also denied that the project implementation was faulty.

Ibrahim recalled that the committee was made up of professionals, including Makaman Ringim and the District Head of Kanya Babba, Alhaji Muhammed Ibrahim, Tonnie

Iredia, former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Timawus Mathias, a renowned broadcaster.

Others are Professor Umar Pate Kaigaman Adamawa, Professor Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, Ahmed Aminu, and Malam Adamu Aliyu Kiyawa.

Ibrahim said the former governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido was impressed by the performance of the committee and the foundation it has laid for the station.

He added: “It has to be pointed

out that the newly appointed Managing Director wanted to take credit for merely crying wolf where there was none and ultimately succeeded in ridiculing himself.”

Ibrahim warned against playing politics with facts and figures to dent the image of the opposition.

He advised the government to probe the disbursement of the fund meant for the take-off of the station, instead of denting the image of key PDP chieftains, who did the pathfinding job.

Ibrahim said the PDP will defend its legacies in Jigawa State, stressing that the former governor laid a solid foundation for his successor.

THE NATION FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

40

he has given a lot of encouragement to the military at ‘theUndoubtedly, war front and we are beginning to see the result. For instance, you can see that the insurgents are resorting to guerrilla tactics ’

POLITICS

OYO POLITICS

Adebayo Shittu, a lawyer, was the Oyo State governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) in 2007 and 2011 elections. In this interview with JEREMIAH OKE, he speaks on the Buhari administration and the challenges facing the Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC.

Shittu: Buhari’s on rescue mission W

HY did you take your party to court?

The original intention of the parties that came together to form the APC was to be equal partners, particularly when it comes to constituting the executives at both national and state levels. But, that principle was not adhered to. If you look at the party’s caretaker committee at inception, you will see that CPC was not fairly represented. I am particularly concerned about the composition of the executives in Oyo State, which is my primary constituency. We were sidelined by the governor and other party stakeholders. Before the party congress, the governor invited us and urged us to agree with some arrangements of the party and that he would find ways to compensate those of us in CPC and ANPP. He said he doesn’t want elections to hold and that members of the executives would be adopted by consensus. As a result, some members of ANPP had to leave the party for Labour party because they felt marginalised. Myself and numerous of CPC supporters elected to remain in the party because of our commitment to General Buhari.

I cannot lead my supporters out of the party because I have been with Buhari for decades.

As a member of the merger committee, I participated actively in bringing about the birth of APC. So, no one can chase me out of the party.

Now, our agitation is that since most of the ANPP members have left the fold, we in the CPC should be given 40 per cent of the positions at various levels, starting from ward, local government and state level because we are all over the place. But, the governor refused, arguing that some people might still come up to claim that they belong to the defunct ANPP. Rather, he said he would other ways to take care of us. Unfortunately for us, we did not agree on a specific percentage. The governor gave us his words, but he added that nobody should think the APC is his own property. Secondly, he said the chapter would be fair to our members, particularly by rotating of chairmanship and secretary position within the merged parties. Thirdly, he said if any leader of ACN brings any list which is unfair to us, he will correct it by himself. But, here we are today, no fair play. We are now calling on the national working committee to help us in Oyo State.

Did you approach the national executive before you resorted to the court action?

Yes, I did. I went to court after writing the national leadership without reply. I discovered

that the governor was untouchable then. But, now that the party is reviewing and settling issues in-house, I believe so much in the leadership, especially President Buhari, Senator Bola Tinubu, as well as the National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun. I am sure they are working on our issues here in Oyo State too.

Would this not affect the party in subsequent elections?

The good thing is that we have Muhammadu Buhari as the President of this great country. It is the Buhari factor that binds everybody together. This is to the extent that even none APC members are backing the party for that reason.

After the 2015 election, many of the opposition parties are now moving to join the change we are clamouring for and some of them have pledged their support for us. I believe that the Buhari magic will continue to work for us and nothing can affect the unity of our party. I am confident that with his anti corruption mantra, his antecedents and the confidence that Nigerians now repose in him, he will succeed.

Do you share the view of those who call President Buhari baba go slow?

This is slow and steady government. That should capture President Buhari’s style of government. To start with, he has not disappointed Nigerians. They expected a thorough-bred politician who will take his time to plan very well with a view to attending to the challenges of governance. The first challenge if you agree with me is the issue of insurgency in the Northeast.

Undoubtedly, he has given a lot of encouragement to the military at the war front and we are beginning to see the result. For instance, you can see that the insurgents are resorting to guerrilla tactics. Also, with the new service chiefs, Buhari will succeed in crushing Boko Haram soon. Secondly, in his anti-corruption struggle, honestly Nigerians are pleased with him. For the first time, we have a President who is saying anybody who steals will face the music even if he is from his party. Nigerians are happy about this. The EFCC had been in hibernation because they had no support of the previous government, but now they are active.

Thirdly, with his visit to the United States of America and some European countries. Certainly, we are optimistic that our economy will begin to pick up again. On our debtors, we have had many promises from international communities that they will return those monies in their respective country. Foreign investors

•Shittu

have also emphatically promised to come and invest in our economy to help address the issue of unemployment. Buhari is also trying to curb wastages in the system. At 73, Buhari has no new house to build, he has no new wife to marry and he is not interested in amassing wealth; all he is concerned about is to transform the lives of Nigerians positively.

Are you saying American support is not for selfish interest as some Nigerians insist?

Those who are saying that are enemies of Nigeria and they are saying it for their selfish interest. Anytime they are on holidays, they will like to go to America, if they can get a visa.

We refuse to appreciate that America is one of the major countries of the world. For instance, our democracy is modeled after that of America.

We also try to make our children attend American schools. Many foreign investors are also coming into Nigeria from America. In terms of agriculture and sophisticated technological equipment, we need them. They have willingly agreed to come to our rescue and there is no reason for us to doubt them. I don’t think it lies in our mouth to criticise America. Besides, anybody who has a better alternative from America should step forward and approach Mr. Presi-

dent. But, if not, let us support him in his quest to move Nigeria forward.

With the power struggle among your members in the National Assembly, do you think Buhari will get the needed support from them?

Let me start with the statement of Mr. President that he was ready to work with anybody who emerged as the leadership of the two chambers. God guided him to come out with such resolution. That does not translate to the fact that he did not support the party decision, but he knew that both camps were loyal to him.

But, you will see more collaboration between the Federal Government and the National Assembly for betterment of Nigeria soon.

You’ve contested for governorship twice, are you still interested in governing Oyo State?

By the grace of God, I will be governor one day. I believe it will be sooner than later. President Buhari tried it and succeeded only in his fourth attempt. I am sure if I try it for the third time, I will make it. If you look at my antecedent, you will agree that I have what it takes to rule the state. I was a member of the state House of Assembly between 1979 and 1983 and I was an active member of the assembly. With all sense of humility, I am proud to say that I was one of the colleagues of Governor Ajimobi’s father in the assembly in 1979. He was a respected father to me. I received all the encouragement from him. In 1983, I became a commissioner. I was commissioner for home affairs tourism and culture and if you ask people who know me then, they will tell you that I was a formidable member of the state executive. My governor them was Omololu Olunloyo and he can testify to the fact that I was the eyes and ears of his government. Again, I recall that all the commissioners who were my colleagues referred people to me for employment and I did my best. Towards the tailend of Ladoja’s regime, I was appointed as the Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice and when he was unlawfully removed from office, I played an active role to ensure that justice was done. So, I have more than enough experience to rule the state. I am looking up to 2019, which I believe to be my year of divine transformation. I will run and become the governor of this great state. My prayer all the time is to become the governor and care for the needy. If truly God likes the poor masses of this state, he will make me governor because I really want to help my people.

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi reiterates his commitment to good governance and urges the people to support his plan to reposition the state for excellence.

I won’t disappoint Oyo, says Ajimobi

O

F all the humbling moments I have had in life, the most outstanding one was earlier this year upon being re-elected Governor by the good people of Oyo State.

It was all the validation I needed, as the people of Oyo are known for their political watchfulness. If I wasn’t doing something right – whether it was or wasn’t so in the eyes of political rabble-rousers – I would not be entrusted, for the second time, with the task of leading our state to further glory.

I have always been one to admit that Oyo State has a long way to go.

It was one of the reasons I opted to serve the state in the first place. However, four years alone would’ve been an unrealistic timeline for the actualisation of all the policies and roadmaps we created and which we have been implementing.

Governing a state and turning it around has not and will never be a magic show. It takes patience, research, hard work, insight, and surrounding oneself with the right people. Most of all, it takes an element

By Senator Abiola Ajimobi

out of the control of man – time. During the first four years of serving the people of Oyo, my administration decided to pursue the tripod approach of restoration, transformation and repositioning of all sectors of the economy.

With great intensity, we focused on the education sector, because we know that the foundation that children get determines if they will be productive members of the society in decades to come. It is only quality education that can bring about the kind of manpower that will eventually contribute to the progress that we started in 2011 in Oyo State.

I have always taken to heart the words of the great Awolowo, when he said: “In order to attain to the goals of economic freedom and prosperity, Nigeria must do certain things as a matter of urgency and priority. It must provide free education.” That is why education at basic and secondary school levels was pronounced free; we wanted to encourage more people to

educate themselves and their children.

It is also why we reduced fees in tertiary institutions and established more of such institutions to cater for the increasing number of secondary school leavers who had, hitherto, been spending years waiting to fill the meagre admission slots available. And when they graduate from these institutions, our youth are being equipped with soft loans and entrepreneurial skills through our youth empowerment scheme (YES-O).

Truth be told, we had our test run by implementing these facets whilst using the old governing structures that were already in place. And despite our tentative steps towards curing the rot that plague our educational system, the saying: “you can’t put old wine in new skin”, rings true.

While some complain that the public school classes are overpopulated and the teachers are few, others remember that government has a limit to its resources, regardless of its good intentions and policies. I thank the Parents Teachers Associaions (PTAs) in Oyo for the constant sup-

port that is being extended to our public schools.

Only last week, we broke ground for the construction of two hundred new classrooms, as part of our efforts to improve the conditions under which our children learn. These new classrooms are being built in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

It is easy to forget that governance, especially a democratic one, is not the sole responsibility of the government in power, but also the people it governs. ‘Ajumose’ should be the order of the day. We are already doing a lot; we intend to do a lot more. I ask that more Oyo residents recognise this and extend their hands of collaboration.

As policies are being implemented by the government, adjustments must constantly be made by the workforce and general citizenry and belts tightened. We have tried hard to plug the areas where there was excess spending of government funds by reducing the number of ministries, because it is the Oyo peo-

•Ajimobi

ple’s money and it is in their best interest that we make necessary cuts and be fiscally responsible.

Nevertheless, we are mindful of the need to put in place an environment that ensures our policies do not hurt the people we seek to protect – the people of Oyo. We are mindful of the contribution of Civil Servants to the State over the decades and their continued efforts, and so we are working to make their lives better.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

41

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Prolonged coughing? Could be tuberculosis H

AVE you coughed for over two weeks? Whether the cough is ‘treated’ or not, it is time to visit the hospital and screen for tuberculosis.

According to the General Manager, Loving Gaze, a non governmental organisation (NGO) in charge of St Kizito Hospital at Jakande, Lekki, Barbara Pepoli, coughing for over a week is a strong signal that tuberculosis could likely be in the offing. And most people do not go to TB/DOTS units in hospitals to get examined.

She stated this when participants at the Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (AWARES) Class 15 of the Pan Atlantic University (PAU) visited the TB/DOTS unit at St Kizito.

She said the prevalence of other illnesses that sustain TB is a public health emergency in Nigeria.

“Tuberculosis thrives in immune compromised patients, such as those with diabetes and other illnesses like HIV as well as malnutrition and in old age. Diagnosis and subsequent treatment of such illnesses is vital in TB patient care. We are grateful to Chevron for equipping this hospital’s TB/ DOTS centre. We are now strengthened for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

with complications from TB and or TB associated diseases.

Ms Pepoli said no fewer than 8,000 Tuberculosis patients have obtained care and treatment support at the TB/DOTS Centre of St. Kizito Clinic, Lagos in the last 10 years and out of this number over 1, 200 patients were treated successfully since the establishment of the Centre in 2005.

She said the effort was recognised by the Lagos state Ministry of health, which formally designated the Clinic as a TB/DOTS site operating under FMOH/ NTBLCP guidelines of Nigeria.

Nigeria is among countries with a high burden of Tuberculosis. Over 10 percent of the national TB burden is reported by Lagos State which has the highest burden of TB in Nigeria.

Pepoli said the feat was made possible by the support of Chevron. Through the oil company help, the hospital acquired the Blood Chemistry auto analyzer – a critical improvement to services rendered to St Kizito Clinic TB patients because it allows complete screening of data sets of blood cells, both qualitative and quantitative.

Jakande, Idi-Araba, Mushin and

• Ms Pepoli (third left) with her team addressing the AWARES Class 15 during visit. PHOTO: OYEYEMI GBENGAMUSTAPHA

Oreta with support from Chevron Nigeria Limited, the hospital has remained the only comprehensive TB/DOTS unit with experienced and trained health personnel and laboratory facilities.

On his part, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Af-

Many babies are deprived of maternal care, by expert M ANY Nigerian children are grappling with maternal care deprivation, a preventive and social medicine expert, Prof Adefunke Oyemade, has said.

Oyemade, who spoke at this year Annual Faculty Day Lecture of the Faculty of Public Health, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMC) with the theme: “Maternal deprivation: a socio-cultural pathology”, said maternal deprivation has short and long term effects on children.

Such consequences on children who suffer maternal deprivation include delinquency.

Others are reduced intelligence, depression and increased aggression.

“Children of working mothers, especially, may suffer from maternal deprivation unless something is done about it,” she said

Stories by Wale Adepoju

Oyemade, who was the guest lecturer, said consequences of maternal deprivation may be short termed or long.

"The short term separation from mother or mother-figure to each of whom the child had been attached may lead to distress.

"Distress comes in three stages: protest, despair and detachment.

Protest may be seen in a child crying, screaming and clinging to the parent to dissuade from leaving.

Despair is when the child is calmer, withdrawn and not interested in anything or anybody. Detachment is when they start to engage with other people and show hostility to the caregiver in return."

Prof Oyemade said prolonged deprivation beginning in early life

and lasting for as long as three years usually has serious adverse effects on physical, mental and social development of a child.

"The effects may be reversed if relief from deprivation is instituted early enough. Deprivation is not an inevitable result of motherchild separation. It may occur in the presence of the mother and may be relieved in her absence," she noted.

The expert warned that if care is not taken, more children will be abandoned and, as such, results in permanent separation from natural mothers because of increased urbanisation.

On the ways out, Prof Oyemade offered some suggestions, such as strengthening of foster homes to provide suitable environment similar to home.

“There should be more support for relatives who have accepted the responsibility of caring for the deprived children.”

Nutrition can aid development, says NSN President

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RESIDENT, Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Prof Ngozi Nnam has stressed the need for Nigeria to use nutrition to aid growth and, as such, attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to her, nutrition is pivotal to development, especially economic growth because “if a baby’s brain is not fully developed within the first 1000 days, it is destroyed for life”.

Nnam, who briefed reporters on the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) in Lagos, described malnutrition as a ‘deadly killer’ affecting the growth of the country.

“About 37 per cent of Nigerian children are stunted because they are not eating the right food,” she

said.

Breastfeeding mothers, she said, should breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months and ensure complementary/mixed feeding from when they are six month to two years.

“The quality of milk of a well-fed woman and that of one not wellfed is the same. The only difference is quantity,” she said.

Nnam said fruits and vegetables should be included in babies’ complementary diet because they have a lot of benefits.

He said the association will enlist nutrition champions to advocate effective nutrition for all, adding that NSN is ready to collaborate with other key players in the sector.

FIIRO’s Director-General, Dr Gloria Elemo said her organisation has developed various products,

•Prof Nnam

which can add to the nutrition of children.

“We have successfully mainstreamed nutrition into most of our research and development (R and D) in the area of food technology. We have also developed a ready-to-therapeutic-food targeted at malnourished children,” she said.

fairs, CNL, Deji Haastrup, represented by the Coordinator, Corporate Responsibility and National Programmes, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), CHL, Mr Sunday Okegbemiro, explained the company’ssupport for the hospital is in line with the

NNPC/Chevron Joint Ventures Tradition of Care, which includes a robust health programme as part of its Corporate Responsibility obligations. “The company views healthcare as a crucial social service that is at the core of its success as business”, he added.

