The Nation, September 27, 2011

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VOL. 7, NO. 1896 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

Jonathan to CJN: reform judiciary

THE AGENDA, BY LAWYERS Lawyers have urged Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Dahiru Musdapher to streamline his reform agenda. They have identified areas they think he should focus on in the short time he has to stay in the office.

Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) chair Joseph Daudu (SAN), former NBA chair Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN), Chief Rickey Tarfa (SAN), Chief Layi Babatunde (SAN), Mike Igbokwe (SAN), Chief Chris Uche (SAN), Emeka Ngige (SAN), Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) and Femi Falana identified issues he should address. They include: •Restoring the Bar/Bench relationship •Ensuring prompt disposal of cases •Re-instatement of Justice Salami by the NJC •Curbing corruption •Reviewing events of last 24 months •Preventing abuse of the right to file interlocutory applications •Initiating a Bill for the amendment of the Constitution to reduce the CJN’s powers •Ensuring sterner application of disciplinary measures on erring judicial officers

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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HIEF Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Dahiru Musdapher has got his job cut out for him. He should reform the judiciary and arrest the “widespread perception of a growing crisis of integrity” in the judicial arm of the government, the President said yesterday.

President Goodluck Jonathan spoke after swearing in Justice Musdapher as the 12th CJN at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Justice Musdapher was appointed on August 28 to replace, in acting capacity, erstwhile CJN Aloysius Katsina-Alu, who left in a hail of controversies that deepened the judiciary’s crisis of integrity.

Yesterday, he became the substantive CJN, following last week’s confirmation of his appointment by the Senate and the administration of the oath of office on him

by President Jonathan.

Justice Musdapher, 69, will spend 11 months in office as he is due to reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 on July 15, next year.

He is coming into office at a time the judiciary is enmeshed in crises.

The President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami, is on suspension, following his disagreement with Justice Katsina-Alu over the Sokoto election petition tribunal judgment. His suspension infuriated the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), which pressed the National Judicial Council (NJC) to reverse the action.

Continued on page 4

N150.00

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•Justice Musdapher taking the oath of office ... yesterday .

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

‘

A much bigger challenge is to be traced to Your Lordship’s reference ... to the widespread perception of a growing crisis of integrity within the judiciary. This is •Can Musdapher something that reform the judiciary should be carefully SEE LAW, PAGES 27 & 29 addressed.

’

How to stop Boko Haram bombings, by panel Committee knocks security agencies for rivalry

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•Vice President Sambo

HE intelligence community got a bad report card yesterday.

The Presidential Committee on Security challenges in the Northeast, otherwise called the Boko Haram Committee, submitted its final report to the Federal Government, delivering a scathing verdict – Intelligence failed.

The committee noted that there was no effective and co-ordinated intelligence gathering and deploy-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

ment to forestall crime.

Besides, it listed operational lapses, service rivalry, under-funding and lack of collaboration as part of the problems of the security agencies.

The committee blamed the crises on poverty, unemployment, existence of private militias and the extra-judicial killing of Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf and some members of the sect by secu-

rity agents.

Besides, it identified weak governance and failure to deliver services, even as huge resources accrue to state and local governments.

The committee advised the government to consider dialogue and negotiation, which should be contingent upon the renunciation of all forms of violence and surrender of arms.

The committee also suggested

another committee with wider powers and increased membership to handle the assignment within a reasonable time frame.

This view, the committee stated, is based on the comments, suggestions and counsel of many concerned individuals and the fact that the group has shown interest in dialogue with the government.

Already, Boko Haram has indiContinued on page 4

•ENERGY P13 •SPORT P23 •PROPERTY P25 •AVIATION P38 •POLITICS P51

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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NEWS Sali is Head of Service

Salami’s suit: Judge calls for caution

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

•Musdapher seeks Akeredolu’s joinder •Suit adjourned till Oct 18 authorities, argued that issues bor-

J

USTICE Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, cautioned parties in the

suit filed by the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami against the National Judicial Council (NJC), former Chief Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, and nine others.

These include the Acting CJN and Chairman of NJC, Justice Dahiru Musdapher; members of the NJC’s Fact-Finding Committee- Justice Umaru Abdullahi; Justice Emmanuel Ayoola; Justice Dominic Edozie; Justice Michael Akpiroroh and Mrs. Rakia Sarki Ibrahim.

The rest are members of the NJC Review Committee Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta; Justice Kate Abiri; and Justice Peter Umeadi.

Specifically, Justice Okorowo warned lawyers, the public and the media against making inciting comments that may be prejudicial to the proceedings.

The warning was in response to an observation by counsel to the NJC, Mr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who complained that members of the NBA were conducting rallies and inciting the public against the court.

Following the observation, the Judge invited the Plaintiff’s counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN) and counsel to the defendants into his chamber for a brief meeting, After the meeting, Justice Okorowo declared: “The bar, the media and the public should not allow themselves to be used to ridicule the

From: Kamarudeen Ogundele and Ifeoluwa Ojo, Abuja

nation’s judiciary”.

Judiciary, he said, is the bastion of justice and helps to maintain peace and order in society.

Failure to heed the warning, the Judge said ,will attract the necessary sanction against defaulters.

“This court is not oblivious of its power to punish for contempt in the circumstance that calls for it. The lawyers, the public and the press should not conduct themselves in a manner that will be prejudicial to the proceedings in this court”, Justice Okorowo added.

Counsel to Musdapher, Mr. Sam Ologunorisa (SAN) asked the court to hear an application seeking to join former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) in the suit.

Ologunorisa said Akeredolu must be joined in the suit since his chamber is the one handling Justice Salami’s case.

Corroborating his view, counsel to Katsina-Alu, Mr. Aloysius Nwosu (SAN), said “let us take joinder application first before taking application for jurisdiction filed by defendants holistically. Efficacy of any judgment is determined by giving all the parties fair hearing”.

Counsel to other defendants agreed that application for joinder be taken first before the preliminary objection is heard to allow all the parties air their views.

But Olujinmi citing a plethora of

dering on jurisdiction must be taken first, once raised.

“We should not stand the law on its head. Jurisdiction takes precedence over all proceedings”, he added.

After listening to the parties, Justice Okorowo reserved ruling and adjourned till October 18 for continuation of hearing.

In a motion brought under Order 56 Rule 1 of the Federal High Court (civil procedure) Rules, 2009 and the inherent jurisdiction of the court, Justice Salami is asking the court to nullify his suspension and subsequent appointment of Justice Dalhatu Adamu in acting capacity.

The Plaintiff wants the court to nullify or set aside any action or steps taken or being taken in implementation or further implementation of the said decision.

He is also asking the court to restore the status quo ante as at the date the said decision was taken by the NJC. In the writs filed by his lawyers, Justice Salami is asking for 15 reliefs, including a perpetual injunction restraining the NJC from acting on the reports of the Justice Umaru Abdullahi Fact-Finding Committee and the Justice Ibrahim Auta Review Panel.

According to Salami, the two panels have no right to determine whether he was guilty of perjury as they had imputed in their reports.

He contends that the Abdullahi and Auta committees are administrative panels that could not assume the status of a court.

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday approved the appointment of Alhaji Ingawa Bello Sali as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Alhaji Sali, who is a Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, takes over from Prof.

Oladapo Afolabi, who will retire on Thursday.

Monday is public holiday From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

•Justice Salami

Besides, he alleged that the Auta Panel gave him no right to fair hearing before making a pronouncement of guilt on him.

While the case was pending in court, the NJC at its 7th Emergency meeting attended by eight of the 24members suspended Salami following his refusal to tender apology in writing to it and the CJN. Following the recommendation, Jonathan approved an Acting President for the court “pending when all issues relating to the recent suspension of Justice Isa Ayo Salami are resolved”.

NLC rejects northern governors’ plan to ‘break Nigeria’

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HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday alleged moves by the northern governors to divide the country by imposing a different minimum wage on workers.

It, therefore, asked state councils of the NLC to reject the governors’ ploy.

In a statement, the Head, Information and Public Relations, of NLC Mr. Chris Uyot said all Nigerians must respect the National Minimum Wage no matter their state of origin because the workers are prepared to reject anything to the contrary.

His words : “ We call on state councils of the labour movement not to accept this ploy by the northern governors to balkanise the nation by imposing a different and less favourable minimum wage on workers.

“The National Minimum Wage Act is a national law that must be respected by employers and governments at all levels and paid to all workers in the federation, irrespective of state of origin. Anything to the contrary is a contravention of the Constitution and must be disallowed and roundly resisted by workers.”

Congress said it was tragic that the Northern governors were attempting to unilaterally repudiate the agreement they freely entered into with the labour movement, and thereby violate the National Minimum Wage Act, because of selfish and parochial interests.

The governors, said Uyot, should realise that the refusal to obey an agreement they entered into in writing, is not only the height of irresponsibility,

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

but an invitation to anarchy.

He claimed that at their recent meeting, the Governors of the 19 Northern states under the auspices of the Northern Governors’ Forum resolved that the issue of wage increase was not part of the National Minimum Wage Act. Accordingly, the Governors intend to pay the minimum wage not across board, but to only those on grade levels 01 – 04.

“This distorted and misleading interpretation of the National Minimum Wage Act is not only atrocious but a betrayal of the thrust of the Agreement signed by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum with the Labour Movement on July 19, 2011, of which the Northern governors were well represented. For the avoidance of doubt and to expose the treachery of the Northern governors, clauses three and four of the Agreement state: “Detailed negotiations on salary across board will be done with a view to effecting payments by August 2011, while modalities for payment of the minimum wage will be worked out according to peculiarities of each state. “ The 36 states agree that the effective date for the implementation of the new minimum wage shall not be later than 1st August 2011, provided that any worker who earned less than the N18, 000 between 1st April and the effective date of the implementation of the new wage shall be paid arrears of the difference.”

NIGERIA INVESTMENT SUMMIT IN NEW YORK

•Economic and Financial CrimesCommission (EFCC) chair Mrs Farida Waziri with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the just concluded Nigeria Investment Summit in New York, USA

•Senior Adviser on Foreign Relations to Delta State Governor, Mr Oma Djebah and Blair also at the Summit.

THE Federal Government has declared Monday, October 3, as public holiday to commemorate the nation’s 51st Independence anniversary.

Minister of Interior Comrade Abba Patrick Moro, in a statement said: “on behalf of President, Goodluck Jonathan I wish to use this medium to urge all Nigerians to continue to fervently pray for enduring peace and progress in the country.”

He wished all Nigerians a blissful celebration.

Two Nigerians held with heroin TWO Nigerians, including a graduate of management studies, were arrested with heroin worth around Rs.1.2 crore they were trying to send back to Nigeria, the Indian police said yesterday.

Richard Nwafor, 38, (the management graduate), and Chris Chinonye, 32, were arrested from Gole Dakhana in Central Delhi on Saturday while they were booking a parcel to Nigeria, the police said.

UK to assist Nigeria strengthen visa ties BRITISH Minister of Immigration Dr. Damain Green has pledged his country’s support towards strengthening of Immigration/ Visa ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Green gave the assurance yesterday when he visited Minister of Interior Comrade Abba Patrick Moro in his office in Abuja.

According to a statement from the office of the minister, Green said: “Great Britain is willing and ready to assist Nigeria in the areas of mutual interest to both countries.

Anyim, Anya, others speak on FoI Act today TOP government functionaries, officials of state and local governments and millennium development agencies are converging on Abuja today for a two-day workshop on the Freedom of Information (FOI) Law. Also expected to join the brainstorming session billed for the Reiz Continental Hotel in Abuja are representatives of the business community, the financial sector and the media, as well as the various anti-corruption agencies.

They are to brainstorm on how the FoI Act could be made to strengthen the anti-corruption crusade and check corporate fraud in the country.

The event, with the theme: The Freedom of Information Act 2011 and the Fight Against Corruption and Corporate Governance” is being organised by the Public Administration and Management Development Institute (PAMDI).

It will be chaired by Prof Anya O. Anya, a founding DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG). The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim is the executive guest of honour.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

NEWS

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Chief Imam of Lagos State Alhaji Ibrahim Garuba Akinola, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr Ade Ipaye, former Lagos State Commissioner for Environment Dr Muiz Banire and others during the Lagos State Judiciary special service for the opening of the 2011/2012 Legal Year at the Lagos Central Mosque ... yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

•From Left: Chairman, Miragate Ltd, Mr Ike Ebo; Group Managing Director, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Chief Emmanuel Ukpabi and President, Dangote Gruop, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, tasting bread made from 10 per cent Composite Cassava Flour, at a Cassava Value Chain meeting of the Minister of Agriculture with Chief Executives of Flour Milling Companies in Nigeria, in Abuja ... yesterday PHOTO: NAN

How to stop Boko Haram bombings, by committee Continued from page 1

cated its desire to dialogue with such a committee, stressing the inclusion of the Sultan of Sokoto or his representative as well as the Emir of Bauchi and Sheik Abubakar Gero Argungu.

The Committee, which was inaugurated on August 2 by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, was to identify the faces behind Boko Haram (Western education is a sin) and their grievances.

It was also to create a forum for suggestions that will guide the government on the desirability or otherwise of negotiating with the sect, which has claimed responsibility for the bombings in the North.

The report was presented at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, by the Chairman of the Committee, Ambassador Usman

Galtimari.

Other causes of the crisis identified by the committee include high level of poverty and illiteracy; massive unemployment of youths, private militias that were established, funded and used by politicians and individuals and then dumped after having been trained to handle arms and presence of almajiris who together with those mentioned above could easily be used as canon-fodders to ignite and sustain crisis.

There are, also, *Influx of illegal aliens resulting from porous and unmanned borders, and inciting preaching by some religious leaders.

Receiving the report, Vice President Namadi Sambo assured members of the committee that the government will implement its recommendations to the letter, saying it would not be “business as usual”.

He also said this adminis-

tration has set aside a huge amount of money for job creation in the budget, which is an indication of its desire to tackle youth unemployment.

The vice president also said a survey conducted by the government on almajiri indicated that about 9.5million of them exist in the North.

The government, he said, is working on putting them in boarding schools; adding that the second phase of the programme worth over N4bn was approved last week.

“We are committed to ensuring that lives and property of Nigerians are secured,” Sambo said.

In arriving at its report, the Committee said it visited all the states in the Northeast and held interactive sessions with governors, traditional rulers, community, religious and opinion leaders on the immediate and remote causes of the Boko Haram siege. It also visited Kano, Kaduna,

Sokoto, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory.

The report states: “On the part of the security forces, there are palpable operational lapses, services rivalry, under-funding, under-equipment and lack of collaboration. In addition, governments have failed to deliver justice and bring immediate relief to victims of the crisis.

The committee recommended that government at all levels should, as a matter of priority initiate and design appropriate programmes to address unemployment in the zone”. “The committee is of the view that the ongoing trial of police officers linked to the murder of Mohammed Yusuf, the sect leader and some of his followers, should be expedited and publicised to convince the public of government’s sincerity on the matter.”

“The committee discovered that there was a general fail-

ure of effective and coordinated intelligence gathering and its deployment to forestall events with undesirable consequences. In this direction, there is no high-level security network/forum (outside the statutory national security institutions) that will enable an informal meeting between Mr. President and the governors as well as other top-level security stakeholders. The lack of an institutional structure/arrangement to primarily cater for inter-religious affairs to promote harmonious co-existence confounded the problems. Most importantly, the committee was inundated with series of complaints that the increasing level of in security in the country was amongst other reasons due to the failure of governments to implement reports of various committees that were constituted and had submitted useful recommendations in the

Jonathan told the CJN that the most urgent task before him (CJN) is ensuring the sustenance of respect for the law.

The Judiciary, he said, has a sacred duty to help ensure stability within the polity through the promotion of the rule of law, strict guardianship of the Constitution and constant and unfailing application of the principles of justice.

The President promised to personally liaise with the National Assembly to support constitutional amendments necessary to further ensure the independence of the Judiciary and improve its efficiency.

He assured Justice Musdapher of his administration’s support for the CJN’s reform initiative.

Besides, efforts will be made to liaise with the governors to ensure that the judiciary in the states is adequately provided for as required by the Constitution.

The President said: “Your Lordship, it is the expectation of the general public that as you assume office, the judiciary will remain totally committed to the cause of justice.

“It is equally expected that your Lordship will, at all times, particularly in the course of your service as the head of our nation’s judiciary, protect and uphold the rule of law, respect and observe due process, ex-

hibit great character and learning in the discharge of this sacred responsibility which God has placed on your shoulders.

“And more importantly, inspire the confidence of the general public in the administration of Justice.

“It is my hope that your Lordship will steer the ship of the Nigerian Judiciary to the best of your ability at this moment when our dear nation and the Judiciary especially, is faced with daunting challenges.

“There is no doubt about the need to embark on comprehensive reforms in the Judiciary to enhance capacity, efficiency, and productivity as well as the perception and confidence of the general public in the ability of the judiciary to dispense justice.

“The judiciary has a sacred duty to help ensure stability within the polity through the promotion of the rule of law, strict guardianship of the Constitution, and constant and unfailing application of the principles of justice.

“To my mind, a vibrant judiciary, fulfilling its essence as the Third Estate of the Realm, acts as a restraining influence on the likely excesses of the Executive. It also provides a signal to all men that while their rights would be protected under the law, no form of impunity or wanton recklessness will be tolerated under the same laws. The fundamental

value of the judiciary thus lies in the manner in which it builds a tradition of respect for the law.

“Your Lordship, the most urgent task, with regard to the judiciary at this time, is to protect and ensure the sustenance of that tradition of respect for the law.”

The President went on: “Political questions are now increasingly being resolved by the courts, a general awareness of the place of the courts as the last hope of the common man seems to be on the rise. This is an encouraging development.

“In many ways, the judiciary is proving to be a pillar of our Constitutional democracy; its potentials and value are well advertised. But it is also, I must say, a judiciary that is faced with a lot of problems; in its relative success lies many unanswered questions, challenges and opportunities for fresh learning and reform.

“The wheel of justice, for example, still grinds rather slowly, although many laudable efforts have been made to correct this. There are questions also about the quality and efficiency of the administration of justice with regard to procedures. This year, I had signed the Evidence Act and the Legal Aid (Amendment) Act as an indication of our preparedness to support all efforts to enhance the dispensation of justice. We are prepared to continue to collaborate with

the judiciary and the legislature to do everything possible to upgrade the performance of the judiciary as an institution.

“However, a much bigger challenge is to be traced to Your Lordship’s reference at a recent public occasion to the widespread perception of a growing crisis of integrity within the judiciary.This is something that should be carefully addressed.

“The reputation of judges, the public perception of their commitment and integrity, is central to the efficacy of the courts to uphold the law and dispense justice. Judges are expected to be impartial, independent-minded and fair to all concerned. A partisan judge compromises his or her oath of office and acts unfairly. A corrupt judge disgraces the Bench on which he or she sits and the title that he wears. Judges should have power, and they do, but just as the Executive and the Legislature must not abuse their powers, judges are also expected to be above board.

“Your main task, therefore, should be to further enhance the dignity of the courts, for on that foundation rests the integrity of our Constitutional Democracy. Every one of us must wake up every morning, confident that the judges of Nigeria will always protect our freedoms.

“My expectation is that all judges, whatever be their title

Bomb scare forces shift of Call to Bar venue

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Jonathan to CJN: reform judiciary Continued from page 1

past.”

The committee’s recommendations include: •dialogue and negotiation which should be contingent upon the renunciation of all forms of violence and surrender of arms to be followed by a rehabilitation programme; •informal forum at the highest level, where Mr. President will discuss national security issues with governors and other stakeholders from time to time; *strengthening means of creating avenues for international intelligence sharing and inter-agency cooperation through diplomatic channels/pacts; and •compensation of victims.

•Dr Jonathan

or rank, will cooperate with the Chief Justice of Nigeria to make his tenure successful. Infighting, personality clashes, and needless acrimony within the judiciary can only serve the unwanted purpose of bringing the entire institution to ridicule. Nigerian judges themselves must see the need to set their institution on a path of renewal.

“On the part of the executive, we pledge to make ourselves available and ready to partner with your Lordship on how to make the judiciary more efficient and inspire the generality of our citizens to become more confident about the capacity of the judiciary to do justice to all men.”

The President decorated Justice Musdapher with a red and green sash after confering him with the national award of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Nigeria (GCON).

The GCON is the second highest ranked national award reserved for the heads of the Judiciary and the legislature.

HE threat of Boko Haram attack has forced the Nigerian Law School to move the venue of this year’s Call to Bar to the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.

The Call to Bar – an annual induction of new lawyers – is traditionally held at the Law School in Bwari, in the Federal Capital Territory.

This year’s event is slated for October 5.

Head of Information Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Mr Chinedu Ukekwe confirmed the shift of venue from the school to ICC in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.

He said the change of venue was initiated by the management of the school to ensure the security of lives.

Ukekwe noted that “there are many porous gardens within the premises of the school and such gardens could deter security.’’

He said the Call to Bar programmes had always been in Bwari “but the issue of insecurity in the country has changed the location.’’

He said the level of insecurity in the country is a thing of major concern to every citizen.

Mohammed Umar, the police chief in Bwari was not available to comment on the issue.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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NEWS Yuguda appoints 1,070 aides From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

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AUCHI State Governor Isa Yuguda has appointed 1,070 political

aides.

The appointments take immediate effect.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Ahmed Ibrahim Dandija said the appointees include 24 directors-general, 20 special advisers, 94 senior special assistants, deputy chairmen for the 20 local government caretaker committees, and 20 secretaries for the councils.

Among those who have returned to the Yuguda administration are Abdulmumini Kundak, who is the DirectorGeneral, Special Assignment and Duties; and Kabiru Baba Maji, Director-General, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation.

Others include: Dr Musa Mu’azu Badara, now Director-General, Monitoring and Evaluation of Higher Education; and Isa Kufai, formerly Toro Local Government Chairman, now Director-General, Abuja Liaison Office.

Former Commissioner for Water Resources, Bukata Bukar Bayero, is a Special Adviser; and former Senior Special Assistant on Media, Ahmed Yerime, is a Special Adviser with portfolio yet to be assigned.

The governor also appointed 810 special assistants and four members each for 18 local government caretaker committees.

Alkaleri and Ganjuwa local governments have been assigned five special assistants each.

CAN raises alarm over insecurity From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

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HE Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday raised the alarm over rising insecurity and serial killings in the state.

It urged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Its Secretary, the Rev. Yunusa Sabo Nmadu Jnr., who addressed reporters in Kaduna, said the association was worried about the discovery of a terrorists’ training camp in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Nmadu said: “The CAN in Kaduna State is troubled at the spate of insecurity and serial killings being perpetrated by unknown persons in the state.

“The discovery of a purportedly terrorists camp in Toro, Bauchi State, at the weekend, is of great concern, particularly with the confessions made by the suspects, who said after their training, Southern Kaduna is their final destination and place where they would carry out attacks.

“Security agencies and the Kaduna State Government must swing into action and unravel the issues regarding serial attacks in the state as well as bring to book all those involved in organising the killings and their sponsors.

Our take is based on the confessions of the suspects arrested in Bauchi State.”

Police parade 40 suspected rapists, robbers in Kano T HE Kano State Police Command yesterday paraded five suspects for alleged rape and indecent assault on minors.

One of the victims, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, was allegedly lured by the rapists, who pretended to be directing her to her primary place of assignment.

The command also paraded 28 suspected armed robbers.

Addressing reporters in Kano, Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris said three oth-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

er suspects were arrested for allegedly luring unsuspecting persons into their “commercial” vehicles, and then robbed robbed their victims of belongings in the vehicles.

The police chief said his officers recovered three vehicles and N90,000 cash from the suspects, adding that 22 vehicles of various brands were recovered from the sus-

pected robbers.

Idris said the police also arrested a former councillor in Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State, identified as Mustapha, aka Mosquito, for allegedly snatching a KIA Sportage fourwheel drive, which he attempted to smuggle to Niger Republic.

He said the command also intercepted and recovered five automatic pistols, which were found in a 406

vehicle, while a suspect has been arrested in connection with the crime.

The police chief said an indigene of Katsina State, identified as Mani, was arrested for allegedly smuggling over 30 stolen vehicles into Niger Republic.

Idris said investigations revealed that most of the suspects connived with some unscrupulous car dealers.

He warned car dealers to desist from working with car snathers, saying they would be treated as accomplices to robbery.

Kwara: PDP closes defence with 18 of 111 witnesses T HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday closed its defence at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

The party succeeded in calling only 18 out of the 111 witnesses whose depositions had already been frontloaded before the tribunal.

It was gathered that the remaining witnesses opted out of the exercise as a result of gruelling drilling of earlier ones by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) counsel during cross examination.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

More than two thirds of the 18 PDP witnesses the PDP called made statements that contradicted the certified true copies of INEC documents used in the April 26 poll, such as the voters’ register, Form EC8A (result sheet for polling units) and Form EC8B (result sheet for ward levels).

The PDP is the third respondent in the petition while the ACN’s Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) filed before the

Governorship Election Petition Tribunal challenging the return of PDP’s Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed and his deputy, Peter Kishra.

A host of others who claimed to be either polling agents or ward supervisors signed conflicting signatures on Form EC8A, EC8B and their statements on oath, with ACN lawyers alleging that the witnesses were contracted to mislead the court.

At yesterday’s proceed-

ings, PDP counsel, Adebayo Adelodun (SAN), officially closed the party’s defence, saying they (the third respondent) could no longer find the remaining witnesses they planned to call.

The party had used only three of the five days allocated to it to disprove ACN’s allegation of widespread election rigging, including nonaccreditation, over-voting, and inflation of results, thuggery, and violence.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to open its own defence today.

Army chief denies aiding detainees’ escape •Court set to deliver judgment From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

THE former Brigade Commander of the 33 Artillery Brigade in Bauchi, Brig.-Gen. Muraina Raji, yesterday denied culpability in the escape of two detainees from Wetland Detention facility in Bauchi.

The Army officer is facing a three-count charge before the ongoing court martial set up to investigate his alleged role in the escape of the suspect under his custody.

Testifying as the principal witness, Raji said: “I gave orders to the Garrison Commander to detain the suspects. It was the soldier who let out the suspects and they have admitted liability to the crime.”

The prosecution and defence closed their cases at the weekend.

The case came to a close after the two parties had produced witnesses to prove their case.

The Court Marital inspected the detention facility in Bauchi for an assessment.

The team was led by the President of the Court, Major-General John Samuel Zaruwa.

Lagos begins legal year with prayers

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AGOS State judiciary began its 2010/2011 legal year with special religious services yesterday.

Judges were urged to pray to save the legal profession from being “bastardised.”

Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) led Moslem judges, magistrates and lawyers to the Central Mosque, Lagos Island; while the Chief Judge, Justice Inumidun Akande and the Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire led Christian judges and others to the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.

The services were held simultaneously.

A cake designed for the occasion was cut at the High Court, Igbosere, Lagos, to mark the beginning of the legal year.

The judges wore their ceremonial wigs and red gowns with flapping black waist bands to match. In the church and the mosque, they sat according to their seniority and marched out accordingly.

Justice Akande inspected a guard of honour mounted

•From left: The Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo; Lagos State Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Inumidun Enitan Akande; Justice Atilade A. Philips and others at the service in Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

By Joseph Jibueze

by men of the police, who clutched their rifles and thrilled the crowd with synchronised march-steps.

The Chief Judge said the state judiciary would continue to set the pace in justice administration, adding that more effort would be made to ensure swifter and fairer dispensation of justice.

According to her, two events – a novelty match and a walk-for-fitness - were called off due to the death the court’s Director of Accounts, Mrs Adesola Olufowobi, last week.

Bishop of Lagos and Arch-

bishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, Dr Adebola Ademowo, urged the judges to pray for the judiciary to be restored to its past glory.

He said: “Pray that the judiciary will not be bastardised and messed up in your own generation. Those before you did not mess it up.

Pray more. A lot of things are happening and they’re worrisome. There’s a need to fast and pray for God’s guidance, for God’s wisdom. There’s nothing wrong if you keep vigil.”

Lawyers spoke of their expectations in the new legal year. They stressed the need to restore public con-

fidence in the judiciary considering the crisis of confidence it is facing.

A professor of law, Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), said the National Judicial Council (NJC) leadership must correct the mistakes of the past.

He said: “Fortunately, we do not have the problem of perverse corruption in Lagos judiciary. But for other jurisdictions, particularly at the federal level, they should avoid the obvious unholy alliance between the executive and the judiciary, whereby things are sorted out in the homes of judges and executives. It’s unheard of.

“Then, they should look

into all the frictions that are going on. The new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, should see himself as a father of the nation. He should try and sort out all those grey areas, particularly allegations and counter-allegations about power abuse by the NJC, who should be members, its powers, and to what extend it should be exercised.

“It is only when lawyers have confidence in the judiciary that litigants will have confidence in the judiciary, otherwise, people will sort out their problems in other ways.”

Suswam seeks opposition’s cooperation

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ENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam, just back home from a twoweek working visit to the United States, has appealed to opposition parties to put behind them the election litigation and join his administration to develop the state.

Speaking at the IBB square Makurdi, during a reception organised for him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Suswam said the election petition has been won and lost.

Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

He said he would use his second term to create wealth through agriculture, health, education while also paying attention to the opening of more access roads to make transportation of farm produce easy.

The governor, however, vowed to deal with any one who constitutes a security threat to the peace and unity of the state. He warned parents not to allow their children to be used as thugs.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

6

NEWS DAY ONE OF ASUU WARNING STRIKE

Students, parents groan as lecturers ALL over the country, academic activities in universities were grounded as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began a one-week warning strike, report KAZEEM IBRAHIM (Uyo), YUSUFU IDEGU (Jos), OSAGIE OTEBOR (Benin), DAMISI OJO (Akure), BISI OLANIYI (Port Harcourt), TONY AKOWE (Kaduna), ADESOJI ADENIYI (Osogbo), UJA EMMANUEL (Makurdi) and AUSTINE TSENZUGHUL.

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ECTURE theatres were closed.

Students were seen playing football. And lecturers idled away their time. These were the sights in many universities across the country as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began its one-week warning strike yesterday. The situation is expected to remain the same till Friday unless the Federal Government implements its agreement with the union.

At the University of Uyo, students were seen in groups discussing their fate.

One of the students, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, appealed to the government to consider the plight of the teachers.

He said the federal authority should as a matter of urgency, implement the agreement it reached with the union three years ago in the interest of the students.

The chairman of ASUU-UNIUYO branch, Nwachukwu Anyim, said the strike action would be total.

Anyim said: “We urge you to remain resolute in this struggle to ensure that government implements the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement regarding funding, allowances, 70year retirement age for colleagues on the professional cadre, establishment of Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company.”

Lecturers at the three universities in Rivers State stayed away from classes. Visits to the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt and the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Port Harcourt show that hundreds of students have vacated their hostels, while some were seen in groups on the campuses, discussing the “unfortunate” development.

No lecturer defied the directive of the national leadership of ASUU, to ensure the full implementation of the 2009 Federal Government/ASUU agreements.

The lecture halls at the institutions were empty, while the campuses were also deserted.

ASUU’s Chairman at UNIPORT, Dr. Kinikanwo Anele, described the warning strike as total, having earlier fully mobilised the members.

Anele’s counterpart at RSUST, Dr. Felix Igwe, noted that since the nationwide strike was intended for the lecturers of the Rivers State Government-owned institution, it was fully supported.

Igwe added that demands of RSUST’s lecturers had not been met, with the 2009 agreements yet to be implemented at the university established in the second republic by the Melford Okilo’s administration.

The Chairman of ASUU at IAUOE, Dr. Ugochukwu Kysburn Agi, noted that all the members joined the strike, having been well mobilised earlier.

But students, parents and stakeholders yesterday, urged the Feder-

al Government to meet the lecturer’s demands, in order to quickly end the strike and move the education sector forward.

At the University of Benin and Ambrose Alli University, the lecture theatres were locked while students were seen playing football.

Some students who spoke to The Nation described the strike action as ‘very unnecessary’.

But the chairman of UNIBEN branch of ASUU, Dr. Anthony Monye-Emina, said the strike action was effective.

Dr. Monye-Emina said the National Executive Council (NEC) will meet on October 15 to determine the next line of action.

Chairman of the AAU branch of the union, Dr. Sunday Ighalo, also described the strike action as ‘total and comprehensive’ at AAU. Academic activities at the University of Jos were also at stand still yesterday.

Some lecturers at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, said they were observing the warning strike; others dissociated themselves from the directive issued by the ASUU national body.

There were no academic activities yesterday at the Federal Universities of Technology Akure(FUTA) and Adekune Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State.

When The Nation visited the AAUA, some students were seen discussing the development, while others were planning to travel out of the university community. But the students of FUTA were yet to resume from vacation.

Lecturers at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) also complied with the strike action ordered by their union’s national secretariat.

Lecturers at the institution boycotted classes while the students hung around the campus.

The first day of the one-week nation-wide warning strike, however, did not have much negative impact on the students who were just resuming for the 2011/2012 academic session.

The one-week warning strike took its toll on academic activities at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.

When The Nation went round the main campus at Yelwa, the usually bubbling university was deserted.

The Chairman, ASUU ATBU chapter, Dr Lawan Abubakar said after the warning strike, the union would give the Federal Government two more weeks and on October 15, there would be an emergency meeting of the NEC to review the situation.

Also, lectures at the Federal University of Agriculture (UAM) and the Benue State University in Makurdi, the Benue State capital yesterday complied with the one-week warning strike by the national body of their union.

PHOTO: YUSUFU AMINU

Govt: don’t panic over strike

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HE Federal Government yesterday urged Nigerians not to panic over the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Minister of Labour and Productivity Emeka Wogu said a meeting between government officials and ASUU last Thursday agreed that the strike will impact negatively on the nation.

He spoke to State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Wogu noted that both parties agreed that the 2009 agreement implementation committee be expanded.

The expanded committee according to him is to look into the issues that have militated against the implementation of

•Wogu

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

the 2009 agreement and come up with a position that will indicate the challenges of government or indicate the challenges being faced

by ASUU. “But what is most important is the state of the nation. Are we going to be able to take the challenges that will come with shutting the Universities, the answer is no and they believe that we should not go to that extent.

Because when you go to that extent, that mean that you will drive people home, the students will now go into the streets and we are complaining that most of our students are being involved in some unwholesome activities. So they promised that they will quickly look into it, and urged government to equally keep terms with the agreement” “At the end of the meeting, we all agreed that the implementation committee that has been in place since 2009 should be expanded to include the minister of finance or the representative of the finance minister who is equally the coordinating minister of the economy. It will include the minister of labour and productivity and the budget office.

‘By the time we come up with it , we will be able to harmonize these issues and be able to come up with a proper position and brief Mr.

president on this and we believe that if Mr. president is fully briefed, he will understand the issues at stake. The issues that were put out at the public domain, was that of implementation of 70 years of age but it is more than that,” he said.

The Minister also urged Nigerians not to panic over the said plans by ASUU to embark on the strike, saying “people should not panic because government has appealed to ASUU to suspend the strike because at this stage government has done a lot to make sure that we do not get to that stage. I believe that ASUU will listen to the pleas of government. It is plea that is coming from a party to the agreement and they also have made their own pleas. So it is a consolidation of pleas” The minister added: “What we succeeded in doing that Thursday was that we agreed that they should reconvene a NEC meeting to suspend the notice to go on a warning strike.

By the constitution of this committee, and the expansion of the existing committee, we have now begun the process of addressing all the issues in all its ramification and at the end of the day what we will do is to prevent the big one— the real strike which will lead to the shutting of the Universities”

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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NEWS DAY ONE OF ASUU WARNING STRIKE

ground campuses

•Clockwise from top left: The main gate of the University of Jos shut yesterday as the strike began; ASUU President Dr. Ukachukwu Awuzie; and Minister of Education Prof.

Ruqqayat Rufai

Partial success in UNILAG, LASU

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HE seven-day warning strike called by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was not totally complied with at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos yesterday.

Reasons: the newly-admitted students were busy with their screening and registration. The returning students were still on vacation.

Besides, the strike had no effect on the ongoing examinations by students of the institution’s Distance Learning Institute (DLI).

However, the ASUU Chairman, UNILAG chapter, Dr Oghenekaro Ogbinaka confirmed that members of the union were on strike.

He told reporters in his office that the union’s insistence on the implementation of the 2009 agreement was to prevent public universities from being wiped off.

His words: “Going on strike has solved a lot of problems; it is a stop gap. What happened in the University of Calabar, when they increased school fees? The students almost burnt down the institution. In Ibadan there was protest over water and light, the union’s leadership had to step in to appeal to the students. Students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure recently gave notice that if they increase fees there will be trouble. So, we can really

By Adegunle Olugbamila, Seun Olalude and Paul Oluwakoya

see this local tension, we can see it as the bus stop. The vice-chancellors are in trouble. The system is poorly funded. They want to meet National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation in order to be internationally rated. But somebody will have to pay, and there doesn’t seem to be the political will to do the funding. So really what we are saying is that as a matter of fact, if this strike has not taken place, there would be a problem. You will begin to notice that even when ASUU is not on strike, most universities will close shop and we don’t want that situation.”

He added: “The strike rest on four points: to reverse the decay in the university system; to reverse the brain drain; to restore the system through sustained financial intervention and to restore genuine university autonomy.”

At the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, students were preparing for their second semester examinations slated to begin on the October 4.

They feared the strike would affect the examinations.

“You know next week is going to be our exam. So this week is meant for revision and covering up course outline. That means were not going to have any revision this week,” some concerned students said.

However, the Chairman of the LASU chapter of ASUU, Dr Wumi Oluwatoki justified the union’s stance. He told our reporter that but for the students and parents, ASUU would have embarked on a total strike.

His words: “The (warning) strike is justifiabl. The Federal Government- ASUU Agreement of 2009 was a renegotiation of the same agreement in 2001, and each agreement lasts three years before it is renegotiated. Though, it took so long but eventually we got it signed which meant commitment on both sides. By 2012 we are going to renegotiate it. So, how then can we renegotiate what has not been fully implemented? We (ASUU) don’t particularly enjoy going on strike, but our government seems not to understand any other language.”

While lecturers on the main campus did not go to the classrooms, academic activities ran without hitches at the LASU College of Medicine.

Oluwatoki said the union was disappointed that some of their colleagues at the medical College, and few other campuses still taught yesterday.

“We will go there to picket and sanction those still teaching as from tomorrow (today) because its (warning strike) is the directive from the national body of the union and every member must comply.”

UI suspends second semester exam •NASU, SSANU to begin strike next week

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ECTURERS at the University of Ibadan began a one-week break from academic activities yesterday. They joined the warning strike called by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The strike is to force the Federal Government to implement the 2009 agreement it signed with the union.

Thousands of students who were scheduled to begin second semester exam yesterday were disappointed as their lecturers failed to show up.

The authorities of the institution were said to have rescheduled the examinations for October 4.

However, the students may have to wait longer for the resumption of academic activities as the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and its counterpart, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) are set to begin their warning strike nationwide on October 3.

When The Nation visited the institution yesterday, academic activities in about seven faculties were paralysed as none of the examinations originally slated for yesterday held.

The faculties were deserted as no examinations were conducted at the lecture rooms.

Jolted by the situation, the students of institution has called on the Federal Government to see to the demands of their lecturers.

In the halls of residence including Mellanby, Kuti, Bello and Tedder, many students were seen playing table tennis, football and volleyball to kill boredom.

Most of the graduating students yet to finish their examinations expressed the fear that they may not graduate this session should the strike last longer than expected.

The chairman University of Ibadan branch of ASUU, Dr. Ademola Aremu, said the strike was hundred percent effective at the premier university, adding that all examinations have been cancelled and rescheduled till the end of the strike.

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Aremu noted that the strike would have been averted if the Federal Government had indicated readiness to fully implement an agreement it reached with the union in 2009.

Speaking on the forthcoming Independent Day celebration, the ASUU chief said Nigeria has nothing to celebrate following several agitations bothering on injustices by the political elites on the masses.

His words: “Nigeria is celebrating nothing. We have moved from the state with electricity in the sixties to no power nation.

We now have bad roads, poor education sector, health facilities are in quagmire.

“You will continue to see sign of a failed state in the country.

Look at the issue of NLC and minimum wage. Has the Federal Government implemented it since March that it was signed?

Security is not about security vote. It is about addressing injustices in the country. There is injustice in virtually all the sectors of the nation.

“Insecurity in Nigeria is a sign of people’s anger against the state. It is the venom of the people against bad governance.

There is extra-judicial killing, fresh graduate without jobs, yet they take their wards abroad to private universities and abroad since they know that they have not done anything that will make the public universities work. “ ASUU should not be blamed for the strike. I am not employed to strike but my time is wasted when I do not have the necessary tools to work with when the environment is not conducive for my work. After this warning strike, the national executive of ASUU would reconvene and it may be decided there that we should go on a full-blown strike if nothing is done”

UniAbuja students lament

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TUDENTS at the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) were yesterday disappointed as their teachers, under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) joined its national body in the seven-day warning strike over the non implementation of Federal Government-ASUU 2009 agreement.

As usual, the students had trooped out for lectures in anticipation that the strike action will be reversed by concerned authorities.

A student who spoke under anonymity said many of his colleagues were disatisfied with the development adding: “We thought the strike will not take effect only to witness that no lecturer was even here to teach. I think urgent steps need to be taken to calm this face-off between ASUU and the Federal Government.

“We cannot continue like this.

Even the seven-day warning strike is too much. This will afford some bad students the opportunity to get involved in dubious activities while on campus. They should not toy with our future. Most of these people in authority have their children studying abroad.

“Most of them do not care if the university system is grounded forever. What I will say is that

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

teachers are also human beings and they deserve to be treated properly. This is a country where teacher’s voice does not matter, because they are not politician.”

The ASUU chairman in UNIABUJA chapter, Dr. Clement Chup told The Nation in a telephone yesterday that its congress had also requested the National Executive Committee (NEC) to meet after the expiration of the warning strike for further action.

Chup said the strike was desirable since the Federal Government have refused to implement an agreement reached two years ago, despite several pleas.

His words: “The union is therefore left with no option than to embark on strike. There cannot be lectures on campus.

We did not close down the university. If we are going on strike for one week, I see no reasons why students should go home.

“I think the implementation committee is going to meet on Wednesday (tomorrow) or Thursday. Then, we will know what to do next.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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NEWS More cash for Ekiti monarchs From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday said he would review the remuneration of traditional rulers.

Fayemi spoke at Jibowu Hall in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during the inauguration of the newly constituted State Council of Traditional Rulers.

He said a review of the five per cent federal allocation to traditional rulers would reflect agelong principles of fairness, equity and justice, adding that the welfare of every monarch in the state is a priority.

Fayemi condemned the incessant chieftaincy tussles and warned that taking chieftaincy cases to court or resorting to shady deals to clinch vacant thrones would vitiate the sanctity of the traditional institution.

He said: “Our people must exercise restraint in dragging chieftaincy issues to court or resorting to diabolical means at every slightest opportunity. Though, I hold the judiciary in high esteem, there are other ways of resolving our differences without necessarily going to court.”

The governor urged traditional rulers to continue to play an advisory role in policy formulation.

The Owa Ooye of Okemesi Ekiti, Oba Adedeji Gbadebo,is the chairman of the council.

He will preside over 25 temporary and 31 permanent members for the next two years.

Aregbesola names D-G for agency

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has appointed Dr. Charles Diji Akinola as the Director-General, Office of Economic Development and Partnership (OEDP).

The OEDP, which is under the Office of the Governor, is an initiative of the Aregbesola administration.

It was established to enhance the capacity of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to deliver quality service and facilitate partnership to improve the state’s economy.

OEDP’s major functions are development cooperation, investment promotion, public private partnership, innovation for economic development and MDA capacity enhancement.

While the OEDP covers all sectors of the economy, special attention will be given to agriculture.

Akinola has been a key player in the Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme (O-REAP), another innovation of the Aregbesola administration, aimed at mass production of food.

He is a Mason Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Fellow at Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs (WCFIA), Harvard University.

Akinola has a wealth of experience in international development cooperation and agriculture.

For several years, he was the Country Director of TechnoServe, an international development organisation and later Executive Director, Enterprise for Development International, the successor organisation to TechnoServe in Nigeria.

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

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HE Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, has called on anyone looking for a missing relation to come to the hospital.

The hospital’s spokesman, Mrs. Hope Nwawolo, said an unconscious middle-aged and dark complexioned woman, who was knocked down by a vehicle on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, was brought to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Centre by a police constable last Wednesday.

Mrs. Nwawolo urged anyone looking for a relation with the above description to contact the hospital.

State funeral for ex-Oyo Governor

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la’s family for the funeral.

It also gave N5 million to the funeral committee to take care of logistics.

The funeral service and reception will hold on October 7 at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Adamasingba, Ibadan, the state capital.

Akure/Ado road crumbling From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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Osun farmers get 72,000 bags of fertiliser

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

‘Accident victim at LUTH’

HE Oyo State Government yesterday announced the funeral plans for ex-Governor Kolapo Ishola. The activities, which will last for five days, will begin next Monday with a commendation service.

The government donated N25 million to the late Isho-

•Aregbesola (left) greeting directors of WEMPCO Group, Mr.Philip Tung (second right) and Lawrence Tung (right), at the Oriental Garden Restaurant in Lagos... on Sunday

TRADITIONAL ruler in Ondo State has urged the Federal Government to repair the Akure/Ado-Ekiti road.

The Okiti of Iju in Akure North Local Government Area, Oba Amos Farukanmi, spoke during a reception organised by the Iju Development Congress in honour of the lawmaker representing the constituency at the House of Assembly, Akindele Adeniyi, and three others.

He said the deplorable condition of the road has turned it into a death trap for motorists.

Oba Farukanmi said: “The Akure/Ado-Ekiti road is in a poor state and needs urgent rehabilitation. I am urging the federal government to urgently do something before the road becomes worse.”

He advised Adeniyi to carry members of other parties along in developing the constituency and urged indigenes to be united.

•Govt says relationship with China will enhance growth

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HE Osun State Government has donated 72,000 bags of fertiliser to farmers.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday inaugurated a 10-man committee, headed by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Wale Adedoyin, to monitor its distribution.

Aregbesola said the fertilisers were procured from the Federal Government to aid food production.

Adedoyin, who represented the governor, said the committee was raised to prevent sharp practices associated with fertiliser distribution in the past.

He said the distribution would take place at the headquarters of the Osun State Agricultural Development Programme (OSSADEP) in Iwo and other designated points.

Two frontline scientists, Professors Olu Odeyemi and Olasupo Oladipo, who are members of the committee, said the availability of fertiliser would make the state’s food security target attainable.

Also, the governor has said the proposed relationship between Osun and investors from China would accelerate eco-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo nomic development in the state.

Aregbesola, who was the Special Guest at the 62 Chinese Independence Anniversary celebration in Lagos last Sunday, said his recent trip to China was to encourage investment in Osun State.

The governor, who was in China on the invitation of the All Federation of Trade Unions in China, said having explored investment opportunities between China and his state, he has no doubt that the relationship would lead to development.

He said: “Apart from the provision of land for industrial purposes, Osun State enjoys a relatively stable power supply; an opportunity not enjoyed by many parts of the federation.”

