September 29, 2014

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•APC flays ‘dirty politics’

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News Synagogue: Bodies’ release to wait P5 Sports Martins scores 15th MLS goal P24 Business States: freeze ECA savings P25

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VOL. 9, NO. 2986 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

Unease as Benue offloads shares in Dangote Cement

IGI CEO Olowude dies at 63 •Fashola, Aregbesola mourn

A

CHAPTER was closed in Insurance yesterday, with the death of Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Company, Mr. Remi Olowude.

Olowude, who founded IGI, is believed to have died of prostate cancer. Neither family members nor officials of the company contacted last night agreed to speak on his death.

The late Olowude was born on April 26, 1951.

A terse sms by a spokesman of the IGI, Mr Steve Ilo, said: “All I can confirm to you at the moment is that Our Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Remi Continued on page 4

N150.00

•Opposition demands explanation from govt

T •The late Olowude

•Suswam

HE decision of the Benue State government to offload Dangote Cement shares held in trust for the indigenes by the Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd is causing ripples of anger in the state.

The sell-off, which is being done in batches on the floor of

By Simeon Ebulu, Group Business Editor

the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), has cleaned out about 30million shares, valued at over N7billion.

The state has about 90million shares in Dangote Cement Plc in favour of the BeContinued on page 4

•INSIDE: COURT FINES AUSTRALIA BANK •1.5B OVER CBN’S POLYMER CONTRACT P6

•President Goodluck Jonathan (second right), his wife, Patience during the 54th Independence Day Interdenominational Church Service in Abuja…yesterday. With them (from left) are: Former Head of Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Senate President David Mark PHOTO: NAN

NJC probes pro-Fayose thugs’ attacks on judges

?

WHEN WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 BE FREED?

Tension in Ado-Ekiti CNPP, SANs, Saraki, others worried

T

HE National Judicial Council (NJC) may convene an emergency meeting over last week’s attack on courts and judges in Ekiti State by pro-Governor-elect Ayodele Fayose thugs, The Nation has learnt.

Mr. Justice John Adeyeye was attacked by Fayose’s supporters, who tore his suit, at the Ado-Ekiti High Court premises.

A report on the incident has been written by Ekiti State Chief judge, Justice A. S Daramola, whose court room was invaded and record shredded.

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice

From Yusuf Alli, Eric Ikhilae, Abuja and Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Mariam Alooma Muktar, who is the NJC chairman, got the report on Friday, according to sources.

It was gathered that the NJC is of the opinion that a firm decision must be taken on the matter to strengthen the esteem of the judiciary.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that NJC members were “embarrassed” because the attacks on judges threaten the Judiciary.

A source said: “The NJC is going to probe the incidents because the as-

saults amounted to threats to the Judiciary. And if the Judiciary cannot operate freely in any society, anarchy will set in.

“Already, the NJC is planning an emergency meeting on the development in Ekiti which, if not checked, may be replicated in other states.”

The source added: “The CJN has received a preliminary report from Ekiti Chief Judge; it is left to the NJC to conduct a comprehensive appraisal of the incidents.

“Also, the Ekiti State Government and lawyers involved in the matters

have also made representations to the CJN and the NJC.” Details of the report were not known yesterday, but a source said it contained the fact that Fayose “supervised” the thugs who beat up Justice Adeyeye.

Fayose denied that any judge was assaulted.

Another source said: “All the parties have sent reports on their travails to the CJN, who will present all the facts to the NJC.”

Ekiti State Commissioner for Justice Continued on page 4

•SPORTS P24 •JOBS P35 •MOTORING P39 •CEO P37 •POLITICS P45 •FOREIGN P54

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

2

NEWS

Why Nigerian

•From left: Chairman, 50th year Anniversary Committee, Ikate Baptist Church Lagos, Mr Ayo Opadokun, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Lagos, Mr Akinwumi Ambode and Lagos State governor’s wife, Mrs Abimbola Fashola during the launching of Appeal Fund of N250 million for its Jubilee House and anniversary in Lagos.

Integrity in business is an issue that is key to companies becoming global brands. This virtue is believed to be in short supply in Nigeria’s business landscape. Experts believe there must be a paradigm shift if companies seek to become international brands, reports Assist. Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA

T •From left: Former Deputy Governor , Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ernest Ebi, President/Chairman of Council, Institute of Directors of Nigieria (IoD), Mrs. Enola Fadayomi, Managing Director/CEO, Wema Bank Plc, Mr Segun Oloketuyi, DirectorPHOTO:ABIODUN WILLIAMS General/CEO, IoD, Mr. Victor Banjo during IoD’s Fellows Evening 2014 in Lagos... yesterday.

•From left: Executive General Manager of Total's Egina Project, Jean-Michel Guy; Chairman, Seadrill Nigeria Limited, Tony Elumelu; CEO of Tenoil Petroleum & Energy Services Limited, Tony Chukwueke; Senior Vice-President for Africa Middle East, Seadrill Limited, Eduardo Antonello; and Executive Secretary, Nigeria Content Development Management Board, Ernest Nwapa at the formal Sail Away ceremony of West Jupiter drill ship in Goje, South Korea.

•Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment Mr. Tunji Bello (second left), Commissioner for Information and Strategy Lateef Ibirogba (right), Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment Dr. Taofeek Folami (left) and Chairman,OtoAwori Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Kayode Robert during the Environmental Sanitation Execrice tour by Bello... at the weekend.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

HE World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report’ for 2014/2015 period ranked Nigeria 127 of 147 countries.

The country did not fare well on the issue of diversion of public fund. The country only performed better than two countries: Venezuela and Argentina at 142nd position.

This was a major source of concern for the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh, when she spoke at he 2nd Christopher Kolade Lecture series on business integrity, and the theme of the lecture, ‘The Business Case for Business Integrity’.

Ms Oteh, a former employee of the African Development Bank (AfDB), examined the ethical foundations businesses in Nigeria need to put in place to ensure that the net effect on all their stakeholders, including shareholders, government, regulators, business partners, communities of interest and the general public, is a positive one.

In her presentation, the Amazon of SEC said Nigerian firms ranked low on ethical behaviours. For instance, Nigeria, she disclosed, ranked 132, of 144 countries, on a study on ethical behaviour of firms. While South Africa ranked 35, China ranked 55, leaving India and Brazil with 58 and 107.

Ms Oteh said “We must focus on bringing about a paradigm shift in our country when it comes to proper conduct. To become competitive and remain relevant in today’s global economy, our companies and public institutions must not only imbibe international best practices, but exceed them by setting the highest standards of conduct.”

She added that this has become imperative for many reasons. First, integrity, she pointed out, is an enabler of sustainable profitability. She observed that businesses that act with integrity are long term sustainable businesses while those that do not– for the purpose of short term gains–will eventually run out of business. “There are several studies showing companies that pay greater attention to integrity actually having better financial performance even in the short run than companies who do not. It should not be a choice to be ethical or be profitable.

There is no question that businesses can and must be both,” she said, stressing that integrity is absolutely critical in business, and is as important as the quality of a company’s products and services in shaping its reputation.

Secondly, integrity is valued by all categories of stakeholders of a business.

She said: “Shareholders clearly

•Ms Oteh

want their business to be properly governed, investors place a premium on companies that set and maintain the highest standards, the best talents want to work for ethically sound companies that they can trust, the government, regulators and civil society also appreciate and reward integrity in business.

Above all, the customer who businesses aim to please values how a company conducts itself. When a company successfully builds a reputation of integrity the benefits flow from across the spectrum of stakeholders. It can enjoy customer preference when other companies’ products or services are available at a similar cost and quality. It can charge a premium for its products and services; count on support from stakeholders in times of controversies; and reap value appreciation in the financial markets.”

The SEC boss said integrity helps build up ‘reputational capital’ which is an important component of an organisation’s value. According to her, there is a growing list of empirical evidence proving that integrity, embedded in sound governance, is a gamechanger for businesses. “An analysis of 1,600 top companies in the MSCI World Index found that well-governed companies who pay attention to integrity tended to outperform poorly governed companies by an average of 30 basis points per month between 2008 and 2013. Another recent study published on the Harvard Corporate Governance blog found that high levels of integrity in an organisation are positively correlated with good outcomes, in terms of higher productivity, profitability, better industrial relations, and higher levels of attractiveness to prospective job applicants.”

Ms Oteh believes that given Nigeria’s robust economic growth, large population, and rich human and material resources, companies can carve a niche for themselves by building corporate reputations anchored on integrity and adherence to international best practices. She observed, for instance, that apart from Nigerian companies being regional leaders operating in Africa’s largest economy and the world’s most promising region, there has never been a better time to be in business within the Nigerian economy that has enjoyed over 13 years of robust economic growth above seven per cent per annum. Also, Nigeria, she said, is home to Africa’s largest population with over 170 million people.

She explained further: “We have

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

3

NEWS

n companies remain ‘local champions’ ‘

We must focus on bringing about a paradigm shift in our country when it comes to proper conduct. To become competitive and remain relevant in today’s global economy, our companies and public institutions must not only imbibe international best practices, but exceed them by setting the highest standards of conduct

•Kolade

very promising demographics where the median age is just 18 and over 70 per cent of the population is below the age of 30. Nigerians are exceptionally enterprising and more than half of the population now lives in the cities. We have a growing middle class currently estimated at 23 per cent of the population – 39 million people. With the rich natural and human endowments at our disposal, our country has been listed among the Next-11 and the MINT (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey) nations.

“Nigeria is projected to have a nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $4 trillion by 2050, overtaking countries like Italy, Spain and Canada. Government reforms have engendered a macroeconomic stability, which is supportive of robust economic growth.

Inflation has remained in single digits for over two years now, fiscal prudence is maintaining enviable debt-toGDP and budget deficit levels, while buffers have been built to support a more stable exchange rate for the Naira.”

Despite these intimidating credentials that are capable of boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness provided businesses are built on sound integrity, Oteh expressed regrets that corruption and illicit financial flows remain two issues hindering the nation’s progress.

•Apampa

“Corruption has been identified as the second most problematic factor to doing business in Nigeria ahead of factors including access to finance and terrorism. This year, the G-20 is focusing on combating illicit financial flows especially considering the fact that poor countries (Nigeria inclusive) are losing over $1 trillion every year to such illegal activities as money laundering, tax evasion, transfer pricing and embezzlement,” she said.

While lamenting that this is money desperately needed for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), as it could prevent as much as 3.6 million deaths annually in the world’s poorest countries, she said Nigeria has lost more to illicit financial flows than any other African country between 2002 and 2011, even being listed in the top 10 globally. She disclosed that while Nigeria needs an estimated $50 billion investment to ensure stable electricity, the country lost over $140 billion to illicit financial flows within a period of nine years.

“A lot of it was lost through the illicit commercial activities of multinational companies. We now have a situation where these illicit outflows are not only depriving our country of desperately needed capital but are also being used to finance terrorism abroad and within our shores,” she disclosed, adding

•Lakota

some pieces of intelligence from a security expert who recently trained her staff at SEC indicate that the dreaded Islamic sect Boko Haram received over $70 million between 2006 and 2011 through shady activities like money laundering, oil bunkering, kidnapping and dealing in drugs.

The intelligence also listed Boko Haram as the 7th richest terrorist organisation in the world. Oteh however, said efforts have been made to strengthen the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime in Nigeria. She added that to correct the reputational deficit, which Nigeria suffers as a result of lack of integrity in doing business, “We must make the cost of doing the wrong thing high.”

While participants at the forum expressed divergent views on how to advance business integrity, a common thread that ran through their presentations was that integrity in business is an idea whose time has come, and that it is non-negotiable. For instance, while the Company Secretary/Chief Compliance Officer of Oando Plc, Ms. Ayotola Jagun, during the panel discussions, said that Nigerian businesses that performed well should be rewarded and given incentives like preferred supplier status, Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, Prof

Juan Elegido, said such approach only reinforces the love for incentives and not necessarily the love for integrity.

The Managing Director of Siemens Nigeria, Mr. Michael Lakota, said organisations must be able to reinvent themselves. He said Siemens corporation has adopted sound corporate governance practices. He said such practices have been recognised, as Siemens came first for the fourth year running on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

But can firms in Nigeria imbibe the culture of integrity in business and leverage the country’s abundant human resources and natural endowment to play a dominant in the global economic arena? Ms Oteh says “yes.”

Her recommendation: “Regulation and adequate enforcement are proven ways to make people to do the right thing. In addition, we need an overhaul of the justice system because an assurance of speedy justice goes a long way in instilling discipline. I also strongly believe we need a vibrant civil society that is willing to ask the tough questions and hold the feet of politicians and institutions to the fire.

We equally need strong social and religious institutions to bring in more clarity on the sometimes vague issue of integrity.”

She also suggested that there is need

‘

to focus on the family and go back to the homes from where a person’s character is molded.

“My personal story validates the importance of an early foundation. If today I am considered as a principled and disciplined person because of my stance for what is right and proper no matter the costs, I attribute this reputation to the early foundation laid by my parents,” she said, adding that focusing on molding the character of young people is certainly a powerful investment for the future that will help Nigeria tackle present day challenges of social cohesion, insecurity and inclusive growth. It will be a game changer capable of reversing the reputational deficit our country suffers from.”

Organised by Convention on Business Integrity (CBi), a company limited by guarantee, the lecture was attended by industry leaders/operators, regulators, and the academia. Soji Apampa, Executive director of CBi, explained that it was named after Kolade because he exemplified business integrity as practiced throughout his distinguished career in the private and public sectors. He said the outcomes for this year will provide a springboard for the discourse for the third instalment next year.

Nigeria’ll overcome its challenges, says Jonathan

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said Nigeria will overcome its challenges .

He spoke during the 54th Independent Anniversary Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, themed: ‘Be Still’.

He said: “God know that we have challenges and even before these challenges came, God knew that we were going to have them.

There is nothing that he does not know, because whatever he does, is for a purpose.”

“As a nation, we are facing these challenges.

As Pastor Ayo (Oritsejafor) said, we fought a civil war for 30 months. That time, the world was not even as sophisticated as it is today.

Even when we heard about “ Ogbunigwe” it was like going to the moon. But now, even a little boy of twelve years can couple a gun by just going to the internet and kill people. Society has become so sophisticated and open that people continue to abuse privileges.

“But because of the prayers of Nigerians, we will overcome the challenges of our country.

The only thing is to appeal to all of us Nigerians to be united. If we are united, there is noth-

•Nigeria won’t sink, says Oritsejafor From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

ing we cannot conquer.”

Speaking on how the country defeated the Ebola Virus Disease, he said: “This is good example that all Nigerians must learn. When Patrick Sawyer brought Ebola to Nigeria, it was in Lagos that this incident happened and in terms of politics, Lagos is an opposition party but the central government is the ruling party. From Lagos, Ebola moved to Rivers State and this is also an opposition party state. But because all Nigerians fought Ebola irrespective of political persuasion, irrespective of religion, or ethnicity, we defeated Ebola.

“We appealed to people to stop shaking hands, and as individuals, Nigerians became very hygienic. It was not just one person, or Mr. President or the governors, or other officials, yes they did their work, but we de-

feated Ebola because all Nigerians agreed to fight the war against Ebola. That is the strengthen of unity.”

“But what makes us great is the complexity of our people. Nigeria is a country of very intelligent people. We can conquer any situation. And for us to even do better, we need to unite. For us we will continue to promise that we will do our best. We have started so many projects, this is not the place for that, otherwise they will say we gave started doing campaign. We are convinced that we are going the right direction.

“Taking the issue of unemployment we are doing our best. We have set up the required process and God will see us through.”

Delivering the message yesterday, President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said the country’s problems are self-inflicted.

He said: “Nigeria will not sink, somebody supernatural is in the boat.

“God, who preserved Nigeria through the 30-months civil war, has the power to calm the storm. If civil war did not consume Nigeria, Boko Haram will not consume Nigeria.

God is in control, but he puts us in charge.

This nation will not be taken over by evil.

Peace is coming to Nigeria. We will tell the world that Nigeria is one.

“Most of the problems of Nigeria are self-inflicted. Corruption did not fall from the moon.

It is self-inflicted. Corruption is fed by greed.

The foundation of greed is poverty mentality. Poverty mentality is thinking that what you have is not enough and you continue to struggle to get more.

“Corruption is what we have done to ourselves. There is corruption in high and low places. There is corruption at home, schools, at job, everywhere. It is self-inflicted.

“Terrorism is self-inflicted. Terrorism is not fueled by poverty. Terrorism is caused by extreme religious ideology.”

4

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Unease as Benue offloads shares Continued from page 1

•President, Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Shehu Sani (left) addressing members, Coalition of Closed Unpaid Textiles Workers Association during their protest in Kaduna…yesterday.

nue Investment and Property Company Ltd, the local government councils and the parastatals.

The Nation learnt that the government plans to sell the shares before the elections, setting a target of N20billion from the exercise. If carried out, Benue State would have lost all the shares of its portfolio investment in the cement manufacturing conglomerate.

It was gathered, however, that many Benue indigenes were taken aback by the government’s decision, arguing that it would deprive the people of their priced investment in the foremost cement manufacturing entity.

Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) queried the motive behind the sale and urged the government to

IGI CEO Remi Olowude dies in U.S. at 63 Continued from page 1

Olowude, has passed on. Further details will be contained in the statement to be issued shortly by the family and the management of the IGI group, which he founded. Many thanks for your condolences.”

Oluwude had a very rich inter-disciplinary background.

He studied Economics at the University of Lagos (1970-73) and the University of Santa Clara, California, United States (1976). He was awaiting his PhD, having completed the coursework from the University of Santa Clara before his death.

He was an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London.

An International investor in several companies around Africa, the late Olowude was Chairman of National Insurance Corporation Limited, a publicly-quoted company in Uganda. He was a Director and co-Chairman on the Board of

SONARWA Holdings, which owns life, and general insurance companies in Rwanda.

He deployed his international business expertise, professionalism and vision to building a conglomerate with interests in various business sectors spanning financial services, telecommunications, oil and gas, mortgage banking and aviation.

The late Olowude held the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association, an umbrella body for all insurance companies in Nigeria.

The late Oluwude, who hailed from Ejigbo in Osun State, was described yesterday

by Governor Rauf Aregbesola as “an invaluable asset in the insurance sector.”

In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon,

Aregbesola described Olowude’s death as a big blow to the insurance world, the State of Osun and Nigeria.

Aregbesola said Olowude’s death had undoubtedly robbed the nation and insurance of another great personality.

“The death of Chief Remi Olowude is a sad one to us in Osun. Here was a man of immense qualities, which he had employed to promote everything ideal in his lifetime.

“Olowude, unarguably, distinguished himself in the insurance and business sectors to the extent that he became a household name across the country.

“Throughout his sojourn on the earthly surface, he distinguished himself as a man of immense wealth, a perfect gentleman and an Omoluabi per excellence, which is what Osun epitomises.

“There is, therefore, no gainsaying the fact that Olowude’s exit would create a huge gap in the business and insurance

sector in Nigeria.

“I, on behalf of the government and people of Osun, offer our heartfelt condolences to the immediate and extended families of the deceased as well as the insurance family.

“We pray that the Almighty God repose his gentle soul in paradise,” Aregbesola said.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola also commiserated with the wife, family and insurance professionals on the Olowude’s passage.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, Governor Fashola described the passage of Olowude as a great loss to the insurance industry and the entrepreneurship world.

According to him Olowude contributed in no small measure to the development of the country’s insurance sector and the creation of economic opportunities for the teeming skilled workforce in the industry.

“Our understanding of what triggered-off the mayhem of September 22, 2014, was that political thugs allegedly associates of Mr. Ayo Fayose, the governor-elect of Ekiti State, frowned at the audacity of Honourable Justuce Isaac Ogunyemi to rule in favour of jurisdiction to try a case involving the governor- elect.

“What emboldened the thugs to move violently on September 25 to sack the Ekiti Election Petition Tribunal was the siddonlook or sheer indifference of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, in whose full glare the brutal attack took place.

“Feeling highly insecure, since the security agencies had become accomplices of the thugs, the Chief Judge of State shut down the courts.

“It is on this score that we call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Nigeria Judicial Council to, as a matter of urgent national importance, relocate the two courts to the Federal Capital, Abuja, for speedy dispensation of justice.

“CNPP cannot recollect where such bizarre and brazen assault on temple of justice took place in recent times, except in Uganda under Idi Amin and in banana republics of yesteryears - Burma and Latin America.”

Senator Bukola Saraki described the situation in Ekiti State as a big threat to democracy, political stability and judicial independence.

Dr. Saraki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urged the National Judicial Council, The National Ju-

dicial Institute, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Body of Benchers and other related judicial bodies to rescue the judiciary.

They “must also condemn this act and show concern in respect of this barbaric attack to one of their own,” he added.

In a statement, the chair of Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology said: “I am personally worried and concerned, as a Nigerian and as a stakeholder in the Nigerian polity. Whether the Ekiti State crisis is APC or PDP driven or whether it is as a result of an act of commission or omission and or whether it is government, group of people or individually driven, I must say without any ambiguity that what has happened in Ekiti State in the last few days is totally unacceptable and should be dealt with immediately and decisively too in good time.

“A situation where the independence of our judiciary and its institutions in particular and the office of our respected judicial officials are no more secured and safe to discharge and practise their constitutional responsibility and professional roles respectively, calls for a signal that anarchy is about to set in to our polity.

“It is unfortunate that at a time when we as a nation are battling high rate of insecurity and insurgency across the country and such assault is being unleashed on a Judge of a High Court on official duty, brings a deeper thought to the level of leadership we are providing to this country.

“It is appalling that since the

attack on one of the High Court judges in Ekiti State, the Federal Government, the Presidency and the ruling party has either refused, neglected or failed to make a formal pronouncement on this unwarranted attack.

This is a sign of bad leadership.

A precarious situation of this nature should not be sacrificed on political expediency. This is unacceptable.

“A situation where the Federal Government, the Presidency and the party that forms the government at the national level deem it not to be concerned and decide to keep mum over the unwarranted attack on our judges is an act of dereliction of duties and responsibilities,” he said.

Senior lawyers described the attack on judges and court as an unwarranted debasing of the temple of justice, and a threat to the sustenance of democracy.

Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), Duro Adeyele (SAN), the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof.

Chidi Odinkalu, rights activist Festus Keyamo, Kalouma Umar and Richard Chukwuocha said this “frightening trend” must be halted immediately.

Adeyele said: “The attack is very unfortunate. It should not happen at all. The court is the last hope of the common man, and so long as we keep it high, it will be better for our society.

“It is not in the interest of those who attacked the court. I am sure they will realise this and change their stance. This is not about what the government should do. It is a question of

clear the air on the development to avoid any untoward reaction from the people.

It was learnt that people questioned the rational by the government to deprive the indigenes of what they termed, “this valuable investment,” at a time the company is doing well in the capital market, pointing out that if no action was taken to prevent the wholesale unbundling of the shares, the state would be the looser for it, since the proceeds so far realised had not been invested in any profitable venture, or disclosed to the House of Assembly for appropriation as required by law.

They cited what happened

in Delta State when its shares in Airtel were surreptitiously disposed and the proceeds invested as private equity in the defunct Oceanic Bank.

“We suspect the government is building a war chest for the 2015 elections by the surreptitious manner the shares are being sold, otherwise, what stops it from informing the indigenes about it,” a source said, asking whether the government obtained the consent of the House of Assembly before selling the shares.

“Where is the money realised so far from the transaction kept? These and other questions will be asked by us,” an APC chieftain from the state told The Nation at the weekend.

Tension in Ado-Ekiti as police warn trouble-makers

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HERE was tension yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, following reports that some members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were planning a reprisal over last Thursday night’s killing of the union’s former chair, Mr. Omolafe Aderiye.

Factions within the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) also went on a free-for-all at Ajilosun area of the state capital over the harassment of their immediate past state chairman Mr. Rotimi Olanbiwonnu, whose property was burnt.

Many residents stayed indoors. Churches recorded low attendance.

Policemen stationed in strategic places subjected motorists to interrogation at checkpoints. Pedestrians were routinely frisked.

Police Commissioner Taiwo Lakanu said he got report that some hoodlums were planning more attacks.

He warned those who he described as having no legitimate business in Ekiti to “stay clear or face the full weight of the law”.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

A statement signed by police spokesman Victor Babayemi, said: “The police have placed their men on red alert to prevent these bandits from carrying out their nefarious activities anywhere in the state.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Taiwo Lakanu , has ordered the deployment of adequate manpower to embark on extensive vehicle and foot patrols on nooks and crannies of the state.

He has directed that policemen should henceforth embark on thorough searching of vehicles and pedestrians so as to forestall importation of dangerous weapons.

“In view of the current happenings in the state, the Commissioner of Police wishes to warn that any person or group of persons that have no lawful business in the state should stay clear. He warned that the full weight of the law will be visited on any individual or group fomenting, inciting, aiding or abetting the commission of crime in any part of the state.”

NJC probes pro-Fayose thugs’ attacks on judges, courts

Continued from page 1

and Attorney General Mr. Wale Fapounda, has requested for the video recordings of Saturday’s Sunrise early morning programme on Channels Television in a possible investigation of the role of lawyers in the sacking of Justice Ogunyemi’s court in Ado Ekiti on September 2.

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson during the programme, Mr. Gboyega Adesogan, stated that it was the PDP lawyer that informed the hoodlums of the happenings in the court which led to their violent disruption of proceeding.

According to a statement from the office of the attorney general, the admission by the PDP spokesman corroborated witness accounts and the petitions he had received on the role of lawyers in the fracas.

Yesterday, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties(CNPP) condemned attacks on judges and demanded the relocation of the affected courts from Ekiti State to the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).

The CNPP made its position known in a statement in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Osita Okechukwu.

The statement said: “The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP ) is outraged over the desecration and tragic assault on the temple of justice, in Ekiti State on 22nd and 25 September, 2014; resulting in assault of Judges and naked beating of Honourable John Adeyeye and subsequent closure of courts in the state.

what the people should do. People should imbibe civility and know what is good for their interest.”

“What they are doing in Ekiti is actually against the interest of those who attacked the court.

This is because if they are accused of anything, they will be taken to that same court. It is in the general interest that people desist from such unnecessary attacks on the court,” the Senior Advocate said.

Okutepa said: “If it did happen, then we should say goodbye to the rule of law. We are already facing serious intimidation and the almost extinction of rule of law in this country.

So, if the rule of the jungle is now taking over the rule of law, then might will soon become right and the peace and tranquillity currently being threatened, would have been completely wiped out.

“The criminally-minded will continue to rule us and the rest of us will have to run for our dear lives. And then, we can now say Nigeria is finally dead.

I just wish it didn’ happen.

“It may be Ekiti today, the next could be Abuja. They are testing the waters, and it portends grave danger for 2015. It means that electoral process can no longer be determined by democratic means.”

To Keyamo, “it is complete debasing of the Judiciary” and that should never happen. “If it becomes a trend, and the Judiciary is continually subjected to attack, that may well be the end of democracy,” he said, adding: “Politicians are now bringing the hooliganism in politics to

the Judiciary. It is what all right thinking men must condemn. It must stop immediately. To attack the Judiciary is to drag the Judiciary into the muddy waters of politics. And that will destroy the entire democratic process,” he siad.

In Odinkalu’s view, “it is despicable. Actually, it is beyond despicable in view of the fact that you are not hearing a consensus condemnation across the political divide,” he said, adding: “This is because the same politicians will go to these election tribunals tomorrow. I do not thinks there is word enough to condemn what is happening.

“The law is very clear that it is wrong to attack a judge. And if that happens, the law is very clear on what should be done. The fact that we are not seeing any meaningful steps to punish those behind this condemnable act means that some people have been licensed to attack judges.

“Today, it is happening in Ekiti State, tomorrow, it is going to happen elsewhere and this is gradually returning us to 1963 and 1964 in the Southwest and the country, nobody wants this.”

Chukwuocha condemned it all as “ serious infraction on the rule of law and the height of contempt in the face the court. All the people that participated in that mayhem should be arrested and prosecuted, and if found guilty, should be prosecuted according to the law,” he said.

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

NEWS

APC: Jonathan playing politics with Chibok girls T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Federal Government of seeking to negotiate the timing of the release of the Chibok girls to create a public relations boost, rather than out of a genuine concern for the girls. They are in their sixth months in captivity.

In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the clearest evidence of the government’s manipulation of the girls’ release came during President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly.

“Apparently assured, somehow that the girls were about to be released, the administration set up an elaborate publicity event in New York, rented the necessary crowd and booked back-toback interviews with the international media to enable the President luxuriate in the girls’ release. This event was billed for the five-star Pierre Hotel in Manhattan, close to the UN headquarters.

“Nigerians will remember that on September 23, the military announced, on Twitter, the imminent release of the girls, only to retract the statement shortly after. In the intervening period, thousands of ‘supporters’ of the President gathered at the Pierre Hotel to welcome the President after the release of the

From: Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

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Govt flies abandoned girl to Abuja IT has been confirmed that the Federal Government has moved the Chibok girl, Susan Ishaya, abandoned by Boko Haram, to Abuja for further treatment.

She was moved from the Police Hospital in Yola on Saturday to an undisclosed location in Abuja where she is receiving treatment.

Susan’s identity is yet to be confirmed or her parents identified, since the parents, who travelled to Yola to meet her with the Vice Principal of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok were unable to see her because she was flown out without their knowledge.

The Director of Publicity, Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), Dr. Manasseh Allen, spoke yesterday in Abuja at the gathering of the #BringBackOurGirls advocacy members.

He said it would be important to Susan’s recovery if she was reunited with her parents.

His words: “She was moved by security

From Grace Obike, Abuja

agencies to Abuja from Yola yesterday. Her location has not been disclosed to us, they are working on her medical condition first before they can acquire any information from her.

“They have found out that she is still incoherent, she keeps repeating herself and at times she keeps repeating statements, which means we cannot depend on her words for now, but our leaders are in touch with the authorities and government. As I speak to you now, there are people on standby waiting on the military authorities so that they can have access to Susan and ensure proper medical attention is given to her before we can go on with whatever can come after.

“No parent has made any contact with her.

As I’m speaking to you, no one can say she is from Chibok because no one is yet to meet her.

“My concern is that in every rehabilitation, family is essential, even in the healing process.

So it is essential that Susan is reunited with her family as soon as possible so that the process of her psychological healing will be complete.”

girls, while media interviews were booked for him.

“Such an occasion required prior organisation and knowledge by the government and attendees of the timing of any release of the girls.

This whole episode was timed to also coincide with President Jonathan’s speech to the UN General Assembly the next day - September 24th and to secure maximum advantage for the government.

Somehow, the whole process

collapsed like a pack of cards, to the chagrin of those seeking to exploit the innocent girls for political advantage,” it said.

The APC condemned the politicisation of the plight of the Chibok girls, saying since the incompetence of the Jonathan administration led to the abduction of the girls in the first instance, it must not seek to make political capital out of their release.

“What should be para-

Synagogue tragedy: Families can’t get bodies yet

State AGs to adopt custodial sentencing policy

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$620,000 ‘bribe’: Lawan’s report being awaited

OUTH Africa yesterday told families of the victims of the collapsed Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) building in Lagos that it is likely to take "a considerable amount of time" before the bodies of the dead South Africans are taken home.

Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said in Pretoria that the latest report was that only 18 post-mortems had been completed on the victims of the disaster.

"In terms of the last report, they have only completed 18 postmortems (out of 115) so far. But as soon as the process is completed, we'll be able to repatriate."

Radebe said government understood the frustration and anguish of families waiting for the return of the bodies of their loved ones.

Around 115 people, among them 84 South Africans, were killed and dozens trapped when a multi-storey guest house attached to the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed in Lagos on September 12.

Radebe said that of the 84 South Africans killed, the number of bodies identified to date remained 62, the same figure announced last Wednesday.

He said going by the Nigerian law, the South African experts who flew to Lagos to assist could not perform post-mortems on the victims, but only act as observers.

"A post-mortem has to be performed on all deceased persons, and death certificates have to be issued, before the mortal remains can be repatriated back to South Africa," said Radebe.

"Regrettably, this process is bound to take a considerable amount of time due to the large number of people who perished in this incident."

Families had to prepare themselves for "a process that might go on a while longer than we would have wished".

Radebe also warned on the condition of the remains.

"Due to the scale of the disaster, the passage of time, and the climatic conditions in Nigeria, most of the mortal remains are not in a good state.

"Out of concern for secondary trauma to the families, as well as public health considerations, government discourages family members from viewing the mortal remains."

He said the remains would be brought to South Africa "on a single flight, properly equipped for this task".

On arrival, they would be taken to a special facility where they could be collected by family members.

But we'll know by the end of the week, when are we going to be repatriating South Africans."

Radebe said the process of fingerprinting victims had been completed.

"We have reached a critical milestone in the identification of the mortal remains. The capturing of fingerprints on the deceased persons has, where possible, been completed.”

By Adebisi Onanuga

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HE attorneys-general (AGs) of the 36 states have agreed to adopt a non-custodial system as part of their sentencing policies and initiatives in their state.

It is intended to decongest prisons and improve conditions in line with international standards.

Under the custodial sentencing policy operating in Lagos State, persons convicted of lesser offences will be sentenced to community service and be allowed to come from home to serve the punishment.

The decision was at the fore of other issues agreed upon at a round- table conference on “Building a Culture of Pro Bono in Nigeria”, in Lagos.

The Lagos State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, briefed reporters at the weekend at the end of a conference organised by the Lagos State Public Interest Law Partnership (LPILP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, Justice Research Institute Ltd and PILnet: the Global Network for Public Interest Law. Ipaye said the body of the Attorneys-General urged judges and magistrates to recognise the importance of according priority status to the cases being handled free of charge (pro bono) and ensure that adjournment time lines are short.

He lamented that available statistics on the justice system indicated a gap in the justice system.

mount is securing the release of the girls as soon as possible, not securing their release to fit with a schedule that benefits President Jonathan politically. For the girls, their parents and indeed all Nigerians, this abduction saga has been a nightmare. It is time for it to end,” the party said.

It said the same Jonathan administration that rebuffed appeals from well-meaning Nigerians to negotiate the release of the girls in their

•Mohammed

early days in captivity, had suddenly swung into “feverish action”, sending its cronies to negotiate with the abductors and even expressing the readiness to swap the Boko Haram commanders for the girls.

“We believe the government should do whatever it takes to secure the release of the girls. We believe nothing is too much to do to get the girls back home safely and bring relief to their parents and families. But we suspect government’s sudden effort, which is aimed at giving a boost to President Jonathan’s candidacy for next year’s presidential election.

“This is most unconscionable, most exploitative and blatantly shameless. It confirms what we have been saying all along that the Jonathan administration knows more about the Boko Haram insurgency than it has admitted, and that the administration is exploiting the insurgency for the President’s re-election. Decent Nigerians are scandalised at this exploitative and deceitful behaviour of their government, and it must stop forthwith,” APC said.

HE House of Representatives has said two years after the case was referred, the report of the $620,000 bribery allegation against Farouk Lawan is still being awaited from its Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

Speaking at a media briefing at the weekend, the Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, Albert Sam- Sokwa, said the House was worried about the delay.

In June 2012, Farouk Lawan, who chaired the Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime, was relieved of the position and removed as the chairman, Committee on Education, over an allegation by Femi Otedola, billionaire oil marketer that the lawmaker received a $620,000 bribe from him.

The bribe was allegedly to fast-rack the removal of Zenon Oil and Synopsis International from the list of those that have shortchanged the country through the fuel subsidy regime.

His case was referred to the Ethics and Privileges Committee since 2012 and nothing had been heard of it since then.

Sam-Tsokwa, who spoke for the Reps leadership, while responding to a question from reporters, said: “Well, if you ask me why is it that the Ethics and Privileges Committee has not been doing its work or whatever, that would be understandable.

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

NEWS

Nyanya blast: Row over prosecution of mastermind

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HE inability of the Ministry of Justice, the Police and Department of State Service (DSS) to agree on which agency should prosecute the suspected mastermind of the April 14 bomb blast in Nyanya, Abuja, Aminu Ogwuche, stalled his arraignment on Friday.

Ogwuche has been in the DSS custody since his extradition from Sudan over a month ago.

His arraignment on Friday before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court by counsel to the Police and the DSS agencies had the authority to prosecute the sus-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

pect.

The police, who filed the charges, could not produce Ogwuche and his co-accused because the suspects were held by the DSS. DSS lawyer Cliff Osagie, urged the police to withdraw the initial charges against the accused to enable the DSS complete its investigation.

“I expect them (the police) to have withdrawn the charges to enable us (DSS) complete our investigation, and hand,

over the case to the attorneygeneral of the federation, who is empowered to prosecute cases such as this,” he said.

Osagie said after the accused was extradited from Sudan, the DSS on September 11 obtained an order from Justice Gabriel Kolawole, to keep the accused in custody for 90 days “in the first instance.”

Counsel to the police, Oloye Torugbene, said he would not withdraw the charges, as he was not instructed to do so.

The charges were filed by

the police to facilitate Ogwuche’s extradition from Sudan, where he allegedly escaped to after the incident.

Justice Ademola held that the police had not presented the documents to show investigations had been completed.

The judge, who expressed surprise about the lack of “collaboration” between the two security agencies, asked them to sort out the issues and agree on a date.

He adjourned the case till November 10.

ICAN members urged on IFRS compliance

•Pastor Soji Omotunde cutting his 60th birthday cake, assisted by his wife, Emiede.

With them is Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Dominion Area Headquarters, IjuIshaga, Lagos.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

A

business solution company in Lagos

State, the WFO, has enjoined Fellows of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to comply with the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), to enhance efficiency in preparing their financial statements.

WFO, an acronym from partners and a “Big 4” experienced business solution company in audit, tax, advisory and accounting outsourcing services spoke at a seminar organised at the weekend to enlighten the Fellows on IFRS benefits.

The guest lecturer, Mr. Oluwole Oluyemi, said the financial standard was adopted in 2010 when Senator Jubril Martins Kuye was the Minister of Commerce and Industry.

He said the minister did a road map on how it could be adopted by the companies, adding that in December, most SMEs would have adopted the financial standard to enhance efficiency.

Over 100 persons died in the blast, which was said to have been masterminded by the accused.

Ogwuche and others were reportedly arrested in Sudan with the assistance of the Interpol.

In one of the three counts, Ogwuche was alleged to have conspired with others (at large), to commit terrorism by detonating improvised explosive devices at the Nyanya terminus, which resulted in the death of 75 persons. Over 100 were injured.

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

DG enjoins corps members to maintain neutrality From Jeremiah Oke, Abeokuta

THE Director-General (DG) of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olawunmi Johnson, enjoined yesterday NYSC workers and members to be neutral before and during the coming general elections.

He stressed the need for the workers to guide the corps members in the discharge of their electoral duties.

Olawunmi, who was represented by the Director of Corps Welfare and Inspectorate, Mr. Michael Ahile, at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Inspectors Development Training Programme for Southwest states, held at the Ogun State orientation camp, Sagamu, said the scheme would train workers to ensure the safety of corps members.

Judicial workers suspend strike THE resumption of the strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), scheduled for the first week of October, has been suspended, the union’s National President, Comrade Marwan Mustapha Adamu, has said.

It had set aside October 2 to resume the strike aimed at pressing home its demand for the implementation of the Federal High Court judgment on the financial autonomy of the judiciary. The union condemned the attack on a judge in Ekiti State and urged the government and the police to investigate the matter and punish anyone found guilty.

‘Breach of contract’: Court fines Australian bank, firms 1.63b euro

F

OR allegedly reneging on a partnership agreement to establish a polymer currency printing plant in Nigeria, the Reserve Bank of Australia and two other firms, Securency Private Ltd and Innovia Films Ltd, based in Australia, may pay damages up to 4billion euro to a Nigerian firm.

By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

They are to pay 126 million euro for failing to establish a local polymer plant and an additional 1.5 billion euro for breach of contract to transfer to a Nigerian entity or establish a polymer plant in the country.

This is the value of what

would have been saved if the Australian institution, through its subsidiary firms, had transferred and domesticated the technology in the country.

The Australian apex bank and the firms are to face legal charges, as an Abuja High Court ruling has granted order to their Nigerian partners, Global Secure Currency, to serve them summons.

Justice O.O. Goodluck of the High Court, Maitama, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in a July 2 ruling, granted Benoy Berry and Global Secure Currency Ltd an order to serve the summons on the three Australian-based firms, including Securency Private Ltd, Reserve Bank of Australia and Innovia Films Ltd, to appear in court.

At the resumed hearing, Justice Goodluck dismissed the application of the foreign firms asking it to set aside its ex-parte order of February 2, 2012 against Reserve Bank of Australia on the grounds that the order was made outside its jurisdiction.

According to the plaintiff, Dr. Benoy Berry, the Australian apex bank agreed, through its subsidiary, Securency, Australia, to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to facilitate the transfer of Polymer Technology, including a 0-pacification facility (Substrate Plant) in Nigeria; and that the marketing of the 1st defendant’s imported polymer products incidental to the general investment in the local market would be undertaken ahead of the establishment of local production.

On the strength of the

At the resumed hearing, Justice Goodluck dismissed the application of the foreign firms asking it to set aside its ex-parte order of February 2, 2012 against Reserve Bank of Australia on the grounds that the order was made outside its jurisdiction agreement, Dr. Berry claimed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) awarded the first contract for the printing of polymer notes to the firms, but the Australian companies reneged on the terms and insisted on supplying orders and demands from polymer plants abroad rather than set up a plant in the country.

Accusing the foreign partners of unfair business ethics, which included “vicious and malicious international campaigns of misrepresentation and harassment,” Dr. Berry alleged that the firms have “subjected Nigeria to perpetual import dependency and colossal haemorrhage of foreign exchange,” The defendants’ counsel, Mr. Dindam D.Killi, prayed for an order discharging the exparte order of the court, dated February 2, 2012, whereby leave was granted to the plaintiffs to issue and serve the summons and other originating process, on the defendant herein outside the jurisdiction of the court.

This, according to the defence counsel, is on the grounds that the plaintiff acted mala fide

their ex-parte application dated November 9, 2011 failed to make a full and frank disclosure of the true contractual relationship between parties that would have aided “this court in exercising its discretion to grant leave to issue and serve the originating processes outside jurisdiction.”

Mr. Killi also argued that “this court was misled in granting the order of issuance and service on the defendant by the non-disclosure of the jurisdiction clause in the agency agreement.

Justice Goodluck held that “upon the ex-facie examination of the plaintiff’s pleadings, this court is of the view that it validly made the order for the issuance of the summons outside the jurisdiction of this court in the absence of any fact in support of the defendants’ contention,” noting also “that there is nothing in the plaintiffs’ pleadings that could have made this court to decide otherwise than to have allowed the application.”

She ruled that the order directing the plaintiffs/applicants to issue and serve the summons on the defendants “outside the jurisdiction of this court is valid and subsisting.”

Justice Goodluck upheld the arguments by Mrs. Gloria Zakka Onen, lead counsel to the plaintiffs from the firm of Messrs Adewole Adebayo Esq. and ruled that her order directing them to issue and serve the summons on the defendants outside the jurisdiction of the court was still valid and disallowed the Australian firms’ motion. She accordingly dismissed it.

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

NEWS Ekiti APC elects officers

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•L-R: Bride’s father, Mr. Olusegun Fayemi; Ekiti State Governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; the groom, Oluwole Dasylva; his bride, Olufunke; her uncle and Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and the Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, during the wedding reception of Olufunke and Oluwole at Fountain Hotel, Ado-Ekiti... last Saturday.

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Panic in Oyo community over ritualists’ return

ESIDENTS of Jagun village, Iware in Afijio Local Government area, Oyo State, are living in fear following the sighting of some strange men believed to be ritualists.

A discovery made by men of Operation Burst at a building within the community also confirmed their suspicions.

The situation began to build up a few weeks ago when some women, who were spreading cassava flakes on a tarred road in the sun, saw some strange men coming into the area.

It was gathered that the women immediately ran away to inform others about the return of the “ritual murderers.”

A community leader, who

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

pleaded for anonymity, said: “Immediately these women saw the men, they screamed out of fear. The women left their cassava flakes by the road side and ran back to the town to alert other residents.

That was how the community got to know of their arrival. They (the ritualsts) even threatened to deal with the women if they dare tell anyone about their arrival in the town.”

But prior to the sighting of the “strange men,” security agencies arrested some men found in possession of human parts at an isolated building in a bushy area within the community.

The men were later arraigned at a magistrate’s

court.

Despite the arraignment of the alleged ritualists, the people continued to live in fear, with parents refusing to send their children to the two primary schools in the community, : Baptist Primary School, Jagun and Idi-Ope Primary School, Iware.

Besides, expectant and nursing mothers deserted the only maternity centre at Adio-Jagun for fears of being kidnapped for ritual purposes.

The residents also began a self-imposed curfew with nobody stepping outside their homes beyond 9pm.

Following a tip-off, men of the Operation Burst, Oyo Zone - a special security outfit set up by the government - held a meeting with the residents, assuring them of safe-

General Adekunle for burial Oct 3

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HE late Brig.-Gen. Benjamin Adekunle will be buried on October 3, his family has said.

Son of the deceased, Folarin, told The Nation yesterday that the late General will be laid-

By Nneka Nwaneri

in-state at the Albati Barracks, Surulere from 10am till noon on October 2.

This will be followed by a Christian wake from 4p.m to 6p.m at the same venue.

A funeral service will hold on October 3 at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) by 10a.m before interment.

Meanwhile, eminent Nigerians have hailed the late Adekunle for his exploits during the civil war.

NMA appeals to Lagos over doctors’ emolument

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HE Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has appealed to Lagos State to pay the withheld emolument of its doctors.

NMA Lagos chapter Chairman Dr. Tope Ojo, who made the appeal in Lagos, said it was worrisome that the government withheld the emolument of the doctors for August and September following July 1 nationwide strike by its national body.

He said other states and the FCT had complied with the agreement, leading to the suspension of the 55-day-old strike to pave the way for peace and further negotiations.

Ojo noted that only Lagos State was yet to comply with the agreements.

“It could be recalled that the NMA, after a series of negotiations with the government, some of its demands were met.

“The sack of resident doctors was reversed and all outstanding emoluments had been paid as agreed, which led to the suspension of its strike action,” Ojo said.

“It is worrisome that till date, the Lagos State government has held on to the emolu-

By Wale Adepoju

ments of its doctors for August and September.

“Also, May 2012 salary is being withheld till date in spite of several appeals. This made the government the only state that has not complied with the general agreement, ‘’ he said.

Besides, he said the strike action was not at the instance of the Lagos State employed doctors, but the parent body of the association.

“We do not want have an impression that the state government harbours ill-feelings against its doctors. ‘’The Lagos State University Academic Staff Union of University (LASU ASUU), Lagos State Polytechnic Association of Union of Polytechnic (LASPOTECH ASUP) and judiciary workers did not suffer the same fate following the suspension of their recent industrial action,” he said.

Ojo said NMA had met with the House of Assembly, the commissioner for Health and had written two letters to Governor Babatunde Fashola for a peaceful resolution, but to no avail.

Assembly, others hail Ikuforiji’s acquittal

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ORE reactions have trailed the “no-case” ruling delivered by a Lagos High Court on the alleged money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

In one of such reactions, the Spokesperson of the House of Assembly, Segun Olulade, in a statement yesterday, noted that the legislative institution had survived the plot to undermine its integrity and that of its leadership by unknown agents of “retrogression and enemies of progress.”

By Oziegbe Okoeki

The House had given a “vote of confidence” to the speaker at a media briefing addressed by other 39 lawmakers led by the Deputy Speaker, Kolawole Taiwo.

The lawmakers again yesterday reaffirmed their belief in the Ikuforiji-led House.

The chairman of Committee on Information and Publicity reminded the public that the speaker was never at any point charged with stealing, embezzlement, misappropriation or financial corruption as was misconstrued in some media reports.

“What we were defending was the allegation that Mr. Speaker expended money collected in cash above the threshold, and which has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that the present system being run in the country does not leave any high public office-holder in the status of Ikuforiji out of spending in range of the amount he was alleged to have expended.”

Olulade, who represents Epe 2 Constituency, stressed that throughout the regular court process, it was obvious that the case was one of calculated attempt to witch-hunt the speaker and rubbish Lagos Assembly.

ty of life and property.

The men of the security outfit urged the residents to go about their legitimate businesses.

The day after, the security men stormed the alleged ritualists’ base, searching the building and its vicinity for the criminals.

Though no one was found, what the security men discovered amazed hundreds of residents, who besieged the place to catch a glimpse.

The “house of horror,” which wore a new look, has an underground cell, dungeons, deep pits for dumping mutilated human bodies as well as shrines.

The security outfit thereafter embarked on intensive surveillance of the area day and night to apprehend the masterminds of the “ ritual-

ists’ base.”

It was learnt that the Caretaker Chairman of the Local Government, Mr. Oluade Olorode, was advised by the Operation Burst to prevail on the government to the demolish the house.

Some of the elated residents, who spoke with The Nation, praised the men of the outfit for their timely response to the situation, which they said had almost unsettled the community.

When contacted, Commanding Officer of Operation Burst in the zone, Captain Dominic Ezeoha, said their operations were in strict compliance with the rules establishing it and intelligence directives from the security outfit’s headquarters in Ibadan, the state capital.

KITI State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held its state congress yesterday and elected 31 officers to steer its affairs for the next four years.

Four of the new executive members are former officers of the party.

The congress was the first in eight years.

It was put off for several reasons, among which was in anticipation of the governorship election held last June.

Prominent among the officers is the former interim chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe, who returned as the state chairman.

Others include Mrs. Kemi Olaleye as the deputy chairman; Mr. Paul Omotosho, a lawyer, as the secretary; Mr. Gbenga Agbeyo (asst. secretary); and Mr. Sola Omolayo (treasurer).

Others are Taiwo Olatubosun (publicity secretary); Femi Ogundana (youth leader); Mrs. Iyabo Babatunde (auditor) and Chief (Mrs.) Ronke Okusanya (woman leader).

OOU reopens

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HE Governing Council of Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye has ordered the immediate reopening of the university.

Lectures start today to continue the suspended 2013/ 2014 academic session.

The university was closed by the management to forstall breakdown of peace following students’ negative reaction to the state government’s reduction of the university’s fees.

THE NATION MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

8

NEWS

Ugwuanyi emerges Enugu PDP consensus candidate •Eze: I’m aspirant for Enugu governorship seat

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HE Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Marine, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) consensus candidate for Enugu State in the 2015 governorship election.

But his endorsement, which elicited a lot of excitement among the residents at the weekend, has aroused bad blood between him and another aspirant, Senator Ayogu Eze. It was learnt that the Enugu North Senatorial District Caucus of the PDP met with the aspirants to agree on a consensus candidate.

A source said Governor Sullivan Chime spearheaded the meeting to reduce bitterness among the aspirants.

When the meeting ended, party faithful reportedly cheered up Ugwuanyi, singing victory songs and praises.

The crowd was ecstatic that Ugwuanyi (aka Gburugburu) was adopted.

One of them, Jude Eneh, described Ugwuanyi as a humble and peace-loving gentleman, who would build bridges, sustain the development in the state and keep the PDP intact.

Also, there was jubilation in the six local government areas in the zone when the news of the endorsement filtered in.

Before the endorsement, a source at the meeting had told our reporter that Ugwuanyi would be chosen because the governor had pleaded with the caucus that he preferred a candidate who would unite the party and sustain his administration’s development.

Chime reportedly advised the members of the caucus to lay out a plan to bring out a consensus candidate who would be presented to the other zones before the state caucus and the State Executive Committee of the party for endorsement.

Following the governor’s intervention, it was learnt that the state chairman, who was also an aspirant, Vita Abba, addressed the caucus and stepped down for Ugwuanyi.

Abba was quoted to have said that Ugwuanyi was the most suitable aspirant since he possesses the virtues the party expected from its candidate.

After the chairman stepped down, nine of the other 11 aspirants also stepped down.

The caucus requested that a motion be moved for his adoption as the consensus candidate.

From Chris Oji, Enugu, Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sani Onogu, Abuja

It was moved by Fidel Ayogu and seconded by the former Deputy Governor Okechukwu Itanyi.

Before the motion was adopted, the governor reportedly asked the aspirants if any of them opposed the motion.

The motion was unanimously adopted by a voice vote when there was no objection.

Those who stepped down for Ugwuanyi are Abba, Eddy Ugwu, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, Pat Asadu, Prince Mathew Agu, Ambassador Fidel Ayogu, Prof. Osita Ogbu, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, Prof.

Simon Ortuanya and Dan Onyishi.

Chime advised Ugwuanyi to mend fences with those who refused to step down for him.

Ugwuanyi has reportedly visited one of those who declined to step down, Eugene Odo, the House of Assembly Speaker. He held a closed-door meeting with him.

The outcome of the meeting was not made public last night.

Ugwuanyi is billed to meet other stakeholders in the next few days.

Also, Eze, who chairs the Senate Committee on Works, has said he remains an aspirant in the race for next year’s Enugu State governorship seat.

Eze made the clarification yesterday to oppose the alleged endorsement of Ugwuanyi.

In a statement in Abuja, titled: I am Still the Candidate to Beat for Enugu Government House 2015, the senator said he would not step down for any “anointed” candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said the consensus candidate of various interest groups in the state should be allowed to test their acceptability at a primary election to determine who flies the PDP flag for the governorship election.

The statement said: “I’ve been inundated by calls and personal visits by my supporters, who have expressed worry and outrage about reports purporting that a consensus candidate has been anointed for Enugu State 2015 governorship election. My supporters are particularly worried by the aspect of the story claiming that I have stepped down for the anointed candidate.

“I wish to state clearly and unambiguously that I have not and will not step down for any anointed candidate. I’m still

•Ugwuanyi

squarely in the race for the Enugu Lion Building in 2015.

“I was invited to a meeting of a gathering of the people of my senatorial district, presided over by the governor at the Governor’s Lodge in Enugu on Friday, September 26, 2014.

“Prior to our arrival at the Government House, the agenda of the meeting was not circulated; neither was the criterion for selecting those attending the meeting made known to me.

“At the meeting, I pointedly stated that although I was in their midst in a sort of an ambush, I was not bound by their decision, to which I believe they were entitled. It is their inalienable right to choose a consensus candidate in the same manner that to my supporters and well wishers I’m also a consensus candidate.

“I look forward to all the consensus candidates of the various interest groups meeting in the field at the PDP governorship primaries on November 29, to test who, among the various consensus blocs, is numerically stronger.

“Democracy is about elections and the will of the people. Those elements of democracy will be put to test when we arrive on the field for the primaries.

“I’ll gladly accept the outcome of the primaries and go the extra mile to work for the party with resources and whatever it will take to give the opponents of the PDP a run for their money.

“Let me state categorically that my respect for the governor and leader of PDP in Enugu State is not diminished in anyway by this development. My loyalty to the party is also unalloyed.

“I urge the party to do the right thing by providing a level-playing field for all legitimate aspirants and consensus to express themselves in a truly democratic and fair manner...”

Zoning of Rep seat divides Abia PDP

T

HE planned zoning of one of Abia State House of Representatives seats to Arochukwu/ Ohafia Federal Constituency to a particular area is threatening the peace in the constituency, it has been learnt.

Several political groups are said to be at loggerheads over the arrangement.

Sources told our reporter that the member representing the area in the House of Representatives, Prince Arua Arunsi, might have begun moves for his second term through the zoning ar-

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

rangement.

But a political support group, under the aegis of Equity Charter Movement, is alleged to be claiming that the seat had been zoned to Arochukwu.

This is creating confusion on the true status of the seat.

Anthony Nwankwo, the leader of another political group, Onyereubi Unity Forum, has dismissed the claims.

He said there was no zoning in the area.

Nwankwo said those talking about zoning were not the right parties, adding that those talking about zoning forgot that some other communities had not produced such a representative.

He said: “These people don’t know what they are talking about. They are not political parties that can zone any position because the same area they are projecting has tasted that position.

So, if we are talking about zoning, we should be talking about those who have not got to that position before...” “

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

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NEWS

APC to Jonathan: you can’t get Rivers

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has dismissed the boast by President Goodluck Jonathan that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will ‘recover’ the state next year.

In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt by its Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, the party said: “This boast made on Saturday by President Jonathan at the PDP’s Southsouth rally in Benin City, the Edo State capital, is ridiculous because it runs counter to the reality on ground in Rivers State.

“President Jonathan’s boast is obviously based on ignorance about present political reality in Rivers State. He may not have known that the state PDP leader and prospective governorship candidate, Nyesome Wike, has polarised the party to the extent that it cannot even win a councillorship seat in a fair and free election.

“Apart from this, Wike, on whom the President is building his hopes of PDP re-

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

claiming Rivers State, has lost political relevance since he left the mainstream of the political family that binds Rivers State together.

“Wike is either deluding himself or deliberately feeding Mr. President with lies in a bid to feather his nest.”

Ikanya cited Jonathan’s ‘wickedness’ towards Rivers State as yet another reason why PDP can never recapture power in the state.

The APC chairman said: “On what basis should the people of Rivers State vote for PDP in 2015? Is it based on the wicked policies of the Jonathan administration against Rivers State and its people?

“Is it based on the ceding of our oil wells to his home State of Bayelsa and supporting Akwa Ibom and Abia states to take over our oil wells? Or is it because he has ensured that the Federal Government does not cite any meaningful project in Rivers State?

•Jonathan

“Or his deliberate refusal to implement the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoni?

President Jonathan has left no one in doubt of his deep hatred for Rivers State and its people, so how can we support him or any PDP candidate in 2015?”

“In any case, the feats of the Amaechi administration are enough to give us victory in future elections. These feats, which are well known, include making Port Harcourt the World Book Capital City, eradication of militancy, the dogged fight for the oil wells and other rights of Rivers State and its people, as well as award-winning achievements in education, agriculture, health, etc.”

East West road to be ready by December, says Onolememen

M

INISTER of Works Mike Onolememen has said the EastWest road will be completed

by December.

He said the road was 85 per cent completed.

Onolememen, who spoke to reporters at his Benin City home, said 25,000km of roads belonging to the Federal Government were now in good condition.

He said only 4,000km of the nation’s roads were in fair condition as at 2010, according to a study by the Department of International Development in the United Kingdom (UK).

The minister said the EastWest road was delayed because of funds and militants’ activities in the Niger Delta.

Onolememen, who debunked insinuations that the

Federal Government was playing politics with road development, said many things happened with the East West road that Nigerians were not aware about.

He said: “The Ministry of Works initially awarded that contract in four sections in 2006. In the wisdom of then President Musa Yar Adua, he transferred that road to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The funding challenge on that road started in 2006.

“When that project was awarded, the mobilisation was not paid until 2008. Many Nigerians will not know this.

When the mobilisation was paid, you recalled that the level of militancy was high and that drove Julius Berger

Parents, teachers buy Ebola equipment

R

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

PARENTS and teachers in Cross River State have acquired equipment worth N6.8 million to help check the Ebola Virus Disease.

The state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Eyo-Nsa Itam, saidthe union had bought over 1, 200 cartons of hand gloves worth N1.5 million to be distributed to public schools.

He said the Parent Teacher Association had raised funds to acquire 350 thermometer scanners at N15, 000 each to be distributed to schools.

The cost of the equipment is N5. 25million. The money, he said, would be recouped from pupils, who will pay N200 each.

The NUT chairman said they were waiting for the government’s approval before schools can reopen.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

out of site. They lost some workers.

“Before the section where the company was doing could be rewarded, it took a long time and it was re-awarded to Sectraco. That is the only section that is outstanding as we speak. Niger Delta is one of the most difficult areas to build a road.”

“What is more important is that it took Mr. President enough time to raise the kind of money needed to drive construction work on the East West road. Starting from October, the road will pick up and not because of electioneering. We have completed 62 roads. We want to create an unbroken chain of dual carriageways across the country.”

Chieftaincy title for Amaechi

IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has been honoured by the people of Emohua Kingdom with the title of “Ugwugwu of Emohua”(the Pride of Emohua).

In a statement by Ozaze Obillor and signed by the monarch, Eze Oha V. B. Okor, the eight communities of Emohua said: “The people of Emohua adore you and appreciate your administration for the landmark achievements brought to Rivers State. The many model schools, the modern road networks, the hospitals, the Greater Port Harcourt Project shall all speak your name long after you would have left the scene.

“In all these projects, you remembered Emohua, we celebrate you, we also appreciate you, we pledge our support and loyalty to your government, Emohua is with you, Emohua is for you”.

Amaechi elevated Eze Vincent Benson Okor from a thirdclass to first-class monarch.

He said: "In my struggle to become relevant in life and in politics, I have always served my people. If you check in Emohua Local Government, there is only one village that is yet to have a road.

“The only road that we have not done because we owe the contractor is Rumuodogo Road. The one that is a promise is the three-km road, I made that promise and I will redeem it before the elections. I will drive on that road before election time because I will come back here to ask for your votes.

"In the history of Ikwerre, this is about the first time we are important in national politics, we will not sell it for the position of the governor.

“This is the time when we will be here in Port Harcourt they will call us on the phone to attend meetings in Abuja.

We will not sell it because of one young boy who, for reasons of greed, can even sell his parents. We cannot sell the right of the Ikwerre people."

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

11

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08078425391

‘My husband caught me in hotel with another man’ A 40-YEAR-OLD liquor vendor, Mudirat Yusuf, has told a Customary Court in Lagos that she cheated on her husband, Hakeem Yusuf.

“Yes, it is true that my husband caught me in a hotel with another man, but we have settled it”, she told the Alagbado Customary Court, where her husband is asking for the dissolution of their 23-year-old union.

Yusuf, a fruit seller and commercial motorcycle operator, is alleging that his wife is adulterous.

He said: “The problem started 15 years after we got married. I hear some married women engage in extramarital sex, but I had never imagined my wife involving in such an undisciplined act. I was, however, embarrassed when my friends said

•She’s adulterous, man tells court

By Basirat Braimah

they saw my wife and a man walk into a hotel.

“On that day, I had gone to join my friends at an open bar in the neighbourhood and while we were having fun, they suddenly chorused: “So, you and your wife came to have some ‘nice time’ at the hotel today?” I smiled and told them that I left my wife at home with our children. But surprisingly, they said my wife had just entered the hotel opposite the bar.