‘More research, training, infrastructure required’

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HE Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has called for the rebuilding of pharmaceutical sector.

It said research and development, capacity and infrastructure need urgent attention.

Its Chairman, Mr Gbenga Falabi said this is necessary to transform the sector.

He spoke at the NAIP's 18th Annual National Conference, with the theme: ‘Transforming the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry-the big picture”.

Falabi said embracing research and development coulped with needed infrastructure and training would ensure a greater future and better healthcare for Nigeria.

Besides, It also portends better therapeutic outcome for doctors.

"This is because specialists would not be bothering about diagnosis because they can take informed decisions when they are sure of the drug they are using," he said.

NAIP boss said: "What NAIP did was to initiate research grant. I am aware Asrazeneca has put similar thing in place now. But at the end of the day, researchers may still need to go abroad, especially to perfect what they were doing.

However, there is need to build more infrastructure to support research in Nigeria. Certainly, this is a good way to go."

He said there are herbal drugs, which can be exploited and developed90 to solve problems.

Moreover, our expectation is high from the current government.

"We believe this government takes priority in anything that affects Nigeria. We also believe the government will do all that is within its capacity to bring better life to all Nigerians. Our industry is an essential one and we believe the backlog of payment will be made," he said.

Pharmacists, he said, need support from the government to

‘NAIP will come up with intervention fund to support the agencies saddled with the responsibility of curbing fake drugs’ backup their investment.

Falabi said pharmacists are raising awareness on counterfeiting of drugs.

"The problem may not be the disease or the diagnoses or even the doctor. It may just be the counterfeited drugs," he said.

He advised people to be weary of where they buy their pharmaceutical products.

"They just not commodities peoplecan buy on the street. People should patronise registered pharmacies," he said.

The chairman said NAIP will come up with intervention fund to support the agencies saddled with the responsibility of curbing fake drugs, adding: "We can then have an industry civil society-led anticounterfeiting effort.

"This will go a long way to reduce the prevalence of fake drugs in the country."

He urged the National Assembly to change the penalty for counterfeiters to a more stringent one. "The current N200,000 penalty or six months jail term is too poor because they are killing people by faking drugs. So, why should they be allowed to walk away with N200,000 fine. They should be sent to jail for life," Falabi said.

42

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

HEALTH

Pharmacists canvass govt’s support F

OR the nation’s pharmaceutical companies to maintain the lead in the production of quality drugs in West Africa and be competitive globally, the Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) has called on the Federal Government to earmark a N200 billion intervention fund for the sector, coupled with other initiatives.

The manufacturers and other stakeholders, who met at the opening of the 3rd Nigeria Pharma Manufactures’ exhibition 2015 in Lagos, said the call was in line with relevant industrial policies to help the sector maximise its potentials.

The exhibition, whose theme was: “The Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and international competitiveness”, was an initiative to draw global attexntion to the nation’s pharma sector, which is now vibrant.

The sector is currently estimated to be in excess of $3B (N500b) and is serving Nigerians and about 100 million citizens in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. The pharm industry, according to PMG-MAN secretariat, has the potential to remain a pharmaceutical power house in the continent with capacity to supply regional needs, and participate in international tenders.

According to the Chairman of the PMG-MAN, Okey Akpa, with the recent milestones recorded by companies in the sector, the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry was already positioned to operate at the global level, should government assent to these demands. “Nigeria is currently the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturing country in West Africa, accounting for more than 65 per cent of local manufacturing of medicines that are relevant to the region,” he said.

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

Akpa said among the drugs are anti-malarial medicines, antiretrovirals, herbal medicines and medicines for sickle cell diseases. To make impact on the global stage, he said, several manufacturers had processed Expression of Interest (EoI) with the World Health Organisation (WHO) for pre-qualification of products, with cummulative investment worth of over $50 million in the last five years for facility upgrading.

The chairman said four companies had been certified by the WHO, and at least 10 local companies had complied with the requirements of International Standards Organisation and were already supplying drugs to the United Nations Commission on LifeSaving Commodities for Women’s Children’s Health (UNCoLs).

Others who made a case for the sector are the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Linus Awute; National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii; President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Olumide Akintayo and President of West African Manufacturers Organisation, Bunmi Olaopa and representatives of India and Chinese companies.

He said the achievements in the sector had been by individual manufacturers’ investment and years of hard work, and that the government and other stakeholders have to do more. “Without doubt, patronage of Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers by government, donors and

international procuring agencies is critical and must be backed by political will. We are, therefore, calling on the Federal Government to implement the Domestic Preference Policy of the Public Procurement Act 2007 as well as the implementation of the Presidential Directive on Patronage of Nigerian Manufacturers,” he said.

To ensure success of the policy, the chairman recommended “an import adjustment tax of 20 per cent on imported finished pharmaceutical products; HS Codes 3003 and 3004 should be imposed immediately as applied to other sectors where Nigeria has capacity as allowed by the Common External Tariff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).”

“Input into pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging should be allowed to be imported at zero per cent by bonafide pharmaceutical manufacturers,” he said.

Orhii, who chaired the event praised the manufacturers for the feat so far achieved, saying NAFDAC would continue to collaborate with them and rid the Nigerian market of fake products.

He appealed to the government and Bank of Industry to revisit an earlier proposal for N200 billion intervention trust fund for the pharma manufacturer. He recalled that the proposal was considered by the last administration, but nothing was heard of it.

The NAFDAC DG was happy that the National Drug Distribution Policy, which regulates drug distribution national wide, is due to take effect, but expressed concerns that stakeholders have not done enough to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

•From left: General Manager, Marketing & Strategic Business, Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, Mr Raj Kr Raina, Managing Director, Niche Communications, Mr Ola Awosemo; Senior Oncologist Dr Jyotishankar Raychaudhuri, Managing Director, Diamond Helix Medical Assistance, Dr Ufuoma Okotete-Awomosu, Renjen; Transplant Surgeon Dr Vijaya Rajakumari at the event.

Headway for Parkinson’s disease management

P

ARKINSON’S disease, which is a degenerative disease of the nervous system, can now be better managed as Nigerian doctors receive training.

According to a neurologist at Apollo Hospital, India, Dr. Pushpendra Renjen, there is a new technology called ‘Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)’ surgical procedure, in which the implant is inserted into the brain of patients to improve their quality of life.

Renjen, who spoke at a Continuing Medical Education (CME) organised

by Diamond Helix Medical Assistance Limited in Lagos, said Nigerians suffering from movement disorders, especially Parkinson’s disease, would now get a new lease of life.

Symptoms of the disease, he said, are tremour, stiffness and slow movement of the body.

He said: “The causes of the disease are unknown. The risk factors are age, heredity and smoking. Adults, who are 60 years and above, are most vulnerable to the disease. Parkinson af-

By Wale Adepoju

fects more people from 60 years and it is very common in male than female. For patients from 40 years, the disease is called young Parkinson’s disease. But, when it starts in an adult above 60 years, it is referred to as Parkinsonism or Parkinson’s disease.”

Renjen, who is a senior neurologist, said there were advances in the last 20 years to improve the quality of life of the patients by 60 per cent.

He continued: “Researches on the disease are ongoing across the world to ensure better management of the disease. There is headway in the long term treatment of the disease. But, there is no cure for the disease despite all that is available to the world today.”

He said the disease, which was first described by Sir James Parkinson in 1880s, can be managed with DBS. “It is a safe procedure, which is done by placing the implant into the deep area of the brain where the tremor comes from. More than 100 patients have had the DBS procedure in our hospital.

About 20 of them are from Nigeria and the results were excellent.

“This is a major improvement in the treatment of movement disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease. We achieve between 70 to 80 per cent of stop tremour and other conditions in the patient with only small dosage of drugs given,” he said.

He said DBS can last a lifetime, but doctors should be careful to avoid infection while inserting the implant.

Besides, it has a chargeable battery, which lasts for about five years while non-chargeable ones last for about 12 years.

Renjen said the implant and treatment cost about N2 million. “The implant, which is manfactured in the United States, can also be used for epilepsy management. There are drugs for epilepsy, which are not in Nigeria,” he added.

He said patients with DBS now enjoy 80 per cent of tremor reduction, which is an improvement, adding that 65 per cent of Parkinson’s disease can be controlled with drugs.

HEALTH TALK with How to deal with challenges of puberty Introduction

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HE result is that the new young woman sees herself in the same way that the young man sees himself as “grown up”.

They tend to want to plan. All forms of known diseases (genetics, infection, chemical) must be eliminated and or prevented from interfering with the conception and pregnancy.

The dangerous canal of birth and process of birth must be well guarded and secured to prevent any injuries to the child at birth. After birth, the child should be well defended, nourished, protected, guided, and instructed as may be appropriate for the age and should be schooled in knowledge and wisdom including the power of words, before puberty sets in from age of 10, on the average. If this foundation is not well laid in the child, the subsequent personality may suffer: The child may not behave well.

The Age of Rebellion and Mistakes: 11-18 The surge in energy during puberty years needs to be properly channelled. Unknown to these young individuals that they are very vulnerable; they often proceed to take actions that are really dangerous to their health. The reasons for this are: 1) There is less interaction with parents and guardians 2) They are now stepping out of family home/influence and are mixing with their peers outside. 3) They are likely to listen to their peers /school mates and thus ignore the instructions of parents 4) They are more likely to experiment with their body and experiment with substances. 5) They are more likely to be lazy, want to be lazy but in need of or request for money they refused to work for. 6) They take more irrational risks than mature adults. 7) They are full of energy. 8) They are more likely to be sexually and economically exploited. Common Mistakes in Adolescent Years 1) Substances Misuse: In both boys and girls, substances (cannabis, cocaine, alcohol, heroin, cigarette and so forth) may be introduced to them by friends, school mates or rarely by family members at about the crucial age of 13 years or less! Mental health problems (Psychosis, depression) may occur and schools may also suffer. The future is therefore in jeopardy. The solution is to say “no” and to receive proper instruction from well meaning persons (good parents, religious entities, good schools, counsellors and so forth). Children should avoid mind-bending substances at all cost. Substances interfere with workings of the mind. Substances could fuel anger, fuel violence and rape. It is crucial to hang out with or be friends of good people who would obey the law. 2) Pregnancy and early parenthood. By experimentation, early sex, peer pressure, unguarded access to TV and internet, lack of knowledge about how the body works and purpose of the puberty and reproduction may lead the girls to early pregnancy and parenthood. Early pregnancy and parenthood could mean an end to ones career or it may delay career for a long time resulting in financial hardship and unhappiness as well as abuse of the new born.

Solution: The solution is to say “no” to pressure to have sex and to receive proper instruction from well meaning persons (good parents, religious establishments, good schools, and counsellors). This will also prevent rape incidents seen among the teens.

3) Poor nutrition: Distorted media images of “thin is good” may feed into the psyche of the young persons

Dr Joel Akande Infertility Specialist and Consultant 08188343865 managementlease@yahoo.com

or for other reasons; they may not eat on balanced diets nor eat enough.

This failure could impair the future reproduction and economic productive activities. Good and balanced meals are necessary for healthy living.

Solution: The solution is to say “no” to media pull or pressure and to receive and follow proper instruction from well meaning persons (good parents, churches, good schools, counsellors etc).

4) Wrong career: A wrong step here could mean a lot in future. The young person should choose what he or she wants to do under proper guidance of parents, schools and career advisers.

5) General rebellion (with or without substance misuse, criminal damage to properties, harming others) is sure to land the youngster on the wrong side of the law. This could end the person’s future career. If he or she is sent to prison for offences committed, he or she or he/she could become worse in prison and miss the life’s purpose completely. There is no pleading of mistake in law.

Solution: The solution is to receive and obey proper instruction from well meaning persons. Say “no” to pressure. Hang out with good friends that obey the law. Work hard.

Stay away from trouble.

6) Gender identity crisis. There are some who may be male genetically but appear as female when they were born. This is due to failure of their hormones to cause them to develop properly. Such individuals are actually male. They may have been raised as a female and are thus seen as female even though they are male.

Also, there are some who are female but when they were born may have appeared as male if the hormones had caused them to develop as male.

They may have been raised as a male even though they are female. How individuals such as these should be raised should be discussed within the family and doctors as soon as possible to avoid confusion later in life.

7) Sexual orientation: This writer holds the view that social and peer influence has a strong impact on sexual orientation. Other influences on sexual orientation are: how the person was raised {see (6)} above.

Other reasons are attempts to be rebellious against the society and religious rules, attempt to be or a claim to be biologically or socially different. Lack of social ability skills and confidence to approach opposite gender may lead the individual to align, out of convenience, with his own gender—sexually. Enticed with money and some other rewards, the teens are very vulnerable to manipulation by the adults and abusers and this manipulation and abuse may be responsible for tangential sexual orientation. The solution is to receive wise and proper guidance (from good parents, good religious organizations, good schools, good mentors and good counsellors or friends).

Teenage years are vulnerable and perilous times.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

43

Brandnews

PDP had most ad billboards MTN offers free incoming calls M in 2014, says TMKG T HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had the highest number of billboards in Nigeria last year, a report by TMKG Consulting, a media audit firm, has said.

Also, the telecoms industry was the most active sector with beer billboards as the second most active category.

In its latest yearly report, the firm said unsold inventory increased by 57 per cent while Digital Out of Home Hoardings (OOH) display grew by 22 per cent.

“These are some of the findings in the latest out of home media audit. PDP has the most billboards in Nigeria in 2014. Telecoms category is the most active sector using billboards, while Beer is the second most active category. Unsold inventory increased by 57 per cent while Digital OOH display grew by 22 per cent. These are some of the findings in TMKG Consulting’s latest out of home media audit,” stated TMKG TMKG Consulting, Nigeria’s leading OOH and BTL audit and performance evaluation agency, conducts field work in the coun-

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

try. It audits all the billboards, recording key advertiser, site and media owner information.

Titled: “Outsight!”, the Chief Executive Oficer(CEO), TMKG, Chike Oputa, said the report covers over 150 cities/towns.

He said: “The report follows our comprehensive census of all displays in the country, numbering over 11,000, excluding indoor panels but covering over 50 OOH formats on road side, rooftops, walls and at the airports, including 105 product categories and 1000 brands with over 50,000 photos taken.”

In the report, OOH media spend in Nigeria last year was N30.66 billion, representing seven percent increase from 2013 figures.

The telecom category, long reputed for its big budget, topping ad spend on the medium followed by the beer, government/ political, bank and carbonated soft drinks categories.

Total category expenditure for the telecom brands was in excess of N6 billion. Among the brands,

telecom advertisers also dominated investment on OOH with Glo emerging the biggest spender. The top five brands also included, Airtel, MTN, Etisalat and Star brand.

In terms of spend by market, the report stated that Lagos as a commercial nerve still remains the city of choice for outdoor media investment accounting for about 50 per cent of total outdoor investment.

Lagos along with Ibadan (in the southwest), Abuja, Port Harcourt (the oil rich city by the coastal south) and Aba (the market city in the east) were reported as the top five cities with the most number of outdoor media displays.

With over 120 media owners in the sector, New Crystal Communications, Invent Media, Marketing+Media, Optimum Exposures, Afromedia and Rocana are among the top media owners by revenue.

There appears to be a glut in the market with over a quarter of total Outdoor hoarding in the market unsold.

TN has announced free incoming calls and SMS while roaming in 15 countries across the world.

The countries are: United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Netherlands and Belgium.

Others are: Malaysia, South Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kenya and Ghana.

Announcing the offer, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Richard Iweanoge, said the offer is an affirmation of MTN’s leadership in innovative provisions that aptly satisfy the need of its subscribers anywhere across the globe. ‘’This new offer which allows for free incoming calls, is a solution introduced to address issues of high cost of receiving calls whenever our esteemed subscribers travel out of the country. Driven by world class technology, this package will afford our subscribers an opportunity to constantly communicate with friends, families and business associates whenever they are on international trips, ‘’ he said.