Aregbesola reiterated his administration’s interest in the establishment of a railway system that will enhance the movement of food items and raw materials from Osun to Lagos, and finished goods from Lagos to Osun.

Tribunal orders retrial of Oyo ACN candidate’s case T HE Election Petition Appeal Tribunal in Oyo State yesterday ordered a retrial of the petition of the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo North Senatorial District, Dr. Wale Okediran.

Okediran is challenging the election of Senator Hosea Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The tribunal said the lower tribunal erred when it dismiss Okediran’s petition because the appellant/petitioner requested for a pre-hearing notice out of time.

The Appeal Tribunal, comprising Justices Stanley Alagoa, Modupe Fasanmi and Joseph Ikyegh, said the lower tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to have determined the interlocutory application jointly with the substantive

•Panel dismisses petition against senator

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

petition, and that the issue before it was whether the petitioner filed application for a pre-hearing notice or not.

It ruled that the petition will be heard by a fresh panel to be re-constituted by the President of the Court of Appeal.

Okediran and his lead counsel, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), hailed the judgment.

Okediran said: “This time, I will reclaim the mandate my people gave to me at the

lower tribunal. I am sure of victory because the first tribunal was wrong in its judgment against me. I am happy that the appellate court has redressed the mistake.”

Also yesterday, the State Election Petition Tribunal dismissed the petition of the Accord candidate, Chief Bisi Ilaka, challenging the election of Senator Ayo Adeseun (ACN) in Oyo Central.

The ruling was delivered by the panel’s chairman, Justice Frank Nwizu. Other members of the panel are Justices Alaba Omolaye and Kadi Alkali.

The tribunal said it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case because it was addressed to the Governorship and Legislative Election Tribunal.

The lower tribunal had earlier allowed Ilaka to amend the address, but Adeseun challenged the decision at the Appeal Tribunal.

The Appeal Tribunal held that the lower tribunal was wrong to have allowed Ilaka to make the amendment. It then sent it back to the lower tribunal.

Adeseun’s counsel Akeredolu filed a motion for dismissal, which was granted by the tribunal.

The panel also ordered Ilaka to pay N25,000 to each of the respondents, Adeseun, ACN and the Independent National Election Commission (INEC).

Amosun urges CJ to redeem Judiciary’s image

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has urged the new Chief Judge of the state, Mrs. Olatokunbo Olopade, to redeem the image of the judiciary.

Amosun spoke yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, during the swearing-in of Justice Olopade, the state’s first female CJ. He said: “Without sounding pre-judicial, recent happenings, especially at the highest hierarchy of our national judiciary, have far reaching implications on the confidence of the average

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta Nigerian in the judiciary.

“I must remind our new CJ that the hardwork, which placed her at a vantage position to be appointed, might not be enough for her new assignment. She will have to do more.

“First, as the first female CJ of Ogun State, she has become a pioneer and an ambassador to a segment of our population that she cannot afford to disappoint.

“More importantly too, she inherits from other re-

‘Without sounding pre-judicial, recent happenings, especially at the highest hierarchy of our national judiciary, have far reaching implications on the confidence of the average Nigerian in the judiciary’ nowned lawyers and jurists of Ogun State origin, a tradi-

tion of eminence, which she must sustain.”

Justice Olopade said: “I urge traditional rulers to pray for me in this assignment. It will be a new beginning for the state’s judiciary, as we are going to work harder.

“The task is enormous and challenging, but I promise that I shall abide by the oath.

We will take Ogun State judiciary to a higher level by the grace of God.” Mrs. Olopade joined the Ministry of Justice in 1978 and became a Judge of the State High Court in 1993.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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NEWS

Yuguda identifies two types of Boko Haram B AUCHI State Governor Isa Yuguda has said the Boko Haram sect has two groups: the one that distorts the teaching of Islam and another that is a band of criminals.

The governor said the latter is out to destroy the country for selfish reasons.

This is coming on the heels of efforts by the Federal Government to unmask those behind the sect, whose name means “Western education is sacrilege”.

Yuguda spoke in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, after accompanying Governor Theodore Orji to the funeral of the former auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief San Igwe Eke, in Alayi, Bende Local Government Area.

The governor said the Federal Government would bring those behind the group to justice.

He said: “I want to use this medium to educate our people about Boko Haram. They are categorised into two different groups. The real one is not after killing people, but focused on the distortion of the real teachings of Islam. It has a different agenda from the other group.

“The other, which calls itself Boko Haram, comprises criminals. Its members kill, bomb places, loot, burn police stations in the North. I want to associate their activities to, maybe, the massive unemployment in the country.

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

“But the Islamic sect that calls itself Boko Haram has distorted Islamic teachings and the preaching of Prophet Mohammad, as contained in the Holy Qur’an. I think it needs to be corrected, and the system is doing its best to do the correction.

“For those criminals who bomb others, we will make sure they are brought to book.

Boko, in Hausa, means “learning in Western education”, but you can educate yourself using the Arabic language; Haram means “forbidden”.

“So, it means the sect is fighting those who learn in English language. But if they are actually fighting those who learn in English language, why are they not bombing schools? If they are fighting Western education, why are they now bombing police stations?

“For those criminals, we will take care of them, because they are into criminal activities. But for those who are in a sect and are trying to misinterpret the Qur’an, they can always be corrected.

“As long as they don’t want to be corrected, and to the extent that they are not carrying weapons and attacking

Corps members for Gowon’s 77th birthday essay competition

N

•Yuguda

people, the Constitution provides for freedom of worship.”

Yuguda called for proper equipment for the nation’s security agencies to ensure the safety of everyone.

The governor noted that security is key to human survival and accelerated development of the country and the citizens.

ATIONAL Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have been urged to participate in a national essay competition to mark the 77 th birthday of former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon on October 19.

The essay competition, entitled: My Dream for Nigeria, is among the activities lined up for the birthday celebration.

Organisers of the competition said it is meant to encourage scholarship, rekindle the spirit of nationalism, deepen patriotism among Nigerian youths, foster national unity and provide an avenue for outstanding corps members to be rewarded for their writing skills and intellectual depth.

Outlining the activities yesterday in Jos, the Plateau State cap-

Bida Poly shut over alleged ‘missing’ organs

T

HE Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, was closed yesterday following a students, protest.

The protesters alleged that the organs of 13 male students had disappeared mysteriously.

There had been tension on the campus since last Thursday when a Higher National Diploma (HND) student raised the alarm that his organ had disappeared after he was touched by a female visitor.

The Nation gathered that the school authorities arrested the “suspect” and conducted a medical examination on the

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

student at the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, to ascertain the veracity of his claim. He was reportedly certified okay.

But, on Sunday when the students asked the school authorities about the “suspect”, another student reportedly raised the alarm that his organ had disappeared.

About 11 other students were said to have made similar claims.

But, unlike the first case, nobody was linked to the multiple disappearance.

The students reportedly reacted violently to the school

authority’s calm disposition to the situation.

When the students began to protest, the authorities reportedly closed down the school yesterday, to forestall a breach of the peace.

It was gathered that the students destroyed a section of the Administrative Block, the library, office of the Directorate of Distance and Continuing Education and the Students’ Affairs Office, before heading to the home of the Rector, Abdullahi Sule at the GRA. They were heading to Etsu Nupe’s palace when they were stopped.

Sule denied complicity of the school management, saying the authorities arrested the suspect and handed her to the police, to ensure justice.

He said: “All the students who claimed that their manhood was missing were taken to the school medical center and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC). They were physically examined and nothing was found wrong with them.”

Police Area Commander Ayo Olatunji, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said the situation had been brought under control.

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

ital, the Chief Executive of Yakubu Gowon Foundation (YGF), Dan Tenshak said the seven-day event would begin on October 3 and end on October 22.

He said: “Nigeria’s former Head of State and Patron of Yakubu Gowon Foundation (YGF), Gen. Gowon, will clock 77 years on October 19. His life of service has been exemplary and his statesmanship has defined the polity in many ways.

“In view of these, YGF, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA); the Plateau State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON); the Niger State Government; Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); ThisDay; and the National Archives, have lined up various activities to mark the event.”

Tenshak said the activities include: essay competition; the inauguration of the General Yakubu Gowon Leadership Lecture; a peace walk to areas affected during the Jos crises; special photographic/archival exhibition on The Life and Times of a Living Legend; a drama presentation of Chinua Achebe’s Arrow of God; community service in nine schools in the state; as well as the General Gowon Birthday Annual Golf Tournament.

The foundation chief said the activities are to sustain the legacies of the Gowon administration and NOA’s efforts to reorientate the society and deepening “our love for Nigeria as a people”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Getting information on geological data that the investor is not comfortable with is very frustrating. It means there is a disconnect in the dissemination of information.

-Musa Sada, Minister of Mines and Steel Development

CitiServe gets payment terminal provider licence

NRC resumes haulage services

C

HE Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has resumed its haulage services by ferrying consignments of cement from the Ewekoro, Ogun State factory of Lafarge Cement Company Plc to Ibadan, Oyo State.

The service would be “extended to major cities up to Ilorin, Kwara State by October, with a planned carrying capacity of 2.400 metric tons per week, NRC’s Assistant Director, Public Relations, David Ndakotsu said in a statement.

He said under the initial arrangement with Lafarge, 750 metric tons would be moved weekly in addition to the 450 metric tons to be moved from Ewekoro to Ijoko and Agege (in Lagos) weekly under a separate arrangement.

Ndakotsu assured that with the near completion of rehabilitation works on NRC rail lines nationwide, the corporation was working to meet the demand for its haulage services in the nearest future.

“It is believed that the movement of cement from Ewekoro to Ibadan by rail will significantly reduce the traffic gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan road caused by heavy articulated vehicles.

ITISERVE Limited, a Vigeo Company, has been licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide Payment Terminal Services to banks.

The announcement is a conclusion of an exhaustive bidding carried out by the CBN’s Shared Services Group.

The CBN’s new policy on cash withdrawal limits is geared towards building and sustaining a cashless economy, starting with cashless Lagos in December 2011.

The Licence requires Citiserve to deploy, support and maintain PoS terminals at merchant locations on behalf of licensed Acquirers and terminal owners working with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

This task is synonymous with the business model of CitiServe, deploying and managing terminals to its partners nationwide, providing a seamless online distribution for e-products from service providers to the customers using the CitiServe unique customised POS, the CMPOS. From inception (2003), CitiServe Limited has created its network of partners nationwide having registered on its database over 19,000 partners nationwide.

CitiServe has over the year’s garnered in-depth experience in the electronic distribution market and with its nationwide operations; is strategically positioned to leverage on its experience, competences and existing relationships to ensure the CBN cashless Nigeria is achieved.

The company has skills in merchant development and training, breaking the man/ machine barrier and encouraging continuous patronage on the terminals. This is evident in the number of Point Of sale terminals the company has invested in and deployed previously.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$118.7/barrel Cocoa -$2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber -¢146.37pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.747 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -9.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.84% Savings rate -1.42% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit -6% MPR -8.75% Foreign Reserve $34.87b CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

FOREX -

0.281 215.1 245.00 153.16 1.5652 243.2 40.57

By Eric Ikhilae

T

• From left: Chairman, Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr Raymond Obieri, Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr Mahmond Lai Alabi and a Director, Dr Toyin Philips, at the Annual General Meeting and Scheme of Arrangement for the reorganisation of the bank at Eko Hotel, Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Why N/Assembly may tinker with 2012 budget, by Mark S

ENATE President, David Mark may have reopened the controversy which usually trails the National Assembly’s attempt to tamper with the annual Appropriation Bill submitted to it by the Executive.

Mark noted that those who argue that the National Assembly has no right to tinker with the Appropriation Bill missed the point.

He spoke yesterday at the inauguration of the Senate Committee on Appropriation.

He noted that because a budget is “a mere proposal”, it is wrong for anybody to say that a proposal must be returned as it was presented.

Insisting that the National Assembly has a right to tinker with the budget, he added that as representatives the people, lawmakers are in a better position to feel the pulse of the people they represent.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst.

Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

His words: “There is this controversy as to whether when the budget comes we just merely look at it and send it back and say it is approved or whether we can, in fact, tamper with the budget.

“In other words, can we make any adjustment? Of course my answer is simple and straight forward. The budget that is submitted is a mere proposal and you cannot say that a proposal must be returned as it was presented. So, we have every right to tinker with it.

“We will amend. We will adjust. We can certainly work on the budget because if it is just one of sending the paper to us and we just return it, then there will be no need for that formality at all because a paper coming to the National Assembly and just go-

ing away from the National Assembly does not make any sense.

“The paper, the proposal that is given to us is subject to our approval and we will approve it when we see that all the figures are correct and everybody is satisfied.

“We represent the people and we are in a better position to be a parameter to the people, to feel the pulse of our people that we represent. The budget has to be worked on in conjunction with the National Assembly and we have to agree so that we can do that.”

Mark noted that to ensure that the right thing was done the leadership of the National Assembly has decided to establish a budget office in the National Assembly to work with the executive budget office.

Mark said the duty of National Assembly budget office will be to advise the leader-

ship appropriately because budgeting is an expert business.

He lamented that one major problem of budgeting since the democratic dispensation in 1999 has been poor budget implementation.

Apart from poor budget implementation, he also identified late submission of the budgets by the Executive as another problem.

He criticised a situation where budget proposals are not approved until June or July.

“We must guide against that this time. For 2012, we must make sure that the budget is submitted on time and that we in the National Assembly are able to pass the budget on time because when you are implementing the budget of a year for six months, I wonder what you are doing,” he said.

CBN denies revoking Afribank, Springbank, Bank PHB’s licences T

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) has added a twist to the on-going banking reform. It denied being responsible for the revocation of the licenses of three banks – Afribank, Springbank and Bank PHB and renaming them.

It specifically denied being part of the process leading to the evolution of Mainstreet Bank Limited as a bridge bank to assume the deposits, assets and other liabilities of Afribank Nigeria Plc. The apex bank’s denial is contained in a counter-affidavit to a motion filed by some shareholders of Afribank in a suit they filed, challenging the take-over of their bank by

By Eric Ikhilae

the CBN. The usit is pending before Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

In the motion filed by their lawyer, Onyebuchi Aniakor, the shareholders urged the court to reverse the revocation of Afribank license by the CBN on the ground that it was a ploy by the apex bank to overreach their pending suit and ridicule the judiciary.

In the 12-paragraph affidavit deposed to by CBN’s Legal Officer, Chika Mogaha, the bank argued that contrary

to widespread contention, it was the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission (NDIC) that created Mainstreet as the bridge bank for Afribank and not the CBN. Mogaha argued that following the measure by the NDIC, Afribank lost its banking business and also lost the basis to retain the banking license granted it.

She equally stated that both CBN and Sanusi acted in accordance with their statutory duties and in the interest of the public as they have the statutory duty to ensure monetary stability

and to avert any imminent threat to the soundness of the financial system in Nigeria.

The CBN had, on August 5, revoked the licences of Afribank, Bank PHB and Springbank, and unveiled three new names as bridge banks to run the affairs of the former banks until new investors were found.

The Afribank shareholders had argued, in their motion, that CBN’s action was a calculated attempt aimed at ridiculing the judiciary and to foist a faith accompli on them in view of their suit filed as far back as November 2009 to challenge the intervention of the CBN in their bank.

Group calls for extension of SIM registration

By Adline Atili

A

HEAD of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) deadline for Subscriber Identification module card registration deadline tomorrow, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has called for extension of the deadline to enable subscribers who are not registered to do so.

President of the association, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, while addressing the media yesterday disclosed that only 50 per cent of the over 100 million connected lines in the country have been registered since the second phase of the exercise kicked off six months ago.

He maintained that though the exercise recorded significant success during the period, the project was beset with enormous challenges which had significant impact on the exercise.

He listed the challenges to include logistics challenges, such as inability of registration agents to access certain parts of the country, especially the hinterland and rural areas; conduct of the 2011 general elections and postelections violence; torrential rainfall and resultant devastating flooding in various parts of the country and general lull in activities resulting from religious fasting.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

12

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1.

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LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00

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Arik Aero Arik Aero

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LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

ing manufacturing sector.

He said: “Recently, I heard that a lot of waivers are being granted some companies in this country. I feel that we need to review our waiver granting policy as a government. This is because in the past, we have budgets that have wide and deep deficits.

How do you bridge this gap when you are busy granting waivers on goods and services?” he queried.

He said the need has arisen for the government to assist the economy through a comprehensive re-appraisal of the waiver regime and import policy, citing importation of toothpick as beyond economic logic.

“I am calling on the Executive arm of government to review our waiver policy and, indeed, our importation policy as a government. We allow all manners of goods to be imported into this country and I believe we have to take a critical look at that,” he said.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ifueko Omoigui Okauru, solicited the support of the House of Representatives for a wholesome review of tax laws and other related enactment as part of its legislative agenda.

Specifically, she wants the House of Representatives to expedite action on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, as this will put more money into the country’s pockets.

Omoigui Okauru stated, when she paid a courtesy visit on the House Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, that the leadership should also put into considerations tax related matters in the proposed amendment of the nation’s constitution.

“We are looking at wholesome review of our tax laws in the spirit of reforming the entire tax administration in the country, most of which are still colonial in rendition thereby making difficult

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

T

09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

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LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

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LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Dana 08.10 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 08.00 18.00

LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

to interpret.

Some of these bills which we hope to put in a plain English language to ensure clarity include Tax Administration Code, Income Tax Amendment, Value Added Tax Amendment, Stamp Duty Amendment, Capital Gain Tax Amendment and constitution amendment.

“For example, we don’t need to allow the importation of toothpick into this country and some other goods, because we have a large population that can leverage on such market, if we disallow the importation of such goods. Our people can take advantage of such market and maximize it to the benefit of our youths, because youth unemployment is a problem in this country.

“As long as we continue to allow all manners of gods to be imported in this country, I believe we are also helping in making the situation of our youth unemployment to degenerate. Issue of revenue generation is key and critical to the development of any economy or any country.”

Border market to create 5 million jobs

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LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

• FIRS seeks passage of PIB bill

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 Arik 16.30

1. Dana

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HE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday accused the Federal Government of having policies that are inimical to the growth of the nation’s economy.

The Speaker said the policy of granting indiscriminate waivers to companies offering diverse services and who are making huge profits is detrimental to the revenue generation in the country.

He, therefore, advocated the review of the power of waivers constituted on the Executive arm of government.

Tambuwal, who spoke while receiving a delegation from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), led by its Chairman, Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, noted that local industries are operating under unfavourable competitive environment as a result of indiscriminate granting of waivers by the Executive to all manners of goods and services, saying the country’s economy has been at the receiving end of youth unemployment and collaps-

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 14. Arik 17.10 18.30

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

Tambuwal warns against import waivers

• Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Folake Ani-Mumuney, receiving the award from Director, Private Sector Operations, African Development Bank, Tim Turner.

CBN breaches naira support band

T

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) sold naira outside the weakest edge of its target yesterday, but said it has not yet decided to change its policy of keeping the local currency inside a three per cent band around N150 to the United States dollar.

The CBN has set a target of maintaining the naira within the range of +/- three per cent of N150 to the dollar, but at its biweekly auction yesterday, the Central Bank sold $350 million at N155.02 to the dollar, 3.3 per cent beyond N150.

“There has been no decision as yet to change stance. We breached the target for the first time in, I believe, a year. Let’s see how the week goes,” the CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi told Reuters.

The dollar sales by the CBN were short of the $551.27 million demanded. The naira has been

By Simeon Ebulu with agency report

depreciating in recent weeks as dollar demand outpace supply and global risk aversion pulls investment to safer havens.

The naira closed at 157.90 to the dollar on the interbank market, from Friday’s close of 156.65 per dollar.

The IMF said earlier this year that the naira was overvalued and that a more flexible approach to currency control would cushion external shocks to sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest economy.

Sanusi has said a stable exchange rate is crucial for maintaining price stability and attracting foreign investment.

The CBN has been raising interest rates for more than a year to curb high inflation and support the naira and to allow a devaluation

now would mark a surprise switch in policy.

“I doubt very much it is a deliberate attempt to weaken the naira because this flies in the face of everything they have been trying to do,” said Razia Khan, Head of Africa Research at Standard Chartered.

“It may just be a short term reaction to continued elevated demand - changing the price at which forex is available is another means of influencing demand for forex.”

Traders said strong demand for the dollar from gasoline importers and companies building up raw materials inventory continue to put pressure on the local currency.

Local unit of French Total sold about $58 million to some banks on Monday, but this was not sufficient to provide support.

SEC seeks law on asset securitisation

T

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has said it is working on a law on asset securitisation.

Also, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) said plans have reached an advanced stage to launch an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) before the end of the year.

Speaking at a national seminar on asset securitisation in Nigeria, entitled: Asset backed securities, Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Capital Market and Housing Finance, Director-

By Tonia Osundolire

General of SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh, said asset securitisation is critical to the development of the mortgage sector and the economy.

Asset securitisation, she explained, is a process where non-tradable or illiquid financial assets are transformed into tradable securities. It involves the transfer of an asset or a pool of assets, directly or indirectly, by the owner to a special purpose vehicle, which is funded through an

issue of debt securities or notes backed by the cash flows generated by the assets.

An exchange-traded fund, she added, is an investment fund traded on stock exchanges, much like stocks.

An ETF holds assets, such as stocks, commodities or bonds and trades close to its net asset value over the course of the trading day. Most ETFs, track an index and may be attractive as investments because of their low costs, tax efficiency and stock-like features.

HE pilot trans-national bor der market to be opened in Okerete, Saki area of Oyo State would create no fewer than five million jobs in the state, Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, have disclosed.

The market is being undertaken by the Federal Government in partnership with the state. It is a pilot scheme to be replicated in five other geo-political zones in the country.

Ajimobi had visited the minister last month to express his interest in the immediate take-off of the project in Oyo State to serve as a pilot for those planned for other regions.

Aganga, who lauded the governor for his seriousness about the project, said the market would provide more than five million jobs for people within and outside the state. He said Ajimobi’s seriousness and commitment were responsible for the immediate signing of the agreement which will ensure that it becomes a reality.

Being the first of its kind, the minister described the project as a milestone, saying it would boost trade and economic activities in the country. Aganga explained that the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan cannot be achieved without taking steps including promoting trade and increase both local and foreign investments in the country, stressing thaty establishment of the markets was one of such steps.

“These Trans-national Border Market project when fully implemented is expected to create more than five million direct and indirect jobs, increase revenue for government and create wealth for Nigerians in line with the vision of my ministry,” he said.

Ajimobi said his administration had begun the support for the project through rehabilitation of roads as well as other infrastructures in the state. He lauded the partnership between the Federal Government and the state, saying it was agood example of how tiers of government can collaborate for the benefit of the citizens. He promsed that the project would commence by middle of next year.

The ceremony was witnessed by development partner, the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) and consultants.

13

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Govt sets up fund for meter procurement

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

• Sam Amadi, Administrator NERC

T

HE Federal Government has established a special fund for the procurement of meters for the 11 electricity distribution companies in the country to discourage billing customers on estimation.

The fund is part of government’s efforts to ensure that the ongoing reform in the power sector as well as the planned privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is successful to enable the private sector take over the sector with fewer hitches.

The Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Enforcement, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr Steven Adzinge told our correspondent this during the Power Consumer Assembly organised in Lagos by the commission.

Adzinge said over N900 million has been drawn from the fund and has been distributed to the 11

INSIDE • ‘PHCN monthly

meter installation in Ikeja to hit 10,000’ •••Page 38

• Why we set up

electricity distribution companies to procure meters. He noted that by the time the imported meters start arriving, the problem of metering would be drastically reduced.

“The issue of procurement of meters is at an advanced stage and there is a significant improvement in power supply. We expect that within a very short time, the meters would have been imported and made available and would be given to customers who have either paid or intend to pay to be connected.

As much as possible, we want to discourage estimated billing.

“The commission is concerned about efficient billing in the electricity supply industry. People should be billed properly and to that extent we are also concerned about the issue of billing. The commission recently looked at the situation in the sector and approved over N900 million, which was distributed among the 11 distribution companies for procurement of meters.”

The Power Consumer Assembly themed ‘The consumer, price and quality of electricity supply service,’ was meant to educate electricity consumers on their rights and obligations.

The customer sensitisation campaign would be taken round the country. Currently, the consumer assembly has held in Abuja and Lagos and will hold next in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He also commented on the commission’s activities on resolving the challenges confronting the service providers and customers especially in the areas of billing, debt owed by customers, the planned increase in electricity tariff and improving power supply.

Commenting on the issue, Adzinge said: “The forum is to sensitise the public on the activities of NERC and bring the chief executives of the electricity distribution companies to interact with the consumers. We bring the consumers together with the service providers so that they can engage on common related issues.”

“On the debt owed the PHCN by its customers, we have a balancing

consumer assistance fund by NERC •••Page 39

• Conoil

boosts greener environment with Congas •••Page 40

approach to it. Just as we protect the consumer, we want to ensure that the operators remain in business. We have the mandate to ensure that they charge a cost-reflective tariff, also make the consumers pay their bills for what they consume.

“We are interacting with all agencies in the value chain in the electricity business. We are engaging them and we are concerned about efficient production of electricity.

On the increase of tariff, we have the mandate to ensure that

Source: Rigzone.com

looking for efficient operators not just the type that will pass on all the problems to the consumers.

The tariff should be such that will give the consumer a fair deal.”

He also explained that the increase in tariff would not necessarily be based on the level of improvement on power supply because the commission believes that if there is cost-reflective tariff and if there is appropriate metering, and people pay their bills, there would be better efficiency and better service.

• Power generation facility

Lagos begins pilot scheme on LPG cylinders

T

HE Lagos State government has flagged off its pilot scheme on the acquisition of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders with the recent selection of companies that will carry out the exercise.

One of the selected companies revealed this to The Nation at an event for private/public sector dialogue on cleaner and greener environment in Lagos.

By Bidemi Bakare

The company said the state is gearing up to massively launch the cylinders so that residents can get access to them and be able to use LPG both for domestic and other uses.

The company, Chimons Gas, said on its part, it is ready to contribute to making the pilot scheme a huge success by bring-

OIL PRICES SEPT 16 -SEPT 23

Light Crude

whatever tariff that is charged is cost-reflective and we have the obligation to protect the right of consumer. Whatever, tariff we will come out with, shall be cost-reflective.”

Adzinge noted that there is the need for tariff increase if the country sincerely wants have investors who will come to invest in the business to take action. This, he added, is vital so they (investors) should be able to recover some measure of profit for their operations and “we are

Brent Crude

ing in quality cylinders for the state.

The General Manager/Director (Operations) of the company, Baylon Duru, an engineer, noted that the company has been in the business of marketing and distributing LPG and its accessories for over 10 years with record of performance to show for this.

He said the achievements made in previous projects the company had handled, may have informed the selection of the company by the state in the pilot scheme.

He added that the company would do all in its capacity to enact previous achievements in this present project, adding that the company is expected to import 12.5kg and five kg weight category of cylinders in the pilot phase of the project Duru said the company has also been in the forefront of creating awareness on the use of LPG both in the state and Nigeria as a whole.

He said: “Chimons has been partnering non governmental

organisations (NGOs) to create awareness on the safety of LPG usage, health benefits, women empowerment, and environmental protection, among others.

Awareness campaigns have been held around Lagos in conjunction with Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Iindustry(LCCI) and Friends of the Environment (FOTE) in places like Badagry, Ijanikin and Agege.”

He noted that the company has also been involved in other corporate social responsibility inititaives including provision of scholarship for students.

Being a partner of Mauria Udyog, one of the largest manufacturers of LPG cylinders in the world, Chimons has been importing cylinders into the country since 2009. It is one of the few companies certified by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON , to import LPG cylinders into the country. The company was chosen to market LPG in Nigeria in conjunction with NLNG in 2007.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

14

ENERGY NERC issues licence to 12 generation companies

T

• Wellmann’s Self Propelled Modular Trailers loading out fabricated modules of USAN FPSO at Nigerdock’s Snake Island facility recently

‘PHCN monthly meter installation in Ikeja to hit 10,000’ • Company’s power supply up by 250MW

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

• Akamnonu

B

ARRING unforeseen circumstances, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), would raise its monthly meter installation to 10,000 by December.

Should the target be achieved, it would translate to a 100 percent increase from the 5,000 the company currently installs.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Chris Okaa Akamnonu, an engineer, who spoke to our correspondent on the sidelines of the Power Consumer Assembly in Lagos organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), said the company had challenges in the past but has overcome it.

Akamnonu also confirmed that there has been a substantial im-

provement in power generation noting that electricity supply to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company has increased to about 600 megawatts (MW) from about 340mw to 350mw about a month ago.

The PHCN chief expressed the company’s determination to serve the customers adding that customer complaint desks have been set up in every business unit of the company and if the problem is not resolved at that level, the customer can proceed to the zonal office and where it still remains unresolved, the customer can go to the unit set up by the NERC. He drew the attention of the customer to his obligations even as the company is ready to improve on its service.

Akamnonu said: “The Power Consumer Assembly is to educate the customers about the industry, not just about their rights but also about what is happening in the industry. The effort being made is to make things better in the electricity industry by the government and the regulator for us as users of electricity.

“Some of the rights enunciated include the right to complain when you are unfairly treated, the right

to dispute your bill especially if you are being billed on estimation.

We have set up customer complaints units in all the business units. We also have a supervisory unit based in the zone, which oversees what is happening in the business units. “ He said there is a unit that also reconciles accounts that are disputed, which is called Customer Records and Debt Management.

This unit, he noted, is very vital to the management because accuracy of bills is going to become much more serious.

“As power supply improves, emphasis will move from availability to affordability and to accuracy of billing. Nobody will like to pay a kobo more than he or she has consumed. This is where it is important that we begin to prepare ourselves because power supply is improving by the day. What is delivered to me currently is close to 600mw a day as against between 340mw and 350mw a day in the past one month. This energy that is wheeled to me doesn’t go into the air, it is consumed. That is clear evidence that things are changing for better.”

On the issue of prepaid metering, he said: We have had issues in the past. We had problem with the ar-

rangement that was in place with an operator but we have overcome those problems now. We are rolling out at a rate that is encouraging to us. We are rolling out about 5,000 units a month now and we hope to achieve 6,000 units by the end of September and we hope to hit 10,000 by the end of December.”

The PHCN chief said the company currently gets new applications at the rate of about 2,500 to 3000 every month adding that by the time it starts installing 7,000 to 8,000 and to 10,000 per month, it means that after removing the 3,000 new applicants, the remaining 7,000 installations go to customers who have bad meters or who paid the time the company had issues with the operator.

He assured to customers that by February next year, the backlog of meters by old customers who have paid would havebeen installed. “We are service provider and would want a fair deal.

Customers have their rights which we are determined to uphold, they (customers) have obligations which we insist they must have to fulfill and one of such is to pay for their meters, not to tamper with our metering infrastructure, not to encourage diversion of load and above all, bring to our knowledge what we are not doing well.

“We will again publish in two national dailies, details of complaints officers in the different levels. If you are not satisfied with one level, you go to the next level. “

Indigenous operators crave implementation of local content

O

PERATORS of indigenous companies in Africa have urged government of various African countries to ensure speedy implementation of local content laws in their countries to boost in-country capabilities and skills acquisition.

The operators spoke at the justconcluded African Energy Week in Accra, Ghana. In different interviews with the theNews Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the operators said that inability of African governments to enforce the laws grossly affect the efficiency of indigenous companies in areas of operation and business expansion.

The Managing Director, WorleyParsons Atlantic Limited, Mr Augustine Felli, said that if governments in Africa would implement the local contents bills into laws and effectively implement

them, it would go a long way in boosting the socio-economic growth of the African countries. He however, expressed disappointment that many governments are reluctant to do that.

Felli said that Nigerians are capable of handling better projects and can do better jobs than people from western countries if encouraged by the government.

He said: “Local content implementation is what all African government should try to encourage.

It is a good thing for every African country to promote its local companies, while governments should engage themselves with implementing local content laws just as it is done in the western countries.”

He advised governments to make local content bills part of their objective assignments that should be in the front burner and make ef-

forts to sign them into laws and also ensure effective implementation.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana based Bocadillos Ventures, Mrs. Joyce Cauchy, expressing her views, said the implementation of Local Content Acts would checkmate the activities of international oil companies (IOCs) that are fond of patronising the foreign markets for manpower and materials.

Cauchy said that implementation of local content is the only way to move any country forward, however, she advised African governments to encourage local participation in terms of human resources through training of young ones.

She said: “We advise our government to patronise made in Ghana goods in other to encouraged local companies. It is when both government and the people of a particu-

lar country believe in what they can do, the citizenry will make the country better place and drastically reduce patronage of foreign companies.

An oil and gas expert, Mr. Joseph Bako, an engineer, said that the local content initiated by Nigeria government is laudable but implementation has been the major challenge. Bako said that enacting a law is different from implementing it.

He said that African governments should expedite action on the implementation of the bills so that we can improve and more jobs given to local companies.

The News Agency noted that this year’s African Energy conference held in Ghana recorded over 50 exhibitors while about 40 papers were presented by various speakers from across the sub-Saharan African countries .

HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued 12 companies licences to generate power.

The Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Enforcement, NERC, Mr Steven Adzinge, said this while fielding questions from journalists in Lagos at a Power Consumer Assembly organized by the commission.

Adzinge said some of the companies licensed are those of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs). He said Ogorodo power plant in Delta State, Olorunsogo in Ogun State, Alaoji in Abia State while private companies, such as Zuma Energy was also given licence to construct a coal plant in Kogi State.

He also noted that Knox is another company in Kogi State and some companies in Lagos State, which he didn’t mention. NERC, he said, encourages diverse sources of energy; we are blessed in this nation.

“In South Africa, they depend mostly on coal. We have potentials in gas for thermal plants, we have hydro. Zuma Energy is licensed to produce 1000mw of electricity using coal. We are also concerned about renewable, biomass, solar and other sources of energy so that we can take advantage of all the potentials in this country,” he added.

Oil price dips below $80/bbl on recession fears

O

IL price dropped below $80 a barrel and capped the biggest weekly drop since May as a pledge by Group of 20 nations to tackle rising risks failed to ease concern that the global economy is on the brink of another recession.

According to Bloomberg, futures fell 0.8 percent in New York as losses in silver, lead, gold and zinc took the Standard & Poor’s GSCI Index of 24 commodities to its lowest level since December. Prices trimmed an intraday decline as equities and the euro rebounded on speculation global central banks will take coordinated measures to prevent a financial crisis.

“The last couple of days have been pretty wild and it looks like a lot of fears about the economy continue to weigh on the market,” said Gene McGillian, an analyst and broker at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut.

Crude for November delivery fell 66 cents to $79.85 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the first settlement below $80 since August 9.

Futures decreased 9.2 percent last week, the first decline in five weeks and the biggest drop since the five days ended May 6. Prices have fallen 13 percent this year.

Implied volatility for at-the-money options expiring in November, a measure of expected price swings in futures and a gauge of options prices, surged to the highest level in six weeks last week for the contract nearest to expiration. Volatility slipped to 47.2 percent at in New York from 48.5 percent on Thursday, according to Bloomberg data.

Brent for November delivery fell $1.52, or 1.4 percent, to $103.97 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange.

G-20 finance chiefs pledged to address risks to the global economy and pushed Europe to contain its sovereign debt crisis. Policy makers are “committed to a strong and coordinated international response to address the renewed challenges facing the global economy,” group finance ministers and central bank governors said in a statement in Washington.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

15

ENERGY

Why we set up consumer assistance fund, by NERC

T

HE Nigerian Electricity Regu latory Commission (NERC) has explained the reason it set up the Power Consumer Assistance Fund (PCAF).

It said the fund was administered to subsidize underprivileged power consumers as may be designated from time to time by the Minister of Power.

The under privileged power consumers are those, who may not be able to pay for electricity services as a result of the tariff.

Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Enforcement Division of the commission, Dr Steven Andzenge, stated this at a Power Consumer

Stories by Bidemi Bakare

Assembly in Lagos.

He said: “The Power consumer assistance fund is meant for a special kind of consumers. These are those who may be incapable of meeting up with payment when the new tariff takes effect. As we believe that electricity is a cardinal utility, so we want to make sure that these consumers can be taken care of. We are going to do it in such a way that there would be determination as to the eligibility.

Those we think fits into that category are those who are jobless and whose consumption is low and

has to consume without paying so much.”

He noted that the funding of the fund shall be in accordance with the policy directives issued by the Minister of Power.

“We will maintain the fund by the direction of the Minister and the act setting it up. The act stipulates that funding shall be from the commission operations whose funding shall be from the operations of the various companies.

The income and revenue of the fund would be derived from different sources. We would have subsidies and contributions from designated customers like industrial or

large residential customers, eligible customers and from the federal government. But we shall make sure we take into consideration the impact of the rate of contribution on eligible consumers who have to assume the burden of such contributions,” he said.

He said the commission shall be saddled with responsibility of keeping and managing the money and assets of the fund as well as handling the procedures of disbursement of the fund.

On the relevance of the Power Consumer assembly, he said: “This is a forum that the commission has put in place to be able to interact

with various stakeholders in the industry. This serves as an opportunity to explain what we are doing in NERC to regulate electricity.

It also provides opportunity for consumers to be enlightened on their rights. Issues related to metering and those related to bills consumers have to pay and even issues related to how they can conserve electricity would be addressed at the assembly. It is a way of enlightening and engaging consumers so that they can know what we are doing and we will also enlighten them on what they need to do so that they can be able to enjoy electricity services.”

‘Nigeria should embrace LPG’

F

OR its narrow explosive lim its, Liquefied Petroleum Gas {LPG} or cooking gas should be preferred to kerosine or firewood as an ideal fuel for domestic/commercial cooking and industrial use.

Head, Terminals and Engineering, Oando Marketing Plc, Ramanath Srugavarapu, disclosed this at a public/private sector dialogue on LPG in Lagos.

Srugavarapu who spoke on the topic:LPG for a cleaner and Greener environment-the India Experience at the event also revealed that while LPG has an energy content of 46Million Joule/kg,the energy contents of kerosene and firewood are 42.4Million Joule/kg and 17.5Million Joule/kg respectively.

The Million Joule/Kg is the unit of measuring energy content.

Despite these advantages which LPG offers, he wondered why Nigeria with a large population like India is yet to embrace the product the way India has done.

According to statistics, he said, with a population of about 150 million people, Nigeria by 2010 had total consumption put at 115,000 Metric Tonnes.Of this value domestic segment accounted for 92,000Metric Tonnes while the balance was for the commercial and industrial segment.

The country’s domestic per capital consumption was 0.61kg/year out of the total 0.77kg/year.

From these figures,the percentage of the country’s population using LPG for domestic consumption was 1.5 per cent.

On the other hand,he said,India by 2010 had a total consumption of 14.3 million metric tonnes (MT) from its population of 1.2 billion

people.The domestic segment accounted for 13millionMT while commercial and industrila segement took the remaining.

India’s per capital consumption for domestic use was 10.83 kg/year out of the total 11.91kg/year.

The above figures made 26 percent of indian population use LPG for domestic consumption.

He noted that the large poulation of Indians who utilises LPG may not be unconnected to the 70 per cent subsidy granted to LPG as this promotes affordability in lower income groups for domestic consumption.

Due to this subsidy, he said,LPG for domestic use is sold at a fixed price thus ensuring that the price does not fluctuate based on international crude oil prices.

Besides,he said the domestic LPG distribution has been dominated by public sector companies due to the above subsidy component while the presence of private sector companies in the domestic segment has been negligible.

The subsidy, according to him, makes a 14.2kg of gas to be sold for Indian’s INR 400 which is equivalent to N1500.

He, therefore, urged the authorities in Nigeria to remove all the bottlenecks and introduce subsidy so that the low income consumers can afford to use LPG just like the Indians.

As for the commercial and non domestic consumers,Srugavarapu said subsidy should not be extended to them adding that the price should be allowed to vary based on international crude oil prices.

Hesaidprivatesectorcompaniescanbegiven access to operate wholly within this segment.

Libya sees one third of output by October

L

IBYA’s oil production is set to reach 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) by early October or nearly a third of pre-war output, a senior source in the National Oil Corporation (NOC) said.

Its pre-war production was around 1.6 million bpd and the resumption will help Libya’s interim leaders start earning revenues badly needed to kickstart the economy after seven months of war.

“By the beginning of October, we can reach 500,000 barrels per day,” the NOC source told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

He said the offshore Total-run 45,000 bpd Al-Jurf field was in the process of restarting and that the larger 200,000 bpd Repsol-operated El-Sharara field, deep in the western desert, would begin pumping soon.

“Al-Jurf is in the process of restarting. Sharara has been liberated by our troops yesterday and we have sent technical operators with the Libyan troops. They expect production to be back in a very short time,” he said, adding that foreign workers were not required to begin pumping oil.

Libya is already producing oil from the eastern field of Sarir and sending it to the export terminal of Tobruk, NOC subsidiary Agoco has said.

A source working in the Libyan oil industry said that Repsol had sent a small team to Tripoli to meet with officials.

Total and Repsol , according to Reuters, declined comment.

The NOC source said the 120,000 bpd Zawiyah refinery is due to restart this week and will be fed by importing crude oil from other Libyan ports.

The refinery, just 70 km down the coast from the capital Tripoli, is the only one in Libya that can produce a significant amount of gasoline and is crucial to providing fuels for both civilian and military purposes.

This will help cut the crippling costs of buying fuel on the international spot market, although even in peacetime Libya relied on imports to meet domestic demand.

“We will bring in some oil to restart it,” he said.

The smaller Tobruk and Sarir refineries in east Libya, with a combined capacity of 30,000 bpd, have already resumed processing oil.

‘We will protect rights of customers, distribution Others are right to prompt ITH articulate policies,the companies’ reconnection of electric service Nigerian Electricity Regu

W

latory Commission (NERC) has said it would protect and promote the rights and interest of electricity consumers,the electricity service providers and facilitate partnerships with stakeholders.

Commissioner, Government and Consumer Affairs division of the commission, Dr Abba Ibrahim, stated this at a Power Consumer Assembly in Lagos.

Ibrahim noted that through the division NERC was prepared to maximise access to electricity by promoting and facilitating consumer connections to the distribution systems in both rural and urban areas.

This, according to him, would ensure that an adequate supply of electricity is available to the consumers.

He said part of the commission’s mandate is to ensure that the prices charged by the distribution companies are fair to the consumers and are sufficient to allow the companies to finance their activities and to allow for reasonable earnings for efficient operations.

He said the commisison would also ensure safety,security,reliability and qual-

ity of service in the production and delivery of electricity to consumers.

Besides,he said the commission would ensure that regulation is fair and balanced for the companies,consumers,investors and other stakeholders.

Ibrahim however noted that consumers too have to play their roles by complementing the efforts of the government and its agencies in realising this target of adequate electricity.

Among such roles are the payment of electricity bills and payment of security deposit requested by the distribution companies.

Others include the vigilant protection of electrical installations and fostering good relationships with electyricity workers as well as imbibing the culture of energy efficiency and conservation.

He tasked consumers to always keep abreast with their rights so as to file complaints in the event that any of these rights is being infringed upon.

Some of these rights, he said, include right to due process prior to disconnection of electric service and the right to notice prior to disconnection.

upon payment,right to refund of over billing,right to tranparent billing and right to prompt investigation of complaints.

He added that before taking compliants to the commission,consumers and companies alike are expected to have explored other avenues set up for this purpose.

These avenues,he said include the distribution company’s customer complaints unit (CCU) and the forum.

At the forum for instance,he said customers should get fair treatment owing to the representations of all parties involved.

Members of the forum, he noted include the representative of the household customers, representative of commercial customers ,representative of industrial customers, representative of NGO operating in distribution company’s area and a qualified electrical engineer based in distribution company’s area.

He said after exhausting these channels,the customer and distribution company both have the right to appeal to the commission but added that such appealsmust be submitted within 10 working days of the forum’s decision.

US crude oil supplies shrink by 7.3m barrels

T

HE United States’ crude oil supplies fell last week, while gasoline supplies grew, the government said. Crude supplies dropped by 7.3 million barrels, or 2.1 percent, to 339 million barrels, which is 5.4 percent below yearago levels, the Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration said in its weekly report.

According to Associated Press, ana-

lysts expected a decline of one million barrels for the week ended September 16, according to Platts, the energy information arm of McGrawHill Cos. Gasoline supplies rose by 3.3 million barrels, or 1.6 per cent, to 214.1 million barrels. That was above analysts’ expectations and 5.3 percent below year-ago levels.

Demand for gasoline over the four weeks ended September 16 was 1.7

per cent lower than a year earlier, averaging nearly nine million barrels a day.

U.S. refineries ran at 88.3 per cent of total capacity on average, a rise of 1.3 percentage points from the prior week. Analysts expected capacity to slip to 86.5 per cent.

Supplies of distillate fuel, which include diesel and heating oil, fell by 900,000 barrels to 157.6 million barrels. Analysts expected distillate stocks to grow by 1.2 million barrels.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

16

ENERGY

Conoil boosts greener environment with Congas

• Mike Adenuga, Chairman, Conoil Plc

I

N line with the global trend for a greener and cleaner environ ment, Conoil Plc has outlined its determination to popularise the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Nigeria as the preferred energy source for industrial and domestic applications.

Lamenting the degradation caused the environment through the use of firewood and the scarce and expensive Household Kerosene (HHK) also called kerosene, the company promised to make its brand of LPG, known as Congas available to the generality of Nigerians at affordable price in correct quantity and quality.

LPG is a cleaner and safer form of energy suitable for industrial and domestic use. It also promotes the Kyoto Protocol on green gas reduction, of which Nigeria is a signatory. However, inadequate infrastructure has been identified as the major obstacle hindering cooking gas consumption in the country. At 0.5 kg per capita per year, Nigeria has the lowest in Africa in LPG consumption.

As part of its strategies therefore, Conoil , has commenced customerfriendly schemes that would en-

sure availability of Congas all the time by taking it to the door-steps of consumers. It also plans to increase its current LPG production capacity by 75 percent.

According to the company, the door-to-door distribution scheme, is aimed at reducing consumer’s burden in the purchase and subsequent refill because research has shown that a major challenge to the use of LPG in Nigeria is that of availability of the product.

The company also noted that the Federal Government has always sought to promote LPG as the preferred energy for industrial and domestic applications given its cleaner and safer properties.

“What we are doing at Conoil is to support this great effort through this scheme,” the company said.

An official of the company said that Conoil plans to build LPG

plants in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Kano to significantly boost production and complement its state-of-the-art bottling plant in Lagos which has the capacity to produce 5,000 cylinders a day.

To further popularise the use of LPG among Nigerians as a veritable alternative cooking fuel, Conoil has launched another scheme that allows the consumers to discard rickety and unsafe cylinders, at a subsidised rate, for brand new Congas cylinders. According to the company, this scheme is aimed at drastically reducing the dangers inherent in the use of old cylinders at home.

Under the scheme, the consumers are required to take their old, empty gas cylinders to any Conoil retail outlets or distributors and exchange them for brand new Congas cylinders. Consumers are also guaranteed to save some money

for every old cylinder so exchanged.

“The scheme is targeted at pushing into the market, brand new cylinders that will assist in overcoming safety concerns as they affect LPG usage. This is critical for the government to meet its objective of raising consumption to 1.0 million tonnes per annum by 2015,” the official said.