“So, I waited for over 20minutes, after which my wife came out of the hotel accompanied by one of my col-

leagues. She was obviously shocked to see me. So, I went back home and threw out her belongings because I was very upset. Four years after, I took her back after several pleas by her relations. I was assured she had turned a new leaf.

“Sincerely, my wife assists me whenever there is a lull in my business, but I detest her adulterous lifestyle. My wife has never sought my help in most of the things she does.

But she prefers to seek help from some other men.

“When one of my wife’s male customers died, it was only my wife who was informed. So, she stood as the deceased’s wife during the funeral. It is even more pain-

ful when my wife says the man was just her customer, yet she wakes up every night mentioning his name, with tears cascading her eyes.

“Recently, my wife told me she received an urgent call from her sister and I believed her. However, when I called to know her whereabouts, a man picked up the call, saying that the owner was busy. I thought I probably dialed a wrong number until the man picked up the call again, asking if I wanted my death certificate.

“So, I think I have tolerated her enough. I am fed up with her attitude and I don’t love her any more. Our second child should be in her custody, while I look after the other three children.”

While admitting that her husband caught her in a hotel with another man, Mrs Yusuf said they had resolved the issue, adding: “I am still pained by

my customer’s death. So, once in a while, I lament his death because he came to my shop a few hours before he passed on that day. Since we got married, he has never introduced me to his relations. He doesn’t give me any allowance, but complains that I sell alcoholic drinks. He is temperamental. He once broke a bottle on my head when he saw some men in my shop, though he knows my customers are mostly men.

“It is true that a man, who is my spiritual father, picked my call and rained curses on him.

It was later he informed me about what transpired between them. I do my responsibility as a wife and I still love him. So, I don’t want this marriage dissolved.”

The court’s President, Mr. Olubode Sekoni, advised the couple not to invade each other’s privacy and obey the law.

The case was adjourned till October 9, for hearing.

Lagos police command gets new spokesperson

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•Braide

AGOS Police Command spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), has been redeployed to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

She has been replaced with DSP Kenneth Nwosu. The redeployment takes immediate effect.

Braide assumed office on June 11, 2012 as the first female officer to head the Command’s public relations office.

In a thank you letter to the

•Braide transferred to Panti

By Akintola Mustapha

media and the public, Braide begged those she might have offended to forgive her.

She said: “I am using this medium to express my profound gratitude for the maximum support given to me by my friends in the media and Lagosians as a whole. You have been quite cooperative as you assisted me in making my job easier despite my short comings.

“During the discharge of my duties here in Lagos

State as the Police spokesperson, l may have had disagreements with some of you, I hereby use this medium to say “I am sorry”.

Considering the complexity of my office and varied opinions, there was no way I wouldn’t have offended someone.

“As the first female Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos State Police Command, I expressed fears when I assumed office on June 11, 2012, but to my greatest surprise, I experi-

enced the warmest reception and assistance from you all.

“May I use this medium to thank AIG Umar Manko who accorded me the wonderful opportunity to serve Lagos State. I thank him for his understanding, assistance and fatherly advice during my tenure. My gratitude also goes to the new Commissioner of Police Kayode Aderanti for his understanding during my short stay with him. I also solicit that you accord my junior colleague DSP Kenneth Nwosu the same level of cooperation you gave to me”.

Council to assist flood victims

By Emmanuel Udodinma

T

HE Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State Mr Bolaji Kayode Robert has promised to construct more drainage channels to reduce flooding.

Robert said flood submerged homes and shops in some parts of the council.

He explained that victims who lost properties, appealed to the council to assist them, adding that the council would do all it can to reduce their grief.

Robert warned those building along the waterway to desist as they are obstructing the free flow of water into the canal.

He said: ‘’The council will facilitate the construction of drainage in those place where they are needed to assist channel the flood to the right place. Residents should also play their parts. They should not deliberately build along waterways. They should also avoid blocking drainage system’’.

Robert urged residents to continue to pay their taxes and levy, adding: “Our administration will continue to bring the dividends of democracy to the people”.

He said the council would soon commission the new Ijanikin primary Health Centre, council hall, Oloto Link Road, among others.

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

NEWS

Niger East: APC candidate petitions tribunal

‘Knocks for Okogie over Oritsejafor’

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A

GROUP, the Christians United Against Boko Haram (CUABH), yesterday condemned Olubunmi Cardinal Okogie’s comments on Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

CUABH said Cardinal Okogie was not in a position to talk because Nigeria was taken to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference under his watch.

It urged the cardinal “to be mindful of his words and avoid being used by enemies of the Body of Christ”.

Reacting to the $9.3 million cash for arms, Cardinal Okogie criticised Pastor Oritsejafor for establishing a university and his relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan, saying he had derailed from the essence of Christian leadership.

But CUABH Secretary, Deacon Olusola Oyedokun, in a statement entitled: “Okogie: Those who live in glass houses”, said Cardinal Okogie’s attack on Pastor Oritsejafor was “hypocriti-

•Cardinal Okogie From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

cal and unbecoming” of a man of his personality.

Oyedokun, son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman and member of PDP Board of Trustees, Shuaib Oyedokun, said Cardinal Okogie could not compare his tenure to that of Pastor Oritsejafor.

He said: “As CAN President, under whom a secular Nigeria was taken to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Cardinal Okogie has little moral ground to attack the integrity of Pastor Oritsejafor, whose name invokes apprehension in those who wish to entrench one religion over the other in Nigeria.”

Ex-Adamawa deputy governor’s suit for hearing

A

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja will, tomorrow, hear a suit filed by former Adamawa State Deputy Governor Bala Ngilari.

Ngilari is urging the court to declare him governor, saying he should legitimately succeed impeached Governor Murtala Nyako.

After hearing arguments from parties last Friday, Justice Adeniyi Ademola said he would hear all pending applications, including the substantive suit, tomorrow.

HE candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Niger East Senatorial by-election, Mr David Umaru, has challenged the declaration of Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the poll.

Umaru is praying the National Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Minna, the Niger State capital, to declare him winner of the by-election, “having polled majority votes”.

Joined as respondents are 388 others, including the PDP, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and INEC presiding officers.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

Umaru is praying the tribunal to cancel results in 378 polling units and recalculate the total result.

He said the votes ascribed to each of the candidates were not their actual scores, but the product of “deliberate wrong entries and collation of figures made by the third respondent’s agents or officers at the polling units”.

On September 7, INEC declared Nuhu winner of the by-election with 92,056 votes while Umaru got 87,406 votes.

Umaru said: “If the results of the polling units affected by these non-compliance and irregularities are cancelled and deducted from the

Kogi teachers shun work From James Azania, Lokoja

P

RIMARY and secondary school teachers in Kogi State have vowed not to resume for the 2014/2015 academic session as directed by the government.

In a statement yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital, the Basic Education Staff Association of Nigeria (BESAN) said teachers would not resume until the unpaid N18,000 national minimum wage is resolved.

The association called for a stop to the irregular payment of salary to its members and the payment of leave allowance arrears from 2011 till date.

In the statement, signed by BESAN Chairman Suleiman Adomu, the teachers urged the government to look into promotions without monetary rewards.

They lamented the devastating effects of infrastructural decay and poor welfare to teachers on the education sector, adding that they won’t resume until the issues are resolved.

The teachers decried the “incessant, inconclusive and fraudulent screening of workers”, urging the government to release the results of previous exercises.

final scores of the candidates, I shall have the highest number of valid votes cast at the election, thus: APC 87,405-22,491 = 64,914 PDP 92,056-53,837 = 38,219.

“Nuhu did not secure the

majority of lawful votes and is not qualified to contest the election, having not been properly sponsored by his party (PDP) in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.”

Northern leaders responsible for North’s woes, says Shehu Sani From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

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ORTHERN leaders are responsible for 70 per cent of the North’s woes, President of the Civil Rights Congress Comrade Shehu Sani said at the weekend.

He said the President Goodluck Jonathan administration was responsible for the remaining 30 per cent of the region’s problems.

Sani spoke in Kaduna when he visited unpaid workers of the closed Kaduna Textile Limited (KTL).

He said northern leaders had the opportunity to industrialise the region but failed to do so when they were at the helm of affairs.

The activist said the North could live without oil revenue, if it revived textile industries and agriculture, and invested in solid minerals, adding that the possibility of exploring oil from the North is “indispensable”.

He said: “The northern part of Nigeria has been destroyed 70 per cent by northern leaders and 30 per cent by the Jonathan administration. Northern leaders had the opportunity to industrialise, educate and uplift the region, but they have left behind a region that is backward and whose future is in doubt.

“For over three decades when northerners were in power, they used the opportunity to empower traditional rulers and make the rich richer. But what is very clear is that northern Nigeria can live without oil revenue. What it needs are political leaders, who understand the reality of change that is fast taking place in Nigeria and the world, and the need to harness the resources of the North for the development of its people.

“It is time for northern political leaders to sit down and devote more energy to the economic revival and empowerment of the region as much as they devote energy to the political future of the rich.

“The textile industry has been destroyed by years of neglect by successive governments and political leaders in the North. Northern Nigeria has a lot to deliver to its people.

The need to revive the textile industries and agriculture, invest in solid minerals and the possibility of exploiting oil from the North is indispensable.”

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, LAGOS DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof.

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NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON: Adegoke Adio Bukola. Late of ICT Department, Redeemer's University, Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State. Who died intestate on the 21st day of September, 2013.

Matilda Adaeze Okoboshi. Late of Block 'A', 2nd Avenue, 202 Road, B Close, Flat 4, F.H.A. Complex, Festac Town, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 30th day of March, 2008.

Mr. Simeon Adeyinka Ajao. Late of 1, Dabara Street, Olowogbowo, Lagos Island, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 9th day of October, 2013.

Onyeador Thomas Chukwuemeka otherwise known as Tom Chuks Onyeador. Late of Amuvi Arochukwu in Arochukwu L.G.A of Abia State. Who died intestate on the 14th day of May, 1994.

Ejembi Christopher .Late of 27, Pipeline Street, Aboru Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 27th day of January, 2014.

Akindele Josephine. Late of Block 92, Flat 4, Adeniji Adele Estate, Phase 4, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 21st day of July, 2002.

Mrs. Gloria Nwogo Obijiofor. Late of 4, Onwufuju Street, isolo, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 26th day of September, 2011.

Mrs. Racheal Nwangwu otherwise known as Racheal Nwachi Nwangwu. Late of 18, Olanrewaju Street, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.

Who died intestate on the 9th day of March, 2012.

Mr. Ndekile John. Late of 8, Okonji Street, Agodo, EgbeIkotun. Who died intestate on the 8th day of August, 2013.

Late Mrs. Lilian Olujare Oshunloye otherwise known as Olujare Oshunloye. Late of Plot 30, Robert Street, Magodo, Lagos.

Who died intestate on the 7th day of September, 2011.

Vera Chukwu otherwise known as Chukwu Vera Ikori. Late of 22, George Tiene Street, Abolu, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 30th day of April, 2014.

Sanusi Lawal. Late of 8, Raji Abayomi Street, Oshodi. Who died intestate on the 8th day of March, 2014.

Nwabueze Juliana. Late of 6, Philips Udi Street, Langbasa , Ibeju Lekki, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 27th day of April, 1999.

Mojisola Oyinade Ogunsanya. Late of 31, Adeyemi Lawson, Ikoyi, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 22nd day of March, 2014.

Adebanjo Gilbert Sunday. Late of 21, Irone Avenue, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 20th day of February, 2004.

Ubong Ita Umoh. Late of Block 24, Flat 2, NTA Channel, 10 Tejusho, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 14th day of March, 2011.

Olufunke Babatola otherwise known as Ms Funke Babatola. Late of 34, Gbajumo Crescent, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 20th day of January, 2014.

Mr. Nwangbo John. Late of 5, Ikali Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 17th day of July, 2013.

Adelere Ademola. Late of 1B, Remi Omoniyi Crescent, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 5th day of February, 2013.

Bisong James. Late of 37, Oduguwa Street, Ladi-Lak, Bariga, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 27th day of June, 2013.

Charles Nnamdi Emodi otherwise known as Akunnia Emodi. Late of 114A, Association Avenue, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Who died intestate on the 6th day of August, 2010.

Eshinloku Anif otherwise known as Sheikh Hamzat Islamiyyah School and Aneef Tijani Masha. Late of 20/22, Ojo Giwa Street, Lagos Island, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 22nd day of April, 2013.

Mrs. Olatoyosi Funmilayo otherwise known as Olatoyosi Funmilayo Florence. Late of No. 2, Alhaji Safinat Street, Ira Quarters, Ojo Lagos. Who died intestate on the 22nd day of September, 2013.

Yekini Ibrahim. Late of 10, Eid Street, Oke Balogun, Epe, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 17th day of March, 2014.

Jinadu Yahaya Arowolo. Late of 64, Kano Street, Ebute-metta, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 21st day of May, 2011.

Uzor Banjoko Ambross. Late of 12, Hawley Street, Lagos island, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 8th day of May, 2011.

Okunyade Adedewe Agbeke. Late of 29, Doherty Street, Oke-Arim, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 25th day of August, 2003.

Alhaji Hammed Akinbami. Late of 57, Ibafon Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 1st day of October, 2004.

Ogunjimi Olalekan Fasasi. Late of No. 29, Oluye, Street, Ogijo Ikorodu, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 6th day of August, 2012 at Lagos.

Ohaerisim Thankgod Chinedu. Late of Umualughere, UmuakuUli, Iniala L.G.A Anambra State. Who died intestate on the 22nd day of January, 2010 .

Fasuyi Olatunde. Late of No. 29A, Abba Johnson, Ikeja, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 5th day of September, 2011 at Lagos.

Osasona Oluyori. Late of No. 2, General Hospital By Pass Iye , Ekiti State. Who died intestate on the 29th day of October, 2012 at General Hospital, iye Ekiti State.

Murisiku Goriola Lawal. Late of No. 13, Dothety Street, Oke-Arin, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 21st day of May, 2011.

Raheem Shakirudeen. Late of No. 4, WasilatAdaranijo Street, Oloshin Otta, Ogun State. Who died on the 29th day of March, 2013.

Miss Nora Chieme Orji otherwise known as Miss Nora Orji. Late of 23 Road, H Close, Festac Town, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 16th day of February, 2012.

Mr. Adetokunbo Jokotola otherwise known as Adetokunbo Adeleke Jokotola.. Late of No. 4, Akinwunmi Street, Ifako, Gbagada, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 16th day of October, 2013.

Mr. Innocent Chima Okeye otherwise known as Dozer Wellas Ventures. Late of No. 12, Asiri Akofa Street, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 23rd day of June, 2011 at Lagos.

Ekpo Denis otherwise known as Ekpo Denis Sabastine. Late of No. 78, kano Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 17th day of June, 2014 at Lagos.

Mr. Igbokwe Lawrence otherwise known as Igbokwe Lawrence Obioma.Late of No. 6, Jerusalem Avenue, Shasha Akowonjo, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 3rd day of July, 2008.

Okeke Christian Nnamdi otherwise known as John cross Somto Chukwu. Late of 711 Road, D Close, House 10, Festac Town, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 29th day of April, 2013.

Mrs. Olufunke Ogunsanya. Late of 26, Patey Street, Lagos island, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 25th day of October, 2006 at Lagos.

Duke Henry Oghiakhe. Late of No. 3, Okanu Close, Oke - Afa, Isolo, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 8th day of September, 2013.

Ologolo Wosilat otherwise known as Ologolo Wosilat Olushola. Late of No. 18, Aderinto Street, Ogba, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 6th day of April, 2012 at Lagos.

Oyedokun Samuel Ayowole. Late of No. 14, Bolaji Taylor Street, Haruna Off College Road, IfakoAgege, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 26th day of December, 2012 at Abeokuta.

Babatunde Oke otherwise known as Oke Tunde. Late of No. 24, Adeyemi Street, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 24th day of May, 2002 at Lagos.

Arogunmati Grace Omotayo. Late of No. 1, Oyinda Arogunmati Close, Pasheda Awoyaya. Who died intestate on the 18th day of August, 2014.

Ajayi Omoniyi. Late of 7, Fatimoh Street, Ikotun, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 23rd day of July, 2012.

Dr. Bello Alaba. Late of Aduragbemi Villa, Losoro Lakwe, Ibeju, lekki, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 20th day of March, 2011.

Mr. Felix George. Late of 18, Ebun Oluwa Street, Bariga, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 28th day of April, 2013.

Miss Momoh Aminat. Late of 24, Musibau Street, Ago Okota, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 27th day of June, 2011.

Mr. Ishola Aderemi Mojid. Late of No. 7, New-System Lane, Ilado-Badagry, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 29th day of May, 2013.

Keazor Alexander K. otherwise known as Alexander kayode keazor. Late of Aige Road, Ogijo. Who died intestate on the 23rd day of February, 2012.

Eyisi Chukwudi. Late of 22, Road, I Close, Festac Town, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 25th day of February, 2013.

Besidonne Mathew otherwise known as Boredon& Partners. Late of 62, Akerele Street, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 14th day of June, 2004.

Onyegirigwam Dominic Obiefule. Late of 5, Shoneye Street, Oshodi. Who died intestate on the 11th day of June, 2012.

Madam Ajibola Adetoro. Late of B2/9, FHE, Ita Elega Abeokuta, Ogun State. Who died intestate on the 6th day of December, 2013.

Mr. Adesunloye Gilbert Adeleke. Late of 1, Adesunloye Compound, Imoru, Ondo State. Who died intestate on the 4th day of July, 2009.

Omofe Sunday otherwise known as Sunday Olubunmi Omofe. Late of 7, Hanng New Extention, G.R.A., Zaria, Kaduna State. Who died intestate on the 12th day of February, 2013.

Mrs. Olasunkan Abby Adedeji (Nee Ogunniyi).Late of 19, Lateef Onigemo Street, Gbagada, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 23rd day of February, 2008.

Mr. Lasisi Muslim otherwise known as Oladele.Late of 94, Water Works Road, Shagamu, Ogun State. Who died intestate on the 13th day of August, 2013.

Daniel Odaffe Emukfoeruo. Late of 7, Pipeline, Ebute Ayo, IlaraOgijo. Who died intestate on the 29th day of April, 2013.

Habila Esther(Ms) otherwise known as Esther Habila Nyam. Late of Room 5, Obalende Police Barracks, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 21st day of March, 2014 Osagie Akahomen Mathew. Late of 19, Agbomalu Court, Lagos Island, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 28th day of June, 2014.

Aderogba Adeleke Patrick. Late of 93B, New Ipaja Road, Alimosho, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 7th day of November, 2013.

Mrs. Adeola Odogun. Late of 20, Eyo Street, Palm-groove, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 22nd day of February, 2012.

Mr. Samson Ukpa. Late of No. 42, Rotimi Street, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 24th day of January, 2011.

Mrs. Esther Odugbo. Late of Block 9, Flat 1, Jakande Estate, Isolo, Ejigbo, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 12th day of December, 2013 at Lagos.

Babayeju Bode otherwise known as Samuel Oyebode. Late of No. 92, Odunfa Street, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 25th day of November, 2008 at Lagos.

Catherine Osuji. Late of No. 16, Jatto Street, Off Olanrewaju Street, Okokomaiko, Ojo Lagos. Who died intestate on the 4th day of January, 2014 at Lagos.

Oyemade Festus otherwise known as Mr. Oyemade Festus.Late of No. 17, Adanlawo Street, Elemi Ijaye Close, Etegbin. Who died intestate on the 2nd day of March, 2014 at Etegbin.

Giwa Modupe Haisat. Late of No. 76, Glover Street, Lagos Island, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 5th day of June, 2013 at Lagos.

Simon Chiwendu otherwise known as Simon Chiwendu (Nee Onwueyi). Late of 13, Babalola Street, Ikorodu, Lagos. Who died on the 17th day of July, 2013 at Lagos.

Nwoye Godwin Christian Okwudili. Late of No. 1, Kola Rewire Street, Ejigbo, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 30th day of April, 2011 .

James Nwakanma otherwise known as Nwakanma James Chidi. Late of Ogombo Police Divisional, Headquarters, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 2nd day of May, 2013.

Ogunmuyiwa Ajibola otherwise known as Ogunmuyiwa Veronica Ajibola. Late of 6, Iyero Lane, Apapa Road, Ebute-metta, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 30th day of September, 2008.

Asuquo Effiong Eton. Late of Block 13, Flat 3, Gams Village. Who died intestate on the 15th day of April, 2006.

CPl Jonathan Allison (F/No. 445133) otherwise known as Jonathan Allison Thomas. Late of 17, Makarious Street, Ajah, Lagos.

Who died intestate on the 9th day of February, 2014.

Mr. Babatunde Saliu Alayaki. Late of No. 21, Oyedele Street, EgbeIkotun, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 15th day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

S/N NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT 1. Mr. Kayode Adegoke and Mrs. Gloria Ogwu Adegoke. Both of ICT Department, Redeemer's Univeristy Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State. Brother and widow to the deceased.

2. Chinedu Uche Okoboshi and Ikemefuna Awele Okoboshi. Both of Block A, 2nd Avenue, 200 Road, B Close, Flat 4, F.H.A Festac Town Lagos. Two of the children to the deceased.

3. Joyce Abosede Ajao and Adetomi Ajao. Both of 1, Dabara Street, Olowogbowo, Lagos Island, Lagos.Widow and daughter to the deceased.

4. Alexander Chukwemeka Onyeador and Martin Chukwudi Onyeador. Both of 29, Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Children to the deceased.

5. Mr. Ejembi Emmanuel and Mr. Ejembi Augustine of 27, Pipeline Street, AboruIyanaIpaja and 44, Surulere Street, Iyanaoworo, Lagos.

Two of the children to the deceased.

6. Mr. Augustine Akinbode Akindele and Mr. Joseph Adedayo Akindele. Both of Block 92, Flat 4, Adeniji Adele Estate, Phase4, Lagos.

Children to the deceased.

7. Emmanuel Obijiofor and Chindimma Obijiofor (Miss).Both of 4, Onwufuju Street, Isolo, Lagos.Widower and daughter to the deceased.

8. Mr. Uba Nwangwu and Mr. Ifeanyi Emendu. Both of 18, Olanrewaju Street, Akoka. Widower and Nephew to the deceased.

9. Mercy Ndekile, Chidera Ndekile and Ngozi Ndekile. All of 8, Okonji Street, AgodoEgbe, Ikotun. Widow and children to the deceased.

10. Olanrewaju Oshunloye and Abiodun Omisore. Both of Plot 30, Robert Street, Magodo, Lagos. Widower and brother to the deceased.

11. Mr. Stanley Chukwu Ogbonaya and Mr. Jasper Obi Ewuzie. Both of 22, George Tiene Street, Abolu, Lagos.Widower and brother.

12. Ayoola Rasaq Sanusi, Abayomi Lateef Sanusi, Ademola Waheed Sanusi and Kayode Akeem Sanusi. All of 8, Raji Abayomi Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos. Four of the children to the deceased.

13. Nwabueze Emmanuel Chukuka and Nwabueze Williams Nnamdi. Both of 6, Philips Udi Street, Langbasa Ibeju, Lekki. Widower and son to the deceased.

14. Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Adebusola Ogunsanya, Fuad Ogunsanya and Oluwafadekemi Ogunsanya.All of 31, Adeyemi Lawson, Ikoyi Lagos.Widower and children to the deceased.

15. Abosede Grace Adebanjo and Abosede Olaide Adebanjo.Both of 21, Irone Avenue, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.Widow and daughter to the deceased.

16. Mrs. Grace U. Umoh and Ms. Ema Umoh. Both of Block 24, Flat 2, N.T.A Channel 10, Tejuosho, Yaba. Widow and sister.

17. Mrs. Olasunmbo Adelakun and MsTolulope Okpaise.Both of 34, Gbajumo Crescent, Surulere, Lagos.Sisters to the deceased.

18. Mr. Cypril Nwangbo and Mr. Simeon Ejike.Both of No. 1, Rowland Street, Alakuko, Lagos. Brothers to the deceased.

19. Adelere Folashade and Adelere Adedamola. Both of 1B, Remi Omoniyi Crescent, Odogunyan.Widow and son to the deceased.

20. Mrs. Nora Ann Bisong and Mr. John Oyen Bisong. Both of 37, Oduguwa Street, Ladi-lak, Bariga Lagos. Widow and son to the deceased.

21. Mr. Charles Nnamdi Emodi Junior,Miss Stephine Obiageli Emodi and Mr. Nigel Odiatu Emodi. All of 114A, Association Avenue, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. Three of the children to the deceased.

22. Masha Folashade Temitope and Masha Yetunde Omowunmi. Both of 20/22, Ojo Giwa Street, Lagos Island, Lagos. Children to the deceased.

23. Mr. Olatoyosi Babatunde Gabriel and Mrs. Olufemi Abiba Abigail (Nee Safinat).Both of 2, Alhaji Safinat Street, Ira Quarters, Ojo Lagos. Children to the deceased.

24. Mrs. JelinaYekini and Mr. Yekini Samson Kunle.Both of 10, Eid Street, OkeBalogun, Epe, Lagos.Widow and son to the deceased.

25. Mrs. Sidikat Jinadu and Miss Karimot Mosunmola Jinadu.Both of 8, Gambari Street, Lagos.Widow and daughter to the deceased.

26. Uzor Oluwatoyin Mutiat and Uzor Oluwasegun. Both of 12, Hawley Street, Lagos Island, Lagos. Widow and brother to the deceased.

27. Miss Jegede Opeoluwa Adewunmi, Mrs. Victoria Adebowale Akinola and Mrs. Elizabeth Adedamola Babalola.All of 11, Oladunjoye Street, Olota, Abule-Egba, Lagos. Daughter and sisters.

28. Mrs. Basirat Edozien, Mrs. Khadijat Balogun and Mr. Segun L. Akinbami of 57, Ibafen Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, Memudu Street, Coker, Orile, Lagos. Children to the deceased.

29. Titilayo Ogunjimi, Oladimeji Ogunjimi, Mr. Teju Ogunjimi and Mrs. Olubunmi Wole Sowole. All of No. 15, Kafayat Abdurasaq Street, Lekki, Lagos. Widow, Son, and Brother to the deceased.

30. Ohaerisim Judith Chinyere, Demian Iloduba of Miracle Anglican Church, Umueze OtutuIniala L.G.A , Anambra State and No. 95, Oshodi Road, Oshodi Isolo, L.G.A, Lagos. Junior sister and cousin to the deceased.

31. Mrs. Fasuyi Modinat Abike, Mr. Fasuyi Olufemi Gbolabo, Mr. Fasuyi Oluwatoyin Ayodeji, Mr. Fasuyi Oluwafisayo Olayiwola. All of No. 74, Legacy Road, Ayobo, Ipaja, Lagos. Widow and children to the deceased.

32. Toyin Osasona and Eyitope David Aina of No. 156, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos and Dapo Olubi Street, Surulere, Lagos.

Widow and cousin to the deceased.

33. Lawal Silifat Alaba and Lawal Morufat. Both of No. 13, Dothety Street, Oke-Arin, Lagos.Widow and daughter to the deceased.

34. Raheem Afusat Omowunmi and Raheem Khadijat Omolara.Both of No. 4, Wasilat Adaranijo Street, OloshinOtta, Ogun State. Widow and daughter to the deceased.

35. Mrs. Chioma M. Osuagwu and Mr. Sunday Orji. Both of 23 Road, H Close, House 3, Festac Town, Lagos. Elder sister and brother to the deceased.

36. Mrs. Tope Jokotola and Mr. Sanyaolu. Both of No. 4, Akinwunmi Street, Ifako Gbagada, Lagos. Widow and family friend to the deceased.

37. Chinwendu Stephine Okeke and Miss Amaka Ethel Okeke. Both of No. 12, Asiri Akofa Street, Aguda Surulere, Lagos. Widow and sister to the deceased.

38. Ekpo Grace Denis ,EkpoMfon and Obong Denis. All of No. 78, Kano Street, Ebute-metta, Lagos. Widow and son to the deceased.

39. Mrs. Bridget Orienma Igbokwe and Mr. Chukwudi Justin Igbokwe. Both of No. 6, Jerusalem Avenue, Shasha Akowonjo, Lagos.

Widow and son to the deceased.

40. Mrs. Lynda Nonyelum Okeke and Sophia Somkenechi Okeke. Both of 711 Road, D Close, House 10, Festac, Town Lagos.Widow and daughter to the deceased.

41. Adekunle Ogunsanya and Olanrewaju Abayomi Keshinro. Both of No. 26, Patey Street, Lagos Island, Lagos. Children to the deceased.

42. Mrs. Nkiru Oghiakhe and Mr. Thankgod Iyemiake. Both of No. 3, Okanu Close, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos.Widow and cousin to the deceased.

43. Salako Adenrele and Mrs. Munirat Omolara Olatunji.Both of No. 18, Aderinto Street, Ogba, Lagos.Widower and aunty to the deceased.

44. Adedamola Ayodele Oyedokun and Mrs. Oluwakemi Adebola Oyedokun of No. 23, Coker Street, Agege, Lagos, and No. 14, Bolaji Tailor Street, Haruna, Off College Road, Ifako Agege, Lagos. Son and widow to the deceased.

45. Mrs. Beatrice Hart and Daniel Osademe. Both of No. 24, Adeyemi Street, Surulere, Lagos. Sister and brother to the deceased.

46. Arogunmati Joseph Oyindamola and Abiola Olubusola Arogunmati. Both of No. 1, Oyinda Arogunmati Close, Pasheda Awoyaya, Lagos. Widower and daughter to the deceased.

47. Ajayi Ester Oluwafunmilayo and Ajayi Oluwaseyi Joshua. Both of 26, Kolawole Street, Isuti Road, Egan, Lagos. Widow and son to the deceased.

48. Mrs. Oluyemi Bello and Mrs. Olaoluwa Olawunmi of Aduragbemi Villa, Losoro, Lakwe, Lagos and Isawo Road, AgricIkorodu, Lagos.

Widow and relation to the deceased.

49. Mrs. Nimota George and Mr. Olarotimi Ishola George of No. 18, EbunOluwa Street, Bariga, Lagos and 5, Akinsmart Street, Odonla, Ikorodu, Lagos. Widow and Nephew.

50. Mrs. Sikirat Adesanya and Engr. Ibrahim Adeku. Both of 27, Omitamu Street, Idi-Era, Ojo Lagos. Sister and cousin to the deceased.

51. Mrs. Julian Ishola Bosede and Miss. Mary. O. Ishola. Both of 7, New-system Lane, Ilado, Badagry.Widow and daughter to the deceased.

52. Felicia Omotoke Keazor and Franklin Olaoluwa Keazor. Both of Aige Road, Ogijo. Widow and son to the deceased.

53. Mrs. Patricia N. Eyisi and Chukwudike .J. Eyisi. Both of 22 Road, I Close, Festac Town, Lagos. Widow and son to the deceased.

54. Mr. Badamosi BesidonneTosan, Mr. Besidonne Raymond Oriste gbugbemi and Mr. Besidonne Andrew Utienyinshola all of 3, Kadiri Street,Off Cleff Surulere, Lagos . Three of the children to the deceased.

55. Onyegirigwam Damian Emeka and Onyegirigwam Raymond Chukwudi. Both of 5, Shoneye Street, Oshodi. Children to the deceased.

56. Bukola Kusoro ( Nee Adenekan) and AdenekanAdesola of B 2/9, Federal Housing Estate, ItaElega, Abeokuta, Ogun State, and 979, Abeokuta Lagos Express Road, Ajegunle, Alagbado. Children to the deceased.

57. Joseph JuwonAdesunloye and Mrs. Matilda Adesunloye.Both of Oghenjode Close, Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.Widow and son to the children.

58. Mrs. Olayemi Christy Sunday Omofe and Divine Wonder Omofe. Both of 1st Avenue, D-Close, Plot 420, Gwarinpa Housing Estate, F.C.T. Abuja.Widow and daughter to the deceased.

59. Emmanuel Adebayo Adedeji and David Olasunkanmi Adedeji. Both of 19, LateefOnigemoIfako, Gbagada, Lagos. Widower and son to the deceased.

60. Mrs. Taibat Labeke Lasisi and Mrs. Latifat Kazeem of 94, Water Works Road, Shagamu and 34, Balogun Street, Shomolu, Lagos. Widow and daughter to the deceased.

61. Mrs. Felicia Emukpoeruo and Mr. Christopher Emukpoeruo.Both of Pipeline Ebute Ayo, IlaraOgijo.Widow and son to the deceased.

62. Rev. John Ashom Nyam and Miss Abus Habila Nyam. Both of Block 34, Flat 5, Obalende Police, Lagos. Brother and sister to the deceased.

63. Osagie Ayehenre Peter and Osagie O. Michael. Both of 9, Ososa Street, Off MiyakiOworonshoki.Children to the deceased.

64. Aderogba Adeola Oluwakemi and Florence Aderogba (Mrs.).both of 93B, New Ipaja Road, Alimosho, Lagos. Daughter and mother to the deceased.

65. Mr. Olusegun Okunuga and Mr. Adekunle S. Gisanrin .Both of 20, Eyo Street, Palm-Grove, Somolu, Lagos. Elder brother and cousin to the deceased.

66. Anthonia Ukpa and Eyo Akpandem Eyo of No. 42, Rotimi Street, Surulere, Lagos and No. 51, Fashoro Street, Surulere, Lagos. Widow and brother to the deceased.

67. Miss Patience Odugbo and Miss Jessica Odugbo. Both of Block 9, Flat 1, Jakande Estate, Isolo, Ejigbo, Lagos. Children to the deceased.

68. Mrs. Bode Babayeju and Folashade Babayeju. Both of No. 92, Odunfa Street, Lagos.Widow and one of the children to the deceased.

69. Mrs. Chinoye Patience Osuji and Chima Kenedy Osuji of No. 16, Jatto Close, Off Olanrewaju Street, Okokomaiko Ojo, Lagos and No. 5, Amosu Street, Orile, Lagos. Daughter and cousin to the deceased.

70. Pastor Oluseye Oyeniran and Miss Abidemi Oyemade of No. 15, Etegbin Road, Sibiri, Lagos and No. 17, Adanlawo Street, Elemi Ijaye, Etegbin. Uncle and daughter to the deceased.

71. Mr. Olatunji Agbabiaka and Mrs. Bunmi Al-Muruf. Both of No. 71, Tokunboh Street, Lagos.Children to the deceased.

72. Chika Simon and Clement Onwueyi. Both of No. 13, Babalola Street, OjomoAjegunle, Kosofe, Lagos.Widower and brother to the deceased.

73. Angus Osondu Nwoye and Dr. Ngozi Uju Nwoye.Both of No. 68, Samuel Ekunola Street, Okota, Lagos. Brother and sister in-law to the deceased.

74. Mrs. Njideka Nwakanma and Chinonso Nwakanma. Both of Block 2, Flat 7, Sandgrose, Police Barracks, Lagos island, Lagos. Widow and daughter to the deceased.

75. Mrs. Damilola Oladunjoye and Miss Bunmi Oladunjoye. Both of No. 6, Iyero Lane, Apapa Road, Ebute-Metta, Lagos. Sisters to the deceased.

76. Bassey Asuquo Eton and Effiong Asuquo Eton. Both of Block 13, Flat3, Games Village, Lagos.Two of the children to the deceased.

77. Mr. Chomo Salomi Allison and Mr. Thomas Kim Allison.Both of 17, Makarious Street, Ajah, Lagos.Widow and brother to the decease.

78. Suliat Oriyomi Alayaki, Aminat Ololade Alayaki and Sikiratu Alayaki.All of No. 21, Oyedele Street, EgbeIkotun, Lagos.Widow, daughter and mother to the deceased.

I.O.AKINKUGBE (MRS) PROBATE REGISTRAR

18

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Dip in foreign investments

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•To reverse the trend, govt must tackle insecurity and check political violence

IGERIA’S economy may have remained among the top three investment destinations in Africa despite its numerous socio-political challenges. There are, however, increasing signs of political uncertainties and the spate of insecurity not only taking their toll but also impacting on the general economic outlook. Indeed, if the latest figures from the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) are anything to go by, foreign investors may have begun to leave our shores even before the countdown to the 2015 elections.

From the figures obtained from the NSE, between June and July, the portfolio of foreign investments actually declined by 52 percent. To be more specific, whereas the value of foreign investments as at the end of June stood at N118 billion, it dipped to N56.42 billion as at the end of July - a whopping N61.58 billion difference.

By way of contrast, the volume pumped in by domestic investors actually jumped appreciably from N107.51 billion in June to N167.77 billion in the month of July.

No doubt, countless explanations have been rendered, all of them, admittedly, making eminent sense. Topmost of them is the nsecurity in the country, particularly the inability of the Federal Government to rein in the activities of the murderous terrorist group – the Boko Haram.

Not least in this regard are the heightened political risks as the 2015 general

elections draw near. Taken together with other factors beyond the nation’s borders, there certainly would be some good reasons to see the development as inevitable.

It is sad that elections remain a source of apprehension in the country despite the years of democratic experiments we have had. In many other places, people perform this civic responsibility without any disruptions to their daily activities. If the conduct of elections is costing the nation this dearly in direct economic terms alone, it follows that the government must do something about our electoral process. We should be able to conduct credible and transparent elections without huge costs to our economy.

The immediate lesson in all of these must be that insecurity, uncertainties and investments do not mix – the reason serious countries work at creating stable environment for businesses of all shades.

The reality is that the nation still has a long way to go in terms of making its business environment truly competitive.

Today, the question of how much worse things would get before they get better appears to have been answered by the World Bank in its latest placement of Nigeria on 147th position out of 189 nations in its 2014 edition of Doing Business Report.

There is however a greater lesson which the nation ought to learn. This lesson stems from the bitter tales of 2008 when the so-called foreign investors ex-

ited at the onset of the global credit crisis, leaving their local counterparts to rue their losses. What this tells us is that entry is no guarantee of permanent stay; and that when all is said and done, only truly indigenous businesses would stay when uncertainties come.

Moreover, given their legendary staying power, it goes without saying that the local business investor would do far better, given a fraction of the incentives available to his foreign counterpart. Rather than the current obsession with foreign investment, the Federal Government would do well to concentrate on improving the business environment, bearing in mind that the nation’s economic salvation does not lie in the hands of any foreigner, but in the hands of the local investor.

‘The immediate lesson in all of these must be that insecurity, uncertainties and investments do not mix – the reason serious countries work at creating stable environment for businesses of all shades.

The reality is that the nation still has a long way to go in terms of making its business environment truly competitive’

Tainted medals

•With our kind of National Honours, no self-respecting persons would want to be honoured anymore

A

S the recipients of this year’s National Honours bow before President Goodluck Jonathan to receive their medals today at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, men of conscience in their midst would whisper to themselves that what hangs around their necks are tainted medals not worth the strap with which they are held.

Seated in the expansive and lavishly decorated hall, they would notice all around them, ex-convicts, suspected murderers, treasury looters, serial bank debt defaulters, economic saboteurs and even petty thieves. Surely, there would be also a few good men in the gathering: Yes indeed but very few good men.

It may well be that there are few good men left among us, which may explain why the president is hamstrung in finding worthier honourees, but as we have said here many times before, this annual

‘It may well be that there are few good men left among us, which may explain why the president is hamstrung in finding worthier honourees, but as we have said here many times before, this annual ritual need not be a mass affair. The current number of 305 is undoubtedly too large and unwieldy; making a circus show what ought to be an instrument of moral rebirth and national renewal’

ritual need not be a mass affair. The current number of 305 is undoubtedly too large and unwieldy; making a circus show what ought to be an instrument of moral rebirth and national renewal.

As we have noted each year, instead of honouring a few men and women of character, integrity and conscientiousness, Nigeria’s National Honour has been debased, much like all national affairs as if it were the sharing of the so-called national cake. In the first place, the method of selection is flawed. Why are governors required to shortlist candidates in the same flawed manner of the sharing of political appointments? Why do we have a selection committee that is highly susceptible to being compromised?

We are yet to come to terms with the rationale and criteria for these awards.

Why for instance do we hand out honours to service chiefs each time, considering the rot and corruption reported in the military? For over five years, the military has been unable to dislodge a small band of insurgent group from a small portion of the country. In fact, the terrorists have worsted and demystified our men so much that Nigerians are disillusioned about their famed prowess. Yet at every turn, we reward them with high national honours.

Why is the list suffused with men and women who are still in service? Why are we rewarding National Assembly members, civil servants, judges, party stalwarts, political appointees, traditional rulers and governors? Just a few days ago, the Chief Justice of the Federation, Maryam Aloma Mukhtar lamented the blistering corruption in the judicial sys-

tem. She has had course to criticise the conduct of judges and lawyers, pointing out how they have let down the judicial and legal systems. Yet we are quick to reward them with awards.

The National Assembly members have been the butt of sharp censure over their fiscal recklessness and lack of transparency and accountability in the management of their annual budgets and in the matter of their remuneration.

Not long ago, the international media was awash with the outlandish salaries and emoluments they allot themselves, making them the highest paid parliamentarians in the world in a poverty-ravaged country. Yet every year, the president, it seems, rewards members of the legislature for this conduct that is inimical to the very survival of the Nigerian state.

Members of the Federal Executive Council are not left out of the bazaar.

About a dozen of them are handed the medal for no other reason than that they are privileged to be appointed ministers of the federal republic. It does not matter that the ministries and sectors they represent have been in retreat over the years. Has Nigeria’s highest national honour become some kind of booty?

We are particularly worried that in the last three years, we, as well as well-meaning Nigerians have pointed out this flawed process, yet the presidency simply ignored what is obviously wise counsel. We surmise that this obduracy, this tendency to insist on ignoble ways of conducting our national affairs is doing harm to the sanctity of the nation; farreaching harm.

Lagos 2015: Igbos should vote APC

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RIOR to the victory of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999 governorship election in Lagos state which produced Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, many progressive Igbo people in Lagos had forged a common alliance under National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) with like minds of Yorubas and other Nigerians from the North and Southern parts of Nigeria to push for the return to democracy from military rule.

Under the able leadership of Abraham Adesanya, the late Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), some of these Igbos which includes Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (Rtd) and Engr. Joe Igbokwe, to mention but a few, suffered deprivations in their quest to ensure that the military returned to their barracks.

With the metamorphosis of AD into Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now All Progressive Congress (APC) the political ruling class in Lagos continued carrying Igbos along together with their political and economic interests.

It is instructive to note that before his inauguration in 1999, some prominent Igbo sons were part of the Think Tank set up by Tinubu to formulate policies for the Lagos State government. These include Professor Pat Okedinachi Utomi and Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Under the leadership of Tinubu, an Igbo man Ben Akabueze a technocrat was appointed a Commissioner in Lagos State and has continued to serve till date. Another illustrious Igbo son Engr. Igbokwe was also appointed a General Manager of one of the government agencies. In honour of Rear Admiral Kanu, a Park in Alausa, the seat of government was named after him just like it was done for Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) in Ojota and Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti in Anthony. Several Igbo sons and daughters have continued to prosper in their businesses courtesy of the enabling environment created by the Lagos State government in the last 16 years.

It may also be pointed out that leading Igbo groups in Lagos such as Aka Ikenga, the Pan Igbo Think Thank, Ndigbo Lagos, a Socio-Cultural organization and also the leading Igbo Socio-Cultural group Ohaneze Ndigbo have held strategic meetings with Tinubu and later Fashola over the years. These groups in recognition of the contributions of these governors to the protection and development of Igbo interests in Lagos have also honoured them on several occasions in the past.

As the 2015 governorship elections approaches in Lagos State, one of the rival political parties to APC has gone into its bag of tricks and has come up with a plot to deceive Igbos into voting for it. It is tinkering with the idea of making an Igbo man a deputy governorship candidate of its party together with a few slots in commissionership and the state House of Assembly. This promise would have been good if not that it is only a gimmick to win elections in Lagos State and not borne out of a sincere love for Igbos. Why is it that in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 governorship elections in Lagos State, the party did not nominate an Igbo man as its deputy governorship candidate? Having lost its deposit in the last four general elections, this party is desperate to win at all cost.

Further, Igbos should remember that the mere fact that a person is chosen as a candidate does not mean that his kinsmen would vote for him. In 1999, the ruling political mafia in Nigeria chose General Olusegun Obasanjo (Rtd) as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His kinsmen, the Yorubas instead voted for Chief Olu Falae, the presidential candidate of AD. Obasanjo was roundly defeated in the six Yoruba states including his home state of Ogun.

Since Igbos have made appreciable in road into APC, it is better for them to remain there and negotiate their interest inside that party. The transformation of Lagos which started with Tinubu in 1999 and has continued with Fashola since 2007 has benefited all Lagosians without discrimination.

Infact, I dare say that as a people given to mercantile pursuits, these two administrations which has boosted the economy of Lagos State by logical deduction has favoured the Igbos more than any other ethnic group doing business in Lagos. Therefore, it is in the enlightened self interest of the Igbos to vote for APC in 2015 governorship election in Lagos State.

• Aham Njoku, Lagos.

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: It is time the authorities in Nigeria did the right thing and arrest Temitope Balogun Joshua, General Overseer of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN). Here is why: On Friday, September 12, a guest hostel located within the premises of Joshua’s sprawling church at Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos, collapsed. The most recent media reports put the death toll from the calamity at 115.

So far, rescuers have pulled out more than a hundred survivors from the rubble. Because Joshua’s church has always drawn an international audience, the continental profile of the list of victims is hardly surprising. For instance, at least 84 South Africans have been confirmed dead. There are also Nigerians and citizens of other African (and possible nonAfrican) countries among the dead.

The church has done everything humanly possible to cover up the truth about this tragedy. First, in the first three days after the incident, members illegally barred officials of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA)

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Why T.B. Joshua should be prosecuted

from accessing the site and rescuing survivors. Second, while this illegal interdiction was in effect, the leadership of the church attempted to dictate the narrative and deflect possible culpability by blaming the incident on a mysterious ‘small plane’ which had purportedly hovered above the church complex moments before the collapse. The church leadership even released an ‘exclusive’ footage of the ‘strange’ plane. Third, as public anger mounted in South Africa, the pastor, TB Joshua declared the dead ‘martyrs of faith’ and sought to change the subject by promising to ‘take his teachings’ to the country every month for the foreseeable future.

Joshua’s entire conduct since the tragic news broke has been that of a man who feels that he is accountable to no one, and who is too preoccupied with his image as a ‘man of God’ to worry about the many victims of this tragic incident, whether injured or dead. His attempts to somehow portray a collapse that most probably has to do with failure to comply with building regulations as a personal attack is an example of his selfpromotion and is nothing short of callous.

Yet, if he has comported himself as one above the law, it is precisely because the Nigerian state has offered him every license. In this wise, neither President Goodluck

Jonathan nor Governor Babatunde Fashola has covered himself in glory. The president’s visit to the scene of the collapse in which he commiserated with him was painful to watch. Why would the Nigerian president visit and express solidarity with the leader of a church who should be a person of interest in an ongoing police investigation? And is this the same president who does not know the way to Chibok? Whatever his motive, President Jonathan strengthened Joshua’s arm, gave him the assurance of presidential protection, and threw police investigations in jeopardy. In the same vein, the cloak and dagger nature of the meeting between

former military President; and the other, a security chief of immense connections. Who says Atiku has not got financial and political clout? But he may soon add another General to the feathers in his cap when he rubbishes former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, if he makes the mistake of running in a primary with the tested politician. And that is it! None of these men is politically wily enough to beat this politician who is playing on a turf he knows better than them. They are soldiers, trained in the art of violence, but Atiku is a kettle of fish they cannot contend with.

Only fellow politicians can neutralise Atiku in a political game. Ask Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and he will tell you how he neutralised the former

Vice President in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Atiku ran away from the ACN, politically bruised and bloodied. Ask Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the sitting president who made political mincemeat of Atiku. Atiku may have political brains and brawns, he lacks the humility and the cunningness of the zoologist with a truck load of good luck from on high.

Atiku says he has what it takes to bring people together and turn things around for better, adding that his decision to run for President was borne out of the need for good governance; but the question remains, what did he do with the four years he ran the country while his former boss was gallivanting round the world seeking to impress the inter-

national community rather than build a nation? It is no longer news that it was his activities in those four years that had made him the most investigated Nigerian. And that is when he was number two; what will happen if he has four years as the country’s chief executive and commander-in-chief?

Other than his fellow political traveler, Buhari, Atiku stands out as the only one who has contested the nation’s highest political office the most since 1999. But if he is not careful as before, he will have his nose rubbed in the mud again because he has no good luck. Good luck, for now, resides elsewhere in Asokoro District of Abuja.

• Chika Onuora Asokoro, Abuja

2015: Atiku needs good luck!

IR: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says he is the most investigated Nigerian.

Why not? It is either because he is the most tainted Nigerian or he is the most victimised Nigerian under the sun. But, of course, he cannot be denied the cap of being the most dogged fighter in the political arena since 1999, having, as it were, fought his former boss, now friend, Olusegun Obasanjo, to a standstill and still lives to tell the story. Atiku is not only a giant killer, he is also one that knows how to kill generals politically. He did it to Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida; and Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau.

One was a former Head of State and former President; another, a

Governor Fashola and Joshua can only have comforted the latter.

Nigerians deserve to know what transpired during their meeting, and whatever assurances, if any, Fashola gave Joshua. That said, Fashola is putting at risk his own hard-earned reputation for transparency and legality. Simply put, should visits have taken place, they should have been to the hospitals where the injured are being treated and the homes of the deceased. The site should have been barricaded by the relevant authorities—the police, town planning, etc.— to secure evidence, given that the presumption ought to be that even if it is not immediately clear that a crime has been committed, something definitely has been remiss in the entire tragedy. Getting to the root of the matter should be the only concern next to solicitations for the welfare of the survivors.

We cannot resurrect the dead; but it is a duty we owe to their memory that the truth of this matter is not buried with them. Therefore, it is important that the police and other investigative agencies be given the necessary backing (both financial and moral) in order to carry out their duties. Joshua is a person of interest, not for his callousness, but for his cynical and persistent attempts to obliterate the truth and pervert the course of justice.

• SGD Olufemi Taiwo, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York Ebenezer Obadare, University of Kansas, Lawrence Akin Adesokan, Indiana University, Bloomington Wale Adebanwi, University of California, Davis Tejumola Olaniyan, University of WisconsinMadison, Madison

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

COMMENTS

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EYOND President Goodluck Jonathan’s unprecedented exclusive endorsement for re-election by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state governors, Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee, which has practically foreclosed the conventional Presidential Primary to choose a candidate, his choreographic skill and promotional ability were perhaps more strikingly exhibited in the matter of the reported N10, 000 donated in support of his campaign by a certain Ezemagu Sunday Nnamadi, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Intriguingly, the portrait of this newsmaking donor described as “a young Nigerian” was unhelpfully indistinct. He appeared to belong to a shadowy world, without concrete details of his background. For instance, it would be interesting to know where he was schooled and what he studied, even where he was posted for his NYSC year.

The presidency must have considered such clarifying pieces of information needless, not to say useless. All that mattered should be the celebrated donation, not the circumstances of the donor, the president’s communication handlers must have reasoned. This would explain why the statement on the gift issued by Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, reportedly focused on his gratitude.

Jonathan’s letter of thanks, according to Abati, said: “Your gracious gesture is particularly gratifying, coming as it does from one of our nation’s vibrant and gifted youth who are our successor generation and for whom our administration is unequivocally committed to providing the requisite environment to optimally realise their tremendous creative and productive potential.”

The letter continued:” As I carry on with the task of positively transforming our country for its God-ordained greatness and prosperity, I will continue to count on the goodwill as well as the practical and prayerful support of patriots like you.”

Realistically, the said donation, if not a publicity stunt, was a publicity opportunity that ought to be exploited maximally, but the issue is that it seemed suspiciously simulated, a possibility that speaks volumes about the capacity for creative

‘Jonathan has proved to be a master choreographer, perhaps contradicting the view of his antagonists that he is clueless. When it comes to stage-managing for political success at any cost, he may be the ultimate power-hungry schemer’

N

IGERIANS are busy from dawn to dusk. Everywhere you turn, from the remotest hamlets to the megacities of state capitals. From the farmers, shoeshine boys, traders, and civil servants in the various ministries and government offices to the politicians presiding over the entire machinery of the state, there are endless activities.

Everyone is embroiled in the frenzy of back and forth movements to eke out a living. With the relentless burst of energy, one is surprised that we still have citizens who cannot afford to put food on their tables. To the ordinary Nigerian, life is a struggle from cradle to the grave, and nobody can support the other because of grinding poverty. The family unit which is the only social support system is collapsing as you see senior citizens and elderly people abandoned to beg for alms on the streets and traffic just to stay alive.

Nigeria has become a painful reminder of the heinous apartheid regime in South Africa; black- on -black exploitation and violence. Our leaders are ever busy round the clock.

Our institutions are like wind mills continuously running with officials going from one board meeting to the other but there is hardly any evidence on the ground that translates to improvement in the life of the ordinary man on the street. Nigeria has become like a country on a barber’s chair; rocking and swinging; all motion, but no movement.

We preach change, but the more things appear to change, the more they remain the same. All the orchestrated transformations are a mirage as they are found only on pages of newspapers and tabloids and footages on the tube.

Nigerians had high hopes at independence of a great future. Our currency was at par with the United States Dollars in the 1970s. There was some enthusiasm among the regional leaders in a healthy rivalry across the geopolitical zones to develop infrastructures and grow the economy in the areas they were best gifted with comparative advantage.

Institutions like the Nigerian Army and indeed the Armed Forces were pan-Nigerian in outlook, character, content, and highly patriotic.

Since independence, the politicians have remained the same: greedy, exploitative, wasteful, and divisive. They engaged in obscene acquisition and display of wealth. The politicians of today have carried it into a new height with Nollywood gusto. Exotic cars are not enough anymore so, they now buy private jets and engage in the past time of driving (piloting/flying) the jets at the expense of their duties. The patriotism of the political class is only in language at public gathering but not at heart. The credentials of the ruling class are their tribe and religion, which they promote above other considerations.

Today, Nigeria remains more divided than we were in 1960 and through the period of the civil war. Our leaders parrot patriotism and decree that Nigeria will not breakup while they instigate hatred and acrimonious relationship to serve their political survival.

In the early 1960s and 1980s, they were some religious extremists like the Maitatsine Sect. It did not take too much

Presidential choreography orchestration in the presidential corridor. Is Jonathan projecting the idea that he does not have an intimidating war chest? It is noteworthy how the letter of appreciation dripped with self-glorification. In particular, the suggestion of continuity was attractively dressed, or to put it in another fashion, the intention of extension was charmingly undressed.

From the look of things, Jonathan could be dreaming of a day when the entire country would rise as one and crown him without opposition. That dream is a grandiose delusion.

But it would be unsurprising if the next episode in the longrunning entertainment show featured enthusiastic sycophants begging him to agree to be the PDP presidential candidate in the 2015 general elections. Not that such a development would be entirely new, only that this time it may likely involve people kneeling before him and prostrating themselves before him in unbelievable submission.

Add to this picture the reinforcing activities of the obsessive self-defined non-governmental organisation known as Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) which insists on an incomprehensible objective: “the continuation of transformation by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ).”

What the group makes of the concept of “transformational government” remains a puzzle because the Jonathan administration has been anything but that. However, TAN’s promotional train is on course and its region-by-region approach is expected to climax in the federal capital, Abuja, on September 30.

Also in the picture is the screening and evaluation of the various Jonathan support groups for the battle ahead. Instructively, Jonathan’s Political Adviser, Prof. Rufai Alkali, who coordinated the activities, said: “As 2015 approaches, we note

that the circumstances and fundamentals facing us are somewhat different. The opposition is different; the political landscape is different; the players are different and the issues are different.” Alkali continued: “To address these issues, the reorganisation of the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) has become imperative. I have, therefore, decided to set up a special GSG reorganisation committee to study all issues concerning the organisation and propose a reorganisation structure that will allow us position for 2015.”

Considering the scale of the preparation indicated by these developments, it is both puzzling and laughable that the character whose interest is being promoted by these actions continues to pretend that he may not be interested in a second term as president after all. In the light of all that is visible, Jonathan’s attitude is nothing short of self-deception, if he thinks that the people are in the dark. There is a certain reptilian sneakiness to his conduct. What is he waiting for, particularly given all the signs that continue to betray his aspiration?

But Jonathan would want observers to believe that this background, as persuasive as it is, may not be enough to make him interested in re-election. He seems determined not to be seen as desperate for a second term in office, which may be a reasonable projection; but it is impossible to hide his ambition.

Indeed, in a telling irony, the harder he struggles to mask his aspiration, the more he gives himself away.

Strikingly, when he appeared at his party’s September 20 “Southwest sensitisation rally,” he could not resist wearing that familiar mask of deception. In his speech on the occasion, he referred to the various endorsements and introduced a suspicious complication. He said: “I also have the right of refusal and I thank the party for giving me the opportunity.”

The question is: Would he exercise this right and refuse?

Jonathan, perhaps unwittingly, but more likely not innocently, supplied the answer, albeit in a coded communication. He boasted about the establishment of a Presidential Jobs Board which would “create three million jobs in the next one year.”

He reasoned: “That means in a few years, we would solve the problem of unemployment.” Then he added: “We continue to promise to transform Nigeria; make changes and never go back. We need all Nigerians to work with us. In the next few years, unemployment will continue to drop. We are totally committed to changing all sectors of the Nigerian economy.”

Read between the lines. Does he sound like a man who would say “No”? He must be self- deluded to imagine that his game of laboured suspense is beyond public comprehension. On the contrary, whatever game he is playing appears so cheap and degrading, not to say nauseating.

Jonathan has proved to be a master choreographer, perhaps contradicting the view of his antagonists that he is clueless.

When it comes to stage-managing for political success at any cost, he may be the ultimate power-hungry schemer.

Motion without movement

By Mike Kebonkwu of the combined efforts of the Nigeria Police and the armed forces to crush them. It took the patriotism of the Armed Forces to see us through the Nigerian civil war, which ended with the patriotic declaration of no-victor, no-vanquished.

When Chadian soldiers made adventurous incursion into our territory in the 1980s and killed five of our soldiers, it took only the General Officer Commanding the 3rd Armoured Division to muster his troops give the Chadians a bloody nose and they retreated with their tails between their thighs.

Today, when nations are gaining territories, we negotiated and ceded our own territory of Bakassi with its people to Cameroon. Today, after six months of the abduction and kidnapping of over 200 Chibok school girls, the only thing we hear from the government and the military high command is that, “we know where the girls are.” Wait a minute!

Remember the Beslan School tragedy in Chechnya, when some extremists and terrorists invaded and held the children as hostages? It took Russian troops only hours to storm the place and crush the terrorists.

It was bloody, there were collateral damages but the Russian Federation and parents were spared the agony of suspense, expectations, and hope. The lunatic terrorists were taught a bitter lesson not to trifle with a vigilant prepared nation.

Today, we are faced with an insurgency from some depraved extremists called Boko Haram, and for over five years, the armed forces are dithering and not able to rein them in. They are growing by the day, gaining grounds and territories, and hoisting their flags. Sadly, we are finding all manners of excuses that obviously are balderdash and do not hold water. We complained that the insurgents are using superior weapon system than the Nigerian Armed Forces. The survival of Nigeria as a corporate entity depends so much on the type of armed forces and political leadership that we have. Let us stop to live in denials; the Nigerian Armed Forces of today, is polarized, politicized and fractious just as the politicians.

The grumbling and mutinous behaviour of officers and men in the military even in a theatre of operation should not come as a surprise to anyone who understands the dynamics of soldiering.

I hold strongly to the view that equipment and materiel not driven by patriotic discipline and well trained personnel would not translate to victory in any theatre of operation and cannot hold the nation together. What the Armed Forces just like other institutions are doing is simply offering employment to jobless youths. The result is what is playing out everywhere you see troops deployment whether it is at the roadblocks and Internal Security Operations, fighting the insurgency or any other engagement. While nations are coming together, internal forces are pulling and tearing

us apart and destroying our institutions in spite of billboard sloganeering by parasitic and amorphous organizations.

Before our very eyes, different ethnic nationalities are forming armed militant groups in most cases better equipped that our own national police and the armed forces. This certainly portends ill omen for the survival of our corporate entity as the country is awash with small arms and light weapons of different calibres. How did the weapons come into the country and in the hands of unauthorized people and groups? We have the ubiquitous Police, Customs and Immigration and yet these weapons come into the country unnoticed. We have the publicity seeking Directorate of State Services who can sniff out moneys hidden in the boot of vehicles during elections and yet do not have an idea of weapons in wrong hands. The Nigerian leaders are playing the ostrich while the nation sits nervously on a keg of gun powder.

Like buccaneers and ravaging army of locusts, our leaders visit endless hardship on the citizens and make the people subsidize for corrupt and inept government officials.

Look at the buffoonery of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigerian (TAN) across country. Look at the histrionics of the PDP governors’ and National Executive Committee of the party’s endorsement and adoption of one candidate for the party in their forthcoming National Convention. Why did they bother to organize a jamboree called National Convention to waste resources when a candidate has emerged?

We dissipate energy on unproductive jamborees and console ourselves that we are working and the nation is working. We put out frightening figures of growth in our gross domestic products.

With all the statistics of growth and improvement reeled out by the government, we have remained on the same spot. This is the time for us to take a good hard look at our country, remove the veil of deceit, and tell ourselves the truth. No doubt, we would be better and stronger together with our different tribes and tongues just like a rainbow and a coat of many colours.

We need a new consciousness, the consciousness of thinking Nigeria first. Yes, it is possible. We should make conscious effort to move our country forward. We should not pretend to work; we should work to add value to the quality of life of the ordinary Nigerian. We should build our infrastructures and fight corruption with benevolence of spirit and good conscience for the future of this country.

Our tribes are not our problems. It is not our religion neither is it our tongues. Our problem is our divisive and self-serving leaders. We are tired of this circuit show of motion without movement; it is time to translate our potentials to reality.

• Kebonkwu writes from Abuja

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

22

COMMENTS

A

PART from the festering insurgency, two other recent events have combined to constantly keep the nation in the prying eyes of the international community. These are the outbreak of the Ebola disease and collapse of a five-storey building at the Synagogue church in Lagos. Though not essentially related, both have had the net effect of taking heavy tolls on human lives and will continue to dominate public discourse for quite sometime.

This is more so as those who lost their lives in the two incidents were both Nigerians and foreigners.

Not unexpectedly, world attention has for the greater part of the last two months been primed within our shores. And for a country that has not been rated high in managing crisis situations, it is to be imagined the avalanche of negative reportage these would have generated.

Surprisingly however, our leaders were able to effectively and efficiently manage the first such that no less a body than the World Health Organization (WHO) came out to score us very high.

Though the Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer who imported the deadly virus into the country concealed information on his lethal ailment thus exposing others to mortal danger, our health professionals moved in quickly to arrest further spread. The efficiency with which they worked, posted positive results through minimal deaths such that today, the country has been adjudged free of the virus. This is something to cheer.

But if the handling of the Ebola outbreak was an instant success, that of the collapse of a five-storey building at the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos, left much to be desired. Ironically, the synagogue was the first place of worship visited

‘The blame has been placed at the door steps of the church for its hostility to rescuers. The panel must get at the root of it.

Those found culpable should be made to face the full weight of the law’

S

Emeka OMEIHE 08112662675 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Death at the synagogue by a medical team from both the Lagos State, the federal government and the WHO to solicit the cooperation of its general overseer, Prophet T.B. Joshua not to admit Ebola patients into his premises. They had then politely told him that the virus spreads very fast and is not one of such ailments that could succumb to faith healing.

Joshua promised to work with the team to ensure that the virus does not spread by not admitting people from the affected countries and suspending some of his healing programmes. So he was part of the story that turned out as the successful management of the Ebola outbreak in this country.

Ironically, the same church was to turn out the theatre of a monumental calamity some weeks after through the collapse of one of its buildings. Reports had it that the building collapsed while many visitors, mainly foreigners were having their lunch. Initial reports on the suspected cause of the collapse were sketchy, but there was some convergence that the building went down while construction workers were busy adding additional structures on it.

While many were said to have been trapped at the various floors, rescue work could not commence early as the church officials and worshippers were alleged to have prevented rescuers access to the place. Even those who would have been saved had quick response arrived, lost their lives through delays arising from the inexplicable hostility of the church officials and worshippers.

The church was to come out some days later to allege that the collapse was as a result of terror attack by the dreaded Boko Haram in-

INCE the civilians took over government in 1999, we have had eight Inspector Generals of Police till date. They are- Musiliu Smith (1999-2002), Mustapha Adebayo Balogun March 2002- January 2005, Sunday Ehindero 2005-2007, Mike Mbama Okiro 2007-2009, Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo 2009-2010, Hafiz Ringim January 2010- 2012, Muhammed D. Abubakar2012-2014 and Suleiman Abba 2014- till date. A keen observer will note that in some cases, some Inspector Generals of Police, even introduced new uniforms during their tenure.

From 1999 till now, we have had seven Chiefs of the Air Staff.

They are Air Marshall Isaac Alfa (1999-2001), Air Marshall Jonah Wuyep (2001-2006), Air Marshall Paul Dike 2006-2008, Air Marshall Michael Oluseyi Petinrin (2008-2010), Air Marshall Mohammed Diko Umar (2010-2012), Air Marshall Alex Sabundu Badeh(2012-2014) and Air Marshall Adesola Nunayon Amosu from January 2014 till date.

From 1999, we have had nine Heads of Service of the Federation.

The post is a creation of the constitution. They are Abu Obe19992000, Mahmmud Yayale Ahmed 2000-2007, Ms Obele Okeke 2007-2008, Ms Ammal Pepple June 16 – June 15 2009, Steve Oronsanye June 16 2009 – November 15 2010, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi November 16 2010 – September 2011, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali September 30 2011 to March 2013, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji March 25 2013 to August 2014 and Mallam Danladi Kifasi August 19 2014 till date.

All things being equal, Alhaji Kifasi will retire in December next year when he clocks 60. He has served as a member of the governing board of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

I am told that Alhaji Kifasi is highly imaginative and hardworking. Poor soul. According to the pioneer DirectorGeneral of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms established in February 2004, Goke Adegoroye who retired as permanent secretary of FCT two years ago, there are over 150,000 federal civil servants (mainstream) as at now.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation was established on April 1, 1977 as a merger of the Nigerian National Oil Corporation and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel.

From 1999 to date we have had eight Group Managing Directors for the corporation. From March 17, 2010 when he became acting President till he was finally sworn in as President, on May 6, 2010 following the death of his predecessor, five Group Managing Directors of the NNPC have served under the current President.

Likewise the present Minister of Petroleum Resources has appointed four group Managing Directors for NNPC since she came to the Ministry on April 16 2010. They are Dr. Jackson Gaius Obaseki May 1999- November 2003,Engr. Funso Kupolokun November 2003- July 2007, Engr. Abubakar Yar’adua August 2007- January 2009, Dr. Muhammed Sanusi Barkindo January 2009- May 2010, Barrister Ladan Shehu, April 2010 to May 2010, Engr. Austen Olusegun Oniwon, May 2010- June 2012, Engr. Andrew Leah Yakubu, June 2012- August 2014 and now

surgents. In a video clip it showed to the public, Joshua claimed a plane had hovered around the building before it finally went down. Both Lagos State and the federal governments are investigating the incident. But Lagos has had to suspend action or further comments on the incident to avoid jeopardizing the inquisition of the federal authorities.

Before now however, the state government had made it clear that the ill-fated building was originally approved as a twostorey building. It also said it had no records that approval was given for the additional three floors which were being added when the calamity occurred.

From all indications, the Lagos State government has clear ideas of the issue at stake being the approving authority. Without prejudice to whatever the federal government panel is doing, it is certain that its job will be incomplete without the cooperation of the host government. It is not clear how that panel intends to work. But much of the information it requires to determine the cause of the collapse are with the Lagos State government.

It would therefore have been more rewarding to build a synergy with the host government on the matter. The way things stand, the state government does not feel it should continue with its own inquisition to avoid conflict of interests. That is why it has suspended all activities on the matter.

But that is where the problem arises. At what point will the state government come into the matter again? Or will it come out with its findings after the federal panel

would have unveiled its results? These are some of the posers that seem to suggest there should have been collaboration between the two levels of government.

The type of synergy that was called into action to curtail the immediate spread of the Ebola virus ought to have formed the plank for the investigations. With such collaborative efforts, all issues relating to the unfortunate incident would be fully examined and recommendations to forestall future occurrences made.

It is still not late for the federal authorities to expand the panel to include relevant authorities of the Lagos State government. A situation in which the state government has now been forced to stall action on the matter awaiting the federal panel is not the best approach to it.

The issue is of immense public interest and it will be counter productive if the two governments come out with different versions.

The right thing therefore is for both parties to work together, harmonize positions and come out with a common position.

Joshua had introduced the terrorism theory.

It should be investigated. But even before its outcome is known, it would appear such a theory will definitely lack in scientific validity. This writer will stand to be proved wrong.

Beyond these, the nation must have been heavily embarrassed that as we were still giving out the casualty figure as 44, the South African President, Jacob Zuma went public to announce that 67 of their citizens had died in the incident. That really opened up public eyes that if one single country could lose 67 people, the fatality would have been much higher. And it came to pass. That country alone lost 84 citizens.

The blame has been placed at the door steps of the church for its hostility to rescuers. The panel must get at the root of it. Those found culpable should be made to face the full weight of the law. The South African people are so piqued by this singular incident that their youths have vowed not to allow Joshua into their country until he has accounted for their dead compatriots. They also vowed to sue him. That is a measure of the outrage the incident has generated. The world is awaiting the outcome of the findings. We must demonstrate very unambiguously that the law is no respecter of persons through appropriate punishment to identifiable culprits.

Gradual killing of the system

By Eric Teniola Dr. Joseph Thlama Dawha from August 2014 to date. Dawha joined the NNPC in 1988. All things being equal, he has less than five months to serve. The NNPC has a board of directors of which the Minister of Petroleum is the head. The board was constituted on July 17 2012. It was again reconstituted with the same membership last week. From 2012 till now, the board has met only once. Other members of the board are Abdullahi Bukar, Steve Oronsaye, Professor Olusegun Okunnu, Daniel Wadzani, Bernard Otti and Peter Nmadu.

From 1999 till date, we have had seven Chiefs of Naval Staff.

They are Vice Admiral Victor Kare Ombu (1999-2001), Vice Admiral Samuel Olajide Afolayan 2001-2005), Vice Admiral Ganiyu T.A. Adekeye (2005-2008), Vice Admiral Ishaya lko Ibrahim 2008-2010, Vice Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim 2010-2012, Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba 2012-2014 and Vice Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin January 2014-till date.

From 1999 till date we have had eight Chiefs of Army Staff.

They are Lt. Gen. Victor Malu, May 1999- April 2001, Lt. Gen. Alexander Ogomudia, April 2001- June 2003, Lt. Gen. Martin Luther Agwai June 2003- June 2006, Lt. Gen. Owoye Andrew Azazi, June 2006-May 2007, Lt. Gen. Luka Nyeh Yusuf, June 2007August 2008, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, August 2008- September 2010, Lt. General Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika, September 2010-2014 and now Lt. Gen. Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah, January2014 till date.

The post of Chief of Defence of Staff is the highest in the Nigerian Armed Forces. The position was established for the first time under 1979 Nigerian Constitution with General Julius Alani Ipoola Akinrinade (75) as the first Chief of Defence Staff. Gen. Akinrinade, a war hero is from Yakoyo near Ile-Ife in Osun State.

From 1999 till date we have had seven Chiefs of Defence Staff.

They are Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi 1999-2003, General Alexander Ogomudia 2003-2006, General Martin Luther Agwai January 2006May 2007, General Andrew Owoeye Azazi, May 2007-August 2008, Air Marshall Paul Dike August 2008-September 2010, Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin September 2010-October 2012, Admiral Ola Ibrahim October 2012- January 16 2014 and now Air Marshall Alex Sabundu Badeh January 16 2014 to date.

From 1999 to date, we have had six Chief Justices of the Federation. They are Muhammed Lawal Uwais 1999-2006, Salihu Modibo Alfa Belgore 2006-2007, Idris Legbo Kutigi 2007-2009, Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu 2009-2011, Dahiru Musdapher 2011-2012, Aloma Mariam Muktar 2012 to date.

All these appointments clearly define who really we are.

These career appointments made in the last 15 years alone have ceiling on the number of years one has to spend in the service before you retire or you are kicked out. In case of judiciary, seniority takes precedence.

All the appointments were made by the President. In some cases, he made the appointments, in consultations with the National Assembly or the National Council of States. He does not need consultation before appointing anyone as Group Managing Director of NNPC neither does he need to consult anyone before appointing anyone as Head of Service once, he is a Permanent Secretary.

But there is nothing in the law or in the procedure of appointments, which says anyone less than two years left to serve, must be appointed head or anyone who is the most senior.

And there is no law that says the Presidents can not appoint someone that has at least four to six years to serve before retirement, so that he or she could carry out the necessary reforms before he or she retires. Changing service chiefs constantly, like we change police uniforms, is amazing.

Why must a new President distrust serving service chiefs to the extent that he has to appoint his own, bearing in mind that since 1999 till date only one political party has been in power in the centre?

We all know that in the military tradition once you appoint a junior officer as service chiefs all his seniors automatically retire. Let us imagine how many trained and experienced officers that have suddenly left the service in the last 15 yearstheir careers suddenly cut short and their families in total penury, in a country of their own which they once served proudly.

Human nature being human, someone who has less than a year to spend in the office, however competent or patriotic he or she could be, will be more concerned or worried about his retirement plans than bringing any tangible inputs into the service, more so when pensioners in Nigeria are treated like endangered species- neglected and humiliated. A service is not a laboratory where you perform annual experiments with new reforms and with different headships.

The problem is that we don’t allow the system to grow. And a system does not grow over night. It has to be systematic and gradual. If we don’t allow the system to grow, then we must expect all kinds of corruption, misconduct, irregularities within the system, hence the numerous gigantic and difficult problems that have now plagued us. .

Teniola, a former director at the presidency stays in Lagos.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Sovereign Wealth Funds are managed conservatively.

They don’t borrow money the way banks do, so you can’t compare this business to banking business. This business does not expose itself to that kind of risk. It is not the same thing as private equity •Managing Director/CEO, NSI A, Uche Orji

CEO

JOBS

‘Fed Govt has no agric policy’

Power sector’s guardian angels - P. 35

- P. 37

News Briefing

PIB ‘ll be passed soon, says Senate president

‘N213b power fund’s impact doubtful’ THE Managing Director, Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited (TUPL), Mr. Adeoye Fadeyibi, at the weekend doubted if the N213billion power sector intervention fund could make additional impact in the first quarter (Q1) of next year.

–Page 26

• ‘UNIDO votes $350m for crop devt’

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

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‘Govt must catalyse start-ups’ growth’ MINISTER of Communications Technology (ComTech), Dr. Omobola Johnson, has said the Federal Government and, indeed, African governments, have a duty to catalyse the growth of tech start-ups to not only innovate and write good software but also create jobs.

–Page 26

CBN outlines roles of HoldCo banks THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released guidelines for banks operating Holding Company (HoldCo) structure and how such lenders will relate with their subsidiaries.

–Page 31

• From left: Director, National Secretariat, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Hajia Rukayat Yusuf; Chief Internal Controller, Fidelity Bank, Mrs Chinwe Ezegbu and Executive Director, Southsouth, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs Ibiye Ekong, during the 8th Annual Banking and Finance Conference of CIBN in Abuja.

Dip in revenue: States root for freeze on ECA savings

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil Cocoa

-$117.4/barrel -$2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

- ¢132.70/pound

Cotton

- ¢95.17pound

Gold

-$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

-$163/lb RATES

Inflation

-8.2%

Treasury

Bills

-

10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending

-15.87%

Savings rate

-3%

91-day NTB

-15%

Time Deposit

-5.49%

MPR

-12%

Foreign Reserve

$39.6b

FOREX CFA

-0.2958

EUR

-206.9

£

-242.1

$

-156

¥

-1.9179

SDR

-238

RIYAL

-40.472

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OME state governments have asked the Federal Government to stop paying into the Excess Crude Account (ECA) because of declining revenue to the Federation Account.

A state commissioner of finance lamented that some states were owing salaries because of the drop in revenue.

The finance commissioner from one of the Southwest states lamented that states, such as Benue, Edo, Cross River were having problem paying salaries of civil servants.

“Oyo State is in crisis and Lagos State is surviving because of its reserve. Ogun State lost N1billion in July and August. Losing this huge sum of money every month means there’s crisis in the land,” the commissioner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor), Abuja

“People are losing hope; it will slow down the economy because governments are the largest employers of labour in the country right now, some federal ministries are either owing or not paying their salaries as at when due,” he added.

“The Federal Government should either stop paying into the ECA and pay our debts first to enable us meet our obligations or there will be crisis,” he warned.

He recalled that at the last Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja, the Minister of State for Finance Ambassador Bashir Yuguda had asked the state commissioners of finance to give him two weeks to bring their demand for augmentation of their

monthly allocation to the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said the commissioners agreed to give Yuguda the two weeks grace because he was new on the job. According to him, it is now apparent that the minister may have deceived them by “using diplomatic sense”.

Chairman, Commissioners of Finance Forum and Commissioner of Finance, Ebonyi State, Mr. Timothy Odaah, said the fall in national revenue was a national crisis.

“There is urgent need for a review of the existing revenue allocation formula by revisiting all the legislative lists,” he said.

He said the Federal Government stop road maintenance since most states were already doing it.

According to him, security has become a serious issue and states are now involved in security matters by providing logistics and equipment to law enforcement agencies.

Odaah questioned the rationale for continued funding of ECA while states were being impoverished.

He said: “You don’t save to die. What is the need saving while states are dying?

Saving is necessary and I subscribe to saving for the rainy day but we should only be saving in ECA only when there is enough. It should be based on availability of funds.”

The funds transferred into the ECA, he said, could go a long way in completing ongoing projects abandoned by states and local government areas.

ENATE President, Sena tor David Mark, has said the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will be passed very soon by the Upper House.

He allayed oil firms’ fears on the bill, adding that the country simply adopted what is obtainable in other countries with similar circumstances.

He spoke in Lagos at a forum oragnised by Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Credible democratic transition and the economy.

He dismissed insinuations that the oil majors might relocate to other countries as no serious business could take that decision in a competitive environment.

Mark said what the country hasd done was what every responsible government should do to protect its economy from harmful practices to avoid losers and gainers.

He said: “We are irrevocably committed to passing the PIB before the termination of our legislative tenure. In addition, we will also legislate to ensure the diversification of the economy from a mono product economy to a robust one.

“The power sector is another important sector that we are working on, though generation has improved, there is a need to work on the distribution with adequate legislation.”

The Senate president further said the National Assembly was working on amending the bill on double taxation, adding that the fact that businesses were not paying taxes did not make it right for them to be double-taxed.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Country Representative, Mr. Patrick Kormawa, said the agency had come up with a $350 million master plan on stable crops development and another N250 million for Small and Medium Scale (SMEs) operators that are into refrigerant.

Addax Petroleum set to develop $1.3b OML 137 project

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INOPEC-owned Addax Petroleum has finalised arrangements to begin work on its Ofrima-Udele oil wells located in oil mining lease (OML) 137 offshore Nigeria and south of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, it was learnt.

The assets, which have undergone exploratory and appraisal stages, are set for development and if work progresses as scheduled, production is expected to start early 2016.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

An industry source told The Nation that the company had submitted the development plan to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry regulator – the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) since March.

The regulator and other relevant authorities had given approvals to Addax to go ahead with the projects development, he said.

OML 137 is one of Addax’s notable flagship projects on

which it banks the realisation of its aspiration to attain a daily production well in excess of 100,000 barrels per day (bpd). The oil mining lease is 100 per cent owned and operated by Addax.

Barring any circumstance that may change the schedule, the source said work on the development of the wells would begin next month, adding that the oil firm has reached reasonable level of discussion with some financial institutions for funding

of the project.

According data from Addax website, OML137 and OML126 are two contiguous blocks located 90 km offshore, south of Port Harcourt, in water depths ranging between 50 metres and 210 metres. Production from OML126 commenced in March 2005 and averaged 42,330 barrels per day. For OML137, however, there has been no production from it but Addax anticipates the presence of light oil for it

similar to the crude oil produced from the Okwori and Nda fields in adjacent block OML 126.

OML 137 was surveyed by 3D seismic in early 2006 and contains the Ofrima North oil discovery and several potentially commercial natural gas discoveries(Shokoloko, Toriye, Odum, Asanga and Ofrima), four identified oil prospects (Ofrima North, Atuma, Udele and Asa) and a number of shallow and deep leads.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

26

BUSINESS NEWS

N213b power fund’s impact doubtful, says Transcorp chief

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HE Managing Director, Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited (TUPL), Mr. Adeoye Fadeyibi, at the weekend doubted if the N213billion power sector intervention fund could make additional impact in the first quarter (Q1) of next year.

Asked whether the fund would in any way affect the firm’s target of 1,000megawatts (MW) Q1 of 2015, he explained that it depends on how soon the firm accesses the fund.

He said: “Investments in capacity increase has a medium term gestation period which might not make the Q1 additional impact viable.”

Fadeyibi lamented that the last

• ‘Oil workers’ strike affected turbines’ From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

industrial action which the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) embarked upon between September 15 and 19, reduced TUPL’s gas availability from 453Mw to 220Mw According to him, since taking over the power plant since November 1 last year, it has embarked on its strategic vision to raise its ca-

pacity despite the funding constraints in the sector.

“It is important to note that Transcorp Ughelli Power has embarked on its strategic vision to increase capacity sustainably since takeover irrespective of sector fund constraints.

“This is evident from the fact that we have been the leading generator in terms of megawatts growth since takeover.

“In the welcomed event that the funds get released, the company would prefer to surpass its target

of Q1 of 2015 where feasible, but this depends strictly on when the disbursement of the facility is made, as investments in capacity increase has a medium term gestation period which might not make the Q1 additional impact viable,” he said, adding that the facility will have a positive impact on power generation in the medium and long term as it affects the payment of outstanding gas liabilities that will drive investment in the gas sector and also create an incentive for local gas suppliers to supply gas to the generation companies (GENCOs).

He said part of the power intervention facility agreement was that the fund would also culminate in growth in gas supply in the medium term to stabilise power plants within 24 months.

He stressed that the release of outstanding payments to the GENCOs would drive investment in capital projects that will improve efficiency.

On the strike, he said: “The im-

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• From left: Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, CEO, UBA Africa and Mr. George Otieno, CEO, African Trade Insurance Agency(ATI) at the signing of the UBA/ATI Business Partnership to boost regional and international trade in Nairobi.

NCAA urges airlines on fleet renewal

HE Acting Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Au thority (NCAA), Benedict Adeyileka has urged domestic airline operators to embrace the opportunities offered by the Cape Town Convention to achieve fleet renewal for their airlines.

The Cape Town Convention is an instrument approved for African countries to acquire aircraft from lessors using the aircraft as collateral in the event of default in payment.

He said domestic carriers could also leverage on intervention funds from government to acquire aircraft to boost their operations.

The NCAA boss said domestic carriers should consider forging mergers to run profitable operations.

“Nigerian airlines should leverage on the nation’s signing of the Cape Town Convention to commence a fleet renewal programme with newer aircraft,” he said, adding that the airlines should take

Govt must catalyse start-ups’ growth, says ComTech Minister

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INISTER of Communica tions Technology (ComTech), Dr Omobola Johnson, has said the Federal Government and indeed, African governments have a duty to catalyse the growth of tech start-ups to not only innovate and write good software but also create jobs.

Speaking during the DemoAfrica 2014 event at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, over the weekend, the minister said for the information communication technology sector (ICT) to contribute meaningfully to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country, governments’ involvement is inevitable.

She recalled that in 2000, The Economist, an international current affairs magazine, had on its cover page a silhouette of the African continent with the image of an armed guerrilla fighter with “The Hopeless Continent” as its headline. According to her, within the pages of that edition, the prognosis on Africa encapsulated the prevailing beliefs held not only by majority of those living outside its borders, but also by those that considered themselves ‘trapped’ within it. Africa –a starving, poor, disease-ridden, fractured, war-torn, corrupt, dying mass of humanity … described by former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, as a “scar on the conscience of the world”.

By Lucas Ajanaku

Dr Johnson said in 2011, the cover page of the same magazine bore the image of a boy running across a savannah landscape at sunrise, flying a rainbow coloured kite shaped in the image of thecontinent with “Africa Rising”as its headline. It painted a scenario of dynamism, resilient entrepreneurial activity, fledging yet growing economies, nascent yet stabilising democracies, a population getting healthier and more educated, an expanding middle class signifying a potential to even out the distribution of wealth.

According to her, an Africa that is “getting its act together”.54 countries of different ethnicity, culture, language and different levels of development, home to 1.1billion people, the second fastest growing regional economy (second to Asia) and home to more than half of the world’s fastest growing economies.

But not without its challenges, which IBM has encapsulated and coined as Africa’s Grand Challenges which include education, access to water, energy, healthcare, financial inclusion, public safety and transport and agriculture.

She said: “The combination of an Africa Rising and one that still has to overcome challenges represents a significant opportunity for African start-ups especially those in the

tech sector.

“Mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa are forecasted to exceed 635 million by the end of this year (2014) and predicted to rise to around 930 million by the end of 2019.

“The increase in the number of mobile subscribers has fuelled increases in mobile internet use in Africa and we are considered to be at the cusp of a mobile internet revolution. Predictions are that mobile internet use in Africa will increase 20-fold in the next five years. This is double the estimated growth rate in the rest of the world.

Lower priced devices (in particular smartphones and tablets), increase investment in network infrastructure, and increase availability of spectrum for mobile broadband, are among the factors that will drive this growth. “ She said one report highlights this potential predicts that the Internet could contribute up to $300 billion to Africa’s GDP by 2025; and this is from an estimated $18 billion last year.

“But governments, indeed African governments, have an important role to play in catalysing the start up industry as evidenced in the US and of course Israel. The Nigerian government has done and will continue to do her bit to support the software development in-

pact of the strike action on Ughelli Power Plc (subsidiary of Transcorp Ughelli Power Ltd) was that it reduced the gas availability and quality to the plant and subsequently reduced our available capacity from 453Mw to an average of 220Mw for the period of the strike.”

He added that due to the strike, some of the turbines in the power plant were affected due to the drop in quality of gas, which resulted in unplanned maintenance.

Fadeyibi said: “In addition, a fallout of the strike was that due to the drop in quality of gas received it affected some of the turbines thereby leading to additional unplanned maintenance activities.

“The slight advantage Ughelli Power Plc has over most Gencos is that due to its strategic location, it receives gas supplies from two suppliers namely NPDC and NGC, this lead to the plant still receiving reduced gas supply from NPDC.”

• Mrs Johnson

dustry “We are contributing to the development of a robust pipeline of start-ups with our industry focused Techlaunchpad software competitions and our iDEA incubators and accelerators (last time in this hall was to graduate seven companies out of the hub). Today we have added 70 start-ups to this fledgling but vibrant ecosystem and four iDEA incubatees have emerged finalists for DemoAfrica 2014.

“In the next few days, we will be conducting the first close of the government seeded IT Innovation Fund. Government has committed $9million as seed capital to this fund to be managed by EchoVC and we are literally a month or so away from making our first investment in a number of Nigerian/African tech start ups,” she said.

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

advantage of Federal Government’s aviation intervention funds to acquire newer fleet and equipment.

“Nigerian airlines need to work together as partners rather than compete. They should embrace code sharing and interlining. Once an airline can overcome all these challenges, focus can then shift to sustaining safety and building customer base.

“One of the ways of sustaining safety in Nigerian aviation sector is when airlines embrace the power of synergy. When airlines operating two or three aircraft merged to form one, the level of safety that will be achieved will be more than what one airline is striving to achieve,” he said.

Adeyileka added that most local airlines prefer lease financing, which has been a reflection of how short - term airline business has become in the country, stating that one of the major challenges for airlines in the country has been the issue of lease rates being paid in US dollars while passengers’ fares are in naira and exchange rate usually fluctuates.

He explained that most financial institutions prefer to support business aviation at the expense of commercial aviation, as the former has lesser risk when compared to the latter.

He said the high cost of aviation fuel is another challenge facing airlines and can go up to 40 per cent of airline operating cost depending on aircraft type.

He noted that the major challenges facing the aviation sector were ageing aircraft, cost of aircraft leasing/financial, high cost of aircraft insurance, ageing workforce and fuel.

“It is not the age of the aircraft that is the issue but effect of aircraft ageing on maintenance and operating cost,” Adeyileka clarified.

He said the number of removal of component for maintenance and repair costs increases as the aircraft age increases, stressing that dispatch reliability decreases as the aircraft age increases due to discovery of defects which in turn decreases aircraft parts’ availability.

His words: “Generally, aircraft have mandatory structural inspection programmes imposed on them by the time they are 20 years old with a specified number of flight hours and flight cycles. The amount of aircraft ground time in economic sense is an opportunity cost for the aircraft most especially when the aircraft is on dry lease.”

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

BUSINESS AFRICA

‘Botswana lacks business sophistication’ T HE latest global competitiveness report compiled by the World Economic Forum (WEF) shows a wide fall in the way enterprises operate in Botswana.

The country, according to the report, ranked 116 out of the 144 countries covered by the report this year. The pillar ranked 102 and 95 during the last two surveys conducted respectively. Business sophistication covers among other components, local supplier quantity and quality, state of cluster development, nature of competitive edge, extent of marketing and willingness to delegate authority. The pillar generally looks into whether local suppliers are producing enough and whether their produce is healthy. Six out of the nine indicators under the pillar scored below the average mark of 3.5.

This, according to Botswana National Productivity Centre executive director Baeti Molake is a wake-up call for local enterprises to up their game. Molake said that local enterprises should spend

money on research and development if they are to be competitive in business. Another problematic area interrogated by the WEF in collaboration with the BNPC was goods market efficiency. Though the score remained at 4.1 during the past two years, the pillar ranked 97 from 92 last year.

Molake said it is an indication that local enterprises do not realise the importance of customers. “This can only improve if the private sector can come to the party,” he said, further calling for intense competition in the local market. A major challenge over the years has been poor work ethics in the national labour force.

Other sub-Saharan countries, which have this problem are Namibia, Zambia and Lesotho, though not so predominant like in Botswana. BNPC general manager Tebogo Kesupile told the

media last week that to counter the poor work ethic epidemic, they have so far trained 283 facilitators in the public sector to embark on public awareness on the matter. “We want people to know that they should own their work with passion,” she said. Other pillars that fared poorly are institutions, infrastructure, and financial market development. Meanwhile, innovation remained stagnant at 102 and 3.0 for both rank and score.

There was also a notable improvement in the mobile broadband subscriptions from 16.5 percent to 74.1 percent, which was attributed to the provision of up to date data by relevant authorities.

Botswana ranked at 74 this year, maintaining the position from last year. However, a slight improvement of 4.2 from 4.13 score was recorded.

Gambia urges U.N. inquiry into ‘deliberate’ migrant shipwrecks

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AMBIA’S president has demanded a United Nations investigation into the “manmade sinking, capsizing” of boats carrying migrants to Europe, saying 500 citizens of his African country had died in such incidents in the past five years.

Migrants have been streaming out of North Africa, mostly lawless Libya, in rickety boats in rising numbers for years. Many head for Italy, a gateway to the European Union.

Nearly 3,000 of those migrants have drowned in shipwrecks this year, the Geneva-based International Organisation for Migration (IOM), said last week.

Earlier this month, as many as 500 migrants are believed to have died after traffickers rammed their ship off Malta’s coast, leaving only nine survivors. The migrants were Syrians, Palestinians, Egyptians and Sudanese, an IOM official said.

At the U.N. General Assembly, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh described these incidents as “the very

‘Port of Maputo has greater processing capacity’

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•Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun (right) and Chairman, Honeywell Group, Chief Oba Otudeko, at a dinner organised by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in honour of its new President, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

Apple CEO Tim Cook gets $25b warning shot

HAREHOLDERS have given Apple boss Tim Cook about 25 billion reasons to worry.

That’s how many dollars they have wiped off the company’s stockmarket value in the past two days after a botched system update and reports its new iPhones can be bent.

It’s a small hit for a $600-billionodd company. But the 2012 Apple Maps fiasco is a reminder that oneoff snafus can presage prolonged pain.

On their own, neither problem necessarily constitutes an impending disaster. Exerting pressure on the longer, thinner iPhone 6 Plus, say by putting it in a back pocket and sitting on it, smacks more of user error – or a YouTube

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dare – than anything else. It is, though, embarrassing that a software update to fix some bugs in Apple’s new iOS 8 operating system had to be pulled on Wednesday because it contained a flaw of its own.

All tech firms – even Apple – have launch problems at some point. And unlike automotive companies, they tend not to result in dead customers. Founder Steve Jobs dropped the price of the original iPhone by $200 (U.S.) nsoon after its 2007 launch, angering many who’d bought it already. Its iPhone 4 sported an

imperfect antenna design that prompted the company to provide rubber bumpers free of charge. And Apple’s premature move two years ago to replace Google Maps with its own crummy version left people annoyed and, at times, literally lost.

That last blip prompted a $20billion drop in Apple’s value within days. A speedy and robust fix could have stemmed the red ink there. Instead, an apology and an exhortation to use rivals’ apps had investors call into question new leader Tim Cook’s suitability for the job – and whether Apple’s halcyon days were over. Within 10 months the stock had lost nearly half its value.

Firm harps on staff training

CONSULTANCY firm, Customer Passion Point Ltd, is set to bridge the performance gaps between the multinational companies and their local counterparts by organising a capacity building for employees.

In a press statement, its Chief Ex-

ecutive Officer (CEO), Mrs Chinwe Kalu, said businesses are unable to maximise their potential simply because the people are ill equipped, adding that this is the reason why the firm is organising the monthly training programme.

She said : "Our desire is to equip

businesses to operate beyond their immediate spheres of influence.

Businesses must be positioned to attract patronage beyond the owners' immediate family and friends.

It requires professionalism to do that. And that is what we are imparting to the participants.’’

dangerous, racist and inhuman behaviour of deliberately causing boats carrying black Africans to sink.

“The U.N. must conduct a full and impartial investigation into this manmade sinking, capsizing of these boats carrying young Africans to Europe,” Jammeh said.

Speaking further Gambian president said:”If these boats are able to cross the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea only to sink on European coasts, we must find out what deadly mysterious force exists on the European Mediterranean coasts that causes boats carrying young Africans to disintegrate and sink upon arrival,” he said.

Some 130,000 people have arrived in Europe by sea so far this year, compared with 60,000 last year, according to the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR. Italy has received more than 118,000, most of them rescued at sea under its naval operation Mare Nostrum.

Half of those arriving in Europe by boat are refugees from Syria and Eritrea, according to the agency.

HE Port of Maputo will receive investments in the coming years to increase its cargo processing capacity from 40 million to 50 million tons by 2020, said the president of the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC).

Osorio Sales Lucas, speaking at the launch of the Joint Operation Centre (JOC) of the Maputo Corridor, which includes rail operators Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique, Transnet Freight Rail of South Africa and Swaziland Railway, in conjunction with the MPDC, said that one purpose of the investment was to shift more freight from road to railways.

Part of the investment will be channelled into construction of three new docks and dredging to increase the depth of the port from its current 11 metres to 14 metres, enabling larger draft vessels to moor at the port.

The chairman of the MPDC said that a tender would be announced in the coming months to ensure that new dredging operations are carried out by a company with capacity to carry out the work and that meanwhile Italeni, Transnet Freight & Rail’s new dredger, was due to arrive in Maputo this week for maintenance dredging.

At the same time, Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique plans to invest US$1 million in infrastructure and rolling stock to allow most of the cargo sent to the Port of Maputo to arrive by rail, rather than by road as is currently the case.

The MPDC, which is a partnership that includes South Africa’s Grindrod and DP World of the United Arab Emirates as its main shareholders, handled 17 million tonnes of cargo in 2013, which is expected to increase to 19 million tons this year.

In operation since last year, the JOC, which coordinates the operations of Transnet Freight Rail, CFM, Swaziland Railway and the MPDC has introduced improvements, including

reduction of waiting times by 24 percent in Komatipoort and the port of Maputo by 57 per cent, while South African exports of magnetite increased from an average of 10 to 18 trains per week.

Eni has been awarded three new exploration licenses in Egypt Eni was the successful bidder of three new exploration licenses in Egypt as a result of the competitive 2013 EGPC and EGAS bid rounds. The new licenses will be formally awarded soon, after the ratification and finalisation of the Concession Agreements.

As a result of the EGPC bid round, Eni has been awarded a 100percent participating interest and operatorship of the onshore block South-West Melehia. The block is located in Egypt’s Western desert, near the Melehia Development Lease, in which the Company has a participating interest. The new license covers an area of 2,058 square kilometers.

As a result of the EGAS bid round, Eni will become the operator of Block 9 and Block 8, located in deep offshore waters of the Mediterranean Sea, near the boundary with Cypriot waters.

Eni will hold 100 per cent equity in Block 9, also named North Leil Offshore, which covers an area of 5,105 square kilometres in water depths ranging from 2,100 to 2,800 meters.

In Block 8, also named Karawan Offshore Eni will partner with BP, with both companies holding a 50 per cent equity interest. This license covers an area of 4,565 square kilometres in water depths ranging from 2,000 to 2,500 meters.

Eni’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Claudio Descalzi, said: “I am very pleased with the acquisition of these new exploration permits which further strengthens our presence in Egypt, a historically and strategically important country for Eni.‘’

Govt to regulate construction industry

G

OVERNMENT is confident that parliament will pass Construction Industry Authority Bill (CIAB) by next year.

However, this will only happen after through consultation with stakeholders, mainly the construction industry players.

Once passed, the Act will further provide a ‘conducive environment’ for the industry, Minister of Infrastructure Science and Technology Johnnie Swartz told the Builders Expo in Gaborone .

He further pointed out that currently the ministry is working closely with the private sector to finalise an instrument that will regulate contactors.

“All these building blocks and efforts are fundamental to the growth of the construction industry,” he said. Swatz added that these

are critical tools and necessary checks and balances that will ensure that the critical elements, which support professionalism by consultants and contractors, are adhere to. “We are transitioning from the current unregulated environment to a regulated one,” he said adding that the current industry image is not too pleasing. “We want to shake it off and allow it to take its rightful place as a key economic driver.”

Meanwhile, the contribution of the construction industry to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown to 7.7 percent from the 4.7 percent that was recorded in the year 2000.

Upon implementation the Contractors bill will be joining the recently adopted Acts of Architects, Engineers and Quantity Surveyors.

28

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

29

ISSUES For many banks, the impact of wrong business decisions and tough regulations by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) became pronounced in the second quarter which ended in June. In the days ahead, banks will have to contend with more challenges than their poor results in the said quarter, COLLINS NWEZE writes.

T

HE result of the last Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) liquidity stress test on banks jolted many. Three of the 21 banks and 1 4 foreign subsidiaries recorded a negative liquidity ratio, which measures the ability of banks to meet short term debt obligations. Of the three, two are among those categorised as ‘large banks’.

The zero liquidity ratio recorded by the lenders followed a cumulative 30day shock conducted by the regulator to assess the resilience of the industry to liquidity and funding shocks. The test, the CBN said, assessed the ability of the banking system to withstand unanticipated substantial withdrawal of deposits, as well as short-term wholesale and long-term funding over five-day and cumulative 30-day shocks, with specific assumptions on fire sale of assets.

The result of the test gave insight to the grave situation faced by lenders. For instance, majority of the lenders grappling with low capital base, large long term bonds, rush for Eurobonds and depressed Net Income Margins never foresaw what they face today.

Poor cash flow that has bedevilled investment in power assets, huge investments in 20-year bonds, and tough regulatory policies by CBN have all negatively impacted on banks’ liquidity positions. That explained why many banks panicked after the CBN raised Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on public sector deposits from 12 per cent to 50 per cent last year July. By March this year, the ratio was further hiked to 75 per cent.

This year, the CRR on private sector deposits equally rose by 300 basis points from 12 per cent to 15 per cent. For many banks, especially those with weak deposit base, CBN’s actions have been bad

•Emefiele

Moment of truth for business. The CRR adjustments removed over N2.3 trillion from banks’ vaults and placed it in CBN’s custody, thereby worsening existing cash crunch faced by lenders. The CRR is a portion of banks’ deposits kept with the CBN. The impacts, changes in cash reserve, reduction on Commission on Turnover (CoT) fees, removal of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) charges and increase in contribution to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) levies had on lenders’ profitability were profound.

“Are the projects making good returns, otherwise, there could be problems. The Eurobonds is not the cheapest way to raise funds, but with the timing and liquidity gaps created in the affected banks’ balance sheets, there is urgent need for lenders to source more money,” Country Treasurer and Markets Head at Citibank Nigeria, Bayo Adeyemo said.

Bottom line feedback The first casualty for these miscalculations and tough regulatory policies were banks’ bottom lines. The half year ended

‘

Poor cash flow that has bedevilled investment in power assets, huge investments in 20-year bonds, and tough regulatory policies by CBN have all negatively impacted on banks’ liquidity positions. That explained why many banks panicked after the CBN raised Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on public sector deposits from 12 per cent to 50 per cent last year July. By March this year, the ratio was further hiked to 75 per cent

’

June 30 result of Skye Bank indicated that its Profit Before Tax (PBT) dropped to N7.266 billion as against N10.545 billion during the corresponding period in 2013.

Profit After Tax (PAT) also decreased to N5.786 billion as against N8.428 billion the previous year.

With gross earnings of N63.9 billion, interest expense dropped by 24 per cent yearly to close at N20.7 billion compared to N27.2 billion as at June, last year, in line with the bank’s operational strategy of increasing the volume of low cost funds in its deposit portfolio.

“Our loan impairment charge increased by 100 per cent year-on-year to N5 billion, being a deliberate policy of aggressive provisioning early in the year to enable a fairly sustained position and avoid high-figure concentration in the last quarter. Exchange earnings improved by five per cent to N5.8 billion compared to N5.5 billion of the corresponding period in 2013,” the bank said.

Giving insight on the reasons for poor outing of most banks, the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc, Timothy Oguntayo at a briefing, said the 0.5 per cent sinking fund being contributed to AMCON affects operating expenses.

Fidelity Bank Plc’s PBT for the half year ended June 30, stood at N9.43 billion, its Chief Executive Officer, Nnamdi Okonkwo, has said. The PBT represents a drop of 16 per cent from N11.2 billion recorded in the half year ended June 30, 2013. However, second quarter PBT was N4.97billion, which represents a growth • Continued on page 30

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

30

ISSUES

Moment of truth •Continued from page 29

of 12 per cent from N4.45 billion recorded in first quarter of the year.

Total Customer Deposits declined by five per cent to N766 billion as at June 30, this year from N806 billion as at December 31, last year as we rebalance our deposit book on account of high Cash Reserve Requirement on public sector deposits and continuous re-pricing of the deposit book.

“On a quarterly basis deposits recorded a marginal growth in second quarter 2014 while interest expense remained flat in a period of increased monetary tightening. Net Loans and Leases grew by three per cent to N438 billion as at June 30, 2014 from N426 billion as at December 31, 2013, loan growth was 19 per cent from June 2013 to June 2014,” he said.

Okonkwo said the result is in line with the lender’s 2014 fiscal year and medium term Return on Equity (ROE) target, adding that the lender’s shareholders’ funds stood at N166.38 billion within the period.

GTBank recorded a 6.92 per cent drop in PBT to N53.40 billion compared with N57.36 billion last year June, while PAT stood at N44.01 billion, lower than N49.01 billion in June 2013.

Although UBA Plc got 8.7 per cent increase in gross earnings from N127.25 billion in 2013 to N138.32 billion this year, its PBT dropped by 13.1 per cent to N28.89 billion, compared with N33.25 billion in June 2013.

FirstBank of Nigeria’s result showed that half year PBT dropped by 12 per cent to N48.3 billion against N54.8 billion recorded in same period of last year. Likewise, PAT declined by 19.4 per cent to N37.2 billion from N46.1 billion in 2013.

Analysts’ views Equities analyst at Renaissance Capital (RenCap), an investment and research firm, Adesoji Solanke, said lenders must be disciplined on the cost line and properly manage their impairment charges before they could deliver earnings growth. He said most banks’ managements acknowledged the current challenges and their initial focus will be on reducing the funding costs by continuous downward repricing of costly term deposits.

For Fidelity Bank, Solanke said the lender will be significantly more focused on driving e-banking products for customer mobilisation. On the asset side, he said Fidelity is positioning itself to be a Small and Medium Enterprise-focused bank, and, coupled with its payroll lending retail book, management expects combined exposure to rise to 50 per cent over the medium term (2017), from 28 per cent in 2013.

He said the bank’s management has also been re-pricing the existing loan book and plans to periodically review all concessions and lending rates. “The turnaround process is under way, but we think in the short term, investors are likely to retain a preference for the more liquid and relatively cheap tier one names,” he said.

Vetiva Capital Management analysts predicted that on an aggregate level, the banking industry 2014 gross earnings would take a potential $690 million annual hit, assuming a 12 per cent yield on the newly sterilised CRR deposits. They said the impact will vary from bank to bank depending on how much public

sector deposits on their books.

But Sterling Bank’s Executive Director, Strategy, Abubakar Suleiman, disagreed that banks have performed poorly. “If you look around, most banks in subSaharan Africa did not do better than 15 per cent ROE in 2013. Nigerian banks are averaging 20 per cent ROE. So, that is not poor performance. Also, it is at a time that the sector is also growing.

Is it true that the headwinds exist? Yes,” he said.

Suleiman said the cost of resolution for the crisis of 2009 is something that will be with banks for a while, but that should not stop them from aspiring to deliver good returns.

“These are difficult times when government and regulatory authorities are trying to stabilise prices, including exchange rates and interest rates, and the choices available to them are limited,” he said.

Again, these are not policies that will be there forever. They will be applied in the best interest of the country, and when things stabilise, we expect some of these policies to be reversed and profitability will improve for the banks,” he said.

He said the CBN cannot allow a certain level of liquidity in the system when there is pressure from the exchange rate. “And even the banks themselves are not better-off if liquidity is allowed in the system because what they gain, in terms of interest income, they may end up losing if there is significant devaluation or devaluation that is not managed properly. In my view, the CRR hike is something that must happen, and is not going to prevent any serious minded bank from returning decent ROE,” he said.

Suleiman said his bank achieved its objective, and the target that was set for 2013 despite the difficult operating environment. He said the increase in top line performance is impressive considering the harsh regulatory environment and the tightening stance of the CBN, which put pressure on earnings of most banks “Most importantly, we also reduced our cost to income ratio, and we are a more efficient bank today than we were before. We also achieved a 40 per cent growth in our risk assets, and 22 per cent growth in total assets.

So, it is an encouraging performance that we are very proud of and intend to repeat in 2014,” he said.

Banks’ responses Banks are raising dollar-funds to finance businesses in power, oil and gas sectors. The lenders are also embracing e-payment to reduce cost of operation while also improving their commitments to the SMEs sector. There is also renewed zeal to fund mortgage, agricultural and educational businesses. Banks are also reviewing their business development strategies aimed at achieving improved earnings.

Group Managing Director, UBA

•Oduoza

•Ecobank Nigeria CEO Jibril Aku

Plc, Phillips Oduoza in late April, announced a major shift in the lender’s business model and strategy to improve its earnings in Nigeria and African subsidiaries. The bank has 18 subsidiaries across Africa.

Then in May, the lender split its operations into two broad directorates, UBA Africa and UBA Nigeria, both under UBA Plc. The bank also appointed two deputy managing directors to head the UBA Africa and UBA Nigeria directorates, and mandated each division to contribute 50 per cent to the lender’s group profit targets.

Oduoza said competition between the two directorates will be positive and improve its earnings. “We have taken a decision on how to drive Nigeria and African divisions and earn the full benefits of our investments,” he said. Oduoza said the bank is not restructuring, but is redeploying its resources in a very optimal manner to achieve its business objectives and improve earnings.

Equally, the Board of Directors of Diamond Bank also announced the extension of the tenure of Alex Otti, the lender’s managing director, for another three years with effect from March 2014. It also appointed two deputy managing directors to drive its local and offshore businesses. The bank is equally renewing its performance in the SMEs sub-sector and improving customer services to enhance earnings.

power sector. “We will encourage investment in the gas to power infrastructure to improve the reliability of supply of gas to the existing and new power plants. We will also support investments in renewable energy in rural areas through matching funds schemes, and providing first loss guarantees,” he said.

Aside funding power, banks are seeing viable business opportunities in oil exploration, manufacturing, SMEs and even mortgage industry. But funds are needed to consummate these transactions; hence many banks are now seeking supplementary capital to boost their capacity to lend more.

Power sector factor Many analysts have insisted that banks, going forward, needed to be more cautious in lending to the power sector despite regulatory persuasions for such act.

For instance, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, included in his agenda for the financial sector and economy, a blueprint for the power sector. He understood that improved investments inflow into the power sector from both local and international lenders is crucial to solving the power crisis bedeviling the Nigerian economy.

Emefiele said the CBN will facilitate investment in key parts of the value chain by providing funds at concessionary rates to targeted investments in the

Rush for Eurobonds In the last one year, more than eight banks have approached local and international investors in search of new capital. Access Bank Plc sold $400 million of subordinated notes in June.

FirstBank of Nigeria sold $450 million of bonds on July 18.

Stanbic IBTC, the Nigerian unit of South Africa’s Standard Bank, plans to raise up to N30 billion in Tier 2 capital. Diamond Bank in August raised $3.1bn to boost its operations.

Sterling Bank has also raised $250 million, so were Wema Bank and Ecobank. The list is endless.

RenCap said Diamond Bank needed capital to support the next phase of its strategic growth plan, adding that the bank could achieve a loan growth of 20 per cent this year.

The feat, it said, could be maintained over the next two years to 2016, with deposit growth coming in higher at 25 to 30 per cent over the period.

Stanbic IBTC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sola DavidBorha, said the actual amount would depend on market conditions and regulatory guidelines. She did not provide a timeline.

David-Borha said the lender was aiming for a 15 per cent loan growth for the second-half of this year, targeting business customers, after it grew loans 18 per cent in the first-half.

She said Stanbic IBTC Bank was committed to partnerships that would help energise the power sector. She said banks

‘

Aside funding power, banks are seeing viable business opportunities in oil exploration, manufacturing, SMEs and even mortgage industry. But funds are needed to consummate these transactions; hence many banks are now seeking supplementary capital to boost their capacity to lend more

’

•Oguntayo

need the new funds to provide additional loans to key sectors of the economy.

Also, Ecobank Transnational Inc. (ETI)’s unit in Nigeria sold $200 million of dated subordinated notes due in 2021. The issuance has a yield of nine per cent and a coupon of 8.75 per cent. Deutsche Bank AG and Standard Chartered Plc were the lead managers.

Ecobank Country Head, Power & Energy, Olufunke Jones said the bank would invest $25 billion in five years to help solve Nigeria’s power sector crisis. She said the investment is in line with its policy to support the growth and development of the power sector in Nigeria.

Jones said the bank had played a major role on the buyside of the power sector privatisation by providing financial advisory services, lead arranger role, acquisitioning financing and guarantees to Distribution Companies (DISCOS), Generating Companies (GENCOS) and National Integrated Power Plants (NIPP).

She said: “Nigeria has one of the largest gaps between demand and supply for electricity. To bridge this gap the country requires a combination of favorable government policies, private sector participation and foreign direct investment as well as transparency and persistent monitoring that will guarantee an improved business environment.”

Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer (CFO), FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Adesola Adeduntan, said the bank’s Capital Adequacy Ratio remains strong and that the bank raised $450 million additional capital in July. He said that despite regulatory challenges, the bank has been able to reposition its business model in a manner that enables it continue to grow.

He said the CBN has also made it mandatory for all banks to implement internal capital adequacy assessment process and what that policy does is that it compels management and the board of directors of every bank to look at their capital position, to look at their business strategy and the growth forecast, carry out forward looking kind of analysis.

Adeyemo said borrowing through Eurobonds remain expensive and may not solve the problems faced by the banks unless they have ready projects to invest the money in.

The Citibank Nigeria country treasurer said that although the banks needed funds from Eurobonds to support the next phase of their strategic growth plan, raising such funds at 9.5 per cent demands that lenders have a rethink, unless the money is badly needed.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

31

MONEYLINK Transcorp Hotels opens IPO

CBN outlines roles of HoldCo banks, subsidiaries T HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released guidelines for banks operating Holding Company (HoldCo) structure and how such lenders will relate with their subsidiaries.

The guidelines, signed by CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulations, Kelvin Amugo, said for any financial holding company structure to emerge, there shall be at least, two subsidiaries and the focus of the conglomerate shall be in the financial services sector.

He said the guidelines, issued in exercise of the powers conferred on the CBN under the CBN Act, 2007 (CBN Act) and the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, Cap B3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (BOFIA), complement CBN

By Collins Nweze

Regulation on the Scope of Banking Activities and Ancillary Matters, No 3, 2010.

According to the guidelines, the CBN said a financial holding company is permitted to have only two hierarchies (parent and intermediate financial holding companies).

Given the permissible level of hierarchies, a financial holding company may have a subsidiary which is a parent to another subsidiary (intermediate financial holding company).

According to the rules, where such subsidiary is locally based, the

relevant regulator shall have responsibility for its supervision.

Where the subsidiary is overseas, the relevant regulator shall seek a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the host regulator for its joint supervision.

It said a financial holding company may acquire controlling interest in any permissible financial institution, subject to prior approval of the CBN. Where the target company is outside the supervisory purview of CBN, the prior approval of the relevant regulator will also be required.

Still, where a subsidiary of the financial holding company outside the purview of the CBN is acquiring another subsidiary similarly

T •CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

outside the purview of the CBN, the Holdco shall notify the CBN before the acquisition is consummated. Evidence of prior approval of the relevant sector regulator shall accompany the notification.

FirstBank’s ‘Big Splash Promo’ winner gets N50m house

T

HE grand prize winner in the FirstBank ‘Big Splash Promo’, Kenechukwu Uchenna,has received a completed four-bedroom terrace house worth N50 million from the bank.

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria, Bisi Onasanya handed over the house located at Lekki, Lagos, to the customer.

Speaking at the presentation in Lagos, Onasanya said as the bank celebrated 120 years of pioneering banking services in Nigeria, the management considered it worthy to also reward the bank’s loyal customers in a special way.

“We rejoice with Kenechukwu Uchenna, who has reaped the reward of banking with the number one bank and brand in Nigeria,” Onasanya said.

He further explained that that

By Ebunoluwa Oladele

was the fifth anniversary of Uchnna’s savings account relationship with the bank and he is one of over 6,000 customers that have won prizes worth over N500 million in the lender’s savings promo series started six years ago.

The Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank Nigeria, Folake Ani-Mumuney, said the entire management and staff of the bank were pleased to continue

to give away special prizes to new and existing customers participated in the bi-monthly, quarterly and anniversary draws.

So far, the bank said, it had given out six brand new Toyota Corolla cars, 360 refrigerators, 360 standing gas cookers and N50,000 each to 360 customers.

To enter for the bi-monthly draw, a customer is expected to save N10,000 for 30 days. And if a customer makes savings of N20, 000 for

three months, he could be in the draw for a brand new car; savings of N200, 000 for three months qualified Uchenna for the grand prize.

Uchenna, expressed appreciation to the bank and encouraged other customers to take advantage of such opportunities provided by the bank and other financial institutions.

Other consolation prizes won were household items, such as fridges, deep freezers and cash.

Kaduna, Skye Bank partner on IGR

K

ADUNA State Government and Skye Bank Plc have partnered on increasing the state’s internally generated revenue to accelerate and widen the pace of development in the state.

Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, disclosed this in Kaduna, while launching Point of Sales (POS) Terminal for the revenue

collection scheme of the state, powered by Skye Bank Plc. He said the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state and the dwindling federal allocation were not enough to develop Kaduna.

According to him, his government has a huge budget that was expected to be financed by the IGR, but noted that the internally generated revenue has been

stagnant at about N1billion per month, for the past five years, hence, the need to develop new and accountable means of revenue collection.

“It is a against this background that we have introduced POS to check revenue leakages and other challenges associated with tax collection,” the governor said.

DATA BANK

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

168.40 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,683.11 1,127.93 121.30 121.16 1,117.51 1.2492 1.2906 0.8847 1.0826

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

Bid Price 168.06 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.68 1.33 1,683.11 1,127.25 120.45 120.30 1,116.70 1.2406 1.2906 0.8677 1.0826

GAINERS AS AT 25-09-14

HE Board and Management of Transcorp Hotels Plc held a “Facts behind the Offer” presentation at The Nigerian Stock Exchange at the weekend in connection with its Initial Public Offering (IPO) of 800,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N10 per share.

The offer, which opened on September 25, is expected to close on October 17, this year.

Transcorp Hotels is the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc. The company’s vision is to create maximum and sustainable value for stakeholders, as well as to build Africa ‘s choice hospitality assets underpinned by excellence, entrepreneurship and execution.

Transcorp Hotels will focus on Nigerian expansion in the short to the mid-term and thereafter develop a strong African footprint in high population and competitive cities. Over the next five years, the company will take a phased approach in developing highend hotels and apartments in prime locations, including Ikoyi, Port Harcourt and Abuja .

In addition to the new developments, the Transcorp Hotels has also commenced the facelift of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja to consolidate its position as the premier hotel destination in Nigeria. This will involve the modernisation of the hotels core facilities for which the company plans to spend $57.5 million (N9.2 billion) over the next three years. The funding for this will be sourced from the company’s internal operating cash flows.

Manging Director/Chief Executive Officer Transcorp Hotels Plc, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, said: “The hospitality industry is fast becoming more competitive with the presence of international brands in recent years.

We have a strong brand and success story in Nigeria as well as good long term relationships with established suppliers in Nigeria.

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 24/09/2014 17/09/2014 08/09/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: August

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

Amount Offered in ($) 350m 300m 300m

Amount Sold in ($) 349.96m 299.9m 299.9m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES September 24, 2014

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

154.70

155.71

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves

$39.6b

US Dollar

7UP

134.00

147.73

10.25

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$97.9

Pounds Sterling

250.7724

252.3929

MANSARD

2.75

3.00

9.09

MAYBAKER

1.82

1.91

4.95

Euro

200.3394

201.634

PORTPAINT

5.07

5.32

4.93

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

Swiss Franc

165.7385

166.8095

AGLEVENT

1.47

1.54

4.76

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Yen

1.445

1.4544

CUSTODYINS

4.11

4.30

4.62

CFA

0.286

0.306

FIDSON

3.25

3.40

4.62

PHARMDEKO

2.38

2.49

4.62

231.3531

232.8481

CUTIX

1.74

1.82

4.60

25.1773

25.3409

CHAMPION

9.30

9.70

4.30

LOSERS AS AT 25-09-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

IKEJAHOTEL

1.68

1.52

-9.52

TRANSEXPR

1.42

1.35

-4.93

AVONCROWN

1.67

1.59

-4.79

40.94

39.00

-4.74

CAP

Money Supply (M2)

N16.42 trillion.

N17.2 trillion 16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

19-09-14 Rate (%) Rate (%) 22-09-14

Yuan/Renminbi

Overnight (O/N)

11.00

10.917

Riyal

41.259

41.5256

1M

12.464

12.393

SDR

232.156

233.6562

3M

13.281

13.201

6M

14.205

14.110

FOREX RATES

FTNCOCOA

0.52

0.50

-3.85

INTENEGINS

0.53

0.51

-3.77

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

223.98

220.00

-1.78

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

WAPIC

0.73

0.72

-1.37

LVESTOCK

2.98

2.94

-1.34

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

NPFMCRFBK

0.99

0.98

-1.01

DANGCEM

WAUA

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Sept. 22, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.10

T-bills - 182

10.22

T-bills - 364

10.30

Bond - 3yrs

11.52

Bond - 5yrs

11.55

Bond - 7yrs

12.13

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 26-09-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 26-09-14

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EQUITIES

How Aig-Imoukhuede emerged NSE president F RESH indications emerged at the weekend on how Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede became the president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Informed sources confided in The Nation that the National Council of NSE elected Aig-Imoukhuede as the president of the Exchange, following the decision of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the immediate past president of the Exchange not to seek reelection.

Dangote said: “NSE believes in the growth of the capital market and is making significant investments to support this ambition.”

Stories by Taofik Salako

According to him, earlier this year, I informed the NSE of my stepping down as the council president and I have confidence in the executive team and council members to ensure my successor continues to move the NSE forwards towards becoming a regional force in the global financial market place.

He said in 2013, the NSE’s had focus on executing the five pillars of the transformation strategy, which are targeted at business development, enhanced regulatory programs, 21st century technology

strategies, enhanced market structure and investors protection initiatives.

Besides Aig-Imoukhuede, Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and Mr. A. B. Mahmoud, were elected as first and second vice presidents respectively.

The election was carried out by the council member at the NSE 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), with other members elected into the national council as follows: Mr. Muhammad Daggash, Finmal Finance Services Limited, Greenwich Securities Limited, ICMG Securities Limited, Meristem Securities Limited,

Sigma Securities Limited, and Signet Investment and Securities Limited.

The Chief Executive Officer of NSE, Oscar Onyema attributed last year’s performance to improved operational efficiencies and the revenue diversification strategies, resulting in an increased share of income from other revenue streams.

According to NSE financial report for the year ended December 31, 2013 revealed that its operating surplus, which is the key measure of the profitability of the group’s business activities went up by 176 per cent to N 3.26 billion from

N1.18 billion in 2012.

The group made revenue of N4.577 billion in 2013 compared to N3.33 billion, appreciating by 37.58 per cent. The total income went up by 39.31 per cent to N5.40 billion in 2013 from N3.88 billion in 2012, which was derived primarily from transaction fees that constitute 58 per cent on the total income for the year.

Total assets grew by 20 per cent yearly, trading revenues increased by 67 per cent to N3.13 billion, while total volume and value traded in equities witnessed growth of 20 per cent and 59 per cent. Also, the NSEASI gained 47.19 per cent in 2013.

Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 to grow capital market

T

HE overarching interest of the Stanbic IBTC Exchange Traded Fund 30 (ETF 30), which initial public offering opened on Monday, September 15, this year, is to grow the fortunes of the nation’s capital market.

Making this submissionwas Olumide Oyetan, the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited.

The event was for investors and stakeholders in Lagos.

Justifying the need for the Fund, Oyetan said the company, Nigeria’s leading asset management firm, sought to expand participation of domestic investors in the capital market, which will help in the capital formation process and in turn generate significant returns to investors while fueling wealth creation as well as economic growth.

“The opening of the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 is a direct response to increased investor demand for passive investment strategies that will deliver the market return for the index being tracked, which in this case is the NSE 30 of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 provides a transparent and flexible structure that allows investors efficiently gain exposure to the securities of these companies that have over time out-performed the broad equity market,” said Oyetan.

The offer, which closes on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, opened with 10,000,000 units of the Fund available at N100 each at par. It offers a minimum subscription of 10,000 units and multiples of 5,000 units thereafter.

Oyetan said the Fund is designed to track the performance of the NSE 30 Index which comprises of the top 30 companies listed on the NSE in terms of market capitalisation and liquidity. The index serves as the flagship benchmark for the stock market as it represents 92 per cent of the NSE’s market capitalisation and the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 will replicate the price and yield performance of the index. The Fund, Oyetan added, will invest 100 per cent of its assets in the same portfolio of securities that comprise the NSE 30 Index in proportion to their weightings in the Underlying Index.

“The Fund represents a convenient and efficient way for investors to have access to the top 30 most capitalised and liquid stocks on the NSE, in a costeffective manner. We believe that it will appeal to sophisticated and institutional investors that believe in the growth story of companies listed on the NSE and by extension, in the abundant growth opportunities that exist in Nigeria,” added Oyetan.

The commitment, expertise, experience and global clout of the Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited belongs, will be deployed to ensure success of the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30, Oyetan assured.

•From left: Deputy Director, UK Trade & Investment, Ms. Beverley Okoye; Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema; Lead, UK Trade & Investment Envoy to Nigeria, Mr. David Heath and Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Mr. Ade Bajomo, at the United Kingdom Trade & Investment Envoy to Nigeria courtesy visit to The Exchange in Lagos.

A

Shareholders storm Uyo for Conoil AGM

LL roads lead to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital today as shareholders of Conoil Plc, assemble at the fame Land of Promise for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) being hosted by the frontline petroleum products marketing company.

Shareholders are upbeat that the 44th AGM holds a lot of promise for them if the outcome of the past year is anything to go by.

Reflecting on last year’s outing, market analysts believe the proposed payment of N4.00 per share for every 50kobo share was a promise kept by the frontline petroleum products marketing company, after posting impressive performance across its business segments in the financial year ended December 2013.

The Chairman of Conoil Plc, Dr. Mike Adenuga had, while addressing shareholders at the company’s 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in October 2013, assured investors that the company remained committed to maintaining its leadership position in the downstream petroleum sector by growing its business and creating an enduring value for its shareholders and other stakeholders.

“We are building stronger financial position and creating enduring value for our shareholders. We will constantly develop strategies to sustain our position as the only marketer that always goes the extra mile for our ever growing customers, with total commitment to excellent service delivery.”

Elaborating on the strategies to be adopted to achieve the set target, Adenuga revealed that the company had strengthened and consolidated its leadership position in the aviation business with investment in the acquisition of new worldclass equipment to meet the de-

mands, on real time basis, of the company’s ever-growing local and international clientele.

“Our strategy in retail is to provide top quality products and services that will make customers want to always patronise us for their fuel and non-fuel needs. We are not resting on our oars on our aggressive acquisition and expansion drive that aims at increasing, substantially, the number of our retail outlets nationwide,” Adenuga had stressed, adding: “Conoil’s future is rosy because the company is constantly thinking ahead and acquiring additional capacity that is necessary for growth and profitability, despite the unpredictability of the economic environment.”

Expectedly, Conoil’s full year results showed that revenue grew by 6.4 per cent to reach N159.54 billion as against N149.99 billion posted in 2012. Gross Profit shot up to N17.04 billion, which represents over five per cent rise above the previous years.

The company also posted 289 per cent increase in Profit Before Tax from N1.15 billion in 2012 to N4.58 billion, while it recorded Profit After Tax of N3.07 billion, which amounts to 330 per cent increase over what was posted in 2012. The report also showed a stronger balance sheet as retained earnings boosted shareholders’ funds to N18.04 billion in 2013 compared with N15.66 billion in 2012.

Market analysts said the impressive dividend and profit and loss accounts performance were in line with market’s expectations given Conoil’s consistent growth over the years.

The company in a press statement attributed the great financial outing to improved cost efficiency, significant reduction in interest expense and a strong hold on cost of sales.

The company added that its performance was driven by revenue increase from its nationwide retail outlets, especially its newly commissioned mega stations. It was also augmented by additional income streams from its world-class quality lubricant products.

Conoil said it stepped up engine oil export to West African markets as well as entered into joint venture partnerships with leading car manufacturing companies.

It added that its income was also bolstered by ancillary services including marketing of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO). It would be recalled that the front line oil products marketer had shown signs of a sound financial year after posting 341 per cent increase in profit before tax while its profit after tax went up by 329 percent in the third quarter of 2013.

In his comments on the results, Adenuga said the company had consolidated its competitiveness in the different segments of the business. “We also pursued and sustained strategic expansion of our retail network across the length and breadth of the country with a view to ensuring that a lot more people, especially in the remotest parts of the country, have access to our superior products and services.”

While assuring the shareholders that Conoil is equipped with all the essential materials, intellectual and human resources, to surmount the challenges ahead in the downstream petroleum sector, Adenuga stated that the company has been positioned to take full advantage of opportunities that could arise from the Federal government’s economic reforms, by leveraging on the solid base built over the years.

“Greater attention will be devoted to cutting operational costs in the different segments of the

business, while still maintaining and improving on the quality of our products and services. With renewed commitment, we will explore developing and emerging markets, even as we continue to build on our strengths in areas where we perform well, with good growth and profitability,” Adenuga added.

Indeed, the front line oil-products marketer had shown signs of a sound financial year after posting 341 per cent increase in profit before tax while its profit after tax went up by 329 per cent in the third quarter of last year.

The company was simply reaping from the fruit of strategic planning embarked upon in recent times. At the beginning of last year, Conoil had launched the second phase of its comprehensive fouryear expansion plan started three years ago, with the inauguration of new ultra-modern retail outlets spread across the country. Conoil had earmarked about N4.8 billion for the project which is targeted to grow the company’s sales and revenue by over 65 per cent.

Conoil embarked on the plan to adequately prepare for industryspecific challenges, ensure impressive growth in its performance indicators and consolidate its leadership position in the downstream petroleum business.

The company had commenced the ambitious plan with the upgrade of its storage tanks at the company’s depots nationwide to accommodate bulk product imports.

In pursuant of this, the company increased the storage tanks for white products – Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), diesel and kerosene – to 80,000 metric tonne, to double the capacity of its storage facilities at its Apapa installation.

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THE NATION

BUSINESS JOBS

• A power facility

Power sector’s guardian angels A

T a time many are paying to acquire skills to make them employable, others are getting them free.

Next month, the Federal Government will start implementing what it calls “Power Infrastructure Protection Initiative.” Through this, the government will train on how to man electricity facilities to further enhance the sector’s growth.

The scheme will ensure that youths acquire skills that will enable them to work as technicians in the sector. Unlike in the past when opportunities were restricted to graduates from technical colleges, it is now open to all who are ready to work in

The government is equipping youths to protect power infrastructure. The initiative, stakeholders say, will create jobs and foster the industry’s growth. They urge the unemployed to take advantage of the opportunity, reports AKINOLA AJIBADE. that capacity.

According to the Director-General, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), Reuben Okeke, no fewer than 7,400 youths will be trained from October 17.

Okeke said the institute was organising the training to make youths fit into the power sector.

He said the exercise was in line with the goal of building a robust manpower for the industry.

He said the programme, which falls under the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme (NPSAS), was designed to improve the skills of workers and make them employable.

Skilled and semi-skilled workers are expected to benefit. Those to be trained are holders of Higher National Diploma (HND), Ordinary National Diploma (OND), and National Certificate of Education(NCE), West African School Certificate (WAEC) and Tech-

nical Colleges certificate. They will be trained as lines men, cable joiners and electrical fitters, among others.

According to experts, the multiplier effects of this initiative will have a spiral effect on the economy because many will benefit.

Okeke said the scheme had opened a vista of opportunities in the sector.

Okeke said: “The Federal Government has concluded plans to sponsor 7,400 youths for training programmes in the sector. They will be trained by officials of NAPTIN, in order to enable them acquire necesary skills. The training is under what is called the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme.

“The aim is to bridge the gap in the industry. It is expected that if the programme runs well, we should be having about 8,000 more hands. But this will be more of craftsmen because that is where the critical mass is expected. The idea will create jobs, and help the economy. “ He added: “The engineers are needed quite

alright. But the low-end workers, the lines men, cable joiners, electrical fitters, are the ones you see most often. Up to 12,000 of them will be needed to support this huge increase in physical infrastructure that the Federal Government is providing in the sector.”

He said the sector was broad, complex, technical, and required trained personnel to drive its growth, adding that engineers employed recently by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) were receiving training at the institute.

He said 241 engineers had graduated, while 336 would graduate by October next year.

Okeke said some retired engineers were put on contract basis, to help the younger ones acquire on-the-job experience.

“By the time the core old engineers are •Continued on page 36

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

JOBS •Continued from page 35

leaving the sector, the younger ones will take over from them and this is going to bridge the gap of about 1,500. That is why I said those that are being trained by the institute will get jobs. It is wrong for people to conclude that the trainees in the sector would not get jobs.

It is not easy for people without adequate training to fit into the power sector because it is highly technical and demanding. It is people that have the pre-requisite skills that would get jobs,” Okeke added.

Also, the former President, Senior Staff Association of Electricity Workers Union, Godwin Iheanacho, said the sector was in dire need of good hands.

He said the sector is driven by competent hands globally, adding that Nigeria needs not be left out if it want to achieve the desired results.

The sector, he said, has lost many of its capable workers to the reforms, and need to look for ways of replacing them to achieve growth.

He said: “The government is expected to retain some of the competent workers when handing over the assets of the defucnt Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to the new investors. But, it did not. Instead, in one fell swoop, it sacked virtually all the people that have the technical know-how. This is affecting the sector’s performance. There is the

Power sector’s guardian angels

• Okeke

• Nebo

need to employ competent personnel to fill the vacuum created by the exit of the experienced ones.

The sector must be rejuvenated,

through provision of human and material resources.”

He said the sector should not be left in the hands of people with av-

erage performance since it is highly technical.

The Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, said the Federal

Government has introduced measures to develop the sector.

At a youth summit in Abuja, Nebo said Power Sector Entreprenuership Programme (SURE-P) and the capacity development programmes offered through the National Power Training Institute were some of the measures to develop capacity.

He said there was no new engineers in the sector until recently when the government employed about 1,000 engineers to fast-track growth.

“For over 16 years, the sector did not employ any new engineer. The government just employed about 1,000 engineers as part of efforts to improve productivity, and make the industry operate optimally.

The government has put in place structures to enhance performance.

One of them is employment of workers that would help in improving electricity transmission,” he said.

Nebo said job creation wa s part of the government’s economic agenda, stressing that the sector will create many jobs when it stabilises.

“Power holds the key to economic development. It drives the economy. When there is regular power supply, all things fall into place. The formal and informal sector will produce at a cheaper cost.

Not only that, they would make profit and expand their operations.

When this happens, they would create job opportunties,” he added.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Cyberoam appoints enterprise account manager

C

YBEROAM has appointed Robert Elizabeth Chinedu as its Enterprise Account Manager for Nigeria.

Her appointment would add to the commitment to render quality security to the enterprise class customer community.

Mrs. Chinedu will be playing an instrumental role in expanding Cyberoam’sclient base in the region apart from managing the existing client relations. Her primary focus would be on enterprise customers.

Mrs. Chinedu is a Microsoft certified professional with more than eight years of experience in this domain.

Her core competencies include business development, market

planning and positioning, multichannel product distribution, sales team building and leadership, key account relationship management and new product technology launch.

She has been involved in most kinds of business development activities related to creating demand, expanding distribution channels, and managing account networks in Nigeria.

The firm’s Country Manager (Nigeria), Mr. Jimi Falaiye, said: “Cyberoam welcomes Mrs. Chinedu. Her experience as a product manager in handling critical projects and customers for enterprises, strong grasp on emerging technology trends and thorough understanding of the network se-

curity market will be beneficial for Cyberoam. ‘’With Mrs. Chinedu’s appointment, we expect to meet and deliver as par the expectations and demands of our esteemed clientele in Nigeria, in a timely and streamlined manner. We see tremendous opportunity for growth in the re-

gion and with the title of ‘Security Solution of the Year’, we intend to capitalise on the need with more haste.”

She would be involved in activities, such as meeting and briefing customers from the enterprise segment about the firm’s solution, generating opportunities

by visiting resellers, following up with inquiries generated by Cyberoam through various events, collaborating with the local marketing team in organising end-customer events, participating in end-customer events/ exhibitions by working with various teams.

Inlaks gets Sales and Strategy director

I

NLAKS, a distributor of Temenos T24 banking application in West Africa, has appointed Mr. Precious Osegi as its new Director, Sales and Strategy, Financial Business Unit.

In a statement, the company described Osegi as a highly experi-

enced senior business leader with over 18 years experience in information communications technology (ICT) markets across the United States of America (USA), Middle East and Africa (ME&A).

Managing Director/Chief Execu-

tive Officer, Inlaks, Africa Operations, Mr. Femi Adeoti, welcomed Osegi to Inlaks.

He said his vast experience in the ICT industry would be of immense benefit to the growth and development of the firm in the country and Africa.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Resume for govt jobs needs transferable skills

I

N these times of economic instability, nothing is more beneficial for most companies than to hire efficient people with a large set of varying skills. These people are those who are flexible and wellrounded to carry on and coordinate multiple tasks.

Government offices like private companies are on the lookout for these special types of employees.

Because federal funds are restricted and limited, they would always make it a point to maximise and spend these funds on people who are worth the money and time of the organisation. They want someone who not just know the specific job, but someone who has the abilities and values to accomplish many types of duties and the knowledge necessary to realise different goals.

That being said, it is then very necessary that a resume for government jobs includes relevant and general abilities that are valuable across a multitude of jobs and industries. Unlike before when jobs are suggestively the same to develop specialisation and expertise,

By Olu Oyeniran

this time around, what most employers require are the existence of what we call “transferable skills.”

What are transferable skills?

Transferable skills are basically those acquired abilities that are beneficial and pertinent to a wide variety of jobs and industries. They may have been gained from previous employments, school, past trainings, or even from a personal experience at home or with friends.

Among the most common examples of transferable skills are “selfmotivation,” “communication,” “creativity,” “problem-solving skills,” “leadership,” “flexibility,” “time management,” and “customer service orientation.”

Transferable skills and their appeal to government offices Besides the fact that most government institutions want to economise human resources through the

employment of a well-rounded and highly skilled staff, these government bodies require exemplaryskilled applicants. These are the applicants who have strong rational and technical skills and likewise the expertise to communicate with others and work effectively with a group of people. Most especially that more than a hundred applicants battle for a single spot, there is nothing more effective than to evaluate people based on what they could do and what they could offer compared to other applicants.

Amplifying transferable skills in resume for government jobs Though transferable skills are somewhat applicable in almost any type of jobs, applicants should still be wary of the particular skills that are best suited to a given profession. Basically, they need to check on the particular job opening, assess the skills and requirements needed in those open posts,

and apply the greatest skills that best match the prerequisites.

For example, a person who is to apply as an account representative should not amplify merely his/her experience in clerical works or her background in administrative duties and computer activities. Instead, he/she should apply transferable skills and focus on magnifying her experience through the use of such qualities.

For instance, to intensify her experience in administrative duties, she may write about her customer service and interpersonal skills experienced, which were best applied to her involvement with a large variety of personalities and management levels. She may also boast of her effective time management skills as evidenced by the multiple tasks she was able to manage simultaneously on her previous employment.

To sum up, resume for government jobs no longer stands as a basic enumeration of all the jobs held within the last few years or so. What is more vital in today’s

time is the edge of one applicant over another. For this, it is advised to apply necessary and relevant transferable skills on the resume and amplify them on each task accomplished for every employment.

EkiniConsult & Associates is organising three free and open workshops, “Knocking on the Right Doors- Strategies for Uncovering the Hidden Job Market” for The Nation readers in Lagos. A free eBook of the same title will be given to those who may not be able to. If you are interested, send-in your name, location, email address and GSM no to 080-8384-3230. Precede with the word ‘ATTEND’ for those who want to come and ‘FREE EBOOK’ for those who want the free eBook only.

•Oyeniran is Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates. He can be reached on Jobsearchhow.com.ng Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

37

THE CEO In the not too distant past, Nigeria relied on agriculture to boost its economy. There was cocoa in the West; palm oil in the East and groundnut in the North.

The country abandoned agriculture when it found oil. But with the economy in dire straits, Mr. Neji Abang, the Country Coordinator Socodevi, an international agency, believe, a return to the land will rejuvenate the economy. In this interview with DANIEL ESSIET, Abang says cocoa production could do the magic of turning the economy round, urging banks to change their attitude towards funding agriculture.

‘Fed Govt has no agric policy’

H

OW has the state of the economy affected food production?

Let me say that Nigeria has weathered internal and external economic shocks which should provide a lot of lessons in economic management. The issue is whether the leadership has learnt enough from these experiences to put in place pragmatic measures towards achieving healthy economic growth rates. Right now, I think a lot still needs to be done to revamp the economy if we really want to stimulate economic growth that is more broad-based, driven by domestic demand, infrastructure and increased trade in manufactured goods. Experts keep emphasising on the need to create opportunities for all through prudent macro-economic management. Any slackening on macro management will undermine future economic growth. In the medium to long-term, I expect the government to provide incentives for more Nigerians to enable them participate in the various food value chains, which is viewed as part of the strategy for achieving strong, sustained and inclusive growth. The potential to stimulate a range of activities that bring a product from conception to delivery to the consumer is in the agric sector. This could serve as a springboard for economic diversification, domestic resource mobilisation and investments in critical infrastructure. Government needs to invest more in the productive sectors, building skills, creating jobs and acquiring new technology, knowledge and market information.

Will these interventions impact on the fortunes of the cocoa industry?

These interventions require sound public policies, as well as entrepreneurs that are willing and capable of helping achieve these gains. The agric sector has a great potential to grow the economy, support rapid rural development and natural-resources assets.

To achieve this, we need public policies articulated in a targeted strategy that promotes more equitable economic and social transformation and an environmentally sound development. The new crops and technologies have been brought in to enrich our agricultural diversity.

The challenge, however, is that they are not well integrated with local agricultural production systems. Most traditional cash crops are mainly produced in large plantations which had no linkage with small holders. Then we have not been able to diversify food sources to reduce dependence on ma-

• Abang

jor food crops. The hope, however, is that the government is promoting food crop production based on productivity improvements. Through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, certain food crops are prioritised as the centre of agricultural policy. What we need is a consistent agricultural development strategy in which packaged measures such as irrigation development, enhancement of farmer-centered agricultural research and extension and agroinput industry development.

The Federal Government is working on doubling cocoa production to 500,000 metric tonnes (MT) by next year. Is this achievable?

Yes and no. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, said the government plans to boost cocoa production to 500,000MT by next year.

We can only achieve this if farmers have access to early-maturing, high-yielding, disease-resistant beans. There have been efforts to distribute varieties of cocoa that can mature in about 18 months to farmers to re-

place the traditional crop with four to five years maturity. The new varieties produce 1½ metric tonnes of cocoa per hectare (2.47 acres) each season compared with the older types which yield ½ tonne. The cocoa year is divided into two harvests with the main one beginning in October and ending in January, while the smaller crop usually begins in April and ends in June. The dates may vary each year depending on the weather. Cocoa production is calculated based on the rain pattern from the main crop season, which starts from October to February or March; and the light crop season from April to September.

Currently, several states such as Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Cross River, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, parts of Abia and Taraba grow the crop for commercial purposes. There had been steady increase in output over the past five years except in the 2011/2012 season when the crop was infected by diseases. Definitely, there has been steady increase in production of cocoa in the last five years. A report said cocoa production should hit 305,000 MTs by September

‘Cocoa farming is a good business but government’s support is usually not enough. There is no policy on cocoa; what happens is that as a minister comes in, he does whatever he likes and another comes in to do it in his own way’

this year. It also said the output for 2011/ 2012 planting season was 250,000 metric tonnes, with a 10 per cent increase in the 2012/2013 season, that is, 270,000 metric tonnes. Cocoa bean is also said to have increased in price to N420,000 per MT, up from N300,000 per MT about a year ago. Last year, the challenge we had was the drought that affected production and that did not encourage farmers to reinvest. But this year, we are hopeful because the revival came when the rains started earlier than we expected.

A few years back, there were free seedlings given out; and as you know, when there are incentives in the area of seedlings within one to two years, they will start yielding results. Despite the increase in the last five years, the country is still far behind other countries in terms of annual output. For instance, Ivory Coast, which is currently the largest producer of cocoa, is estimated to have been hitting one million MTs per annum in the last few years, while Ghana produces between 900,000MT and 950,000MT, rising to 1.1 million MTs in 2011-2012, and falling again due to the fungi attack. Cocoa farming is a good business but government’s support is usually not enough. There is no policy on cocoa; what happens is that as a minister comes in, he does whatever he likes and another comes in to do it in his own way.

Why is this so despite the efforts you have spoken about?

There is no document to work with; any framework or procedure to follow. During •Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

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THE CEO •Continued from page 37

the cocoa board era a few years back, farmers protested and many of them turned their farms to arable farmland because there was no si8upport and they constantly had to battle to save their crops which affected production.

By 1999 when the President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime started, Nigeria was doing just around 170,000 metric tonnes per annum. We tried to get a framework for the industry during that regime late in 2006. But by that time, people were more interested in politics; so, it was not achieved. In the 2005/2006 season, there was cocoa rebirth and people started planting in Osun, Ondo, Edo, Cross River and some parts of Abia states; and all of these are just coming into commercial production now; that is why we are experiencing this leap.

What challenges do you see?

The challenge right now is that cocoa production is being hampered by a failure to modernise ageing plantations and attract young farmers to the sector. Cocoa output has been erratic. It has oscillated between record production and sharp drops in recent years. This has been blamed on poor weather, disease outbreaks and lack of farming inputs. Losses due to disease and pests claim between 30 and 40 per cent of the nation’s harvest. We could see some changes if there is increased fertiliser use, sustainable farm management and quality control.

Ageing trees and a lack of investment have driven down yields, reducing volumes produced and lowering farmer incomes. Bean quality has suffered as a result. Farmers often sun it on tarred roads and beans are not fermented. It is necessary to train farmers to produce quality and not only quantity. The government needs to support cocoa dryers in the main growing areas to reduce the presence of smoke in beans and reinforce controls to meet tougher European Union (EU) quality standards. Globally, the industry is gearing towards sourcing only certified traceable cocoa from sustainable farms by 2020. Our worry is that many farmers may not be able to afford the required investments and could be left behind. If we are going to improve production, then we have to rejuvenate its trees, many of which are a half-century old. Farmers are recording huge losses with the current crop variety. In some cases, diseases have ravaged trees and harsh weather killed off flowers and small pods.

The government needs to support the industry with disease-resistant, high-yield cocoa seedlings for planting. The cocoa transformation programme is on course, but only a handful of nurseries have been established.

On the other hand, I will say that it is also practically impossible for us to meet the target of tripling output to 600,000 tonnes within the planned period given the state of things. Trees require six years to hit peak production and for Nigeria to reach its target, the programme should have been running at full steam now. But this has not been the case. What they are doing now is neither here nor there. There is a lot of lip service and it is as if they don’t know what to do.

The cocoa sector has too many problems.

We need to completely restructure it.

Why is it difficult to attract young Nigerians to cocoa farming?

Young people think they can achieve success in life in an office in town rather than on farms. Some of them are not aware of government-backed incentives aimed at drawing them into the cocoa sector. The sector is comparatively unattractive to them, due to low productivity. This same problem of low productivity affected our parents and made them poor. Looking at their economic situation, no youth would like to become poor like them and so they go for other ventures. What is needed most to attract the young generation to become cocoa farmers, in my view, is the provision of adequate incentives such as good planting materials, fertilisers, chemicals, and other things that will ensure improved productivity as well as good pricing of the cocoa bean, to make the cocoa business comparatively better than most white collar jobs. There should also be a policy to help the youth to get access to land as the current land tenure system prevents more young people from having access to land. Cocoa production should be introduced as part of school curriculum, at least in the cocoa producing regions, from primary through to senior high school. This would certainly help the youths to acquire knowledge and skills in cocoa farming, thereby boosting their interest in cocoa production. Government can lure young people to cocoa farming by creating new plantations and giving logistical and financial help to new farmers. A lot of buyers are play-

‘Fed Govt has no agric policy’

• Abang

ing a greater role from farms to export, to guarantee supply. Some multinationals are partnering with cocoa farmers. They provide them with financing to enable the production of certified cocoa for the firm. I believe this could be an incentive to attract the youth as they will know that they would have future security if they are in cocoa farming.

Total cocoa production stood at 300,000 tonnes last year showing an increase of seven per cent compared to the previous year. Does this give hope?

The government, under its Cocoa Transformation Action Plan (CTAP) has targeted cocoa production to increase by 40 per cent to reach 500,000 tons by 2015. Incentives at attaining production goals remain inadequate. I want to say that increasing adherence by local cocoa farmers in achieving certification is shoring up demand and prices for our cocoa at the international market.

These factors, as it appear would continue to encourage farmers to rehabilitate abandoned farms and also increase areas under production. The other issue is the suspension of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) in 2012.This discouraged local cocoa processing. Local cocoa processing increased in 2010 and 2012, spurred largely by the introduction of the EEG export incentive rebate programme to encourage non-oil exports. However, government suspended the EEG programme by mid-2012 following sharp practices in cocoa export reporting by certain exporters. Since then, local cocoa processing has dropped significantly. We are hoping the government reviews the scheme in time to correct the identified inadequacies. This will go a long way. Without this, we have a big challenge at hand. In 2011, Dr Adesina set out clear goals in his “Cocoa Transformation Agenda” which among other things, aimed to double cocoa production in Nigeria from 250,000 to 500,000 metric tonnes by 2015 and achieve a 25 per cent processing rate of the national output within four years. This can be achieved with through the availability of cocoa farm land. Major works have to be done on educating and providing local farmers with crucial equipment such as agrochemicals and imported fertiliser, formulated specifically for cocoa farming, insecti-

cides and hybrid pods, as well as improving farmer skills. The incentives at attaining production goals remain inadequate.

Your organisation, the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced $1.2 million in new funding to provide assistance to 70,000 cocoa farming households in Nigeria. What is this supposed to cover?

The programme will focus on business skills training and support for diversification of rural economies to increase cocoa farm household incomes. It will benefit 10 states by next year. The programme is expected to generate benefits for more than 480,000 Nigerians and help double household incomes within the next five to six years. Our partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria is built on the foundation of our Cocoa Livelihoods Programme (CLP). It is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and WCF member companies with partners from the German Development Agency GIZ. This partnership will ensure that the Nigerian programme benefits from lessons already learned through CLP’s engagement in other West African cocoa-producing countries. The farmers will be registered, grouped and trained. They are expected to go back and adopt new techniques and practices which will lead to certification of their produce.

The issue is that there is pressure from European consumers that exporters should train their farmers to produce according to the international standards. They have emphasised that any cocoa that is not certified by 2020 would not be allowed to enter Europe.

So, with certification comes a premium price.

The premium is a reward for complying with quality specifications and good agricultural practices. At the end of the implementation of government policy on cocoa production which has started, the Nigerian market will be opened up for competitive cocoa production, it will result in job creation, increased gross domestic product (GDP), generate revenue for cocoa farmers; and most importantly, encourage the establishment of industries that would utilise cocoa as raw material in the country.

‘The other issue is the suspension of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) in 2012.This discouraged local cocoa processing. Local cocoa processing increased in 2010 and 2012, spurred largely by the introduction of the EEG export incentive rebate programme to encourage non-oil exports’

How will you describe cocoa farming in the country?

Cocoa production is a very lucrative venture if farmers apply business principles.

They should adopt sustainable practices in the production process. We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to train 70, 000 cocoa farmers and 100 groups in 10 cocoa producing states. The states are Ondo, Cross River, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Ogun, Abia, Oyo, Kogi and Akwa-Ibom. Socodevi Nigeria, a Canadian non-governmental organisation (NGO), is managing the programme for WCF. The programme is geared towards increasing cocoa production from 450 kilogramme (kg) per hectare to about 800 kg per hectare. The training had become necessary because many farmers have limited access to information and education on improved farming techniques that could enhance their yield. For the nation to achieve its goal of food sufficiency, farmers must have access to quality inputs such as sowing seeds, herbicides and pesticides, or to critical information such as accurate weather forecasts that could help them improve the quality of their crops. The success of the programme in improving farmers’ income through increased yield and savings on production costs has stimulated an upsurge of demand for more programmes in other communities.

Trainers are drawn from Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) offices across the country and department of cooperatives of states involved in the programme. This will lead to certifying the cooperatives. Using the Farmers Business School (FBS) model, 70,000 cocoa farmers would be trained as entrepreneurs, thereby increasing their capacities to effectively manage their farms as businesses.

What is your take on the staple food processing zones project and the benefits for farmers?

The Federal Government has launched the staple food processing zones project with the aim of increasing staple food crop yields, increasing average farm income, restoring degraded farms in areas which are critical to food supplies but continue to record dismal food production due to poor agricultural practices. I believe it will lift at least 25 per cent of poor households above the poverty line. The programme will help poor farm families to boost their income from agriculture. Right now, we are encouraging small holder farmers to grow crops that will insulate them from food insecurity, crops that are drought resistant and would provide a good diet. Beyond that, growing high value crops and value-adding are strategies that make these small holdings viable. Smallscale farmers’ agriculture needs better and affordable access to seeds, fertilizer, chemicals and other inputs to become more productive and intensive. The cost of inputs is too high and the only way to deal with that is for the Federal and State governments to subsidise inputs to help farmers plant. While a few small farmers embrace intensive money making strategies, the vast majority of small producers remain caught in the vicious cycle of high food prices, limited production and high input costs that make their lives marginal.

What would you say about financial institutions and their involvement in agriculture?

They are not doing well. If more financial institutions are involved in agriculture, more money will come into the sector, thereby driving household and national income. We need more money to reposition rural farmers into viable businesses as this will also stimulate commercial agribusiness.

When did you read about micro finance banks financing small farmers? We need financial institutions that can assist small farmers with capital to invest in farm machineries and equipment. Such initiatives will not only enable farmers to triple profits from the processed agro based products but also open up numerous opportunities for the many unemployed youths in rural areas to have a source of livelihood.

What are some of the challenges and opportunities you face in working with cooperatives and farmers?

As a development agency, we work with cooperatives, with independent farmers as well, which can present its own challenges.

Every story is different. The biggest challenge is staying on top of the relationship, making sure they understand what the global cocoa requires, and keeping on top of what the challenges are. It’s all about keeping lines of communication open, fostering that strong level of communication to get the quality and relationship that we’re looking for – that’s the most challenging thing to maintain.

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BUSINESS MOTORING

The new Peugeot 508 is produced at Rennes for the European market, and at Wuhan for China. It was launched in Europe early this month, and will be unveiled in China in January 2015, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

Here comes new Peugeot 508 •Peugeot 508

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RESENTED at the Paris Motor Showin September, the new Peugeot 508 benefits from major changes in styling, technological content and engines. As a result, this grand tourer embodies the expression of the Brand’s move up-market more than ever.

The new Peugeot 508 bears the new grille, emblematic of the brand’s future models, and is fitted with new equipment such as the touch screen, reversing camera and blind spot sensors. It also benefits from economical and efficient Euro 6 power units, such as the 2.0litre BlueHDi 150 6-speed manual that, with CO2 emissions of just 105g per km. It is the best offering in the segment for this level of engine power. Finally, available in three body styles since 2012, the 508 family is growing with the introduction of an exceptional new version, the 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180 6-speed Automatic (EAT6) RXH, which will be marketed in Europe from November 2014.

The D segment of grand tourers is a segment in which Peugeot has been present for many decades. The reputation of the brand has long been based on the success of the 4 and 5 series models.

In Europe 30, this segment represents close to 1,500, 000 vehicles a year, of which 45 per cent are sedans and 55 per cent estate cars.

Available as a sedan and an SW estate from its launch in early 2011, the Peugeot 508 climbed to its position at the head of the mainstream models in the segment. This is a segment traditionally dominated by the premium brands, but nevertheless strongly contested by the mainstream brands that now represent 50 per cent of volumes in Europe.

In 2012, the Peugeot 508 RXH HYbrid4 arrived to expand the range with a resolutely innovative offer in the segment for all-road vehicles. What was still just a niche with the RXH body style is today developing rapidly with the arrival of new models. In this top of the range world, the Peugeot 508 RXH HYbrid4

More assertive interior and exterior styling THE original styling of the Peugeot 508, inspired, full of elegance, was already evocative of a robust vehicle with irreproachable build quality. Peugeot’s designers built on these qualities to produce a vehicle with even more technology, presence and character.

The new grille is an essential element of the Peugeot 508’s styling. More upright and from now on including the Peugeot Lion at its centre, it is a clear acknowledgement to its illustrious predecessors in the 5 series. It also allows the new Peugeot 508 to introduce a corporate style at the front that is more self-assured and endowing greater status, which will be deployed on the Brand’s future models.

The bonnet has been redesigned to make it more horizontal, firmly placing the three versions in the world of top-of-the-range vehicles and on the sedan improving the balance between front and rear.

Still on the sedan, the rear end is more structured, with a redesigned rear bumper which is distinct from the boot while enhancing its protective function. So the new Peugeot 508 sees its length increased by 38mm for the sedan, 16mm of which is in the front overhang (the same for SW) and 22mm for the rear overhang on the sedan.

The integration of the new front end on the

Peugeot 508 RXH required an increase of 5mm in its front overhang, bringing its length to 4.828m.

These new exterior dimensions accentuate the values of elegance, purity and economy in operation that the Peugeot 508 has presented since launch. The spaciousness and boot volume resulting from its generous interior dimensions are unchanged.

On the top of the range versions (RXH, GT & Allure), the front of the vehicle is also characterised by the new lighting - headlamps, daytime running lamps, direction indicators, foglamps - all high technology 100% LED. The headlamps are made up of 3 modules of 4 LEDs each, to which are added 3 additional LEDs outboard of each headlamp for the cornering lighting function. This technology, apart from the factors of safety, speed of operation and economy in use, allows the lighting to be fine-tuned and also accentuates the vehicle’s feline look.

The interior has changed as well. The dashboard now includes as standard from trim level 2 (Active), a 7 inch touch screen grouping together most of the vehicle’s functions in an intuitive way. Shortcut buttons for the main menus – navigation, air conditioning, radio, connectivity, etc. – are accessible at all

times below the touch screen in the dashboard central panel. The integration of the touch screen and its virtual buttons has allowed the central panel to be freed of a few buttons while the centre console includes a new closed storage box.

Positioned in front of the driver, the rich and ultra complete instrument panel makes reference to precision watch making.

The quality of materials used, whether for finishers or trim cloth, the quality of the equipment and the care taken with finish immediately place the interior of the new Peugeot 508 in a top of the range world that is modern and refined, while not ostentatious.

This high value automobile world marries nobility and technology with the presence of numerous systems for comfort and safety.

Examples are Peugeot Open and Go Keyless Entry and Starting, the automatic electric parking brake, automatic headlamp dipping, the electro-chrome interior mirror, underinflation detection, front and rear parking sensors, quad-zone automatic air conditioning and JBL badged Hi-Fi. To this, comprehensive list of equipment can be added two new systems: Blind Spot Sensors and the reversing camera, providing a colour image in the touch screen.

still stands out: associated with the Diesel-electric hybrid drive train, its all-road posture, its versatility in use and its environmental performance remain unique in the automobile world.

Bearing an enhancing and differentiating image, the body style offered by the Peugeot 508 RXH HYbrid4 is now also available with a conventional internal combustion drive train. Associated with the 2.0-litre BlueHDi

180 6-speed Automatic (EAT6), the new Peugeot 508 RXH BlueHDi will attract a wider potential customer base in this segment.

Topping the Peugeot’s new ‘8’ range, which now becomes the youngest in its history, the Peugeot 508 embodies the Brand’s ambition in moving up-market, its expertise in producing high quality products and the enhancement of its image throughout the world. Built

in France and in China, to date more than 370,000 units have been sold since launch. And in China, which since 2013 has become the biggest market for the Peugeot 508, represents today more than 36 per cent of sales.

The new Peugeot 508 builds on the qualities recognised at the launch of the vehicle: its styling, the range and modernity of its equipment and its dynamic performance.

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POLITICS The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Chief Felix Obuah , spoke with BISI OLANIYI in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid, the agitation for power shift, zoning and preparations for next year’s elections.

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‘APC not a threat to PDP in Rivers’

OW can crisis be averted in Rivers State in next year’s elections?

Some people are trying to heat up the polity. The major stakeholders in the game should play by the rules of the game. Rivers used to be a one party state, but Governor Amaechi decided to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), based on his personal reasons.

During the 2015 elections, there will be opposition in Rivers State, unlike it used to be, but 2015 will come and go. With God on our side, it will not degenerate to what we cannot handle.

Although, a lot of problems are associated with pollicking, what matters most is for the stakeholders to play it according to the rules of the game. The security agencies are equal to the task.

The right leaders will emerge in 2015, because we always believe in the God factor. It is not about how high you are, the money you have or your influence. There is no power that will be, except ordained by God. So, let us not overheat the polity, because of our personal interests. God makes leaders. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan never knew he would be the President of Nigeria.

He showed interest in becoming the Governor of Bayelsa State, but he became the Vice-President and later President.

President Jonathan has surpassed all the records of Nigeria’s past presidents and Heads of State. Imagine Dr. Jonathan, an Ijaw from Bayelsa State, a minority part of the country, now the President of Nigeria. That alone is a confirmation that only God can give power. We should not be killing ourselves or carrying guns, just because we want our brothers, friends or kinsmen to emerge as candidates of the political parties or winners of elections. We should always remember the God factor. God makes leaders.

The feeling is that President Jonathan has not performed/ Why are you suporting him?

President Jonathan has performed very well. He is the best so far. I am supporting him wholeheartedly. Not only me, all the members of the Rivers state PDP will wholeheartedly support the re-election of President Jonathan, without dropping a vote.

Can the PDP beat the APC in next year’s polls?

The APC is not a threat, any day, any time and can never be. With the defection of Amaechi, how many persons have followed him to the APC, besides the people he is sharing our

resources with? The local government caretaker committee chairmen and members; his House of Assembly members and his commissioners moved with him to the APC. Amaechi is almost rounding off his tenure, but no development in all the 23 LGAs of Rivers state.

I am from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers state, very rich in crude oil and gas, but what has Amaechi done in my LGA? He will always talk about health centres and model primary schools, but forgetting that my LGA produces the resources that sustain Rivers state and Nigeria.

Amaechi has not done well. He may be claiming to have done well in mono-rail, which is laughable. I used to like Amaechi as a brother and namesake (Amaechi). In his first tenure, when he was in the PDP, he was doing well, but his attention is now on his personal interest.

Amaechi is not up to 50 years and I am moving close to 60 years. I am Amaechi’s senior in age, but I still see him as my friend.

I am ready to welcome Amaechi back to the PDP and there will be a level playing field for everybody.

Amaechi will be forgiven, upon his return to the PDP. He must realise his mistakes, plead and come back to the PDP. His reasons for defecting to the APC are uncalled for. He left the PDP that is doing very well, to support the unknown the APC. Some of Amaechi’s friends, who left the PDP, have been given waivers and they are back to the PDP. I can also plead on behalf of Amaechi with the leadership of the PDP to also grant him waiver, if he repents and apologises. Amaechi is a young man and he still has hope for tomorrow.

I have always placed emphasis on peace. I have been inviting Amaechi for peace meeting, as his elder brother, but he is claiming that I have been insulting him with the invitations. What is wrong in inviting my younger brother to a meeting to ensure peace, no matter his position? I am a man of peace.

Amaechi remains my friend, but the truth must be said. As the gov-

• Obuah

ernor of Rivers state, I will continue to give Amaechi all the respect, but that does not stop us from telling Amaechi where he is not doing well.

Words of elders are words of wisdom.

Amaechi should listen to us, as elders.

PDP’s candidates will win the Rivers governorship and the presidential elections in 2015.

Why is the PDP threatening to sanction former Minister of Culture and Tourism Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas for allegedly fraternising with Governor Amaechi over the proposed power shift to the riverrine area?

Unlike what was the situation in the PDP, when Amaechi and Godspower Ake (ex-Rivers Chairman of the PDP, whom Obuah succeeded) were in charge and were imposing candidates and not allowing the people’s choices to prevail. That is not democracy. This time, the delegates will elect the candidates of the party, without imposition. No matter how highly placed the person is, we will not allow him/ her to impose candidates on the party.

We should allow the delegates and the electorate to elect their leaders.

A particular person, because of his closeness to Governor Amaechi, cannot on behalf of the party, meet with

the so-called governorship aspirants, without due regard to the party’s hierarchy in the state. After meeting with and fraternising with Amaechi, in the name of stakeholders, he will then come back and call PDP stakeholders to a meeting. We are just trying to caution that if he does not play to the rules of the game, he should not blame the party’s hierarchy for taking drastic actions against him, based on the party’s rules and regulations.

How can the division in the PDP over zoning be resolved?

There is no division in the PDP in Rivers State. In the PDP, we have guidelines. The PDP is going to present the best candidates for the elections. PDP is going to allow the people to choose their leaders. The zoning they are talking about is a gentleman’s agreement, but not in the constitutions of the PDP and Nigeria.

Some selfish politicians are trying to create problems, but we will not allow them to dictate to the party. If the United States of America zoned its Presidency, maybe Barack Obama would not have been the President today. Not considering where Obama came from, he was elected the President of the USA twice and he is doing very well.

We want the best persons to be the candidates of the PDP in Rivers state, during the 2015 elections. If the best governorship candidate is from Kalabari, Ogoni or Omoku (his hometown), we will support the person. Omoku people are also entitled to be governor, because we are feeding this nation, through the abundant crude oil and gas.

An Omoku person has not been Rivers governor. What stopped the PDP in Rivers State from zoning the governorship to Omoku? In view of my leadership style and belief in internal democracy, I want the best hand to lead. The best candidates with the best credentials will be featured by the PDP in Rivers State during the 2015 elections.

The Minister of State for Education fought for you to become the chairman. He is a governorship

‘In the PDP, we have guidelines. The PDP is going to present the best candidates for the elections. PDP is going to allow the people to choose their leaders. The zoning they are talking about is a gentleman’s agreement, but not in the constitutions of the PDP and Nigeria’

aspirant. Won’t you support his ambition?

I have no choice candidate. I will allow the people’s verdict. If I wanted to capitalise on my relationship with Wike, I could have acted like Amaechi and Godspower Ake and imposed Wike on the people, but I am insisting that the best governorship candidate should be elected by the PDP’s delegates, no matter where he/she hails from, as long as the person is an indigene of Rivers state.

Wike is the leader of the PDP in Rivers state. When Amaechi left the PDP, vacuum would not be allowed and a senior official in government, Wike, was chosen. Barr. Wike is doing so well. Rivers people, especially PDP members, have been calling on Wike to vie as governor in 2015. If he chooses to run and the people vote for him, what stops him? He has handled positions of trust and he has done very well. I am the father of all the aspirants. They are all my children.

My role is to ensure a level playing field.

Who is the PDP leader in Rivers?

Dr. Peter Odili or Wike?

Dr. Peter Odili is our father and leader of the PDP, the APC and other political parties, as well as non-politicians in Rivers State. Dr. Odili is also the leader of Amaechi and he (Odili) is the political leader of Rivers State and the Southsouth zone. In the PDP in Rivers state, our leader is Chief Nyesom Wike.

Have you and other leaders of the PDP been fair to Amaechi?

Amaechi wanted to play smart, by denying me, the rightful leader that won the PDP primaries, of victory.

He knows that I am an upright and transparent man, who will never give to cheating. Amaechi knows that as chairman of the party in Rivers state, I will not allow his imposition of candidates to prevail.

In the 23 LGAs of Rivers state, there is no development, because Amaechi imposed all the chairmen, who will be loyal to him. The people are crying. I was a chairman of Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni LG council of the state and I put in my best. The records are still there.

When Amaechi denied me the chairmanship of the PDP in Rivers state and imposed Godspower Ake, I went to court and God restored my stolen mandate. Many politicians, who left the PDP, because of Amaechi’s highhandedness and dictatorial tendencies, are now back to the party, with my emergence as chairman.

Power must shift in Abia, says group

By Emmanuel Oladesu

• Aku

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GROUP, the Abia Democratic Movement (ADM), has reiter ated its support for power shift in Abia State, saying that it is the turn of Ukwa Ngwa to produce the next governor. The group said that Abia is not for sale to the highest bidder, urging stakeholders to insist on the rotational principle.

The group rejected the campaign of

calumny and blackmail against Governor Theodore Orji, who is leading the power shift agitation, warning that the resistance by antipower shift elements may back fire.

The leader of the group, Prince Sonny Aku, said the governor supported the zoning and Abia Charter of Equity, based on his principle and avowed commitment to fair play and justice. He spoke with reporters in Lagos, shortly after the meeting of the group.

Aku said: “After due consultation, both at home and abroad, concerning the political situation in Abia and the unwarranted attacks on Governor Theodore Orji because of his resolve to make sure that power shifts to Ukwa Ngwa, I decided to call this press conference to send the message that enough is enough. Let no none take Abia for granted.

Power must shift and the next governor must come from Ukwa Ngua.

“Those who had rule the state cannot come back through the back

door through their crony. It will not work. The governor must not be disturbed or distracted. He must complete all his projects and be allowed to hand over to an Ukwa Ngwa man.

We will not sit down and fold our arms. We will not allow anybody to rubbish the governor. Any attack on the governor is an attack on Abias.”

Aku, a prominent businessman and community leader, added: “We will do everything legally to stop the attack on the governor and the confusion they want to create to deny the people of Nkwa Ngwa their right.

Abia will go where the governor will go. Governor Orji has followers and Abia people are with him. In 2015, power shift to Nkwa Ngwa is nonnegotiable. Anybody who wants to truncate this agenda should wait and see what will happen in 2015. Those who have skeletons in their pocket will be exposed. Abia people know the source of their wealth.”

He also alerted the state to plans by unpatriotic elements to create confusion and commotion, urging stakeholders to resist their nefarious

activities. He said the plot by Orji’s predecessor, Orji Kalu, to weaken the administration through sporadic attacks, destructive criticisms and blackmail, would not work. Warning that the group would meet fire for fire, he said stakeholders were ready to move with the governor to any party.

Aku recalled that Orji took over an “empty state,” characterised by lack of infrastructural facilities, absence of Government House and secretariat for civil servants and growing unemployment.

He said: An Ukwa Ngua man will rule the state from the new Government House. Abia had no secretariat.

Orji has put that in place. There was no High Court buiding before. Orji’s legacy projects should be completed.

Those who made money from Abia, those who cornered the resources of our people have not deemed it fit to invest in the state. Orji has no aircraft, ship, newspaper and real estate.

“When Ukwa Ngwa man becomes the governor, we will invest in Abia and attract investors. I promise N1

billion investment. I have the connection and what it takes. I will attract investment to Abia. But, we are saying that the media attack on the governor to confuse him and frustrate the push for power shift should stop.”

Aku recalled that he supported Kalu between 1999 and 2007. But, he pointed out that both went their separate ways when the former governor betrayed his predecessor by treating him as a domestic servant. He said: “Kalu did not allow Orji to work. Kalu wanted to take us for granted.”

The ADM leader said the agitation for power shift enjoyed the support of other ethnic groups and zones in the state. He said Nkwa Ngwa cannot afford to miss the opportunity to enjoy the slot from next year.

Aku added: “The people of Nkwa Ngua have all it takes to govern the state. Kalu told us that he would not allow Ukwa Ngwa to succeed him.

Nine out of 17 local governments are Nkwa Ngua. The population of Osisimo Local Government is more than three local governments in the North District.”

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FOREIGN NEWS Hong Kong: Protesters decry increasing Beijing influence

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ONG KONG police fired repeated volleys of tear gas to disperse pro-democracy protests yesterday and baton-charged the crowd blocking a key road in the government district after official warnings against illegal demonstrations.

The city’s Admiralty district had descended into chaos as chanting protesters converged on police barricades surrounding colleagues who had earlier launched a “new era” of civil disobedience to pressure Beijing into granting full democracy to Hong Kong.

Police, in lines five deep in places and wearing helmets and gas masks, staged repeated pepper spray and shot tear gas into the air. The crowds fled several hundred yards, scattering their umbrellas and hurling abuse at police “cowards”.

Crowds returned however and by early evening tens of thousands of protesters were thronging streets, including outside the prominent Pacific Place shopping mall that leads towards the Central financial district.

Fresh rounds of tear gas cleared some of the roads in Admiralty and pushed the crowds towards Central.

Clouds of tear gas also blew back towards police lines, but it is unclear how many people on either side have needed treatment.

Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying pledged “resolute” action against the protest movement known as Occupy Central with Love and Peace.

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a formula known as “one country, two systems” that guaranteed a high degree of au-

tonomy and freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China. Universal suffrage was set as an eventual goal.

Communist Party leaders in Beijing are concerned about calls for democracy spreading to cities on the mainland, threatening their grip on power. Such dissent would never be allowed on the mainland, where student protests calling for democracy were crushed with heavy loss of life on and around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.

Organizers said as many as 80,000 people thronged the streets in Admiralty, galvanized by the arrests of student activists on Friday. No independent estimate of the crowd numbers was available but the action is being seen as the most tenacious civil disobedience action since 1997.

Ebola clinics fill up as Liberia awaits aid

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OCTORS are in short supply. So are beds for patients. Six months after the Ebola outbreak emerged for the first time in an unprepared West Africa and eventually became the worstever outbreak, the gap between what has been sent by other countries and private groups and what is needed is huge.

Beds are filling up as fast as clinics can be built. Ambulance sirens blare through standstill traffic. Often there is nowhere to take the sick except to “holding centers” where they await a bed at an Ebola treatment fa-

cility.

The existing bed capacity for Ebola patients in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea and Nigeria is about 820, well short of the 2,900 beds that are currently needed, according to the World Health Organization. Recently 737 beds were pledged by countries. Yet even after the promised treatment facilities are built, they will still be at least 2,100 beds short.

The shortage of health workers is also great. WHO has estimated that 1,000 to 2,000 international health workers are needed in West

Africa. More than local 200 health workers have died of Ebola trying to save patients, complicating recruitment efforts.Doctors Without Borders, which has more Ebola clinics than anyone, currently has 248 foreign aid workers in the region.

President Barack Obama has ordered up to 3,000 U.S. military personnel to West Africa to train health workers and build more than a dozen 100-bed field hospitals, including reserved sections for infected aid workers in Liberia.

Russian FM lashes at U.S., NATO at UN

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HE Russian foreign minister issued a blistering attack on the West and NATO on Saturday, accusing them of being unable to change their Cold War “genetic code” and saying the United States must abandon its claims to “eternal uniqueness.”

Sergey Lavrov’s assault appeared to be an extension of the increasingly anti-Western stance of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is riding a wave of popularity at home with his neo-nationalist rhetoric and policies.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Lavrov said the crisis in

Ukraine was the result of a coup d’etat in that country backed by the United States and the European Union for the purpose of pulling Kiev out of its “organic role as a binding link” between East and West, denying it the opportunity for “neutral and non-bloc status.”

Lavrov also said the Russian annexation of Crimea earlier this year was the choice of the largely Russian-speaking population there. Former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev transferred control over the strategic Black Sea region to Ukraine from Moscow in the 1950s.

Immediately before Lavrov spoke, the German foreign minister said Russia’s actions to retake Crimea were a crime.

Lavrov made no mention of Western allegations that Russia has sent troops and heavy weapons into eastern Ukraine in support of pro-Russian rebels there who have taken over a number of key industrial cities after the ouster of former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovich. His departure followed months of demonstrations against his corrupt rule.

Russia routinely denies its forces are involved.

Germany trains 32 Kurdish fighters

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ERMANY’s army has started training 32 Kurdish peshmerga fighters at an army school in Bavaria to support them in their fight against Islamic State extremists.A spokesman for the German defense ministry said Sunday that the 32 Kurdish fighters would stay in Germany until October 3 to receive weapons’ training.Germany also began delivering

arms to the Kurds in northern Iraq on Thursday, dispatching a shipment of 50 hand-held anti-tank weapons, 520 G3 rifles and 20 machine guns.In total, the German plan calls for arming 10,000 Kurdish fighters with some 70 million euros ($90 million) worth of equipment.Germany is also sending some 40 paratroopers to help train the fighters on the weapons.

ISIS threatens U.S. over air strikes YRIAN militant group al-Nusra Front has denounced US-led air strikes as “a war against Islam”.

In an online statement, the al-Qaeda-linked group called on jihadists around the world to target Western and Arab countries involved.

It comes as the US and other nations widened air strikes against Islamic State (IS) fighters in Iraq and Syria.

A Syrian activist group said overnight strikes hit three local oilfields near the Syrian IS

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stronghold of Raqqa.

The group, the Londonbased Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, also said one civilian was killed in a strike on a plastics factory on the outskirts of Raqqa.

Previously, the Pentagon confirmed that jets hit Raqqa on Saturday as well as IS positions near the Turkish border.

Kurdish fighters have been defending the Kurdish town of Kobane on the Syrian side of the border since an IS advance sent about 140,000 civilians fleeing to Turkey.

The US-led coalition of about 40 countries, including Arab states, has vowed to destroy IS, which controls large parts of north-eastern Syria and northern Iraq.

The group’s brutal tactics, including mass killings, beheadings, and abductions of members of religious and ethnic minorities, triggered the international intervention.

Despite sharing radical Islamist beliefs, IS and al-Nusra Front have been rivals, recently clashing with each other in Syria.

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TODAY IN THE NATION

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 9 NO 2,986

‘The blame has been placed at the door steps of the church for its hostility to rescuers. The panel must get at the root of it. Those found culpable should be made to face the full weight of the law’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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ED Haggard was a colourful cleric in the United States. He presided over The New Life Church in Colorado Springs, and he spoke with vehemence against what he saw as the depredation of the liberal politicians, including gay marriage, abortion and the foul air of addiction.

He hobnobbed with the Republican politicians. So influential was he that he rose to become the head of the evangelicals in the United States. George W. Bush was president then and he frequented the White House. President Bush was a star among the evangelicals because he projected himself as a born again, and pointed out Jesus Christ as his personal hero.

Haggard, like Bush, looked with contempt at those who did not belong to their world of sanctity. The liberal intellectuals fumed at Bush’s pious contentment, and growled impotently at his swagger and increasing popularity.

Haggard visited Nigeria a few times and Nigerian evangelicals, including the teeming adherents who purred at the dynamic sermons of the gifted American. They knew he was anointed. Everyone in the spirit saw it with their eyes of understanding. Fire and brimstone flared against sin from his lips.

The oil of gladness soothed the righteous from on high at the hour of blessings and miracles. Who did not know that Haggard was a significant part of the divine nature enunciated by Apostle Peter?

Well, while the peacock spiritual preened, the scandal broke, and Haggard admitted that he was homosexual as well as a drug addict. It was an earthquake as devastating as the earlier ones that rocked Christendom in the same country. But those ones did not carry the whiff of drugs or walk with the gait of gays. Those were adulteries with women, including the secretary.

But there was humility about Haggard’s confession. He did not play holy or untouchable. He stepped down from his high horse as the chieftain of the holy nation as well as The New Life Church. His fellow pastors and followers prayed for him, but they distanced themselves immediately from him.

They knew that God and the church rode a high plane. Every pastor, however successful or anointed, was a speck in the large garment of the church.

Not long after, the magisterial control of President Bush also waned. His approval rating cascaded. The Bush of Jesus Christ who plumed himself in holy confidence was now a liar. He had corralled innocent Americans to a war based on a false premise. He was no longer the anointed king just as Haggard no longer reigned as anointed servant.

They had taken advantage of God, church and their faithful to project a false morality about themselves. They had profited profusely while many suffered, including those

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchnation@gmail.com 08054501081(sms only) Twitter: @samomatseye

A pastor and a president

•Jonathan

•Pastor Oritsejafor

who slaved for them. Worse was not their servile condition, but their servile belief.

They sacrificed their minds for them.

I reflected on this narrative in respect of the scandal over the unaccounted trip to South Africa of an aircraft belonging to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria. No Christian would joy to that story.

We must admit that the narrative is not cut and dried. We have no evidence that the pastor knew about the money. We could however say that he ought to know. He leased it to a company that leased it to another. Technically, as the owner of the jet he ought to know what it was billed to convey, especially if it concerned such a large sum of money. And the $9.3 million belonged to the Federal Government.

If the purpose was to buy arms to fight the enemy, Boko Haram, it was a sensitive transaction. He was also a frequenter of Aso Rock, and he worked with the president in the fight against the bigoted vermin.

So how can he explain how he did not know about this trip given these facts?

RIPPLES

70 PER CENT OF NIGERIANS HAVE ACCESS TO WATER–Fed Govt

Yes, RAIN WATER and STREAM

When he acquired the aircraft, he did not use the opaque language about having a residual interest in the aircraft. It was his and he needed it as the chariot of the Lord. He would win souls with it. Never mind it is luxury in the air with all the bells and whistles. The souls will soar to God on the wings of the anointed word.

But once the scandal broke, he receded into residual ownership. But what was worse was that he has not employed a language of remorse or rhetoric of regret in this scandal.

He just defended himself as though Nigerians cannot add up the facts.

He has used the high elegance of CAN to defend the government of the day. He has abused it and wrecked its cathedral beauty.

CAN under him has lost its holy majesty and its appeal to the grandeur of God. Oritsejafor acts like a false steward. He is not like Prophet Samuel in the Bible who finished his task and laid it bare to his flock that his slate was clean. He is not like Paul who crooned that he had finished his task and awaited the crown of righteousness.

He is soaring in the flesh. Yet, our evangelicals, the pastors and bishops, do not

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seem to know that they should ask him to step down as an act of honour. Such scandals are not good for the church. Whether he knew of it or not, for the sanctity of that position, he should not parade himself as the leader of the evangelicals. Just as Haggard did, he should bow out.

But it means our evangelicals do not care or know the implication of the scandal to the meaning of Christianity if they cannot raise their voices against what he has done. If Pastor Oritsejafor was too busy to know what his aircraft conveyed, it means he was careless. He should pay for it. In law, it is called indirect responsibility. The aircraft was not acquired to harvest cash but souls. The Bible warns not just against evil but “an appearance of evil”. If he is innocent, he does not appear to be.

As for President Goodluck Jonathan, it is clear he does not feel any public regret. Until his government proves the South African government wrong, the story will go down as a connivance of corruption between his government and a pastor. Two sacrosanct institutions, the presidency and the church have fallen into scandal. We should not forget that this is the president paraded as representing Christ in Aso Rock. Is this what Christians do in authority? The South Africans deny any arms deal. Who buys weapons or anything internationally these days by hauling cash?

One of the achievements of this administration is the cashless policy. The violator is the initiator. What irony.

Both the president and Pastor Oritsejafor have many people who sacrifice their lives, respect and talent for them. When they fail as role models, they destroy the lives. Like Uncle Vanya of Anton Chekhov, Russian writer’s play, everybody who worked for the big man woke up to discover they had wasted their lives because they misplaced their faith in one man. The same happened to Haggard and Bush.

President Jonathan and Pastor Oritsejafor should know that what is at stake is not their little egos. It is the souls of Nigerian people.

Enter the Mutawallen Sokoto

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HE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, was bedecked with a stellar traditional title on Saturday. He is now turbaned for his accomplishments as a citizen. He is perhaps the most level-headed politician of his generation. His quiet but visionary hand has held the often tempestuous House on an even keel.

This is the same House of riot and broken chairs in the past. He has never attracted scandal to himself. He is equable in temper and felicitous in language. He has secured the House and it does not play slave to the executive, and he has defended his legisla-

HARDBALL OODLUCK Jonathan’s Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria have hit the polity with their inimitable acronym, TAN. But who are TAN? Who is TANning who? And who are being TANned?

Give it to the president and his pre-election propagandists: they sure know how to come up with memorable acronyms. The last time, it was Neighbour-2-Neighbour, N2N, for short. From N2N votes, legit or crooked, that body came up with stunning N2N harvest of public resources.

That scandal sent a minister and former N2N empress crashing from her ministerial heights, at the very apex of Mount Olympus.

But never mind: no indictment, not to talk of conviction, so far. All is just ill-tempered baying for blood by gross plebs, who cannot even distinguish between ordinary stealing and corruption! And the ex-minister must have nodded to herself, just like that Achebe-an reptile: a lizard that falls from the high Iroko tree (and didn’t go kaput) praises himself, even if no one else did!

But N2N is history. TAN is the future.

But the difference is between six and half-adozen.

As N2N galvanised to harvest for

EMEKA OMEIHE

tive turf. He does not play the games of tribal and religious fidelity in the way that injures the commonwealth of citizens. He does not carry an air of the superior personage. That explains why all the rumoured plots of presidential-inspired impeachment did not fly.

He knows how to hold his own without vanity or flamboyance. He is humble without servility, effective without showiness, brilliant without bullying.

That perhaps accounts for why the Sultan of Sokoto, another icon of honour, is giving the honour to another deserving, unobtrusive stalwart of the Nigerian polity.

Congratulations, the Mutawallen.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

TANning their hide!

Jonathan a pan-Nigeria mandate of Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, TAN is promising even more: to vault perhaps the most incompetent president Nigeria ever had to the country’s first unquestionable emperor!

You doubt this claim? Well, look at the Southsouth and Southeast. It is a case of preaching to the converted — you only waste your saliva. Jona is done deal!

In the Southwest, reprobates are at work, set to pacify the electorate to willy-nilly enthrone the new emperor. If you could incite the Igbo against their hosts, all the better!

The Middle Belt? Religious rancour is it: to the traumatised Christians there, Jona is new emperor come to save Middle Belt Christians from their age-old Arewa Muslim bullies and local colonisers.

In the core North itself, it is carte blanche for Jonathan: the political paper tigers have been recanting by the dozen. Jona elixir is their new alchemy, at least intra-PDP. What is more? If Sai Jona likes, he could even junk Vice-President Namadi Sambo, for a now

defanged Sule Lamido. The Jigawa socialist may well fancy his chances as new vice-emperor. Half bread is better than no bread at all, abi?

But who are these magic workers strutting this new roar of halleluyah to the chief? TAN, of course! TAN has tanned the hide of Jonathan’s PDP challengers. Pronto, they’ve turned sudden cheer leaders. TAN also tanned the hide of Ebola. Even when it raged and threatened, not even that fear could stop the TAN-organised multitudes screaming for the chief to continue.

But TAN could well be tanning your hide too. Newspaper reports claim TAN sucks its nourishment from federal parastatals, after pressuring ministers to pressure their underlings to “deliver”. And pronto, the cash spigot!

But wait: how can Jonathan be all foxtrot in election build-ups, witness N2N and now TAN; and yet is a damp squib when it’s time for the work he heartily campaigned for? Just call it the (un)presidential TANning of gullible hides!

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