According to him, this service

Why Maggi is number one, by Nestle chief

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• From left: General Manager, Diageo Brands, Nigeria, Neil Comerford; Brand Manager, Johnnie Walker, Oyinade Osobanjo; Head of Reserve, Diageo Nigeria, Joe Nazzal; Head of Marketing, Diageo Brands Nigeria, Adenike Adebola; Brand Ambassador, Johnnie Walker, Don Jazzy and Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Sesan Sobowale, at the launch in Lagos.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

requires no registration as the customers’ MTN SIM connects when they switch on their phones at any selected destinations, if they have phones and gadgets that allow roaming.

To benefit from the offering, he said MTN customers were expected to recharge with a minimum of N2000 (cumulatively or as a single recharge) within the same month of travel or spend N2000 or more the previous month before travelling. Post-paid customers, who have a credit limit of N2, 000 and above, will automatically enjoy the offer.

While the new package will afford subscribers on the MTN network an opportunity to enjoy free incoming calls and SMS in 15 selected countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, subscribers will also be able to make calls for as low as N60 per minute whenever they are in these selected countries.

Over the years, MTN has being at the forefront of seeking innovative ways of meeting its subscribers’ needs to enable them stay connected to their friends

HE Managing Director/CEO, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr Dharnesh Gordhon, has said the continuous dominance of Maggi in the seasoning market is as result of the company’s safety practices in the production of the brand.

He spoke during a factory tour of the Maggi plant in Agbara, Ogun State.

Gordhon said the tour was to let Nigerians know the secrets of the success the brand has enjoyed over decades, which could be attributed to the special ingredients in the product prepared in a unique way.

He said such practice is maintained from the production line through the supply chain till it gets to the customers.

Gordhon said each cube undergoes up to 300 quality controls during manufacturing and the adherence to the original recipe as formulated by Julius Maggi, the founder.

He said: “This is why over 60 million cubes are sold daily to Nigerians as the maggi cubes are iron fortified and appealing to the low rung of the season-

By Ajose Sehindemi

ing market through the affordability of the products as Maggi is all about innovation, constantly pleasing consumers, always one-step ahead of the game. We are always excited as the cube provides the best colour, aroma and taste to all of Nigerians dishes.

On ensuring safety, he said: “Nestle always meet with officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), either in them visiting our factory to give the necessary certification on our products and also in checking the influx of counterfeit products as we always go to the markets with Nafdac officials to monitor and prevent our products from being counterfeited.

“The uniqueness of Maggi in Nigeria is a testimony on the qualities of our workers, understanding of our customers and this tour is to open our hands to our customers for them to know what we are doing as it is also an element of our marketing mix, which is part of our global strategy.’’

Johnnie Walker launches Joy Will Take You Further campaign

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OHNNIE Walker, a premium Scotch Whisky from the stable of Diageo brands, has unveiled its largest-ever global marketing campaign tagged: Joy Will Take You Further.

According to the brand handler, the campaign is aimed at encouraging Nigerians to aspire for success.

The campaign, which is a global marketing activation, took place in more than 50 countries simultaneously, and it is expected to reach over 350 million consumers in the first week of its launch.

During the unveiling in Lagos, which was attended by industry leaders, chief executives, top management personnel and editors, top 100 individuals,who had

demonstrated value and achieved great goals were celebrated.

The Corporate Affairs Director, Diageo Nigeria,Mr. Sesan Sobowale, said the campaign, which was based on decades of research, challenged the conventional wisdom that success guarantees happiness.

He said: “Johnnie Walker has always stood for progress, it’s been the story of our whisky since our founder John Walker started it all nearly 200 years ago. What two centuries of experience have taught us is that progress doesn’t have to be an endless uphill journey, we can enjoy the steps we take and the more happiness we find in them, the more likely we are to

achieve our goal. Evidence is confirming a conviction that sits at the heart of our brand: Joy Will Take You Further.

“Joy Will Take You Further campaign is a step further on the evolution of the brand’s famous ‘Keep Walking’ campaign and represents a new perspective on personal progress, which has defined the brand’s philosophy for more than 15 years, helping Johnnie Walker become the most valuable spirits brand in the world,” he added.

Based on new insights into how success is viewed by consumers today, he stated further that the campaign brings to life the concept that “joy can be a catalyst to the progress they seek, and aims to generate a positive culture shift

by promoting and encouraging the idea that finding joy in the journey is part of the recipe for success.”

Guests at the event shared their personal perspective on the impact of a joyful walk. They noted that the true way to success is not just hard work and determination but also taking time to enjoy the simple moments of the journey.

Founder/Group Chairman, Dunn Loren Merrifield, an investment house, Mr Sonnie Ayere, while sharing his experience in the business world said: “It is joy that has been propelling me to do more and achieve greatness and I pray for a tribe-less Nigeria where everybody can be one irrespective of tribe.

Other activities at the event in-

cluded the unveiling of top music artiste, producer and CEO of Mavins Records, Michael Collins Ajereh aka Don Jazzy as the Joy Ambassador for the Campaign.

Explaining the rationale behind the choice of Joy Ambassador, Head of Marketing, Diageo Brands, Adenike Adebola, said: “Don Jazzy has experienced different phases of success in his career up till now. ‘’He is a true achiever, a game changer and a model to emulate.

He is passionate about what he does and it is that passion we celebrate. We believe he will be instrumental in propagating the message of and inspiring the rest of Nigeria with our core message that Joy Will Take You Further.’’

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS INDUSTRY

industry@thenationaonlineng.net

The Organised Private Sector (OPS) is worried about the multiple taxes being paid by its members. It attributes the high cost of doing business to the taxes, contending that they could discourage investors, if not scrapped. The body is urging the government to streamline its tax policy and create a conducive environment for local production, OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE writes.

Wanted: Progressive taxation

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HE shift in focus from oil rev enue to Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), analysts say, is a positive development. They noted that it will have a long-term effect and foster rapid economic development. They are also of the opinion that it will make the states more resourceful and enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities as they seek avenues to generate more revenue.

A recent World Bank report stated that reforms such as improvement of tax agencies could lead to much higher tax collection. Kieran Holmes of the Britain’s Department for International Development helped Rwanda to increase its tax revenue by six-and-half-times after automation of the tax collection process.

Lagos State government was also reported to have made N276.1 billion in 2014 and N384.2billion in 2013 from taxes, because of automation and reform of its tax systems.

Tax experts in developed countries also believe that the more tax revenue a country generates, the greater developmental growth it attains. They also agree that for the private sector to be constructively engaged in taxation principles, there is the need to satisfactorily provide basic structures and facilities that support positive economic amenities and performance.

According to the United States National Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2006, the amenities include water supply and distribution system, wastewater collection and treatment facilities and surface transportation facilities. Others are mass-transit, airports and airway, resource recovery facilities, waterways, flood-control facilities, docks or ports, school buildings and solidwaste disposal facilities.

President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Remi Bello asked for a review of the tax regime to make the tax system more progressive in character, especially with regard to consumption tax.

“VAT on luxury items and services should be reviewed, tax administration needs to be strengthened for effectiveness and reduction of leakages in tax revenue. The issue here is not about increased tax rates, but making the system more efficient.” he added. Bello said the Organised Private Sector (OPS) is in support of efficiency in taxation and the supporting infrastructure to stimulate business operations.

The LCCI boss outlined some of the challenges faced by the economy especially with regards to

self-reliance and poor productivity.

He urged government to accelerate investment in infrastructure and build quality institutions for better productivity and competitiveness in the economy. “It is difficult to diversify an economy where there are no infrastructures, where institutions are very weak and where the cost of funds is prohibitive. These are fundamental issues”, he said.

Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) also said they are not averse to taxation but that their position is that it must be progressive and supportive of the sector. They identified Rivers, Anambra and Lagos states as some of the most unfriendly areas in the country in terms of excessive taxation.

MAN made this known in a 96-page report it submitted to the National Economic Council, (NEC), on the business environment in some states and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, last year.

The document was entitled, ‘’MAN Presentation on Multiple Taxation Across the country at various levels and its effects on Manufacturing Sector’s Productivity.’’

The report, showed that apart from the 19 taxes or levies approved by the Federal Government as contained in the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for collection) Act Cap T2 LFN, 2004, there were multiple taxation on investors or entrepreneurs in 17 states of the country.

It stated that manufacturers pay 44 additional taxes or levies in Lagos State, just as 59 additional taxes/ levies were paid by them in Anambra State.

According to MAN, 54 additional taxes or levies were paid in Rivers State while manufacturers paid a total of 97 taxes or levies in the state.

However, in Edo State, manufacturers pay altogether, 16 taxes and levies while 20 different taxes and levies were paid in Delta State.

In Kaduna, manufacturers pay altogether, ‘’22 approved and other charges,’’ with the local governments imposing nine additional taxes/ levies.

In Kogi, the state government collects 18 taxes and levies while the local governments imposed five other multiple taxes or levies on entrepreneurs.

In some of the unfriendly states

identified by MAN, the state governments, local governments and development centres task entrepreneurs same taxes or levies they had paid to the Federal Government, even when the levies or taxes were on the exclusive list. ‘’In addition to the taxes paid/payable to the local governments under the Act 2004, a total of 24 additional taxes and levies are collected by the local governments in Lagos State…,’ the report stated.

Under the harsh tax environment, the federal, state and local governments collect multiple taxes/levies on seven items respectively, while six other forms of taxes were jointly collected by both the federal and Lagos State governments separately.

Furthermore, the Lagos State and its local governments collect 32 other multiple taxes from investors apart from those paid to both federal and the state governments.

Apart from the 19 taxable items in the 2004 Act, 11 other forms of taxes were also said to have been introduced by the Anambra State government, while 39 other forms of double taxation were collected by the local governments in the state. ‘’In addition to the taxes paid/ payable to local governments under the Act 2004, a total of 36 other taxes and levies are collected by the local governments in Anambra State,’’ it added stating further that some of the levies included, ‘’ reform and conveyance permit, route identification, unified council emblem, loading and offloading permit, oil and gas sticker, environmental pollution, mobilization fee; community fee and gate way permit, among others.

In both Anambra and Lagos States, residents who go to the markets to buy food items pay land taxes before they were allowed to load their food items into vehicles in the motor parks.

However, in Enugu State, where manufacturers pay 23 additional taxes and levies, the manufacturers identified only six forms of multiple taxations by both the state and local governments. They include property rent/ground rent tax, environmental levy/ Effluent tax and Sanitation rate/ refuse disposal levy.

Members of the Cocoa Produce Merchants Association of Nigeria in Ondo State also raised an alarm over

‘In addition to the taxes paid/payable to the local governments under the Act 2004, a total of 24 additional taxes and levies are collected by the local governments in Lagos State…’

• Fowler

•Bello

the effect of multiple taxes on their businesses.

The Chairman of the association, Abiodun Jacob, and the Secretary, Oyelere Adebayo, said the various taxes levied on members of the association has created a great burden for them and the general public.

The association had in a statement said Cocoa merchants in Ondo state are being levied heavily by the state government through its produce department, claiming that they pay nothing less than N500, 000 for the warehouse where they operate and at the same time made to pay another levy on same title in the name of another heading as business premises fees.

The association said the measures by the produce department would affect the poor farmers and the economy of the state drastically, appealing to the state government to quickly redress the issue.

2015 Agrikexpo holds Nov

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

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GRIKEXPO, the foremost event for agribusiness de velopment in West Africa, will hold in November at the Eko Convention Centre, on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Now in its fourth edition, the 2015 Agrikexpo is chosen and partnered by the European Union (EU-Nigeria Business Forum, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

According to the Director, Public Communications, 151 Products Limited, the organisers of the expo, Mr. Alex Oke, the event is a rallying point for agribusiness development, and is coming at a time the nation is focused on taking agriculture to the next level.

He said this year’s event would feature several seminars that would focus on poultry, agrochemicals and food technology, as West Africa is indeed, a fast emerging destination for agricultural investments in view of its vast arable land.

The Coordinator, Nigeria Agriculture Business Group (NABG), Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere, said he is proud to be associated with the event -AGRIKEXPO/FOODBEXT, hence he has invited all stakeholders and members of the association to the event.

The NABG is the umbrella association for all agribusiness stakeholders in Nigeria determined to see to the total transformation of the agric sector.

AGRIKEXPO is coordinated by Foodbext West Africa, which is totally dedicated to food/beverage products/services, including processing and packaging product, and has been endorsed by the various market associations for food and beverage products from Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

The Head of Delegation, EU delegation to Nigeria/ECOWAS, Mr. Michel Arrion, said the synergy between the EU-Nigeria Business Forum and Agrikexpo is a good opportunity for European companies to interact with Nigerian firms for the maximisation of value with both events.

Sam Ohuanbunwa, Chairman, 151 Products Limited, used the opportunity of the recent interaction with newsmen to thank the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and NAFDAC for their continued support and collaboration, especially at this time the nation had intensified the focus on agricultural development.

“It is clear that agriculture holds a great potential for Nigeria as globalisation continues to erase the economic boundary between nations,” he said.

MAN canvasses ‘development economics’

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

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• Jacobs

HE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) is pushing what it calls development economics as against the unfettered opening of the country to cheap and sometimes substandard goods. It said unrestricted access to “our markets promotes unemployment and poverty”.

NAN President Dr. Frank Jacobs, responding to a statement credited to US Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs,

Charles H. Revkin, warning Nigeria of the dangers of shutting out foreign competitors, said MAN recognised the disadvantage the country would be exposed to if it opens up its economy to indiscriminate trade relations with advanced countries.

“First, the advanced countries would trade capital goods, such as plant and machinery, medical, agricultural machinery, aviation equipment, airplanes, and others while Nigeria would only trade commodity goods, such as cocoa,

pepper, sesame seed, among others.

“The implication will be that while the advanced countries get richer and more industrialised, Nigeria will remain a commodity country and in perpetual de-industrialisation.

“Trade is important but Nigeria must be cautious to ensure that most of the goods coming into the market are input materials for the productive sectors and not finished consumer goods that will wipe out existing domestic industrial efforts and truncate new industrial initiatives”, he advised.

He maintained that for Nigeria to sit on the same table with countries such as the United States, Britain, Germany, Japan, China, to appropriate the gains of trade, it must be able to trade industrial goods like the advanced economies.

Jacobs advised policy makers on the need to look inwards to improve its industrial capacities by insisting on the tenets of the Backward Integration agenda as embedded in the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP).

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS SHOPPING

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

SMS : 07035302326

Through entertainers, Shopping malls and retailers have found new means of attracting shoppers to their outlets.

Although this comes at a cost to their businesses, it has nonetheless, proved to be a viable means of boosting sales and creating awareness for their wares. TONIA ‘DIYAN writes.

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Entertainment: A new bait for shoppers?

T was planned to be a brief shopping for groceries. But that plan eventually snowballed into an unexpected shopping spree for Mrs. Lara Oyediran, a housewife and mother of two. Oyediran had taken her children, ages six and four respectively, with her to the Ikeja Shopping Mall, penultimate Saturday, with the aim of stocking her house for the week.

Arriving the Mall, Simisola, the younger of the kids, was attracted to a particular shop courtesy of the “human” teddy bears and other animal characters dancing away and playing with passersby in front of the outlet. “Mummy, look at Barney and friends in the television is dancing here,” she screamed.

Barney is a teddy character in a popular children’s cartoon series. And as Simisola ran towards the dancing “animals”, her eyes strayed to a doll in the store, which she hurriedly grabbed and refused to let go.

Eventually, her mother had to

cough out N8, 500 for the doll. It was not part of her budget for the shopping.

Such is the power and influence of the use of entertainers by retail outlets to promote sales for their business. It has now become the new fad in shopping malls and several retail outlets. True to its definition of being a one stop shop for shopping and leisure, the modern day mall, complex or plaza, stands out as a theater where people go not only to shop but to be really entertained. Bakare Ibukunoluwa, a cosmetics retailer, confirmed that it is now common for malls or any shopping place to deploy several entertainment strategies to attract customers. And the reason, she further explained, bothers on making more sales.

“You have to get shoppers to a shopping place, and the entertainment coefficient in a mall is something that builds traffic. This is the logic behind many malls now using entertainers to lure the people to the place; the ultimate reason is that it enhances their sales,” Ibukunoluwa explained. The crowd at Ikosi Shop-

ping plaza in Ketu, Lagos, last weekend buttresses her explanation, even as the patronages at eateries and cafes within a mall also strengthens the affinity between shopping and leisure.