“Awareness on the need to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming in African countries has been on the upsurge recently following concerted efforts by governments to promote sustainable development and protection of the environment.

Already, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Environment, is putting finishing touches to a draft policy on climate change in Nigeria,” the official added.

Goldman sees high oil prices despite slowdown

G

OLDMAN Sachs reiterated its forecast for high oil prices, even as worries over the U.S. economy led to a more than five pear cent fall in United States crude futures and a more than three percent fall in Brent futures prices in trade.

In a note published last recently, the Wall Street bank said it continued to forecast that European benchmark Brent crude, used to price more than half the world’s oil, would average $130 a barrel next year due to tight supply.

However, the bank did revise down its projected price of U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermedi-

ate in the next three months due to the disconnect that has emerged between the US. crude marker and its European counterpart.

Logistical issues at WTI’s delivery point of Cushing Okla. have led to a build up of oil in the region, pushing down its price relative to Brent.

Despite evidence of stock-draws in recent months, the price gap between the two crudes has hardly narrowed.

“While we continue to expect WTIBrent spreads to narrow in 2012, it is likely that the WTI-Brent spread will remain wide in coming months,” the bank said as its lowered its forecast for WTI to $97.50 a barrel from $115 a barrel.

OPEC output to drop on Libya’s production recovery

G

• LPG cylinders

EU lifts sanctions on Libyan oil company

T

HE European Union said at the weekend that it was lift ing sanctions on Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) following the fall of Col. Moammar Gadhafi last month, ending a key hurdle to the meaningful return of the country’s oil exports to European consumers.

In its official journal, the EU said it was striking NOC, along with state-controlled oil-field and port operator Zueitina Oil Company from a list of entities European companies were barred to have transactions with.

Until now, European compa-

nies were generally barred from buying lift crude from Libya. The only exception was Arabian Gulf Oil Company (Agoco), an Eastern oil company long controlled by the rebels which restarted production this month.

That created a legal conundrum for foreign companies, which, like Total are about to restart exports and would be expected to get an entitlement on their production through NOC. The European move would also ease access to over-dues from cargoes that were loaded by European companies but not paid af-

ter sanctions kicked in.

Though the end of the sanctions had been expected, its timing was unknown.

A virtual shutdown of Libyan oil exports after civil war erupted in Libya in February led to higher prices in Europe - its main customer - forcing Saudi Arabia to boost its supply and consumers to draw into their emergency stockpiles. While a fraction of Libyan output has been restored, analysts think a full recovery of Libyan outPut could be two or more years away.

ULF members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will cut their output of oil once Libya’s production is back on track, Abdullah al-Badri, secretary general of the organization has said.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf producers raised output this summer to make up for the drop in Libyan exports that resulted from the uprising against Col. Muammar elQaddafi and the international sanctions imposed against his regime.

Now, “as long as Libya starts to produce more and more, it is in the other OPEC members’ best interest to produce less,” Badri told the Gulf Intelligence Energy Markets Forum in Dubai. “I don’t talk to member countries individually about this; the market sorts itself out.”

According to The New York Times, in August, Saudi Arabia

Energy prices

Domestic prices of petroleum products

Energy & Oil Prices OIL ($/bbl)

Companies

PMS

AGO

DPK

Conoil

65.00

160.00

140.00

AP

65.00

160.00

140.00

Total

65.00

160.00

140.00

Oando

65.00

160.00

140.00

Mobil

65.00

160.00

140.00

Texaco

65.00

160.00

140.00

INDIGENOUS

Nymex Crude Future Dated Brent Spot WTI Cushing Spot OIL (¢/gal)

PRICE* CHANGE

% CHANGE TIME

79.85 106.64 79.58

-0.82% -0.85% -0.85%

-0.66 -0.91 -0.68

PRICE* CHANGE Nymex Heating Oil Future 279.58 Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future 255.47 NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu)

-5.27 -0.53

PRICE* CHANGE Nymex Henry Hub Future 3.70 Henry Hub Spot 3.74 New York City Gate Spot 3.90 ELECTRICITY ($/megawatt hour)

0.00 0.03 -0.01

PRICE* CHANGE

Energy

65.00

160.00

140.00

Fagbems

65.00

160.00

140.00

Nipco

65.00

160.00

140.00

09/23 09/23 09/23

% CHANGE TIME -1.85% -0.21%

09/23 09/23

% CHANGE TIME -0.11% 0.81% -0.26%

09/23 09/23 09/23

% CHANGE TIME

Mid-Columbia, firm on-peak, spot 31.43 -2.02 -6.04% 09/23 Palo Verde, firm on-peak, spot 34.82 -4.25 -10.88% 09/23 BLOOMBERG, FIRM ON-PEAK, DAY AHEAD SPOT/ERCOT HOUSTON 55.79 17.95 47.44% 09/23 • Bloomberg Oil Buyers Guide

raised its production of oil and attempted to persuade other OPEC members to do the same in order to stabilize oil prices amid uncertainty in the global economy.

To help compensate for the international market’s loss of 1.6 million barrels a day of Libyan crude as early as February, Saudi output rose above 9.8 million barrels a day by June from around 9.1 million in February. That was trimmed back to 9.6 million barrels a day in July, after the June announcement by the International Energy Agency of a planned 60-million-barrel release from the United States and other developed nations’ stockpiles; but it rose again to about 9.8 million barrels a day in August, according to Reuters, based on figures from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative, a producer-consumer information exchange program.

OPEC’s 12 member countries expect Libyan oil production to recover enough to reach one million barrels a day within six months, Badri said.

Facilities in the eastern and western border areas of Libya, like the fields of the Italian company Eni near the Algerian border and fields operated by Repsol of Spain and Total of France in the west, have reported no damage and continue to produce up to 600,000 barrels of oil per day in total, he said. Facilities in the centre of the country, however, have been affected and output has fallen.

“Most production comes from the middle of the country and not all of this is damaged,” Badri said. “Some facilities work here and there, coming up with 200,000 to 300,000 barrels of oil per day.”

Damage to facilities includes broken instruments, which he said was a bigger challenge to resuming full production than any posed by security issues.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

17

MARITIME

How to avert danger at the ports, by stakeholders • ‘We are worried by incessant police - Customs quarrels’

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to curb the excesses of officers and men of the Police working at the nation’s seaports.

Terminal operators, stakeholders and port users said they want to know from President Goodluck Jonathan, the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly, where the role of the police starts in the clearance of dangerous goods. They also want to know who has the authority to intercept, inspect and impound illegal and dangerous goods entering the country through the seaports between the Customs and the police.

These are issues they want addressed to stop incessant police - customs clash at the Lagos Port.

Another clash was averted last Friday following the restraint shown by officers and men of the Customs.

Trouble started last Friday, when the Area Comptroller, Tin Can Island Customs command, Comptroller Charles Edike, arrived Five Star Logistics Terminal about 11.am with some reporters to inspect a suspected 40-foot container intercepted by the command last Thursday.

At the exit gate of the terminal, the Comptroller was surprised to see a pick-up van with Registration Number FG 133 k 41 and another vehicle loaded with some of the suspected items about to be driven out of the terminal by some armed police officers.

On enquiry, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Tin Can Port, Mr Ahmed Daura, who was in mufti, told Edike that the suspected goods were being taken away for laboratory test even before verification and counting of the items by the Customs.

When Edike questioned the motive behind the move, Daura became furious; while some junior police officers started brandishing guns, harassing reporters. They ordered the reporters to switch off their tapes, cameras and threatening to manhandle those who disobey them.

Daura said he, as the chief security officer of the command, has the right to take away the suspected items and arrest anybody including the Customs Area Comptroller.

“The issue is that we were directed not to allow journalists

• Hafiz Ringim Police IG Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

to come into the terminal and that is why we are asking you to go ourt in your own interest. I am the chief security officer of this command and I have power to arrest and deal with anybody including the Customs officers that brought you here. Even the CAC security is under me, and that is why you all need to be careful,” Daura said.

The police were about 30 in number and many of them were not in uniform.

Realising that their lives were at risk, the reporters started shouting and calling their colleagues to join them.

As other reporters arrived, the situation became uncontrollable. The reporters persisted in asking questions, suspecting that the police must have hidden agenda.

Edike resisted Daura, insisting that there is a law governing activities in the port that must be respected by the police.

The port, Edike insisted, is a Customs port and that they must finish their own statutory functions before handing over to other government agencies, including the police.

“The Comptroller-General has instructed me that we must not allow anything to go out of the port unless he gives the permission,” Edike said.

For over two hours, the situation in was tense.

Daura and his men later left the scene. Customs and reporters were then allowed to perform their duties without intimidation and harassment.

• Dikko

A senior State Security Service (SSS) operative, who craves anonymity, condemned the attitude of Daura and his men and blamed them for truncating the synergy and the collaborative efforts among security agencies at the port. “ Under normal circumstances, the police have no right to behave the way they behaved to you journalists when you entered the terminal. We were watching you when the police said the items can explode and for almost two hours, they prevented Customs from doing their job. I don’t know when it has become one of the duties of police to clear goods from the port. But I have no doubt that the Federal Government will address the issue at an appropriate time,” the officer said.

A clearing agent, Mr Sesan Arowolo, also accused the police of high handedness and blamed them for most of the rots in the port.

“It is even good that they are doing it to Customs and when I said Customs, I mean the Area Comptroller. The police created majority of the problems we are facing in the port today. They started extortion and are responsible for the majority of illegal tolls in and around the port.

“Many times, when our goods have been cleared by Customs, the police will insist that if we don’t give them money, our vehicles would not go out of the port. We hope the police will not turn the port into a battle field and send away all the investors in our port because of their love for egunje (bribe), “ Arowolo said.

N/Assembly urged to pass NEPZA Bill

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HE National Assembly has been urged to pass the Nigerian Exports Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) Bill to boost the nation’s economy.

The Executive Chairman of the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics, Mr. Ladi Jadesimi, made the plea while delivering a paper on “FTZ Market Outlook for Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges” at a Free Trade Zone interactive forum in Lagos.

He said the protracted delay in the passage of the reviewed law has rendered the growth of the industry stagnant.

The NEPZA Act which was enacted in 1992, Jadesimi said, is obsolete, hence its provisions were no longer suitable for the in-

dustry in line with global best practices.

Jadesimi pointed out that an update of the law would augur well for the industry as it seeks to present a platform for ministries and agencies whose activities impact on free zones operations.

He called on the banking sector to take a look at ways of assisting indigenous investors by granting those facilities that would encourage them to do business in the country, rather than engaging in acts that may lead to capital flight.

“Most investors appear not to be adequately aware of the free zone regime. Free Zones operations has since gone beyond the traditional zones they used to be and this underscores why the National

Assembly should, as a matter of urgency, do something now, so that outsiders would not continue to take advantage of the spreading ignorance,” he said.

Mr Jadesimi, however, lauded the passage of the Nigerian Content Act, saying the development has boosted the application and successes in the down stream sector of the Oil and gas industry.

“Oil and gas related vessels can now operate from wherever they are located with everyone fully aware of the rules of the game. A fiscal legislature like that should also be on ground to regulate activities of operators in the Free Zones,” he added.

In his contribution, Executive Secretary of the Africa Free Zones

Importers, traders lament rice duty THE Federal Government has been urged to review the duty on rice to bring down its landing cost and make it more affordable.

The price, consumers said, has increased geometrically since the Federal Government banned importation of the commodity through Seme, Idiroko and other land borders.

Some of the consumers, who spoke with The Nation, attributed the high cost of rice to the new tariff regime introduced by the government.

A consumer, Mrs Sola Ayeni, also lamented the high cost of rice and low quality rice being imported through the Lagos ports.

Mrs Ayeni believes that good quality parboiled rice being imported through Benin Republic Port, noting that that was the reason some dealers prefer total ban of the item through the land borders.

Another rice consumer and a primary school teacher, Mr Adelani Popoola, advised President Goodluck Jonathan and other relevant agencies to review the duty payed to Customs to reduce its landing cost to make the item more affordable to Nigerians.

The new Federal Executive Council to be constituted by President Jonathan, he said, should assist Nigerians by reducing its tariff.

According him, if the duty is maintained, it would mean that Nigerians are now paying more to buy a bag of rice which now sells for between N7,500 and N9,000 in the market, depending on the brand and quality.

Investigation conducted by The Nation revealed that rice importation through the land borders has stopped while its smuggling has reduced drastically due to the high landing cost of the commodity because of the surveillance put in place by Customs.

A rice merchant at Alaba Rago Market in Lagos, Alhaji Sheu Yahya, told Said when the ban on rice importation through the land borders was lifted earlier last year, the landing cost of 600 bags was put at N2.7 million.

Sheu said the same bags of rice sells at N3,850,000, an amount which the importers consider too expensive.

‘Why CRFFN suspended officers’ THE Chairman of the Governing council of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CFRFFN), Alhaji Hakeem Olanrewaju, has disclosed that its Vice Chairman, Dr Sama Onyemelukwe and two others were suspended for allegedly violating some portions of the council’s Act. He told The Nation that the officers were suspended for violating chapter 2, section 19 (1 and 2) which spells out actions that are deemed as misconduct under the Act. The CRFFN chairman also alleged that the suspended members, apart from committing acts that ridiculed the council, the Minister of Transport and the country by writing letters that not only casts aspersion on the integrity, they also failed to explore avenues that are provided for in the Act to table their grievances.

A copy of the suspension letter, which was sighted by our correspondent also directed that the af-

fected officers should retract the media reports that were allegedly initiated by them in a national newspaper. They were also directed to withdraw their litigations against the Minister of transport, and their council. They were also ordered to retract all correspondence that they had earlier sent to the International Federation of Freight Forwarders (FIATA). The letters were allegedly written against CRFFN, the Ministry of Transport and the Government of Nigeria.

The suspended governing council members were also directed to tender a written apology to the minister of transport, Senator Idris Umar.

Alhaji Olanrewaju said that they were suspended at a duly constituted meeting which they also attended and were subsequently given seven days to comply with the directives, but he regretted that he is yet to head from them.

NPA supports HIV/ AIDS campaign THE Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has assured the officials of the Abidjan – Lagos Corridor for Trade and Transport Facilitation Project (ALTTFP) of its preparedness to promote the awareness, and fight HIV/AIDS in the West African Sub-region.

Speaking at the NPA Headquarters in Lagos, the Managing Director, Omar Suleiman, represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Aina Egharevba, said management would give all necessary support to the committee established to sensitise and increase the awareness about the prevention of HIV/AIDS within and around the port communities in Lagos and other areas The Executive Director added that the truckers at the ports are among the most exposed to the pandemic, so the NPA management is willing to support the fight against the scourge, more so when two members of the Executive Management of the Authority are part of the committee.

Egharevba added that NPA would also increase the awareness on the dangers of the disease among its staff through the sensitisation programmes of its already established team, which she said, would impact on global programmes along the West African corridor.

Earlier, the leader of the two man delegation from Abidjan-Lagos corridor for Trade and Transport Fa-

By Uyoatta Eshiet

cilitation Project (ALTTFP), Mr Eddy, Kokouvi Anthony, said the purpose of their visit was to increase the awareness on the need to tackle HIV/AIDS and also to facilitate free movement of people and goods along the West African corridors.

Stating that truckers and traders spend lots of time along the corridor, especially at the Krake –Seme Border, which he said hampers the rapid growth of business along the sub-region.

Mr Anthony added that the project is to be carried out at the ports in Coted’ivore, Ghana, Togo, Republic of Benin and Lagos Ports Complex in Nigeria; and that the huge populations around the West Coast Corridor makes it vulnerable to easy transmission of the disease, a situation that calls for constant monitoring by all concern.

The project, which is aimed at preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS would be funded by the World Bank and supported by the ECOWAS and it would last for six years, from September 2010.

The Abidjan-Lagos Corridor organisation, he added, would work with the Medical Department of the NPA and the Lagos State Aids Control Agency (LASACA) to increase preventive on the disease.

Mr Anthony urged the NPA Management to move fast in order to achieve the deadline set by the World Bank and the ECOWAS in this regards.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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MARITIME Maritime Watch Service providers meet lawmakers Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

• Lagos port, Apapa.

Row over dredging of Calabar port deepens • Ministry, NPA under attack for alleged partiality

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HE Federal Ministry of Transport and the Nige rian Ports Authority (NPA) plan to manipulate the evaluation process of the bid for the dredging of Calabar Port.

Some of the bidding firms, it was learnt, have in the last three months been contesting what they describe as alleged “ deft moves” of the ministry and NPA to award the $200 million (about N30 billion) contract to NPA’s subsidiary, Lagos Channel Management (LCM), against procurement procedures in the Public Procurement Act 2007.

The feud is affecting the redredging of the 86-kilometre Calabar River Channel. Almost 15 months after the process was initiated, the preferred bidders are yet to secure a “Certificate of No Objection” from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), nor began work.

All entreaties by the ministry and its agency to pacify the aggrieved firms to pave the way for LCM to secure the BPP’s go-ahead have been shunned by the contractors.

A fence-mending meeting in Abuja last week, at the instance, of the ministry, Permanent Secretary was followed by an advertisement by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in some papers.

The dredging companies’ complaint is that LCM, by virtue of its relationship with the arbiters, should not have been part of the bid process.

Its involvement, they claimed is unethical and tantamounts to NPA acting as a judge in its own case.

The case, they alleged, is compounded by LCM, NPA and the ministry refusal of LCM to disclose its ties with NPA as required in the bid procedure and extant BPP regulations. It was learnt that LCM is owned by a consortium of NPA and a Swiss company, Depasa Marine International, which is managed by Israelis. About 60 per cent of the company’s shares belong to NPA and 40 per cent to

By Sunday Omoniyi

Depasa, sources said.

Besides its ties with the arbiter, the companies alleged that LCM’s bid price is outrageous. It offered the highest bid price among the four companies that scaled the hurdle for commercial evaluation and came fourth overall. Its bid price of 120,331,199.47 euros is about 41 million euros more than that of the company that was first on the list, 30 million euros more than the second placed company and 18 million euros more than that of the third company.

“Despite this, NPA abandoned the three companies that offered lower bid prices than LCM when due process requires that the most attractive prices get the contract and when that fails, the next should be considered for the job”, said a marine engineer, Mr. Frank Alio.

Of the six companies, Jan De Nul has the lowest bid price of 79, 083,454 euros. It was followed by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), 90, 910,731.09 euros. Dredging International, 101, 829, 300.00 euros and LCM, 120, 331,199.47 euros.

Westminster Dredging and Van Oord, both of which survived the technical evaluation but were disqualified after the opening of the bid for failure to submit bond security, sent the highest bid prices. Westminster offered to undertake the contract for 132, 395,176.03

euros Van Oord 139, 574,782.56 euros. Six months after the public tender, NPA re-invited LCM and Van Ord, which was previously disqualified to make it seem as if LCM made the lower bid, a source said.

The favoured company, the source claimed, was incorporated expressly to manage Lagos channels and ports, adding that if it must go beyond the shores of Lagos, it should change its memorandum and articles of association.

In a petition to BPP, the Country Representative and Director of Jan De Nul Limited alleged that “LCM has no vessel to its name and that it uses the tools of the NPA to execute its contracts”.

On receipt of the petition, BPP’s Director-General, Mr Emeka Ezeh, demanded an explanation from the Transport ministry and NPA. He was said to have reminded the minister and NPA that a procurement of such magnitude must pass through the bureau for a certificate of “No Objection”, which would be issued after grievances raised by the contending parties have been addressed.

The ministry responded by calling a meeting of the contractors. But rather than address the injustice which the petition raised, the permanent secretary allegedly asked the companies not to protest as more contracts were coming.

This is the third controversial contract for the dredging of the seaport. The previous attempts ended in fiasco and cost the nation N13 billion. According to maritime experts, the 2006 contract in which the Federal Government invested $56 million failed because of the underestimation of the task by the consultant engaged by the ministry and NPA. The two companies, Jan de Nul and Van Oord, that handled the job were asked to excavate a certain quantity of silt and on completion of the job, they left the site.

Maritime experts claimed that the ministry and NPA erred by making their estimates on the quantity of spoil rather than asking the contractors to achieve a certain level of draft all through the length and breadth of 86-Km Calabar Port channel.

The 1996 dredging done by China Civil Engineering and Construction Company suffered the same fate. Some officials of the ministry and NPA inspected the job on completion and declared it the best ever done in the country. It took a maritime expert to alert the nation that the contractor did a shoddy job.

The dredging of the second and third generation ports which the Federal Government acquired in the late 60s have been fraught with problems.

This includes the lower Niger River, Koko-Benin River, Burutu in Forcados River;and Abonnema.

‘Govt committed to shipping’

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HE government is com mitted to the building of capacity for shipping development in Nigeria, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar has said.

Umar gave the assurance in a message to a one-day Shipping Development Workshop organised by the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos. He said such efforts at building capacity would have a direct and positive effect on the implementation of

By Uyoatta Eshiet

the Cabotage law in the country.

The minister, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Hajia Lami Tumaka, said capacity building would also impact on ship building and ship repair businesses.

He said the workshop represented the raw materials

needed to grow the Nigerian maritime sector at the speed of light, even as he affirmed that it also played a major role in the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’ s administration.

At the end of the event it was agreed by stakeholders who , that the industry is still faced with the dearth of adequate manpower and young blood, especially in the seafaring who are supposed to take over from the ageing ones.

THE three service provider companies at the nation’s Destination Inspection of goods under the Comprehensive Imports Supervision Scheme (CISS), have rendered their scorecards to the National Assembly, saying they had so far done well.

Chief executives of the three companies, who took turns to brief members of the House of Reps Ad-hoc Committee, which conducted a week-long public hearing on ‘Single Window’ contract, were unanimous in their submission that despite some initial hiccups in the system, the nation’s international trade had been the better for it.

With a broad-based scope of services, the Destination Inspection companies were to among other things, deploy a Computerised Risk Management System (CRMS), provide a Data Base for Price, carry out Customs Valuation and Classification of goods, installed Scanners at designated ports of entries, carry out physical examination of goods in conjunction with Customs officers when necessary, as well Training and Capacity Building of servicemen for the future management of the project.

Industry watchers have pointed out that not only has the Customs revenue progressively increased over the years, the nation can now boast of being a leading end-user of worldclass scanning equipment in the sub-region with a remarkably skilled Customs personnel in computer operations..

ANCLA holds seminar THE National Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) wiil hold a two-day seminar in Lagos, starting from tomorrow.

The theme of the free seminar is The role of customs agents in regulatory compliance and trade facilitation.

The National Executive Council meeeting of the group will also hold on Thursday.

The leadership of the association said the objectiveof the tour embarked upon by the clearing agents is to enable the the body to get first hand information from members on the problems facing their businesses and their relationship with the Customs at the various locations as well as seek ways to work in collaboration with the Nigerian Customs Service (NSC) to build capacity of the clearing agents which in turn will generate more funds to the Federal Government through the Nigerian Customs Service. Eminent Nigerians and prominent stakeholders in the industry are expected at the seminar.

Shipowners to get EEDI MEMBERS of International Chambers of Shipping have expressed satisfaction with the adoption in June, by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) of technical regulations to help the shipping industry further reduce its CO2 emissions globally. They said that this demonstrated that IMO was eminently capable of regulating shipping’s CO2 emissions, and that with the support of the industry, IMO was ahead of the curve and well placed to supplement this with the development of Market Based Measures for shipping.

The ICS Board reiterated the preference of the majority of the industry for an environmental compensation fund, to which any contributions by ships would be primarily linked to fuel consumption, rather than an emissions trading scheme.

Now that IMO has adopted binding regulations, that will enter into force in 2013, ICS hopes this will be sufficient to dissuade governments from pursuing detailed CO2 rules for shipping at the UNFCCC ( United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) or through regional requirements, for example by the EU. Such alternative measures would only be likely to apply to a proportion of the world fleet and would, therefore, deliver far smaller total emission reductions than global measures agreed through IMO. “ICS national associations will be lobbying their governments hard on these points, and in support of IMO, in advance of the next United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Durban in December,” said ICS Chairman, Mr. Spyros Polemis.

Firm introduces weather equipment APPLIED Weather Technology, Inc. (AWT) has unveiled a new Automatic Identification System (AIS), which will help fleet managers to monitor their vessels.

This is coming on the heels of the recent convention of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) which made AIS mandatory for all ships weighing more than 300 tons.

Basically, AIS is an automated tracking system used on ships for identifying and locating oncoming ships for avoiding collision. AWT has improvised the same technology for the close monitoring of ships.

“With AWT Global AIS, we combine global satellite coverage with terrestrial AIS data to provide fleet managers with maximum coverage,” said Skip Vaccarello, President/ Chief executive officer, AWT. The AIS transponders automatically broadcast information including ship’s position, speed and the direction at which it is heading. Vessels can be monitored very closely when satellite data is combined with AIS, says AWT. In addition, AIS lets fleet owners to know when the ship will arrive at port, whether the vessel is falling behind schedule or encountering bad weather.

“When combined with GlobalView, not only does it give us positioning of the entire fleet on-screen, but you get the added bonus of overlaying the weather, clouds, visibility, waves, current speeds, etc., and this list goes on. It is an invaluable source of information in a neat little package,” said

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

The Palestinians’ bid

The Eurozone crisis Lessons Nigeria should learn

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OR good reason, attention of the global financial community was, for the better part of last week, focused on the Eurozone. Top of the list of the concerns was whether the debt-ridden Greece would not become the Lehman Brothers of Europe, with the looming threat of default on its staggering E340 billion debt. The earlier lifeline of E110 billion pooled by the troika of European Union, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Community Bank (ECB) had failed to do the trick.

Wayward Greece, as it appeared, had failed to rein in its appetite for overspending.

French and German banks were said to be particularly at grave risk. There was even the talk about Greece pulling out of the Eurozone, a most outlandish proposition and a recipe for disaster of incalcu-

‘Here are the lessons Nigeria can take from the Eurozone crisis. Lesson one is the interconnectedness of the international financial system.

Two is the danger of doing nothing or doing little too late in the face of a looming crisis. The case of collapse of Lehman Brothers instructs that failure to act can come with humongous costs’

lable proportions for the currency and the European economy by any standards.

Although, Greece may appear the sick baby of the Eurozone, the truth also is that nearly all of the 17 nations using the Euro suffer the same fundamental ailment of insolvency in different shades and degrees. Of course, only three – Portugal, Spain and Greece have bitten the bullet of swallowing the bitter pill of austerity after taking the lifeline provided by the EU, IMF and the ECB. Italy has the highest sovereign debt of all the countries in the zone. This is in spite of its economy being more or less stagnant. If it seems any respite, its debts are said to be largely domestic as against foreign. Spain, in addition to its unmanageable sovereign debt has the highest unemployment in the zone. Its banks’ books are said to be stuffed with bad debts.

Like Spain, Portugal is another beneficiary of bailout – worth E78 billion.

France’s headache however is a different kind: its economy is said to be anaemic – but this pales into insignificance compared to its banks’ exposure to Greece debts; the ripples from the contagion in the event of a possible Greek default would be catastrophic to its banks.

Germany is the only exception. Its economy seems to be holding steady against all odds. Apart from carrying the burden of the Eurozone as the biggest contributor to the bailout fund, its source of trouble is its banks’ exposure to sov-

ereign debts. A Greek default would translate to Germany’s shelling out billions of Euros to rescue its own banks.

Here are the lessons Nigeria can take from the Eurozone crisis. Lesson one is the interconnectedness of the international financial system. Two is the danger of doing nothing or doing little too late in the face of a looming crisis. The case of collapse of Lehman Brothers instructs that failure to act can come with humongous costs.

With the benefit of hindsight, averting the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 would have been far cheaper than the cost of managing the turmoil which has engulfed the world since. A timely rescue plan for the American lender would have saved everyone lots of trouble, hence the new wisdom that doing nothing – as pure capitalism dictates – has become no choice at all.

Are the growth-killing austerity measures being recommended as panacea the way out? We do not think so. We have no doubt that bailout measures would grant the affected countries some reprieve; the danger is that this has often come with stifling conditions which negate job creation and economic growth prospects. Current attitudes which suggest that the beggar-nations have no choice are therefore unhelpful. The travails of Spain, Portugal and lately Greece should be a sobering lesson on the dangers of the ruinous path of mindless fiscal profligacy of the kind that led us inexorably into debt peonage.

Reforming the Judiciary •How sincere is the new CJN? HE admission by the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), JusticeDahiru Musdapher, that all is not well with the judiciary is right on the mark. So, it is right that the new CJN, at the special court session to mark the beginning of the new legal year, promised to work towards a renewal of the system. There is no doubt that the image of the Nigerian judiciary, particularly the apex administrative and judicial authorities, the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Supreme Court, had reached their lowest levels in recent times.

The crisis of confidence in the NJC’s exercise of its powers of discipline over judges was compounded by the accusations that the former CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, was involved in the subversion of the judicial process. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s judicial system is constitutionally entwined in the person of the CJN, who doubles as the head of the Supreme Court and also the head of the NJC. So, when there is an infraction of the law involving the CJN, it is near impossible to get him to account, as the body constitutionally empowered to do so is also headed by him, and comprises mainly his appointees.

It was such predicament that consumed, albeit temporarily, the suspended President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Ayo Salami. It was

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the crisis of confidence between the CJN and the PCA that brought out the smelly underbelly of the national judiciary. So, the promises of reformation made by the new CJN are doubtful, as he was also an interested party in the Salami crisis, as he chaired the NJC panel that was used to nail the PCA. Thus, it is difficult to expect much from the new CJN. But should he find the impetus to do the needful, it is important to remind him of the urgent need to start the reformation through a healing process, by recalling the PCA, so as to reassure those who have sworn to give justice to all manner of persons without fear or favour to continue to do their duty.

This will also remove the current fear that ‘might is right’; as the former CJN is almost getting away with the maltreatment meted out to the former PCA. Again, the new CJN must also take steps to reassure the public of the sanctity of the temple of justice by weeding out corrupt elements within the system.

The way out is to change the leadership of the NJC to retired justices.

The current system whereby the CJN also doubles as the chairman of the NJC breeds conflict of interest. If however the CJN could summon the courage to change the system, chances are that he would be remem-

bered for that, than for all the recent controversies in the Supreme Court, which he has been part of. Considering that his tenure will be less than one year, there should be some urgency if the CJN truly intends to restructure the system.

Alternatively, the National Assembly should begin the process of amending the constitution, as it relates to the membership of the NJC, particularly the headship, reserved for the CJN and the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, and replace same with retired Justices of the Supreme Court. To allow the current situation of an omnipotent CJN to continue is to court trouble.

‘Thus, it is difficult to expect much from the new CJN. But should he find the impetus to do the needful, it is important to remind him of the urgent need to start the reformation through a healing process, by recalling the PCA, so as to reassure those who have sworn to give justice to all manner of persons without fear or favour to continue to do their duty’

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AST year, President Obama’s speech to the United Nations was full of promise and determination to advance Palestinian statehood through negotiations with Israel.

This year, his address was about lowering expectations and a dispiriting realpolitik as the president spoke of how “peace is hard” and vowed to veto the Palestinians’ bid for statehood if it came to a Security Council vote.

Mr. Obama had no choice but to stand by Israel, this country’s historic ally. And we agree that a negotiated deal is the only way to ensure the creation of a viable Palestinian state, guarantee Israel’s security and build a lasting peace.

But there should be no illusions about the high cost both Israel and this country will pay if this stalemate is allowed to drag on any longer.

There is plenty of blame to go around. The main responsibility right now belongs to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel who refuses to make any serious compromises for peace. He appears far more concerned about his own political survival than his country’s increasing isolation or the threat of renewed violence in the West Bank and all around Israel’s borders.

The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, who is understandably frustrated, has forced a process that holds high risks for him as well.

The bid to the United Nations is hugely popular among Palestinians. But he may find it hard to contain their disappointment when it becomes clear that maneuvering in New York cannot deliver a state on the ground.

President Obama and his aides have misplayed the diplomacy from the start; they promised “confidence building” measures they couldn’t deliver and lost sight of the bigger deal. But we are sure there can be no solution without strong American leadership.

What happens now? On Friday, Mr. Abbas is expected to submit an application for statehood to the Security Council, triggering a review process with no definite timetable. Washington hopes this will buy room and time to get the two sides into substantive talks.

The United States and its allies are going to have to be ready to push both the Israelis and the Palestinians hard. After months of talking, the so-called Quartet — the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations — still has not agreed on a set of negotiating guidelines on borders, security, refugees and Jerusalem.

There is no mystery to what a final deal would look like, just a lack of political courage to push it to the end. In The Times on Thursday, Ehud Olmert, Israel’s former prime minister, wrote about his own 2008 peace offer to Mr. Abbas, which would have led to the creation of a Palestinian state on territory equivalent to the pre-1967 West Bank and Gaza Strip, with mutually agreed land swaps.

Mr. Olmert said his ideas were never formally rejected by Mr. Abbas, who, despite recent assertiveness, suffers from an inability to make decisions. When Mr. Netanyahu took office, Mr. Abbas wanted to pick up where Mr. Olmert left off, but Mr. Netanyahu wanted to start fresh.

The United States and its partners should put a map and a deal on the table, with a timeline for concluding negotiations and a formal United Nations statehood vote. The proposal must be bold and fair and backed by the Security Council and the Arab League. And they need to help sell it to the Israeli and Palestinian people — not just politicians.

There is still some time left to avoid a complete diplomatic train wreck. But not a lot of time.

– New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

“Here comes the ‘GRAND COMMANDER of the FEDERAL REPUBLIC’ ... (GCFR).”

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IR: The recent shocking report about a five-man gang said to have taken turns to sexually assault an undergraduate female student of the Abia State University has generated maelstrom of outrage both at home and abroad.

The international community and human rights groups especially have risen to condemn the barbaric act, challenging the authorities to uncover the perpetrators. The social media where the buzz emanated has also been alive with new revelations as the hunt for the evil men is being intensified by angry youths.

Many rape incidents may have gone unreported because the victims in trying to avoid stigmatization decided to lick their wounds in silence; but this case appears an exception. Reason? The criminals in this case were very daring. They chose to report themselves and call the bluff of the Nigerian government to come after them if they can.

When the rape was freshly reported, the Abia State without adequate investigation released a press statement that purportedly absolved ABSU from the unfortunate incident. The Vice Chancellor also maintained that none of the participants in the rape was his students. Unfortunately, the president of the ABSU student body of the school who was supposed to embody not only leadership but thoroughness and diligence joined his VC to spin the same web of cover up despite the clues in the video. A student of the university was said to have admitted to a popular blogger (name withheld) that such incidents are not new on her cam-

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

ABSU rape scandal: can we learn? pus and that the boys are actually their students. So what is more?

The conundrum was complicated by the pussy-footing and unenthusiastic approach of the security agents. The dilemma of the security forces is probably understandable but not excusable. They said they cannot rely on internet gossips and insisted on having the victim report to them. The commissioner of Police Abia State, Mr Bala Hassan was quoted as saying ‘We don’t investigate rape cases based on what people put on twitter. When a crime is committed, the DPO must send detectives to investigate the scene

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of the ‘bastards’. Many vented their spleen on their pages in strong comments and curses. Some ladies literally socked their blogs with tears.

In the end, the efforts yielded fruits as the perpetrators have been identified as students of ABSU with their names and pictures released to the public. From the video and the research of some courageous Nigerian youths, the students were identified as Ifeanyi Justin Ogu, Jonah Uche (final year/extra year Accountancy), Zaki, Chisom. The Abia State governor is now talking tough. The police have also been jolted by a sudden realization of their despi-

•Folarin Samson Ebonyi State.

Combating violence against women

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IR: Violence against women and girls is one of the most common abuses of human rights. Its scope includes forced marriage, rape, sexual harassment, and intimidation at work and in educational institutions, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, trafficking and forced prostitution.

Globally, six out of every 10 women experience physical /sexual violence in their lifetime. A 1994

The new drivers licence IR: The proposed authentification of the national drivers’ licence is a welcome development.

In a situation where people obtained their licences without adequate testing due to corruption in the system, the time has come to address the root of the problem which manifest in carnage on the highways.

Majority of the people behind the steering wheels on Nigerian roads have no business driving. There are incessant cases of taxi drivers disregarding traffic lights, tankers drivers making every available space on the highway their parking lots, and truck drivers using their trucks to block the highways to force the hand of government to accede to their demnads to the detriment of other roads users.

Security personnels and the so-

of the crime. Up till now have you seen the victim? Have you seen the scene of the crime? Have you seen the suspects? It is a very dangerous rumour that must be dismissed by all good meaning Abians and Nigerians’ Fortunately, the work that was supposed to be done by the Abia State University, the state government, security forces has been done by militant Nigerian youths and volunteers on cyberspace. In a rare show of passion, a blogger placed N200, 000 on the heads of the criminals. Another offered to use a software to process the blurred images

cable dereliction.

For those wicked sons of the devil, they should be run to earth and justly punished for this nefarious sin against humanity. They have murdered sleep and don’t deserve to rest in peace, dead or alive.

The Nigerian Criminal Code Chapter 30 section 358 stipulates ‘life imprisonment with or without caning’ as punishment for rapes, which should not be relaxed for them no matter their paternity. But I fear these evil ones may now be at large for fear of being caught. The current tempestuous wave of anger must have sent jitters down their spines. But they have no hiding place under the sun. The Nigerian security forces have a great work to do to salvage their lean reputation and prove to the world that they are up to the task to get these bad eggs that have no scintilla of sympathy or dignity. This case should not be treated with kid’s gloves.

called “big men” are not left out of the culture of impunity. They violate traffic rules, defy traffic wardens, drive against the traffic, as well as recieve and make calls while driving.

A wife of former California governor in the United States was once caught through CCTV making call while driving. She was made to do community service despite being the wife of the governor, Arnold Schwarzineger. If the same can be done in Nigeria without fear or favour, irrespective of the status of the offender, it willl definitely stamp out indiscipline on Nigeria roads.

• Adebayo Kayode ACO Estate Abuja

World Bank study on 10 selected risk factors facing girls and women, rated rape and domestic violence as being more dangerous than road accidents, war, cancer and other deadly diseases. Recent studies have also established possible links between violence against women and HIV and AIDS. A survey among 1,366 South African women showed that women who were beaten by their partners were 48 percent more likely to be infected with HIV than those who were not. Gender-based violence, aside violating human rights, also impedes productivity, reduces human capital and undermines economic growth.

Countries have made some progress in addressing violence against women and girls. According to a UN’s 2006 In-Depth Study on All Forms of Violence against Women, 89 countries had some legislation on domestic violence, and a growing number of countries had instituted national plans of action.

Marital rape is a prosecutable offence in at least 104 states, and 90 countries have laws on sexual harassment. However, gaps still exist in many countries gaps. For instance, in 102 countries, there are no specific legal provisions against violence targeted at women while marital rape is not a prosecutable offence in at least 53 nations.

International and regional legal instruments have clarified obliga-

tions of states to prevent, eradicate and punish violence against women and girls. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) requires that countries party to the convention take all appropriate steps to end violence.

However, the continued prevalence of violence against women and girls demonstrates that this global pandemic is yet to be tackled with all the necessary political commitment and resources.

A major challenge is altering the societal outlook and traditions that accord inferior status to women.

There is an urgent need for more women to know and appreciate their rights. It is also important that people really understand the need to protect women and how it will help the society when women are treated in dignifying manners.

NGOs and Women rights activists must coordinate efforts, share information and resources to expose men that engage in domestic violence against women. The policy makers and law enforcement agents must have dedicated desk and officers that are trained to solely deal with women violence in every police station. At the community level, religious and local leaders must unite to ignoble treatment to women that involve violence against women.

A new approach is needed, that makes the connection between

men, gender and violence, and bring men firmly into prevention equation. This will put them in the front burner of sensitization and campaign against women violence.

In Lagos State, the Office of Public Defender (OPD) is handling thousands of cases relating to violence against women. The Uzoma Okere case is just one of the many the OPD had handled successfully in recent time. The intervention of the state government in the Uzoma Okere case brought to the fore the reality of violence against women in our society. Or how else do you describe a situation where heavily armed military men violently assaulted an un-armed lady? Thanks to the OPD, a very crucial lesson has been taught - that no one can trample on the rights of other citizens, men or women, without consequences.

The issue of violence against women is a social malady that requires holistic approach and solution from all the stakeholders. The civil society, traditional and religious bodies, women rights groups, law enforcement agencies, all tiers of government, families must embrace all work together with a view stemming the tide of this dreadful societal ill.

•Sola Ogunmosunle & Mamud Taiwo Hassan, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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ATRIOTISM, goes the saying, is the last bastion of the scoundrel. And so it would appear, the latest impassioned whining about “Yoruba marginalisation” in the scheme of Nigerian national elite pork sharing.

But when did the Yoruba start declaring themselves crippled and abOlakunle ject, just because an iniquitous and inequitable federal manna did not Abimbola lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) trickle into their open and helpless mouths? And indeed, since when did they start opening their mouths for such manna?

Since they got drowned without trace in former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s discredited political mainstream, that emotive, pork-sharing, non-developmental philosophy espoused by the South West segment of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in lieu of the do-it-yourself-despite-a-rudderlesscentre philosophy the Yoruba had always embraced, with treOta, his Ogun home state’s industrial pearl that borders Lagos, mendous results, since the earliest regional self-government where even Obasanjo has his farm, was and remains a symbol days from 1952? of infrastructure decay and urban filth!

Indeed, it was the Obafemi Awolowo-Samuel Ladoke So, for a cumulative 12 years, two Yoruba were up there: one Akintola (SLA) disagreement over the Yoruba joining the soas president, the other as Speaker. Yet, the South West seldom called “mainstream” that caused the schism in the Action felt the effect of the “sharing”, though both were virtually at Group (AG) in the First Republic. the head of the chopping table, wielding the hefty knife over It was also the “mainstream” spectre that caused the Nathe mighty pork. But how much piece did they cut their tional Party of Nigeria, NPN’s infiltration of the Second Re“people”? public Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the run-up to the 1983 That, of course, exposes the emptiness of the so-called “mainelections, and led to the political self-destruction of the erststream”; and logically explains the PDP’s crushing defeat in while Awo lieutenants like the late Chief Sunday Afolabi (Bola the April elections – a defeat that was no less crushing in 2007, Ige’s deputy as governor of the old Oyo State, now Oyo and but for the brazen rigging and killing that marred that travOsun states) and Chief Akin Omoboriowo, the duo that played esty that Obasanjo dubbed “do-or-die”. prominent, if ignoble, roles in the massively rigged elections It is ingenious, therefore, how those who were in power for of 1983. eight years and did nothing for their darling Yoruba; but in Indeed, it was the same empty lore of mainstream pork that contrast shovelled endless gravy to themselves and their crothe former president espoused during the PDP power hegenies, are now donning the garb of radical, if not rabid, ethnic mony in the South West from 2003 to 2011. “T’oba si nbe, bawo champions of Yoruba interests! Indeed, patriotism is the last lo se ma mo biwon se npin?” (Yoruba for “If you’re not there, how bastion of the power scoundrel! do you maximise your own share?”), Obasanjo once infaDangiwa Abubakar Umar, the fiery former colonel in the mously declared on the hustings.

Nigerian Army, who resigned his commission in protest But as it happened, Obasanjo was president for eight years, against the annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential elecand the South West got virtually nothing. Indeed, he proudly tion, was spot on in his analysis of Obasanjo’s latest tribal referred to Lagos as a “jungle”, so comfy and so dandy was he activism, over the Speakership question. in the rarefied plasticity of Abuja! Dimeji Bankole was also The principled colonel dismissed it as the all-too-familiar Speaker of the House of Representatives. Even then, SangoObasanjo histrionics to rehabilitate himself back to his pre1999 standing, and seizing a convenient ethnic campaign to do “Patriotism might indeed be the so; even if he loves so much to tout his nationalist credentials.

Of course, the Yoruba, like other ethnic groups in Nigeria, last bastion of the scoundrel. But the have a right to partake equitably in Nigeria’s national patriBut as the progressive segment of the Yoruba political saving grace is that the Yoruba know mony. establishment have always maintained and the people themtheir real patriots and leaders; and selves have bitterly found out after twelve years of ruin, that is not guaranteed simply by people from the region occupying the bumbling scoundrels!” key federal posts.

epublican ipples

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HANKS to the Africa Independent Television (AIT) for helping us to rip through the web of lies and deception concocted by the fledgling security industrial complex. Now we are able to better appreciate how much the country has been sold a dummy on the Boko Haram issue.

As if we have not heard enough tales of heinous crimes done in our name supposedly to save the king and country, the truth, long denied, is finally emerging. Bad enough that the mind-boggling incompetence of our security agencies is being laid bare in full glare of TV cameras; terrible still is that the men to whom we have entrusted the charge to keep the security and peace have become part and parcel of the racket – the prowling nightmare now called the Boko Haram.

Tragic as the development appears to be, the question really is whether anything can be said to be new in the unfolding events. We have lived with incompetence, indiscipline and monumental misjudgement for so long that they have become a national culture. So un-shock-able are Nigerians said to be, that nothing moves them beyond the typical righteous indignation. Of course, a platoon of fifth columnists in the ranks of our armed services may seem a new low in the reality show of the fact-ion called Nigeria, that the highest rung of the nation’s security establishment – the Defence Intelligence Agency and the Police High Command have all along played poker with the grave emergency – seems a new chapter in the lowlife coming from their direction.

It is not entirely unfamiliar though. Does anyone now recall how a Russian ship, kept in the custody of the Nigerian Navy after it was impounded for stealing crude,

‘Tishau must thank his stars that his luck or charm held otherwise, he would have been lying six feet below with the dark secrets buried with him. He is at least luckier in this respect than the sect leader Mohammed Yusuf summarily executed in custody and Babakura Fugu murdered penultimate week after Obasanjo went visiting the late sect leader’s family house in Maiduguri’

Of patriots and Yoruba interests

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Boko Haram: matters arising disappeared right under the noses of powerful Generals after the liquid content were allegedly siphoned?

Therefore, impunity isn’t exactly an unfamiliar territory for the men of our security services.

But then, we have Ali Tishau to thank for coming out from the ghost-land to tell his story. We have heard that he was guest of the Nigeria Police for 10 months. During his period of incarceration, he claimed to have met nearly everyone that mattered in the hierarchy including IG Hafiz Ringim.

Do I believe him? It does not matter. What matters is that police hid from the public that they had a Boko guest in their custody at a time the nation was yearning to put a face to the menace.

Tishau must thank his stars that his luck or charm held otherwise, he would have been lying six feet below with the dark secrets buried with him. He is at least luckier in this respect than the sect leader Mohammed Yusuf summarily executed in custody and Babakura Fugu murdered penultimate week after Obasanjo went visiting the late sect leader’s family house in Maiduguri.

But clearly that has not yet answered the question of who Tishau is or even the question of his role in the farce going on. As to being a leading hierarch of the Boko Haram, that is not in any doubt. The sect’s spokesman Abul-Qaqa was quoted in Sunday Trust newspaper as acknowledging that the man was their member – a trusted one at that – to whom “large sums of money was given to deliver a consignment for us”. Remember, we know Tishau only because he went public. Other than what he said, there is little else that we know. This obviously fits into the mystery of the Boko Haram. This is where the police and the DIA, in my view, let the nation down.