The Palms Mall, Lekki, Lagos, became the preferred destination for people, who not only want to shop, but want to get a dose of entertainment too. The mall became an instant hit with its music, lightings and appealing ambience which makes people contented to just look around, window shop or simply relax.

The Silverbird Cinemas, Play Zone and eateries are among the side attractions that endear many to the mall. Silverbird Galleria began to attract people with the cinemas long before it became popular as a shopping destination. The idea is to get people there and actual shopping could follow; and what could really lure people if not a conducive environment to unwind and an inviting place to shop?

Stand Up Nigeria, the monthly comedy show at the City Mall, Onikan, cinema draws a good number of people to the mall. Same

•From left: Newly Certified UGRLMicrosoft Office Specialists, Eze Chidinma; Omokorode Mololuwa; Utuk Mokumfonobong; Osuagwu Oluomachi and Akpaka Chiemezue at the 2015 graduation of young Microsoft Office Specialists trained by UGRL in Lagos

AMSCO, NPC partner to boost enterprise development ITH the understanding that Nigerian businesses, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) require the capacity to engage at global levels, a conference was held in Lagos by African Management Services Company, AMSCO in collaboration with the National Planning Commission of Nigeria, NPC, to sensitize the Nigerian private sector about developing management capacity and expertise.

AMSCO is a private sector development organisation that provides integrated human capital development solutions to private and public businesses across subSaharan Africa and has evolved to become the leading advisory solutions provider; working to address the issue of market systems and capacity failures through management and skills development. The Organisation implements the African Training and Management Services (ATMS) Project of the United Nations Development Programme.

The conference was to generate home-grown solutions to help address challenges like access to finance, shortage of skills, market

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ByTonia ‘Diyan access and a general enabling environment hindering their development and global attractiveness and to open up opportunities for dialogue and collaboration with key players.

Speaking at the conference, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director AMSCO, Mr Paul Malherbe stated three key issues that require special attention for Nigeria to reach its private sector development agenda, they include ;a change of focus from youth education to youth entrepreneurship, increased interventions that promote gender empowerment and directly developing SMEs with limited skills.

His words: “Most Africans SMEs are faced with growth challenges because there is a dependency on large company or cooperates to educate them. Our business landscape can only improve if we don’t wait but rather place our lens on collaborations to develop human capital at SME level, matching the right skills to the right jobs, training the management of those businesses and helping them access financial capital to reinvent themselves, this is our

core focus at AMSCO” said Malherbe.

Also at the conference was the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Mr Emefiele who underscored the crucial role that Nigerian enterprises play in the growth and sustenance of the Nigerian economy.He called on various stakeholders to take an active role in capacitating the private sector. “Promoting increased foreign direct investment and other capital inflows through policies that will attract foreign investors and strengthening the DFIs to promote affordable and long-term finance is required.”

The, Executive Secretary of the NPC Mr Bassey Akpanyung emphasized that Nigeria is not unmindful of challenges in the Nigerian business environment. He said the rate of economic growth and development of any nation is functionally related to its infrastructure. “This informed the decision of Government to bring on board the 30 year National Master Plan in collaboration with the private sector aimed at addressing these gaps” he said.

Participants at the conference agreed that building capacity for the private sector remains an indispens-

goes with child care stores.

Children’s game and toy store, such as Lego would always provide bouncy castles, swing, mascots and toys for the kids to play while their parents shopped for them.

Michael Chu’di Ejekam, director of Actis West Africa’s real estate division, lead developer of the Palms and Ikeja City mall said: “We are trying to push a retail revolution; create a fun place where people can come in with their families to shop and have fun. It comprises the cinema, the textile shops, restaurants and a lot of other relaxation and shopping centres. That is what my company, Actis, is trying to lead a destination centre where you have to come in the morning and don’t have to leave till evening; something different that we are proud of. “ the whole family can go shopping together. Take the children along. They can spend like two hours at the cinema watching a good movie. You can go to the jewellery store, there are clothing stores, shoes stores, super market, computer electronics and other items you need. When you are done shopping, go pick your children and visit the restaurant or eatery.

It is all encompassing”.

In the same vein, former Chief Executive Officer Broll Nigeria, Developers of shopping malls in Nigeria ones said “Some of the questions we considered when we are malls are: how do people buy?

What do people want? In what order do people buy? Who are the impulse buyers? Who are those who go straight to the destination?

How do the children drive it?

What is in the mind of people who are going shopping? You have to understand all of these and then you can decide to place the tenants where they would complement one another. This is why if you look at places, such as The Palms, Ikeja City Mall, the Grand Towers Abuja Mall, Polo Park, Kwara Mall or Ceddi Plaza, you see excellent service delivery in all areas,” she said.

Many, who spoke to The Nation Shopping at The Palms, Silverbird Galleria and E-Centre affirmed that they are mostly there to catch some

fun. “Of course, I come here to shop but trust me, I also want to catch some fun,” said Rita Robert, a shopper at the Palms.

For Femi Ajulo, there is more to the mall than just shopping. “I am a retailer on the Mainland and I love to see what makes people rush to this place. I come here to catch inspiration for my business.

For instance, I have added a lounge as an extension of my store; it even attracts more people who relax, wine, dine and eventually shop,” he said.

Like Mr Ilechukwu, many new shopping places are incorporating dining and entertainment to their mix to make their centres recreational shopping destinations and to drive frequency of visits and length-of-stay. Indeed, the shopping centre is being reinvented for the age of the grounded consumer. “Today, we are moving to an experience economy where what consumers want are experiences-memorable experiences which engage them in an inherently personal way.

“Some are devoting up to 35 per cent or more of their ‘store’ GLA to entertainment, restaurants and cinemas. When entertainment is incorporated into a shopping complex, it is sometimes referred to as a retail entertainment center (RECs), retail-tainment, shoppertainment or malltainment.

“The end of conspicuous consumption and a decrease in shopper visits due to the Great Recession has made it even more important to generate traffic with other than shopping for stuff.”

With over 75 per cent of shopping trips and purchase decisions being made by women, it is important to meet a woman’s needs at shopping destinations. This often also means meeting the needs of children when they accompany their mother on a shopping trip. Experts are also rising up in shopping center design, development and management, market research, designing familyfriendly facilities for entertainment, education and play.

Prices of staple food remain high

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DURING Sallah, sharing and felicitating with one another is not the only trend as the celebration is usually accompanied with an increase in food items three days to the celebration. Items like groundnut oil, rice, palmoil, pepper, tomato and ram fall in the category.

At Mushin market, the increase is evident in the prices as a basket of tomato which formerly sells for N6,500, N6,000, now goes for N7000, N8,000 and N9,000. Small sized basket cost N4,500.

25litres groundnut oil cost N6,500 as againt the former N6000. 5kg of rice cost N1,200 .

Ordinarily, the explanation for this increase has always been because of the season that is out as the producers would have taken rest for these few days and in the process causing a little scarcity in these goods especially the tomato and pepper, but there is a twist in the story for this year as most of these buyers blame the deteriorating state of the economy as a main causative agent, The Nation Shopping gathered.

For groundnut oil sellers, they do not belief that it is because of the festive

By Oyewole Priscilla

season that there is an increase in price of goods. Speaking with Mrs. Shade Mustapha, a rice and groundnut oil trader in Mushin market, she said “the hike in price does not have anything to do with Sallah because there was no money in Nigeria before now so until the government, push the money out and allow it flow round, that is when the price will come down.”

Another groundnut oil trader, Mrs. Etoro Akpan attested to this fact as she explained that the prices would not reduce even after the Sallah period till next year when there would be a reduction.

For the tomato sellers, they still stand that sallah is the main reason for the increase in price but explained that the bad economy still played a part in the increase of these goods.

Mrs. Bimpe Olowu, a pepper seller explained that immediately after sallah, there would be a drastic reduction in the price and that the price of tomato for this year’s sallah is lower than that of last year.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

47

NEWS

BoI seeks long term funding for SMEs S

MALL and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) need long term loans to achieve their full potentials, the Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Rasheed Olaoluwa, has said.

Speaking during a conference for financial journalists in Lagos at the weekend, he said finance has been identified in many business surveys as a critical factor for the survival and growth of SMEs in both developed and developing countries.

“Access to finance allows SMEs to undertake productive investments to expand their businesses and to acquire the latest technologies, thus ensuring their competitiveness and that of the nation as a whole.

“Poorly functioning financial systems can seriously un-

Stories by Collins Nweze dermine the macroeconomic fundamentals of a country, resulting in lower growth in income and employment,” he said.

Olaoluwa, who was represented by the General Manager, SMEs, Abdul-Ganiyu Mohammed, said despite their dominant numbers and importance in job creation, SMEs traditionally have faced difficulty in obtaining formal credit, or equity.

“For example, maturities of commercial bank loans extended to SMEs are often limited to a period far too short to pay off any sizeable investment. This is due to the shortterm nature of their funds, with the attendant mismatch if granted as long-term facili-

ties to SMEs. Meanwhile, the tendency is for access to competitive interest rates to be reserved only for prime customers, while loan interest rates offered to SMEs remain high.

Accordingly, bank credit in Nigeria is characterized by limited availability of medium- to long-term credit tenors, short moratorium, and high collateral requirements,” he said.

Speaking further, he said recent surveys of SMEs and banks by the World Bank and other stakeholders, have identified several factors limiting access to bank finance for SMEs. “In recent years, deposit money banks (DMBs) have continued to dominate Nigeria’s financial system.

With relatively under-developed corporate bond and alter-

Diamond Bank rewards customers

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•Olaoluwa

native securities markets, bank credit has constituted the main source of formal financing for Nigerian companies,” he said.

He explained that based on the results of a World Bank survey of Nigerian SMEs in 2011, only an estimated9.5 per cent of Nigerian SMEs had a loan or line of credit in 2011, and bank financing of working capital and fixed assets was estimated to fill respectively only three per cent and two per cent of outstanding needs.

Renaissance Capital appoints new CEO for Nigeria

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ENAISSANCE Capital, an emerging and frontier markets investment bank, has announced Temi Popoola as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Nigeria.

In his new role, Popoola will focus on equities and growing the investment banking side of the business, as well as overseeing a 25strong team in Lagos. He will report to Igor Vayn, CEO, and Ruslan Babaev, Chief Business Officer, with addi-

tional reporting lines to Ben Samuels, Global Head of Equities, and James Friel, Global Head of Investment Banking.

Popoola joined Renaissance Capital in July 2015 and has been working closely with the sales team, traders and research analysts both locally and across the Firm’s network of offices to drive the Nigerian equities business.

He has over 13 years of international experience in eq-

uities and derivatives in emerging markets. Prior to joining the Firm, he played a key role in building a successful equities business at CSL Stockbrokers/FCMB in Lagos, enabling the company to become the number two by market share on the NSE in 2014.

Mr. Popoola began his career as an asset manager in London in 2002, before joining Bank of America Securities in New York in 2006 as a trader in equity derivatives.

EN undergraduates studying in various Nigerian tertiary institutions have been rewarded

by Diamond Bank with N1.2 million for owning and operating a customized savings accounts.

The accounts, the bank said, exposes students to the huge benefits that savings and financial prudence offers in competitive adult life.

The winners emerged through an online electronic draw, which was conducted among the thousands of students and youth corps members who opened and operate Student-With-A-Goal (SWAG) account with the Bank since the campaign for PocketMoney4AYear, kicked off.

The draws were witnessed by journalists, students from various higher institutions in the country and selected

He then moved to Lagos three years later to join the United Bank for Africa as Head of New Products and Investments. Mr. Popoola was also the co-founder of Centurion Capital Partners, an asset management firm based in New York.

He holds a First Class degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos and obtained a Master’s Degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Youth Corps members serving in Lagos State. Each of the winners will receive N1,000 PocketMoney4AYear and can draw the cash monthly at any Diamond Bank branch.

The SWAG proposition is a customised bank account that fits into and enhances the lifestyle needs, culture of learning and freedom of the student and youth corps member with a goal for the future.

Product Manager, Diamond S.W.A.G, Chinenye Nwosu, said the initiative is designed to ensure that all account holders have a guaranteed sum deposited in their accounts every month, stressing that PocketMoney4AYear is a lifestyle based savings account targeted at students of tertiary institutions and corps members under the Diamond S.W.A.G proposition.

Bankers committee: MSMEs grow economy

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HE Bankers’ Committee and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have restated the strategic importance of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) to the growth of the nation’s economy.

This was stated at the recent workshops in Abuja and Owerri on the N220billion Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise Development Fund organised by the Bankers’ Committee’s sub-committee on Economic Development, Sustainability & Gender in collaboration with the Cen-

tral Bank of Nigeria.

In his remarks, CBN’s Director, Development Finance Department, Dr. Mudasiru Olaitan, said, the essence of the workshop is to get the Deposit Money Banks (DMB) to key- into the strategic plan of the apex bank for the MSMEs. “MSMEs are the engine room for economic growth, vehicle for job creation, tools for poverty alleviation and wealth creation for any country’s economy, so there is need to support them to grow so that the economy can grow,” Olaitan stressed.

EXPRESSO

APC: Still in the throes of victory •Continued from Back Page

APART from Kaduna State, most other APC states seemed transfixed in a certain inertia. Neither could they form government nor did the one-man rule in the states produce superior leadership. It has been 100 days of void and vacuity where urgent actions were required. None of the state governments seem to recognise that Nigeria’s economy is in dire straits and that we need new approaches urgently.

Not one governor has been challenged enough to pick up the gauntlet and work out a new, sustainable economic agenda for his state in the face of a shrinking federal allocation. While some of them cannot be bothered, many would simply not be able to think fresh alternatives.

Now that they have clamoured for and got bailout funds, the next campaign would be to badger the Federal Government to relinquish more per centage of the national cake. With many states in crunch time and governors borrowing ravenously, one foresees a good number spending the next four years just bemoaning their fate and accomplishing nothing, while living out their old, wasteful habits.

It is in a time like this that

a party that is deep wades in and offers direction and institutional leverages. If APC had mastered its environment and was well tracked, it would have for instance, organised series of economic summits on economic diversification and best approaches for each of its states.

But on the other hand, APC seems to have been completely consumed on a zero sum game of disbursing National Assembly and executive positions. The situation in the Senate, which has now zoomed off on a weird trajectory, is notable.

One had warned of this disingenuous outcome here earlier, but apparently we are a ‘solid state’ of sort. One had asked previously what the Senate president was worth? Is it worth the party? One thought that once a party has the presidency and thinks long term, every other position can be managed and expended within the short run.

Has anyone considered the long-term strategic outcome of the messy intra-party fight in the Senate? Now that a sitting Senate president has be docked and debased, what next? Either way, the party will bleed profusely; the bad blood may even linger till the next elections if we don’t achieve a more self-lacerating result

before the next voting season. A party properly configured and in full flight would have worked around the chasm in the Senate.

It is amazing how many people are blind to the puerility hounding the Senate president and pursuing him to the dock, using a corrupted instrument of the old regime. Let him go answer the charges, seems to be the chorus; let us start from somewhere, some said!

Great, but when one corrupt structure is placed on another corrupt one, what you get is a superstructure of corruption. The Code of Conduct Bureau as currently constituted cannot pretend to fight corruption.

Why are we harming ourselves? Why are we exhuming the old, sordid tricks perfected by PDP that we loathed for the past 16 years? We thought change meant to clear out the falling edifices and rebuild them with quality materials for constructing modern sustainable institutions?

Why are we locking ourselves in this faustian charade? Why is APC engrossed in a bolekaja contest over a silly Senate seat when it has decades-wide canvass spread before it?

Alas, APC is still in the throes of its unimaginable electoral victory. It suffers the pangs of success, most regrettably.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

NEWS

Community seek help against erosion

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ESIDENTS of Umuawulu in Awka South local government area of Anambra State have cried out to Governor Willie Obiano to rescue them from the erosion that is threatening to swallow them.

The only bridge linking Umuawulu to other communities is about to collapse.

A human rights activist, Comrade Osita Obi blamed the government for abandoning its responsibilities.

Another resident, Mrs. Esther Okafor said the people were like outcasts in their own land as no help was coming from the government.

A community leader, Joshua Nwafor, said: “We now live in fear in our own community because nobody knows what may happen when rain falls, which has become a daily ritual now.

“We do not send our children on errands again, and worst still, the people in government, who come to canvass for votes, have abandoned us.

“They say we are in a democracy but we have not witnessed the dividends. The bridge former Governor Peter Obi built at Amaokpala will be a waste as nobody will ply that route because of this

Flood submerges shops in Aba market From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

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RADERS in Ariaria International Market, Aba, lost goods worth millions of naira in last Wednesday’s flood.

Investigations showed that shops in A, B and WWLS lines, mostly occupied by hot drinks and drug sellers, were the worse-hit as the water submerged the entire shops.

The traders lamented that the incident was the fourth this year. They called on the state government to come to their aid.

A trader, Kingsley, lamented their loss in the last five years. He said efforts to draw the attention of the last administration to their plight were abortive.

“This issue was reported severally during the last administration. But instead of addressing the situation, they started threatening us.

“The last time it was reported, some of our members were arrested and taken to Aba Area Command. And after the harassment, they are yet to address the situation which has gone from bad to worse.

“Majority of our customers are staying away. As I speak now, my shed is practically closed because there is no way to enter. Look around, and see people wearing rain boots.

Tell me a market where traders wear rain boots to sell. We only answer Ariaria International Market in name; there is nothing to show for it.”

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

problem.”

However, Commissioner for Environment Chinwe Nwaebili said the government was not keeping quiet

as work had started on some of the sites.

She said of the 15 sites mapped out, work was ongoing on four, while work would commence on others soon.

Some of the sites where she

•The affected road

said work had started included Omagba in Onitsha, Umuchu in Aguata council and Ebenebe.

Her words: “The government cannot do it alone; we need help from the Federal Government and other donor agencies to tackle erosion.

“I wept when I visited

Obiano: I’ll not leave APGA

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NAMBRA State Governor Willie Obiano has promised not to abandon the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The governor made the promise yesterday in Awka when members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by Elder Chris Eluemunoh, visited him at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Awka South.

Obiano urged the group to

•Governor urges Ohanaeze to unite Ndigbo From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

unite the people under APGA to reposition them in national politics.

He thanked the group for its support towards ensuring peace and stability in the state, adding that he was impressed with the efforts of Ohanaeze for the betterment of the Igbo nation.

Elder Eluemunoh hailed the governor for his efforts in restoring security.

“We still remember and acknowledge the humility you exhibited during your electioneering campaign. Of all the contestants, you alone honored our invitation to the town hall meeting we organised for aspirants to unveil their plans

for the state.

“That humble act of yours, coupled with your outstanding credentials, inspired us to overlook the non-partisanship policy of Ohanaeze and endorse you as our candidate.

“We are glad that you won the election, and so far, you have not given us any reason to regret our action,” the group said.

Aregbesola to Nigerians: exercise self-sacrifice

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged Nigerians to exercise selfless sacrifice to promote national unity and peaceful co-existence.

Speaking with reporters after participating in the Eid-elKabir prayers at the Oke-Bale Osogbo Praying Ground, the governor enjoined Muslims to do away with any act capable of turning them against the will of God and uphold all the commandments of Allah.

Aregbesola, who reminded Muslims of the significance of Eid-el-Kabir, added that Muslims must imbibe truthfulness, cleanliness, love, peace and unity by forgiving those who offend them.

The governor implored Muslims to abstain from lying, saying doing so will give them peace.

Advising Muslims to refrain from acts forbidden by Allah, he reiterated that the lessons expected to be learnt by all

• L-R: Alhaji Tajudeen Sheriff, Alhaji Adewusi and Alhaji Sulaiman Sas at the Eld-El Kabir at Oyewole Primary School, Agege Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

•Residents troop out in solidarity for governor From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Muslims in the commemoration of Eid-el-Kabir was to demonstrate and display higher sense of submission to the will and commandments of God. According to him: “The meaning of this festival is to sacrifice everything endowed to us by our creator for His cause and other fellow human beings to promote and improve our individual and collective existence as being commanded by Allah.

“There is need for us to sacrifice all our limitations, our shortcomings and vices that we know well for our personal and collective development as a nation.

“As a nation, there is a need for us to do away with those things that we do that stem development and reduce our progress by applying all the teachings of the Quran and

Haddith.

“The purpose of rams slaughtering today is for us as worshippers to kill our bad acts and behaviours.”

The governor urged Muslims to cultivate and apply the virtue of love, tolerance and perseverance in every aspect of their lives in order to move the nation forward.

He said: “Islam is a religion of peace, love and kindness that teaches us to place general good above personal interest in line with Allah’s commandments.”

He implored Muslims to continuously seek the face of God and His mercy at positioning the country to the desired place of sustainable peace, harmony and tranquility.

The Chief Imam of Osogboland, Sheikh Musa Animasahun, admonished Muslims to fear Allah and always

remember that they will leave this earth whether they like it or not.

Animasahun warned Muslims to stop pursuing good things of life at the expense of the eternal life in paradise, reiterating that everything on earth is vanity.

He said: “Death is an inevitable supreme price that must be paid by every living soul.”

On his way to the praying ground, the governor had a hectic time passing through Oja-Oba to Oke-Bale as residents trooped to the streets to hail him.

The convoy was forced to a halt by the jubilant supporters, who struggled to demonstrate their love for him.

Some of the governor’s admirers said they were demonstrating their love for Aregbesola, despite the challenges created for his government by the national financial crisis.

Nnewi, Uga and Abagana.

The problem affects many communities, but the government is trying its best with its lean resources. Rome was not built in a day.

“The World Bank-assisted projects had started in Amachalla, Omagba in Onitsha, and other communities; hopefully, with help from the Fed-

eral Government and other donor agencies, we will get somewhere.

“Honestly, Anambra cannot handle these problems alone because we have no money; we need funds from the Federal Government, World Bank and other agencies to surmount these erosion problems.”

Tourism conference holds Nov 25

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HE Chief Executive Officer of Hotel Partners, Africa, Vernon Page; the Legal Adviser to Eko Hotels and Suites, Chief Samuel Alabi and Managing Director of W. Hospitality Group, Mr Trevor Ward, are among eminent personalities expected at this year’s Media Hotel and Tourism Conference.

The event, which will hold from November 25 till November 27 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos, is organised by Jonel Hospitality Consulting.

Speaking with our reporter on the conference, the Managing Partner of Jonel Hospitality Consulting Mr Brian Efa said: ”Early registration is N150,000 and it will close on September 30. Interested par-

By Medinat Kanabe

ticipants can register before October 30 but will pay N250,000; late registration is N300,000. All registration can be done online at: www.nigeriahotelconference.com.

“Other eminent persons expected at the conference include the Chairman of CRS Tourism Commission, Gab Onah; the Provost, Wavecrest College of Hospitality, Tana Forsuelo; CEO, Saffron Preffessional, Prof Taofeeq Abdulrasaq; Tax Partner, Ernst and Young, Akinbiyi Abudu; Director, International Development, Best Western International, Karl De Lacy; Noiius Hospitality Technology’s Director, Giuseppe Carrpinyieri and Chief Executive Office, Hotel Spec, Mark Martinovic.”

CAPEMI holds convention

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HE annual convention of Christ Authority and Power Evangelical Ministries International (CAPEMI) will begin on Monday, September 28 through Sunday, October 4 at Capemi Auditorium on 19/21, Yusuf Street, off Shibii road, Ilemba-Awori, Ojo, Ajangbadi, Lagos by 5pm daily.

Activities lined up include: Hours of Change (all night), sports time and grand celebration thanksgiving service at Capemi prayer city, KM 46, Badagry Expressway, Ile Adura, Agogo Igbala Bus Stop, Mowo, Lagos. The programme is themed: “Let God Takeover”.

Leadership summit holds today

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FAITH-based NonGovernmental Organisation, Vision International Christian Ministries (VICM), will today begin a special summit on leadership, tagged: “The global leadership summit 2015”. The yearly summit focuses on evolving leaders globally, training and addressing their shortcomings for a better leadership.

The summit, organised in partnership with a United States (US) based association, Willow Creek Association in Chicago, will end in the second week of December and it will hold in 66 centres across the country.

“It is going to be a video cast summit for two days across the country. The Lagos event holds tomorrow and Saturday at the Daystar Christian Centre, Oregun. There will be simultaneous show across the 66 centres,” VICM director

By Seyi Odewale

and summit organiser, Rev. Francis Olubambi said.

According Olubambi, the summit will, among other issues, treat the concept of good leadership, which he said, is a by-product of the society that produces the leaders.

“We believe that when leaders get better, everybody wins.

When we talk about leadership, we are not only talking in the context of the country alone, we are talking about leaders in the context of the family. When the family gets better, the whole family benefits, gets better and wins.

“Whatever affects the family affects the church, the society, the nation and the world.

The same thing with the church, when the pastors get better, everybody in the church wins...”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

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NEWS

Tinubu: corruption war ’ll strenghten institutions

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ATIONAL leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday called on Nigerians to put God and the nation first in their daily activities.

“What is missing is lack of patriotism, dedication to God and to our people.

He spoke after observing his two rakat prayers for the Eid-il-Kabir celebration at the Dodan Barracks, praying ground, Obalende in Lagos.

He said the ongoing war by President Muhammadu Buhari on corruption will further strengthen the country’s institutions and fast track development.

He said: “It is part of nation’s development. We cannot overlook a lot of things.

And we cannot personalise a lot of things as if it was vendetta. We have to endure and be patient as we look for justice, equity and a balanced society.

“If we do not straighten these institutions, how can they work for the development of the nation? If we fail

and result to blackmail, how can the nation reverse the decadence that is perceived in our society?

“The government officials are almost no longer believable (by the citizens). When one has a public responsibility, they (citizens) look at it as if the source of wealth to steal and mismanage public funds.

And do things that are not included in the democratic norms and values. We have to live by example and by our words. We can be talking about it alone. We have to work it without any iota of blackmail.”

The former governor recalled what he went through and later discharged and acquainted, saying: “It is not what I haven’t personally experienced before.”

“I have been through it.

The second week I left office, I was invited by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). I went there and answer their question.

Later, I took them to court and I won. Some years back, after they discovered that my as-

Let’s team up for Nigeria’s progress, Ayade urges Muslims

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ROSS River State Governor Ben Ayade has urged Muslims to use this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration to work with governments for the nation’s progress.

In a Sallah message by his Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, the governor said: “While I congratulate all my Muslim brothers and sisters across the country on this year’s Eid-El-Kabir, made possible by Almighty Allah, I want to appeal for your collective support to join hands with the government so that we can pull through the current challenges.

“As faithful, let us harness our creative energies, our love for one another towards the development of the country by aligning with President Muhammadu Buhari to realise the dream of the founding fathers for a better Nigeria for all.

“As we celebrate, we must not be unmindful of the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir, which are sacrifice, peace and love for our neighbours.

These are the hallmarks of a true Muslim.

“You have always demonstrated good examples by exhibiting the true teachings of Islam. I want to, however, urge the Muslim community in our state to continue to join hands with people of other faith to sustain the prevailing atmosphere which has made our state the most peaceful and the best investment destination in the country.

“May the Almighty Allah fill your hearts with His love as you celebrate in peace.”

Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce, Laffta Fest hold in Lagos, Port Harcourt

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LOBACOM’S twin mega shows - Slide ‘n’ Bounce and Laffta Fest - will berth this weekend on Victoria Island, Lagos, and Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capi-

tal.

The special Sallah edition of Slide ‘n’ Bounce will hold tomorrow at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos; Laffta Fest holds at the Atrium Events Centre on September 27, in Port Harcourt.

Top Nigerian artistes and comedians have been performing live to the delight of their fans at both shows, which began on August 29 and 30.

At the Surulere edition of Lafta Fest last Sunday at Eagle Club, artistes like I go Dye, Gordons, Osama and Julius Agwu performed well to the admiration of the audience.

This weekend, the Slide and Bounce musical concert will parade highly rated artistes and Glo ambassadors, including Flavour, M.I, Bez, Di’Ja, Wiz Kid and Rekaado Banks. Humour merchant, Okey Bakassi, will anchor the show.

In Port Harcourt, Basket Mouth will anchor the Laffta Fest show, which will parade outstanding comedians like Gordons, Dan D Humorous, Julius Agwu, 2 Can Talk and MC Casino.

Ugandan comedian, Salvador, will make a special appearance alongside top artistes, like Wande Coal and Korede Bello.

sets declaration had some questions, they charged me to the tribunal. I went and challenged them to show proof. I was later discharged and acquainted because there was no evidence to prove their claim. It is only then I accused the government of being selective.”

Tinubu added: “Yearly, we talk about sacrifices and perseverance of people. If we want people to persevere, from the top to the bottom,

we have to demonstrate as leaders that we are very serious about nation building too.

“Our leaders should look compassionately at the suffering masses and create the demand locally and diversify our economy. Go through it at once and have a nation that we will all be proud of. Develop citizenship that will be blind to the tribe or ethnicity but believe in character.

“It is worrisome that when

we meet ourselves outside the country, we embrace one another but immediately we arrive into this country, revert to ethnicity, tribal and others.

We have to develop a new character and new nation.

“Every day we talk about the potential of this country but where are we, when one look at country like India, they don’t have oil but they were able to build an economy for themselves that is thriving today and creating

employment for the youths.

“We want everything free but we have not put emphasis on the training of our youths and retraining of our teachers to put education in forefront of investment that is necessary for this country.

“We still believe that education is the weapon against poverty. And to achieve it, we have to rededicate ourselves and make those sacrifices in order to lift the country out of poverty,” he added.

Nursing mother, kids die in Delta boat mishap

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NURSING mother, Mrs. Patience Endurance Umih, her fouryear-old baby and two daughters have died in a boat mishap at Igbide, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The four were said to have died when they were returning from a farm.

Another woman, Mrs.

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

Esini Igama Uvoh, is the only survivor.

It was learnt that Mrs Umih, said to be in her mid30s, had harvested cassava from her flooded farm and was returning home with her children when their boat capsized.

A source, who spoke in

confidence, said one of the victims was attempting to fetch water from the river when she lost her cup.

In the bid to recover it, she allegedly upset the boat, which upturned its passengers and load into the river.

The source said: “...Local divers retrieved the bodies of the woman and her two daughters. They rescued

only Mrs. Uvoh.”

A family source told our reporter that Mrs. Umih hails from Iyede, in Isoko North Local Government Area but married an Igbide man.

Efforts to contact the community’s president-general, Chief David Edegware, for comments, were unsuccessful last night.

He did not respond to the calls to his calls.

PDP delegates affirm Dickson’s candidacy

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AYELSA State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates yesterday affirmed the sole candidacy of Governor Seriake Dickson for the December 5 governorship election.

The governor was officially confirmed the party’s candidate at a primary supervised

by Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose and PDP’s Southsouth National Vice-Chairman Cairo Ojuogho.

Dickson sealed his victory at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex with 447 votes from 452 accredited delegates.

The primary was peaceful and devoid of rancour.

The delegates were orderly.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha were among PDP dignitaries at the event.

Fayose said it was wrong for President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint his in-law as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The governor urged Dickson not to entertain fears about the forthcoming election, adding that he had the credentials to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

Fayose said the PDP was monitoring INEC and was

13 parties adopt governor From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

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HIRTEEN parties have adopted Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson as their governorship candidate for the December 5 election.

The parties, under the auspices of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), yesterday announced their support in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Some of the parties are: ADC, KOWA, PPA, AA, Accord, Unity Part of Nigeria (UPN), APA, HDP, YDP, Independent Democrat, ACPN and New Nigerian Peoples Democratic Party (NNPP).

IPAC’s Treasurer and NNPP State Chairman Inko Namatebe said they chose Dickson because of his sterling leadership qualities.

He said the state was safe with Dickson’s second term.

Namatebe said the governor had performed well.

According to him, it is necessary for him to continue in office for another term.

He said: “One of the things Governor Dickson has delivered is security. He has put in place a framework for data gathering in an organised and empirical manner in crime.”

•I’ll forever remain loyal to Jonathan, says Fayose •Governor picks deputy as running mate From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

ready to expose what he called its hidden agenda at the appropriate time.