The Yoruba just had their own nasty experience – wielding federal power was inverse to the development of their area; despite having their sons and daughters as top federal dogs.

But that has also been the story of the North.

Otherwise, Boko Haram would not be wreaking so much havoc in the polity. Even the East, which since its defeat in the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) had always clambered on board with the central power, had always screamed “marginalisation” – and not without good reasons.

The South-South is another keen central player. But it would take the militant revolt, and of course, President Umaru Yar’adua’s death in office, for it to literally annexe the presidency. Even then, it is also doomed to “marginalisation” during and after the Goodluck Jonathan presidential years, though many a Jonathan crony would make hay!

So, the problem, as Ripples has always argued, is the skewed structure, not necessarily the people, though those who occupy central power in Nigeria could be far less wayward and greedy in their power orientation.

Though those running the show in the states are hardly better in their “prebendal” orientation (to use Prof. Richard Joseph’s famous coinage for the infamous Nigerian penchant to brazenly convert public wealth into private use), it is clear that the excess but idle funds at Nigeria’s centre is responsible for the developmental paralysis the country is suffering.

Tinker with that skewed structure and channel funds to where they are solely needed for development, and there would be less to steal at the centre. That done, the mad rush for that illicit central gravy would greatly reduce.

So, the South West PDP Concert of the Politically Crushed, who are grandstanding over Yoruba nationalism en route to elections starting from 2012 in Ondo State and climaxing in 2015, are only playing to the gallery.

One of them, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, a Bola Ige acolyte, even allowed himself to be bewitched by a fraudulent newspaper interview question that claimed the late and revered Ige, “tried to bring the Yoruba race on board mainstream politics”. That is utter bunkum that does great injustice to the memory of Ige! But it all fits into the grand campaign to paint black Bola Tinubu, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) national leader, as the man who allegedly took the Speaker gravy from their mouths, a partisan greed they now try to paint as Yoruba collective but dubious need.

The tragic hubris of the fine soul many loved to call Uncle Bola is public knowledge. But it had nothing to do with bringing or not bringing the Yoruba “on board mainstream politics.” Those who play cheap politics with the memory of a great man who made a fatal error have their conscience to contend with.

Patriotism might indeed be the last bastion of the scoundrel. But the saving grace is that the Yoruba know their real patriots and leaders; and the bumbling scoundrels!

Did Tishau double as an agent for the State Security Service or was he simply a freewheeling dealer in intelligence available to the highest bidder? How did he work his way into police custody?

Did he go there voluntarily or was he invited and later detained? What was the offence, if any? The question is apt because 10 months seems mighty long a time to hold a suspect even on suspicion of terrorism without a formal charge. Or was he held as a police informer hence the need to keep him out of circulation for his personal safety?

The nation obviously deserves better explanation than the one given by Ringim.

But, more intriguing is the role of the DIA in the matter.

The agency was said to have formally requested for the man. Is it routine for the head of a security outfit to request for a suspect undergoing interrogation with another agency without reference to the Office of the National Security Adviser? What does the National Security Adviser Owoye Azazi know about the development? Is it really true that he was kept in the dark when all these things were going on?

Did the man actually escape from custody? Or was it a case of plea bargaining of sorts? For what and on what terms? Who was the supervising authority?

I would not be surprised if the nation is denied the benefit of answers to these questions. It would no doubt be part of the elaborate coverup.

I have not pronounced guilt on the police and the DIA or even the NSA for that matter. At least not yet. Of course, there are enough gaps already in the police denunciations of the Tishau interview to point at unpardonable lapses on its part. To start with, what did the police find out in the course of keeping the man in 10 months of captivity? Under what law was he held? What did the police do after surrendering their quarry to the DIA? Is it also “in keeping with the spirit of information and intelligence gathering” that the police neglected to keep tabs on him? Is abdication part of the spirit of interagency cooperation?

Admittedly, very little is known about the DIA in terms of its modus operandi. But clearly, the suggestion that it can override the authority of the police is untenable. What made the agency believe that it had the last say in the investigations? Does the agency have prosecutorial powers to release or hold a suspect at will?

The whole business of course stinks to high heavens.

The suggestion that the entire security apparatus needs some cleansing is therefore not without merit. It boils down to the question of whether the nation can afford to retain the present crop of leadership at the police, the DIA and even the ineffectual NSA. That question is of course best answered by the Commander-in-Chief President Goodluck Jonathan.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION ECENTLY, an amusing outburst was brought to the public domain by one Emmanuel Onyejena and published on September 19, 2011. The tirade, which pleaded for public endorsement beyond the hue and cry of our highly respected Bishop Lucius Ugorji sought to demonize Governor T.A. Orji for going beyond the call of duty to passionately appeal to his brother governors in Nigeria’s geo-political region of south-east to see reasons with him and integrate civil servants from their state that Abia is likely to transfer back. This is largely due to the ongoing excruciating economic agonies recently aggravated by the reality of having to tackle the challenge of minimum-wage.

I honestly wish to share in the nostalgic prologue of Emmanuel Onyejena especially with regards to what used to be the glue like bond of the Igbos widely promoted by the supersonic exploits of the then Rangers International Football Club of Enugu. But I think it is highly pedestrian to locate the crack in Igbo unity or the beginning of it in the statement of late Chief C.C. Onoh without giving a hoot to what gave rise to that statement. The prognosis of what is today’s seeming Igbo disunity, in my well thought out opinion are, more weighty than the isolated statement of late Onoh. After all, there is no smoke without fire.

But suffice to say that we shall not make it the subject of this endeavour so as not to derail from the main bone of contention here.

As I revisit that, I will like to curiously say that maybe Emmanuel Onyejena; the new advocate of Igbo unity was still in his mother’s womb when throngs of innocent Abians who did not violate the ethics and tenets of their professions were bundled back from other states in the South-east several years ago. Needless to remind us that during the years under review, the issue of minimum wage was not even in the card, let alone the global economic melt-down, which the world is still reeling under its crushing grip.

I am sure that our pious brother Onyejena is evidently oblivious of the fact that during the first tenure of the immediate past governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, files of retired civil servants of Abia origin were compiled and sent back to Abia State, for her to grapple with the unexpected burden of defraying the benefits accruing from their retirement. My people dub it “working in

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Theodore Orji and Igbo Unity:

By Iyke Ogbonnaya railway and getting paid in UAC”.

One wonders why the likes of Onyejena and our revered Bishop did not consider us fit enough to be defended by crying “blue murder” just as they are doing now.

I am well aware that Abia State Civil Service Commission conducted interviews for employments into the various cadres of the state civil service, precisely during the first tenure of Governor T.A. Orji. Just as that exercise was being concluded, the agitation for the payment of national minimum wage took the front burner and with its attendant break through, the administration of Governor T.A. Orji is rationally and cogently appealing for the understanding of other states, whose indigenes are affected by the on-going transfer to avoid running Abia to a halt when the steel like weight of wage bill will come calling. Otherwise, Abia will turn to a salary paying state while capital projects and other infrastructural essentials are unattended to.

Recall that in the dark and unfortunate days when Abia civil servants were hounded back from other states, the government of Abia was replying with massive employment of indigenes and non-indigenes and lavish retention of corpers after the mandatory one year national youth service programme. Now the tide has changed given the glaring and unavoidable realities on ground.

I had expected Onyejena to expose us to the economic and strategic recipe that will be superior to avoiding the option of rationalizing for effective management. With a monthly federation allocation of three billion naira on a good month, Abia deals with the monthly challenges of settling workers salary in excess of 1.9 billion naira and you will rightly have the same guess as mine to imagine what the figure will amount to in the new wage regime of minimally paying 18,000 naira.

In the event of Governor Orji throwing caution to the wind and sentimentally plunges the federation allocation into payment of salaries, who will spare him the verbal hurls and

brickbats of ignoring essential amenities for salary spree? May I remind that virtually every state in Nigeria inclusive of those whose monthly federation allocation are in excess of 10 billion naira are at daggers drawn with their state labour congresses because the governors are still trying to come to terms with it.

In my estimation, Onyejena was being very tactless by recklessly saying that Governor Orji was overheating the system by saying that the overwhelming demand of the state must be tackled by first applying the popular maxim “charity begins at home”. If a man is confronted with immediate and extended family demands, in the face of obvious scarcity, common sense demands that he will first address the need of his immediate family without prejudice to the unity of the entire family.

Abians and several other easterners are obviously relocating back home, in the wake of violent upsurge in some northern states of the country. The government of Governor Orji is duty bound to absorb these Abians. It will be unpardonable to keep a blind eye and allow non-Abians occupy these positions, when Abians cannot even get the position of a messenger from other states who were the first to offload them, when they could not adduce any tangible reason for that.

If Onyejena is not misconstruing unity, he would have called to remembrance, the outstanding roles of Governor Orji in forgoing the social and economic integration of the entire south-east region. That synergy gave rise to the institution of south-east economic summit which has severally promoted communiqués, advancing the collective position of the south-east governors. The most recent being the Nike Lake Summit which rose with a collective decision to see President Good-luck Jonathan on the sorry state of the entire south-east political mappings. I am also aware that the decisive resolve of the entire south-east governors to work together is facilitating their desire to buy into Power

Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) for the beneficial purpose of waging war against the country’s epileptic power supply.

Again, let me share in Onyejena’s observation of what obtains in the south-west states; the advantage of which is that indigenes of other south-west states can work in Lagos.

But he wasn’t mindful of the stark reality that the case is not the same beyond Lagos State, which takes us back to the issue of financial buoyancy. With internally generated revenue of over 10 billion naira, Lagos can call the bluff of federal allocation and still provide amenities.

Let me posit emphatically that the numerical imaginations of Onyejena may not have been exerted to know that the internally generated revenue of Lagos state outweighs that of the entire south-east states put together. If that were to be the case in Abia State, our kit and kin in other south-east states and even beyond can afford to find solace and comfort in the path-finding structure of Abia State civil service.

“Ochendo” certainly means and fits the description Onyejena gave it. But since the demand has become too numerous for the need, the umbrella (Ochendo) cannot contain all, to avoid tearing and preventing it from constant provision of shelter. It has become expedient to draw inspiration from the biblical injunction that “the husbandman, must be the first partaker of his fruit”.

• Iyke Ogbonnaya wrote in from Umuahia.

‘In my estimation, Onyejena was being very tactless by recklessly saying that Governor Orji was overheating the system by saying that the overwhelming demand of the state must be tackled by first applying the popular maxim “charity begins at home”’

Three years of Governor Imoke

HE association of the rainbow with new beginnings, with promises, with visions of peace and prosperity is widely held. A quilt on the other hand, is many patches of many different colours that are worked into a harmonious design. A quilt is made from rags, from cast off clothing and from bits and pieces of material that are too small to make a regular article of clothes. In legend, the Leprechaun hides his gold at the end of the rainbow, and anyone who finds it, may keep it.

These two powerful metaphors reflect, in their different imagery, the strategic direction of the administration of Governor Liyel Imoke. The agenda Imoke brought into office in August 26, 2008 consisted of a sevenpoint development agenda, and a readiness to take the government to those who need it most, especially the rural poor, the urban poor , and other (quilt) on the lower rungs of the socio-economic ladder. This broad but wholistic agenda was first articulated in 2007, and reiterated in 2008 following Governor Imoke’s victory in an Appeal Court ordered rerun of the gubernatorial elections. This hybrid agenda is responsible for the fundamental transformation of the socio-political architecture of Cross River

‘The agenda Imoke brought into office in August 26, 2008 consisted of a seven-point development agenda, and a readiness to take the government to those who need it most, especially the rural poor, the urban poor , and other (quilt) on the lower rungs of the socio-economic ladder’

By Etowa Okoi State in the years following his election. For the peoples of the Cross River State, the Imoke years are years of renewal, of fresh beginning, of a purpose driven-government, of fiscal responsibility, of value for money via cost-efficient services and contracts, of educational renaissance, of quality healthcare delivery, and ultimately of the restoration of the dignity and pride of even the most average Cross Riverian.

Now with barely a year to the expiration of his first term mandate, no rational critic can ignore or fault the fact that Governor Imoke has fulfilled, to a very large extent, the promises of his mandate and a call to service. It was a mandate to bring forth the vision and courage to reinvent Cross River State and set her on the path of wealth.

Governor Imoke has not fallen short of the high hopes and expectations the state had at his election. Senator Imoke has been able to strike a balance between human and physical development within the limitations of the government’s seven-point-agenda and availability of funds, of critical importance is the fact that financial challenges confronting the government have not completely stalled the drive of its programmes and projects on health, education, agriculture, tourism, environment, private sector, and infrastructure upgrade and maintenance. In education for instance, reforms at all levels have been matched with award of scholarship at undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Funds have been provided for the upgrade of facilities in tertiary institutions.

This has facilitated the accreditation of courses for academic programmes. Commercialization and mechanization programmes in agriculture have resulted in the empowerment of more than 3,000 households through parcellation of farmlands of high economic value. The government’s free health policy for pregnant women and children, and the Conditional Cash Transfer programme for poor households have proved effective in addressing lack of access

to health services and economic and educational opportunities. Massive provision of infrastructure in rural areas, especially roads, electricity, water and bridges is counterbalanced with the reconstruction and maintenance of urban roads and other infrastructure.

New intra-urban roads are under construction together with the development of new residential layouts and neighbourhoods. One of the most significant achievements of these past three years is the computerization of the operations of all MDAs, automation of Internally Generated Revenue streams. Regular monitoring and evaluation of on-going projects has ensured adherence to specifications and enhanced value for money. The government’s ambitious greening programme, as part of a broader climate change agenda, is on course.

Significant mileage has been added to it with the planting of 500 thousand trees, and strengthening of an existing ban on logging.

Five urban development authorities have been equipped with the appropriate equipments to maintain infrastructure and ensure clean and green cities. Prompt waste evacuation system, constant desilting of drainages has helped in checking floods and erosion menace. Bureaucratic reforms have created a well motivated and more productive/ work force. Staff morale has been greatly boosted with car loans, staff housing, better work conditions, regular and prompt payment of salaries, and other welfare issues.

Most office complexes have been renovated and affixed with new signages.

Governor Imoke started his phenomenal administration on a very strong footing, indeed, in terms of the breathe and dimension of his vision. In terms of his developmental spectrum for Cross River State, Imoke is clearly living in the future. The administration’s Energy City Project, Calabar Modern Market Project, Calabar International Conference Centre, the Calabar Rivera Club, the expansion of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport and a Specialist Hospital that will serve as a referral centre in the subregion are proofs of this. The

governor’s intervention in health manifested in the provision of free health care for pregnant women and children under five and the upgrading of health facilities to meet international bench-marks.

These include general hospitals, primary health care centres, and health institutions for the training of health workers and equipping the health facilities with modern health equipments. In three years, Governor Imoke has fulfilled the promises he made to the electorate, and discharged the burden of his overwhelming mandate. This has engineered confidence in his leadership, according him unprecedented popularity and connecting him with the electorate. He has shown that he is a leader who cannot only be trusted but who is worth doing business with.

It has always been said that the value of a leader is his ability to strike the right chord in people and also empower them to attain their basic needs in life and assure them of a glorious future. As the state zeros in on next year’s elections, Governor Imoke is still the right man for the job within the contemplation of the Nigerian Constitution, and most importantly the yearnings of an overwhelming majority of Cross Riverians.

• Okoi, a public affairs commentator writes from Calabar

‘The government’s ambitious greening programme, as part of a broader climate change agenda, is on course. Significant mileage has been added to it with the planting of 500 thousand trees, and strengthening of an existing ban on logging’

LONDON 2012 Pg.

Yakubu leads Blackburn to India

41

8-NATION TOURNEY

‘Dream Team must work hard’ Pg. 41

Nation Tuesday, September 27, 2011

PAGE 23

•Eagles in training

SUPER EAGLES V SYLI NATIONALE

We’ll do Guinea like Madagascar—Shorunmu Pg. 24

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

24

NATION SPORT MTN NIGERIA CUP

Kid golfers shine as tourney tees off

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HIS year’s edition of the famed MTN Nigeriasponsored Nigeria Cup teed off to a good start at the golf section of the Ikoyi Club last Saturday with kid golfers firing the first shot.

Despite the monthly environmental sanitation that was observed throughout Lagos, the kids and their parents found their way to the club to take part in the competition.

Numbering over fifty, the kid golfers took part in a slight physical exercise before beginning the day’s task. Among early callers on Saturday morning was, Toluwa Agusto from the popular Agusto family of Lagos. Others were Damilola Olukoya, Joanne Odugwa, Ayo Olufowobi, Fred Mathew, Paul Coker, Marco Portallupi, Osmond Dianne, Demi Afolabi, David Edosanwan and Uwadia Charles.

Speaking at the prize award ceremony later on Saturday evening, Chairman of the 2O11 Nigeria Cup committee, Victor Akinbayo, commended the kids for their skills on the course. He also thanked the tournament’s major

sponsor, MTN Nigeria for helping in making the games a success.

While saying he looked forward to a highly successful Nigeria Cup, Akinbayo promised that this year’s edition will linger in the minds of many for a long time to come.

“We are looking forward to a great tournament with MTN on our side as the major sponsor. The company has always been with us, and we pray they will continue to be with us,” Akinbayo said.

Explaining the decision to back the competition, Kola Oyeyemi, GM, Consumer Marketing said the tournament is one of the platforms through which MTN connects with its high value customers most of whom are golf aficionados.

MTN golf sponsorship dates years back when it bankrolled the MTN Classic. The telecoms giant expanded the sponsorship when it took up bank-rolling of the World Golfers’ Championship. The company’s support for Nigeria Cup: a tournament put together to mark the nation’s Independence anniversary, is a testimony of its commitment to golf development in Nigeria.

AFROBASKET FOR WOMEN

Nigeria overpowers Cameroon

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IGERIA relied heavily on defense to wadeoff the stiff challenge posed by Cameroon in a group-B game on Sunday night at the ongoing 22nd Afrobasket for Women in Mali.

Nigeria, who picked the second and third quarters by 20-10 and 13-11 points after tying the first quarter with her FIBA Africa Zone-4 strong side at 17 points apiece and lost the last quarter by 1822 points, showed better prowess on the board with 36 rebounds with the Lionesses grabbing 34 rebounds. Nigeria was also slightly better on the offense with 12 assists to it’s opponent’s 7 for a final score-line of 68-60 points.

Head Coach of the Nigerian team, Ayo Bakare gave kudos to his C a m e r o o n i a n counterpart for a job welldone.

NATION SPORT FEDERATION CUP FALLOUT

Victorious Heartland arrives in Owerri today From Tunde Liadi, Owerri 011 Federation Cup Champions, Heartland FC of Owerri will today storm Owerri after it’s historic 1-0 win over Enyimba of Aba on Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

The skipper of the Naze Millionaires and the scorer of the winning strike, Chinedu Efugh made this known to NationSport.

“We are arriving Owerri tomorrow,” he said. “And we are coming to show gratitude to our fans and supporters for the belief they had in us while the Federation Cup lasted.

“I am overwhelmed with joy that after many years of waiting for a trophy, the club’s search became over this year.

Scoring the only goal of the final will also be my focal point all the time,” a joyous Efugh told NationSport.

By virtue of the win on Sunday, Heartland thus qualifies for the 2012 CAF Confederations Cup competition which is a follow up to the 2009 and 2010 back to back campaigns in the CAF Champions League, but the People’s Elephant’s loss marked another futile attempt for Enyimba after ending as losing finalist last year to Kaduna United in the same competition.

2

Why Enyimba lost —Kalu

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Coach Ayo Bakare

Coach Bakare praised Coach Fabio Fossati of Cameroon for building a stronger and effective Cameroon team while applauding the performance of his players for fighting from the jump-ball to the buzzer.

“I must commend the Cameroon side for giving us a very good fight; it shows the man at the helm of its technical affairs (Coach Fossati) has really put in a great effort to build such a solid team, because in my close to twenty years of coaching the Nigeria women’s national team I have never seen a Cameroon side that is so solid with great technical

depth.”

His Cameroonian counterpart, Coach Fossati congratulated the Nigerian team for the big win.

“I must commend the Nigerian team who threw everything back at us as we strived to make a mark by breaking the jinx of being the first Cameroon side to beat Nigeria in a long while.

“We tried everything possible to break the Nigerian defense and stop their offense but their bench rose to the challenge to counter our plans, we have learnt a great lesson from the loss and we hope to correct them in our next game against Angola on Monday.”

HILE self-styled pundits predicted a walk-over for Enyimba against Heartland, one lone voice knew the Federation Cup could go either way.

Former Abia governor Orji Uzor Kalu Monday maintained that Heartland knew so much about Enyimba and were favoured by history.

He said: ”Both teams are twins, always at “war” like Iran and Iraq but never apart. In their early years at the Imo FA Cup final, the side tagged ‘underdogs’, wore red but won the cup. That was the luck of Enyimba in 1976 and 1977. Weekend, the lot fell on Heartland.”

According to the ex-governor, Enyimba were labelled underdogs in 1976-1977. However, with less known players like Ahamefula Umelo, Ike Madukairo, Chijioke (Anwunta) Anyiam, Idika Aku (Pele) and Ben Akanu (Picollo), they embarassed Spartans (today’s Heartland). Even when the government drafted the good Enyimba players to Owerri, new pesky stars like Evans Ikwuegbu(Mpoto) and Emma (Terror) Ajunwa emerged.

“In those early years, Enyimba wore while their twin brothers who chose the blue jersey saw red. Aba had a way round Owerri through dark horses,” Kalu explained.

While urging Enyimba to go for CAF glory, he described Heartland as a bunch of experienced legs.

“Underdogs indeed. Damien Ude and Chibuzor Ozurumba won the Champions League in 2004 with Enyimba. Chicago Efugh, Julius Ubido, Emma Olowo, Ike Ibenegbu, Daniel Akpenyi and my namesake Kalu Orji all played in the 2009 CAF Champions League final against T.P.Mazembe.”

SUPER EAGLES V SYLI NATIONALE

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UPER Eagles goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorunmu has revealed that the most important thing for the Super Eagles is to remain positive ahead of top of the table clash with the Syli Nationale team of Guinea at the

D

''Today, we have done a lot of work, and spent a lot of effort to achieve victory, but unfortunately we got only a draw, '' says Ideye to the official website of FC Dynamo Kiev.

He continues: ''For us, it's not a very good result, but given the force of an opponent, I think it's not the worst option''.

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Abuja National Stadium on the 8th of October 2011.

Speaking with brilafm.net, Shorunmu stated that the game against Guinea is a must-win.

“The most important thing now is having a positive mind and

three points because it is a mustwin game.

“With the kind of mind that we showed against Madagascar, I have no doubt that we’ll do the same against Guinea,” he summed up.

Esposito praises Obi’s talent F

ORMER Inter Premavera coach, Vincenzo Esposito, has praised the talent of Nigeria’s prodigy, Joel Obi, saying the young star is full of potential to excel.

Esposito said the qualities of the Nigeria international made it easy for him to find his way into Inter Milan’s first team, as he predicted a brighter future for the midfielder.

“You could see immediately that he was one of those with the potential to emerge. I am not surprised that he’s in the first team.

“He’s explosive and technical. Obi is often used as a winger, but can play in the midfield in a 4-3-3 formation.

“Obi has exceeded the tension. Joel is a quiet boy who speaks little. He is not out of line like his other peers.”

Inter Milan might be struggling in the Italian Serie A, but Nigerian youngster Obi is certainly making his name known throughout the world.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Obi is a midfielder who possess an abundance of talent shown through his speed, skill, technical ability and versatility that allows him to play anywhere the midfield.

After working his way up through the Nerazzurri’s youth division, the 20-yearold broke into the first team during last season, where his hardwork and tough

tackles saw him catch the eye of many onlookers.

Obi has earned such praise from his club and fans that he has often been likened to Inter legend Edgar Davids, for his ‘pitbull-esque’ style of play and bravery.

He made his official debut in the club’s Champions League tie in September 2010 against Werder Bremen, where he featured in the final ten minutes, a match which saw the Pinetina outfit win 4-0.

After his first full season with Inter, Obi was forced to choose between his native Nigeria or the country in which

he had lived since the age of 14.

He opted for Nigeria and was rewarded with a call up to the Super Eagles, making his international debut against Sierra Leone in January. Last season saw Obi feature ten times under Rafael Benitez and then Leonardo. It was after these performances that several sides began showing interest in him during the summer.

Many of the Nerazzurri faithful have high hopes for the Nigerian and with rumours about a possible Wesley Sneijder departure, they feel that Obi will make the Dutchman’s departure a lot easier to swallow.

Peter Utaka lacks attitude, says Djemba-Djemba

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AMEROON international Eric Djemba-Djemba says Nigeria international striker Peter Utaka is lacking attitude. Utaka was woeful in Odense's 1-4 loss at home to FC Midtjylland on Sunday, with Sylvester Igboun among the scorers for FCM. ''I have told Peter that people expect a lot from him. Sometimes you can have a bad day, but you must show attitude.

If not you run, then people shout at you.

He must speak with the trainer or another, for he is a sensitive guy,'' says Djemba-Djemba to sporten.dk Adds Djemba-Djemba: ''I would go to him again because he is my friend, and it is my responsibility as an important player who has been here a long time that I talk to him. He was top scorer two years ago, and he can be again. He is a good player but he lacks attitude.''

Recall that last Wednesday, Utaka arrived in training, and shortly after drove off, claiming he was ill. He's scored three goals in eight games this term.

COMMONWEALTH/AFRICA WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP ECHNICAL adviser of the Weightlifting Federation of Nigeria, Patrick Bassey has declared that lifters are in top shape and would use the Commonwealth and Africa senior weightlifting championship in South Africa next month to compensate Nigerians for not being part of the 2011 All Africa Games in Maputo.

The national coach disclosed that the

Yak leads Blackburn to India

We’ll do Guinea like N Madagascar —Shorunmu

Ideye rues Kiev draw with Shakhtar Nigeria lifters to hit South Africa YNAMO Kiev played a goalless draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in the 11th round of matches in the Ukrainian Championship.

Brown Ideye's yo-yo performance at club level continued. The 22-year-old striker has failed to score for both club and country in his last eight matches!

41

team would leave the country before 8th October, while hoping the lifters would stamp their authority as the champions of Africa.

“We’re supposed to leave in 2 weeks; they are getting ready and are in their final formalities.

“The athletes are in top form for the championships and would do the country proud,” he assured.

• Joel Obi

IGERIA international Yakubu Aiyegbeni will lead Blackburn Rovers on a training tour of India early next month following the cancellation of the club's tour in July.

Blackburn will become the first from the Premier League to tour the country, during a break in their fixtures.

The Rovers will play a friendly match against Indian clubs on October 6 and 7.

The team will first play in the finals of the under-16 Rovers Stars that comprises finalist teams of boys from cities such as Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata.

On the following day, there will be an exhibition match with Pune Football Club, a three-year old club set up by India's pharma company, Piramal.

Blackburn, owned by India's poultry group Venky's since November 2010, were scheduled to play a friendly in the Pune city of western Maharashtra state on July 22. But the tour was deferred over security fears after the bombings in state capital Mumbai on July 13 which claimed 26 lives.

'Security is paramount but so is our commitment to bringing Blackburn Rovers to India,' Rao said.

And this visit could not have been

Nwofor focuses on Venlo career

N

EW VVV Venlo of Holland recruit, Uche Innocent Nwofor has asserted that settling down with his football career in the European country is his major priority and does not

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS PLANET

Linden explains choice of five legends of UCL

T

HE Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Jacco Van der Linden, has given more insights into the choice of five players as Legends of the current Heineken, UEFA Champions League campaign .

At the launch of the new campaign tagged Legendary Football which is

better timed. The club is riding on a high after its big win over Arsenal and the players are eager to share their glory with their Indian fans,' he said.

Rao said bringing the team to India - ranked a lowly 158 among the 203 football-playing countries - was part of an attempt to develop world-class footballing talent at grassroots levels.

The group was also planning a training academy in Pune, he said.

aimed at showcasing how the club competition and Heineken have combined to create spectacular artistry that fans around the world can enjoy with five highly respected footballers, Mr. Linden explained that the choice of the five legends followed the interest shown by the players for the UCL and the mark they have made in the competition within the last decade The players featured in the TVCs are Gianluigi Buffon, Rene Adler, Patrick Vieira, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Clarence Seedorf. According to van der Linden, “the players no doubt are among the best that have taken part in the competition and represent a generation of old and new players and have eagerly wanted to be part of the campaign with Heineken.

“We all have to understand the fact that all these players have made great impact in the competition in the last decade and in between them have played over 350 matches hence they are worthy legends that can project the spectacular artistry that fans around the world will enjoy.

“Heineken is proud to be working with such high profile ambassadors for the tournament and we are looking forward to our seventh year in partnership with UEFA,’’ he explained.

In a related development, great excitement await guests at the Heineken Champions Planet today and Wednesday with the day-two matches of the UEFA Champions League in some of the best stadiums in Europe on the card.

Allianz-Arena, venue of the final next May will stage the star match of the day as Bayern Munich aim to consolidate their impressive day-one away win when they host Manchester City while Napoli with square up against Villarreal FC in the other group match.

Last year’s losing finalist, Manchester United will seek to bounce back to reckoning at Old Trafford as they host FC Basel while Otelul Galati will take on Benfica in the other group tie.

Jose Mourinho still serving UEFA match ban will continue to watch from the stands as Real Madrid host former champions Ajax at the Santiago Bernabue just as Olympique Lyon play host to hapless Dinamo Zagreb at the Stade Gerland, Lyon.

Tommorow, defending champion, FC Barcelona will seek a bounce back from opening day home draw when they tackle BATE Borisov at the Dynamo Stadium in Minsk while AC Milan will put their domestic woes behind for another impressive Europe night at the San Siro stadium against Viktoria Plzen. The London Gunners, Arsenal will host Olympiacos of Greece at the Emirates stadium in London while Valencia FC will host Chelsea at the Mestalla stadium in some of the matches for the enjoyment of guests at the Heineken Champions Planet in Victoria Island in Lagos.

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri want anything to distract him.

Nwofor, who played for 3SC of Ibadan and Enugu Rangers before an Under 20 World Cup in Colombia earned him a contract with relegation-haunted Venlo, says he has decided against engaging in any act that might jeopardize his chances of hitting the ground running in Holland.

The one time Anambra Pillars forward made a goal scoring debut for Venlo in the club’s hard-earned 3-3 home draw with PSV Eindhoven, but after receiving the praises of both players and officials of the club, Nwofor says he is not carried away by his dream start.

“I have promised myself that there won’t be any partying of the sort here in Holland and I will ensure I keep that vow. I just want to play football and make a name for myself in the colours of Venlo.

“I am happy that the goal I scored in my first match has helped me to settle down but I know that a lot still needs to be done if I and my colleagues want to guide Venlo towards another stint in the Dutch Eredivisie next season.”

Nwofor with 4 goals was adjudged the Highest Goal Scorer at the African Youth Championship (AYC) in South Africa in April this year, and he added another two at the Under 20 World Cup in Colombia when he netted twice from the bench against Guatemala in their 5-0 thrashing of the North Americansa feat which earned him the lucrative deal to Venlo.

Ahmed Musa, Okechukwu Uchebo and Alex Nkume are the other Nigerians in Venlo.

8-NATION TOURNEY

‘Dream Team V must work hard’

A

SSISTANT coach of the National U23 men's football team, Dream Team V , Bennedict Iroha has stated that they will work hard in order to qualify for the Olympics as the team gets set to tackle Algeria, Morocco and Senegal in group B of the eight-nation Olympic Games final qualifying tournament to be held in Egypt.

In a chat with brilafm.net, Iroha stated that they will do their best as they know it will not be an easy task.

“We have to prove that we are good, so there is nothing like a weak team among eight of us. We really need to work hard and make sure that

• Iroha

Cameroon coach: Falcons can hurt Lionesses

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OACH of the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, Enow Ngachu has admitted that the Super falcons would always be a threat to their quest of grabbing the ticket to the London Games next year despite their slim advantage.

Speaking with brilafm.net, Ngachu stated that “they (the Falcons) are very talented and most of the players I know, I think Nigeria will always be dangerous even in the second leg”.

The Falcons, who hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg played in Abuja, will face the Lionesses in Yaounde in a forthnight.

Oduamadi returns from injury

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AVING been certified fit to start playing again after weeks on the sidelines owing to injury, Dream Team V Attacking Midfielder, Nnamdi Oduamadi has exclusively told SportingLife that he would make his long-awaited return to the first team of AC Torino of Italy in this weekend’s top of the table Week 7 clash of the Italian Serie B with Sampdoria.

Torino is currently second by virtue of lesser goal difference to table-topper Brescia which also has 14 points same as Oduamadi’s club while the club’s next opponent is Sampdoria which is a step below Torino with 12 points from 6 matches.

Speaking with NationSport from his base shortly after his team’s 2-1 away win over Nocerina, Oduamadi said: “ I am fit and raring to go. I ought to have played the match we won at Nocerina but I was told to still rest the leg so that I don’t suffer a relapse of the injury.

“I will start playing from next week (this weekend). I really missed Torino while I was still injured.

Injury is a normal occurrence with a footballer. Pato and Ibrahimovic are both injured likewise Robinho too and other big stars and there is nothing one can do about that when it is time for it to come.”

On his invitation to the Super Eagles in preparation for the October 11 international friendly

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri with the Black Stars of Ghana at Vicarage Road in London, England, Oduamadi said he was short of words when he got the news that he had been invited. “ I am very happy about it (the call up). I am grateful to the Super Eagles Head Coach, Samson Siasia for extending invitation to me and I will go to the game to show what I can do.

He continues: “I have only this chance to prove my worth and I will seize it with both hands. I will do my best to show Nigerians what I am capable of doing.”

• Oduamadi

25

PROPERTY

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

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

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

•A collapsed building

Buildings are designed to support the weight of people and objects, withstand the effects of rain and pressure of wind, including the dead load of the building itself. With buildings of a few floors, strength generally accompanies sufficient rigidity and the design is mainly that of a roof that will keep the weather out while spanning large open spaces. With tall buildings, the roof is a minor issue, but the support of the weight of the building itself is the main consideration. Like long bridges, tall build•Experts advocate concept forconcrete stable polity ingsrent-to-ownership are subject to catastrophic collapse, if the work is •Experts verify poor not well done. Experts posit that except concrete mix is properly done, the end to building collapse may not be in sight, reconcrete work ports OKWY IROEGBU. •CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Why buildings collapse

•Amosun lauds developer for

renovating schools

- PAGE 26

•No going back on Tenancy Law, says Lagos

- PAGE 39

•FMBN okays N1.83b for housing projects

- PAGE 40

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

26

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Amosun lauds developer for renovating schools

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GUN State Governor Ibukunle Amosun has praised a Lagos-based developer, Propertymart Real Estate Investment Limited, for refurbishing dilapidated facilities in some schools in Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area. The schools are at Lisokun, Orile Igbehin Village, Owode Egba and Mowe-Ofada.

Amosun, who inaugurated the newly built and refurbished blocks, said: “Besides contributing to the development of the neighbourhood via the various housing estates being built, Propertymart has given back to its host community.”

Amosun, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, said: “This noble gesture by the developer is in tandem with our development programme, of which education takes the front burner.

“The construction and handing over of this project is a confirmation of the belief of the private sector in our administration. I encourage the private sector players to emulate Propertymart. Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) is not just about donation, but also involves building a mutual and significant relationship with host communities.

“We will forever be appreciative of genuine efforts made by committed developers like Propertymart towards uplifting the state.”

While congratulating the host community, he urged the leaders to ensure proper and optimal use of the facility, “responsibility of maintenance and upkeep of the facilities lies in you”.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Odubela, said: “The Ibukinle Amosun administration has placed priority on qualitative and affordable education. It is our number one programme and, in just 100 days, the government has renovated 100 public secondary schools. This is a continuous process, even as government will soon introduce free

•Newly built classroom blocks

By Okwy Iroegbu Asst. Editor

education at the primary and secondary school levels. We urge Propertymart to continue to do what it’s doing and also to do more, and we pray that God will continue to uplift your company.”

He observed that Propertymart had, for free, replaced one of the dilapidated structures in African Church Primary School with an ultra-modern block, and dug a borehole to serve the entire community.

Estimated to have cost about N45 million, the project involves the construction of a block of six classrooms, featuring the headmistress’ office, eight toilets (two for staff and three each for boys and girls), headmistress’ secretary’s office, staff office as well as furniture and landscaping of the entire surrounding.

Propertymart Chairman Egbeyemi Sultan Abdul-Hafiz said the gesture was in line with his

company’s CSR policy to transform the lives of people not just within their estate, but also the environs.

He revealed that they didn’t just stop at that but also embarked on rural electrification project from Shagamu Interchange to needy communities.

On the rehabilitated and upgraded schools, he said: “The school project is a way of encouraging residents of our estate to be part of the public. By upgrading the public school around here, they are encouraged to send their kids to these public schools and not just ones within the estates. We are setting a standard on what public schools should be because we design and build to the highest standards. Public schools in the country are not what they should be, and we really do need to restore them to what they used to be. Most of today’s leaders attended public schools. Our belief is that we should touch our host community

in a positive way as we are not doing ‘billboard’ estate development.”

Managing Director, Adesope Adeyinka, said Propertymart looked forward to a conducive business environment in the state, pleading that, in line with the governor’s electioneering promise, policies regulating land acquisition, title perfection and land charges should come with a human face.

“For Ogun State, the real estate sector is growing, as a result government in our thinking cannot afford to introduce stringent policies, otherwise the growth will be retarded. However, critical planning and proper coordination are required to avoid haphazard development,” Adeyinka noted.

He urged government to “consider a light rail from Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode to Lagos enroute the Shagamu Interchange to further open up economic activities in Ogun State, maximising the advan-

tage of its proximity to Lagos.”

One of the dignitaries at the event and Baale of Igbehin Community, Chief Ishola Ibare, thanked Propertymart for the gesture and prayed for its growth and success. He canvassed the facility’s good use, but urged government to upgrade the institution to a secondary school, saying that it was long overdue.

“There is no secondary school in the neighbourhood; there are mostly primary schools here. The nearest secondary school is quite a distance away from here at MoweOfada, which is not convenient for our children,” the Baale stated.

The Headmistress, Olabimpe Salami, expressed appreciation to the firm, pointing out that the facilities would enhance the teaching and learning process for the introducing the skills, information and attitude the children require to properly adjust to their community and society.

She said: “Children are the future of our world. The world is getting increasingly complex and to survive in this kind of environment requires proper training and skills acquisition. The primary school serves as the foundation on which to build this future and we thank the developer for this singular addition.”

‘The school project is a way of encouraging residents of our estate to be part of the public. By upgrading the public school around here, they are encouraged to send their kids to these public schools and not just ones within the estates’

Experts finger poor concrete work as cause of building collapse •Continued from Page 25

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HY do buildings collapse?

This is a question to which the government has been finding an answer since collapsed buildings became a recurring incident. But government seems not to need to search too far again.

Experts appear to have found the answer. They are linking faulty construction, foundation failure and exptraordinary load to poor concrete mixing quacks and unskilled by craftsmen.

Bad design does not mean only errors of computation, but also failure to take into account the loads the structure will carry, erroneous theories, reliance on inaccurate data, ignorance of the effects of repeated or impulsive stresses, and improper choice of materials or the misunderstanding of their properties.

Even well-designed and constructed structures will not stand on a foundation with poor concrete mix.

Though the structure may carry the loads, the earth beneath it will definitely give way in no time.

A group, Building Control Prevention Guild (BCPG), has called the attention of government to its latest finding on the brittleness of concrete debris recovered from various building collapse sites, which revealed the inherent danger in the sector.

In a chat with The Nation, Chairman of BCPG, Kunle Awobodu, said quality in the production of concrete and methodology should command utmost attention in the built environment.

He said: “The sensitivity of concrete mix necessitates the limitation of the number of concrete producers

or firms in some countries. Here in Nigeria, unfortunately, concreting seems to be an all-comer’s affair and is the preserve of the dregs of society. Over 90 per cent of buildings in this nation are concreted by the ubiquitous concrete gangs, using winglet portable concrete mixers.

A careful observer at construction sites will discover palpable inconsistency in mix ratio of concrete, overt conflict between mix recommended in the structural design of the approved building plan and the mix obtainable at site, adding that, rather than count the number of aggregate (sand and gravel/granite) that is fed into the concrete mixer, the operator is left to judge the appropriate mix with his eyes, in an uncertain discretion.”

Awobodu pointed out that under normal circumstances, a 50kg bag of cement would fill two standard head pans, but regretted that studies monitored by his group revealed that many head pans used for measurement/batching have become deformed, and with reduced volume due to long use, thereby distorting mix ratio.

Underscoring the need for enforcement of best practices in the sector, Awobodu said frustration sets in for a builder or an engineer on site while supervising or managing concrete men who are difficult to control, with overzealous ones overloading their head pans with sand to create inaccuracy in mix ratio.

With all these site challenges and the peculiarity of the Nigerian situation, it becomes obvious that our concrete might not meet the re-

quired and common strength standard of grade 15, 20 or 25 N/mm2 at 28 days, he added.

He called for the phasing out of the concrete gang or the standardisation of their operations as it is done in advanced countries where concrete firms with evidence of concrete mixing plant, trucks and pumps are registered to make for sanity in the sector.

On the efforts made by his association to stem the menace, he said: “Having met with the leaders of concrete workers in Lagos and environs and brainstormed with them on ways of improving concrete practice, there are strong indications and hope that buildings being constructed will be safe from concrete failure from now.”

Awobodu commended the Lagos State government for the bold step in enacting a law on building control, but asked that it should be proactive and well implementation.

He said: “Government should endeavour to bring together the concrete workers under one umbrella, train and also guide them on the acceptable concrete practice.

“It is a known fact that concrete used to construct many of our buildings, aside those handled by notable construction companies, were never subjected to test.”

Awobodu said the fact that governments at various levels do not recognise the importance of the concrete teams in the control of building practice, calls for concern.

‘Government should endeavour to bring together the concrete workers under one umbrella, train and also guide them on the acceptable concrete practice’

He said undertaking concrete works in the rain and at night should be discouraged, as it does not allow for quality control, stressing that striking a balance between concrete strength and workability is important in the building industry.

The Managing Director, Autoworks Nigeria Limited, Ade Ismail, a civil engineering company, decried a situation where unskilled people are involved in concrete works.

He said: “If you visit construction sites, you will see able men and women carrying concrete up and down a make-shift stair. Nobody monitors their activities and the standards they employ. Meanwhile, they are left to build tall structures, storey buildings with no known quality standards.”

Ismail berated the authorities for being reactive only when there is a collapse and loss of lives by either ceiling the premises or prosecuting the culprits, when it could have been avoided by ensuring standard practice in concrete mixing.”

Lagos set to implement 2010 Physical Planning Law

A

THREE-DAY retreat for stakeholders in the built environment begins tomorrow and the Lagos State Government’s plan to implement the Physical Planning, Urban Development, Regeneration and Building Control Law of 2010.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Toyin Ayinde, said the retreat

would feature discussions on planning administration, institutional framework to drive the implementation of the new law, the commencement of the Building Control Agency as well as identify the way forward.

He stated that the introduction of All Risk-Insurance Policy Certificate for a developer of any building above two floors, to insure his or

her liability in respect of construction risk, has necessitated the proper understanding of the new law.

Ayinde said the deliberation at the retreat would help reduce, to the barest minimum, the incidence of building collapse, eliminate quackery and the use of sub-standard materials in construction. He said the law would also ensure safety of lives and property.

27

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

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Can Musdapher reform judiciary •Focus on achievable goals, say lawyers

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, has lamented the loss of confidence in the judiciary, admitting that the institution stinks. He spoke of measures to reform the sector.

But to lawyers, he should focus on curbing corruption, ensuring speedy adjudication of cases, among others. ERIC IKHILAE and JOSEPH JIBUEZE report.

I

F ever there were doubts about the rot in the judiciary, they were cleared by the statement of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, at the beginning of the 2011/2012 Legal Year in Abuja, last Monday. His admission that all is not well with the judiciary is a confirmation of what many will describe as a “well-known fact.”

It is a culmination of the fear expressed before now, by many that the judiciary may be crippled if corruption and abuse of judicial powers are not checked.

Back in 2005, the then CJN, Justice Mohammad Uwais, cautioned judges against corrupt practices. Speaking at the All Nigeria Judges Conference in Abuja that year, Justice Uwais said dishonest practices had debased the reputation of judges and increased public reservations about the integrity of judicial officers.

A year later, Justice Alfa Belgore who succeeded Justice Uwais equally expressed con-

cern about growing allegations of corruption against judges.

Addressing the biennial conference of all Nigerian judges of the lower courts in Asaba, Delta State on November 13, 2006, Justice Belgore said: “As the interpreter of the law, it would be ironic for judges to be found on the wrong side of the law by being partisan and accepting bribes. The consequences will be serious.”

Justice Belgore’s successor, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, worried by report of unethical conduct among judicial officers, reminded judges that the country needed a judiciary that would not crumble under political pressure, harassment or threats from the government and civil society.

These unethical practices by judges, to which succeeding CJNs have made veiled reference, became a subject of public discourse in the twilight of the tenure of the immediate past CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu. The controversies that trailed his exit, par-

ticularly in relation to the Sokoto State governorship and the suspension of Justice Isa Ayo Salami as President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), lend credence to this.

The rot in the judiciary and the public’s perception of judges as alluded to Justice Musdapher and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Joseph Daudu (SAN) at the event to commemorate the commencement of the Supreme Court’s legal year 2011/2012 merely reaffirmed an earlier expressed fear.

Justice Musadapher, who lamented the failure of the judiciary in the face of expectations, promised to restore the integrity of the judiciary. He also spoke of measures to reverse the trend.

He mentioned a Judicial Reform Committee, the need to smoothen the strained relationship between the Bar and the Bench, the need to curb corruption and ensure prompt dispensation of justice.

The CJN talked about reviewing the process of appointing judges; the need to restructure the National Judicial Council

(NJC), the Federal Judicial Service Commission and other agencies whose activities affect the operations of the judiciary.

To observers, the task now is how to undo all that have been wrongly done, with the aim of putting the judiciary back on track.

They are of the view that the reform promised by Justice Musdapher should not be left in the realm of postulation but that actual steps should be taken to effect the needed changes.

They observed that Justice Musdapher’s promises may not be achieved within the short time that he has to serve. He will retire on July 15 next year, meaning that he has only about 11 months to carry out the task. Is that enough to make meaningful change?

The poser, observers said, is informed by past experience where public officers, on assuming office, promise heaven and earth

•Judicial integrity at stake over investigation

•Continued on page 31

•‘Special Courts for financial crimes will •Groups push for transparency, accountability in governance P.33• accelerate economic development’

P.35

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

28

NATIONAL BAR

Divide the legal profession now, say lawyers

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AWYERS at the Chief Chike Chigbue (SAN) yearly memorial lecture, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), at its University of Lagos, Akoka campus, have called for the division of the legal profession in Nigeria into two broad divisions of Solicitors and Advocates as obtained in England from where the country inherited the common law system.

Speaking on the topic: “Lawyers that we should be: Time to divide the legal profession in Nigeria?”the guest speaker, Oba Nsugbe, QC, SAN, said there is need to raise the standards of oral and written advocacy.

“The interminable delays in the administration of justice, from submissions without end and regular adjournments in the Nigerian courts can be avoided if trials can be conducted by experienced specialist advocates,” he said.

NIALS Director-General, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN), said: “The speaker’s comparison to the English Legal system is most helpful in this debate, giving a clear portrayal that the English Bar has helped to nurture and develop a corps of highly specialist, independent advocates and advisors, and that the skills required for a good advocate are markedly different from those needed to become a good solicitor.

“We felt that it was very topical and cogent at this point in time for us to address this issue. I know that over the time, people have been thinking whether or not we should have a divided profession. So, he opted to speak on it, and coming from his background, a Queens Counsel and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, we felt that he was eminently qualified to address the subject matter.

“This is a subject that we have interrogated over a period of time and we also believe that we have come to the point where we should give it some serious consideration. Like I have always argued, there is an explosion in the legal profession in terms of the turnout from the law school and we must address the issue seriously.

“If not, we may get to a point where many lawyers will be left with no option than to shift into many other professions not as dignifying and ennobling as the legal profession itself, not for any other reason, not because they lack the requisite competencies, but because the opening is not there for them to excel.

“With almost 100,000 lawyers at the moment, we should be thinking seriously of a divided profession, of a profession that will be able to cater for the interest of all segments of the community and one that will emphasise specialisation to a very great extent, not necessarily from the point of view of post-graduate specialisation, but specialisation from the point of view of professionalism.”

Azinge added: “We want a framework that will segregate the practitioners and make it difficult for one to move from one sphere to the other without necessarily incurring the wrath and of course violating the rules and regulation. ‘’Naturally, our best bet would be to look across to those who obviously trained us in the first instance, those who we received their laws, those that we learn from and we are still copying from. That is the British tradition.”

Nsugbe said: “In Nigeria, we are all used to the congestion in courts and the fact that there is a great deal of time wasting in courts by lawyers. What we need is specialist lawyers who are used to conducting cases in an efficient way with speed, with expertise and that comes from making early appearance in court and dedicating yourself to learning the art of Advocacy’’.

Nsugbe added: “If you are a jack of all trades, where you are effectively doing everything, solicitors’ work, barrister’s work, and everything. You cannot develop that kind of expertise that the courts demand and for me, it makes the life of a judge much more difficult, where they happen to see lawyers who are not properly skilled and knowledgeable in procedures.

“Often times judges tell lawyers what to do about procedures; that is not how it should be. It is not something that should happen because a lawyer should know the

•Guest lecturer Prof Oba Nsugbe QC, SAN and Chairman of the event, Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court

By John Austin Unachukwu

procedures himself and that comes from experience. So, I am now arguing that really, the profession should be divided in two ways.

We have the solicitors in the profession who specialize in preparing cases. They tend to not go to court and we have the advocates, specialists who go to court and know how deal with the judges in courts. I think that is the way to go,” Oba Nsugbe said.

Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court said if dividing the profession will help us to resolve the issues, then so be it.

She said: “Principally I believe that there are issues and problems that do cause delay in courts. It is true that some lawyers, because they are not well versed in advocacy, tend to waste the time of the courts. But if we divide the profession, will that make the advocates better in court? That is what is agitating my mind and that is why I don’t really want to take a position on the mater because I am looking at the issues and not the division.”

On whether specialist training for judicial officers can ease quick dispensation of justice, Justice Olotu said: “It helps a lot. For instance, I am in the Federal High Court and we have specialisation in the Federal High Court. We have some judges who do particular cases, though it is not that pronounced or legislated because you don’t really see the division, but within the court, when the Chief Judge (CJ) is assigning cases, he knows that

this judge has done a lot of cases in a particular areas like admiralty, intellectual property, etc. So, he assigns such cases to those judges who are knowledgeable in such areas.

“But the CJ has made it clear that we cannot have such specialised divisions as they have in Lagos State where you have commercial, family matters, probate, etc, because of the peculiar jurisdiction of Federal High Court. We are scattered all over the country.

In some states, you just have only one court so what do you now do, how do you split the court into specialised divisions? That is the peculiarity of the Federal High Court, but within the system, the CJ knows how handle the issues.”

Chief Tony Idigbe (SAN) said: “For me, definitely, what comes out of this lecture is the imperative for some level of reform in the legal profession, and in the entire justice delivery system. Definitely we need to see justice delivery as a service to be given to the people and we need to recognise that people could have choice and unfortunately the other choices they could have against proper justice delivery are things like self-help, which can lead to anarchy and it is very dangerous.

“So, it is important that the justice delivery system is efficient and effective to ensure that people get justice and that the profession is organised. I think that it is about time we begin to look at the structure and the way

law is practiced in Nigeria and encourage some level of either division or specialisation.

“Then we need to have some legal frameworks to ensure that people don’t cross boundaries. I also think that in terms of maintaining the integrity of the profession and credibility, which will attract more business to lawyers, there may be some need for some independent monitoring, inspection, and laying down of some standards of practice for lawyers.”

Idigbe added: “I know that some of these ideas are really revolutionary, but there will be issues like inspection of officers, filing of returns to such monitoring institutions, but we need to begin to think about it now before it gets to crisis situation.

“In the court system, there is need for more specialisation; there is need for the application of technology to deal with the consistent issue of competition for jurisdiction among the various courts. There is need to streamline the entire process and ensure that substantial justice rather than procedural justice is achieved within the system.

“So, clearly, we need to put on thinking cap in Nigeria at this time, particularly within the legal profession and drive the process by ourselves. But, even if we need to get help from outside the country, we should do that to make sure that we reposition the legal profession for continued relevance in our democratic experience.”

•From left: Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama (SAN), O. O. Agbugba, Nelson Nworgu and Cyril I. Ebiri after their participation in golf tournament, during the last Annual General Conference of the NBA in Port Harcourt.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

29

LAW COVER CONT’D

Can Musdapher reform judiciary ?

•Continued from page 29

only to blame their failure, at the end of the day, on time constraints.

They argued that the CJN’s observation that Section 233 (2) of the Constitution needed to be reviewed to prevent the filing of frivolous appeal at the Supreme Court, may be difficult to achieve within his tenure.

There is however a piece of advice for him from lawyers. They advised to streamline his plan and set an achievable agenda within his short time in office.

According to them, he should focus on ways of curbing corrupt practices, enthrone professionalism among judicial officers and put in place mechanisms for future growth by laying a foundation for his successor to build on.

To former President of the NBA, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Justice Musdapher should focus on how to reduce the functions of the CJN, and reform the NJC to avert a repetition of the spectacle to which the nation was treated in the twilight of the Katsina-Alu era.

“So, I am suggesting a Constitution amendment that would make the CJN to cease to be head of judicial institutions, except the Supreme Court. The NJC should comprise current and retired CJNs, with the immediate past CJN as head, so that the current CJN would have nothing to do with the overall functions or control of the body.

“Going too far into administration and overseeing the entire Nigerian judiciary, that, I think, is too much for the CJN,” Agbakoba said.

Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) urged the CJN to concentrate on ways of making sure that cases are promptly disposed of. He said the current practice where cases spend between five and seven years at the Supreme Court is not acceptable.

Fagbohungbe advised the CJN to restore the harmonious relationship among members of the Bench, which was punctured by the Justice Salami episode. This, he said, could only be achieved through an amicable resolution of the Salami case.”

The most important thing is that matters can be settled amicably out of court. He should summon an emergency meeting of the NJC. He should consult widely and reach out to the NBA. Everybody must be consulted.

He should re-table the issue before the NJC so that the matter could be resolved amicably,” Fagbohungbe said, adding:”Let the matter go away with the retired CJN Justice Aloysius Katsin-Alu. The only way is dialogue.”

Chief Layi Babatunde (SAN) said although the CJN has identified the need to speed up the adjudication process as one of his areas of focus, he must begin from working on ways of restoring public confidence on the court system.

“We need to remind ourselves that justice is rooted in confidence, which in turn is very much grounded in perception. The general perception of our judiciary, nay the entire legal profession, today calls for urgent improvement which can only be achieved through collaborative effort between the Bar and the Bench,” he said.

Kemi Pinhero (SAN) urged Justice Mustapher to focus on measures that could speed up the wheel of justice, particularly at the Supreme Court.

“I expect him to reform the process of ‘selection’ of judicial officers to make it more transparent. I also expect Justice Musdapher to promptly and expeditiously initiate and actualise e-filing by the creation of an e-registry at all courts created by the Constitution within six months,” he said.

To rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, Justice Musdapher “should move speedily to attack judicial corruption, con-

•Musdapher

•Daudu

•Agbakoba

•Fagbohungbe

•Ngige

•Igbokwe

gestion of cases and the mockery of the criminal justice system by influential accused persons whose cases are allowed to drag on indefinitely in courts.”

Mr Mike Igbokwe (SAN) said he expects true independence and accountability in the judiciary.

He said the CJN could prevail on the National Assembly to ensure that there is a change in the age of those appointed to the high bench.

“There should be stipulation of age limit

for elevation of judges and justices to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in such a way that none above 40 and 50 years old should be elevated to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court respectively in addition to other usual criteria.”

Chief Ricky Tarfa (SAN) said: “His tenure may not be long enough, but it is sufficient for him to restore or lay a solid foundation for the restoration of confidence in judges, members of the Bar and the nation at large that the judiciary will continue to play its

sacred constitutional role in nation building and for his successor to strengthen and consolidate on such tasks.”

Emeka Ngige (SAN) said: “He has a short period to preside as CJN. So, he cannot do much. But, if I were him, I would embark on reconciliation with the Bar and other parties to the current judiciary crisis.

“He can seize the moment by reversing all illegal actions taken by his predecessor as chairman of NJC. He should call a full meeting of the NJC for the reversal of the illegal suspension of Justice Salami and restore him to his office.

“The NJC itself needs to be cleansed. A lot of things are going wrong there. His lordship has a choice: to distance himself from the iniquitous actions of his predecessor or continue from where he stopped. It is up to him.”

Chief Chris Uche (SAN) said a lot is expected of Justice Musdapher. “Notwithstanding the short time at his disposal, I believe he can surmount the challenges.

“His predecessor, Justice SMA Belgore had about the same time, or even less, and he made a great impact. I know Justice Musdapher will hit the ground running, as he is no stranger to the system. I am very confident that he will face up to these challenges and exceed expectations.”

‘He should focus on ways of curbing corrupt practices, enthrone professionalism among judicial officers and put in place mechanisms for future growth by laying a foundation for his successor to build on’

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

30

FROM THE COURT

Group makes case for restorative justice

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HE Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PFN) has advocated the introduction of restorative justice in the country’s legal system in the country.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its first national prison ministry conference held in Lagos and signed by its Executive Director, Mr Benson Ngozi Iwuagwu, the group said restorative justice would promote justice delivery that recognises rights of victims, offenders and society.

PFN said the capacity building conference and workshop was targeted at sharing best practices in the application of specific behaviour modification programmes and offender/victim mediation tools.

About 240 participants, representing over 30 organisations across the country with facilitators drawn from Nigeria, Canada and USA were at the event.

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Comptroller-General of Prisons and the AttorneyGeneral of Lagos State were represented in the conference.

Rt. Rev. Dr. E. O. Chukwuma, Anglican Bishop of Enugu acted as the event chair.

The group said restorative justice would also promote an encompassing justice delivery that is cognizant of the rights of victims, offenders and society.

“It makes room for better sense of justice to all parties and promotes social healing and harmony. It also leads to decongestion of the prisons, saves the time of the courts and reduces crime and re-offending.

“Recognising the deep wounds that Nigerians harbour as a result of the effect of crime , there is need for change social attitudes towards both victims and offenders, to achieve lasting peace necessary for the transformation of our national psyche.

By Abike Hassan

“There is need to address the issue of inmates awaiting trial in prisons all over the country. We recognise the damage inflicted on persons and their families when they are left in prisons for longer periods than they would have been, if they had been convicted for the same offences for which they were charged. It is worse for those who are eventually found innocent.

“The situation in the Prisons is a reflection of the Social Welfare and Human rights situation of any nation; we call on the Federal Government to take bold steps in making the prison conditions more humane and less punitive in order to reflect a better Nigeria.

“There is need for governments at all levels to establish Half-way homes across the country, where prisoners can spend some ‘adjustment time’ as they leave prisons to prepare them for reintegration into the larger society.

“There is need to develop platforms for regular dialogue between Federal/State governments and organisations ministering to prisoners. There is need for monthly review of minor cases of people awaiting trial, by respective Chief

Judges with a view to decongesting our prisons.

“The Police, who act as prosecutors at the Magistrate’s Courts, should be adequately equipped for the job through regular retraining and retraining. There is a great need for the Government to embark on a full scale Police Reformation so as to avoid further embarrassments of our citizens through wrongful arrests, extortion and detention.

“There is need for those unjustly incarcerated to be properly compensated by those responsible as to promote true justice and peace.

There is need for Government to courageously attend to the seeming intractable religious crises and openly bring to justice those found culpable.

“Government should be fair in providing places of worship for different religious groups especially in Northern parts of Nigeria, where Christians have been refused spaces to build places of worship in the prisons.

“We strongly advocate for community services in lieu of prison sentences for those who are unable to pay fines for minor offences such as breaking traffic, sanitation, hawking rules as a prison decongestion strategy,” it said.

‘Government should be fair in providing places of worship for different religious groups especially in Northern parts of Nigeria, where Christians have been refused spaces to build places of worship in the prisons’

•Edo State Commissioner for Information, Louis Odion and Augustine Alegeh (SAN), during the 7th All Nigeria Editors Conference, at Best Western Hotel, Benin City.

•A cross section of Bar leaders, during the last Criminal Justice Reform Conference organised by the NBA at the International Conference Centre, Abuja

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Jonathan on a failed state

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s robust defence at the last inauguration of his cabinet that Nigeria is not a failed state was very patriotic.

Nothing less was expected of a President recently elected on a popular ballot, and imbued with high expectations from the citizens of the country, whose life index is indicative of a failed state.

It was also a palliative that the President said it was some people that refer to the country as a failed state, instead of statistics; that way, we can dismiss such people as being afflicted by mere bad belle, and envious of the African giant called Nigeria.

Now let me put a caveat, that it would be indecorous to say that Mr President lied, more so when statistics also describe Nigeria as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with eight per cent growth potential in 2011, according by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

So, how come Nigeria bestrides the two worlds; that is having at the same time huge potentials as an emerging tiger and also some attributes of a failed nation? It will be helpful to understand the index used to determine a failed state, and also the areas Nigeria is growing to appreciate the paradox.

According to the Wikipedia, the term failed state is used to refer to countries that have failed at providing the basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government. It then refers for clarity to certain attributes proposed by the United States based Fund for Peace, to include: loss of control or monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force; erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decision; inability to provide public services and inability to interact with others as a full member of the international community. The characteristics of the road to a failed state is however different. In determining a failing state (emphasis mine), the characteristics include lack of effective control over much of the territory, non provision of public service, widespread corruption and criminality, refugee problem and sharp economic decline.

When you examine the attributes of a failed state as against a failing state, you can understand Jonathan’s robust defense and patriotism.

While Boko Haram and Niger Delta militias, at will demonopolise the exclusive use of physical force by the state authorities; nobody will deny that the legislators, the President and the governors have legitimate authority to make decisions. Again, while there is substantial inability on the part of the government to provide public services; we are a fully recognised member of the international community. So, that leaves us standing at the middle with a 50 per cent mark on the failed state index, though with lesser mark on the failing state criteria. Now, if former President Bill Clinton of the United States could get away with his delicate choice of words between oral and conjugal sex, during the Monica Lewinsky sex saga that nearly consumed his Presidency, then our own President Jonathan should be expected to equivocate as to whether 50 per cent is a failure.

No doubt, Nigeria is standing at a middle point in her life, with an option to either make progress or deteriorate. The statistics again show Nigeria is ranked 37th in the world based on her GDP, while it is 19th on the failed state index, and listed on the alert category, the most worrisome level. Interestingly, despite the high ranking in the failed state index, the country has also been growing at about eight per cent annually in the past three years, principally because of the practice of democracy; which is a measure of stability for international capital. Again, while 60 per cent of the working population depends on agriculture, 80 per cent of the government revenue is derived from petroleum, which also forms 40 per cent of the GDP; and this paradox contributes to the continuous rural to urban migration; not significantly different from internal displacement.

Nigeria is also listed as one of the fastest growing nations in the telecommunications sector. Notably, the telecoms companies that defied the fearful statistics about the cost of doing business in Nigeria, and started the revolution have never had it so good, as the Nigerian market easily turned their highest revenue sources within a short period. The same unprecedented profit is made by the oil companies, doing business in Nigeria. But conversely the Nigerian oil behemoth, NNPC thrives on opaque standards, and is accountable only to itself and has defied efforts to properly audit. According to statistics, millions of dollars of the state oil money has been siphoned into private accounts since the end of the civil war in 1970. Also most of the foreign oil companies conduct their business in complete disregard to international standards, knowing that the Nigerian state is too timid and compromised to call it to account. As some would argue, most of the profits that the foreign companies make, come from fleecing the citizens, as the rugged financial checks and balances applicable in other countries are not available in Nigeria.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that democracy provides us an impetus to progress, as our positive international relations will help attract the needed international capital to confront our development challenges.

Also in democracy lies the greatest opportunity to mobilise a people, as it provides the right to ask the vital questions from the leaders. It also gives the people the freedom to form and impact opinions in the press, and enables judicial review of governmental actions. It also allows for strike and civic actions against conducts of the state. Now, while President Jonathan is free to equivocate on the state of Nigeria, he should not when it comes to turning the statistics towards a positive direction; for mass revolt is also a democratic licence.

•This article was first published on July 19

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

31

LAW & SOCIETY Speech by Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, while receiving the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) at the Local Government Service Commission Hall, Osogbo, on September 15, 2011.

‘Truth is unchangeable’

I

AM delighted to be at this occasion, the submission of the report of the Osun State Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

It was like yesterday when on February 17, when we were all gathered to inaugurate this commission. We thought then that the commission would wrap up its mission in less than two month. Little did we know that the work would be so enormous and would take seven month. We thank God that today the commission has concluded its assignment and submitted its report today.

We were not under any illusion on our mission when we set up the commission, although many have asked: why set up a truth and reconciliation commission? It is a legitimate question.

What is undeniable, however, is that prior to our coming to office, Osun State was under siege and we met records that between 2003 and 2010, there was massive and horrendous abuse of human rights and despotism. We cannot in good conscience ignore this and pretend that all is well.

Nothing, I daresay, will erase the memory of the savage attack on me and my supporters by agents of the state government on August 5, 2006 at the Oroki Day celebration. Again, who will ever forget the murderous clampdown on the protesters of the brazenly rigged April 2007 elections in Osun State during which scores of people were killed?

Has anybody also forgotten how one of our supporters, Alhaji Hassan Olajoku, was brutally murdered at Gbongan Junction on May 15, 2005?

There are countless others who were taken out of the comfort of their homes to be murdered, illegally detained, harassed, pummelled or threatened. Many were forced to evacuate their families and proceed on involuntary exile. My aged mother was a victim. Many had their property destroyed and their businesses paralysed.

Can anybody reasonably deny there was a bomb blast at the state secretariat and that this was used as pretext to arrest, detain and persecute innocent people and opposition members?

Can we so soon forget how a frontline industrialist from Osun State, Chief Ade Komolafe, was beaten to death at a filling station in Ilesa by a PDP local government chairman-led death squad? Could we have suffered such massive amnesia as to forget how a teenage girl was tied to a tree and gang-raped by PDP chieftains in Ilesa?

These are just a few of the assaults on our people committed by and on behalf of the party and government in power in Osun during this period. Some of these acts are so revolting that they cannot be mentioned in the company of decent men (and women) without their sensibilities being offended.

Relying on Section 2(1) of the Commission of Inquiry Law, Cap 29, Laws of Osun State 2002, we, therefore, set up the commission with the mandate to: •To search for and identify in full the nature of the discontent in Osun State.

•To identify the grievances and the remote and immediate causes, which have given rise to and resulted in the acts of gross violation of human rights as well as attacks on persons and property in the state.

•To identify the person or persons, authorities, institutions or organisations which may be held accountable for such gross violations of human rights and determine the motives for the violations or abuses, the victims and circumstances thereof and the effect on such victims and the society generally of the atrocities.

•To determine whether such abuses or violations were the product of deliberate State policy or the policy of any of its organs or institutions or whether they arose from abuses by State officials of their office or whether they were acts of any political organisations, liberation movements or other group or individuals.

•To examine in detail the extent of the damage that has been done to the people and

projects and also the degree of damage to peace and concord in the state.

•To examine and advise on the ways and means of bringing peace, amity and concord among all concerned.

•To advise upon a mechanism by which such reconciliation could be maintained and retained as a permanent feature in the state.

•To make any other findings and/ recommendations which the Commission may consider necessary.

•To receive any legitimate financial or other assistance from whatever source which may aid and facilitate the realisation of its objectives.

•To recommend measures, which may be taken whether judicial, administrative, legislative or institutional to redress injustices of the past and prevent or forestall future violations or abuses of human rights.

Our objective is not to persecute, witchhunt, harass or intimidate anybody but to establish the truth and follow where the truth leads and see that our society is reconciled.

In our quest to establish a just society, we must address all grievances, if we hope to bring healing to the land. But we must first determine the cause of insatiability and insecurity in the state and the perpetrators must be found out.

Where victims and aggressors need to embrace each other after genuine contrition has been attained, we will support; where sanctions are necessary, we will not hesitate to apply them; and where restitution is deserved, we will abide. For us, the objective is is to establish justice through truth and, therefore, lead our society to reconciliation.

This is not unique to us.

It is a practice that has been in place since the end of the World War II when commissions of inquiry were set up to address rights abuse during the war.

Since then, there have been truth commissions or equivalents in Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Chile, El Salvador, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Liberia, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, East Timor, United States, Kashmir and close by in Rivers State, the most remarkable being the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up by former President Nelson Mandela in 1995 and headed by Bishop Desmond Tutu.

Still on justice, we have always made it known that our government is a product of justice and so we must support justice everywhere.

All the evidence affirmed that we won the 2007 elections, and yet we couldn’t reclaim our mandate in the courts until almost four years later when the term had almost been exhausted. Of course, those who perpetrated this electoral grand larceny did so with impunity and even have the audacity to relentlessly challenge the process that put an end to their chicanery.

We are thankful to God, however, that courageous and god-fearing judges of the Court of Appeal in Ibadan did the right thing, followed the facts and evidence, applied common sense and refused to be swayed by inducements and threats and restored our mandate. It is regrettable, however, that the judges have been undergoing persecution on account of this righteous act.

I am comforted nevertheless that the Nigerian people rose massively in their support and have been giving the evildoers sleepless nights since then. These patriots are not going to relent until the wrongs are made right.

What Justice Ayo Salami is going through today is judicial terrorism. When C4, improvised explosive devices (IED) and other incendiary materials are deployed, these are easily noticed in the blackened hole, the inferno, collapsed building, mangled body, severed limbs and the trail of blood, tears and sorrow that followed. But judicial terrorism is more insidious, lethal and ironically not easily identified because it is cloaked in legal jargons and had the stamp

•Aregbesola

•Prof Atsenuwa

•From left: Mrs Falana; Mr Yustaz, and Justice Uwaifo

•From left: Mr Ogbara and Mr Aturu

of authority. However, it is corrosive on the psyche of society and the victims and offensive to democratic norms.

What they are trying to do is warn judges who try to establish righteousness by following law and their conscience, especially at election petition tribunals and appeals, of the dire consequences of such disposition. It is a noble duty therefore for all men of goodwill to come to his defence.

I must thank the commission and every individual or organisation that worked to make its outing a success, beginning from the commission’s chairman, Rt. Honourable Justice Samson Odemwingie Uwaifo (JSC rtd) CON, KSC, Mr. Nurudeen Ogbara, the Secretary of the Commission and Yunus Ustaz-Usman (SAN), Prof (Mrs.) Ayo Atsenuwa, Mrs. Funmi Falana, Hakeem Yusuff, Bamidele Aturu and Wahid Lawal, all members of the commission.

We want to declare boldly that we will not rest on our oars in the bid to establish peace, righteousness and justice in the land. It is

remarkable that the first dividend of democracy in Osun State is the removal of the state of siege.

A new wind of peace has been blowing over the people since our coming to government and all citizens have been going about their lawful duties without let or hindrance. Recently, workers in the state embarked on industrial action.

They freely expressed themselves even as some other civil society groups publicly expressed support for us and our cause. Not a single incident or skirmish was recorded; there was no arrest, attack or shooting, contrary to what we used to experience in that black and bygone era. Everything was done in an atmosphere of peace, mutual respect and conciliation.

I thank the people of this state for this maturity and understanding. It is a new dawn in Osun State because truth is constant and immutable.

I thank you for your patience and kind attention. Osun a dara o.

‘Our objective is not to persecute, witch-hunt, harass or intimidate anybody but to establish the truth and follow where the truth leads and see that our society is reconciled. In our quest to establish a just society, we must address all grievances, if we hope to bring healing to the land. But we must first determine the cause of insatiability and insecurity in the state and the perpetrators must be found out’

32

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

LAW & DEVELOPMENT

•Prof. Wole Soyinka (middle), Bamidele Aturu (right), Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin (2nd right) and a rights activist, during a rally in Lagos to mark the 5th anniversary of the death of Chima Ubani, former Executive Director, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), who died with four others in a car crash in Potiskum, Yobe State on September 21, 2005, during a nationwide sensitisation tour of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Civil Society Coalition to protest fuel price increase. He was 43 years.

Groups push for transparency, accountability in governance D O public institutions hide under the Official Secret Act (OSA) and section 15 (1) of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act in refusing an application, brought under the FoI Act, for the disclosure of information regarding the disbursement of public funds?

Do civil society organisations qualify under the FoI Act, to seek to know how state funds are spent? What categories of information are exempted from disclosure under the FoI law?

These would form some core issues to be determined by the Federal High Court in Lagos and the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan when hearing opens in separate suits filed by two civil society organisations –the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

The suits were informed by the refusal of some public officers to honour requests made under the Act, by both organisations.

Incidentally, both suits would provide the first major test for the FoI Act, assented to

by President Goodluck Jonathan, in an effort to ensure openness and accountability in public governance.

SERAP, had in June this year, applied to the governments of Oyo, Rivers, Enugu and Kaduna states for up-to-date information and documents on spending relating to primary education in the states, covering the period from 2005 when the first budget was released for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) programme.

To date, none of the states provided the needed information, a development that prompted the legal action by SERAP. On its part, LEDAP last July wrote the AccountantsGeneral of the nation’s 36 states, requesting information on the disbursement of security votes to the Governor, Deputy Governor and House of Assembly Speaker in each state.

Only Delta and Kwara states responded.

But they declined in providing the requested information, pleading the Official Secret Act and section 15 (1) of the FoI Act. In a letter signed by M. O. Agwere for the

•SERAP, LEDAP seek court’s enforcement of FoI Act Stories by Eric Ikhilae

Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner, Delta State, it was argued that the request by LEDAP to the state’s Accountant General could not be honoured in view of the purported prohibitions under the OSA and the FoI Act 2011.

Two letters were written by officials of the Kwara State Government. The first sated July 15 was from the office of the Accountant- General and signed by B. S. Fatigun,while the other dated July 26 was written from the office of the Auditor General and signed by Chief Olajide E. A. In both letters, the state contended that the information sought by LEDAP is exempted from disclosure under section 15 (1) (ii) of the FOI Act. This development again, prompted the suit by LEDAP. The suit by SERAP, filed before the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, has as defendants, the governor and the state’s Attorney-General.

SERAP among others, wants the court to declare that the provisions of the FoI Act 2011 are binding on the Oyo State Governor and the state government.

The group is asking the court for an order directing the first defendant (the governor) to provide it with up to date information on government/public spending relating to primary education in Oyo State.It also prayed for a declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Section 4 (a) of the FoI Act, the governor is under a binding legal obligation to provide the plaintiff with the requested information.

SERAP hinged its prayers on the argument that the power or discretion to refuse to give access to information requested for, cannot be exercised in vacuo, and that such power or discretion must be provided for by the FoI Act itself.

This, it contended, implies that a request for information, under the FoI Act, can only be refused if the information requested is one which is exempted from disclosure under the provisions of the FoI Act. It argued that the information requested for relates strictly to the receipt and expenditure of public funds on primary education in the state.

The group noted that the FoI Act 2011, being a validly enacted law, has binding force on all authorities and persons, to whom it applies, throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including Oyo State.

It stressed that in Nigerian jurisprudence, statutes are binding on all citizens and the government, unless there is special provision exempting the government from the operation of the statute in question.

“It will serve the overriding interest of justice and the public as well as ensure the entrenchment of transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and public affairs. The Governor has no reason whatsoever to deny the Plaintiff access to the information sought for.

“The information requested for, apart from not being exempted from disclosure under the FoI Act, bothers on an issue of national interest, public concern, interest of human rights, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability,” the organization also argued,” it argued.

The suit filed before the Federal High Court, Lagos by LEDAP, has the AccountantsGeneral of the 36 states and Kwara State’s Auditor-General as respondents. It is seeking among others, an order, compelling the respondents to, within 14 days, disclose to it (the applicant) the detailed information it requested for as per it July letter to them.

LEDAP equally prayed the court for a declaration that the respondents’ refusal to pro-

vide the information it requested amount to an infraction of section 1 (1) of the FoI Act and the applicant’s right to such information as provided under the same section of the Act. It also urged the court to declare that the Auditor-General of Kwara State, the state’s Accountant-General and that of Delta State cannot deny the applicant’s request on grounds of exemptions provided under section 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 of the FoI Act. The group hinged its prayers on the grounds that it was, under section 1 (1) of the FoI Act, entitled to the information demanded; that the information did fall within those exempted; that the respondents have, by their actions or inactions denied, and are deemed to have denied the applicant the requested information.

Relying on section 25 of the FoI Act, LEDAP urged the court to uphold its jurisdiction over the matter and order the respondents to disclose the requested information. It contended that the basis on which the respondents refused its request were unjustifiable because the information requested for is not one of those exempted under the law.

LEDAP also argued that the Delta State government’s reliance on the OSA was misconceived because the OSA has ceased to be valid in law in the face of the FoI Act. This argument, incidentally finds support in the FoI Act where measures exist to regulate conflicts between its provisions and those of other legislation like the Criminal Code, Penal Code and OSA that prescribes criminal penalties for actions connected to the disclosure of information.

Section 27 of the FoI Act provides that no civil or criminal proceedings may be brought against an officer of any public institution, or against anyone acting on behalf of a public institution, for the disclosure in good faith of any information pursuant to the act.

Its section 30(1) further provides that the act is intended to complement, not replace, the existing procedures for access to public records, and is not intended to limit public access to information.

Forum seeks improvement on security, rule of law

R

IGHTS activists rose from a two-day deliberation on the state of human rights, rule of law and security in the country, last week in Abuja and urged the Federal Government put in place measures aimed at stemming the rising insecurity in the country.

To them, governments at all levels should work towards addressing the causes of violent conflicts by addressing the socio-economic needs of the people through a constitutional review process that guarantees the justiciability of Chapter of the Constitution.

They urged the Federal Government to overhaul and strengthen intelligence gathering capacity of various security agencies in order to effectively address the state of insecurity

and terrorism in the country These formed part of the recommendations contained in a communiqué issued by the forum organised by a group, the Human Rights Agenda Nigeria (HRAN), featured over 50 participants drawn from the Human Rights Community, Media, National Human Rights Commission (NHC) and other government agencies.

Participants suggested that the Police and other security authorities should ensure accountability for extra judicial killings and other abuses by their personnel.

The forum urged the Federal Government to implement recommendation of the various committees on Police and other Justice sector reforms.

As a way of insulating the Police from undue

control of the politicians, the forum suggested that the Federal Government should insulate the Police from political control through a constitutional review to remove the section vesting operational control in the President.

Worried about the continued congestion in the nation’s prison despite huge public funds expended so far, the forum urged the National Assembly to, as a matter of urgency, pass the pending Police and Prisons reform bills.

While expressing displeasure over the alleged manipulation of the judiciary by the Executive, the forum urged the Executive arm of government to end impunity and discontinue interference with the functions of the Judiciary and the Legislature.

The forum condemned the wanton rate of continuous killings in Jos and failure of fed-

eral and Plateau state governments to effectively address the situation.

It urged the president to show genuine commitment in combating corruption by ensuring the independence of anti-corruption institutions and transparent and credible process of appointing the leadership.

The forum urged both the federal and state governments to speedily implement the Minimum Wage Act in the interest of rule of law and good governance.

It frowned at the reported detention of labour leaders allegedly at the behest of the Enugu State Government and urged the governor, Mr Sullivan Chime, to tender an unreserved apology to the leadership of NLC and TUC over his unprovoked aggression and illegal detention of the leaders of NLC and TUC.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

33

LAW & SOCIETY OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR AT THE SUPREME COURT ABUJA

•Justice Mahmoud Mohammed and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher (CJN)

• Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (right) and NBA President Joseph Daudu (SAN)

•From right: Obi Okwusogu (SAN), General Secretary NBA, Olumuyiwa Akinboro and Patrick Okolo

•Solicitor-General of the Federation Abdalla Yola (left) and Chairman, Body of Senior Advocates Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN)

•Acting President, Court of Appeal Justice Dalhatu Adamu (left) and Director-General, NIALS, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN)

•Former General Secretary NBA, Lawal Rafiu Rabana (SAN) and his wife, Nella

•Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN (left) and Ferdinand Orbih (SAN)

•Jacob Ogbonna (left) and Rickey Tarfa (SAN)

•Prof Charles Loegbune (left) and Ben Anachebe (SAN)

•Pat Onegbedan (SAN) and Dan Ose Okoh (SAN)

34

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

LAW & SOCIETY PRESENTATION OF THE REVIEWED CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES OF THE LAGOS HIGH COURT

•Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court and Lagos State Chief Judge Justice Akande

•Justice Habeeb Abiru and Justice Agnes Nicol-Claire

•Justice Jumoke Pedro and Justice Kazeem Alogba

•From left: Justice Olusola Oyefeso, Justice Alfreda Williams-Dawodu and Justice Toyin Taiwo

•Justices Yetunde Idowu and Omolara Kayode-Ogunmekan

•Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile and Justice Laide Olayinka

•Justice Kudirat Jose and Justice Bisi Akinlade

•Justice Latifat Folami and Justice Lateefat Oluyemi

•Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye and Justice Adesuwa Oke-Lawal

•Justice Owolabi Dabiri (left) and Justice Christopher Balogun

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

35

LAW PERSONALITY Hon. Abudul Rahman Kadiri, a former member of the House of Representatives, practised Law in Nigeria before relocating to Dubai eight years ago. A member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), he is working with the Dubai tourist authorities to fast-track the trip of Nigerian lawyers to the forthcoming International Bar Association (IBA) conference. In this interview with JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, he speaks on law practice in Nigeria and other jurisdictions.

‘Special Courts for financial crimes will accelerate economic development’ PPRAISE the International Bar Association (IBA) Conference holding in Dubai.

Once again, this is the largest annual gathering of lawyers from all over the world for the IBA conference. This year, Dubai is the host city. Both the organising committee of the IBA and the Dubai Legal community are putting everything together to ensure a world class conference. It promises to be exciting and rewarding for all the lawyers and their guests.

Do you think Dubai can host the event?

Geographically, Dubai is strategically located within easy reach from all parts of the world, from America, Africa, Europe and the far East. The country’s airline, Emirates, flies to all capital and business cities of the world with over 96 destinations. The airline flies twice daily from Lagos to Dubai, there are also other airlines that fly from Nigeria to Dubai. Emirates terminal has been rated as one of the biggest in the world. It has the most beautiful first and business class lunges, superb restaurants, best duty free shopping areas, and over 150 check-in countries.

As a Nigeria n lawyer based in Dubai, what advantage will Nigerian lawyers get from attending the IBA conference in Dubai.

Nigerian lawyers, who are attending this year’s IBA Conference in Dubai, have a lot to gain in all areas of endeavour: Law, business, leisure, holiday and shopping.

In law, the conference will provide an opportunity for legal networking as more than 25,000 lawyers from various legal backgrounds will be attending the conference.

Dubai has modern court systems with automated information technology.

How is Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) practised in Dubai?

In addition to the regular courts, Dubai has a world class arbitration system. There is the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) and the Arbitration Centre in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

The DIAC is located on the 14th floor of the all glass tower of the Dubai Chambers of Commerce and Industry over-looking the splendor of the Deira Creek. It is an ultramodern establishment with the latest first class facilities and equipment to host a variety of arbitration proceedings. There are various hearing rooms and meeting rooms, equipped with a full range of electronic ser-

A

vices such as direct e-mailing, video conferencing and simultaneous translation services.

The DIAC maintains and provides parties with lists of independent and highly qualified international and local arbitrators and experts to handle local and international arbitration, mediation and conciliation.

Dubai and the DIAC central location between the West and far east is a great attraction as a Centre of choice for conducting international arbitration.

How about the IBA conference location, the venue, how is it?

The main venue for the conference is the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which is a world class financial and business hub. The DIFC is one of the many free zones that have been established by the Dubai government to encourage foreign ownership of businesses. The conference centre is well equipped with the latest conference facilities.

How accessible is the venue? Can it be easily located?

The venue is strategically located at the heart of modern Dubai at the beginning of Sheikh Zayed Road. It is easily accessible by car, taxi and train. Many five star hotels abound in the neighbourhood. The conference centre is about five minutes drive to the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest tower in the world, and also the Dubai Mall, which is one of the largest malls in the world. The mall is a must visit for all. It is spread over an area of over 12 million square feet and has over 1,250 shops that sell top most brands from all over the world-ranging from clothes, jewellery, electronics, perfumes, toys, books, furniture etc. There are over 150 outlets within the mall.

So, what do we expect to see in Dubai Lawyers and guests attending the conference will also seize the opportunity to explore and enjoy the many attractions that Dubai is reputed for. There are several places for sight-seeing, exotic restaurants, shops, Gold souks, beaches and the famous desert safaris. Dubai has developed every aspect of its natural endownments, sand, sea and sun to the visitor’s delight. There are over 70 huge shopping malls all over the city. Some open up till midnite or 24 hours.

So, how is their preparation for the conference?

•Kadiri

They are putting everything together to make sure that the conference becomes a very huge success because this is the first time the conference is being hosted in the Middle East.

As you may also know, the key speaker is Mr El Barade, a Nobel Laurette, who coincidentally, is an Arab African. So, it is going to be a worthwhile event for all lawyers.

So far, over 28,000 lawyers have indicated their intention to attend the conference from all the globe.

Of this figure, how many lawyers are you expecting from Nigeria?

About I,500 Nigerian lawyers have indicated their interest to attend the conference.

Almost everyday, we get about 10 calls on how register and package Nigerian lawyers for the conference.

How many of them have registered with

your organisation to attend the conference.

Out of these 10 calls everyday, at least four to five are lawyers.

How would compare and contrast Law practice in Nigeria with that of Dubai Well, they are two worlds apart, first Dubai practises more of the Sharia Law. Also, we have the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which operates a commercial system of law and there, the system is far more advanced compared to Nigerian legal system.

What do you consider the main problems confronting our legal system today?

The major problem confronting the Nigerian Legal System is delay and delay, they say, defeats equity. For example, the DIFC and the Dubai International Arbitration Centre have a stipulation in their laws that once a case is brought before them, it must be completed within six months. But here in Nigeria, you may take a case to court, three to fire years you have not finished with it. .

The equipment are there, the infrastructure are there. Sometime ago, I needed to get a lawyer’s address and I went to a High Court in Dubai there, the Registrar asked me, do you mean the addresses of all the lawyers or just this lawyer you want? And I said, give it to me and within 10 minutes, he sent an electronic copy of all their names and addresses to me, their locations, their residential phones and so on, but here in Nigeria, I recently needed the address of a Lagos lawyer, up till today, I haven’t got it.

How we can use Law to develop Nigeria so that we can come close to what you have in Dubai?

Law can be very useful in the enhancement of economic development, especially in the area of economic development, for example look at the banking system, if we have good banking laws , it will help in the development of our banks.

Like some people are asking for Separate Courts to try financial crimes, if we do that, it will definitely facilitate economic growth.

What do you mean by this?

It will help in the development of the society and law, because if you give a loan to a person and he defaults and he knows that when you take him to the commercial court or special court created for that purpose, the matter will be determined as of widely as possible, he will think twice before he will default.

In the present legal regime, if you give somebody a loan or a mortgage, before you know it, he is already in court against you, but if we have a special court and special law to streamline some of these processes, relating to commercial transactions, a lot of confidence will be built in the system and a lot of development will come. So, I advocate for a special court for economic and financial offences, I advocate for the enhancement of our commercial laws, because these will in effect boost economic activities in the country.

•From left: Managing Director/Editor-In-chief, Vintage Press Limited, Mr Victor Ifijie; MD Triumph Newspapers, Isa Tijani; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; Minister of Information and Communication, Labaran Maku; MD Champion Newspapers, Ugo Onuoha and President, Nigerian Bar Association Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN), at the 7th All Nigeria Editors Conference, at Best Western Hotel, Benin City.

36

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

FROM THE COURT

Family petitions Lagos police chief over land T HE Adoyi Alashe chieftaincy family has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Mr Yakubu Alkali, over alleged illegal sale of their land.

They said their land worth N500 million was allegedly sold without any remittance to them.

The family alleged that four men constituted themselves into “a gang of land speculators and trespassers, selling Adoyi Alashe’s family land with impunity without remitting money to the family.”

In their September 15 petition, signed by Prince Abeeb Faronbi; Alhaji Abubakaree Faronbi, Mr Lamidi Salami, Chief Lasisi Arubo, Mr Tajudeen Arubo, Hon. Kareem Arubo, Alhaja Kudiratu Onishile, Mr Adesina Onishile and Alhaja Oluwatoyin Onishile, the petitioners urged the police to invite those allegedly responsible.

The petitioners stated that they are the accredited members representing the three major branches of the Adoyi Alashe Chieftaincy family.

They said there was a conspiracy to deprive them of their land, and urged the police “to investigate this case, bring the per-

Stories by Joseph Jibueze

petrators to book and help recover the money for the family.”

They stated that they were the rightful owners of Adoyi land at Anthony Village, Mary land, Wassinmi (Onigbongbo) and its environs.

The said Adoyi Alashe settled on vast area of land which today forms part of Mushin, Ikeja, Shomolu Districts of Lagos State.

The locations include the villages and towns of Anthony Ojuwoye, Adams/Degi, Maryland, Wasimi (Onigbongbo), Moshebi, Idiroko-Maryland, Igbobi Eko, Adaranijo, Pedro, Bajulaye, Bashua-Oja, Bariga, Sholuyi, Shomolu, Onipanu, Igbobi-Sabe, Morocco, Anthony Dogo, Okealo, Mende, Abule Ijesha, Oworonshoki up to the Lagoon.

“We are the direct descendants of the said Adoyi Alashe Chieftaincy family, and, therefore, the bona fide owners of the land in question. The issue of ownership of hereditaments had been raised at lower, appeal, and

up to the Supreme Court and determined in favour of Adoyi Alashe Chieftaincy family.”

They added that the dispute over the ownership of these lands had been raised and settled at the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court respectively, adding that the courts had given judgments in favour of Adoyi Alashe chieftaincy family.

Specifically, the petitioners stated that a Lagos high court had in a judgment delivered in 1988 by Justice Olusola Thomas held that all the parcel of land situate at Idi-Irokjo Village, Ikorodu Road, rightly belong to Alashe chieftaincy family.

The judge held: “I consider in these circumstances that this is a proper case where an injunction ought to be granted to restrain the first and second respondents from committing further acts of trespass on the land in dispute and I so order. The plaintiff is entitled to costs of the action against the first and second defendants.”

The family maintained that they have not appointed any attorney or surveyor to sell the land.

While expecting the police to intervene, they warned potential land buyers to beware.

•Alkali

Ugandan High Court frees rights activist

T

HE High Court of Uganda has ordered the immediate release Al-Amin Kimathi for want of evidence against

him.

Kimathi’s lawyer Ben Cooper said his client, a human rights defender, went to Uganda 12 months ago to defend the rule of law on behalf of seven Kenyan citizens who had been taken to Uganda unlawfully.

He was consequently arrested and imprisoned on trumped-up charges, but was finally discharged on all counts relating to the Kampala bombings. ‘’He is now free from his 12 month ordeal

and is back with his wife and brother who have campaigned tirelessly since his arrest,” Cooper said in a statement.

The lawyer alleged that Kimathi’s rights were violated. He said the activist was not informed of the reasons for his arrest; was not told the nature of the charges against him for five days, and was not produced before a court within 48 hours as required by law.

Cooper added that Kimathi was held incommunicado for four days; denied contact with his family; interrogated without a lawyer, and allegedly ill-treated by the police who detained him on false charges.

‘’Not a shred of evidence was served on him or his lawyers at any stage of his year long incarceration. Assertions were made by the prosecution that lacked substance. These assertions have now been withdrawn. ‘’The Ugandan and Kenyan governments have still not addressed the legality of the renditions to Uganda of the seven Kenyan citizens and the fact Mr Kimathi was successfully silenced in prison for a year,” Cooper said.

He said the urgency of the plight of these Kenyan citizens has not diminished.

“The Kenyan Constitutional Court has made

clear the unacceptability of their treatment. The government must now take action to bring these men home to their families and to their young children,’’ he said.

The lawyer added: “Mr Kimathi is greatly relieved to have been vindicated. He is also exhausted from his ordeal and needs time with his family to recover. He and his family wish to send their heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported him and believed in his innocence.

“He is particularly excited to be reunited with his friends and colleagues from the human rights fraternity who have worked relentlessly for his release.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

37

AVIATION

Why airline operation is unprofitable, by expert T HE Managing Director of Bristow Helicopter, Captain Akin Oni, has said until airline operators get the operational model right, with the appropriate route network, airline operations will continue to remain unprofitable in Nigeria.

Oni, who spoke in interview with The Nation, explained that the number of domestic airlines is reducing in Nigeria due to intense competition, improved regulatory framework, and the use of the right equipment on routes that are lu-

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

crative.

Oni explained that amid agitation for the consolidation of airlines in Nigeria, to make them more viable, reliable and profitable, the proposal may not see the light of day, ostensibly due to poor understanding of operational models, but investors in the industry, who are yet to understand that the industry has assumed new challenges.

The Bristow Helicopter boss also explained that if the aviation industry must be positioned as a necessary catalyst for socio- economic development, it will require robust bilateral and multi-lateral funding from the developed economies including China.

He explained that with the right economies of scale, adequate business model, appropriate training and right policy framework, the aviation sector could pull through its many challenges.

Oni affirmed that if Nigeria must

be positioned as the preferred hub for West Africa, airlines safety, integrity, operational infrastructure must be addressed to attract the desired multi-lateral investment.

He explained that as much as Nigeria still remains a high risk zone, is peace and political stability remains key to foreign direct investment.

According to Oni, the implementation of a safety road map for the growth and development of the airline sub sector could be hinged on stewardship of public funds injected into the industry for infrastructure upgrade as well as adherence to standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

He listed other challenges in the aviation sector as limited access to private capital, which he said is hinged on the attendant risk and the sanctity of signed contracts with players in the private sector.