He said: “I have complained very clearly about the choice of the INEC chairperson. Nobody can give us an INEC chairman that is his daughter or in-law. This is our country and nobody can run us out of

Nigeria.

“Therefore, we are watching INEC and its activities.

We will not allow you to play pranks. This is an Ijaw state; so, they are going nowhere.

This is a PDP-controlled state.

No hidden agenda will work in Bayelsa.”

Fayose said Jonathan’s presence at the primary was like his (Fayose’s) homecom-

ing in the state.

He declared maximum loyalty to Jonathan, saying the former President brought him back to the Government House after he was humiliated by another President, apparently referring to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Fayose said: “A President took me out of the Government House by force and another President gave me the leverage and a platform to come back. To whom much is given, much is expected.

“My President and former President of Nigeria, my loyalty is not in doubt. Forever and ever, I am your person and I remain your person.

When others fall by the way side out of disloyalty, consequences must come. We are witnessing consequences of such in the country...”

Dickson announced his running mate for the December 5 poll.

He said: “...I announce to you all that my running mate for this election will be Rear Admiral John Gborigboria Jonah (retd). We are running on a ticket of continuity, stability and consolidation. We are building institutions and stability in our state. That is why I have nominated him to run with me.”

Edo deputy governor’s mum mother From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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RS. Imuegbeyi Odubu, mother of Edo State Deputy Governor Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, is dead.

She was 80.

Mrs Odubu, a community leader and businesswoman, passed away on Wednesday evening, following an illness.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Kelly Odaro, said the deceased was born into the families of Osunde and Okpogheho in Ugo, Orhionmwon Local Government Area.

Funeral rites, according to the statement, would be announced later.

•Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade (second left) acknowledging cheers from the crowd while monitoring refuse evacuation in Calabar...yesterday. With him is the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tina Agbor.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

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NEWS

NDLEA arrests student, others with 10.255kg of narcotics O FFICIALS of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a student and four others for suspected drug trafficking.

They were caught yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for unlawful possession of 10.255kg of narcotics hidden in garri (West African food made from cassava) and luggage.

Two of the drug suspects were coming from Brazil with cocaine. Three others were going to South Africa, United Arab Emirates (UAE and Pakistan when they were arrested.

NDLEA commander Ahmadu Garba gave the names of the students as “26-year-

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

old student Okonkwo Daniel Anagor, who was caught with 2.810kg of Tramadol on his way to UAE; Lawal Monsuru Ademola, 33-year-old trader was arrested with 3.310kg of methamphetamine on his way to South Africa; Ogbonna Donatus Chigozie was caught attempting to smuggle 610g of cocaine to Pakistan”.

“Okoro Chibueze Augustine and Okpue Ernest Ifeanyi were caught with 2.575kg and 950g of cocaine from Brazil.”

Anagor, who was to

board Rwanda Air flight, told investigators that he wanted to further his education in the UAE. His ambition has, however, been scuttled.

According to him, “I was travelling to UAE for vacation and to further my studies but they called me from there that somebody will give me garri in Lagos.

“When I got to Lagos, the person called me and gave me the bag of garri. This is my first time of travelling outside the country. At the airport, the garri was searched and 445 sachets of Tramadol were found inside the bag. That was how I was

arrested.”

He hails from Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Ademola, a trader selling clothes at Marina, holds a diploma in Computer Installations and Repairs at the Lagos State Polytechnic.

His journey to South Africa was aborted as 3.310kgs of crystalline substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine was found in his possession.

The drug was neatly packed in 26 parcels in a false bottom of his luggage.

Similarly, Chigozie was nabbed with 610g of cocaine while attempting to board an Emirates flight to Pakistan.

Borno, Yobe witness peaceful Eid-el-Kabir

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HE Eid-el-Kabir was celebrated in Borno and Yobe states yesterday without any ugly incident.

Many people were apprehensive that there would be violence, following the bomb blasts on Sunday, leading to deaths in Maiduguri and Monguno in Borno State.

Reports from all parts of the states showed prayers went on smoothly at the Eid prayer grounds, amid security.

Restrictions were placed on human and vehicular movements, to ensure a hitch-free celebration.

Our correspondent learnt that security operatives were at the prayer grounds. The anti-bomb squads were at the venues with their dogs before worshippers arrived.

From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

Despite the restrictions, the faithful turned out in large numbers to observe their two Rakat prayers.

The Deputy Chief Imam of Yobe Mosque and Islamic Centre, Goni Ali Kamsulum, said people turned out because of the security measures put in place.

A Damaturu resident, Mohammed Idris Bomoi, who prayed at the 3Bedroom Gujba Road Prayer Ground, described the turnout as impressive.

He said the security measures provided by the government gave people the confidence to turn out in large numbers at the prayer grounds.

Soldiers deployed in Niger village Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi flanked

by Senator Chris Ngige (right) and his brother Chief Emeka Ngige(SAN), when the Governor visited them on the death of their father, Chief Pius Ngige on Tuesday paid a condolence visit to Ngige family.

T

HEAVILY-LOADED military vehicles with armed soldiers have been deployed in Allawa village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The village was attacked by gunmen on Tuesday night.

The soldiers were from Army formations in Minna, the Niger State capital.

A source said the soldiers were deployed, following sus-

From Justina Asishana, Minna

picion that those who attacked Allawa were not Fulani cattle rustlers, as suspected.

The Nation learnt that Police Commissioner Abubakar Marafa drew the attention of the Army to this development, and troops were sent to the village.

Dangote partners Kano varsity on agric •1,000,000 farmers to benefit

T

•From left: Member, Council of Elders, NASFAT, Alhaji Remi Bello, President, Mr Kamil Bolarinwa, member, Council of Elders, Mr Adebola Rufas and former Solicitor General , Lagos State, Alhaji Lawal Pedro during the Eid-el-Kabir prayer at PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE NASFAT Praying Ground, Old secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos... yesterday.

•Media Relations and Strategy Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Bisi Kazeem(left), Lagos State Sector Commander, Hygienius Omeje and Zone 2 Head of Operations Godwin Ngueku controlling traffic at Kara on Lagos-Ibadan Express Road during the Eid-el Kabir festival...yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

HE Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies and Pro-Chancellor of Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil, Kano, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is partnering the university through developing an agricultural master plan, to boost the agricultural base of the North.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Shehu Alhaji Musa, at an interactive session with the media in preparation for the 15th anniversary of the university, said Dangote was keen on the development of the Faculty of Agriculture.

He said: “The plan is in the pipeline and we have started clearing way for the new project.

“When the plan is achieved, it can cater for 1,000,000 farmers. This will give succour to our agriculture. We can also have food security with its attendant benefits.”

Prof. Musa added: “It is in line with this that Dangote pledged to dig an industrial borehole that will cater for

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

30,000 people.

“Besides, he vowed to support the university with N100million to inject other projects.

“Alhaji Dangote has promised to employ 15 professors for the university and pledged to pay their salaries for four years. This will bring development to the state. Academically, this assistance will develop our institution.”

According to him, during his close to two years administration, 12 projects were completed, 36 were ongoing and four were at a tender stage.

“Thirty one academic workers were sent for PhD programmes, 22 outside the country and nine within Nigeria. So far, we have nine professors and 14 readers as academic workers. We also have 49 visiting professors,” he said.

Eid-el-Kabir: Tight security in Jos

S

ECURITY was tightened in many parts of Jos metropolis and Bukuru in Plateau State yesterday, as Muslims in Nigeria joined their counterparts across the

world to celebrate Eid- el-Kabir.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was presence of heavily- armed security men at strategic locations and areas considered as flash points in the city.

Among areas with such security presence were Old Airport junction, Dogon-Karfe, Miango Junctiion and Abattoir.

Others were Tudun Wada, Rantya, Tina Junction, CongoRussia, Eid praying grounds situated at Fibre Junction and Masalanchi Jumaa.

Also guarded tightly by the policemen were Daidin-Kowa, Rayfield Roundabout and Vwang highway leading to Jos University Teaching Hospital.

NAN recalls that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nasiru Oki, on Wednesday warned residents against any violent behaviour during the festivity.

He appealed for calm during the period, threatening that the command would deal with anyone who breached the order.

52

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS Australia pledges $100m to tackle domestic violence

Pope Francis makes historic address to U.S. Congress

P

OPE Francis has become the first pontiff to address a joint meeting of the U.S.Congress, where he received a warm welcome from more than 500 lawmakers, justices and officials.

He was greeted at the U.S. Capitol by Speaker of the House John Boehner, who is Catholic, and then entered the chamber to thunderous applause.

His speech repeated his opposition to the death penalty and abortion.

And he emphasised the importance of welcoming immigrants.

He said the world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since World War Two, and noted that thousands travel north into the U.S. for a better life every year.

"We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation," he said.

He related the work of lawmakers to that of Moses, saying they had a responsibility to promote unity through "just legislation."

The world must be attentive to "fundamentalism, whether religious or of any other kind."

Touched on economic in-

equality saying "even in the developed world, the effects of unjust structure and actions are all too apparent."

Renewed calls for "the global abolition of the death penalty" saying criminals should be rehabilitated "He reaffirmed his "esteem and appreciation" to the indigenous people of the Americas who faced "turbulent and violent" contacts with colonising powers.

The "very basis of marriage and the family" is being called into question Mr Boehner, sat behind the pontiff, appeared to be moved to tears during the speech.

After finishing with the words "God bless America", the Pope received a prolonged standing ovation.

The 78-year-old Argentine pontiff then appeared on a balcony at the Capitol and spoke to thousands gathered on the West Lawn.

On Wednesday, he upset some victims of clerical child abuse by offering sympathy to U.S. bishops while saying little to address the suffering of the survivors, our correspondent says.

On his way to Washington from Cuba, Pope Francis told journalists that despite his criticism of capitalism he was not "a leftie", as the media had sometimes painted him.

• Pope Francis addressing a joint meeting of U.S. congress. On the left is U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, right is U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner...yesterday PHOTO: AFP

The Pope is on his first official visit to the U.S. and has

Putin offers to meet Elton John

R

USSIAN President Vladimir Putin has phoned pop star Elton John and proposed a meeting, according to the Kremlin.

Sir Elton has said he wants to talk to Mr Putin about his "ridiculous" attitude to gay rights.

The singer previously fell victim to pranksters who impersonated the Russian leader on the phone.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that Mr Putin had this time called the singer and asked him not to be offended by the hoax.

My Putin said on Thursday he was ready to meet Sir Elton - when their schedules

allowed it - and discuss "any issues of interest" to the British star, Mr Peskov said.

Russia has faced international criticism for its laws on homosexuality, including a 2013 bill prosecuting people for providing information about homosexuality to people under 18.

A report by Human Rights Watch last year said Russia was failing to prevent and prosecute homophobic violence amid a rise in attacks against minorities.

Speaking to the BBC earlier in September, Sir Elton said Mr Putin's attitude to gay people was "isolating and prejudiced" and "ridiculous".

He said he would like to speak to the president, al-

though "he may laugh behind my back... and call me an absolute idiot".

Later a message on the musician's Instagram account thanked Mr Putin for "reaching out" in a phone conversation.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said reports of a conversation were "not true" and a recording of the hoax phone call was later aired on Russian TV. Prankster Vladimir Krasnov admitted his involvement, telling the BBC and Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda that he made the call with his sidekick Alexei Stolyarov, known as "Lexus".

sought to bring Catholics back to the Church with a

more inclusive message. He has drawn massive crowds.

Girl gets through security to deliver message to Pope

T

HE five-year-old daughter of undocumented immigrants managed to deliver a handwritten message to Pope Francis by pushing past metal barriers and a phalanx of security guards.

On his first official visit to the US, the Pope paraded through Washington DC, greeting thousands of the faithful.

Sofia Cruz was stopped at first when she pushed past the barriers but the Pope waved her forward.

To loud cheers, the Pope gave Sofia a hug and a kiss and took her note.

"She came back and her father was just in tears. And the whole crowd in my section

were just going nuts," said Joseph Reblando, who was standing next to the Cruz family.

Sofia said she wrote the letter about the five million children in the US like herself whose immigrant parents could be deported.

She also included a drawing with a message in Spanish that translates: "My friends and I love each other no matter our skin colour."

Immigration has become a major issue in the US presidential race with some candidates urging mass deportations.

About 11 million people, some with native-born children, live in the US illegally.

IN his first major initiative, Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull has announced a A$100m ($70m, £46m) domestic violence prevention package.

It includes funding for security systems for women at risk, such as new mobile phones, and extra support for a men's help line.

Mr Turnbull described the high levels of violence against women by partners or family members as a "disgrace".

He said Australia should aim to be known for treating women with respect.

"It is my dream that Australia will in the future be known for respecting women," Mr Turnbull told reporters at a press conference in Melbourne on Thursday.

"All violence against women begins with disrespecting women," he said.

"We have to make it as though it was un-Australian to disrespect women," he said.

It also follows an appeal earlier this month in the state of Queensland by a number of high-profile Australians for governments to do more to tackle domestic violence.

That state was shocked by the murders of two women, allegedly by former partners, and a vicious public attack on a third.

"One in six women experience violence from a current or former partner "So far in 2015, 63 women have been killed in alleged domestic violence incidents "Indigenous women are 34 times more likely to be hospitalised due to domestic violence "Domestic and sexual violence against women costs the nation A$13.6bn ($9.6bn, £6.3bn) a year "A$21m for specific measures to help Indigenous women "A$12m to trial technology to keep women safe, such as GPS trackers for perpetrators "A$17m to keep women safe in their homes by installing CCTV cameras and scanning for bugs "A$15m to establish specialised domestic violence units with coordinated legal, social work and cultural liaison services Senator Cash said extra training would be given to frontline workers including police, social workers, legal and medical professionals.

Chinese president meets U.S. tech leaders

C

HINESE President Xi Jinping has promised to strengthen protections on intellectual property and clear obstacles to investment in China, at a meeting with US technology leaders.

Speaking in Seattle he said: "Without reform, there will be no driving force; without opening up, there will be no progress."

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Apple CEO Tim Cook were among those attending.

US companies are eager to tap into China's massive market of consumers.

Mr Xi addressed recent China's recent economic troubles, and said the government was taking steps to address it.

However he said, "I believe

in the long run that the fundamentals of the Chinese economy are good."

Oh to have been a fly on the wall when President Xi sat down with Apple's Tim Cook, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Satya Nadella of Microsoft and other US technology leaders. We are told the conversation covered regulation and clean energy but surely there must have been something juicier?

The truth is that China and the tech giants both need and fear each other. The technology firms know it is where their future profits should come from Apple now makes about a quarter of its revenue from China, while Amazon despite years of investment is still struggling to make an impact. For China, demand for American technol-

ogy products is what keeps millions in manufacturing jobs.

But while both China and the US appear committed to expanding their technology relationship, their very different views on internet freedom mean progress will be difficult.

But at a time when demand for technology products is fragile, China still looks like a huge opportunity for growth.

That is why the tech tycoons will have tried their best to charm their visitor.

Mr Xi stressed that reaching agreements to ensure continued robust international trade was a top priority.

US officials have said the two counties have made progress in negotiating a new trade agreement, but key issues remain unresolved.

• Mr Xi (centre) took part in a demonstration of Microsoft touch screen technology while touring the campus...yesterday PHOTO: REUTERS

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

SOCIETY

53

For information on how to feature on this page, contact: E-mail:societygirlontop@gmail.com Tel: 08036386505

Chairman of Banrut Tissues and Rolls Prince Samson Ataiyero has given out his daughter, Aderonke, in marriage to Adekanmi at a colourful event in Abuja. GRACE OBIKE reports.

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS On whose side is the MC?

I •The couple Aderonke and Adekanmi (middle); groom’s father Mr Adedeji (left); bride’s mother Ruth (second left); groom’s mother Josephine and bride’s father Mr Ataiyero.

Our love is symbiotic

I

T is said that he who finds a wife finds a good thing. The saying could not be truer in the case of Adekanmi. In his hearthrob Aderonke, he found true love. Theirs is a special kind of love because they understand each other.

Their wedding, as colourful as their union, was held at the All Saints Anglican Church, Douala Street, Abuja. A grand reception followed at the City Park Ademola Adetokunbo Way. Politicians, monarchs and friends of the bride’s father, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Banrut Tissues and Rolls Prince Samson Ataiyero all came out en-masse to celebrate the holy matrimony.

Aderonke is his youngest daughter, whom he refers to as his jewel. The groom, Adekanmi, is indeed a lucky chap.

Majority of the female guests were dressed in gold coloured cupion lace with Aso Oke head gear to match.

The bridal train wore lovely light green dresses, while the men in suits complemented their style.

Adding glamour to the event were young men dressed in white caftan and senator attires with golden or green caps to match.

The hall was decorated in white, gold and green.

Former All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship aspirant in Taraba State, now Senator representing Taraba North Constituency, Hajiya Aisha Al-Hassan, chaired the event.

She advised the couple not to invite a third party to resolve their quarrels but to solve them amicably on their own. She said how they resolve disagreements would determine how strong their marriage will be.

“They are well brought up and from good families, so,

•Hon Gbenga Onigbogi and his wife Bola

•Senator Alhassan

we have no fear of anything coming between them. Ronke will have to do well for her husband and he is expected to take good care of her.

“Quarrels will always come up in relationships and marriages. In fact, it is expected; but, at no time should a third party be invited to resolve the issues. It should be resolved amicably between the two of you,” she said.

Former Niger State First Lady Hajiya Jummai Babangida Aliyu stressed the need for patience and respect.

“I want the wife to be very patient with her husband and very respectful. If he also learns to love and respect his wife, then I am sure that they will be very happy.”

The excited mother of the groom, Mrs. Josephine Adediji, described the bride as respectful.

Her words: “I want to thank God for today. It is a dream come true for my son, and I wish them the best of married life. What I first saw in Ronke is that she is very respectful.

She comes from a very good home. She is friendly and has taken me as her mother and I thank God for that. I know they will have a happy married life in Jesus’ name.”

Adekanmi Demilade said he lacked words to describe his beautiful bride. He said

•Chairman, BOWAYS Motors, Joseph Adeyeye and his wife

their relationship is symbiotic as he does not have to talk for her to know what is wrong with him.

“I decided on Ronke because, beyond the unquestionable beauty which she possesses, she is a very strong and driven person. Overtime, we have developed a symbiotic kind of relationship such that if I am thinking about something and I don’t say it, she most likely is thinking the same thing. It feels like we are made for each other and I am happy that today we are coming together as one,” he said.

The groom said he looked forward to a blissful marriage. “I know she is a very caring person, understanding and patient. I hope and know that, by the grace of God, she would instill such personality traits in our children.”

Aderonke, beaming with smile, said her husband was the best thing to happen to her.

UNION OF LOVE BIRDS Olumuyiwa Ogunfowora and his wife Adedoyin during their wedding at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Love Chapel, New Oko-Oba, Lagos.

“He is calm, loving. He understands me and he loves me. He is always calm in every situation and also helps me to be calm. I am looking forward to both of us achieving our goals together.”

Guests at the occasion included former Governor Babangida Aliyu; an uncle of the bride and traditional ruler of Isifeyun in Ijesha, Oba Peter Ataiyero; former Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Budget, Planning, Finance and Economic Development, Mr Bade Adesina; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Ogun State, Mr. Anifowoshe, an engineer; former Head of Service to the Federation Mr. Ebele Okeke; Hon. Gbenga Onishoji, Chairman/CEO, Horizon Group of Companies; member, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hajia Aisha Aliyu; and Executive Director, Bank of Industry, Waheed Olagunju, among others.

T is so exciting to have you read this column again today. I believe you have been following, enjoying and learning from the adventures of Professor Val. As a quick reminder, Professor Val was our dear guest speaker at an international conference, who insisted on using up his one LANRE OLAOLU AMODU hour slot though the audi( Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. ence was not following his 07034737394 presentation. His brilliant @lanreamodu information was lost in his poor presentation.

The big question we have been tackling has been, "What did Professor Val do wrong?" First, we identified that his presentation slides were overcrowded, thereby making the information on them illegible. Second, his presentation was hasty because he had too much to say and he believed one hour wasn't enough to say them. Again, we discovered that in a bid to share as much information as possible, Val did not pay enough attention to the audience to notice whether they were awake or asleep; he did not measure the importance of his presentation by the amount of time given; and he failed to engage the audience.

Today, we shall be considering the dynamic relationship between the Master of Ceremonies (MC) of the event and Professor Val. Both of them were public speakers though the nature of their speeches differed. While the MC had the responsibility of overseeing and maintaining the smooth flow of the event, the Professor had the job of making a major presentation. Val's task began and ended with his presentation while the MC had to ensure a proper transition between programmes, manage time and also ensure that the audience was satisfied.

You will recall that in the story, the MC observed that most of the people in the hall were not listening to the presentation. When he attempted to notify the Professor of the time he had left, the Professor reacted sharply by saying, "I have one hour to present. I will use my one hour". In this case, we can see that Val saw the MC as the enemy who wanted to prevent him from delivering full value to the audience. A lot of times, speakers don't like MCs because they put too much pressure on them to conclude their presentations. The big question now is this, "On whose side is the MC- the speaker's or the audience's?" I will say both, for the following reasons: •MCs help protect audience's time: a good MC knows that the time of the audience is very valuable. People must have sacrificed something else to be at that event. Hence, their time must be treated with respect. The moment they feel their time is being wasted, their minds will wonder off to all other valuable things they could have been doing instead.

•MCs help to protect the audience's mood: when the audience is in a good mood, the event is a success already.

On the other hand, if the audience is grumpy, the event is ruined. So, the MC ensures that they remain in high spirit by creating great expectation for each programme.

•MCs preserve the audience's attention: attention is the currency of public speaking. The more attention you command, the richer you are. Hence, the MC ensures that the audience remains attentive to every programme. One of the several ways to do this is to provide a recap of major programmes.

•MCs ensure a speaker's success: a smart speaker should realise that if all the above points are achieved, a perfect platform has been created for his presentation. What better audience should one pray for than the one that is attentive, in a good mood and knows that the event organisers are good time managers? The speaker should simply build on this foundation.

•MCs save speakers from embarrassment: while a speaker sees only his presentation and the audience, the MC is "all seeing". While the speaker knows only about the last discussion he had with the organisers before he began his presentation, the MC is "all knowing". The MC sees both the scene and behind-the-scenes. The MC knows of all modifications to the programme, unforeseen circumstances that have come up, new decisions by the organisers and even audience's complaints. A good speaker should work with the MC to avoid embarrassment. In the story of Professor Val, the audience reacted with murmurs when he spoke sharply to the MC because they believed the MC was representing their interest. A wise speaker must see the MC as one of his major audience.

I look forward to hearing more from you on what you learnt from Professor Val. I will also love to attend to your questions. Don't miss next week. Have a blessed weekend.

Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

54

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08158604763

Save us from rom this mess, motorists beg Ambode

L

AGOSIANS have beamoaned the heavy traffic which has locked down the city in the past few days, calling on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to clear the mess.

Traffic on Third Mainland Bridge, Airport Road, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Mile2-Badagry Expressway, Ikorodu Road, LagosAbeokuta Expressway, and Agege Motor Road among others has been terrible since Saturday.

Motorists, who live on Ikorodu Road, said traffic in the area became bad over a week ago, and got worse last weekend.

The traffic seems to have been compounded by truck drivers, who took over Western Avenue, the major alternative route into Apapa, parking their vehicles on the road from Iponri end of the bridge.

They besieged the road, the only access to Apapa Quays and Liverpool, where many of the tank farms are, in order to load petroleum products and pick their cargoes.

Those that had picked their cargoes were said to have parked on the road because of the order restricting their movement between 6am and 9pm.

At Ilasamaja bus stop on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, traffic stretched as far as Cele Bus stop.

Some policemen were seen trying to decongest the traffic, but zoomed off after their vehicles were free from the tangle.

Hundreds of commuters were stranded including school pupils.

Commercial buses jacked up fare by between 50 and 100 percent.

For instance, they charged N100 from Ilasamaja to Iyana-Isolo as against N50.

The traffic that built up as early as 5am saw some commercial bus drivers coming from Mile 2 plying one-way.

They faced those coming from Oshodi and Airport Road.

Some vehicles including cars, trailers, and commercial buses broke down, compounding the situation.

Many vehicles were also trapped in the craters on the road.

A commercial bus driver, Joseph, otherwise known as Omo Baba BRT, blamed the bad road for the traffic.

“I have been in this traffic for over two hours; how do I make delivery for the day with this heavy traffic? I don’t know what time I will

By Vivian Anaba

A

23-YEAR-OLD man, Yusuf Adeola, has been arraigned before an Ogba Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ikeja, for allegedly stealing two bottles of exotic wines on his birthday.

According to prosecuting police Inspector N. Essien, Adeola allegedly stole two bottles of Rose Mort Chandon drink valued at N20,600 on September 20, at 11:30 am, from Bazaar Supermarket at Ade Akinsanya Street in Ilupeju, Lagos.

Inspector Essien said the offence contravened Section 285(7) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the one count charge and was granted N50,000 bail with one surety in the like sum by Magistrate E. Kubeinje.

The magistrate ordered that the surety must have a means of livelihood, provide evidence of tax payment and a verifiable address.

She adjourned the case till October 6.

•The gridlock along Apapa/ Oshodi Expressway

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe and Tajudeen Adebanjo

get to Oshodi, talkless of returning for another turn.

This is crazy,” he said.

Another commercial bus driver, John Chukwudi, said he doubted if he could make two of the three trips he was expected to make.

“It is over two-and-a-half hours that I have left Mile 26am. Can you imagine that?

Government needs to quickly fix this road before things get worse,” Chukwudi said.

A trader, Mrs Idayat Mukaila, said she spent seven hours in traffic between Iponri and Dopemu, on Sunday.

A transportation expert, Mr Patrick Adenusi, urged the government to relieve motorists and commuters of their burden.

Adenusi, the Founder of Safety Without Borders (SWB), a non-governmental organisation, said the Apapa-Oshodi expressway which has collapsed must be rehabilitated to ease the people’s pains.

He said: “If this road is motorable, it would go a long way in reducing the pains of the motoring public and make the traffic scenario manageable.”

The failure of the road, he

Teenager pours hot water on mistress

By Precious Igbonwelundu

•Motorists plying one-way to evade the gridlock

•A man checking his faulty car

said, warranted the truck drivers to use the only alternative route into Apapa adding that because the road was not built to take such pressure, it is becoming impos-

My husband ‘fingers’ our daughters, says woman

A

WOMAN, Mrs Adenike Dossou, has accused her husband of “fingering” their children while giving them a bath.

Mrs Dossou, a civil servant, who is seeking the dissolution of her 12-year-old marriage to Segun Dossou, an Immigration Officer, at a Lagos Island Customary Court, said her husband always volunteered to bath their children while she handled the cooking.

“I was shocked when our first daughter told me that she is growing and didn’t like what her dad did to her,” she said.

Mrs Dossou said on three occasions, she didn’t find her husband beside her at night, adding whenever she

Man ‘steals’ wine on his birthday

By Basirat Braimah

searched for him, she saw him sleeping beside their children.

She said: “I scolded him and asked if he wanted to ruin our children’s life but he didn’t respond. I am in support of the dissolution because I know he wants our children in his custody to continue his misdeeds.”

Mrs Dossou added that the only thing her husband is interested in is charm adding that there were times he wouldn’t go to work but he gets paid.

“I went with him to Cotonou to seal our union in their registry. I was just signing documents; I don’t know what was written in the papers. I

don’t love him anymore and I don’t want to give my girls to live with him,” she said.

Mr Dossou, 39, said their marriage troubles started when his wife got a job.

“She is a thief, she steals government’s property. She brought cement and coal tar home. It was her attitude that made us fight and she left me.

I just want our daughters.

I don’t love or need her anymore,” he said.

The marriage produced three children between ages 8, 10 and 12.

The president, Chief Awos Awosola, advised them to be very careful with their utterances and adjourned the case till October 7 for judgment.

PHOTOS: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

•Another one pushing his car

sible to soak in the pressure coming from the sheer number of trucks now using it.

A Surveyor, Mr Olajide Adeyemo, described the heavy traffic as a major challenge which Ambode must tackle.

Adeyemo, who noted that the traffic snarl on Western Avenue, especially on Malu Road and the Apapa axis, had lasted for over 48 hours, said it was worrisome that such could be happening in a megacity like Lagos.

Group greets Buhari, Tinubu

•Tinubu

T

HE Likeminds, a nongovernmental organisation, has greeted President Muhammadu Buhari, Lagos

State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of the Eid-El-Kabir.

A statement by its State Coordinator, Comrade Shina Oyedokun, urged Nigerians to live in peace.

“We also greet Vice President Yemi Osibajo, Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Adebule, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Hon. Babatunde Adedoyin and Seye Oladejo,” Oyedokun said.

T

HE police have rearraigned a 17year-old girl before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly bathing her employer with hot water.

She was said to have poured the hot water on Dupe Agba, while she was asleep in her house on Osho Street, Lagos Island, on September 14.

The teenager is standing trial on two counts of assault and causing grievous bodily damage under Sections 171 and 243 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos.

Prosecuting police Inspector Philip Osijale said the defendant committed the offence a day after she was employed by the victim.

Osijale said the defendant boiled water and monitored her boss until she slept off and then poured it on her.

He alleged that the defendant told the police she committed the offence intentionally to teach the woman a lesson.

The assault, he said, caused the woman injury on her chest, hands and other parts of her body.

Osijale said the victim was still undergoing treatment.

The suspect pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate W. Balogun granted her N100,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

She adjourned the matter till October 6, for mention.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 2015

55

COMMENTARY

“I

ndeed, only Allah knows the Hour (of silence); He sends down the rain and knows what is contained in the wombs (of prospective mothers). No soul knows what it will earn tomorrow; no soul knows in what land it will die or be buried. Indeed, Allah alone is all-Knower and all-Acquainted”.

Q. 31:34.

It was like an earthquake penultimate Friday, September 11, 2015, when the global electronic media throbbed with the news of a crane accident that occurred (for the first time) within the premises of the sacred sanctuary (Haram) in Makkah. And its immediate effect forced the global tree of the pen profession to tremble down to its tap root.

It was another 9/11 day albeit with smaller scale. According to the toll figure, 134 mainly pilgrims, including six Nigerians, fatally fell victim of the accident. Three hundred and ninety four (394) others were seriously or partially hospitalised, following various degrees of injuries they sustained in that fortuitous accident.

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

A fateful Hajj

The breakdown of the victims as at the time of writing this article in Saudi Arabia is as follows: ISED

DEAD

Iranians 25 Bangladeshis 25 Egyptians 23 Pakistanis 15 Indonesians 11 Indians 11 Turkish 8 Malaysians 6 Nigerians 6 United Kingdom 2 Algerians Afghans

HOSPITAL15 51 42 15 21 10

•The scene of the accident victims. But here we are. Upon what else apart from destiny do we put the blame?

Why those victims and not some other people?

3 1 1

Natural Demarcation

The tragedy occurred three days after yours sincerely arrived in Madinah for Hajj 1436 AH.

Saudi Government’s Reaction The incident was the deadliest crane accident in human history. After visiting the site on Sunday, September 13, 2015, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia ordered an investigation into the tragedy and vowed to sanction the culprits.

He, immediately, suspended work on the site and announced the revocation of the contract handled by the popular Bin Ladin Construction Company and, a couple of days later, he ordered the payment of 1 million Saudi Riyals (N65 million) as compensation to each of the dead victims and SR 500000 (N30 million) to each of the injured and hospitalised victims.

Lamentations The fortuitous accident simply mirrored the fang of destiny and precipitated untold agony across the globe. This was followed by lamentations and wailings which only presented the semblance of medicine applied to the corpse of a lifeless body. The rest is a story not meant for today. Inna Lillah wa inna ilayhi raji‘un!

Irony of Life If life is said to be ironic this disturbing accident is a confirmation of that assertion. Or how can one explain the situation of a journey that took millions of Muslims to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage from various countries of the world. What is more ironic about it is that the area of the Haram where the accident occurred is almost exclusive as only a few pilgrims have business there. To what else then could such an accident be attributed other than destiny? Such accident did not occur at densely populated areas, such as King Abdul Aziz entrance. It did not occur at Babus-Salam through which most pilgrims prefer to enter the Haram. It did not occur at the Ka‘bah where hundreds of thousands of people were circumambulating.