Oni said that though the publicprivate partnership model would have been the way out, the recent experience of lack of sanctity for signed agreement has discouraged many investors, who would have helped in providing state-of-the art airport facilities for airlines.

Oni said if the aviation industry must attain progress, its players must embrace sources of low and appropriate finances to address infrastructure issues, which continue

to pose as irritants in the development and growth of the sector.

Oni proposed the way forward to include enhanced safety oversight as well as putting in place a legal structure for continued safe operations as well as robust training as steps needed to attain growth for the sector.

He said: “One of the major challenges the aviation sector is grappling with is the expected shake out, for domestic airlines. At the moment only a few airlines will survive the shake out, because the current operators are struggling with funding, which is a key component for airlines survival.

But, the industry could get better for airlines, if they imbibe and adopt the right model. The current regulatory model will shape the affairs of the operators that will survive. The regulatory model will remain the deciding factor, even as airlines must explore the right economics to survive.

Yes, there are too many airlines, many of which are vastly unviable, operating into wrong route network, funding will shape the new face of the industry.

There is urgent need for airlines merger or consolidation, but negotiating this among the subsisting operators will be an up hill task, only intense competition, robust competition will drive the stem.”

Airport co-operative decries late remittance

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• Medview Aircraft Boeing 747-300 on ground for 2011 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos for this year Hajj operations, PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE.

Tougher times coming in 2012, says IATA

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HE International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced an upgrading of its industry profit expectations to $6.9 billion for the last few months, as the profit was up from $4 billion projected in June.

IATA emphasised that, despite the improvements, profitability at these levels is still exceptionally weak bordering at 1.2 per cent net margin considering the industry’s total revenues of $594 billion.

In its first plan for 2012, IATA is projecting profits to fall to $4.9 billion on revenues of $632 billion for a net margin of just 0.8 per cent.

“Airlines are going to make a little more money in 2011 than we thought. That is good news. Given the strong headwinds of high oil prices and economic uncertainty, remaining in the black is a great achievement,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer.

“But we should keep the improvement in perspective. The $2.9 billion bottom line improvement is equal to about a half a percent of revenue. And the margin is a paltry 1.2 per cent. Airlines are competing in a very tough environment. And 2012 will be even more difficult,” said Tyler.

IATA’s forecast is built around global projected GDP growth of 2.5 per cent in 2011 falling to 2.4 per cent in 2012. Airline financial performance is closely linked to the health of world economies. Whenever GDP growth has slowed below 2.0 per cent the airline industry has lost money.. “We will be perilously close to that level at least through 2012. The industry is brittle. Any shock has the potential to put us in the red,” said Tyler.

Highlighting forecast for 2011, passenger demand according to IATA, has been stronger than anticipated given the gloomy economic outlook. The forecast for the year stands at 5.9 per cent growth (up from 4.4 per cent projected in June). In the year to July, passenger volumes were up over six months on previous levels. This would bring total passenger numbers to 2.833 billion (up from the previous forecast of 2.793 billion).

World trade basically stopped growing at the end of 2010. The strong travel trend in 2011 is built on residual confidence from economic optimism at the beginning

of the year. While some economies may be more durable – China for example – the overall outlook is for a weaker end to 2011.

Air freight has stagnated since the start of the year. IATA slashed its full-year volume growth projection from 5.5 per cent to 1.4 per cent. Airlines are expected to carry 46.4 million tonnes of cargo in 2011 (down from the previous forecast of 48.2 million). Air freight volumes reached their post-recession peak in May 2010, largely driven by re-stocking. July’s traffic was four lower than that level. It appears unlikely that a revival in air freight will begin before 2012.

E-gates at Dubai airport to clear immigration in 14 sec

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ASSENGERS at Dubai airport will soon be spared of timeconsuming immigration clearance procedures as ‘’smart electronic gates’’, which will solve the purpose in just 14 seconds, are being set up, according to authorities who expect around 90 million visitors here in next two years. The smart e-gate, expected to come up by next year, will have a passport reader, which will instantly check from the existing data base whether the entry of a passenger is legal.

Besides, a pre-installed camera will verify the passenger’s identity by matching his image against the photograph on the passport. The new e-gate will also have an advanced automated facility to capture iris scans, to ensure that individuals who have already been blacklisted are unable to enter the country.

“The e-gate will enable a passenger to clear immigration in 14 seconds flat,” said Khalid Nasser Al Razooqi, the Director General of the immigration department’s eservices sector. “We hope to provide the smart e-gate service by next year,” Razooqi said.

With 90 million visitors expected here in the next two years after the completion of a dedicated terminal for the giant A380 aircraft, Dubai immigration authorities have taken up various hi-tech measures to manage the heavy influx of passengers.

The immigration department has established an integrated interface with the departments of labour, health and police to improve the efficiency of issuing and renewing visas. Under the initiative called ‘’Amer’’ Service, kiosks have been established in seven Dubai locations, which provide a variety of services.

HE President of Airport Fire and Safety Cooperative Soci ety Multi Purpose Credit Society, Alhaji Lawal Yusuf, is not happy with the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over the late remittance of members, fund to the society.

While presenting his 2010 Annual General Meeting report to the body in Lagos, Alhaji Yusuf declared that this has negatively affected the running of the cooperatives, adding that efforts employed to redress the ugly situation never yielded any positive result.

According to the president, “We have put several measures in place to make sure that the negative trend of late remittance does not undermine our primary responsibility to our members”.

Yusuf, while appreciating various contributions by members to make

succeed reminded them that a lot more needed to be done to move the co-operative higher.

He said the development of the Phase One Iyana Iyesi land has been encouraging with allottees leaving up to expectation. “We are pleased to report the development at Phase 1, Iyana Iyesi as motivating strategies put in place at encouraging allottees seem to be yielding positive result. Those that are not interested or ready to build are encouraged to offer it away to ready builders at a reasonable margin.”

Yusuf, however, lamented the havoc wrecked by the flood in Ogun and Lagos states, which he said, affected the cooperatives plots of land at Isheri Phase 2 and Phase 3. According to him, the impact of the flood was so much that it attracted the presence of President Jonathan.

Emirates goes daily to Narita

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MIRATES Airlines has announced an increased commitment to Japan with the introduction of two extra flights a week, ensuring a daily, non-stop service between Dubai and Narita International Airport from 1st November.

Emirates Airlines has been flying to Narita since launching the route on March 28, 2010 and will continue to use a Boeing 777-300ER on the route with eight private suites in First Class, 42 seats in Business Class and 304 Economy Class seats for a total of 354 seats; and also 23tonnes of belly hold cargo. The service connects seamlessly with flights from Dubai to the ever increasing number of destinations across the Emirates network, particularly the Middle East, Africa and South America.

“Japan is a vital market for Emirates and being able to increase the flights to a daily operation is a great testament to the partnership which has existed since we began operations to Japan, through Osaka, nine years ago,” said Richard Jewsbury, Emirates’ Senior Vice President,

Commercial Operations, Far East & Australasia. “Demand on the route continues to remain strong since we launched last year, which was reflected in Emirates recently topping ABROAD’s airline satisfaction ranking. I am sure that our passengers will appreciate being able to fly daily from both Narita and Osaka.”

Jewsbury continued, “in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Emirates continued operating flights to and from Narita as normal without interruption and maintained a service for those passengers who needed to travel during that difficult time.

Emirates’ has been committed to helping Japan through this period of recovery. We appreciate that the Japanese authorities have recognized this commitment and allowed us to operate this daily service” Since 2002, Emirates has carried over 1.3 million people and 60,000 tonnes of cargo on its flights to Japan. Dubai is an important hub for the re-export of Japanese manufactured products to the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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AVIATION Arik Air connects Ibadan with Abuja

INTERVIEW The Chairman of Arik Air, Sir JIA Arumemi-Ikhide, in this interview, speaks on a wide range of issues, including the airlines decision to temporarily halt its operations on the Abuja-London, Heathrow, route. Excerpts:

Why Arik Air is suspending Abuja-London Heathrow route

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RIK Air has decided to discontinue to its AbujaLondon service, why was this decision taken?

The decision has been taken to suspend and review future operations between the Federal Capital, Abuja and the UK. This is due to a protracted issue over the 2008 Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the UK and Nigeria, and the discrepancy over access to the allocated frequencies. Under the BASA agreement of 2008, UK carriers were granted a total of 21 frequencies into Nigeria. Nigerian carriers were afforded a reciprocal 21 frequencies into London, Heathrow.

Arik Air operates 12 of the agreed 21 reciprocal frequencies in the UK and Nigeria. Of these frequencies, seven are operated through slots secured under the primary rights of the BASA agreement. However, due to the alleged insufficiency of Heathrow slots, Arik’s five Abuja frequencies have to date been operated via slots secured though separate commercial arrangements outside the auspices of the BASA agreement.

The nine remaining frequencies afforded to Nigeria under the UK/ Nigeria BASA agreement, are currently unutilised whilst their counterparts presently utilise their full complement of 21 frequencies into Nigeria and have unfettered access to the necessary landing/ departure slots made available by Nigeria’s honouring of the BASA agreement. The Federal Government of Nigeria is entering into discussions with the British authorities to regularise the inconsistency. Arik supports and welcomes the dialogue between the venerated authorities.

When will operations cease and is this going to be permanent?

Ahead of the winter schedule, which commences on October 31, we will suspend the five times weekly flight between Abuja-Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and London Heathrow, Terminal 4.

The last flight to operate on the route will be on October 28. All passengers booked after this date on the route will be offered a full refund or can be rebooked via Lagos with onward internal connections to Abuja. We are doing our utmost to ensure that all our customers are protected and to minimise any inconvenience that this discontinuation may have on them.

This is very simply a suspension. Arik Air will review the route viability at a more appropriate time. Once the issues outlined above have been satisfactorily resolved, we will begin to assess operations again and in line with our long-term business plan . However, there are many other determining factors such as the very high operating and infrastructure costs at London, Heathrow. From a commercial objective, we need to take into account the profitability of this route to the airline. We

• Arumemi-Ikhide

serviced a much needed connection since November 29, 2009, but it has not fully reflected our expectations and that has been taken into consideration as well.

Are there plans for the aircraft that was used on the route?

The B737-800 aircraft that operates the Abuja-LondonHeathrow route, will be redeployed in the interim, to support the airline’s regional expansion in Q4 of 2011 and Q1 of 2012. In order to meet the demand of flying to the new destinations, the airline has decided to refocus its long-haul commitments in order to support route development in Africa. The short and medium-haul aircraft are now dedicated to intra-regional utilization, whilst the flagship A340500, will continue to serve the New York and London, Heathrow routes from Lagos, thereby protecting key global destinations connection with Lagos. Arik’s range of aircraft, include a mixture of Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier models with the New Generation Boeing B737 offering an efficient and modern product, in markets where there will be high demand for it.

Arik operates a fleet of 23 short and medium-haul aircraft across a network of 21 domestic and five West African destinations. The airline has just revised its domestic schedule at the start of September to support the next phase of growth. The new transfer facility through its hubs in Lagos and Abuja, is also expected to be ready on-line, offering greater

‘When we launched five years ago, the aim was compete network coverage of the country.

Having just launched to Asaba and Ibadan, I can confidently say that objective has been achieved with regards to phase One. Our next step is the focus on West and Central Africa, particularly the West Coast’

connectivity, choice and convenience for international passengers from the USA, UK and South Africa.

Does Arik intend to launch to any new destinations this year?

Following the launch of two new domestic routes in August and September- (Ibadan and Asaba), we have decided to consolidate our regional position with the commencement of scheduled operations from our hub in Lagos to Luanda (Angola), Douala (Cameroon), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Bamako (Mali) and Kinshasa (DR Congo), as well as developing the West and Central African network. Arik is also set to begin operations to the Middle East by the end of 2011. The new regional destinations are set to enter the growing network at the start of Q4. Besides the new routes, we will also re-commence operations to Cotonou (Benin) bringing our international profile to 14 destinations, a very impressive tally given that we are just coming in to our fifth full year of operations.

Why is there such a strategic focus on the region compared to international points?

We are implementing the next phase of the airline’s long-term strategy. From the outset, it was a composite strategy consisting of developing domestically, connecting regional and then enhancing the international network.

When we launched five years ago, the aim was compete network coverage of the country.

Having just launched to Asaba and Ibadan, I can confidently say that objective has been achieved with regards to phase One. Our next step is the focus on West and Central Africa, particularly the West Coast. This is a region with poor accessibility and in need of more service.

There is a high demand globally, but in particular, from the Middle East and Asia.

For reliable and safe transport through the region, Arik Air is well-positioned to provide an efficient and convenient air and land transport links connecting West and Central Sub-Sahran Africa. Air service to these destinations have been sorely deficient up to this point, yet it is a region rich in resources. There has not been the requisite development in infrastructure historically to advance aviation, but I believe this is changing and countries are maturing. This will also come with assistance from private enterprises, such as Arik Air, that can provide a regular network to transport business, workers and traders, among others..

We co-join key financial destinations on three continents New York, London and Johannesburg and will soon connect new points in the Middle East and beyond to Lagos. Offering a network programme in the West is attractive also to other airline’s in these countries who would like access to this network, so we have already started working on a number of code-shares.

ARIK Air has announced the launch of a new scheduled service between Ibadan and Abuja. Direct services between the two cities has commenced and will be operated using a Bombardier Q400 aircraft four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Flights will depart Abuja at 11:45 am, arrive in Ibadan at 1:00 pm with the outbound flight leaving Ibadan at 1:30 pm and arriving back to Abuja at 2:45 pm.

Announcing the services in Lagos, Arik Air’s Managing Director, Chris Ndulue, said the new services are part of the airline’s route development programme for the second half of the year which has witnessed the opening of new Lagos-Asaba and Abuja-Asaba routes with more domestic and international routes set to launch.

He commented: “By linking Ibadan with Abuja, Arik Air offers air travellers more convenient connections between Ibadan and Abuja than what was previously offered with many travellers having to utilize the ever- busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“The Ibadan Airport has remained underserviced in spite of the fact that it is located in the third largest city in Nigeria by population and the largest in geographical area. We owe it a duty as a truly Nigerian airline to help in the infrastructural development of the country. This explains our resolve to connect all airports across the country” Ibadan becomes Arik Air’s 21st domestic destination. A Bombardier Q400 aircraft will operate on the new route. Arik Air has configured this aircraft to 10 business class, and 62 economy class seats in order to allow for more leg room and aisle space than any other similar category aircraft in operation.

Air France-KLM orders $12b Airbus, Boeing jets AIR France-KLM has split a $12 billion order for long-range jets following a year-long competition, announcing plans to buy 25 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 25 Airbus A350s.

The move is part of a plan to renew the fleet of Europe’s largest airline and the order could rise to 110 of the next-generation aircraft including 60 more options. EADS unit Airbus said it expected to receive 35 of these.

Air France-KLM shares opened up more than one per cent before slipping 0.5 per cent to 6.035 euro by 0826 GMT. Shares in Airbus parent EADS were down by 1.1 per cent. The deal follows months of politically sensitive negotiations during which the airline appeared to be pulled between pressure from French politicians to protect jobs at Toulouse-based Airbus and its own differences with Airbus over what caused the 2009 mid-Atlantic crash of an Airbus jet.

Air France-KLM has said it ignored calls from French politicians to favour Airbus, but in a sign of frosty relations it snubbed the usual practice of endorsing the Airbus part of the deal in the planemaker’s press release.

Boeing is delivering its first 787 Dreamliner to Japanese airline All Nippon Airways next week after three years of production delays as it switched from aluminium to lightweight carbon composites. Airbus plans to deliver its similar A350 mid-decade after earlier delays in the design.

British Airways celebrates 75th Anniversary in Nigeria AS part of celebrations marking 75 years of operations in Nigeria, British Airways has announced special price discounts for its Nigerian customers.

The discounts, which include its World Traveller (Economy), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) and Club World (Business) cabins offer fares to destinations in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States from Lagos and Abuja.

Giving details of the offer, British Airways’ Country Commercial Manager for Nigeria, Mr. Kola Olayinka said that with the discount offer, customers in World Traveller class can now travel directly from Lagos to London from $340 and Abuja to London from $290.

For those travelling to the same destination in World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy), fares start from $820 for Lagos-London and $820 for Abuja-London routes, with fares for Club World reduced to $ 2,360 and $2,160 for Lagos-London and Abuja-London respectively.

Olayinka further disclosed that the airline’s fares on its World Traveller from Lagos and Abuja to other UK and European destinations like Paris, Milan Zurich are now priced from $373 and $323 respectively. Fares on these routes in the World Traveller Plus have also been reduced to $853 (Lagos) and $803 (Abuja). Also on the routes, BA’s Club World fares, he added, have been cut to $2,393 (Lagos) and $2,193 (Abuja).

Qatar Airways to fly to Chongqing, China QATAR Airways which flies daily into Lagos from Doha has announced plans to extend its presence in the People’s Republic of China with the launch of flights to a fifth gateway – the western city of Chongqing from November 28.

Operating three-times-a-week, the non-stop service from the airline’s hub in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, will take the carrier’s capacity to China up to 28 flights a week.

The airline already operates daily non-stop flights from Doha to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Guangzhou and four-flights-a-week to Beijing. The new Chongqing services will be operated with an Airbus A330 in a twoclass Business and Economy configuration.

With a population of just over 30 million people, Chongqing has a large industrial catchment area and is a prime example of Qatar Airways placing strategic importance into emerging cities around the world.

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport is one of the biggest airports in western China serving a large domestic market with limited international flights. Global access is typically via Hong Kong, Beijing or Shanghai.

Chongqing is a major manufacturing centre and a key transportation hub located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, a vitally important shipping waterway in China. With Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin, it is also one of only four municipalities in China which report directly to the national government.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

No going back on Tenancy Law, says Lagos

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N the heels of the contro versy that greeted the re cently passed Lagos Tenancy Law the Lagos State Government has said the law stays.

In a sensitisation programme on the Law held last week by the Ministry of Information and Strategy and the Ministry of Justice, the Commissioner for Justice Mr Adeola Ipaye said the law is binding on all and no amount of criticisms will derail government from her good intentions to the majority of the citizenry.

He said governments all over the world intervene on private contracts for a reason and in this instance to ensure that the bargaining power of both the tenant and the landlord is balanced giving no room for abuse.

The Commissioner said government decided to come up with the law as it became the norm for landlords to charge between two to three years advance rent which was injurious to the existence of tenants as over 90 per cent of the tenants could not afford it and those who rallied round to get the fund defaulted after the expiration of the initial advance rent.

On the part of the tenant, some of them explored legal loopholes to stay of properties without paying for them depriving the landlord of the use of his property.

Berating those who say that the government has no business with the Tenancy Law he said that just as there is a labour law that moderates the actions of employers and employees so is it right to have a law regulating the relationship between a landlord and his tenant.

By Okwy Iroegbu Asst. Editor

On the exemptions granted on tenancy in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Ikeja GRA, Lekki and Apapa, Ipaye said it was for the simple reason that it habours multinationals and blue chip companies.

He warned those who think the law cannot be enforced that they may just be used to set an example of how the law will work. A law should not be judged on the basis of how many people it has imprisoned but rather as a standard of behavior.

On the recovery of premises by the landlord as relating the new law, he said, it is in tandem with old but with a slight modification as it has removed the section that insists that a landlord can only recover his premises if the quit notice coincides with anniversary of the tenant.

He said this modification will prevent tenants who hide under the law to remain indefinitely on properties they do not own.

Ipaye also revealed that the state government has ahead to institute Citizens Mediation Centre where free legal mediation services are rendered on matters relating to landlord and tenant disputes, property inheritance and land matters.

Earlier in his remarks the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, said the tenancy law was enacted to give people a new lease of life after conducting a public hearing in order for it to be encompassing.

He regretted that people that are criticising the law seem not have studied the law and its merits and are just satisfied being heard.

‘He regretted that people that are criticising the law seem not have studied the law and its merits and are just satisfied being heard’

Quantity surveyors seek roadmap for housing sector

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HE President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Survey ors, Mr Agele Alufohai, has called on the Federal Government to develop a robust roadmap for developing the housing sector of the economy. He said such a plan will help address the worrisome housing deficit in the country.

Mr Alufohai made this call in a paper entitled: Creating Wealth and Employment through Affordable Housing, which he delivered at a symposium organised by the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) in Abuja.

According to him, a major impediment to meeting Nigeria’s housing need is not poverty but the lack of long-term mortgages.

“To my mind, the challenge of housing in Nigeria is not that people are too poor to build houses but the absence of long-term mortgages, the dominant instrument for procuring new houses in all developed and well-managed economies”, he stated.

The NIQS President also criticised the National Housing Fund (NHF) for providing subsidies on mortgages which supply houses to the rich while the poor housing conditions of the neediest Nigerians remained unattended.

“The NHF’s policy of giving out subsidised mortgages at six per cent results in the supply of N8 -N10 million houses which the few rich end up buying.

Assisting a tiny fraction of Nigerians who can afford mortgages obtain it at extremely subsidised rates is not good for the vast major-

By Okwy Iroegbu Asst. Editor

ity of Nigerians in need of quality accommodation as well as the businesses of estate developers and quantity surveyors,” he stressed.

Mr Alufohai identified a refocus of government housing agencies as a major step towards addressing the housing challenge. He said government agencies must focus on regulatory, planning and standards of enforcement roles rather than awarding contracts for construction of poorly-built houses which are often sited in unplanned neighbourhoods.

He called on the government to encourage the emergence of major real estate developers that will deliver high quality projects and exploit economies of scale to provide cheaper houses for various categories of Nigerians.

This, he said, will promote a selffinancing real estate boom and enable the government eradicate slums through programmes which subsidise rents in buildings that are clearly meant for the poorest Nigerians.

Mr Alufohai repeated his call for the abolition of the Land Use Act as part of the reform of the housing industry. In his words: “Every professional and analyst now regards the Land Use Act as a policy which has become an impediment to attracting investment and promoting growth in the sector. It is therefore time to abolish the Act”. He said the repeal of the Act will be a major incentive to property developers and other investors in the sector.

•LAWMA Managing Director, Ola Oresanya, at a clean-up exercise in Makoko, Lagos.

NSE tasks govt on appraisal and cost engineering D

ETERMINED to address abandoned projects, par ticularly in the roads construction, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has challenged all tiers of government to establish the Appraisal and Cost Engineers and building infrastructure departments. They should be in all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies that are involved in the award of contracts for road infrastructure.

President, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Mr Olumuyiwa Alade Ajibola, who stated this at the National Technical Conference, organised by the Institute of Appraisers & Cost Engineers, regretted that most contracts have not passed through the thorough cost and valuation processes.

Ajobola, who was represented by Ali Rabiu, the Vice-President, Professional Development at the NSE, said the procurement law, which states that contracts should be awarded to the lowest bidders, was responsible for the scope of failed contracts and abandoned projects that are scattered all over the country.

He said, most times, if the contract is ridiculously quoted and the project is awarded, there is always the tendency that the contractor will either abandon the project shortly after the contract is awarded and will later come back to ask for upward review of the contracts.

The cost and appraisers engineers, he said are the experts who specialise in giving the detailed tender analysis of projects before arriving at certain rates, adding: "If these crops of engineers are given the opportunity, the issue of lowest bidders will not arise."

According to him, “I am happy that your technical session is focusing on Transportation, which is the theme of the National Conference in Calabar this year. I believe that this session will certainly be a prelude to the National Engineering

From: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Conference coming up later in the year.

“The purpose of technical sessions is no doubt to equip members with up-to- date knowledge on their field and create an opportunity for them to share ideas on best practices.

“The Nigerian Society of Engineers in the last two years has intensified efforts towards continuous education of its members to prepare them to face the challenges of the present and to acquire skills that would make them remain relevant in the future in an ever-changing world.

“This informed the establishment of the Engineering Practice and Resource Centre and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Society and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund for the purpose of training towards capacity building for our members to equip them with relevant skills needed to participate fully in the Oil and Gas sector in line with the intentions of the Nigerian Content Act. The Resource Centre will also organise all-yearround training programmes and workshops for the various disciplines of engineering.

“I, therefore, call on you to use this opportunity to bring your members up-to-date on your area of specialisation and best practices through joint organisation of workshops and training programmes with the resource centres.

“The choice of the theme is apt and an indication that the division was proactive and in tune with realities of the moment and desirous of projecting not only the welfare of its members but their professional development. I charge you to continue in this direction and

urge other divisions of the society to emulate this good example if our Society would become a professional organisation of repute.

“Related to this, I want to charge the division to embark on sensitisation of stakeholders on the roles of the cost engineer in valuation of machinery and other equipment for the purpose of privatisation, monetisation and acquisition which has been part of government policies in recent times.

“That the privatisation of many government concerns has been bedevilled y many problem cannot be far from the fact adequate evaluation of the equipment and facilities 'was not done before the companies were handed over to their private owners bottom low prices.

The relevance of the cost engineer in this process cannot be overemphasised, if the government were to get the process right.”

Chairman of Institute of Appraisers and Cost Engineers, Chief Giandomenico Massari, said Nigeria will certainly reap the benefits of this synergy if properly harnessed He explained that the Institute of Appraisers and Cost Engineers is a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in addition to being a member of the International Cost Engineering council (ICEC).

He said the objective of the Institute is to promote the art and science of engineering valuation, cost engineering and engineering economy with attention to details on ethics, knowledge, experience, professional judgment and best practices.

According to him, “it is pertinent to state that the Institute recognizes the non exclusivity of valuation practice to any profession in particular and therefore call for active collaboration among the various professions recognised by the law to practice valuation.

Builders to hold AGM/Conference on Thursday

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IGERIA Institute of Build ing (NIOB), Lagos State chapter will hold its AGM/Conference on Thursday at NECA House Ikeja.

The theme of the conference is “Expatriates in Nigerian building construction industry: Mer-

its and Demerits.

The sub themes that will be discussed are international dimension of professional practice and the position of the Nigerian law.

According to a statement signed by AGM/Conference Chairman, Mr Rasak A. Said,

professionals scheduled to deliver papers are Prof Tim Mosaku, Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun, Mr Jimoh Faworaja and Mr Femi Falana. Other dignitaries expected are Senator Olorunnimbe Mamowora and Brig-Gen. Tunde Reis.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

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PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

•Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle) with delegates and participants at the African Mayoral Climate Change Congress in Lagos.

FMBN okays N1.83b for housing projects T HE Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Ni geria (FMBN) Gimba Ya’u Kumo has disclosed that N1.83 billion has been released to finance housing projects in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Gimba Ya’u Kumo stated this at the opening of phase 1 of Cooperative City Gardens, Housing Estate,

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

built by El-Salem Nigeria Limited in Abuja and that the first tranche of the fund has been disbursed.

He said: “The board of the bank has approved N1.83 billion to finance this project and has disbursed the first tranche. Upon completion, we expect this estate to deliver 272

housing units comprising 70 units of two bedroom semi-detached bungalows, 112 units of three bedroom semidetached and 90 units of three bedroom fully detached houses.

“I am assuring the contributors to this national housing project that this project serves as evidence to the relevant contributions of the housing delivery in Nigeria.”

Speaking, the Managing Director of El-Salem, Gbade Ben Ojo commended the Minister of Lands, Housing Urban Development, Ama Pepple, for setting up a committee on the housing policy. He assured the minister of his company’s support towards the housing sector.

FMBN should be properly fund to carry out this kind of projects on continual basis, The Central Bank

of Nigeria should also play its role by providing medium and long term funding for the housing sector.

Ms. Pepple expressed satisfaction with the project, stating that it has contributed to reducing the housing deficit in the country.

She, however, looks forward to the inauguration of more and assured that the ministry would always support any developer.

Fed Govt, REDAN to resolve Abuja land allocation crisis

R

ELIEF came the way of Abuja developers, particularly those operating on the Airport road (Lugbe) axis of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the national umbrella body of developers in the country, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), have begun the resolution of the lingering land allocation crisis rocking the area.

The FCTA had, through several newspaper advertisements, stated that many ongoing buiding projects on the Airport road and part of Bwari Area Council of the FCT do not have government’s approval.

At the National President of REDAN, Chief Olabode Afolayan, told journalists in Abuja shortly after the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), that REDAN has intervened in the matter.

He said:“Top executives of REDAN met with official of FCTA over the matter and the association has been asked to submit a list of its members affected, accompanied by relevant documents for verification.

“At present, a seven-man joint Adhoc committee headed by the National General Secretary of REDAN, Mr Goke Odunlami and Mr Sunday Idiachaba, has been set-up to further liaise with relevant authorises on the matter, urged members with investments in this area to co-operate with the committee.

Afolayan said: “The situation in Lugbe deserves a very serious attention from REDAN and even the FCTA before things get out of hand. The implication, because of the huge investment involved in the area, which has been estimated at over N80 billion will have a far-reaching effects not only on the housing sector, but the economy, if things are not brought under control.

“It is ironical for a country that is engaged in investment drive, tackling housing deficit, inadequate funding for housing projects, insecurity occasioned

by Boko Haram bombing of buildings, among other challenges, bedeviling our economy, yet confronted with speculations of demolition of houses valued at covered N80

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

billion by the government.

“I mean, it is laughable because even the so called advanced economy cannot accommodate such a colossal waste at a time like this.

The universal law of urbanisation is very clear on how to handle issues like this, which is harmonisation of existing structures so long as the lands on which they are built, are not in contention; buildings are not sub-standard and do not over-ride certain ‘reasonable’ public interest.

“Already, the speculation caused by the publication has dealt a grave blow on the housing sector- the credibility of developers and financial institutions as well as that of relevant government agencies have been badly affected.

“Indeed, the loss, if quantified, is runing into billions of naira. Our members, which include foreign investors and even local developers with outstanding track records in housing delivery in the country, have been made to suffer most.

“Developers are confronted with numerous hash challenges in their operations, especially in some states and

most recently too, Abuja. REDAN is fully aware of this and hopes to address many of the myriad of problems through the National Housing reform committee set-up by the government, which REDAN is a principal member.

“We have also tabled our matter with the Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development just as we will continue to work very closely with the National Assembly Committee on Housing and Habitats to correct some of these anomalies clouding the sector.”

Speaking further, Afolayan, who however, assured members that the as-

sociation will do all within its purview to resolve the matter, said: “We have a lot of confidence in the administration of Senator Bala Mohammed, not just because of his keen interest in developing Abuja, but knowing that he is a true representative of the people and as such believe things will be resolved amicably without us having to take legal actions or resulting to other means that usually will halt development.

“We have had similar issues with some state governments in the past and it was resolved. So this will certainly not be different.”

LASEPA, religious bodies partner on tree planting

L

AGOS State Environmental Pro tection Agency (LASEPA) has stepped up the campaign for tree planting by involving religious bodies.

At the event held at Celestial Church of Christ (Christ Ambassador Parish) Agege on Saturday, Governor Babatunde Fashola praised the efforts of his administration in urban forestry.

He said: “Our humble efforts in these 34 months of ‘tree regeneration’ have yielded over three million trees with plans to hit 18 million trees by 2015.

Apart from the economic activity and the thousands of jobs they have helped to generate, they also constitute an important plank of our public health and preventive healthcare strategy in helping to depollute the air because more trees, means more oxygen.”

The governor, who was represented by the General Manager of the agency, Mr Adebola Rasheed Shabi, stated that tree planting and tree conservation are some of the adaptation and mitigation strategies that have been recommended, which the state will continue to implement.

He said: “Trees will help erosion areas better. However, it is not enough to plant trees but also to protect existing ones.”

Earlier, Director Hazardous Materials Management, Mrs Grace Yahaya, who represented LASEPA General Manager urged religious leaders to support the campaign on tree planting.

•From left: Shabi, Adenike and Yahaya, at the event.

By Okwy Iroegbu Asst. Editor

He drew attention to several passages in the bible that supports tree planting and especially in Deuteronomy 20: 19-20 where the scripture read partly, “When you are besieging a town and the war drags on, do not destroy the trees. Eat the fruit, but do

not cut down the trees. They are not enemies that need to be attacked.”

In his speech the Shepherd of the church, Superior evangelist Elijah Bello, lamented that the society is in trouble because some people have been poor tenants and are run in the earth with at pollution, deforestation and exploitation.

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU

He revealed that the most potent place to pray is under a tree and encouraged all religious leaders to encourage their members to buy into the project.

He promised to maintain the trees planted in the church and asked every member to plant trees according to the number of children they have to check the effects of global change..

FIXTURES CSKA v Inter Bayern v Man City Napoli v Villarreal Trabzonspor vLille Man United v Basel Otelul Galati v Benfica Lyon v Dinamo Madrid v Ajax

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

43

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

NAFDAC: anti-malaria drugs to bear anti-counterfeit label from Jan T

HE days of drug counterfeiters are numbered, following the adoption of a device by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to detect fake medicines.

The Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) is a technologydriven anti-counterfeit device introduced to NAFDAC DirectorGeneral Dr Paul Orhii by former Health Secretary Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi.

Orhii said from January next year, all anti-malaria drugs must carry the MAS scratch codes to ascertain their genuiness.

NAFDAC, he said, took this step following the successful pilot stage in which an anti-diabetic drug, glucophage, produced by Biofem, served as guinea pig.

He said statistics by the World Customs Service showed that $200 billion is made yearly from the illegal drug trade compared to the Pharmaceutical Security Institute’s $75 billion business.

These figures, he said, propelled NAFDAC to intensify the battle against counterfeit drug by adopting MAS. “Drug counterfeiting should be a non-bailable offence,” he added.

In its effort to combat drug counterfeit, has adopted various strategies such as sustained public enlightenment campaigns, continuous training and retraining of officers to strengthen regulatory capacity, review of its laws, calling for greater national cooperation and co-ordination among government agencies, improved international collaboration and the use of cutting edge technologies.

He lamented that for an offence

•From left: Dr Chukwuka, Adelusi-Adeluyi and Orhii at the event

Ex-minister warns against fake drugs

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HE former Minister for Health, Prince Julius Adelusi Adeluyi has urged Nigerians to beware of counterfeit drug, saying that they are life threatening.

According to him, the counterfeit drugs pose danger to over 90 countries across the globe, with Nigeria chief among them.

Adeluyi spoke at the launch by Greenlife Pharmaceutical Limited of Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) for Lonart DS anti-malaria drug.

Adeluyi said MAS is a technology-driven anti-counterfeit device introduced by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

He said counterfeit market is growing to 13 per cent,

as grievous as drug counterfeiting the law stipulates 15 years imprisonment or an option of N500,000 fine for an offender.

By Wale Adepoju

adding that MAS was an urgent step taken by the regulatory agency in the country to address it.

The technology, he said, the collaboration between NAFDAC and Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network providers to fight against fake and adulterated pharmaceutical products.

He said the MAS is an innovation which puts the power of authenticating genuineness of drugs in the hands of the consumers.

Executive Director, Dr Obiora Chukwuka, said the company is not in dark of the public safety and other socioeconomic issues associated with drug counterfeiting.

The agency has spearheaded the use of cutting edge technologies to fight counterfeit or regulated products, Orhii said.

Nigeria, he said, was the first to deploy MAS to fight counterfeit regulated products. This service provides a robust anti-counterfeit

solution drawing on the success recorded by telecommunication service providers, he said.

The use of Short Messaging Service (SMS), otherwise known as text messaging, provides a platform for over 80 million mobile phone users in the country, to authenticate their products at the point of purchase, he said.

The popular scratch card, used to replenish call phone air-time, is used to enable consumers to verify the authenticity of products within a few seconds.

Consumers, he said, have a practical and reliable method of determining the authenticity of their purchases, by using the MAS to verify the authenticity of drugs, adding that consumers can fight back and assure themselves of safer medicines and better health.

Orhii said: “Following the success recorded by MAS and the agreement of stakeholders that the MAS be deployed to protect consumers and products, all anti-malaria are to be protected with scratch codes by January 2012.

“We have adopted a holistic, multifaceted, diverse and wellcoordinated anti-counterfeiting strategy that transcends local, national and international boundaries.

The anti-counterfeiting technology platform will help to provide additional layer of security from counterfeiters while re-assuring the public of the agency concern for their safety.

“With MAS, the power of detection of counterfeits is in the hands of the people. This consumer-driven initiative has proved rewarding and further armed the agency to provide more security.”

‘PPP will boost health care’

L

AGOS State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola has said the state will continue to partner with foreign and local health investors to improve its health care delivery system.

According to him, the government has executed several programmes to improve the health of its citizens, including partnering with successful foreign and local private investors with the aim of providing service to the people.

Fashola, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Health, Dr Yewande Adesina, spoke at the inauguration of the Purple Ray Diagnostic Centre in Lagos.

He described the equipment at the centre as ‘modern medical gadgets’, saying it would offer patients the best diagnosis possible.

The centre’s General Manager, Dr Emmanuel Chukwurah, said it has state-of-the-art facilities that are second to none in the country, calling on individuals to avail themselves of the opportunity.

He said the new digital equipped diagnostic centre was co-owned by a globally recognised stakeholder in the health sector, GE Healthcare

By Paul Oluwakoya

Worldwide and Purple Ray. He noted that equipment such as the digital X-ray, scanning and ultrasound are available at the centre to ensure proper diagnosis.

Chukwurah said: “The 64 slice Computed Tomography (CT) available at the centre would ensure clearer images, better detection of pathologies at reduced dosage of radiation to patients The equipment is not only among the fastest machine available across the world but the best that could diagnose non invasive cardiac problem, coronary and vascular and colonoscopy ailments.

He perhaps described the rampant analogue diagnosis systems in the public and private health sectors as obsolete.

“In Nigeria, for various reasons, the analogue x-ray system is and has remained the order of the day.

Medical diagnosis in Nigeria started only a few years ago of which it involves obtaining analog images and then converting the analog to digital images which invariably doesn’t give the best rep-

•From left: Dr Adeshina; Dr Joseph Susi; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), GE Health Care Ltd, Mr John Dineen and CEO Reddington Specialist Hospital, Dr Yemi Onabule, at the event

resentation of diagnosis.

That is why we have introduced a full array of state-of-the-art digital diagnosis in Nigeria to be able to make definitive X-ray of many

medical problems,” Chukwurah said.

He said the diagnostic centre will open doors to train Nigerian doctors from all parts of the country

on how to use the digital X-ray, scanning and ultrasound equipment as a quota of contributing to the development Nigerian radiologists.

44

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

HEALTH

‘Why OAUTH is repositioning’ The Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals (OAUTH) Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, is one of the first generation teaching hospitals established by the Federal Government. Twenty-five years after, the hospital is planning to contract out its programmes to deliver more health care services. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA reports.

O

BAFEMI Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife is unique in some ways. It was founded on what is referred to as the Ife Philosophy, which focuses on an integrated health care delivery system approach with emphasis on comprehensive healthcare service based on pyramidal structure. The philosophy also allows for a unique experiment in health care delivery and health professional trainings in Nigeria.

The institution was ahead of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in its Alma Ata Declaration of 1978 that primary health care is the key to attaining Health for all by the year 2000 and beyond. To actualise the philosophy, the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex became multicampus.

But when funds are being allocated to the hospital from the Federal, it is based on its bed space of 630. The other satellite outreach are not included. Yet, it provides health services through six health care units: Ife Hospital Unit, Ile-Ife (342bed space); Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa (212-bed space); The Dental Hospital, OAU, Ile-Ife (36 dental chairs); Urban Comprehensive Health Centre, Eleyele, Ile-Ife (12bed complement); Rural Comprehensive Health Centre, Imesi-Ile (bed space); Multipurpose Maternal and Child Health Centre, Ilesa (three bed space).

The hospital tertiary institution, is a tripartite health care provider.

Primary health care is provided to the community in its three health centres -two urban and one rural in its catchments areas at Ife, Ilesa and Imesi–Ile. Secondary and tertiary level cares are provided at its three major hospital facilities, in Wesley Guild Hospital Unit Ilesa, Ife State Hospital unit, Ile Ife and Dental Hospital located at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. By virtue of its location and the

scarcity of health care facilities in neighbouring areas, the catchment areas of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex is large, covering Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states and some parts of Oyo, Kwara, Kogi, Lagos and Edo states. While the primary base is the Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District, the institution provides tertiary, secondary and primary health care services to these areas.

According to the Chief Medical Director, Prof Oresanya Adejuyigbe, the hospital needs more funds. “Bearing in mind that the location of the hospital does not make the hospital to charge what would be described as outrageous.

The bed occupancy at any time is 60 to 75 per cent. We tailored our fees to the ability of people around the hospital’s catchment area.

“Unlike its counterparts, OAUTH, Ile-Ife charges as low as N200 as consultation fee where others charge up to N1,250. Though being the first to transplant kidney in Nigeria, the cost of such procedure is N3 million. This hospital started to perform kidney transplantation from June, 2002. It has become routine procedure and all Nigerians are enjoined to take advantage of this highly specialised health care provisions,” said Prof. Adejuyigbe.

The professor of Paediatric Surgery, who assumed duties in November, 2005, added: “Despite the institution’s Nephrology Unit as one of the best in the country. It offers both Haemodialysis and Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis, the later introduced in September, 1992, and we are not resting on our oars. With the collaboration of the Renal Unit of the Man-

•A technician attending to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

chester Royal Infirmary, United Kingdom and the Nephrology Unit of the University of Cairo, Egypt, the institution has been training health care personnel for its kidney centre. A new kidney ward was opened in September, 1992.

“The ultimate objective is to develop a world class kidney centre with comprehensive services which will include booming kidney transplantation. This is a great challenge to management. Already, the Federal Government had designated Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospitals Complex as Centre for Renal (Kidney) care. All the sub-specialists, Nephrologist, Tissue Typing Officer, Renal Nurses, Renal Radiologist, Pathologist, and Transplant surgeons were trained overseas in Manchester and Egypt to meet the challenges. Modern sophisticated diagnostic, haemodialysis and CAPD equipment give finest and accurate result in the management and treatment to kidney patients.

The ultimate in renal replacement therapy is the kidney transplant, which we have mastered.”

Prof Adejuyigbe hinted at the effort the hospital is making to ginger up to maintain its position in the commity of other hospitals.

“And that brings us to the issue of restructuring of the hospital in the face of gross underfunding and deficiencies. As a tertiary hospital, we

must treat and train. So, the situation of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, in an area with one of the highest accident rates in the country, has stimulated the development of orthopaedic surgical facilities in the institution. The two units at lle-Ife and llesa are among the most active in the OAUTH Complex and provide most modern techniques including various forms of fixation, prosthetics and bone grafting.

“On AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and dermatology, the specialty is accorded the status of a full-fledged department. The department is currently conducting a major research study on AIDS and its causative virus and in linkage programmes with other institutions in the USA. The institution has the following training programmes for the production of specialised health manpower: Clinical training (in collaboration with OAU underGraduate Medical Training); School of Medical Laboratory Technology; School of Health Records and BioStatistic (School of Heath Information Management); School of Nursing; School of Midwifery; Community Health Officers Training Programme. Also Residency Training Programme (Postgraduate Medical Training); School of Peri-Operative Nursing; Plaster Technique Training School and Dark Room Techni-

‘Unlike its counterparts, OAUTH, Ile-Ife charges as low as N200 as consultation fee where others charge up to N1,250. Though being the first to transplant kidney in Nigeria, the cost of such procedure is N3 million. This hospital started to perform kidney transplantation from June, 2002. It has become routine procedure and all Nigerians are enjoined to take advantage of this highly specialised health care provisions’

cian Programme.”

To help the hospital and its patients, it has explored revolving funds. He throws more light: “In laboratory services, modern sophisticated automated laboratory equipment in all the units take care of the laboratory services in the institution. Microbiological and chemical analysis equipment, specialised microtomes; microscopes and new body morgues are in place. A wellorganised Laboratory Revolving Fund gives effective and efficient consumables and services to our clients. Training of laboratory scientists also enhances the quality of laboratory scientists’ manpower development for the country which the school of medical Laboratory Services is able to provide.

“In the same vein, a 24 -hour pharmacy services with a well-developed and well-articulated Drug Revolving Fund Scheme, gives our patient drugs and consumables produced in this institution. All the essential and important drugs are available and thereby every time of the day patient get quality affordable drugs and consumables for their treatment.

The major boost we’ve had as VAMED project recipient has equally improved our services.

OAUTH is part of the second batch.

Till date, we’ve done 140 Laparascopic cases successfully. We are relocating far departments to become closer in proximity for optimum performance and output for instance Maternity and Child clinic were far apart but now we’ve relocated Child Clinic closer to Antenatal Clinic (ANC) among others,” Adejuyigbe said.

Psychiatric hospital holds epilepsy workshop

A

•From left: Managing Director, GPE Expo PVT Ltd, India, Paresh Jhurmarvala; Chairman, PMGMAN, Bunmi Olaopa and Chairman, Planning Committee, Emma Ebere, at the press conference on the Nigeria Pharmarceuticals Manufacturers EXPO 2011.

N awareness programme aimed at increasing the rate of demand for effective orthodox treatments of seisure disorders/convulsions among sufferers thus reducing stigmatisation of epileptic patients in the community is scheduled for today.

It will hold at the popular Mosafejo Motor Park, Oshodi, Lagos. It is an initiative of the Federal Neuro-Pschiatric Hospital, Yaba. It is entitled: Effective treatment of children and adults with epilepsy in the community.

According to a statement by the Head, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Lydia Ajayi, the event is to sensitise the public on epilepsy.

It is also to encourage them not to stigmatise or ostracise seizure.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

45

HEALTH

Experts call for increased medical, science knowledge

S

•From left: Wife of Lagos State Governor Dame Abimbola Fashola, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr Jide Idris and National Co-ordinatior Malaria Control Programme, Dr Babajide Coker, at the the flag-off of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) Mass campaign organised by Ministry of Health, in Lagos.

•Principal Consultant, National Co-ordinator, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Elder Stephen Akujobi; Managing Director, Unilever Nig. Plc. Mr Thabo Mabe and Representative of Grace Children School, Gbagada, Lagos Miss Makuna Nnam, at the workshop themed: Help defeat diarrhoea in Nigeria, in Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

•From left: Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Rahman Ade-Bello; Director, Academic Planning Unit, Prof. Cecilia Igwilo and Director, Academic and Research, Prof. Modupe Ogunlesi, at the inaugural lecture by Prof. Igwilo on the Journey of Pharmaceutical Formulations in Nigeria held in UNILAG, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.

CIENTISTS and medical experts have called for increased knowledge of medicine and science to save patients’ lives.

Their resolve was to ensure the growth of science and medical practice in Nigeria.

It was at the presentation of a textbook on skin diseases and sexually transmitted infections, written by Prof Yetunde Olumide. It was held at the Nigerian Academy of Science, Lagos.

According to the Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Akin Osibgun, said sound knowledge of medicine would ensure patient care which is the centre of their practice.

Osibogun said the book written by the egg head, a reputable dermatologist, would further help to educate the students and post-graduate in dermatology.

He said LUTH had embarked on continuous medical education for its staff to ensure that patients receive the best of care, adding that training and mentoring are regular exercise which help to develop professionals.

“The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has said doctors must get certain number of credits for their licence to be renewed,” he said.

President, the Academy of Science, Prof Oye Ibidapo-Obe, said one way to achieve this is to ensure that older scientists pass on their knowledge and skills to the younger generation of scientists.

Ibidapo-Obe, who was represented

by Emeritus Prof Lateef, said the academy would convene experts locally and internationally to bring science to the fore of national development.

“We aim to do this by the growth, acquisition and dissemination of scientific evidence to solve major national problems.

Ibidapo-Obe, who was also a Guest Speaker, spoke on the book published by the Nigerian Academy of Science, said: “The country has 126 Fellows of the Academy and the author is one of them.”

He said the Academy has published

By Wale Adepoju

several reports that have become reference materials for all stakeholders, including policymakers, academic and the media.

“Some of the more recent publications include the report from the workshops of the Academy’s Forum of Evidence-based Health Policymaking.

These reports have been on such pertinent health topics as blood transfusion, reducing maternal and child mortality, the Nigerian health system, and most recently on dealing with the rising scourge of non-communicable diseases in the country,” Ibidapo-Obe said.

He noted that there have also been joint reports, written in collaboration with international partners, and which have also been disseminated widely both locally and internationally. These include a joint report on medicines and energy, which was in collaboration with the Institute of Medicine (of the United States National Academies).

There were several other joint reports done in collaboration with other African academies including those on maternal and child mortality in Africa as well as tackling Africa’s energy challenge.

The author, Prof Olumide, who has written 57 journals, seven books and co-written five, said she was motivated to write her book because it has to do with life.

Olumide said the price of textbooks were also another motivation. She noted that the price of a dermatological textbook is about N140,000, an equivalent of £550.

Olumide said medicine is a continuum, saying that training and retraining are essential to sustaining the practice.

She berated high handedness of doctors who felt they are superior to other health workers, saying medical profession is a team work and everybody has a role to play.

She added: “People must always be considerate, especially when dealing with life.”

How to prevent migraines?

You can help prevent migraines with healthy lifestyle habits.

Maintain consistent eating, sleeping and exercise schedules. It's also important that you learn, and then avoid, your migraine triggers.

•Avoid Triggers. Identifying and then avoiding the triggers is the best thing you can do. See at the bottom for a complete list of triggers.

•Get regular exercise. Exercise reduces tension, a common migraine trigger. Make sure to warm up slowly. Intense physical activity can cause headaches.

•Lower your stress level. Stress can cause or aggravate migraines.

Try meditation, biofeedback, or join a support group.

•Maintain a daily routine. Getting the sleep you need(7 to 8 hours a night for most adults), and eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can ward off migraines.

•Quit smoking and caffeine. Smoking can cause headaches or make them worse.

If you can't quit completely those items containing caffeine, then substitute them with those labeled as caffeine free. Such as caffeine free soda and caffeine free coffee. Me personally, like so much the soda. So I drink caffeine free diet soda.

•Reduce the effects of estrogen.If you are a woman and estrogen triggers or worsens you headaches. Talk to your doctor about avoiding or reducing those medication containing estrogen, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

•Culled from nikita.hubpages.com

Firms launch software for preparation of bone fracture operations

S

YNTHES, the global market leader for bone implants and Siemens Health care have developed PreOPlan, a software that allows surgeons to plan routine bone fracture surgeries (trauma surgery) as well as corrections of leg deformities (osteotomy).

At the presentation/demonstration of the software at the

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

Head office of Simens, the manufacturers said, the use of PreOPlan, will involve the surgeon simulating the planned procedure on an X-ray image of the patient.

With the aid of an integrated implant database, he can determine which bone implants are,

for example, most suited for the correction of a fracture. Subsequently, the software will generate a report that can help the operating staff prepare the surgery with the selected implants.

Moreover, the surgeon can use the report to prove his preparations for the procedure and to comprehensively explain the operation to the patient.

This is against the background that normally, surgeons plan routine surgeries for bone fractures of the extremities by their hearts while looking at an X-ray image of the fracture, or they draw the planned procedure on the image. This has many several disadvantages including the fact that the surgeon can only estimate which

implant is best suited to fix the point of fracture. Furthermore, he is not able to accurately document how he has prepared himself for the procedure. Many hospitals, however, demand such verification.

The software PreOPlan allows the surgeon to precisely analyse a bone fracture using a digital X-ray image of the patient.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

46

UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR - CALABAR CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (CES)

CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION (2011/2012 ACADEMIC SESSION) Applications are invited from qualified candidates for admission into the Educational Consultancy Programmes as listed below.

Please apply on-line. Candidates are advised to follow the on-line procedure given in this advertisement.

S/NO PROGRAMME 1.

Pre-Degree Programme: Duration: One Academic Session in Science, Agriculture and Education (Science) Location: Faculty of Science Admission Requirements: •Credit-level passes at not more than two sittings in (WASC/ NECO/GCE O/L) in at least five subjects, two of which must be Physics, Chemistry, or Biology with evidence of having attempted the third subject.

•Applicants awaiting results may also apply. Such applications shall only be considered on receipt of the pending results within the period allowed for such consideration.

•Applicants must have JAMB results for 2011/2012.

Diploma in Public Administration (DPA): 2.

Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full-time).

Location: Institute of Public Policy & Administration (IPPA).

Admission Requirements:For Admission into this programme, candidates must possess a minimum of four (4) credits in GCE O/L, SSCE, NECO, TC II examinations from among the following subjects: Government, Economics or Commerce, C.R.K, Literature, Account or Mathematics with at least a pass in English Language in not more than two sittings.

Diploma in Local Government (DLG) 3.

Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full-Time) Location: Institute of Public Policy & Administration (IPPA) Admission Requirements:For Admission into this programme, candidates must possess a minimum of four (4) credits in GCE O/L, SSCE, NECO, TC II examinations from among the following subjects: Government, Economics or Commerce, C.R.K, Literature, Account or Mathematics with at least a pass in English Language in not more than two sittings.

Diploma in Personnel Management (DPM) 4.

Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full-Time)Location: Institute of Public Policy& Administration (IPPA)Admission Requirements:For Admission into these Programmes, candidates must possess a minimum of four (4) credits in GCE O/L, SSCE, NECO, TC II examinations with at least a pass in English Language in not more than two sittings.

Diploma in Tourism and Hotel Management 5.

Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full-Time) Location: Institute of Public Policy & Administration (IPPA) Admission Requirements:• For admission into the above programme, candidates must posses a minimum of four (4) credits in relevant subjects including English Language in GCE O/L, SSCE or NECO in not more than two sittings. Note that French is an advantage.

Diploma in Environmental Education (DEE) 6.

Duration: Two Sessions (Full-Time) Location: Institution of Education Applicants must be holders of:• SSCE or GCE with four (4) credits in four (4) relevant teaching

S/NO

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

PROGRAMME subjects and at least a pass in English Language.• TC II Certificate with three (3) credits or merits in three Teaching subjects and at least a pass in English Language.• TC II Certificate with at least seven (7) years post qualification experience.

Diploma In Educational Technology (DET) Duration: Two Academic Session (Full-Time) Location: Institution Of Education DET Is Open To All Secondary School Leavers Who Posses:• SSCE Or Its Equivalent With At Least Four Credits In Relevant Subjects And At Least Passes In English Language and Mathematics in at most two sittings.• Teachers Grade Two Certificates (TC II) with at least three credits or merits and at least passes in English Language and Mathematics in one sitting.

Diploma in Pre-Primary and Basic Education (DPBE) Duration: Two Academic Session (Full-Time) Location: Institute of Education Admission Requirements: DPBE is open to all secondary school leavers who posses:• SSCE Examination or equivalent with at least four credits in relevant subjects and at least passes in English Language and Mathematics in at most two sittings.• Teachers Grade Two Certificate (TC II) with at least four credits or merits and at least passes in English Language and Mathematics in one sitting.• Any other qualification acceptable to the University of Calabar for a Diploma Programme admission.

Diploma in Library Science Duration: Two Academic Session (Full-Time) Admission Requirements:• Minimum requirement for admission into Diploma in Library and Information Science Programme is four (4) O/level credits or its equivalent and at least a pass in English Language.

Diploma in Education (DE) Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full-Time) Location: Institute of Education Applicants for the Diploma in Education must be holders of:• SSCE or GCE with credits in four (4) relevant teaching subjects and at least a pass in English Language. • TC II Certificate with three (3) credits or merits in three teaching subjects and at least a pass in English Language.• TC II Certificate with at least seven (7) years post qualification experience.

Diploma in Marine Science (DMS) Duration: Two Academic Sessions Location: Institute of Oceanography

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

47

UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR - CALABAR CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (CES)

CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION (2011/2012 ACADEMIC SESSION) S/NO

12.

13.

PROGRAMME S/NO PROGRAMME • Accounting Admission Requirements: • Social Studies At least four (4) credits passes in relevant subjects in GCE/ WASC/SSCE/NECO at not more than two sittings.

14. Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Administration and Subjects to include; Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Planning (Faculty of Education)• Mathematics. At least a pass in English Language.

FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMME Post NCE with credit or merit Note: Those with Diploma in Marine Science seeking admission passes in at lest one major subject including credit in English into degree programmes must meet the minimum University entry Language and at least a pass in Mathematics in Non-Science requirements including a credit pass in English Language at GCE options at O/Level obtained in not more than two sittings.Diploma (O/L)/WASC/SSCE/NECO. in Education and other relevant discipline from a recognized tertiary institution with five (5) credits at O/L including English Diploma in Law Language (At least a Pass in Mathematics is required options Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full Time) for those that are not science related) obtained in not more than Location: Institute of Public Policy &Administration (IPPA) two sittings.

Admission Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for • FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME Five O/Level credits passes to admission into Diploma in Law programme will be as include English Language, Economics and a pass in follows:West African School Certificate with credit passes in at Mathematics, in not more than two sittings. But students who apply least four relevant courses including English Language. G.C.E. for Mathematics/Science options are expected to have a credit Ordinary Level Certificate with Credit passes in least four relevant in Mathematics at the O/Level. subjects including English Language.S.S.S Certificate with Credit Teaching Options:Educational Administrations is offered passes in at least four relevant subjects including English alongside any of the under-listed options: Language Grade II Teachers with credit passes in at least four • Sciences relevant subjects including English Language.

• Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Education (B.Env. • Arts Education) Faculty of Education.

• Social Sciences Duration: Four Years or 5 years • Accounting Location: Faculty of Education 4 years or 5 years Degree • Social Studies Programme in the following fields of Environmental Education.

• Pollution and Waste Management 15. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting (Faculty of Management • Tourism and Eco Management Science)• • Forest and Wildlife Management FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMME • • Pollution Education and Resource Management Five O/Level GCE/SSCE or NECO, credit passes including • Women in Environmental Development English Language, Mathematics and Economics alongside with • Community Environmental Services any other two (2) Social Science subjects at not more than two Admission Requirements: sittings.

FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMME Post NCE with credit or merit • In addition to meeting the basic admission requirements stated passes in at least one major subject including credit in English above, candidates must also have Upper Credit in Ordinary Language and at least a pass in Mathematics in Non-Science National Diploma (OND) in Accounting. A University of Calabar options at O/Level obtained in not more than two sittings.Diploma Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) with CGPA of 3.50 in Education and other relevant disciplines from a recognized or any other equivalent qualification that may be accepted by the tertiary institution with five (5) credits passes at O/L including Department.

English Language (At least a Pass in Mathematics is a required • FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME Five O/Level GCE, SSCE or option for those that are not science related) obtained in not more NECO credit passes to include English Language, Mathematics than two sittings. and Economics and any other two (2) Social Science subjects FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME Five O/Level credits passes to obtained at not more than two sittings. include English Language, Economics and at least a pass in 16. Bachelor’s Degree in Banking and FinanceLocation: Mathematics, in not more than two sittings. But students who apply Faculty of Management Science for Mathematics/Science options are expected to have a credit FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMME pass in Mathematics at O/Level.

• Five O/Level GCE/SSCE or NECO, credit passes including Teaching Options:Educational Administrations is offered English Language, Mathematics and Economics or Commerce alongside any of the under-listed options: at not more than two sittings.

• Sciences • In addition candidates must posses a University of Calabar • Computer Science Diploma in Managements Sciences, Economics or Computer • Arts Science.

• Social Sciences • FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME Five O/Level GCE, SSCE or NECO credit passes which must include English Language,

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

48

UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR - CALABAR CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (CES)

CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION (2011/2012 ACADEMIC SESSION)

17.

18.

19.

Mathematics and Economics or Commerce and any other Social Science subject obtained at not more than two sittings.

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management (Faculty of Management Science) FIVE (5) YEAR PROGRAMME Candidates for the five (5) Year Evening Programme must obtain five (5) credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, Economics and any other Social Science subject in SSCE or its equivalent obtained at not more than two (2) sittings.

FOUR (4) YEAR DIRECT ENTRY PROGRAMME Candidates for the four (4) Year Evening Programme must in addition to meeting the requirements stated above also posses OND Diploma in Business Administration, Banking and Finance, Accounting or Marketing at credit level or higher from a recognized institution. Candidates with Advanced level (GCE) in any three of the following subjects may be accepted: Accounting, Economics, Business Management and Mathematics. Academic transcripts are required in all cases for the Direct Entry Admission.

Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Marketing (Faculty of Management Science) FIVE (5) YEAR EVENING PROGRAMME Candidates for the five (5) Year Evening Programme must obtain five (5) credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, Economics and any other Social Science subject in SSCE or its equivalent obtained at not more than two sittings.

FOUR (4) YEAR DIRECT ENTRY PROGRAMME Candidates for the four (4) Year Evening Programme must in addition to meeting the requirements stated above also posses the University of Calabar Diploma in Business Administration at Merit level and above, National or Ordinary Diploma (ND) or (OND) in the relevant field at Upper Credit level and above from a recognized institution. Candidates with the Higher National Diploma (HND) with Lower Credit in the relevant field, and equally those with University Degree may also apply. Academic Transcripts are required in all cases for the Direct Entry Admission.

Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Science (Faculty of Science) with specialization in• Marine Biology Marine Geology Admission Requirements:Admission into any of the programme shall be open to two categories of candidates depending on their entry qualifications as follows: Five (5) year programme of studies Four (4) year programme of studies Five O/Level credits in GCE, SSCE, NECO in the following English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics at not more than two (2) sittings.

FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME Candidates must possess at least 5 credits in SSCE/GCE O/Level in not more than two sittings.

Credit passes are required in English Language, Mathematics and in the core science subjects of Chemistry, Physics and Biology.

20.

21.

22.

FOUR YEAR PROGRAMME (DIRECT ENTRY) Candidates for Direct Entry shall be required to satisfy the minimum University requirements for admission into degree programmes.

Candidates who meet the following conditions may be considered.

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in the following Sciences: (Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Mathematics and EPM) from the University of Calabar or from any other recognized institution.

• Hold a Diploma of the Institute of Oceanography or of any other recognized institution in the relevant disciplines. Minimum CGPA for admission shall be 2.75 on a 4-point or 3.20 on a 5-point scale.

• Posses HSC/GCE/(A/L) with passes in three relevant subjects at the required grades.

Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Public Administration (BPA) (Faculty of Social Sciences).• FOUR YEAR PROGRAMME • Five O/Level credits in (GCE,SSCE or NECO at not more than two (2) sittings. One of these credits must be English Language.

• At least a Pass in Mathematics; and • A higher qualification – IJMB, OND, HND, NCE. • Advanced Level GCE Papers etc.

FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME • Five O/Level credits in GCE, SSCE, NECO or its equivalent to include English Language, Government and a Pass in Mathematics at not more than two (2) sittings.

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) (Faculty of Social Sciences)FOUR YEAR PROGRAMME Holders of Diploma in Social Work with credit or Merit pass in addition to five (5) credit passes in GCE O/Level/SSCE or its equivalent in not more than two sittings one of which must be • English Language with at least a Pass in Mathematics.

Practicing professionals with 5 O/Level credits (as in (a) above) and at least a Pass level in Diploma in Social Work or equivalent (e.g. Social Welfare, Social Development, Youth Development, Rural Development, Community Development, Theatre Art, Public Administration, Philosophy, English, Business Administration, Personnel Management); also NCE, IJMB and a Certificate in Nursing with at least five (5) years post qualification experience.

FIVE (5) YEAR PROGRAMMEFive (5) credits in GCE/WASC/ SSCE O/L at not more than two (2) sittings, one of which must be English and at least a pass in Mathematics.

Bachelor’s Degree (B.Sc) in Environmental Protection and Resource Management (EPM) (Faculty of Social Sciences)• FOUR YEAR PROGRAMME • Holders of the Ordinary Diploma of the Environmental Education of Unical or any other approved equivalent at Merit Level or above, with additional (5) (five credits at not more than two sittings in the GCE, O/L, WASC, NECO, SSCE or NABTECH including English Language and other relevant subjects which must include at least a Pass in Mathematics.

• Holders of Ordinary Diploma in Environmental Sciences of the Polytechnic or holders of NCE with Geography and any Social/

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

49

UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR - CALABAR CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (CES)

CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION (2011/2012 ACADEMIC SESSION) S/NO

23. (a)

(b)

24. (a)

(b)

NOTE: PROGRAMME Natural Sciences as main teaching subject, provided the (1) Candidates seeking direct entry admissions must submit their academic transcripts to the relevant Departments. candidates has the minimum University entry requirements of five credits in not more than two sittings, including English (2) Aptitude Tests will be conducted for candidates seeking admission Language and at least a Pass in Mathematics. into all Degree Programmes. b) FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME candidates with minimum University entry requirements of five (5) credits, including English (3) For further details concerning the subject areas to be covered by the Screening Exercise, please consult the recent JAMB Brochure Language and a Pass in Mathematics will be considered. for the Programme of your choice.

Bachelor’s Degrees (B.Sc) in Economics (Faculty of Social Science) PROCESS FLOW FOR THE 2011 ON-LINE CES APPLICATION FOUR YEAR PROGRAMME Credit passes in five subjects STEP 1 including English Language, Mathematics, Economics and a Candidates will proceed to any of the banks on the E-Tranzact Network pass in a science subject in SSCE or WAEC/GCE Ordinary Level and request to pay for UNICAL CES Programme Application Form via E-TRANZACT. Candidates will be issued a printout/receipt after obtained at not more than two (2) sittings. payment of Form Application fee if N4, 000.00 (Four Thousand Naira) In addition to the general University entry requirements for only. candidates, direct entry applicants who seek admission to pursue degree under the three year programme must in addition to Alternatively, candidates can obtain scratch cards from selected banks meeting the requirements stated in (a) above also posses the as listed, after payment of the Form Application fee of N4, 000 (Four University of Calabar Diploma in Applied Economics at credit Thousand Naira) only. level and above or must have passed the GCE or the Higher STEP 2 School Certificate Examination or its equivalent subject at the Candidates should log on to http://www.unicalonline.edu.ng and select Advanced Level. Candidates with Higher National Diploma “CES 2011 Application” from the On-line Forms menu tab on the home (HND) in the relevant field, and those with University degree may page. also apply.

The next page will require the candidate to enter the Form No. and Bachelor’s Degree in Adult and Continuing Education Receipt No. from the E-Tranzact print-out or scratch card pin against (B.SC-ED) the fields provided and click login.

FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMME• Holders of NCE with a pass at Distinction, Credit or Merit level To generate the Form No. for new applications, candidates are required from a recognized institution, plus three (3) O/Level papers at to enter the Receipt No. or Scratch Card pin in the “Form No. Generator Tool” located on the logon page. credit level.

•Diploma in Adult Education from the University of Calabar with Follow the on-screen instruction after gaining access to complete the a pass at Distinction, Credit or Merit level, or equivalent form. qualification from a recognized institution. In addition to the above, candidates must also passes additional qualification of at least STEP 3 3 credits at GCE/WASC/SSCE/NECO/TCII or NABTECH at not Print the form after submission SELECTED BANKS FOR SCRATCH CARDS more than two sittings. One of the three subjects must be English • UNICAL MICROFINANCE BANK LIMITED Language.

• STERLING BANK •Candidates with three A/Level or GCE or JAMB or equivalent • ECOBANK PLC qualification at one sitting plus two (2) O/level credits in two other • FIRST BANK • WEMA BANK subjects other than those obtained at the A/level are eligible to • ENTERPRISE BANK (FORMER SPRING BANK) apply.

•Holders of two (2) A/level GCE papers or IJMB or equivalent BANKS FOR E-TRANZACT PIN qualification at one sitting plus THREE subjects other those • ECOBANK PLC obtained at the A/level GCE are eligible to apply.

• MAINSTREET BANK LIMITED (FORMER AFRIBANK) • INTERCONTINENTAL BANK FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME • FIN BANK •Holders of Diploma at PASS level from the Department of Adult • FIRST BANK and Continuing Education or its equivalent from recognized • ZENITH BANK institutions are eligible to apply. In addition to the above, • UBA BANK candidates must also posses five (5) O/level credits including • STERLING BANK English Language at not more than two sittings.

• ENTERPRISE BANK (FORMER SPRING BANK) •Holders of GCE/WASC/SSCE/NECO/TCII or NABTECH with TH five (5) credits at not more than two (2) sittings including English Closing date for all applications is 30 OCTOBER 2011.

Language are eligible to apply.

Signed Dr. (Mrs.) Julia D. Omang Registrar

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

51

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), given its record, is today regarded as an octopus, with its leaders predicting that it will maintain hold on power ad infinitum. Assistant Editor GBADE OGUNWALE looks at the current state of the ruling party as another national convention approaches.

Convention fever hits PDP F

IVE months after winning the presidential election, majority of the states and National Assembly seats, the Peoples Demo• Gemade cratic Party (PDP) is in the throes of crisis. Faced • Lar is confronted with a National Convention and CONTENDERS IN BATTLE FOR LEADERSHIP a ceaseless clamour for free and transparent elections the party with an uphill task of The position of the party chairman has President has not publicly identified transfermation before the next set of polls. been zoned to the North East geopolitical with any candidate, Babayo is believed to With firm assurances of a transition from zone. Among the most visible aspirants in have received his blessing while the other military dictatorship to democratic governance by the then military regime under Genthe chairmanship race is Dr. Musa Babayo aspirants have also been working round the eral Abdulsalami Abubakar in 1998, a few powho is currently the acting National Secre- clock to get the President’s attention. litically conscious Nigerians met and started tary of the party. Babayo is from Bauchi Also in contention is Dr Shettima networking across the various geo-political State. Old political warhorse and Mustapha from Borno State. He is probzones. The objective of the group was to form Adamawa-born chairman of the African ably the most experienced of the cona political party with a national outlook with Business Roundtable, Alhaji Bamanga tenders. He has been involved in partithe view to contesting elections in the emergTukur has also thrown his hat in the ring. ing transition arrangement. san politics since the First Republic. Dr From Adamawa is Wakilin, Dr. Hassan The group, comprising largely conservative Adamu. The party’s current National Pub- Mustapha was running mate to Dr elements, eventually came up with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the umbrella as licity Secretary, Professor Rufai Ahmed Al- Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1983 on the platform its symbol. As soon as the party was formed at kali is also in the race. He is from Gombe of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP).

In 1998, he joined others to found the the centre, various groups and individuals of State. From Yobe State comes Alhaji same leaning started regrouping at the state Adamu Waziri, although they are playing it PDP and emerged the pioneer National and local levels. Through some imperfect arlow for now. They have been reaching out Treasurer. Under Alhaji Umaru Yar rangements, national and state executives of and consulting with powerful interests ‘Adua, he was appointed Minister of Dethe party emerged with Second Republic Govfence. within the party for support. ernor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Lar They have all made contributions to the In the PDP tradition, the position of the emerging as the pioneer national chairman of chairman has always gone to candidates party at various levels and they all look the party. Apparently owing to its conservative outlook, the party started attracting polifavoured by the Presidency. While the qualified for the job. ticians of the conservative mould across the land. For the purpose of the 1999 elections the PDP hurriedly tidied up its act and went into the election as the party with the largest followership. By accident or design, the PDP won the Presidency and also emerged as the party, with majority of seats at the federal legislature from the 1999 general elections.

The PDP won in all the five states in the South East and the six in the South south but lost the entire Southwest to the Alliance for Democracy (AD). The ruling party was able to win three of the six states in the Northeast (Adamawa, Bauchi and Taraba) while the then All Peoples Party (APP) won in Gombe, Borno and Yobe. In the North Central, the PDP won in four states (Nasarawa, Niger, Benue and Plateau) while the APP got Kogi and Kwara. Of the seven states in the North West, the PDP won only three (Kaduna, Kano and Katsina) while the APP won in –Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Jigawa. So between 1999 and 2003, the PDP controlled a total of 21 states; APP, nine; and the AD, six. Judging by the results of the elections, it was generally agreed that the military government that superintended the elections maintained some level of independ•From left: Senator Bukola Saraki, Ag. National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Kwara ence and neutrality, particularly at the state State Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Ishola Balogun, presenting the party flag to former ANPP guberlevel. natorial candidate in the state, Alhaji Khaleel Bolaji over the weekend.

The 2003 general elections that were conducted by the ruling party witnessed a lot of The states were: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, tional voting pattern in the governorship elecpre election manipulations, particularly in the Jigawa and Kano. tion. But it turned out a political misadvenSouth West which was firmly in the grip of But the ruling party won in all the six states ture for the AD and its leaders as the PDP unthe opposition AD. Having failed woefully in of Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Benue and der the watch of Obasanjo was believed to the zone, the ruling party, under the then PresiPlateau. In the Northeast, the party won in have massively rigged the election in favour dent Olusegun Obasanjo ensured that the PDP Adamawa, Bauchi, Taraba and wrestled of the PDP in five of the six states grudgingly “captured” five out of the six states.

Gombe from the ANPP. As usual, the entire leaving Lagos for the AD. The invasion was meant to pad up Obasanjo’s South East and the South South went to the The leadership of the AD appeared too hordwindling political influence in the ruling ruling party. rified to lift a finger against the electoral heist party. To shake off the toga of a “President By 2007, the PDP had transformed into an and farce was left unchallenged.

Incidentally, who could not deliver his geopolitical zone”, octopus, preying on every available opposithe AD could not rise above the rubble of deas he was being taunted then, Obasanjo detion party in the land. In what was declared a feat as went into limbo shortly after the 300 ceived some prominent leaders of the AD into do-or-die contest by Obasanjo and the leaderelection, a development that gave way to the going into an alliance with the PDP for the ship of the party, the 2007 election was ademergence of the Action Congress (AC), now purpose of the governorship and the presijudged the worst in the history of elections the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2007 with dential elections. world over. The party “captured” six of the a strong support base in the South West zone.

The terms of the alliance was that the South seven states in the Northwest with the excluBut in the North West, the ruling party could West would vote for the PDP in the presidension of Zamfara State which went to the ANPP. only manage to win in Kaduna and Katsina. tial election with Obasanjo as presidential canIt won in the six states in the North Central The remaining five states went to the ANPP. didate, while the zone would follow its tradi-

• Ali

and maintained its four states in the North East leaving only Borno and Yobe to the ANPP. It also retained the five states it captured in the South West by whatever means.

But with Obasanjo out of the way at the expiration of his eight-year presidency, opposition parties found their voice and form. The election results were fiercely challenged in the various election petition tribunals and the courts across the land. After a protracted legal battle that spanned over two years, the ACN was able to reclaim Osun and Ekiti while the Labour Party reclaimed Ondo. The ACN similarly reclaimed Edo in the South-South while the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) retrieved Anambra from the grip of the PDP. With the registration of more political parties since 2007, the PDP’s stranglehold on power was fiercely challenged at the centre and in many states. A change in the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) buoyed the opposition’s resolve to give the ruling PDP a challenge in the April 2011 general elections. Under the watch of a relatively independent INEC, the opposition was able to put up a good showing in the 2011 elections.

The ACN regained Oyo and Ogun which it lost to the PDP since 2003. Incidentally, these were the only two states in the zone where governorship elections were held in 2011. With those additions, the entire six states in the zone are firmly in the ACN fold.

The ruling party however established a stronger presence in the North West by winning six out of the seven states in the zone, leaving only Zamfara to the ANPP. The party retained its hold of the six states in the North Central and South South. It claimed the four states where elections were held in the South East and retained four of the six states in the North East.

The ANPP is still holding on to its traditional stronghold of Borno and Yobe States. The PDP has held on to power at the centre for unbroken eleven years through elections the result of which were contested in court. Results of the 1999 presidential election that returned Obasanjo as winner were contested by the opposition AD/APP alliance with Chief Olu Falae as flag bearer and Alhaji Umaru shinkafi as running mate. The result of the 2003 presidential election conducted under the watch of sitting President Obasanjo was similarly challenged by General Muhammadu Buhari who ran on the platform of the ANPP. Buhari lost at the Supreme Court. Results of the 2007 general elections in which the PDP in cahoots with a patently compromised INEC swindled opposition parties at all levels were also challenged by the opposition.

The late President Umaru Yar ‘Adua who was the PDP’s presidential candidate was returned

by INEC as winner in an election characterised by large scale irregularities. The combined legal team assembled by Buhari who contested on the ANPP platform former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar who ran presidential candidate of Action Congress could not overturn the result of the presidential election in a fiercely fought legal battle that terminated at the Supreme Court. But the Court of Appeal upturned the results of a number of governorship elections won by the PDP in some states.

The ruling party lost Ondo State to the Labour Party, Osun and Ekiti to the ACN and Anambra to APGA.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

POLITICS CROSSFIRE Plateau is a troubled state. It is always in the news for the wrong reasons. Recently, Governor Jonah Jang, who assumed office for a second term on May 29, clocked 100 days in office. While the opposition, made boisterous by defection of some key members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party (LP) just before the April elections, believes that the government has performed below expectation, the state government insists that it needs time to plan well. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU presents the views of Alhaji Muhammed Yusuf Kanam, Chairman, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in the state and the Chief of Staff to Jang, Gyang Pwajok.

Jang has nothing to show in 100 days – Kanam

B

ECAUSE you are engaged on the partisan front, how would you assess the foundation laid by the governor in his first 100 days in office?

We thank the Almighty Allah that we are alive today to comment on the 100 days of Gov. David Jonah Jang. But there are so many issues that one can observe in the period. Obviously, it is very difficult for one to say there is something meaningful to point to within the period. This is because the governor had hardly settled down in the state or in his office in the last 100 days. Immediately after the April general elections, just a week or two, the governor traveled out for about two weeks; he said he needed some rest due to the stress of the election campaign. While other governors were busy selecting members of their cabinet, it took Gov. Jang quite a very long time before he came up with the list of commissioners. Soon after made all his political appointment, the governor and his team went for a retreat in Obudu, Cross River state. After returning from the two weeks retreat in Obudu we were expecting the governor to take off fully, but he embarked on another round of tour abroad.

This time around, he said it was for medical check up; he just came back few days ago. So if you ask me, Jang has been travelling in the last 100 days, he has never been in his state. He must have spent 80 days away from the state and had spent 20 days in the state. I think that is not good enough considering the peculiar security situation in the state. While the governor was away so many problems were left unattended to, like the labour disputes, crises and so on.

You mentioned the trips of the governor; do you think his absence in the state worsened the security situation?

There are two ways to it, the governor has a deputy who is supposed to act when he is away, but the constitution of this country does not specify exactly the roles of the deputy governor. So, if the governor does not allow his deputy to take control of affairs in his absence, there will be problem.

The deputy cannot do exactly like the governor because the deputy governor does not have access to state funds, this alone has limited the role of a deputy governor.

Did the governor carry you stakeholders along on the focus of his government in this second term?

The governor said that that the problem at that particular time was the problem of the tertiary institutions strike, so he was very particular on that issue and later agreed that he left that part of the issues entirely to the stakeholders. And as I told you earlier, we succeeded in solving that aspect. By so doing, we as stakeholders have told him that the more he calls the stakeholders’ meeting the better for him, especially on the security situation. He cannot solve the problem of the state alone because he is the governor, the stakeholders have a lot to do to help him.

Governor Jang was accused of playing tribal politics in his first term; did you see that in the last 100 days?

Yes, you see that mostly in his political appointments. We have told him in some of the stakeholders meetings about this. For instance, out of the 20 commissioners, five are Berom. So what local government are they representing? If they are Berom, are they up to the tasks, can they deliver? Everybody in the state blamed his first tenure government on political appointment. But the governor did even worse in this sec-

• Kanam

The major problems lie with the security agencies, they are polarised, they have taken sides along tribal and religious sentiments, and they are no longer the professionals they are supposed to be. That is why the entire country is facing serious security challenges, not only Plateau State; the governor should put an end to his tours abroad and settle down in the state so that he can collaborate with the federal government in finding solution to our security problem on the Plateau’ ond term because he gave political appointment to one of his son as special adviser on special duties. Apart from, the appointments are lopsided; he did not pick the right people, and you can see, they did nothing for the people.

Let’s look at the security, forget about what happened in the last four years, are you impressed with the way the state government is handling the situation?

No, I’m not impressed at all. But you cannot put all the blame on the governor. He is not in control. The major problems lie with the security agencies, they are polarized, they have taken side along tribal and religious sentiments, and they are no longer the professionals they are supposed to be.

That is why the entire country is facing serious security challenges, not only Plateau State; the governor should put an end to his tour abroad and settle down in the state so that he can collaborate with the federal government in finding solution to our security problem on the Plateau.

It’s been tough, but we’re focused – Pwajok

H

OW would you react to criticisms that the Jang administration has failed to give leadership in its first 100 days?

The last 100 have been very eventful. It all started from a successful general election leading to the renewal of the mandate of Gov. Jonah Jang for a second term. There has been euphoria following the victory of the incumbent; the celebration has been unprecedented in the history of this state.

It was both celebration of re-election victory and a demonstration of high expectation in the next four years. There are those who lost elections and are still in court. But the government has tried to settle down to business of governance, and so the last 100 days has been characterized by selecting the right kind of team that will lead the course of the next four years. There has been a review of the activities of the last four years, the successes, the challenges so as to know the best approach to the second term programme. You know the first four years witnessed a 10-point agenda. This time around we came up after a retreat with a three-pillar policy that supports this 10point agenda. We call it ‘Obudu Declaration’. We’ve tried to re-examine the fact that for every sectoral intervention of this administration, we must build infrastructure, which is very key, we must improve human capital, which is equally key and we also need to improve the financing option for this administration. These are the three pillars that will drive the original 10-point agenda.

But there is a contention that little is being done...

Government has resumed the construction work that had to be put on hold towards the end of the electioneering; if you look around town you will notice massive road construction. The government has tried to refocus the civil service. If you go to the state secretariat you will notice renovation going on there, government is trying to give the complex a facelift because since the era of Gomwalk, the buildings have not witnessed renovation. What is happening there is a complete renovation of that secretariat. This is anchored on the belief that the working environment of our civil servants must also be improved upon.

What else would you point at?

The period too has also been characterized with strike by a section of the workers; this has been as result of new demands for wages in spite of increases in the past.

The strikes have also slowed down governmental processes, but you can see now that there are deliberate attempt to address the workers welfare by the establishment of the Committee of Elders. So, the last 100 days have been full of multiple difficulties. The truth of the matter is that this administration has been much more focused in that direction. But within the tail end of the 100 days we‘ve seen a resurgence of the circle of violence which has been a bit disturbing because we went through the election peacefully in spite of the prediction that Plateau would not have a peaceful elections. But we had peaceful elections, the post election moment was also peaceful until the last few days, so we had seven months of peace before the last insurgence which has come in form of guerilla attacks almost every night. We are happy that the Federal Government is stepping up with more measure to stem the situation on the Plateau.

The political appointment made by the governor are being faulted by some people, it was noted that the Beroms formed majority in the appointment, do you agree they are lopsided?

It is very unfortunate that some people are still making this allegation and raising a lot of tribal sentiments. For God’s sake

political appointment should be based on merit, not on list of God fathers or of political patronage. If you look at the appointment careful, the additional appointment made, one came from the central zone, one came from the southern zone and the third came from the northern zone. You will agree with me that if you look at ethnic composition in the state, one particular tribe occupied four local governments and that is the Berom. People are aware of this but they want to raise it to create this ethnic sentiment. The point I think people should raise is if those appointed are based on merit.

What about the fact that the governor appointed his son as a special adviser when there are thousands of youths that also deserve such appointment?

I believe that it is even a sacrifice that the governor gave his son an appointment to serve. I also believe that the governor’s son is also a citizen of the state like every other youth in the state. I don’t know why people did not complain when the same son was going about campaigning for the victory of his father like all other youths, nobody said the governor’s son dno business campaigning for his father. It would have been okay if people say the governor’s son does not merit a political appointment. People should give the guy a chance; his appointment can be blamed if he failed to perform at the end of this tenure.

Is the governor likely to work more with the stakeholders this time around?

Of course, the challenges on the Plateau today requires that all hands must be on deck, labour must see itself as partners in this efforts to rebuild the foundation of plateau state. It is also good that a combination of elders in the state that have also remained aloof in the past have begun to show concern in the affairs of the state. In the last stakeholders meeting, after hearing from the governor, they themselves agreed to form a team, an action team for that matter and they have made valuable contribution so far and government remains appreciative of that.

That is how it should be; governing a state is not a one-man show.

What about the security situation, is there going to be a new approach?

No society develops in an atmosphere of chaos, this government realised this and that is why we have done all that is humanly possible to bring the crises to an end so that we can sustain the development we started in the first tenure. This government is determined that the chaos must stop; this bloodshed must stop.

• Pwajok

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

53

54

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 26-09-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 3 4

Quotation(N) 0.50 7.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 8,900 4,450.00 9,877 70,225.47 18,777 74,675.47

Quotation(N) 1.95 5.68

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 100,000 195,000.00 315,687 1,791,596.30 415,687 1,986,596.30

Quotation(N) 1.32

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 239,287 315,843.50 239,287 315,843.50

Quotation(N) 4.95 3.61 2.53 3.90 2.04 8.82 0.50 11.90 8.75 0.70 1.15 4.74 1.27 3.42 2.09 0.73 0.71 11.75

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,277,085 11,393,432.19 301,780 1,038,745.40 78,500 192,525.00 1,713,630 6,789,504.50 11,645,911 23,652,754.39 18,629,237 165,121,986.70 1,000 500.00 13,398,602 155,853,488.11 1,472,727 13,035,918.47 73,200 51,240.00 91,000 104,650.00 2,045,848 9,700,586.52 1,717,510 2,183,773.70 5,993,594 20,632,624.23 671,855 1,404,176.95 5,726,352 3,943,999.36 716,865 502,882.25 15,699,103 185,576,824.08 82,253,799 601,179,611.85

Quotation(N) 221.47 6.06 81.80

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 517,545 114,596,925.40 2,250 12,960.00 2,612,451 213,662,069.80 3,132,246 328,271,955.20

Quotation(N) 16.95 7.30 99.75 40.42

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 432,481 7,345,449.79 10,156 70,482.64 1,088,834 103,861,692.40 152,685 5,872,053.25 1,684,156 117,149,678.08

Quotation(N) 9.38 18.78 1.14 0.93

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 33,541 299,185.72 314,720 5,946,481.20 29,258 34,717.02 200 178.00 377,719 6,280,561.94

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 65 66

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 15 15 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 68 18 15 62 85 495 1 579 42 3 10 56 35 134 15 51 22 231 1,922 BREWERIES

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 87 1 114 202 BUILDING MATERIALS

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 45 2 41 24 112 CHEMICAL & PAINTS

Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 23 4 1 31

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 9 16 25

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.11

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 38,328,935 19,164,467.50 259,710 557,235.10 38,588,645 19,721,702.60

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 4.75

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 3,312 16,493.76 3,312 16,493.76

Quotation(N) 1.99 30.01 0.78 37.07 28.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 756 1,436.40 444,002 13,323,890.05 1,745,308 1,363,557.44 199,122 7,256,308.82 205,348 5,614,989.06 2,594,536 27,560,181.77

Quotation(N) 49.64

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 81,763 3,862,025.08 81,763 3,862,025.08

CONGLOMERATES Company Name A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 64 32 54 44 195

Stock market drops further •Honeywell restates commitment to maximising shareholder valuealue

T

HE success of the first business combination deal in the banking sector yesterday failed to moderate the bearish trading at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as declines in all key value indices reflected widespread flight from equities by cautious investors.

The All Share Index (ASI) dropped 0.13 per cent to close lower at 20,175.54. Similarly, the Market Capitalization of all equities dropped by N8.60 billion to close lower at N6.43 trillion. The decline yesterday pushed the yearto-date return to -18.55 per cent.

The downtrend was largely driven by losses by highly capitalized stocks including Zenith Bank, GT Bank, Stanbic-IBTC, Access Bank, Oando Oil, Nigerian Breweries and UBA but there was also preponderance of losers to gainers with 31 decliners as against eight advancers.

Shareholders of Access Bank Plc and Intercontinental Bank Plc at their separate court-ordered general meeting approved the twophased recapitalisation and merger of the banks under which Access Bank will acquire, recapitalize and subsequently subsumed the other bank.

Total volume of shares transacted dropped to 208.16 million valued at N1.45 billion in 3,469 deals against 248.68 million shares worth N2.3 billion exchanged in 3,795 deals posted on Friday.

Dips in volume and value represent 16.3 per cent and

No of Deals 14 14

37 per cent respectively.

The price movement table was weak with league of advanced stocks recording a marginal return of seven compared to 13 posted last Friday while declined ones dropped marginally to 32 from previous high of 34.

A cross section of investors who had consummated one or two transactions in the market in recent time had concurred with current realities on ground such as the uncertainty surrounding the Nigerian Socio-Political and Economic structures coupled with World events.

According to a market analyst and operator, when pessimism is this strong in the market, investors’ ordinarily act on the sour and hesitates on the sweet. “It is certainly going to take a lot more than just a Meanwhile, shareholders of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc (HFMP) are to receive a total dividend of N1.031 billion. The dividend, representing 13 kobo per share (11 kobo per share in 2010) net of appropriate withholding tax, will be paid on September 27, 2011.

Making this disclosure in Lagos, on Monday September 26, 2011, at the Company’s Second Annual General Meeting held at the Civic Centre, VI, Lagos, the Chairman, Dr Oba Otudeko, OFR, noted that the Company’s policy is to provide shareholders with steady and sustainable dividend pay-out

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 26-09-11 Sector Totals

5

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 2.08

No of Deals 17 31 83 18 46 6 5 51 1 2 2 262

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 200 396.00 200 396.00

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 71 71

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

No of Deals 18 2 12 18 10 60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 22,693 1,023,365.00 228,875 3,316,057.00 2,435,867 15,760,059.49 390,962 3,179,538.57 413,451 28,656,288.81 30,775 92,860.75 31,500 140,995.00 311,109 124,706,165.20 1,000 21,480.00 8,000 4,000.00 104,340 52,170.00 3,978,572 176,952,979.82

Quotation(N) 0.89 1.33 27.00 3.09 1.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 415,355 359,692.77 451,459 600,506.01 46,651 1,271,085.47 588,060 1,821,615.40 199,129 199,129.00 1,700,654 4,252,028.65

Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 7,413,584 13,251,007.38 7,413,584 13,251,007.38

Company Name MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 58 58

Quotation(N) 1.87

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 9 12

Quotation(N) 6.90 5.70

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 9,863 68,054.70 32,081 184,702.51 41,944 252,757.21

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name CHAMS PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 2

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 30,000 15,000.00 1,000 500.00 31,000 15,500.00

Quotation(N) 0.67 1.06 2.40 0.52 0.97 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 18,573 11,886.72 8,720,235 9,401,629.81 3,326,151 8,092,689.03 45,000 22,500.00 1,932,015 1,884,048.25 100,500 50,250.00 1,000 500.00 50,000 25,000.00 106,650 53,335.00 25,000 12,500.00 186,236 93,118.00 35,090 17,545.00 1,000 1,430.00 500 250.00 500 250.00 2,000,500 1,000,250.00 600 300.00 16,549,550 20,667,481.81

INSURANCE Company Name No of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 5 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 23 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 19 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 2 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 23 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 2 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 1 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 4 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 1 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 8 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 4 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. 1 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 1 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 2 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 1 Sector Totals 99 LEASING Company Name C&I LEASING PLC

No of Deals 5

Quotation(N) 0.94

19,665.00

Quotation(N) 0.76

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 3,261,738 2,530,637.94 3,261,738 2,530,637.94

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 39,474,000 19,737,000.00 39,474,000 19,737,000.00

MEDIA

Quotation(N) 45.50 15.20 6.47 8.13 69.31 3.16 4.48 400.00 22.61 0.50 0.50

HEALTHCARE Company Name EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Sector Totals

21,850

MARITIME

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC TANTALIZERS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

after due consideration for the expansion requirements of the business. He further stated that the overall objective of the Company is to maximise shareholder value in the long term.

Otudeko told the gathering that despite the particularly challenging operating environment, the Company still posted a remarkably improved result for the financial year ended March 31, 2011.

According to him, earnings per share recorded a significant increase of 112 percent to 31.43 kobo, up from 14.83 kobo for the preceding year.

Turnover for Honeywell Flour Mills Plc. and its subsidiary, Honeywell Superfine Foods Ltd. increased from N33.52billion in the financial year ended March 31, 2010 to N34.06billion in 2011.

Profit before tax and profit after tax were N3.52billion and N2.49billion respectively in 2011 as compared to N2.33billion and N1.18 billion in 2010. This represents an increase of 51 percent and 112 percent respectively. Also, shareholders’ funds grew by 12 percent to N15.13billion from N13.51billion in 2010.

While explaining the earnings performance, he said the company is already operating at close to full capacity leaving little room for turnover growth. However, to address this challenge, he said factory expansion projects were initiated during the year and are well underway.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

CONSTRUCTION Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 21,850 19,665.00

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,000,500 500,250.00 1,000,500 500,250.00

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 6,000 3,000.00 6,000 3,000.00

Quotation(N) 1.66

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 523,702 880,720.74 523,702 880,720.74

PACKAGING No of Deals 28 28

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) No of Deals 10 19 18 2 149 12 210

Quotation(N) 63.86 33.00 10.46 148.00 23.18 203.32

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 31,772 1,927,607.24 30,432 1,002,098.50 141,089 1,406,132.96 500 70,300.00 3,430,646 79,542,669.38 19,460 3,758,935.48 3,653,899 87,707,743.56

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 3 6 11

Quotation(N) 2.60 4.84 3.80

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 5,560 13,733.20 4,863 22,369.80 224,580 855,316.00 235,003 891,419.00

Quotation(N) 13.31

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 413,157 5,506,119.67 413,157 5,506,119.67

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 20 20

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Company Name UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRU Sector Totals

No of Deals 10 10

Quotation(N) 50.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 147,200 7,360,000.00 147,200 7,360,000.00

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.52

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,669 834.50 1,669 834.50

Quotation(N) 0.75

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 50,000 37,500.00 50,000 37,500.00

TEXTILES Company Name UNITED NIGERIAN TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 21 21

Quotation(N) 11.67

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 264,240 3,000,178.12 264,240 3,000,178.12

3,464

208,158,389

1,449,986,544.95

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

55

MONEY LINK

T

WENTY four out of 36 states participating in the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS) are jostling to access the balance N66.8 billion fund allocated for the project, The Nation has learnt.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has so far disbursed N133.1 billion out of the N200 billion mapped out for the agric project leaving the balance for the states to access.

A CBN circular, said since inception in 2009, it has disbursed N133.11 billion to 139 beneficiaries. They include 115 private/ individual promoters, as well as 24 state

N67b outstanding agric funds rattle state govts

By Collins Nweze

governments that accessed a minimum of N1 billion each.

Lagos State Government recently wrote the CBN to access N3 billion for disbursement to farmers. Director of Cooperative Services, Lagos Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Ayo Awokuleyin, said government notified the CBN on the need to access N3 billion to improve farming in the

under the scheme. The state governments requested the CACS funds for on-lending to farmers’ unions and co-operatives and to finance other areas of agricultural interventions in their various states.

The scramble came after the apex bank held discussions with state governments among other stakeholders, on how to boost the agricultural sector in the country. The fund is expected to help in food

state.

She explained that the first tranche of the N1 billion, would go to farmers at the grassroots level, while the second tranche of N2 billion would be devoted to middle and large scale farmers.

Bayelsa, Ogun, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Enugu, Gombe, Kebbi, Kogi, Imo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Sokoto, Taraba Zamfara, FCT, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Plateau, Edo, Kano and Benue states are currently

production and as a step towards ensuring food security, job creation and development of the country’s economy.

It is expected that the agric sector, which enjoys little consideration by banks, will be the biggest beneficiary of a new policy that mandates banks to maximise lending to it. Already, banks and the CBN are discussing how to increase lending to the sector from one to five per cent.

Access, Intercontinental shareholders approve merger

By Collins Nweze and Tonia Osundolire

S

hareholders of Access Bank and Intercontinental Bank yesterday, granted the necessary shareholders approvals for the proposed business combination of both banks.

The approval is based on issues outlined in the Scheme of Arrangement and meeting of Notice that had been sent to shareholders prior to yesterday’s vote of acceptance. The approval came after similar considerations by the boards of both banks, the judiciary and relevant regulatory authorities.

The resolution meetings are now subject to the final sanction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria. It is intended that Intercontinental Bank Plc will be merged with Access Bank Plc within 12 months of the completion of the Scheme.

Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank, said: “ This is an important milestone in the bank’s history and we are confident that it is a necessary and right step taken to ensure the bank is well positioned for future growth in the emerging Nigerian banking landscape.

The protection of shareholders’ returns remains our priority and we will take steps to ensure the enhancement of shareholder returns over the medium to long term.”

Chief Executive Officer of Intercontinental Bank, Mahmoud Alabi, added: “We would like to thank our shareFGN BONDS

holders for supporting the board of directors of Intercontinental Bank in its belief that the proposed business combination with Access Bank will provide considerable benefits and opportunities to the shareholders, customers, staff and other stakeholders of the Bank.”

The special business at the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) was to authorise the bank to “enter into a transaction for the acquisition by the bank through a special purpose vehicle, 75 per cent controlling equity interest in the authorised share capital of Intercontinental Bank Plc, under a private placement.

Another business at the EGM that was also approved by shareholders, was: “That subject to any required ap-

proval from the regulatory were that: “The directors (of Access), be and are hereby authorised to take all steps as may be required for the bank to enter into a scheme “For a number of reasons, we have told you confidently , that the synergy would bring a lot of accretion in value,” Imoukhuede added.

He explained that the bank would become one of the most formidable in sub-Saharan Africa adding that in the next 18 months, its rapid growth potentials would become more pronounced.

Speaking at the court ordered meeting between the Intercontinental Bank and its shareholders, Gbenga Idowu said the move by the bank to go into merger arrangement to save the bank from liquidation was timely.

AMCON to inject N156b into Finbank

T

HE Asset Management Corpo ration of Nigeria (AMCON) is to inject N155.6 billion into Finbank to bring its net asset value (NAV) to zero.

In return, AMCON will receive 4.278 billion scheme shares, according to details of First City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB) conference call to discuss the terms of its proposed acquisition of FinBank Plc and the structure of the deal.

Renaissance Capital, said FCMB will

acquire 100 per cent of Finbank for N6 billion after, which the bank’s entire paid-up capital will be cancelled. Existing shareholders can elect to receive either N0.10 in cash for every one Finbank share, or one FCMB share in exchange for 60 Finbank shares.

The transaction value is based on the 30-day volume-weighted average price of FCMB up to 26 August, 2011 of N6.16 per share.

“Given that FCMB’s share price is currently at N4.14, we highlight a po-

tential arbitrage opportunity for Finbank shareholders. Selling 60 Finbank shares for N0.10 will yield N6.16 which can then be used to buy FCMB shares on the open market for N4.30 per share,” the firm said.

Alternatively, Finbank investors can accept the swap ratio and exchange their shares for FCMB shares at the implied valuation of N6.16 per share.

It is expected that the scheme shares will be acquired via a special-purpose vehicle (SPV), FCMB Investments Lim-

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 26-9-11 SYMBOL DANCEM

O/PRICE 95.00

C/PRICE 99.75

CHANGE 4.75

OKOMUOIL

19.42

20.39

0.97

IKEJAHOTEL

1.79

1.87

0.08

WEMABANK

0.68

0.71

0.03

UNTL EVANSMED

0.72 0.86

0.75 0.89

0.03 0.03

UNITYBNK

0.71

0.72

0.02

PZ

30.00

30.01

0.01

LOSER AS AT 26-9-11 SYMBOL OANDO UAC-PROP ACCESS FLOURMILL CAP FIRST BANK REDSTAREX MAYBAKER DANGSUGAR TRANSCOPR

O/PRICE 24.40 14.01 5.21 72.95 19.76 9.28 2.22 3.25 8.55 0.82

C/PRICE 23.18 13.31 4.95 69.31 18.78 8.82 2.11 3.09 8.13 0.78

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

ited (FIL), while AMCON can elect to receive either N1.02 per scheme share or one FCMB share for every six scheme shares. Maximum potential dilution to FCMB shareholders is six per cent.

Post the acquisition and assuming all existing Finbank shareholders and AMCON opt to receive FCMB shares, AMCON will hold 4.1 per cent of FCMB, existing Finbank shareholders will hold 1.5 per cent of FCMB and current FCMB will be diluted down to 9.4 per cent.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

•Alabi

•Aig-Imoukhuede

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

13-09-11 N6.7026tr 21,018.52

14-09-11 N6.760tr 21,199.16

% Change -0.87% -0.86%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.72 107.46 0.78 1.02 0.94 1,628.78 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,417.23 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.46 107.10 0.75 1.02 0.93 1,625.40 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,190.00 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE 1.22 0.70 0.26 3.64 0.98 0.46 0.11 0.16 0.42 0.04

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

57

NEWS Orji’s wife condemns Abia rape WIFE of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, Mercy, has condemned the gang rape of a female student of the Abia State University and the recording of the act on video.

Mrs Orji urged security agencies to track down the ‘Abia 5.

Mrs Orji had previously denied that the incident happened in the institution.

But in a statement yesterday, she condemned violence against women, adding that she is “in the forefront of championing the course of womanhood, promoting the girl child education, teenage pregnancy and prostitution, child abuse and trafficking.”

Mrs. Orji urged the victim to come forward and help the investigators fish out the scoundrels.

‘Closure of courts invitation to anarchy’ THE Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi, has said closure of courts is an invitation to anarchy.

The Judge, who delivered judgment in the case between Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole and Prof.

Oserhemein Osunbor in 2008, spoke yesterday in Awka at the 2011 legal year.

Umeadi said apart from throwing stakeholders into material want, individual liberty is compromised.

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) for not joining the strike.

Why Igbo are traders,

by Ohanaeze chief T

HE Pan Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, has explained why Igbo are predominantly traders.

Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Abuja chapter, Nwabueze Obi said they are mainly traders because they are not fully absorbed into the civil service and main stream public service life in Nigeria.

He appealed to the government and those in authority to stop the intimidation of Igbo traders, saying they have a right to live in the Nigerian state. “Those institutional barriers that prevent Igbo men and women from attaining their God- given potentials should be removed,”he said.

Obi made the call at a news conference to herald the 2011 Igbo Day celebration which he said is “to celebrate unity and oneness and to exhibit the

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

Igbo culture on September 29.

“The Igbos will stand for unity and indivisibility of Nigeria because this is the way an Igbo man can prosper more,”Obi said.

He said this year’s Igbo Day celebration would also be used to remember those who died projecting the Igbo course before, during and after the civil war.

The president of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Abuja urged government to address the marginalisation of Igbos. He said there was “no reason why the South-east should have only five states while others geopolitical zones have six or seven states.”

Obi said 41 years after the civil war,it is time for the Igbos to produce a president to give them the assurance that the war is over.

The Igbos, he said, believe

in the unity of Nigeria “a fact that can be supported by the presence of Igbos in all parts of the country.”

This year’s theme: “Igbo Oken Mba (Igbo the mighty Nation),” he said will be used “to pray to God to bless the Nigerian nation and to show gratitude to God for all the blessings he has showered on the Igbo people despite the not too conducive environment.”

The celebration started last Sunday with a church service at the National Ecumenical Centre.

According to him, a road show will be staged today in all the Southeast states.

The carnival will showcase cultural troupes from all Igbo and non-Igbo ethnic groups .

There will also be a colloquium featuring prominent Igbo men and women. The grand finale “will be for the conviviality of the Igbos and their friends.”

Gunmen kill one, injure journalist in Onitsha

S

From Adimike George, USPECTED armed robgang members who were lurkOnitsha bers in the commercial ing around, opened fire on the city of Onitsha at the the gate of Life Breweries , man and shot him continuousweekend shot dead an unidenopened fire on him. He said ly until his entire body riddled tified businessman after openhis life was saved by share with bullets, “the man just ing fire on a journalist close to sprang on one of the robbers providence. the scene of the robbery.

The journalist, who had bul- and the other gang members The incident happened at lets extracted from his left swiftly gunned him down and the gate of Life Breweries on shoulder, called for increased kept shooting him until his Port Harcourt Road. police patrol in the crisis prone bowels poured out and his The journalist, Victor Socity to check crimes as the yule- entire body rideden beyond rokwu, is the South- South Butide approaches. He added that recognition.” reau Chief of the People A police officer attached to the rate at which people are A NEW exco to run the Lagos Monthly Magazine and dispossessed of their hard the Fegge Police Division, State chapter of the Organisaformer Delta State Corresponearned resources in Onitsha is who pleaded anonymity, said tion of African Instituted dent of Business Day Newspaalarming and needs proactive the deceased is yet to be idenChurches (OAIC) has been per. He is currently receiving tified. He added that the man measures to checkmate. elected. treatment in a hospital in OnAnother eyewitness said should not have engaged the Apostle Kola Onanuga is the itsha. the armed robbers having dis- armed men. chairman while Apostle Israel According to Soroku, the The officer, who said the covered that the content of the Akinadewo is the Generalgunmen who were riding on man’s bag was not money as victim has been deposited in a Secretary. They will run the a motorcycle, double crossed they had thought, released private morgue, attributed the organisation for four years. a man on another motorcycle some shots to scare bystand- increase in robbery in Onitsha The election was held on who they thought was carryers away and escape. Howev- to the quest to make quick Monday in Lagos and conduct- ing money in a concealed er, one of the traders close by money as the year is winding ed by the Chairman of OAIC polythene bag. gripped one of the robbers and up.

South West Zone, Archbishop He said as soon as they Police spokesman, Emeka started shouting in a bid to atM.A. Atilade. blocked their victim, one of tract other people to arrest the Chukwuemeka, confirmed the Other elected officers are the assailants, who spotted incident. He said the matter is robbers.

Apostle Solomon O. Areola him (Journalist) standing at The source said some of the being investigated.

(1st Vice Chairman); Supt.

Folashade Alao (2nd Vice Chairman); Evang. Edeh (Treasurer); Prophet EmmanFrom Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri HE Organised Labour comprising Niuel Balogun (Financial Secregeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade tary); Primate Omoyele–Adu cials and the trade unions would be in place to Union Congress (TUC) and the State resolve all other issues.

(Publicity Secretary); Rev. Joint Public Service Negotiating Council Victor Odebode (Assistant The NLC boss, flanked by the TUC Chairman (SJPSNC) has suspended its strike in Imo State Comrade O.J.Onyekawa, SJPSNC Chairman General Secretary); Mother in for two weeks.

Israel O.A. Orebote (Assistant Comrade Nze C.O Aharanwa and Imo State NLC At a joint news conference in Owerri yester- Acting Secretary Comrade Austin Chilapku inFinancial Secretary); Rev. T. Shobowale (Welfare Officer 1); day, the NLC Chairman, Comrade Reginald sisted that Labour would resume the strike if Evang. G.H.A. Wusu (Welfare Anyadike said the decision to suspend the strike government fail to develop a table with the Lawas taken at the enlarged executive meeting of bour and sign an agreement.

Officer 2).J.O Fajemilusi the congress affiliate and State Public Joint Ne(Auditor); and Prophetess The unions directed workers in the state to gotiating Council.

Queen Akiwumi (Legal resume duty immediately and await further diHe said the union gave the state government rective from their leaders.

Adviser).

Onanuga thanked members two weeks of gracebased on the joint recomChief of Staff, Government House, Eze Madmendations agreed upon by both Labour and umere hailed the suspension of the strike, defor their support. government, to work out an acceptable frame- scribing it as being in the interest of the workwork on the implementation of the N18,000 ers and government. minimum wage that would cut across board.

He said the present government is commitHe said the two weeks grace would start on ted to the welfare of the workers, that the techTHE death has been anSeptember 26, adding that within the period , nical committee would work out the modalinounced of Prince Olayinka the committee made up of government offi- ties of resolving the issue within two weeks.

Sehindemi. He was 97.Pa Sehindemi was a staff of the Nigerian Railways. He hailed from Odogbolu, Ogun State.

From Emma Mgbeahurike, ways check their vehicles to OTORISTS in Imo Burial arrangements will be Owerri ensure that they are in good State have been cauannounced later by the this warning yesterday while condition. tioned not to endanfamily.He is survived by 10 ger the lives and property of addressing officers and men of He urged officers and men children among whom is their passengers by using vethe command at the command of the command to carry out Kunle Sehindemi, former hicles with unserviceable parts. headquarters in Owerri, the public enlightenment proPermament Secretary in the The Imo State Sector comstate capital. gramme aimed at educating Lagos State Ministry of mander, David Mendie, gave Medie advised them to althe motorists.

Health.

Religious body gets exco

Imo NLC suspends strike

T

Pa Sehindemi dies

FRSC cautions motorists in Owerri

M

Ebonyi banks shut over minimum wage

•Elechi

T

HE Ebonyi State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday shut all commercial banks in Abakaliki, the state capital, following the three-week old industrial action embarked upon by the Organised Labour to press home their demand for the full implementation of the N18, 000 national minimum wage.

The NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC), had on September 6, called on all public and civil servants in the state to embark on strike over the non-implementation of the minimum wage by the state government.

Students of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU),JAMB candidates seeking admission into the Federal University NdufuAlike Ikwo, business men and women as well as civil servants in the state, who besieged the different banks in the state to make withdrawals or purchase bank drafts for their admission, left disappointed.

The Nation gathered that

some workers were present at the premises of some of the banks on Ogoja and Ezza Roads. Those who had the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) used the ATM card to make withdrawals.

The Nation also observed that 30 candidates seeking admission into the Federal University arrived Abakaliki from Aba to pick the bank draft for the Post UTME of the university. But they had to return to Aba as the banks did not open.

The embattled candidates urged Organised Labour and the state government to return to the negotiation table to alleviate the suffering of the citizens.

One of the students, Uchechi Ozoemenam, regretted that the banks did not join in the industrial action in other Southeast states.

“We are about 30 that came from Aba to pick the bank draft for the Post UTME of the Federal University.

But on getting to the bank in Abakaliki, we were told that the bank is on strike.

“I don’t know what we are going to do now because some of us do not have any relations here in Abakaliki.

We had to leave Aba very early, so that we could get the draft and go back today.

But with this development, we don’t have any option than to go back to Aba and possibly come back tomorrow.”

Public Notice JAMHIYYAT DA 'RU- NNA'IM SOCIETY OF NIGERIA Address- 2, Kunle Shittu Avenue, back of Aranse Rental Service, Molipa Express, Ijebu - Ode, Ogun State.

This is to inform the general public that the above Association have applied for registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission [CAC] under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: JIRIJIS ALFA NLA PARAKOYI - Chief Missioner, Mr. Osinuga Muhammed Tunde [Chairman], Alh. Adekunle Shittu [Vice Chairman], Mrs Shakirat Idris [Treasurer], Sherifat Oshunkoya[Financial Secretary], Adijatu Ojodu [General Service Officer], Senboyejo Fatai Idowu [Secretary]. Moto:With Allah All Things Are Possible.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: We are for muslim, to raise Islamic up and to make Islamic one, to take them back to muslim.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission [CAC] Garki, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Sign: MR OSINUGA MUHAMMED TUNDE [Chairman]

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

58

NEWS

FOREIGN NEWS

The rot in aviation, by Mark

First African female Nobel Prize winner dies

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

S

ENATE President David Mark yesterday brought to fore the need for a total overhaul of the aviation industry. He higlighted the decay in the sector.

Mark said an overhaul of the industry is necessary for the overall growth and development of the country’s economy.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Senate Committee on Aviation, he said no single airport building in the country is up to standard.

He also lamented that not one single local airport building in the country is worthy its name.

He said no economy in the world could boast of being stable and improving with a poor aviation industry.

He said, “It is synonymous with economic development these days because people want to move very fast. From point A to B, they want to transport things by air not by sea. The speed with which the economy in any country grows is directly proportional to the development in aviation industry.

“Unfortunately for those of you who travel by air, I think our aviation industry requires total overhaul as it is at the moment. The individual operators, that is their own problem because if they operate properly people will utilize them. If they don’t, nobody wants to go and wait for an airline that would be operating three to four hours late.

“But there are fundamentals that government is responsible for, the improvement of our airports at the moment.

“I am not aware that there is a single airport building in this country that is up to standard. Go to a place like South Africa and see the difference. Even the Murtala Mohammed Airport has its own problems now. People come out few things will work others will not work.

Presidential poll in Anambra free, fair, says UNIZIK VC

A

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

COLLATION officer in Anambra State in the April 16 Presidential Election, Prof. Boniface Ogboka yesterday told the Election Petition Tribunal that election was free and fair in the state.

He said result declared at the state level was “true and accurate reflection of the votes cast and recorded in the respective polling units and collated at wards and local government area collation centres”.

Prof. Egboka, Vice Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State and a witness said that all the allegations of multiple voting, manipulation of results, ballot box stuffing or any malpractice in the polling units did not come to my attention”.

The Vice Chancellor, in his written statement on oaths allegations said that “collation was done at Barnhill Hotel”.

“I categorically state that collation centre for Anambra State was the INEC Headquarters, Awka.

Egboka said he did not at any time proceed to Barnhill Hotel for that purpose or for any purpose connected with the Presidential Election of 16th April, 2011.

Under cross examination by the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) Counsel, Abubakar Malami (SAN), witness said it was not true that he assigned 98.96 percent to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as suggested by the petitioner’s lawyer.

Another witness, Amadi Chukwu Chinyere who was a corps member employed by INEC to attend to voters at the polling units told the tribunal that he returned the result sheets to INEC Headquarters in Awka and also hundred other election materials to her Supervisor.

She also denied being arrested by the police because she was carrying thumb printed ballot papers during the presidential poll.

Hearing continues today.

•The late Wangari

W

ANGARI Maathai, the first African woman recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, died after a long struggle with cancer, the environmental organisation she founded said yesterday. She was 71.

Kenya’s most recognizable woman, Maathai won the

Nobel in 2004 for combining environmentalism and social activism. She was the founder of the Green Belt Movement, where over 30 years she mobilized poor women to plant 30 million trees.

In recognizing Maathai, the Nobel committee said that she had stood up to a former oppressive regime - a reference to former Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi - and that her “unique forms of action have contributed to drawing attention to political oppression.”

Maathai said during her 2004 acceptance speech that the inspiration for her life’s work came from her childhood experiences in rural Kenya, where she witnessed forests being cleared and replaced by commercial plantations, which destroyed biodiversity and the capacity of forests to conserve water.

Although the Green Belt Movement’s tree-planting

campaign did not initially address the issues of peace and democracy, Maathai said it became clear over time that responsible governance of the environment was not possible without democracy.

“Therefore, the tree became a symbol for the democratic struggle in Kenya. Citizens were mobilized to challenge widespread abuses of power, corruption and environmental mismanagement,” Maathai said.

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Maathai’s death “strikes at the core of our nation’s heart.”

“I join Kenyans and friends of Kenya in mourning the passing of this hero of our national struggles,” Odinga said. “Hers has been heroism easily recognized locally and abroad. ... Prof Maathai has passed on just when the causes she long fought for were just beginning to get the at-

tention they deserved as threats to the survival of the human race and that of our planet.”

The United Nations Environment Program called Maathai one of Africa’s foremost environmental campaigners. The U.N. agency recalled that Maathai was the inspiration behind UNEP’s Billion Tree Campaign, which was launched in 2006. To date, more than 11 billion trees have been planted as part of the campaign.

“Wangari Maathai was a force of nature. While others deployed their power and life force to damage, degrade and extract short term profit from the environment, she used hers to stand in their way, mobilize communities and to argue for conservation and sustainable development over destruction,” said Achim Steiner, the executive director of UNEP.

Libyan NTC fighters enter Gaddafi‘s city of Sirte

A

NTI-Gaddafi fighters have breached the former Libya leader’s hometown of Sirte from the east for the first time, as their three-day long assault continues.

Soldiers traded rocket fire with Gaddafi loyalists as they

edged from the eastern suburbs into the city.

The advance comes two days after the soldiers, loyal to the National Transitional Council, attacked from the west before retreating again.

Sirte is one of the last remaining strongholds of Gad-

dafi loyalists.

The BBC correspondent in Sirte, says civilians have been streaming out of the city some of them were not aware that Tripoli had fallen.

Many of them were terrified, he says, having been told that rebel fighters would slit their throats if they ventured

out of the city.

Our correspondent says the remaining civilians are in increasing danger, caught in the middle of intensifying fighting.

Gaddafi loyalists have been fiercely protecting the city from NTC advances in recent weeks.

NLC, policemen clash at National Assembly gate

B

ARELY four days after policemen obstructed protesting labour leaders and workers from gaining entrance into the National Assembly, policemen yesterday clashed again with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the National Assembly gate.

The NLC representatives had stormed the National Assembly entrance, Abuja at about 11.30am for a solidarity rally with the Saharawi people who are demanding that

•Workers rally support for Saharawi From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Morocco should exit their country.

But the protesters, whose placards bore “Morocco Leave Western Sahara Now” were provoked when the policemen manning the gate attempted to stop a Channels Television cameraman from recording the procession.

As the cameraman insisted on performing his duty, the

policemen threatened to shoot. The NLC Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Nuhu Toro, who led the protesters tried to explain to the policemen that it was only a peaceful rally.

The policemen remained adamant.

The battle line appeared to have been drawn after Nuhu and other workers dared the police team shouting: ’’shoot at us. We are ready to die for people’s freedom.”

Disarmed by the attitude of the protesters, the police officers had a brief consultation and ceased verbal communication with the workers until the protesters dispersed a few minutes later.

The procession then left for the Moroccan Embassy at 5, Mary Slessor, Asokoro District of the Federal Capital Territory, but could not reach their destination as the street had been barricaded with armed security operatives in uniform and plain dresses coming out to stop the rally.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

59

NEWS Re: Oshiomhole’s political psychology •Continued from back page

•Niger State Governor D. Muazu Babangida Aliyu (left) greeting his predecessor Abdullkadir Kure during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders mini conference at the Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna. With them is the PDP chairman, Hon Abdulrahaman Enegi.

ACN challenges Fed Govt on extra-judicial T killings by police

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday told the Federal Government to take a decisive measure to end the recurring killing of innocent citizens by the police, following the recent death of a baker after he was allegedly brutalised by the police in Lagos.

National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said unless government acts fast, the persistent extra-judicial killings could lead to a situation “where aggrieved persons or groups will take the laws into their own hands, thus precipitating anarchy.

Government, according to the ACN, must ensure that all victims of the killings, by the same police force being maintained by tax payers to protect citizens, get justice.

Arguing it was government’s inaction in the face of extra-judicial killings of members of the Boko

Haram that helped push the sect into a killing frenzy, the party said: “No society can have peace without justice. Therefore, the government must ensure that all victims of extra-judicial killings in the country get justice. It is not just enough to dismiss the policemen who carry out such killings. They must be made to face the law, and their cases dispensed with summarily to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to toe that path. ‘’The bad eggs in the police, which has the responsibility of maintaining law and order, have continued to act with impunity, terrorising innocent citizens and behaving like criminals. In most cases, these killers in uniform get away with their

unconscionable acts, and that has been the reason behind the continued killings. Several cases of police killings, including that of Mr. Modebayo Awosika - son in law of veteran journalist Alhaji Alade Odunewu - have yet to be conclusively dealt with and justice served without fear or favour. This must stop!

“Like we did in our earlier comment on this issue, may we also remind those under whose command these impunity are being perpetrated that they may also still be brought to justice years after they may have left the force - as has happened in other countries around the world where cases of extra-judicial killings have been perpetrated.”

The ACN called for an independ-

ent investigation into the death of the 52-year-old baker, identified as Mr. Ismaila Qadri, in the hands of some policemen from the Ipaja Police Station, Alagolo, simply because he was not able to cough out enough money to ‘bail’ himself after he was arrested in an illegal raid usually carried out by policemen in the area to extort money from hapless citizens.

The party said the police should not be entrusted with investigating the case, since no one can be a judge in his own case. ‘’If the unfortunate death of this baker can be used by the authorities to begin the process of ending the mindless killing of Nigerians by the police, either at checkpoints, via illegal raids or in other circumstances, he would not have died in vain,’’ it said.

Nigeria, Britain to harmonise laws on transfer of prisoners

N

IGERIA and Britain may harmonise laws to facilitate the transfer of convicted offenders (prisoners) between nations in line with international standards.

Senate President David Mark and United Kingdom’s Minister of Immigration, Damian Green discussed the issue at a meeting in Abuja yesterday.

Mark’s media aide Paul Mumeh said in a statement in Abuja that both leaders affirmed that there was a need for mutual co-operation to enhance benefit to both nations.

Mumeh said already the Transfer of Convicted Offender (Enactment & Enforcement) Act Cap. T16 LSN 2004 (Amendment Bill 2001) has gone through the second reading and is currently at the Committee stage in the Senate.

Mark stressed that the Committee will soon hold a public hearing on the

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

prisoners transfer, which will afford Nigerians and other stakeholders opportunity to contribute to the Bill before passage into law.

“We believe both countries stand a chance to benefit in this move. Every prisoner must be treated on his own merit. Whatever we do eventually with this Bill would be in the interest of both nations.” Senator Mark assured.

He thanked the United Kingdom for the existing bi-lateral ties between the two countries, saying, “Nigeria would continue to improve on the existing relationship.”

The United Kingdom’s Immigration Minister, Damian Green said he was in Nigeria to further build up understanding and mutual co-operation in terms of trade, economy and insecurity which will pave the way for infrastructural development in both countries.

Lagos council polls: Candidates unfold manifestos

A

CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chairmanship and councillorship candidates for the council elections in Lagos State yesterday unfolded their manifestos across the pre-existing 20 local governments and additional 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA).

Many of them also held “thank you” rallies across the wards in appreciation of the state party leadership, which formally published the list of candidates already forwarded to the Justice Fatai Adeyinka-led State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) in conformity with the electoral guidelines.

In Ojokoro LCDA, community, party and religious leaders rolled out the drums, praising Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the state chairman, Otunba Oladele Ajomale, for giving the chairman, Hon. Benjamin Olab-

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

injo, a second term opportunity.

The stakeholders, under the aegis of “Ojokoro One Voice” decried the critics of the chairman, dismissing them as agents of destruction and violence. The leaders of the group, Chief Ade Lawal , Alhaji Ambali Lawal and Bishop Gabriel Faleye, told reporters that Olabinjo performed in his first term beyond the expectation of the people.

Lawal said: “We have compared the achievements of the chairman with his colleagues in other councils and come to the conclusion that he has done well and he can still do better, if more resources are available. We were never part of those calling for the head of a core progressive. We implore all to discard the

detractors and allow wise counsel to prevail”.

However, there were protests in a few council areas over the nominationof of candidates. In Ifelodun LCDA, some leaders protested the choice of Dr. Shuaib Ajidagba, claiming he is not well known in the area.

Leading the protesters was a party chieftain and Co-ordinator, Choice of Campaign for Accountability and Peaceful Resolution, FeyiAbiodun Oyeniyi, who told our correspondent that the preferred choice of the people for the chairmanship is Hon. Wahab Adigun, a former councillor and reputable grassroots politician, who started his political career in the old Ojo Local Government.

He dismissed as unfounded allegations of certificate forgery against Adigun, clarifying that he holds an HND certificate in Mechanical Engi-

neering from the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

Oyeniyi said: ‘’We believe the ACN leadership will take a cue and give the ticket to Adigun, who has the backing of the leaders and people of Ifelodun LCDA”.

In Ifako-Ijaye Council, the ACN chairmanship candidate, Toba Oke, thanked the party leaders and followers and called for reconciliation, unity and harmony, charging his supporters to brace up for the campaigns and elections scheduled for October 22.

He said: “ACN has started fighting the infrastructure battle in this council. We will continue the battle with more vigour. We will not disappoint the party, the council, the state and all our people. The next challenge is the election and all hands must be on the deck to ensure total success”.

Given that the comrade governor did not read from a prepared text and yet made a lot of meaning as reflected by the captive audience for close to an hour he spoke, there was a spontaneous standing ovation when he stopped. Of course, listeners that day included some of the revered media leaders like Vanguard Publisher, Uncle Sam Amuka, Mr. Ray Ekpu of Newswatch, Mrs. Remi Oyo of News Agency of Nigeria.

Equally present were two ex-governors, Aremo Segun Osoba and Donald Duke. The ceremony was transmitted live on AIT network.

All said the comrade governor did not make vacuous abstractions. He illustrated his thesis with what is now widely acknowledged as the audacious exaction in changing the Edo narrative from that of dilapidation and destitution up till 2008 to that of hope today. He had recalled that when he came in, the situation he met was such that almost eighty percent of revenue accruing to the state was being committed to recurrent expenditure.

With pride, he declared that in the last 34 months, that ratio had changed substantially in favour of capital expenditure. Under his watch, capital expenditure now accounts for 65 percent of the state’s budget.

According to him, this explains why in less than three years his administration has been able to construct more than 500 kilometres of new roads, rehabilitated hundreds of public schools among other gigantic developmental strides currently going on in the state. (As a matter of fact, the following day, delegates to the conference had the opportunity to verify these claims. For instance, they physically saw some of the projects already completed in the Edo North senatorial zone.)

Just as it was noted that growing civic confidence in the democracy project in Edo partly accounts for why more and more citizens and residents of the state are willing to pay tax to help the administration deliver more.

From the meagre N300million recorded in 2008 as Internally Generated Revenue, Edo under Oshiomhole now posts N1.5billion monthly, a rise of about 500 percent. A remarkable feat indeed.

It is precisely against this backdrop that the governor postulated that the best insurance for democracy is for a sense of ownership to be created for the people in the enterprise.

According to the comrade governor, when the people see that the process works for them, they then will require little or no mobilisation to rise in its defence in the face of peril. It is in this context of constructive engagement that the comrade governor spoke, not in an incendiary tone that Akinlotan tried, albeit futilely, to create.

On the whole, if nothing at all, someone like Oshiomhole surely deserves kudos for his consistency by still keeping faith with the ordinary people on whose backs he rode to political office 34 months ago. From the poor hatchet job of last Sunday, it does appear even this very noble virtue annoys characters like Akinlotan.

•Odion is Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation

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NEWS Unsigned, undated ballot papers used in Delta election

T

•Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime (right) congratulating the state’s Senior Special Assistant on Treasury, Victor Atuonwu, at his 50th birthday reception in Enugu…yesterday. With them is Atuonwu’s wife, Maureen.

Businessman abducted in Edo

A

N EDO State industrialist, Nosakhare Eghobamien, has been abducted by armed men dressed in army uniform.

Eghobamien was reportedly abducted on Sunday afternoon in front of his house while returning from church.

He was abducted the same way the Chairman of Tomline Conglomerate, Tes Soare, was four weeks ago.

The victim’s nephew, Eddy Eghobamien, told reporters yesterday that the kidnappers came in a black Audi 80 car and shot sporadically.

•Three Nigeriens arrested for robbery From Osagie Otabor, Benin

He said no one was hurt during the abduction.

His words: “As my uncle was about to enter the house, two men suddenly came with guns shooting.

One was dressed in army uniform. They dragged him into their car and he followed them without resistant.

“His relations were in the vehicle but were not hurt.

They drove off toward Ikpo-

Alleged N2bn fraud: Bayelsa officials know fate December 6

PUBLIC NOTICE ADESHINA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeshina Rukayat Adebisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adebisi Adeshina Obanor. All former documents remain valid.NYSC and the general public should take note.

OKEREKE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okereke Sussan Chizoba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ude Sussan Chizoba. All former documents remain valid.NYSC and the general public should take note.

ba Hill.”

Eddy said the matter has been reported to the police but that the kidnappers were yet to contact the family.

Police spokesman Peter Ogboi could not be reached for comments.

Three Nigeriens have been arrested by the police in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government for alleged robbery.

The suspects were arrested at a bush in Ujoelen Quar-

ters in Ekpoma while they were sharing their loot on Saturday night.

Items recovered from them included: 55 phones, five cutlasses, one knife, one laptop, among others.

Parading the suspects at the Esan West Divisional Police Headquarters in Ekpoma, the Divisional Police Officer, Amos Opadoja, gave their names as Abdul Kadiri (27), Ayuba Sule (23) and Yurisa Smaila (22).

Opadoja said his men ambushed and arrested the trio while others escaped.

T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked a Federal High Court, Abuja, to dismiss the no-case submission filed by three Bayelsa State officials standing trial for alleged N2 billion fraud.

The officials are the Director of Treasury in the Government House, Abbot T. Clinton, Director of Finance

From Kamarudeen Ogundele and Ifeoluwa Ojo, Abuja

Ikobho Anthony Howells and Dr Charles Sylva Opuala.

They are facing a six-count charge of unlawful conversion, money laundering and mismanagement of about N2 billion belonging to the state.

Justice Donatus Okorowo yesterday fixed December 6 for ruling on the motion after their counsel adopted their written addresses on the no-case submission.

Chris Uche (SAN) and S.I. Ameh (SAN) urged the court to discharge and acquit their clients for the alleged offences.

Uche said the prosecution has failed to establish a prima-facie case to warrant the accused putting up a defence.

But EFCC’s counsel Oghenevo Otemu urged the court to discountenance the mo-

E

tion.

According to him, there is evidence against the accused and they must prove their innocence.

The anti-graft agency alleged that during trial about N380 million was laundered through a bureau de change operator, Sanni Habibu Maigari by the officials.

But the accused claimed the money was a security vote which the commission cannot question.

A Prosecution Witness (PW), Adebayo Adeniyi, had told the court that it was discovered during investigation that there was no instruction from the state to pay money to any construction firm.

He added that the EFCC could not trace any company that was awarded a contract which the N380million was paid to.

‘Oshiomhole is a good leader’ DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has been hailed for ordering the arrest of former Chairman of the Task Force on Environment, Maj Lawrence Loye

(rtd).

A statement by the Chairman of the Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa, Adesunloye Arowolo, said: “We need leaders who take decisions to protect the interest of the people and arrest anybody linked to corruption.”

Arowolo described the lack lustre and undecided leadership in Nigeria as the bane of corruption, adding that it has hampered development.

He said: “Pampering corruption in Nigeria and indecisive decisions by the political leadership in the country cannot take us anywhere, if we must confront the issues of good governance in this country.

“Judgment will surely begin from the House of God; I think Oshiomhole got it right by bringing somebody who thinks he was untouchable in the society because he is a government official to justice.

“What has the governor done wrong? The issue, if I may remind everyone, is that Loye allegedly acted arbitrarily and outside his authority for the purpose of his job.”

HERE was a mild drama at the Delta State Election Petition Tribunal yesterday, following revelations that ballot papers used in some areas during the April 26 governorship election were neither signed nor dated and included a rejected ballot.

This came up when the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) tendered documents before the three-man panel.

Tribunal Chairman Justice Abisoye Ayo had earlier marked the documents exhibits PW 30 NN. The tribunal had issued subpoenas ad testificandum and Duces Tecum on the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to produce the materials used in the election and testify in the trial.

The REC was represented

by Head of Operations, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Asaba, Chris Nwosu.

DPP’s governorship candidate Great Ogboru is challenging the victory of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Ogboru’s counsel Nichols Ichekor, leading the REC in evidence, said 883 ballot papers in Ethiope West Ward 1 Unit 2 were neither marked nor dated, including a rejected ballot paper.

He asked: “Can you confirm that one of the ballot papers used in Ethiope West Ward 1 is marked rejected and others were neither marked nor dated ?“ The REC agreed that none of the ballot papers used in Ethiope West Ward 1 Unit 2 were dated and signed.

But more drama was to unfold after Uduaghan’s counsel Ken Mozia (SAN)

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

objected to a question by Ichekor seeking to know whether or not the ballot papers for Ethiope West Ward 1 Unit 2 were among those scanned by all parties under INEC’s supervision.

Mozia argued that Ichekor was attempting to crossexamine the REC. His words: “By this question the petitioner is attempting to cross examine his witness. That he cannot do.

“Secondly, the issue of the manner of markings of the container is extraneous to the pleadings. It is ,therefore, wholly irrelevant.

“I urge your Lordships to disallow the question. The witness having identified the contents of the bag from the writing stipulating ward and units thereof.”

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counsel Adebayo Adenipekun agreed with Mozia, arguing that the question put to the witness is not allowed under examination.

But Ichekor objected.

He said: “The submissions of my learned counsel are totally misconceived. The question does not amount to cross-examination. I urge my lords to discountenance the objection.”

Justice Ayo overruled the objection by the first, second and third respondents.

“It is a non-issue. The question is relevant to the facts. It does not amount to cross-examination. The question is not a leading one as it does not suggest any possible answer.

“We find the question to be relevant because such question is an issue of evidence. Tribunal will allow the question.”

Women to fight oil firms From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

F

OR sidelining local contractors in the implementation of the local content policy, the Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC) is mobilising women to fight oil majors.

The group has mobilised 200,000 women and is pushing for 500,000 .

The NDIMRC, in a statement in Port Harcourt, said its struggle would take the form of a massive protest against the major oil companies, particularly Shell.

It vowed to call out women from Niger Delta communities to disrupt the activities of Shell, Saipem, Daewoo and O.P.I. The group urged President Goodluck Jonathan, Petroleum Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board Ernest Nwapa, to educate Shell on the Local Content Policy signed into law by the President on April 22, last year.

Delta calls for peace

T

HE Delta State Government at the weekend said last week’s decision of the Court of Appeal in Benin, which upheld Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s victory in the January 6 rerun election, showed that the judiciary is independent.

In a statement by Commissioner for Information Chike Ogeah, the government described the judgment as “an affirmation of our belief and faith in the judiciary and the democratic process.”

It called “for peace and camaraderie” in the state.

“Now that the sanctity of the people’s vote has been affirmed, it is time for the votes to count by letting the incumbent governor concentrate on the task of serving

the people.”

The statement added: “While the opposition parties and, indeed, any aggrieved person reserve the right to pursue any litigation to any level, the interest of Deltans should be held paramount by every person aspiring for leadership.”

He denied the claim by the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities (ASUU) that the state’s tax regime is oppressive.

“Delta’s tax regime is based strictly on the provisions of the Personal Income Tax Act of 2004. It is the same law used by Lagos, Edo and other states that have improved their tax administration and returns over the years.”

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www.thenationonlineng.net

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

VOL. 7

NO.1,896

‘It is expedient to advise that the President, as a committed son of the Niger Delta, do the needful and assess, dispassionately, the salient issues that have assailed the operations of the NDDC this past decade and provide a workable solution’ DELE AGEKAMEH

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

M

OVEMENT progressives, so called, and their misguided camp followers are still reeling from the double whammy they were dealt last week.

They have always led the battle cry against impropriety in public life, whether substantive or merely perceived. Now they are complaining that their principal, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has been hauled before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), charged with illegally operating offshore bank accounts while holding public office.

For once, let them do the squirming.

Again, more than any other group, they have always sought to place the rule of law at the heart of governance. Now, their leader is being tried in open court before competent jurists sworn to dispense justice and dispense it impartially Let their rule of law save them.

At first blush, it might seem puzzling that, in the face of the brazen improprieties that define the conduct of public officials in Nigeria, the first major figure to be hauled before the CCB in recent years in this manner is Tinubu, who vacated public office some five years ago.

From this circumstance, the so-called progressives have jumped to the conclusion that the arraignment has been staged to create the illusion of momentum in the ofttrumpeted fight against the ills crippling public life in Nigeria.

At first, I saw it as pure coincidence. Upon further reflection, however, it struck me that there might be much more to the matter than pure chance. The authorities must have decided in their wisdom and their accustomed impartiality to proceed on the basis of the alphabetical order of titles and first names.

So, there is really no mystery about why they had to go for Tinubu first. His title Asiwaju begins with the very first letter of the English and Yoruba alphabets. His first name Bola begins with the second letter of those alphabets.

Would the so-called progressives have handled such a delicate matter in a fairer, more democratic, and more transparent manner?

In whatever case, the authorities had to start somewhere. And even if the alphabet had not neatly resolved the matter, Tinubu would still have qualified as the most dramatic point of departure by his larger-than-life posture.

Those who habitually settle for timid gestures are free to quarrel with this arrangement. An Administration known for its bold, imaginative thought and action surely knows better.

Going after the chief rascal himself in this dramatic way has already put other rascals

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Much ado about docking Tinubu

‘

So, there is really no mystery about why they had to go for Tinubu first. His title Asiwaju begins with the very first letter of the English and Yoruba alphabets. His first name Bola begins with the second letter of those alphabets.

•Tinubu

on notice that their rascally days are over. It has struck a mighty blow for accountability and entrenched, at long last, the proposition that nobody is above the law.

I have been assured that, even before Tinubu’s case is disposed of, the CCB will constitute as many panels as the law allows for the speedy arraignment and trial of serving or former public officials who operate or operated offshore bank accounts since the law came into force. That should convince the so-called progressives and their gullible followers that the crusade is not about their principal.

‘

I also have it on the highest authority that the war on official misconduct is not going to be fought on the very narrow front of offshore bank accounts. It is going to be waged on a much broader front, with the law requiring public officials to declare their assets while in office and after leaving office as its anchor. Any public official who has not complied with that law had better start getting ready to answer for his or her dereliction.

Nor is that all. Case files of investigations the EFCC carried out into the conduct of many a public official have grown so cold

that some of those against whom the agency said it had compiled a litany of high crimes and misdemeanours are now denying that they ever figured in such investigations.

The EFCC itself has grown so cold in the head and the heart that it says it cannot remember conducting such investigations, much less issuing any incriminating reports.

The authorities are set to unmask all such dissemblers, I have been assured.

And there is more still. An executive order bearing the official seal of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Bello Adoke (SAN) , is on its way to all police formations directing them to establish a register for citizens to furnish, under cover of the highest secrecy, information about the bank accounts, as well as the movable and immovable property of former and current public officials and their proxies.

Where painstaking analysis suggests even the appearance of impropriety, the Office of the Attorney-General will compel the officials concerned to answer at law.

These measures are being taken immediately, not in the year 2020, to dispel the slander that the authorities singled out Tinubu so as take him out of political reckoning and thus retain power and control until the end of time, just as they have taken out Justice Ayo Isa Salami out of judicial reckoning, the better to hold on to their stolen mandates in Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Benue, and Taraba.

To confound the cynics, President Goodluck Jonathan will personally spell out the details of the coming war in his National Day broadcast next Saturday. And the whole scheme, needless to say, will be undergirded by the rule of law.

I can already hear the rascals engaging in their favourite game of hair-splitting, quibbling that what the authorities have been advertising as the rule of law is at bottom rule through law. Under the latter scheme, they will insist, the law is an instrument of power, fashioned to serve political ends, whereas the rule of law has justice and justice only as its goal.

If President Jonathan were a pharaoh, a Goliath, or Leviathan, such comments might have some merit. But he is no such creature.

And his Administration will not allow such dilatory tactics to divert it from its firm resolve.

By the time the authorities are done, the cynics will have to scramble up the transformation train or risk being stranded on the platform as it roars away at full throttle.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

RIPPLES

RIGHT OF REPLY

JONATHAN TO CRITICS: I’M NO ARMY GENERAL OR PHARAOH

Re: Oshiomhole’s political psychology EADING through the back page of The Nation on Sunday, September 25, by Idowu Akinlotan, entitled ‘Oshiomhole’s political psychology’, I laboured hard to find a correlation between his conclusion and the stated premise. Alas, it turned out a fruitless exercise. For the purpose of his analysis, the writer took the following statement from the comment Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole had made last Thursday in Benin City at the flag-off of a three-day conference by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, to wit: ‘For Nigerians to be ready to defend democracy, there must be something in it for the people beyond the formalities of elections.’

Without rigour or grace, the writer thereafter permitted himself the liberty to stretch a view clearly expressed in the context of a necessity to come up with fresh ideas that accommodate rather than alienate the people, to simply mean an incitement of civil disorder. It is clear he sets out to twist the words out of meaning and drag the argument out of context. In a manner suggestive of intellectual hallucination, the writer even went further to make conjectures about ‘violent overthrow of civil rule, either by people

R

Then you must be MOSES...so take us to the PROMISED LAND

By Louis Odion power or military power’.

In one breath in that rambling piece, Akinlotan takes a strong exception to the comrade governor’s legitimate prescription that the application of democracy ought to extend beyond the mere ritual of elections.

In another, the author seems confused as he admonishes that ‘It is time Oshiomhole and many others… began to appreciate what democracy is all about and how to better its practice in our country.’

Wading through this farrago of illogic and self-contradictions, one is then left wondering if the art of columnism hasn’t been brought to ridicule so recklessly. I dare say this as a proud member of this otherwise illustrious fraternity where high premium is placed on facts and not fiction, reality and not imagination.

The fact: at the flag-off of the seventh All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) in Benin City, Edo State, last Thursday, Governor Adams Oshiomhole merely voiced a haunting truth many contemporary leaders already know but are still shy to admit.

Which is the fact that the present arrange-

ment whereby the bulk of the nation’s resources (almost 80 percent) is devoted to meeting overhead cost is not sustainable; in that little or nothing is left to deliver on critical issues like Education and Healthcare which affect the greater majority.

Actually, the governor’s view was expressed after the INEC chairman gave a lengthy talk on the challenges of organising free and fair election in Nigeria today at the workshop with the theme ‘Deepening Democracy: The Role of the Editor’.

From some power points he jotted while Professor Attahiru Jega’s representative (Mr. Adedeji Soyebi) read his paper, the governor brought some illuminations by positing that, ultimately, the challenge of deepening the architecture of democracy goes beyond merely organising free and fair elections; but also creating a system that affords the people a sense of belonging. Part of this challenge still, according to him, includes inculcating civility in the manner the leaders lead and upholding the values of social justice in their relationship with those who brought them to office.

•Continued on page 59

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