It did not occur between Safa and Marwah where male and female pilgrims struggle for space in their trot in service to Allah. It rather waited for those Mutawwifin to complete their Tawaf and step out of the Haram. If that accident had occurred at any other place in Saudi Arabia outside Makkah and Madinah some people would have put the blame on impatience or carelessness on the part of the

The demarcation between life and death is like the diaphragm between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It takes only the grace of Allah for that diaphragm to sustain the natural but mysterious demarcation that keeps man intact until the otherwise happens.

Death, like birth, is a divinely scheduled programme in the life of man. It is a phenomenon specially shrouded in mystery.

The circumstances that precede death are beyond the predictions or permutations of man. They cannot be foretold except by sheer deception. Every soothsayer will die with his soothsaying and no atom of the world will feel his exit. Kings die as much as slaves. Masters die as much as servants.

And all together will lie helplessly beneath the earth without distinction.

Because of its invisibility death is known only to the living as no dead person ever knows what has happened to him even as he cruises ahead in his dream-like sojourn to an unknown destination. The painful lamentations that follow the death of a person by his relatives and associates can never remedy that natural occurrence.

Times and places may be different, but we shall all join the train of death one day.

multiples sometimes at the same hour and at the same place even if they never knew one another. We only ignorantly move about in our individual coffins of life and behave as if the pendulum of death has nothing to do with us. And when the unexpected occurs the remembrance of whence we emanated or wither we are bound is completely lost on us.

The terrestrial planet called the earth is nothing but one big graveyard in which billions, even trillions of people, had been buried through the millennia. There is no single piece of land (even one foot) on earth that has not served as a grave in which remains of human beings have been buried. Yet the same earth keeps beckoning to us in drones, indicating that she still has space in abundance for those whose time is up for transiting from life to death. And as we had no say in the choice of the mothers who piloted us into this world so we have no say in the choice of that portion of the earth that will pilot us into the hereafter. Our world is a transit along the unknown journey that transforms us from the living to dead. The choice of place and time of where death will occur are determined only by the Supreme Being who created us and will ask us for the account of our existence on this earth.

Experience

From the very first day of conception in the mother’s womb, a parable has occurred in the life man. That parable is of a coffin.

When a child is perfectly pearled in the womb of a mother, it hardly occurs to anybody that what we generally call pregnancy is a coffin in which the child lives all alone to enjoy the naturally provided facilities. While there, he knows neither the source of those facilities nor his next destination. But when he is eventually delivered into the world he feels ejected from the home of pleasure and cries out profusely in protest. Yet, it is that cry that gives assurances and comfort to those who usher him into the world.

Were an unborn baby to have a choice on whether or not to exit from its mother’s womb it would have preferred to stay put.

But if the baby did not exit from its mother’s womb, how would it enjoy the pleasurable bounties of this world? This is the scenario which Nigeria’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, gave a deep thought in the introduction to his autobiography (My Odyssey) when he wrote thus: “Man comes into the world and while he lives, he embarks upon a series of activities absorbing experience which enables him to formulate a philosophy of life and to chart his causes of action; but then, he dies; nevertheless, his biography remains a guide for those of the living who may need guidance either as a warning on the vanity of human wishes or as an example or both....”.

Incidentally, Dr. Azikiwe was a journalist.

The ever expanding earth

Inseparable Web

Parable of Coffin

Yes, the world, in the eyes of sheer mortal beings, is quite large but it remains a coffin for everybody as its large size is only to enable it to accommodate as many humans as possible which a woman’s womb cannot contain. Even as small as the womb of a mother is it sometimes accommodates two or three or four or even more children to confirm the concept of coffin in which man lives.

Just as twins or triplets or quintets are born on the same day, from the same womb and into the same hands so do people randomly die in singles or doubles or

Death is the inseparable web of life from which no man can escape. The time, the place and the mode are the factors that make it a mysterious phenomenon.

Whenever we are inside or outside our residences we must be conscious that we are in a coffin. Whenever we are in a vehicle, in an aircraft, in a ship or a train, we must not forget that we are in a coffin. If that coffin has not been closed on us it is only because the time is not yet ripe for death to lay its icy hand on us. There is no armour against death. That is why the Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an thus: “Say, verily, the death from which you are flee-

ing is bound to overtake you and then you will be brought back unto Him who knows all that is beyond the reach of human perception as well as all that cannot be witnessed by a creatures’ senses or mind, whereupon He will make you truly understand all that you were brought to do in life”. Q. 62: 8

Destiny Let no true believer ascribe the death of a person to another person or carelessness.

Death is only ascribable to destiny. The time to come into the world and exit from it is destined only by the Almighty Allah the Creator and Sustainer of all things. In Islam, the Angel of death is called ‘Asrail’.

That Angel does not work by whim. Its operation is in tandem with divinely appointed times. And if we were not consulted before coming into the world how can we expect to be consulted before exiting from it? The Angel of death has no respect for age, wealth or position. The activities or plans of man are not his concern. What matters to him is the duty which he is divinely assigned to carry out and when it is time to do that, he goes ahead to do it without looking back. In Islam, there is no untimely death and there is nothing like reincarnation. The difference between reincarnation and resurrection is that while the earlier is satanic the latter is divine.

As mortal beings we always find reasons for occurrences in our lives. And that shows the limit of our faith. Those of us who are still alive are neither wiser nor closer to God than those who died. The fact is just that our own coffins have not yet been closed up. When it is time for that, nobody can stop it. Once again, Nigeria has been afflicted by a calamity which no one can reverse or remedy. Inna Lillah wa inna ilayhi rajiu’n. We are surely from God and to Him we shall all return.

Among the countries and prominent religious groups that commiserated with the victims’ families and associates are the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Nigerian government, Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) the Jama‘atu Nasril Islam, Muslim Ummah of the Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) and a host of others from all parts of the world. Their messages signed

by Professor Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede and Professor D. O. S. Noibi are as follows respectively.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of its President General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Dr. Muhammad Sa‘ad Abubakar, received with deep grief and sorrow, the news of the crane accident in Makkah which claimed the lives of 118 pilgrims of different nationalities. About 394 others were seriously injured and hospitalised.

Coming to add to the grief inflicted on the world by terrorism and insurgency, such a disturbing incident could only amount more agony for the entire world.

The irony of life in this case is that destiny cannot be evaded by any human being despite any level of carefulness.

While commiserating with the families of all the deceased and the peoples of their nations we can only pray the Almighty Allah to repose the souls of the victims in eternal bliss and grant their relatives the fortitude with which to bear the grief.

We also invoke the mercy of the Almighty God to ensure a speedy recovery for those who were wounded in the accident and protect the lives of the teeming other Nigerian pilgrims still in Saudi Arabia for Hajj rites. ng them.

MUSWEN condoles Sad news is like a whirlwind which has neither a scheduled time nor place. Its overwhelming effect on man can hardly be measured in terms of agony or sorrow. Or how else can we describe the crane accident of last Friday at the Holy Land?

We also pray for speedy recovery of those who were injured in the accident and need intensive health care just as we praise the prompt actions groups and individuals who quickly rallied round the injured ones to ensure their survival. But we also implore all and sundry to intensify such efforts in order to avert further deaths through this calamitous incident.

Finally, we pray for continuous safety of all other journalists in the country as well as professionals in other fields who often face hazards in the performance of their service.

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10 NO. 3347

‘This is the cold hard truth that you’d pay to avoid. Covey and Tracy et al may not be frauds but Nigeria’s increasing band of psychobabblers constitute the worst form of fraud. The reason why these foetal-adults and lazybones thrive is because there is a strong demand from an audience desperate for the illusion they sell. You’ OLA TUNJI OL OLADE OLATUNJI OLOLADE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

ODAY, on the 26th anniversary of the passing on of my father, Joseph Olanrewaju Gbadegesin, and in appreciation of his acute understanding of the responsibility of parents to educate the children they bring into the world, I provide an update on my 30 months old piece on family involvement in education. It is a befitting tribute to a man who gave all for the education not just of his children, but also of close and distant relations.

My 2013 piece on Family Involvement in Education was part of a series on education in which I argued for the need to bet on our innocent children who we voluntarily choose to bring into the world. I submitted that we bet on them when we create a future that is worthy of them and the country which they in turn can be proud to call theirs.

I observed that we create that future by investing in their education from the cradle so that from the first time they open their eyes, they see a nation that cares and educates, just as they behold the love of an extended family of mother, father, siblings, uncles, aunties and grandparents who first welcome them with loving hands and cheerful faces.

The observation that it takes a village to raise a child is as African as the origin of the human race. This is why the entire neighbourhood and the web of extended family members take time to nurture the child because therein lies a bright future for all. But as our people also understand, there has to be a demarcation of ownership in a matter of joint property.

Parents have to take effective ownership of family responsibility in the education of their children. And this has always been our tradition even in the pre-colonial days when our focus was on practical education for skills that were considered essential for a successful life—farming, trading, crafts and family professions.

Parents secured apprenticeship for their children and developed good relationships with the masters training their kids. And when “western education” was introduced, in spite on their deficit in that area of knowledge, many parents understood that the future of their children was in the hands of the teacher and the school. So they got involved in various ways.

The moment I was conscious of being a human being with needs was the moment I noticed my father’s willingness to invest in my future with his taking interest in everything educational. That willingness was put to a stressful test in December 1957 when it appeared that I was going to stay at

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Parental involvement in education

home for at least one year after completing primary school. His wish for me to attend the newly- established Baptist High School, Shaki was thwarted because a trusted teacher had mishandled the application fees of all sixth graders in my school. There wasn’t going to be an alternative. But my father found a way out!

My dad and his friend, Pa Salawu Omotosho, the father of Iyabo Salawu (later Mrs. Ojeleye) decided to try their luck for their son and daughter respectively. They placed each of us on their bikes and rode to Ipapo, then Okaka, and back to Okeho, covering more than 20 miles. They had no luck as all the schools were fully enrolled! Their final hope was Baptist Secondary Modern School, Koso, Iseyin and with the help of his pastor, my father got both of us admitted. That was a moment of great joy for him and he made the most of it.

My father was fully involved in my education, never missing a Parent-Teacher Association meeting of my schools, and even

T

HIS piece was to be titled: “APC: 100 days of bickering” until the very last minute when it was changed to the one above. One has indeed been deeply troubled by the inability of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rise beyond the euphoria of snatching power from a ruling party; one is worried whether it is imbued with the mental strength to cut short the victory dance; whether it possesses the clarity of mind to determine that the electoral success was the easier part.

One worries silly about how to convince the new ruling party that the tough task ahead is to build this loose agglomeration (APC) into a formidable national structure that would not only outlive its illustrious founders, but achieve a reputable African persona like Mandela’s African National Congress, ANC. Today, all attention is focused on President Muhammadu Buhari; everyone has done all manner of jiujitsu on the president’s activity and inactivity in the 100 days since his inauguration. We have busied ourselves deifying and vilifying one man in equal measure while neglecting the crux of the matter.

We have allowed the APC drift away and recede into nothingness. After installing a man in the Presidential Villa, the ruling party has lapsed into an enclave of bickerers remorselessly hankering after political spoils. The same energy and aplomb deployed in vanquishing the erstwhile ruling Peoples Democratic Party

after I left the schools, he still attended those meetings. For his and his fellow parents, just as there are student alumni, there are parent alumni with responsibilities to be involved.

A self-taught reader and writer, dad was always proud when he would converse with me in English language in the presence of his friends. In my student days away from home, I always enjoyed reading his letters in what I thought then was an archaic, cursive writing until my children had to learn cursive in the elementary school in the United States.

I followed my father’s example almost to a fault. While he had no choice but to let me leave home for higher education, since there was no secondary school or secondary modern school in Okeho after my completion of the primary school, I had a choice, and my wife and I decided in favour of keeping our children close to us. All our children gained admission to the popular Unity Schools when those schools were supposed to be the best. But we decided that they would be better off with us if we were actively involved in their schooling.

We chose to be active in the Parent-Teacher Association of Moremi High School, IleIfe, a public school located on the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University. I served as the chairman for a couple of years. I knew that the school had dedicated workers led

by Deacon J. A. Ogunwuyi, who is now a proprietor of his own school. And of course, my children still tell tales of how hard it was for them in the house when they had to study for several hours a day.

The point is that a school is what its clientele make it and these include teachers, students and parents.

The literature on parental involvement in education is convincing. There is copious evidence that when the family is actively involved in the education of their children,

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com Twitter: @steve_osuji

•Columnist of the Year (NMMA)

APC: Still in the throes of victory RE: Ooni: Away with savage traditions

S

OME people took umbrage over the above boxed story on this page recently (August 14, 2015). One of such is the leader of the Oodua Liberation Movement (OLM). He has construed the piece to mean a disparaging of the tradition and race. But that is far from the truth.

There is no intention nor is there a motive whatsoever for one to do that. It would also be out of character for me to descend to such a level. The simple point one pursued in that article is that anywhere there is nary a hint of any violation of the human essence, we must condemn. In other words, it doesn’t matter whether it is in Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Benin or Kafanchan, we must protect and preserve our humanity. Imagine for a moment that twins are still cast into the evil forest as tradition demanded in those days in the Southeast and Southsouth Nigeria? Would we not condemn it and demand that it be done away with?

Some friends and associates have also informed me that the abobaku tradition was abolished since 1910 and nothing of such happens anymore.

(PDP) has been turned inwards.

This cannot be the change Nigerians vot-

ed for; APC as encapsulated today does not represent change and hope and a new be-

it has a positive influence on the achievement of the children not only in school but throughout life because it enables them not only to do well in examinations and earn good grades, but also to develop better social skills.

Initiating and nurturing family involvement in the education of children is a double-lane approach by parents and schools because there is a lot at stake for both, but certainly more for the parents. A school where accountability is taken seriously and where there are consequences for failure would leave no stone unturned in getting all hands on deck for successful students’ outcomes.

On the other hand, parents know that the future of their kids, and their own happiness and peace of mind are at stake. They therefore have a lot more reason to get involved. Careers are important, but as the elders remind us, the probability is very high that a child that is inadvertently left untrained and unskilled may end up destroying whatever legacy an illustrious career has succeeded in building. This is just as true of children that are spoilt on account of parental negligence.

Surely, not all parents have the patience, skills, or self-confidence that are essential to an effective involvement on all fronts. A parent may not be able to offer direct help for a child’s home work. This is where the entire family structure has to be deployed.

We take pride in our communal orientation. We create the phenomenon of aso-ebi.

And it has also been our tradition for community organisations to get involved in the education of their members. I recall with utmost gratitude the motivation and inspiration that I received from the Okeho Literary Progressive Union, which organised after-school tutorials, as my friends and I prepared for the Primary School Leaving Certificate examination in 1957.

The spirit of community engagement must be revived in all our villages, towns and cities. It is doable. What it requires is a new orientation that privileges the very idea of community which our urban-centred individualism has jettisoned. Then what one lacks, others can supply and together we can build a new coalition of committed family and community for the education of our children.

After 26 years, I believe that Olanrewaju has rested in perfect peace. His children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins are always appreciative of a life well lived.

Barka de Sallah!

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080 ginning. Nothing indeed seems to have changed and no lessons seems to have been learnt from the pernicious past of the PDP. One would have expected the APC to have moved swiftly upon winning the general election, to commence the process of consolidation and building of a formidable party. One expected party structures to have been erected like fortresses to give support and fillip to the new government.

APC has so far been unable to focus on the big picture and the long term. Instead the party has been riveted by positions and spoils are pursued with a short-term determinism. It is as if the party is on a oneterm spell. But very soon another election cycle will be with us. A party worth its name would begin its campaign from the first day in office with every of its action and activity.

Today, make no mistake about it, the state of the party is a reflection of its government. Since the party has remained unsettled, the governments both at the centre and states could hardly get off the ground 100 days after. Not only that the Federal Government could not form a government where one was needed urgently, the economy was forgotten entirely to the point that it began to slide into recession. Whither the party’s economic agenda or overriding political philosophy?

•Continued

on page 47

•For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

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Editor Daily:08111813080, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO