The Nation February 15, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Susan ‘Goldie’ Harvey is dead

NEWS

Page 60

•BBA star dies in Lagos at 29

How NNPC men were killed, by suspects NEWS

Page 4

•Pipeline ‘vandals’ tell investigators

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2401 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

•2012 Batch “A” Youth Corps members cheering during their passing out ceremony in Kaduna…yesterday. SEE ALSO PAGE 53

N150.00

PHOTO: NAN

Pension cash scandal: Maina goes into hiding Jonathan, Mark meet over row Surrender now, says police chief

THE FIGURES

From Yusuf Alli and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

S

ECURITY agencies have launched a manhunt for the controversial Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Force (PRTF), Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina.

Maina has reportedly gone into hiding for fear that the “pension cabal” will attack him.

PRTF officials have vacated their office, apparently for fear of arrest.

The resolution of the Senate which asked the Executive to choose between it and Maina, led to the fresh manhunt.

Continued on page 6

•Maina

N469b N273.9b

•Total pension cash allegedly mismanaged

N195b N221b 71,135

•Pension cash discovered missing in December 2012

•Pension cash allegedly diverted (2005 - 2011)

•The cash that Maina claimed to have saved for govt •Ghost pensioners Maina claimed he removed from the system

PDP removes Oyinlola’s portraits from secretariat •Southwest leaders lament irrelevance

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HE civil war in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is far from over, with yesterday’s removal of sacked National Secretary Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s portraits from the national secretariat.

Oyinlola’s office has been locked. All 19 staff of the embattled former governor have been stopped from coming to the national secretariat.

But some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) have rejected the disciplinary measure taken

From Yusuf Alli and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

against Oyinlola while a case is pending in court.

Oyinlola’s portraits were removed in a special operation allegedly coordinated by the National Director of Administration Gurama Bawa.

The action may have sealed Oyinlola’s hope of returning to the office.

Prior to the action, it was gathered that the portraits in all the offices were that Continued on page 6

•DOCTORS PLAN STRIKE P57 •PISTORIUS CHARGED WITH MURDER P13

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

2

NEWS WAR IN MALI

Terror threats not •Carson announces America’s long-term stability plan

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• Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (third left) receiving a letter of protest from the President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin (second right) for onward transmission to President Goodluck Jonathan during a peaceful protest by women against the N4 billion allocation for the building of an Office for the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan's African Ladies Mission Initiative at the Lagos House, Ikeja... yesterday. With them are widow of Dr Beko RansomeKuti, Abosede (right), Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye (third right behind), his Information and Strategy counterpart, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba (second left).

• Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, flanked by the Head of Service (HOS) and Chairman/Publisher - "The Fountain Bureaucrat" - Mr. Olubunmi Famosaya (left)) and Chairman of the event, Chief Deji Fasuan, at the launch of Ekiti State Civil Service Journal in Ado Ekiti...yesterday.

RENCH forces may have dislodged terrorists from their enclaves in Mali, but the presence of extremists’ groups in the troubled West African nation is still a threat, the United States (U.S.) warned yesterday.

“The U.S. remain concerned about the continued presence of terrorist and extremists’ groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM),” a high-ranking State Department official, Johnnie Carson told Congress yesterday.

“Neutralising the full scope of the terrorist threat in Mali … is a long-term effort.” Carson, the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, told a hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

French troops entered Mali on January 11 in an effort to flush out Islamist rebels who had seized control of a vast stretch of territory after the nation’s government fell in a military coup last year.

Recent weeks have also witnessed a movement of African Union (AU) peacekeeping forces into Mali to bolster the French operation.

While the U.S. assisted the French invasion by airlifting equipment and troops and sharing intelligence, Mr. Carson stressed that Washington must be prepared to focus attention and resources toward the long-term effort of helping Mali prop up a sustainable government.

“The gains achieved by French and African forces on the battlefield in Northern Mali will be short-lived if not accompanied by elections, strengthened institutions and na-

‘

The gains achieved

by French and African forces on the battlefield in Northern Mali will be short-lived if not accompanied by elections, strengthened institutions and national reconciliation to restore Mali’s tradition of democratic governance

‘

tional reconciliation to restore Mali’s tradition of democratic governance.”

Carson said in prepared remarks submitted to the House panel.

The envoy said any military success in Mali will be “fleeting” without a democratic government that responds to the needs of all Malians.

He pledged the U.S. preparedness to assist with rebuilding Mali’s long-term stability.

Carson said: “We will continue to work to ensure that military success

What al-Qaeda planned for Northern Mali, by report

A •Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (middle), National President , Federal Government College Ilorin Old Students’ Association, Remi Adeseun (second left), Vice President of the association, Chuks Anagbogu (left) cutting the 40th Anniversary cake of the association in Abuja... yesterday. With them are other members of the association.

PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Country Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr. Seki Tetsuo, leader, JICA’sTerminal Evaluation Mission, Mr. Satoru Takahashi and Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, at the signing of the Terminal Evaluation Report by the National Steering Committee on Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE)in Abuja... yesterday.

DOCUMENT left behind in the bombed remains of an al-Qaeda training headquarters in Timbuktu has given a rare insight into the organisation’s thinking, a British newspaper reported yesterday.

The Daily Telegraph said it had found the Arabic-language document outside a building bombed by French forces, who drove the Islamists from the ancient city.

The newspaper said the document was the first page of minutes from the 33rd meeting of the al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) leadership, held on March 18, 2012.

According to the document, AQIM chiefs discussed a plan to capitalise on the gains made in northern Mali by the Islamist rebel group Ansar Dine and Tuareg minority rebels.

It was suggested that AQIM pushed aside the groups and took control.

At the time of the meeting, those groups had just captured a string of towns in the Sahara Desert on Mali’s Northern border with Algeria.

Abou Moussab Abdel Wadoud - a 42-year-old Algerian dubbed the “prince” of AQIM, who helped found the group in 2006 - chaired the meeting in which he outlined a “proposal and a vision for the future”.

He reportedly said: “We have looked carefully into it and have found it interesting and satisfactory for this period of time. Therefore, we thought we would present it for you to discuss and give it careful consideration.”

The plan was to praise Ansar Dine for its “victories during the latest encounters which have been carried out by our Muslim heroes on this grand desert.”

But then AQIM intended to move in and take over the cities they had gained.

“We had to think of the necessity to draw a plan to command and control the jihad activities there at this critical moment and target all efforts to achieve the required goals,” the document allegedly said.

Within the following two weeks, Ansar Dine and the Tuareg rebels seized Timbuktu, Kidal and Gao, the three main cities in Northern Mali.

As per the plan in the document, AQIM then muscled in and took de facto control over much of the North, including arms dumps, airports and training facilities. They were dislodged by French forces, who came to the Malian army’s aid.

Professor Michael Clarke, Director-General of London’s Royal United Services Institute security think-tank, said the document showed a centrally-directed attempt to pull off classic al-Qaeda tactics, piggy-backing other extremists, as witnessed in Afghanistan.

They are “to ally with other political movements in order to hijack them; to fight guerrilla wars for disputed territory, and to build up a new caliphate that will extend across the Middle East and far beyond,” he wrote in the Telegraph.

The document came from the old headquarters of the Gendarmerie Nationale para-military unit, which AQIM used as a training centre. Recruits were drilled and indoctrinated there until French forces destroyed the building.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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NEWS WAR IN MALI

over in Mali, West Africa, says U.S. envoy Russia: we are arming govt forces against rebels

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Soldiers patroling a street in Gao...yesterday

can be translated into long-term political stability by encouraging expedited elections, marginalising the military junta, holding accountable all perpetrators of human rights abuses and violations, including those who are in the Malian army, and supporting a national reconciliation process that addresses the longstanding and legitimate grievances of northern populations, including those of the Tuareg.”

Updating the lawmakers on the U.S. support mission in Mali, Carson said:

PHOTO : AFP

“As of Wednesday, the U.S. had carried out 22 refueling missions to support French forces fighting Islamist militants.”

He told the Committee that the U.S. Air Force had flown 43 C-17 sorties to transport French and Chadian personnel as well as supplies and equipment.

Also yesterday, the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry hailed the "Successful" intervention by France to dislodge Islamic rebels.

He urged Malian leaders to hold elections.

Kerry, who was speaking ahead of scheduled talks with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, said Mali would be one of the issues on the agenda.

"We urge the government to continue the political transition process towards elections and to step up negotiations with non-extremist groups in the North," he said.

France to begin withdrawal of troops next month •Intervention costs Paris $95m, says Defence Ministry

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RANCE yesterday spoke of plans to pull its troops out of Mali from next month and insisted it will focus its operations on flushing out Islamist rebels in the North of the country.

Its Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius confirmed the move yesterday.

“We will continue to act in the North where some terrorist havens remain. I think that from March, if everything goes according to plan, the number of French troops should fall,” the minister was quoted as saying by the Telegraph.

France has deployed nearly 4,000 ground troops, as well as warplanes and armoured vehicles in its threeweek-old Operation Serval that has broken the Islamist militants’ 10-month grip on Northern towns.

It is now due to gradually hand over to a United Nations (UN)-backed African force of some 8,000 troops, known as AFISMA, of which around 3,800 have already been deployed.

A UN diplomat said France is talking about another month or so of active engagement in Mali, with one aim being the interruption of supplies to the extremists.

The UN Security Council is likely to wait until the end of this month, when the military action has hopefully ended, to adopt a new resolution authorising a UN peacekeeping force for Mali, he said.

The spokesman for the Malian military in Timbuktu, Capt. Samba Coulibaly, said there was no reason for the population to fear the withdrawal of French troops.

He said: “With the size of the force

we have here right now, we can maintain security in the town of Timbuktu.

“The departure of the French soldiers does not scare us, especially since their air force will still be present both in Timbuktu and Sevare. They control this entire zone and can intervene within a matter of minutes in order to carry out airstrikes as needed.”

French-led troops have killed hundreds of Islamist fighters in an operation to reclaim Mali’s vast arid North, according to France’s Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The Defence Ministry said the Islamists died in French air strikes on vehicles transporting fighters and equipment, and in “direct combat in Konna and Gao”, key central and Northern towns.

According to the ministry, the intervention cost Frnace 70 million euros (about $95 million), with the figure rising by 2.7 million euros per day.

France’s sole fatality so far has been a helicopter pilot who was killed at the start of the military operation, while “two or three” soldiers have suffered light injuries, Le Drian said.

Mali said 11 of its troops were killed and 60 wounded after the battle at Konna last month but has not since released a new death toll.

Le Drian said the Malian army had taken “some prisoners, not many, who will have to answer to Malian courts and to international justice,” adding that some of those detained were high-ranking militants.

UK flies Ghana troops to Mali

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RITAIN’S military has flown troops and heavy equipment from Ghana to Mali to support the international intervention in the troubled West African nation.

The Ministry of Defence said a C-17 aircraft ferried more than 120 members of a Ghanaian engineering company with vehicles and equipment to Bamako, the Malian capital, where they will build accommodation and assist with projects like road building as part of the African-led Support Mission to Mali. (AFRISMA) It added that the request from Ghana for a C-17 was made earlier this week.

Besides the provision of logistical support and aircraft to support the French-led intervention in Mali, Britain has said that it will contribute to a European Union (EU) training mission to support the Malian army and provide trainers to help prepare an African-led intervention force.

USSIA yesterday said it was supplying guns to the Malian government in the fight against rebels, according to official reports.

The head of Russia’s arms export agency, Anatoly Isaikin, said Russia had delivered small amounts of light weapons for Mali’s poorly equipped and deeply divided army.

“We are in talks about sending more, in small quantities,” said Rosoboronexport chief Anatoly Isaikin, quoted by the Interfax news agency.

In the centre of Gao, the scene of twin suicide bombings and a street battle in recent days, French troops defused a homemade bomb they said contained 600 kilogrammes of explosives.

The bomb, four metal barrels filled with explosives and connecting wires, was in the courtyard of an abandoned house and had been there since Monday, according to a correspondent of the AFP at the scene.

The United Nations (UN) said on Wednesday it was working on a “regional strategy” for the Sahel, the semi-arid region South of the Sahara desert.

According to analysts, a dangerous mix of Islamist extremism, kidnapping, drug trafficking and organised crime are fuelling the unrest in Gao. The Malian army has been struggling to restore security after a Frenchled military intervention helped it push out al-Qaida-linked rebels who had seized the country’s North.

Romano Prodi, the UN’s special Envoy for the Sahel, and UN West Africa representative Said Djinnit began a three-day visit to the region on Wednesday Wednesday to discuss the situation in Mali with the presidents of its neighbours - Senegal, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Niger.

On Tuesday, UN rights chief Navi Pillay warned that Mali risked descending into a cycle of violence.

The problem, she said, was not just rebel groups but also the army and black majority, who have carried out reprisal attacks on light-skinned Tuaregs and Arabs accused of supporting the insurgents.

Rights groups have accused the Malian army of killing suspected rebel supporters and dumping their bodies in wells.

Tuaregs and Arabs have also come under attack from their black neighbours in Northern cities such as Timbuktu.

In all, the crisis has caused some 377,000 people to flee their homes, including 150,000 who have sought refuge across Mali’s borders, according to the UN. “The recent developments in the conflict have sown panic among these people, who have fled for fear of being trapped between two fires,” Nawezi Karl of aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said.

Refugees, who had taken few belongings with them, have been living in precarious conditions and threatened by hunger, MSF said.

Mali imploded after a March coup by soldiers who blamed the government for the army’s humiliation at the hands of North African Tuareg rebels, who had launched an uprising in the North two months earlier.

Food shortages hit refugee camps •Children mostly affected, says agency

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HOUSANDS of children displaced by the conflict in Mali face food shortages, the Save the Children, a sevice organisation said.

These children were already suffering from the devastating food crisis even before being displaced, and require urgent humanitarian aid as their families cannot afford to buy enough food.

The children’s aid agency estimates that 203,500 children fled their homes in Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal, since the outset of the conflict over a year ago.

Just over half of them have been displaced within the country, while the rest have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.

“Thousands of children have had to flee their homes in terror after suffering months of extreme hunger and are now at risk,” said Tom McCormack, Save the Children’s Country Director in Mali.

He added: “Children are still going hungry, with many cutting down on meals and some reduced to eating only rice. They need urgent help.”

Displaced families have reported to officials of the organisation their daily struggle to get by.

“Food is a problem. We don’t have money so we don’t have food. I only eat rice and gruel and am hungry,” said Amada, a 13-year-old boy.”

A 44-year-old mother of seven children, indentified as Zeinabou said: “The children tell me all the time they’re still hungry. We only have rice to eat, we can’t afford vegetables, we urgently need food.”

Fifteen-year-old Maimouna, a former refugee in Niger, said: “It was really hard in Niger, especially because of the hunger. I was eating rice, only rice. It was expensive, and there wasn’t enough money to buy anything more.”

As the conflict begins to abate in some parts of the North, tens of thousands of displaced families are now faced with the difficult decision of whether to return home.

But without assistance, Save the Children says that they face the prospect of returning completely destitute, many to houses and shops that have been destroyed and pillaged during the fighting.

McCormack said: “While fighting dies down in some areas, the situation is far from stabilized and many families will remain displaced for weeks or even months to come.

“Those who do return home will face extreme difficulties in rebuilding their lives, and for all those affected by both the food crisis and the conflict, it is clear the road to recovery will be a long one.

“We need to remember that even before the recent conflict or food crisis Mali was already one of the poorest countries in the world.”

Operating in Mali for 25 years, Save the Children is now working to expand its existing protection, livelihoods and nutrition programmes to meet the needs of displaced children who have arrived in Mopti, South of Gao and Kidal, as well as Southern areas of the country such as Sikasso.

Going by the latest United Nations (UN) figures, about an estimated 241,448 people have been displaced within Mali and 166,425 who have fled across the border, totalling 407,873 displaced.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

4

CITYBEATS T How NNPC officials were killed at Arepo, by suspects O

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

WO suspected vandals yesterday confessed to the killing of three Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) officials in Arepo, Ogun State in September last year.

The NNPC engineers, the suspects said, were “victims of misadventure.”

They spoke when they were paraded by the Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit, headed by Friday Ibadin, an Assistant Commissioner (ACP).

Timi Koro and Wusaina Etipiwey were arrested in Abule-Oba, near Ikorodu, Lagos, with 50 jerry cans of 50 litres, each with stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and a pump action gun while alighting from a boat, which ferried them to the creeks where they had allegedly gone to vandalise NNPC pipelines.

Koro, 29, who claimed that the gun found on him was given to him for safe keeping, said: "I joined them two years ago when my timber business was dwindling. In Abule-Oba and Konu axis of Ikorodu area, pipeline vandalism is the main source of making money. They have a strong union in that area and I am yet to be included because of the amount involved."

He added: "The NNPC officials were unfortunate. The main target was a local security man popularly known as 'Dead Man'. For some time, Dead Man stopped co-operating to allow us tap fuel from any of the ruptured pipelines. Our suspicion heightened when security officers started arresting our people in their numbers. We believed that he was the one giving them information about our operations in Abule-Oba. We agreed at the meeting to kill 'Dead Man'. Unfortunately, on that day, NNPC officials were there and we were left with no choice but to kill and bury them. No matter how mean we may be, we don't kill innocent people. Our only enemies are security officers who dare to stop us. Most of them that cooperate are our

•The suspects...yesterday

By Jude Isiguzo

friends.

"We work (vandalise pipelines) at least four times a week, depending on the demands of the market. We already have different spots that were ruptured and sealed off at the end of each day's work. With the aid of a long pipe and our own pumping machine, the products would be transferred to the gallons inside the water. I am not a major player but whenever they were going, Igbekorowa, who used to be my friend before he betrayed me,

would allow me to join them.

"At the end of the day, he would pay me commission depending on the number of gallons that I could safely transport to land. Assuming I was able to deliver 300 littres, he would pay me N50, 000 because I am not a member of the union. They own different types of cars, built houses within Ikorodu and most of their buyers are owners of petrol stations."

He said Tokyo and Igbekorowa, who live in Ikorodu are the major players in vandalism business in that

area, adding "If security men can arrest Igbekorowa and Tokyo, then the business will stop. If I have an idea of where they are, I will personally hand them over to the police. They betrayed some of us because we have a strong intelligence group whose duty is to monitor all the security officers that were assigned to hunt us down. We also have our patrol team that moves with us during every operation. The team which comprises nine able-bodied men, move with all kinds of guns including grenades.

Tokyo was involved in the last explosion and is currently in Ondo where he is receiving treatment. We are just the boys; the main vandals are out there."

Etipiwey said hunger drove him into vandalism. "I was lucky to have survived the blast that happened last year. I had sworn to myself that I will not join them again, but when there was no other source of livelihood, I had no choice but to call Tokyo, who allowed me to join them."

Ibadin said detectives were still on the trail of the remaining suspects involved in the killing of the NNPC officials, adding: "We are gradually closing in on the notorious Igbekorowa and Tokyo who led the suspected vandals that murdered the NNPC officials last year. It was in the course of our investigation that we got a tip-off that these boys were on their way back from the creeks.

"Policemen led by Sector Commander, Lagos, Deputy Superintendent Onaghise Osayande (DSP), laid ambush and arrested the duo but the rest fled. The task force will richly reward anyone with useful information the whereabouts of Igbekorowa and Tokyo."

•From left: Adeoye, Suraj, and Chief Digifa Warenipre, Chairman, Planning Committee of the group during the media parley...yesterday.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

Coalition bemoans Nigerians' endless woes

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civil rights coalition, Nigeria Peoples' Centenary Group (NPCG), has described Nigeria's existence since amalgamation in 1914 as "painful," saying there is nothing to show for it. It added that the past 100 years had been characterised by unending political and economic turmoil, and "floundering fortunes".

"People's quality of life has seen little improvement since the military left the stage 13 year ago. Insecurity of lives and property has become more pronounced than it was in the past.

"In recent years, people's bottled-up disenchantment has been finding outlets through violent expressions. Now, the country's woes are being compounded by the growth of sectional

By Joseph Jibueze

fundamentalists who, in blind rage, kill scores of innocent people almost on a daily basis," the group lamented.

The group, at a press briefing in Lagos on its planned centenary summit slated for the second quarter of this year, said the government's proposed centenary celebration would be of any benefit to Nigerians.

NPCG's summit, it said, would provide a platform for various political and social forces in Nigeria to express their views on their future "out of free, and informed consent."

"The government has gotten it completely wrong," NPCG's Deputy Convener, Olanrewaju Suraj said, adding that the country's future appears bleak,

adding that the summit is "a critical interventionist programme" that will bring together "all stakeholders in the Nigerian dream for a critical assessment of the state of affairs" with the aim of arriving at a "possible international consensus on the practical steps needed to save Nigeria from political explosion."

One of the conveners, Adewale Adeoye said: "It is not time for celebration but to tackle issues of hunger, homelessness, ignorance, exploitation and ethnic discontent that have been threatening the health of the Nigerian nation."

It added: "The summit will reach local and international consensus on the future of Nigeria after 100 years of involuntary amalgamation. It will build

a fresh, solid international network to ensure the entrenchment of democratic values in Nigeria.

"The summit will constructively engage all aggrieved parties so as to ebb the spate of violence that now threaten to consume Nigeria. It will create a platform for honest, transparent means of addressing all inequalities arising from the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria."

Participants, it said, will include representatives of indigenous communities, human rights groups at home and abroad, labour unions, the United Nations agencies, international and diplomatic community, state and federal authorities.

Members of the planning committee include foremost rights activists Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and Mr Femi Falana (SAN).

NUPENG

IL workers yeterday protested at the Lekki, Lagos office of an Indian firm, SWAP Technologies, over an alleged N27.4 million debt owed F and B Global Oil and Gas Company.

Under the aegis of the National Union of Petroleum and National Gas workers (NUPENG), the protesters said they would not allow SWAP to operate until it pays F and B, which is owned by Fabian Obi, a NUPENG

•The NUPENG officials during

15 Russians

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Magistrate’s Court in Tinubu, Lagos yesterday remanded in prison custody the 15 Russian crew members of a Merchant Vessel (MV), Myre Seadiver which was arrested in October, last year, by the Navy for alleged illegal possession of arms and ammunition.

Magistrate Oyindamola Ogala’s order followed an application by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) for the defendants’ remand.

The defendants include: Zhelyazkov Andrev, 53, Captain; Savchnko Sergey, 36; Chichkanov Vasily, 49; Varlygin Igor, 48; Komilov Alexandr, 32; Lopatin Alexey, 38; Baranovskly Nikolay, 50; Mishin Pavel, 31; and Llia Shubov, 33.

Others are: Dmitry Bannyrh, 40; Alexander Tsarkov, 44; Kononov Sergel, 44; Korotchenko Andrey, 23; Vorobev Mikhail, 40; and Stepan Oleksiuk, 52.

They were initially remanded on January 11, following an application by the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko.

When they were first arraigned, Russia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Alexander Polyakov applied for their bail on humanitarian grounds, saying he would accommodate them at the Russian Embassy and produce them when required, but his application was refused.

The matter was adjourned till January 28 and SFU’s counsel Effiong Asuquo prayed the court for a 30-day extension of the remand order.

He argued that the charges needed to be perfected, adding that SFU was awaiting legal advice from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The prosecution, he said, needed time to conclude its investigations for proper charges to be filed against the Russians as several agencies were involved in the investigation.

The court granted the prosecution another 14 days, directing that all procedures be completed for proper arraignment of the defendants yes-

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

5

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

tackles Indian firm over alleged N27m debt •I’m in trouble; somebody must rescue me, says dealer

•Firm: We’re embarrassed by the protest

By Ebele Boniface

member.

Obi was in tears when he addressed reporters on the scene. He said he supplied over 1.2 million litres of diesel to the company which has allegedly "refused" to pay him despite repeated

demands.

"They (the company) will not function, until they pay me my money. I need to be assisted because the bank that gave me the loan to prosecute the business is on my neck.

“My business has been paralysed

the protest yesterday. Inset: Obi

and my family is being affected adversely. Somebody should save me now; the trouble is beyond me,” Obi said.

He appealed to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and Commissioner of Police Umar Manko to call the company to order .

Captain Peter Olugbemi, who led the protest, said: "SWAP is owing one of our members over N27 million. It is frustrating our member with lies and it is affecting us. The last time we met with the company, it promised to pay him the money they owed him within two weeks, but it is now over one month. This attitude of the company has paralysed Obi's business and it has affected us. For failing to keep their promise, we are here that they should pay the money now."

He wondered what informed the company’s action when it knew that Obi borrowed money from banks for the supply.

Some of the placards read: "SWAP, don't trade with our money," "injury to one is injury to all," and "debt is prohibited, please pay us."

A SWAP official, who spoke with The Nation on phone, said Obi is a customer, adding: "It is surprising that he came with NUPENG officials to protest and embarrass the company." The official, who preferred to remain anonymous, claimed that the matter had long been sorted out with Obi.

remanded till February 19

Why I drugged women, by suspect THE police in Lagos have arrested a 37-year-old man, Samson Igwe, who specialised in drugging women to steal their belongings.

Igwe was said to have told the police that he took to administering Valium 5 on women after a 'club girl' robbed him of $30, 000 in August, last year.

Igwe said he returned from South Africa in August and got intimated with a girl he met at a bar, but the woman disappeared with his jewellery and $30, 000.

He said: "The action of that lady messed up my entire life. That money was my savings, which I intended to use to start business in Nigeria but the woman stole it and turned me to a CD plate seller at Alaba International Market.

"I was angry and wanted revenge and since I didn't know the lady, the best way to achieve my purpose was to go after girls who hang out in clubs and bars, drug them and steal everything they have."

A Police source said Igwe was arrested on February 7 at Zest Hotel, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, after some of his victims had identified him.

He said: "The suspect had gone to the hotel and successfully dislodged another victim who was asleep as a result of the hard drug he administered on her.

"He stole her phones and money and was about escaping but, unfortunately for him, some other girls he had robbed identified him and raised

By Precious Igbonwelundu

the alarm after which he was apprehended.

"At the station, he confessed to have done it on four girls in various parts of the state. He claimed he only slept with one of the girls and that his intention was not to sleep with them but to dispossess them of their belongings.

Igwe has been arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate’s Court on three counts of poisoning with intent to harm and stealing.

The charge preferred against him said on November 12, last year, at 10:10pm at Akoka, Yaba, he allegedly poisoned the drinks of Tolulope Abiola and Damilola Eshinloku with a substance that endangered their lives.

It noted that the defendant on February 7, at 6:45pm, at 21 Rotimi Street, Ojuelegba, he allegedly poisoned Sandra Jacob’s drink with a substance that endangered her life and stole her belongings.

Prosecuting Inspector Godwin Anyanwu told the court that Igwe stole a Samsung and two Nokia phones belonging to Jacob and N10, 000 cash.

He said the value of the items was N63,000, adding that the offence contravened Sections 241 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

Igwe pleaded not guilty. Presiding Magistrate M.A. Ladipo granted him N250, 000 bail with two sureties each in like sum. He adjourned the matter till March 25.

Igbo leaders intervene in market crisis IGBO leaders in Lagos State have waded in the lingering crisis at the Aguiyi-Ironsi International Market, Ladipo, Lagos State.

At a meeting with the executives of Mushin Local Government Area, the leaders promised to bring all stakeholders back into one fold.

According to President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Chief Oliver Akabueze, Igbo leaders are worried about the disturbing news coming from the market, therefore, the need seek lasting resolution.

The local government chairman,

Babatunde Adepitan, said there is a serious propaganda about Yorubas trying to seize markets from the Igbos. He said every market, irrespective of size, is constitutionally managed.

"This is an inherited crisis; the Local Government had an agreement with Paramo Investment headed today by Mr Olajide Olajoku. The crisis came about because of the cracks in the Olajoku family. Today, the family is united and indivisible. They have resolved to take charge of their inheritance," he said.

FRSC arrests 100 for traffic offences THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Anambra State Command arrested over 100 traffic offenders at its Nteje Unit last month.

The Unit Commander, Sunday Joseph, said the traffic offences included seatbelt violation, using of cell phone while driving and violation of road signs.

He said many of the offenders were arrested at the Nteje axis of EnuguOnitsha highway where accidents have been happening frequently because of an ongoing construction work.

The Command, he said, is concerned about the frequent accidents, recalling that on December 31, last year, two persons died and more than 10 were injured in different accidents on the highway.

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

He said: "People have failed to obey the traffic laws and regulations.

People should really change their attitude towards safety.

"I am happy that the construction firm has been able to do a reasonable work along that road but we still need them to put diversion signs to guide motorists”.

FRSC officials, he said, had been stationed at the dangerous portions on the highway. "There is no diversion sign that will be more effective than the human being that is there and road safety workers have been positioned in all the strategic places to direct the motorists".

The command, he said, had since embarked on public enlightenment.

Experts urge govt to tackle poverty •Some of the Russians in court.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

terday.

Yesterday, the prosecution demanded an extension of the remand order, saying a proper charge has been filed against the foreigners at the High Court.

Asuquo said: "Charges have been filed against the men before a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, and hearing will commence on February 19."

The Russians’ counsel, Edidiong Idiong and Segun Sipeolu, objected to the remand extension because their clients have been in custody for over four months and should be granted bail.

They prayed the court to grant the

FILE PHOTO

defendants bail on liberal terms, pending when the Attorney-General and the police would be ready to file charges against them.

The prosecution opposed their request, saying the offence was serious.

Asuquo told the court that the extended remand would enable the state keep the defendants in check till February 19, when they will formally answer to the charges against them.

The defendants, he said, are to face a four-count charge of illegal importation of firearms and ammunition; illegal pos-

session of firearms; unlawful entrance into Nigeria territorial waters and non-declaration of goods.

The charge was filed by the Principal State Counsel, Mr E. A. Ezebilo on behalf of the attorneygeneral. The defendants were said to have contravened Sections 1(14)(a)(I) of the Miscellaneous Offences, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (LFN); 3 and 8 of the Firearms Act, LFN, 2004; as well as 26 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, LFN, 2002.

Magistrate Ogala extended the remand order till February 19, when the Russians will be formally arraigned.

Experts yesterday urged government at all levels to be proactive in their strategies towards bridging the gap between the poor and rich in the country.

They spoke at a workshop titled "Review of Poverty and Poverty Reduction Strategies in Ibeju-Lekki and Ikeja Local Government Areas of Lagos State," organised by the Department for International Development (DFID) of the British High Commission.

DFID's Regional Programme Officer, Margaret Fagboyo said: "There are sufficient indicators to show that despite the urbanisation, opportunities and high level of commercial activities taking place in Lagos State and the fact that the state’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) ranks highest among states of the federation, the effects of poverty are still biting hard and creating economic distortions and resultant inequalities in various

By Kunle Akinrinade

communities in the state."

Regional Coordinator of DFID, Dr.Adesina Fagbenro-Bryon urged corporate organisations to join in the fight against poverty by providing social amenities that would alleviate the suffering of people living in their operating environment.

Tope Kuku remarked: "Food, shelter, health and education are the indices of societal growth.

Therefore, government should put in place food security programme because it is only when people feed well that they can think straight."

"Corporate organisations have an important role to play in bridging the gap between the rich and poor in our society. They should employ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to inaugurate projects such as potable water, good roads among others, which will touch people's lives in the environment where they operate andmake profit."

6

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

NEWS PDP removes Oyinlola’s portraits Continued from page 1

•Former United States Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Walter Carrignton delivering a lecture at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) ...yesterday.

STORY ON PAGE 59 PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

I am for APC, says Modu Sheriff •APGA gets two-week deadline to consult

P

LANS by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to get All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Board of Trustee (BoT) Chairman Modu Ali Sheriff to undermine the merger of four parties have collapsed.

The former Borno State Governor, who attended a merger session on Wednesday night, told excited members: “I am for All Progressives Congress (APC).”

The APC merger committee will next week start drafting the party’s constitution and manifesto.

The committee has given a two-week deadline to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to seek the resolution of its National Executive Committee (NEC) to be part of the merger.

Sheriff, it was gathered, on Wednesday attended the session of the merger committee to stop speculations about his political future.

A source at the meeting said: “When the ex-governor joined the session, a member of the Merger Committee, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, drew his attention to media

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

reports on his political future, a possible deal with Vice-President Namadi Sambo and alleged plans to dump the merger.

“After Dabiri-Erewa, other members also raised issues on Sheriff’s romance with the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to destabilise the ANPP and frustrate the merger.

“We confronted him on some issues and later gave him the floor to clarify his position.

“Sheriff, who was calm, took his time to explain that his hands are clean and he said he has no cause to work against the merger.

“Although he spoke about his commitment to put ANPP through a good reform process, he said it was not in his character as a politician to undermine any good thing for the nation.

“The former governor said he had not been attending the meeting since ANPP has some representatives in the Merger Committee. He told members that he decided to attend the Wednesday ses-

sion to end speculations about his political standing.”

The source quoted Sheriff as saying: “I am for APC.” Responding to a question, the source added: “All members of the Merger Committee were happy with Sheriff’s clarifications and we all clapped for him. The ex-governor, thereafter, was more at home at the meeting.”

Another source at the session added: “Technically, the PDP has lost out in its desperate bid to frustrate the merger of the four parties.

“We are aware that the ruling party is really out to halt the merger process, that is why we are being careful in all the steps we have taken so far, including the participation of APGA.” It was gathered that the Merger Committee has given APGA a two-week deadline to seek the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) for the merger.

A member of the committee said: “I can tell you that no member of APGA in the merger committee walked out of the session. But we all agreed that we must avoid

of President Goodluck Jonathan, the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and Oyinlola.

A source said: “I think the party leadership has foreclosed the return of Oyinlola to office, irrespective of the outcome of the ongoing suit in court. It means that even if Oyinlola wins the case, Tukur might not work with him again.

“The portraits of the former National Secretary were all removed on Wednesday, in a sudden operation coordinated by the Director of Administration who acted on a directive from the party.

“So, all the portraits were brought down, signifying the level the crisis between Oyinlola and Tukur had degenerated.

“This is the first time we are really seeing real war among NWC members, who are still pretending that all is well.”

Bawa reportedly told Oyinlola’s aides to stay away to avert any act capable of causing a breach of peace.

Bawa’s logic is, according to

sources, that since Oyinlola is out of office, there is no basis for the staff to be reporting for duty.

Four of the aides confirmed the stay-at-home ban.

One of them said: “In spite the fact that we are card-carrying members of the PDP, they said the 19 staff should not come near the vicinity of the National Secretariat. They said we risk arrest, if we come to the place.

“They based it on security grounds. But it is strange that a PDP member cannot go to the national secretariat of the party. What they have done is to infringe on our fundamental human rights to free movement.

“We have not even been allowed to clear our desks from the office of the National Secretary.”

Another said: “Some of us may go to court against this restriction of movement to the National Secretariat of the PDP. This is certainly strange.”

But, some NWC members have queried the removal of Oyinlola’s portraits which they Continued on page 60

The case against pension chief

S •Sheriff

any technical slip which could affect the merger. The PDP is waiting in the wing, through its stooges, to go to court to frustrate this merger.

“This was why we decided that we will not announce the logo of APC, until they get the resolution of APGA NEC mandating them to be part of the merger process.

“The three other parties have presented the resolutions of their parties to go ahead with the merger.

“So, we have given APGA a two-week deadline to sort out a few things. But this is not to assume that there is crisis in APC.”

ENATORS were particularly furious that Maina was invited six times to appear before its Joint Committee to answer questions bothering on mismanagement and missing pension funds but he fragrantly refused to honour the invitation.

The Senate Joint Committee on Public Service, Establishment and State and Local Government Administration Chaired by Senator Aloysius Etok with Co-Chairman, Kabiru Gaya, spent over five months investigating alleged mismanagement of over N469 billion pension funds.

The Joint Committee submitted its report to the Senate in plenary on June 20, 2012.

The report said the sum of N273.9 billion pension funds was diverted between 2005 and 2011.

In December 2012, the Joint Committee said that it discovered a fresh N195 billion pension fund fraud.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

It summoned Maina to appear before it to clarify some issues as Chairman, Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT).

Etok specifically told the Senate that Maina was discovered to have spent N1 billion allegedly to screen 29 pensioners.

Etok said Maina was further discovered to have spent N8 million weekly on 38 security personnel guarding him.

Because Maina failed to appear before the Joint Committee, Senate President David Mark, issued a warrant of arrest against him.

Before he got into trouble with the Senate, Maina claimed that the Task Force had recovered and saved over N221billion.

He said he had conducted biometrics for 170,000 pensioners and detected and deleted 71, 135 ghost pensioners from the Office of the Head of Service Pension Office.

Pension fund task force chief Maina goes into hiding Maina: Presidency insists on due process

Continued from page 1

But President Goodluck Jonathan, who denied shielding Maina, was scheduled to meet Senate President David Mark over the matter last night.

A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “All security agencies have been mandated to watch-list Maina and bring him to justice as directed by the Senate.

“As I am talking to you, all police aides, police escort and other security detail attached to Maina have been withdrawn.

“We gave him adequate security because of the sensitive nature of the assignment given to him. But since he has problems with the Senate, we have withdrawn the guards deployed in his office and home.

“The last set of three operatives attached to Maina was recalled last week.

“The renewed search for the chairman of PRTF started on Wednesday after the Senate passed the resolution.”

T

HE Presidency yesterday said the fate of the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, could only be dictated by the laid down civil service rule.

The Senate on Wednesday requested the Presidency to sack Maina from the Federal Civil Service.

The President, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, denied backing Maina.

The Senate has the constitutional right to summon anybody since nobody is above the law, Abati said, adding that as a man who believes in

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

the rule of law, the President’s stand is that laid down procedure should be followed in addressing issues.

According to him, the procedure is that the Head of Service of the Federation that can take a decision concerning a civil servant, according to the civil service rule.

Abati said: “The Senate has the constitutional power to summon anybody. If such person failed to appear before them, the lawmakers are also empowered to issue warrant of arrest against the person.

“The President has not in anyway stood in the way of the Senate in inviting Maina.

You will recall that the police even declared

him wanted.

“Maina is a civil servant. If he has done something that amounts to a breach of the civil service rule, the appropriate office to do the right thing and ensure that due process is followed is the office of the Head of Service of the Federation.

“Nobody should suggest that the President is backing Maina. It is not an issue for the President.

“There are laid down procedures for handling situations like this. The President believes in due process. It is a matter for the civil service to handle. The President does not have to discipline civil servants personally,” Abati said.

•Abubakar

out of his hiding, given the fact that the powers that be may have sacrificed him to cover up the 44 years of fraud in Nigeria pension system, and the cabal that has been behind it is bent on eliminating him physContinued on page 60

The source went on: “We will surely get him; he cannot escape. Already, all banks have been mandated not to honour any cheque or clearance relating to pension funds from Maina’s office, until he respects the law of the land.”

Asked why it is difficult to get Maina, the source added: “We are suspecting that he might have worked with the

secret service during the administration of the late Gen. Sani Abacha. He knows the game very well. I think he has been in the power corridors, including the Presidential Villa, in the last 19 years.”

But, Maina has given two reasons for going into hiding.

He said the pension cabal, which he exposed as the chairman of the PRTF, might kill

him.

One of his aides, who pleaded not to be named, said: “Two reasons make it difficult for the PRTF chairman to make any public appearance and possibly defend himself over allegations by the Senate.

“Maina, who has maintained a low profile since the Senate caused him to be declared ‘wanted’, cannot come

out because he fears that the pension cabal is actually after his life and not his mere sack by the President.

“The Task Team leader seems to have ventured where angels fear to tread in an attempt to expose the pension cabal that has been pillaging pension funds for the past 44 years.

“Maina dares not venture

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

7

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

NEWS

Why Excess Crude Account is not designated in dollars, by CBN Deputy Governor

C

ENTRAL Bank Deputy Governor Suleiman Barau, yesterday spoke of the Apex Bank’s constitutional constraints in its plan to designate funds shared from the Excess Crude Account in dollars.

It was during his screening for another term by the Senate Committee on Banking, Finance and other Financial Institutions.

He told the committee that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commis-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

sion advised the CBN against designating the funds in dollar.

He said: “There are constitutional constraints.

“When it was first mooted, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission informed us that the Constitution only recognises the naira as the unit of account.”

He said the bank was still

discussing the matter internally to ensure a well advised position.

He added that the matter was still an on-going issue that would be addressed.

On interest rates, Barau said the lending rates by banks was still high because of the adverse consequences that lower rates would cause to the rate of inflation at the moment.

He said the apex bank is planning to ensure that banks were strong enough to support the real sector for na-

tional development.

He denied the allegations that the CBN does not patronise NSPMC for the printing of naira notes.

The Deputy Governor said only a residual quantity of the 3.2billion notes required by the CBN were printed by a foreign company.

“We patronise MINTS. The company printed 2.8billion notes in 2011 and 2.6billion notes in 2013 out of 3.2 billion notes the CBN printed,” he said.

Barau said the company

made a profit of N2billion last year, adding that it is a matter of capacity and not patronage.

He insisted that the CBN should continue to maintain its financial autonomy as against its proposed amendments to the CBN to subject its budget to the scrutiny of the National Assembly.

Such autonomy, Barau said, is in line with the spirit of the law and international best practices.

He said, “We believe that the National Assembly can make inputs in our budget

•Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido (sixth-right) and members of the Arewa Youth Forum when the youths visited the governor in Dutse...yesterday.

Oyerinde:AGF, SSS boss summoned From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

J

USTICE minister and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, Director-General, State Security Service (SSS), Ita Ekpeyong are to face the House of Representatives Committee on Public petitions over their roles in the investigation of the murder of the former Principal Private Secretary to Edo State Governor, Olaitan Oyerinde.

PHOTO: NAN

Corruption: Ogbulafor to file no-case

F

ORMER National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor will soon file a “no case submission” in response to his trial by the Federal Government.

His counsel, Chief JoeKyari Gadzama (SAN) gave the hint yesterday, after the prosecution closed its case against him and two others.

Justice Isiaq Bello adjourned the criminal case till February 28 for adoption of arguments in respect of the no -case submission.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission,

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

(ICPC), is prosecuting Ogbulafor, who was minister of special duties and with Emeka Ebilah and Jude Nwokoro on a 17- count charge of conspiracy and award of N107 million fictitious contracts .

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.

At the last adjourned date, Prosecution Witness, Basil Momodi had told the court that some of the contracts awarded by the accused when he was minister of special du-

ties, were verified and approved by the Federal Government.

During cross examination by counsel to the second accused, Dr. Awa Kalu (SAN), he said the Budget Office actually certified the projects, even as he said some payment vouchers were made to the companies after verifying the projects.

One of the 17-count (amended) against Ogbulafor reads: “That you Vincent Ogbulafor (M) and Emeka Ebilah (M) in the Month of March 2001, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court, being public officers, to wit; Minister In

Charge of Special Duties and Secretary/Member of the National Economic Intelligence Council (NEIC) respectively, did use your positions to confer corrupt advantage upon yourselves the sum of N82, 631, 03. 41 from the Federal Government of Nigeria in the name of a company HENCHRIKO NIG. LTD as payment for non-existence contract purportedly executed for the Federal Government and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.”

Fed Govt calls US’ bluff on crude importation from Nigeria

T

HE Federal Government has dismissed threats by the United States not to buy crude oil from Nigeria.

The US government has stockpiled what it considers to be enough crude to sustain it.

In view of the prevailing economic hardship facing the US, the President Barack Obama administration is contemplating the reduction of its crude oil importation.

Appraising the development, the Government yesterday said: “That such anticipated shocks in the economy has been taken care of in the

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

2013 budget.”

The Minister of State for Finance, Dr Lawan Ngama told reporters at the end of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja yesterday that the reason for establishing the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was to take care of the possible slowdown in the sale or export of crude oil by some countries.

Ngama said: “The reason people have crisis is when an anticipated occurrences are not taken care of.”

Admitting that the threat

by the US government not to import crude oil from Nigeria will have adverse impact on the economy, the minister, however noted: “We don’t normally spend all our income. That is why we do not really spend all that we earn. We have taken the slight slow down out of the budget.”

When asked how much is left in the ECA after the augmentation of the January disbursements, Ngama said “What was left in the account as at the end of December was N9.24 billion but it was drawn down to N8.24 billion. But it has risen again to N9.2 bil-

lion.”

The three tiers of government shared N575,464 last month.

At the end of the meeting, the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Jonah Otunla said the distributable revenue for January which included the costs of collection to both the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS: four per cent) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS: seven per cent) amounted to N575.4 billion.

This amount, he said, was shared according to the existing formula with the Federal Government taking N216.5

billion or 52.68 per cent; state governments, (N109.8 billion or 26.72 per cent, local governments were given N84.66 billion or 20.60 per cent.

The balance of N47.43 billion was distributed as the 13 per cent derivation to the oil and gas producing states.

To make up the figures, N65.29 billion was shared by the three tiers of government as proceeds from the Value Added Tax (VAT), while N3.545 billion was injected into the monthly distributable funds as augmentation from the Excess Crude Account.

Asteroid expected close to Earth today

D

ON’t consider this a count-down to doomsday, but today an asteroid is going to come pretty close to Earth.

And this is only one of thousands of objects that are destined to one day enter our neighborhood in space.

“There are lots of asteroids that we’re watching that we haven’t yet ruled out an Earth impact, but all of them have an impact probability that is very, very low,” Don Yeomans, manager of the Near-Earth Object Programmme Office at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said at a press briefing.

This particular asteroid is called 2012 DA14. NASA scientists reiterated yesterday that people have nothing to worry about.

“No Earth impact is possible,” Yeomans said.

The asteroid is thought to be 45 meters — about half a football field — long. It will come no closer than 17,100 miles from our planet’s surface.

An object the size of 2012 DA14 appears to hit Earth about once every 1,200 years, Yeomans said.

“There really hasn’t been a close approach that we know about for an object of this size,” Yeomans said.

On its close approach to Earth, the asteroid will be traveling at 7.8 kilometers per second, roughly eight times the speed of a bullet from a highspeed rifle, he said.

If it were to hit our planet — which is, again, impossible — it would collide with the energy of 2.4 megatons of TNT, Yeomans said. This is comparable to the event in Tunguska, Russia, in 1908. That asteroid entered the atmosphere and exploded, leveling trees over an area of 820 square miles — about two-thirds the size of Rhode Island. Like that rock, 2012 DA14 would likely not leave a crater.

Senate seeks funding of Continental Shelf project From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

T

HE Senate yesterday urged the Federal Government to fund the expansion of the country’s Continental Shelf project.

It said government should source funds outside the normal budgetary allocation.

In the alternative, it said that government should establish an independent technical body to handle the project.

The resolutions were made after the adoption of a motion: “Urgent funding of the activities of Nigeria’s extended Continental Shelf project” sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South) Bwacha noted in his lead debate that Nigeria made a submission for the expansion of its Continental Shelf to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) under Article 76 of the UNLCLOS On 7th May, 2009.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

8

NEWS Alleged N4.5b fuel subsidy fraud

Civil society protests proposed N4b First Ladies’ Mission House

Ex-PDP chair’s son, marketer to forfeit assets

By Miriam Ndikanwu

By Joseph Jibueze

A

SON of former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ahmadu Ali, Mamman, will forfeit assets of his company, Nassaman Oil Service Ltd, to the Federal Government, a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, ordered yesterday.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged him, Christian Taylor, Nasaman Oil Services and an oil marketer Mr. Seun Ogunbambo with alleged N4.5billion subsidy fraud.

The court, presided over by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, granted an order for an interim forfeiture of the assets.

It also ordered the temporary forfeiture of some of Ogunbambo’s assets. The order was made following an ex parte application moved by EFCC’s lawyer Francis Usani.

Ali’s company’s assets were frozen because of its business connections with Ogunbambo.

Ogunbambo will forfeit some of his banks’ accounts in the United Kingdom, as well as accounts with five banks in Nigeria.

He will also temporarily lose a landed property at 2, Olamijuyin Avenue, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

EFCC said Ogunbambo’s UK bank account, which is in the name of his England-based company, Seatac Petroleum Ltd, has £1million standing to its credit.

•Mrs. Jonathan

W

OMEN under the aegis of Women Arise for Change Initiative, yesterday stormed the of-

fice of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), to protest the proposed allocation of N4 billion for the building of an office with Dame Patience Jonathan’s African First Ladies Mission Initiative.

Carrying placards with inscriptions, such as ‘N4billion will create job, no to mission house, we say no to fiscal rascality’, the women marched on the Lagos State Television premises to the office of the governor, chanting solidarity songs.

The leader of the group, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, who pre-

sented a letter addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan to the governor, said there was no such thing as an African First Ladies Mission in the Nigerian appropriation list.

She described the move as a conspiracy of sycophants, jobbers, masters of impunity, a desperate clique that unfurled a continental umbrella as a cover for private aggrandisement.

She urged women not to be part of it as “the people of this nation are fast losing patience.”

Dr. Okei-Odumakin said women were scandalised by the culture of waste that had become the hallmark of gov-

ernance in Nigeria, especially in recent time.

According to her, “to budget such a huge amount of public funds for a ceremonial office that is not recognised by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a resounding slap on the collective visage of the majority of Nigerians at a time when tens of millions live on less than a dollar per day.”

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, in his address also read by Dr. Okei-Odumakin, condemned the move, which he described as a mind-boggling fiscal misappropriation.

Don’t take APC for granted, Saraki tells PDP

F

ORMER Kwara State Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not take the coalition of opposition parties under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for granted.

Saraki, who is also Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, told the Presidency that time is running out on the 2013 budget.

He spoke to reporters in Abuja on various national issues.

The lawmaker, who is a member of the PDP, said it would be costly for the party to take APC for granted.

Although he said APC would contend with some challenges, he added that the fact that the parties came together

From: Onyedi Ojiabor, and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

to form APC had created a twoparty state, somehow.

He noted that the fact that APC was formed for the sole purpose of wresting power from the PDP made it imperative for PDP not to take the coalition for granted.

Said he: “In theory, if four or five parties put their forces together, they mean to be stronger.

“But in practice, to me it is not based on any ideology, it is based on some kind of understanding.

“So, my initial feeling is that they are going to have challenges, but at the same time, as a party, we should not take them for granted.

“The fact that they have come together means that we

are having something like a two party state.

“Because all that is being done is to wrest power from PDP. So, PDP must take it seriously.

“But they would have challenges. I think it is too early because it is just a pronouncement.

“When we talk about development of the party, the principles and its administration, that is where the challenge is going to come from.

“Then you can ask me the question down the line, say in six months when I begin to see the chapters being set up.

“Where in a state you have ACN, CPC, ANPP in a place in Kano, let me see how this APC will work in Kano; whether it would remain APC or A would go one way, P would go one way and C would go another

way.

“If APC can stay in Kano, then I will tell you that we need to sit up, but my feelings, going by history, I think that A would stay away, P would stay away and C would stay away.

C would not give to A and A would not give to P, and at the end of the day, they would part ways.

“But it is good for democracy because we as the ruling party, it would keep us on our toes because we know that this is a formidable party.

“It is just when you are hoping that a marriage does not work because you know that if it works it is a greater challenge.

“It is too early. The easy part is just to pronounce it. The more difficult part is how it is going to work.”

ACN Southwest leaders meet today in Osun

L

EADERS of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the Southwest will today meet in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, to deliberate on issues affecting the party in the geopolitical zone.

The five governors of the ACN-controlled states of the Southwest among other leaders of the party are expected at the meeting to be hosted by the state chapter of the party.

It was learnt that the merger of the ACN with other political parties will top the agenda of the meeting..

The leaders of the party in the Southwest during the meeting would take a position on the place of the Southwest ACN on the sharing of political offices in the newlyformed All Progressives Congress (APC).

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Those expected at the meeting are the National Chairman of the party, Chief Adebisi Akande, National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Governors of Ogun and Ekiti states, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Chief Adeniyi Adebayo.

The ACN’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy in Osun State, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, confirmed that a special meeting of the Southwest caucus of the party would be hosted by the state chapter of the party.

He was, however, silent on the agenda of the meeting, but stressed that participants would come for the meeting from the six states of the Southwest, adding that it would attract who-is-who in the party.

Why corruption thrives,

by Institute’s chief

By Damilola Owoyele

T

HE near-absence of the Public Procurement Act 14 of 2007 in the rule of law has created a bedding for corruption to fester, said the President of Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN), Alhaji M.J Aliyu.

Aliyu yesterday at a news conference at the institute in Lagos, supported former Vice-President of the World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, whom he said was right in accusing the government of condoning sharp practices.

Aliyu decried the shady procurement practices in Nigeria. He said the violation and selective implementation of the Public Procurement Act 14 of 2007 portended great danger for everyone.

He said the PPA 14 of 2007 made provision for the legal establishment of the National Council on Public Procurement (NCPP), and in which deliberations were made by its members to create a Bureau of Public Procurement.

Prof. Soyinka said setting up such initiative was another “egregious conspiracy to drain the Nigerian treasury, mounted in the name of a high-flying member of your gender.”

Governor Fashola hailed the women for their peaceful demonstration, saying it was a symbol of their responsibilities of participation in the country’s democratic journey.

He assured that the letter would be delivered to Mr. President before the close of work, adding: “Our democratic experience is comparatively very young. This is about the 14th year. And going forward, I believe that it is your participation that enriches the process that helps to set the appropriate priorities.”

Obasanjo hails Oshiomhole From, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said his concern and principle against corruption and other negative tendencies in the polity have earned him abuses from several quarters.

Speaking with reporters at the Edo State Government House ahead of the first Dr. Abel Guobadia Memorial Lecture, where he would be the guest speaker, the former president said he had shouted himself hoarse on the twin issue of corruption and insecurity, to no avail.

Obasanjo praised the late Guobadia, a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, describing him as one of the unsung heroes of Nigeria’s democracy.

“How many times are you going to flog this horse, I have flogged the horse of corruption, I have flogged it internally, externally, I flogged it everyday. Some people go along with me, they agree that it is a problem we have to face squarely. Some people abuse me, some people do all sorts of things, but the point is that when you have a problem and you attempt to cover it, you are not solving the problem. If anything, you are complicating the problem.

“Even security, I have talked about it. I have been called names. I have gone out on fact finding, I have found out what is there and what is not there. I have talked, I have reported, I have nothing more to hide.

“I now see Adams Oshiomhole, a governor, who once lived a life of radicalism, but he is now living a life of realism. But we all did that before.

“I was the head of state and I believed that there was nothing, there was no way to manage the Nigerian economy except through indigenisation, and we went out for indigenisation, but the truth is that indigenisation did not succeed the way we wanted it to succeed. So, when I had the second opportunity, when God gave me the second chance, I learnt from my past and I became an apostle of genuine private sector, direct foreign investment, free market economy.

“Now, I can see the sign in Edo. Before, the state was run down, but it is now being run up. I commend the work Governor Adams Oshiomhole is doing.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

9

NEWS

Seven injured in Ogun drivers’ clash •14 arrested F

Ondo CPC appeals tribunal’s judgment

T

HE Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Ondo State and its candidate in last October’s governorship election, Prince Soji Ehinlanwo, yesterday appealed the judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal, which struck out their petition.

Last week, the three-man panel struck out the petition filed by the party and its candidate.

Their petition was challenging the declaration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko as the winner of the election.

In the suit filed by their lawyer, Mr. Segun Ogodo, CPC and Ehinlanwo urged the Appeal Court to nullify the tribunal’s judgment. They said the judgment was based upon a “faulty and untenable” premise.

CPC and Ehinlanwo urged their supporters not to be discouraged by the tribunal’s judgment, stressing that they remain resolute in the struggle to rid the state of “reckless and unpopular government”.

CPC debunked a media re-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

port in which Mr. Tony Obaoye and Mr. Olujimi Lomowo claimed to be the party’s secretary and chairman CPC Publicity Secretary Olufisayo Falarungbon said: “These two individuals are being used by the Labour Party (LP) to destabilise our party.

“They are out to weaken the resolve of CPC members to prove that the election was marred by irregularities. They have been suspended by the state executive committee for anti-party activities.

“We were not surprised by the commendation they got from the commissioner for information on the role they played in ensuring that the tribunal struck out our case.

“We urge the public to disregard the activities of these men, who are only acting the script of the LP.” The party, which is chaired

by Mr. Olalekan Obolo, said: “Rather than dissipating time and effort on engaging individuals, who are easily com-

APC here to stay, says Lagos ACN •’Nigerians are tired of PDP’

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos State yesterday said the All Progressives Alliance (APC) has come to stay.

It saluted the dexterity of the party’s leaders.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, ACN said for the country to survive its many challenges, Nigerians must support APC to reposition it.

The party hailed the progress made so far by the merger committee.

It urged the committee to come out with practicable and cost-effective ways of rescuing the country from decay.

ACN said: “We are pleased that APC leaders have worked with an uncommon spirit of sacrifice and seriousness so far. The early result of their efforts is already unsettling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its allies, as their efforts to sow discord and strife among the component parties have come to naught.

“We salute them and the mass acceptance that has trailed APC’s formation. We see it as enough proof that the country is tired of the burden the PDP has been for the last 14 inglorious years.

“The massive endorsement the APC is receiving across the country is proof that Nigerians urgently want change from the decadent order that has weighed them down for 14 years. We see these as an endorsement of the efforts of APC leaders and urge them to do more.

“APC is an idea, whose time has come. No amount of desperation by a fading and decadent order can stop it.

APC is a child of history and history has taught us that nothing stymies a move that is historically correct.

“The rightness and historical correctness of the APC

find meaning in the continued state of sleaze Nigeria has been under the PDP since 1999. We believe that the continued regression of the nation under the corrupt and incompetent watch of the PDP assisted tremendously in bringing about the APC. “APC will fulfil its historical mission of redirecting the sinking ship of the Nigerian state and steering it to safety from 2015. Lagos ACN notes the unsettled and clearly disoriented state the PDP had been thrown into since APC emerged.

“We note that the PDP is in great disarray on how to handle the present challenge of the APC. Its dishevelled state can be gleaned from the way the party has reacted to APC’s emergence.

“The PDP’s rank-and-file is caught in a crisis engendered by its well known notorious value to the present democracy, where it has excelled in looting, impunity, incompetence and all other forms of inefficiency.

“Since PDP realised that it could not stop APC’s formation, it has been mobilising its members and allies to sow falsehood, rumours and gossip with a view to engendering bad blood among APC leaders.

“The PDP’s failure to distract the APC shows that Nigerians are determined to do away with the nuisance the PDP has constituted in Nigeria for 14 years.

“We believe Nigeria is worth dying for and this worthiness obtains in the prospects of future responsible governance, which the APC is poised to give.

“We urge Nigerians who desire change from this prolonged state of rot to mobilise themselves in their immediate communities and neighbourhoods and align with the APC as it braces itself to salvage Nigeria from the decadence caused by the PDP.”

•Ehinlanwo

promised, to undermine the push for change by the opposition, the LP administration should focus on formulating and implementing meaningful programmes that would benefit the masses.”

ACTIONS of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) yesterday clashed in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, over the leadership of some parks.

It was learnt that about 5:30am, the leader of one of the factions invaded Kuto and Ita- Oshin parks with thugs, who attacked their rivals with charms, knives, guns and other weapons.

Seven persons were injured and over 20 vehicles destroyed.

Residents and early commuters scampered to safety.

The quick intervention of the police and men of the State Security Service (SSS) restored peace to the areas.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

It was learnt that the injured were taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba. Sources said 14 persons have been arrested in connection with the clash.

RTEAN Chairman Mugisu Akinpelu told reporters that the attack was sponsored by a factional leader, who was barred from parading himself as the union’s chairman.

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said five persons were injured. He warned RTEAN members

against violence.

Adejobi said: “The Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, warns the transport unions against hooliganism and violence.

Five people were injured in the early hours of today (yesterday) at Ita-Oshin and Kuto parks when some union members engaged in a freefor–all.

“The quick response of the police stopped the violence and restored normalcy to the areas. The police rescued those injured and took them to the hospital.

“The command will investigate the incident and prosecute those found culpable.

The command assures Ogun people of security always.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

NEWS

Sultan, Alaafin: re-introduce history in schools

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HE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, have called for the re-introduction of history in the nation’s educational curriculum.

They spoke yesterday during the Sultan’s visit to the Alaafin in his palace.

The monarchs said the Federal Government’s decision to remove history from the nation’s curriculum is wrong and uncalled for.

The Sultan said: “I advise that we look back in history.

How can we know who we are without history? It is important for the Federal Government to have a rethink and bring back history in the educational curriculum. By so doing, our children will know

T

the important aspects of our history, such as the Sokotro Caliphate and the Oyo Empire.

“Before Nigeria came into being, there had been Oyo Empire and Sokoto Caliphate.

Our people made up the present Nigeria. God did not make a mistake by bringing us together. It is left for us to strengthen Nigeria’s unity through good leadership.

“We need to look back into history to effectively plan the future of this country. The future is very bright, but we must do everything with the fear of the Almighty Allah, who gives power to whom he is pleased.”

On his visit to Oyo, the Sultan said: “When you plan certain things, they do not materialise at the time you expect. Our visit today will

•From left: Sultan, Alaafin and Alhaji Azeez Arisekola...yesterday.

strengthen our relationship.

We planned this visit a long time ago.

Oba Adeyemi said: “If we

Free cancer screening for Oyo residents

HE Oyo State Government is to sensitise residents on cancer and offer free screening in the 33 local government areas.

Commissioner for Health Muyiwa Gbadegesin spoke yesterday at the State Secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital, during the 2013 World Cancer Day celebration.

The celebration, with the theme: ‘Cancer: Do you know the facts’, was organised in conjunction with the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN).

Gbadegesin said: “We are kicking off this programme today and it will reach the 33 councils, where cancer awareness programmes and free cancer screening will be conducted.

“The state government is committed to ensuring a cancer-free society by 2020 and we are ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to achieve our aim.”

He urged the people to visit any health centre in the state for free cancer screening.

BRECAN President Mrs. Betty Akeredolu said cancer kills 7.6 million people yearly in the world and 50 per cent of the deaths occur in developing countries, including Nigeria.

She urged the government to equip health centres with tools for cancer screening and treatment.

Pray for peace, Aregbesola urges Christians

O

do not know history, we do not know ourselves. This is the first time the Sultan will be visiting Oyo officially. In

PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI IBADAN

1922, the Sultan and I represented traditional rulers at the Macpherson Constitution. The cancellation of his-

tory in schools is a disaster to cultural identity. It would alienate the people from their history.”

Ekiti dissolves caretaker committees

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

•Dr. Fayemi

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday dissolved caretaker

committees in the 16 local government councils.

In a letter to the House of Assembly, the governor urged the House to reconstitute fresh committees, so as not to allow a vacuum in the administration of councils.

The tenure of the dissolved committees expired on Tuesday.

Majority Leader of the

•New panels for inauguration today House Churchill Adedipe moved the motion for the approval of the reconstitution, hinging it on Section 4, Sub-section 4 of the Local Government Transition Committee Law of Ekiti State.

The motion was supported

by the House.

Also yesterday, the governor approved the re-composition of the caretaker committees in the councils.

The committees would be inaugurated today at the Jibowu Hall of the Government House by 9am.

Osun acquires helicopter for aerial surveillance

HE Osun State Government has acquired a helicopter for aerial surveillance.

The helicopter, a French Five-Plus-One passenger Eurocopter AS-355N, is a 2006 Model with twin engines.

T

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged Christians to pray for peace and progress in the country as they begin the Lenten season.

In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola urged Christians to follow the examples of Jesus by ORMER Heads of Serimbibing self-discipline and setting more time aside for prayers vice and permanent secand religious acts. retaries in Ekiti State, He urged Christians to reflect the virtues of brotherly love, who retired before or in 1998, tolerance, humility, service to others, honesty, fairness and equity will now receive 50 per cent in their daily lives.

The governor said: “The purpose of Lent is to wean men from of what the present permasins and purify them through self-denial and prayer. It is to create nent secretaries get as penin them the desire to do God’s will and make His kingdom come sion.

Governor Kayode Fayemi in their hearts.

“The number 40 is a special number in the Bible. It signifies announced this at the inaugupreparation for something special. The rain lasted for 40 days in ration of the first Ekiti Civil Service Journal, called The the mighty flood during Noah’s time.

“Moses stayed on Mount Sinai for 40 days (Ex 24:18). Jonah gave Fountain Bureaucrat.

He said it was unacceptable the people of Ninevah 40 days to repent (John 3:4). Jesus, before starting his ministry, spent 40 days in the desert prayer and fasting that the retirees got less than the N19,320 minimum wage.

(Matt 4:2).”

Fayemi said although there Urging Nigerians to expect good things in the country after the Lenten period, Aregbesola advised them to return to God, so that was no pension increment the nation can overcome its socio-economic and security chal- guideline, the raise would lenges.

He wished Christians a successful fasting period and urged them to meditate on issues of national importance, so as to come out of HE Osun State House of the Lenten period physically and spiritually prepared to effect Assembly has directed changes in the country.

Aregbesola said: “We must take our destiny in our hands in the authorities of the order not to be left behind by the rest of the world. The time to do Osun State University it is now.”

(UNIOSUN) to stop the selection process for a Vice-ChanOgun to partner WEMABOD on housing cellor, following complaints GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday said his that the process was not transadministration will partner investors to provide affordable parent.

The Speaker, Najeem Sahousing for the people.

Amosun spoke in his office in Abeokuta, the state capital, while laam, announced this yesterreceiving board members of WEMABOD Estates Limited, a day in a radio and television subsidiary of the Odu’a Group of Companies, led by Dr. Ismail broadcast.

Despite the announcement, Adewusi, in his office.

He said housing is one of the basic necessities of life, adding the university’s Governing that his administration would grant the company’s request for 20 Council yesterday shortlisted six candidates for the post. hectares of land to build 500 housing units.

In a statement, the governor’s media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the helicopter was leased from OAS Helicopters, Lagos, to strengthen security. The helicopter will also serve the Osun Emergency Manage-

ment Agency and the O-Ambulance scheme.

Last August, the state government inaugurated the Swift Action Squad (SAS) with five Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) and 25 patrol vans.

At the ceremony, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said his administration would ensure aerial surveillance and stamp out crime.

It later acquired 100 vans to patrol the nooks and crannies of the state.

Fayemi raises pension of ex-HoS, perm secs

F

•Ekiti gets civil service journal From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

breach the gap between pensioners.

He said the journal would serve as a veritable tool to actualise his administration’s agenda to transform Ekiti.

The governor said the publication would preserve the originality of the values the public service stands for and deepen the understanding of its obligations.

Hailing the “explorative nature” of the journal, which

features writings on various issues in the Civil Service Transformation Strategy, Fayemi urged workers to use the publication to develop their potentials for selfactualisation and corporate growth.

He said his administration would continue to provide an enabling environment for intellectual development in the areas of capacity building, accommodation and welfare.

The Head of Service, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya, said the journal would be useful to

civil servants, especially as promotions are now based on merit. Describing it as a veritable resource material, Famosaya said the bi-annual publication is aimed at “arousing and enriching mental alertness and skill acquisition” in civil servants.

Pioneer Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service Mr. Joshua Ibidunmoye narrated the ordeal of government officials, including former Military Administrator Col. Inua Bawa, during the creation of the state and praised civil servants for building Ekiti.

UNIOSUN VC’s selection: Assembly stops process

T

O

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Criticisms have continued to trail the selection process. A group within the university, Concerned Professionals, accused the Prof. Adesiyan Olawoyin-led Governing Council of shortlisting candidates above the required age and ignoring the Osun State University Establishment Law 2006.

Those shortlisted are Professors Julius Oloke, Joshua Obaleye, Duro Ajeyalemi, Ayo Agbonjimi, Olu Odeyemi and

Oladiran Famurewa.

The group, in a petition to the Assembly, said: “Some of the shortlisted candidates are 63 years and 66 years. Odeyemi is a retired professor, which is against the norm of the university. How can you shortlist a retired professor, who is above 66 years?

“Ajeyalemi is 62. This is a broad-day infraction of the UNIOSUN Law. It is a rape of ethical norms and standards.

UNIOSUN should retrace its steps and follow the path of honour.”

Olawoyin refused to comment on the Assembly’s directive.

In a telephone interview, he said the council would follow due process.

Olawoyin said: “The governor, who inaugurated the council, gave us a mandate and we are not to work outside it. We will not bend the law to accommodate anybody. If you are one month short of 10 years as a professor, you will not be shortlisted. We are going to do what is right and just.”

11

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Risk management could entail avoiding the risk completely, reducing the negative impact of the risk through risk mitigation actions, transfering or sharing the risks with other parties and retaining the risk; ie, accepting some or all the consequences of the risk and budgeting for it.

Invest reserves on infrastructure, says NACCIMA

T

HE Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr John Osemede, has urged the Federal Government to invest a part of the country’s foreign reserves on infrastructure.

Osemede told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the reserves should be invested on critical infrastructure of the economy, adding that it was expedient to invest a part of the reserves because of the inconsistency in foreign exchange rate which could bring about depreciation in the value of the currency in subsequent years.

“There should be a minimum import cover for three months in Nigeria, and the government should invest in areas like agriculture and job creation.

“There are so many areas where Nigeria has comparative advantage, which are not being optimally utilised.

“For instance, there is a huge production of onions and garlic in the northern part of the country, yet most Nigerians import onion and garlic powder.

“Also, Benin and EbuteMetta in Lagos are rich in all kinds of wood, yet we import foreign wood materials from abroad,” he said.

He stressed the need for a value-chain in agriculture, where mechanised farming would bring about wider expansion, processing of agricultural products and provide more jobs.

He also advised that a part of the reserve should be channelled toward the development and creation of more functional research centres.

According to him, the increase in the volume of the foreign reserve should be visible in the per capita income of the average Nigerian.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa-$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -11.7% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending -22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $43.5b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

• From left: Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Bank Limited (EBL), Mr Gboyega Dada; an Executive Director of the bank, Mrs. Louisa Olaloku; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Ahmed Kuru; Divisional Head,Human Capital Management, Chioma Nwabuoku; Executive Directors, Mr Aminu Ismail and Mr Niyi Adebayo, at the bank’s Breakfast Meeting with reporters ... yesterday in Lagos.

Reps urge CBN to ban use of Forex for local payments T

HE House of Repre sentatives yesterday directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ban the use of foreign currencies as a means of exchange in local transactions.

The move was sequel to the adoption of a motion brought before the House by a member, Nadu S. Karibo.

The lawmaker, while presenting the motion, said use of foreign currencies, especially the United States’dollar, for payments locally, is weakening the naira.

He said: “Every country has its currency, which serves as a means of exchange, a symbol of identity, a source of pride and a sign of fiscal independence and economic stability.

“Without equivocation, the naira is Nigeria’s currency and the only means of exchange for local and domestic transactions known

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

to law in Nigeria.

“There’s a growing trend in the use of some foreign currencies, especially the US dollar for payments of school fees, hotel bills, real estate, rents and purchase in bars, night clubs and luxury goods shops in Nigeria.”

Karibo said the trend has led to the high demand for foreign currencies, especially the US dollars in Nigeria, and that “it is contributing seriously to the weakening of the naira against such currencies, with its resultant negative effects on our economy.”

He said the Naira is not accepted as a means of exchange in the US and other countries and wondered why foreign currencies are accepted for payments in the country.

Arua Arunsi (PDP Abia),

while supporting the motion, said though it was timely. There was a need for a bill to make it illegal for anyone to use the dollar as a means of exchange in the country, he added.

Samson Osagie argued that though it impossible for the Federal Government to ban the use of the dollar for transactions, the government must take steps to stop the abuse of the naira. According to him, it is the abuse of the naira that is making many people to resort to the use of the dollar in their commercial dealings.

Warman Ogoriba (PDP Bayelsa) supports the use of the naira in local transactions, saying: “Even in South Africa, you cannot pay with the US dollars.They will insist on the Rand. We need to ban the use of foreign currencies in our local transactions.”

But a member, Chris Eta,

said there was no need to ban foreign currencies as a means of exchange. Rather, that the government should raise the value of the naira “to raise the confidence of the people in the local currency”.

Another member, Ogbuefi Ozomgachi, said the currency of a country reflects its value.

He said: “With the liberalisation of our economy, foreign currencies play a role in stabilising our economy.The only way to stabilise our economy is to allow a free flow of foreign currencies into our economy.

“We have the Legal Tender Act, which recognises the naira as our legal tender,” he said.

When the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, called for a vote on the motion, it was passed with a majority vote.

Weather information ‘vital to food security’

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HE Nigerian Meteoro logical Agency (NIMET) Seasonal Rainfall Predictions (SRP) are significant to attaining food security in the country, Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, has said.

He also said the information is science-based, and thus reliable to advise farmers on the appropriate planting season.

He spoke yesterday during a technical session of NIMET SRP conference in Abuja.

“The SRP is extremely relevant because they are scientific knowledge that are based on weather patterns and necessary for food security,” he said, adding that the prediction would help the Ministry

• Rain predications can fetch N400b From Olugbenga Adanikin and Jane Maha, Abuja

to start its activities early, advise farmers across the nation when and what to plant.

“It will help us get prepared so that we can get our food and habitat secured to avoid what happened during the flooding last year,” he said.

He said the Federal Government is partnering with the media to take the predications to the grassroots.

A representative of Global Climate Technology for Development, United States, Dr. Shrikant Jagtap, emphasised the need to ensure that precise weather information gets to farmers on time, saying the Federal Government is capa-

ble of making over N400 billion if the SRP is well implemented.

He said: “If every farmer in every field in Nigeria uses SRP, we could get over N400 billion. You and I know that not everybody

reads news, so the benefit will really depend on the level of implementation, as well as on who and how the message gets to the people.”

He said the expected benefits would not be achieved if the SRP is not properly implemented.

Lagos shuts 15 firms for tax default

T

HE Lagos State Inter nal Revenue Service (LIRS) has sealed 15 companies in the last one month for failure to remit N47.4 million personal income taxes of workers.

The Head of its Distrain Unit, Mrs Folasade Coker-Afolayan, stated this yesterday in Lagos.

She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the companies were sealed between January 9 and February 6.

According to her, five of the defaulting firms were shut in January over tax liabilities of N25.2 million.

She said the other 10 companies were sealed in February over tax debt of N22.2 million.

“The enforcement happened between January 9 and February 6,” she said.

Coker-Afolayan said these taxes were covered between one and six years.

Reiterating that tax payment is a civic responsibility of everyone, she explained that the proceeds were being used by the government to provide infrastructure.

“Tax is a major source of government revenue. It enables it to provide infrastructure and improve the citizens’ standard of living,” she said.

Coker-Afolayan said the LIRS would continue to sanction tax defaulters.

She advised companies to remit taxes promptly to avoid embarrassment and stressed that it was a criminal offence to break government’s seals on sealed companies.

American Airlines, U.S. Airways unveil $11b merger

A

MERICAN Airlines and United States Air ways Group said they plan to merge to form the world’s biggest airline with a combined equity value of $11 billion.

The widely expected merger caps a wave of consolidation that has helped put U.S. airlines on more solid financial footing.

The merged airline will be

majorly owned by creditors, unions and employees of American parent, AMR Corp, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2011.

The airline, which is to carry the American Airlines name, would be two per cent larger than current numbr one-United Continental Holdings Incorporated in traffic, as measured by the number of nautical miles flown by paying passengers

worldwide.

“By utilising American’s connecting network with penetration into smaller markets, and global alliance revenues, the new company could more effectively raise revenues and reduce costs, while addressing labour integration and capital problems,’’ Sterne Agee & Leach analyst Jeffrey Kauffman said in a note before the deal was announced yesterday.

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NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

FIFA WORLD RANKING

Ejide returns to Israel

Eagles now

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IGERIA international Austin Ejide will return to Israel yesterday to begin training with Hapoel Be'er Sheva ahead of Saturday's fixture in the championship against Hapoel Ramat Gan. While Ejide was on national team duty with the Nigeria selection, Coach Elisha Levy preferred Ben Senan in goal. The 30 - year - old kept three cleansheets in five matches in the top division.

Ejide, who sat on the bench throughout the duration of the African Cup of Nations, has started 17 games in Ligat ha'Al. At this point, it is unclear if he would replace Ben Senan in goal on Saturday.

With 30 points from 22 matches, Hapoel Be'er Sheva occupy the 9th position on the table.

30th after AFCON triumph •4th in Africa •Moves 22 places up N

IGERIA has moved 22 places up the larder in the February edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking to occupy the 30th position after winning the Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON).

Claiming their third title, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have not only ended a 19-year drought since they last won the tournament, but have also bettered status since August 2010.

Meanwhile, finalists Burkina Faso is placed in the 55th position after moving massive 37 places up. The hosts South Africa is now 60th after moving up 25 places.

Although former Africa Cup of Nations winners Côte d’Ivoire is 12th on the log after moving places having bowed out at the quarter-final stage to Nigeria, the last year’s runners-up have achieved

•Ejide

Ambrose will bounce back, says Celtic defender

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ELTIC defender Kelvin Wilson believes his centreback partner Efe Ambrose will not dwell on the criticism of his display against Juventus in the Champions League.

The Nigeria international arrived back from Africa Cup of Nations duty on Tuesday morning, and assured manager Neil Lennon he was suitably fit to play - only to be at fault for the Bianconeri’s first and third goal in the 3-0 first-leg defeat.

Team-mate Kris Commons criticised Ambrose’s decision to play so soon after international duty, but Wilson believes it was the correct choice.

"Efe's a big boy, he'll recover from it," Wilson told reporters.

"We all have situations like that and unfortunately Efe's had it against Juventus.

"Efe's got great experience, he's just won the Africa Cup of Nations and he'll bounce back from it no problem. He trained with us on Tuesday morning and he seemed fine. He had a spring in his step.

"The coach thought so, too, and that's his job. He started and I wasn't surprised. I don't think anyone was.”

their best-ever world ranking by so doing. However, the Elephants have not made it into the top ten, where Spain (1st, unchanged) continue to reign supreme ahead of Germany (2nd, unchanged) and Argentina (3rd, unchanged). England (4th, up 2) completes the top four after their home win over Brazil.

The first matches of the latest round of CONCACAF qualifying matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ have resulted in improved rankings for nearly all of the teams involved, with Panama (42nd, up 4), Honduras (51st, up 8), Costa Rica (53rd, up 13) and Jamaica (56th, up 2) all making progress once again. Only the USA (32nd, down 4) have fallen in the ranking. Olympic champions Mexico remain in 15th place despite their goalless draw against Jamaica in the Aztec Stadium.

Venezuela (45th, up 10) have returned to the top 50, which now contains all ten CONMEBOL teams.

Five-times World Cup winners and 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil remained in 18th spot, their lowest-ever ranking, after losing 2-1 to England in Luiz Felipe Scolari's first game back as coach last week.

The win took England up two places to fourth.

South America showed their strength-in-depth as Venezuela climbed 10 places to 45th, leaving all of the continent's 10 teams in the top 50.

There was no change in the top three where world and European champions Spain lead, followed by Germany and Argentina.

The Turks and Caicos Islands, Bhutan and San Marino were tied in 207th and last place.

Pillars, Rangers wary of 'clueless' CL opponents

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IGERIA'S flag bearers in the CAF Champions League, Kano Pillars and Enugu Rangers have expressed their concerns over their inability to get relevant hints on their opponents but said they were confident of recording awesome wins in the first leg slated for this weekend.

Pillars, the reigning Nigeria Premier League champions are billed to entertain Olympic Real de Bangui of Central African Republic on Saturday at the Sani Abacha Stadium and only returned from Kaduna where they had gone on closed camping Thursday while Rangers have a date with Sporting Clube do Príncipe of Sao Tome and Principe on Sunday.

Both disclosed that though they

PRESIDENTIAL LARGESSE

Eagles’ backroom staff blast Keshi

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UPER EAGLES’ backroom staffs are disappointed coach Stephen Keshi has not fought for them after they missed out on the government’s largesse.

Keshi, his assistant coaches and players were rewarded by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan with national honours and plots of land in Abuja for winning the 2013 AFCON. But the backroom staff like equipment manager, security and medical staff attached to the team were only given 2 million Naira each.

The Eagles will this week be in Delta and Akwa Ibom States for special victory receptions by the respective state governments without most of these

backroom staff.

One of the backroom staff told MTNFootball.com: “We worked hard for this team, but when it came to reaping the reward of our hard work, we were virtually left out.

“Keshi has still not deemed it fit to make it known to the Presidency that he did not win this trophy only with his coaches and players, but some of us who had to work round the clock to ensure everything was in place for the team.

“Do you know that in 2005, when Samson Siasia led Nigeria to win the AYC, his backroom staff were left out by the government, but he was prompt to point out this omission to President Olusegun Obasanjo and they were each

given 500,000 Naira, just like other members of the squad?”

Another backroom staff added: “This was a person who was known to fight for others when he was skipper of the national team. That was why he got the nickname ‘Big Boss’. But this is not the case now.

“If anybody could convince the President to consider us, that person would be Keshi because he now has direct access to Jonathan.”

President general of the Nigerian Supporters Club Rafiu Ladipo received a standing ovation on Wednesday when he pointed out that the Eagles backroom staff were overlooked by President Jonathan.

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri knew the importance of getting sufficient information on their foes but since they were unable to lay their hands on them, they had resorted to concentrating on their own preparations with the ultimate aim of unlocking the mysteries behind them when they visit Nigeria.

The chairman of Pillars, Abba Galadima enthused that the club would not be deterred by their lack of information on their Central African Republic rivals.

"We are ready for Olympic Real de Bangui and we are set to take them to the cleaners on Saturday. We couldn't get much on them but we believe in what we can do and Saturday we are going to

score as many goals as possible to put us a leg in the next round.

"The players know what is at stake and they have promised not to disappoint on Saturday."

Rangers General Manager, Paul Chibuzor Ozor was also vocal in his assessment of the players within the reach of the Flying Antelopes for the tie against Sporting Club do Principe on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium,Enugu.

The Enugu based club last represented the country in CAF competition in 2003 in the second tier CAF Confederation Cup competition and were almost nicking a place in the final at the expense of Accra Heart of Oaks before the head to head rule put paid to their ambition.

Haugesund rues not signing Mba

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It was further gathered that while Keshi has failed to get his staff to be better appreciated, skipper Joseph Yobo has done everything to make sure that is not the case where he is in a position to do so.

Yobo made sure each squad member received $2,500 from the $100,000 Rivers State Governor Rotimi Ameachi donated to the team after they were forced to a 1-1 draw in their opening group game against Burkina Faso.

He has also maintained he will do same with other donations received from telecommunications tycoon Michael Adenuja, business mongul Aliko Dangote among others.

•Sunday Mba

AUGESUND has regretted its decision not to sign Nigerian offensive player Sunday Mba some years back. The Warri Wolves star tested with the Norwegian club in November 2007.

Mba, then a teenager, trained with FKH, and despite scoring a hat-trick in the 8-2 win over Kopervik, he was not offered a contract.

Nils Halvor Berge, who was the sporting administrative manager of Haugesund, labelled Mba and the other Nigerian trialists bad

players. ''We want something extraordinary, but the only thing that has been extraordinary with sample players, is how bad they've been,'' Berge told h-avis.no in 2007.

In a recent interview with Norwegian newspaper VG Nett, Nils Halvor Berge has regretted those statements credited to him. ''I see that the Haugesund Avis writes it and I can not remember having said so. If I've said it, was the flippant comment I never should have

come with. If true then it is a stupid statement. ''The assessments were made then were that no one could excel except Mba. It is obvious that we failed to see the potential that lay in the boy at the time,'' says Berge to vg.no.

Obinma Allen, Obinna Okafor, Timothy Anjembe and Kabiru Alausa had traveled with Mba to Norway but they all went home empty-handed without signing contracts.

Norwegian - Nigerian agent Atta Aneke facilitated the trials for the five players.

AFTERMATH OF AFCON VICTORY

Top EPL clubs chase Emenike •Striker reveals secret of Eagles’ success

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OLLOWING a superlative performance at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, Spartak Moscow forward, Emmanuel Emenike is now the target of top clubs in the England Premiership League (EPL).

NationSport can reveal that prominent among the club-sides seeking the signature of the powerplaying striker are Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City.

Also, the management of top Serie A side, Napoli is making frantic moves to beat other suitors to it as they hope to offer a lucrative bid for Emenike in the summer.

Part of the information gathered stated that Russian billionaire club Anzhi Mackalala is ready to break bank for the €42m stricker.

Revealing the secret behind their AFCON 2013 success, the highest goal scorer at the event, said 19 years after, the players resolved to make a difference preparatory to the prestigious soccer fiesta.

“We have proved to the world that we still remain the giants of Africa,” said Emenike.

“We played as a team with great determination. Nobody gave us the chance at the beginning but we encourage ourselves to shock critics. It would have been another story entirely if we had lost against Ethiopia or Cote D’ Ivoire but we never lost focus of getting to the final.

“I love to prove myself in any given opportunity, coupled with contribution of other players was exactly what gave us the trophy. I agree with you on the fact that we raised our games individually but the bottom line is that we exhibited unity and patriotism.”

“Another factor that contributed to our success is the coaching crew.

They were optimistic despite all odds. They kept encouraging us even when things seemed not to be working. Coach Stephen Keshi addressed us like brothers and we

By Innocent Amomoh worked as a family. It was a wonderful tournament for me and the entire team.

“Beating Ivory Coast was the turning points because we knew victory against them would be great and that was exactly what happened. That was the spirit of determination and faith.

On his contribution to team’s success at the competition, Emenike said : “I went to South Africa to represent Nigeria not myself. And thinking about self honor at the detriment of the team will amount to an act of selfishness.

My team is first on my priority list.

Super Eagles was uppermost in our minds and God rewarded us and gave me the top scorers’ award. I am really humbled” “It was God that rewarded me because I never aimed to outclass anybody at the tournament but to win beautifully for Nigeria, which I did with great efforts,” he said.

•Emenike

Ighalo targets Barcelona upset

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IGERIA international Odion Ighalo is relishing a big clash against Europe’s best team Barcelona in a Spanish La Liga clash on Saturday.

The in- form Granada forward, has been impressive since the commencement of the season scoring six goals in the Spanish top league, and has expressed his intention to upset Barceolona when both teams clash.

"I respect Barcelona a lot just like I do to Real Madrid and Critiano Ronaldo, but if we put our acts together on Saturday, we can upset them," said Ighalo in an exclusive interview.

"Real Madrid underrated us

•Ighalo

By Innocent Amomoh some weeks back and we taught them lesson even though it was an own goal but we were everywhere on the pitch to ensure the victory."

Ighalo further expressed that more delightful is the fact that he has the privilege to compete with top players in the world.

"Some years back, when I was in second division with Granada, I had a dream to play in La Liga with the team. Now, it has happened.

"For a player of my calibre, it’s always good to play against the likes of Lionel Messi and Critiano Ronaldo who are talented players."

"These are the players I look up to in football, and playing against them is a dream come true. I have learnt much from them, and that has improved my game a lot especially this season."

"Of course, I have everything it takes to pursue a greater dream in my career and I am already on it. I always play better against big clubs. I have been growing well in confidence and that is why everybody loves me in Granada. I am here to keep up faith with the fans as well as to lift the club and pay them back with goals.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

POLICY

PRAISE

REWARD

Okorocha inaugurates committee on award

Ariaria traders laud Orji

Driver gets car as parting gift

Imo

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Abia

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

Edo

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Uduaghan hailed on immunisation

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•Governor Uduaghan

HE Chairman of Caretaker Committee of Ethiope-East Local Government Area, Hon. Onoriode Eromedoghene has praised the Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, for supporting immunisation exercise across the state.

The council chief gave this commendation at Isiokolo, headquarters of Ethiope East Local Government Area while monitoring the ongoing immunisation against polio.

He said that Uduaghan’s passion for good health for the people of Delta State manifest in his

It is better to prevent diseases than to battle to cure them...

Inhabitants should not defecate in open places as this could cause spread of diseases From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

tireless efforts towards providing medical facilities in the health sector as witnessed in

both the Delta State Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Ethiope West and Eku General Hospital, Ethiope - East Local Government Area respectively.

While re-affirming his promise

to key into the state government health programme, Onoriode advised parents to bring their wards for immunisation in order to live health life. He also urged them to maintain healthy environment and visit health centres closer to them.

The Head of Department (HOD) of Primary Healthcare, Dr Wilfred Temisanren, also commended the council chief for the huge success the immunisation exercise has recorded so far. He added that “it is better to prevent diseases than to battle to cure them. Inhabitants not to defecate in open places as this could cause spread of diseases.”

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SUN State is set to change the common perspective about artisans, who are generally regarded as unemployable.

The government is taking steps to disabuse people’s minds in the inability of local artisans to handle sophisticated civil designs and finishing in building construction.

It has empowered 300 artisans to make them relevant in their chosen fields.

The government believes that these artisans would be able to handle their jobs perfectly well, if given the necessary training.

They were trained in painting, plumbing, electrification, auto-repairs and other vocations.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola, in his drive to build home-grown economy that will be all-inclusive for the state, believes that local contents wherever available should be harnessed and tapped for the benefit of all.

Thus, his government evolved a policy that would retrain artisans in the state to compete favourably with their counterparts the world over.

The first set of artisans that were trained were painters.

About 300 of them underwent intensive training in the art of house painting under the Osun Schools Infrastructure Development (O’School) using the latest tools and materials available.

The 300 pioneer trainees graduated and received certificate of competence last year.

The government said that this is part of its capacity building programmes to make artisans compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.

Training of these artisans became necessary, according to the chairman of the O’School Infrastructure Development Committee, Otunba Lai Oyeduntan, in order to bridge the knowledge gap between ar-

•Cross section of beneficiaries

Osun empowers 300 artisans Participants grateful to government From Semiu Okanlawon

tisans in the state and their counterparts elsewhere.

Oyeduntan further said government considered it important to empower artisans to reverse the trend of shopping for people with skills from outside the state to execute jobs which otherwise

would have added value to the economy of the state.

He said that it will no longer be fashionable to bring in artisans from other states to execute jobs in the state.

The training has brought artisans from Osun State neck-andneck with others from cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, among others.

Governor Aregbesola had envisaged that if these people are fully equipped, the effects would be significantly felt on the economy of the state.

He promised an improved and strong economic base for the state through the harnessing of local contents in all government’s developmental projects. According to him, government has de-

cided to give the job of painting new school buildings under construction to local artisans as a test of their capability to carry out good jobs based on their training.

Aregbesola said government embarked on training the artisans to improve their capacity so that they would be able to render good services to government.

He, however, stated that the •Continued on Page 45

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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Ariaria traders laud Orji

World Bank project lifts communities

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HE World Bank in partnership with the Imo State Agency for Community Development Project (ISA-CSDP) has spent about N450 million in rural development projects, with about 71 rural communities benefiting from the programme.

The General Manager of the agency, Mr. Augustine Amah,disclosed that in the last four years, rural communities have benefitted in the areas of infrastructure and other social amenities.

Briefing journalists on the activities of the agency in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Amah said that Imo State is among the 26 participating states in the programme that will wind up by the end of this year.

According to him, the World Bank contributed $5 million to Imo State (N750 million), while the state government was expected to provide a counterpart fund of N100 million annually, regretting that only N100 million was contributed by the Imo State Government in 2009, leaving a backlog of about N400 million.

Imo From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

He listed projects executed in the communities to include building and renovation of primary and secondary schools, health centres, rural electricity projects, markets, skills acquisition centres, town halls, access roads drainage and erosion control, public toilets, water boreholes, culverts and construction of lock-up shops, among others.

“At the last count, we have pushed into 71 communities about N450 million in micro projects. Our targeted communities in the state are 111. About 25 communities have successfully completed their micro projects. We are adding value to life. The needs of the communities were considered. We allowed them to choose their most needed projects; there is no political consideration to it.

Youths move against poverty

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OUTHS in the country have been advised to come together to fight poverty by establishing economic ventures within their environment. The call was made by the Senior Programme Officer of Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Lagos, Mr Kayode Ogunyemi.

Ogunyemi gave the admonition at the Stop Poverty Campaign organised by the African Alliance of Young Men Christian Association (YMCAs), Lagos, held at Ikoyi, Lagos.

The rally with the theme: Shun Violence Embrace Peace brought together over 250 young people drawn from secondary school, Red Cross, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army covering the entire Awolowo Road to Tafawa Balewa Square of Obalende, Lagos.

According to him, youth can only provide the direction for the future of our country when they are innovative, creative and taking advantage of the various opportunities available within their surroundings.

He said that the dynamism of the world

By Adeola Ogunlade

have been sustained by youths.

Ogunyemi noted that the revolution in the information communication technology and other sectors have been pioneered by youths who decided to go beyond the limit of their environment, harness their innate abilities and potential.

Earlier in his welcome address, the coordinator of the rally, Jare Oluremi said it was meant to unite young leaders and provide opportunities for them to express their views and pursue their personal goals and aspirations in life.

Oluremi noted that the level of corruption is becoming a threat to the future of young people in Nigeria, hence many of them are lured into perpetrating criminal activities such as killings, kidnapping, robbery that can be addressed effectively through mentorship of credible leadership.

Stakeholders task council on revenue

By Duro Babayemi

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TAKEHOLDERS at the 2013 Budget Forum in Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area in Lagos State have urged the council authority to look inward for the execution of the year budget to ensure rapid development of the area.

Making the charge at the forum, a chieftain of Community Development Community, Alhaji Moshood Dosunmu, said the resources of the council had not been fully tapped for the benefit of the people.

He said: “The little resources secured by government could not satisfy our needs, hence government should tap all available avenues to improve on the revenue. Though, it is unfortunate that most of our people did not pay their dues to government in 2012”.

The CDC chairman emphasised that most of the requests by the communities and associations would have been justified if their revenue contributions towards the council had been anything to write home about.

Responding on behalf of the council chair, the Vice-Chairman, Hon Ismail Bello thanked the participants for their contributions. He believes that the support of the people was necessary for the actualisation of the budgetary targets.

“It is the belief of this government that, having understood our ambition, we will not relent in paying your tenements and other levies to make us actualise our target on 2013 budget,” he said.

• Former Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr Ernest Ndukwe (second right), inaugurating the CADD Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. With him are Chris Obi Chikelue, Vice Chairman, Riverbank Technologies and Engineering Services Limited (first left), Vijay Baskarb, General Manager, CADD Centre, Lagos, Saravanan Karaiadselvan, Managing Director, CADD Centre Training Services, India and Ayoola Jolayemi, Executive Director, Riverbank Techonoligies and Engineering Services Limited

Kogi sets up committee on drugs

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OGI State government has inaugurated a five-man committee to monitor the supply and sale of essential drugs in government hospitals under its drugs revolving scheme.

Inaugurating members of the committee in Lokoja, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Idris Omede, said the measure had become necessary to ensure accountability and sustainability of the scheme.

Omede said that the committee was also to complement the Health Ministry in the management of the scheme.

Artisans urged to improve standard

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AILORS and fashion designers have been enjoined to improve on the standard of their profession.

According to the Director, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and Industry (LSMCI), Mr Hakeem Adeniji, there is the need to move from the old order to a new one.

He spoke at the inauguration of local government executives and board of trustees of the Lagos State Tailors and Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (LASTFADAN).

His paper was entitled: Duties and responsibilities of being a trustee.

Adeniji said the trusteeship of the association, which is life membership, should be reduced to a four-year term to allow for change.

“I think four years is enough for any trustee to contribute his or her quota to the development of the association. I see either a patron or matron as a position that can be for lifetime but I do not agree with that of a trustee,” he added.

He said the Ministry of Commerce and Industry often advises association to make their president and other notable management

• Members of the associations at the event

By Wale Adepoju

members as trustees so that they can be more efficient. This, he said, was because they would be able to keep sensitive document such as acquisition of movable and immovable property of the association, among others.

Describing a trustee, Mr Yekini Kolawole, a barrister at law, said he is someone who has control on the money or property that was put in a trust for somebody. He is also a member of a group of people that controls financial affairs of a charity or other organisations, he added.

Kolawole, who presented the paper, said the Board of Trustees, which is also an advisory council on policies, should ensure high standard of morality and integrity in every activity of the association as custodian of information. “The board shall be vested with the assets of the association and serve as its keeper,” he said.

On the role of the board, he said: “It mediates and serves as arbitrator in dispute resolution between the executive and members.”

Kogi He said that the monitoring committee would work without prejudice with the existing Drug and Consumable Distribution Committee of the state Central Medical Store.

He said that the monitoring committee was charged with the responsibility of ensuring that proceeds from drug sales were remitted to designated financial institutions.

The commissioner urged the distribution committee to hold on to its schedule in servicing the health facilities and called for cooperation of departments in the ministry with the monitoring committee.

“The maximum cooperation of the management of various health facilities in this assignment is desirable as the committee is to supplement the primary responsibilities of the management of health facilities, “ he said.

Omede said that the concept of the essential drugs revolving scheme was to ensure that basic drugs were available and accessible all-year-round in government hospitals for rightful prescriptions.

Responding on behalf of other members of the committee, its chairman, Mr Joseph Achem, assured that the committee would be diligent and committed to ethical standards.

Firm urges patronage

• Some of the items distributed

Lawmaker provides tools

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ESIDENTS of Oyo town in Atiba State Constituency of Oyo State were in high spirits penultimate week as their representative, Hon. Waliu Ganiyu Alagbon gave them poverty-alleviating items.

Dignitaries at the event included the permanent chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo, and his chiefs; the lawmaker representing Oyo Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Kameel Akinlabi; the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu, also an indigene of the town, other lawmakers, local government chairmen, Head, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Sheikh Taofeek Akeugbagold; party leaders and members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the constituency.

The lawmaker was showered with encomiums Earlier, the Alaafin had commisioned seven boreholes at different locations and two blocks of three classrooms each at Community Primary School, Irepodun-Araromi Atiba and Aba Otefon. Items such as motorcycles, sewing machines, dryers, generating sets crash helmets, clippers, deep freezers, stoves, cutlasses, farm inputs and food items were distributed to people. Cash donations were made to deserving individuals.

Commending the lawmaker for the gesture which he described as unprecedented, Oba

RADERS of Ariaria International Market, Aba in Abia State, have praised Governor Theodore Orji on the on-going road projects in the market.

It would be recalled that Governor Orji last year promised Aba residents that more roads would be rehabilitated before the beginning of rainy season this year.

Some traders who spoke when The Nation visited the market, described the governor as a man of his words, saying that the on-going construction work in the market will help boost trading.

Mrs. Glory Iheanacho, a trader at Ariaria ‘free zone’, said that the tarring of the zone has helped to improve trade and reduced the stress faced when the road was in bad shape.

Mr. Stephen Nwachukwu, who could not hide his joy on the progress of work,called on the governor to make sure that the contractors

T

“One of our challenges, is funding, we have only received N100 million from the Imo State Government as counter part fund instead of N400 million and that was in 2009 that the state government paid. We are using this medium to appeal to them to pay because this touches on the lives of the poor”, he explained.

Adeyemi said that people like Hon. Waliu would continue to enjoy the goodwill of the people, adding that those before him cannot walk freely in the town because they diverted money meant for constituency projects to personal use.

He said that the town had produced five speakers but the last three before Hon. Sunmonu could not point to what they did when they were in office.

He advised other politicians to emulate Hon. Waliyu’s gesture because ‘’the youth of nowadays will not hesitate to vote out those that are not performing; they are now exposed via many means.’’

The reverred monarch said that he and the lawmaker’s father are childhood friends but they were always on opposing sides until the last election that brought his son in as a lawmaker. ‘’I called him and told him that we should come together and stop wasting his money as his son had contested twice unsuccesfully before the last election. We are happy that today, he has made us proud. Nobody has ever done what he did in the history of the town. ‘’Those before him cannot come out openly as they have soiled their names. I will advise him to continue with what he is doing.’’

Commending the incumbent governor of the State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, he said he will continue to support him if he is not misled by people.

He said that with his populist programmes and respect for constituted authorities, Oyo State is on course with its programme of transformation.

By Paul Oluwakoya

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N line with its vision to empower Nigerians economically, improve their quality of life and change the face of lottery gaming in Nigeria, a start-up scratch card lottery and gaming company, Isis Gaming Limited, has asked the public for patronage.

According to the Marketing Relation Officer, Otibho Okharedia, all over the world, lottery is being used to improve the economy as well as better the lives of people, noting that government should do more to discourage gambling and encourage reaction in lottery games that will improve standard of living among its citizens.

According to Okharedia, who noted that the company is staying true to its word by enriching more lives this year, thousands of people have been enriched since the launch of the Isis scratch card lottery game last year,.

“Individuals, community development project and local charities groups can have the rare opportunity of a life changing moment by playing any Lottery Play platforms for as low as N50 for C Money+, N100 for Money Rain, and N500 for Big Boy,” she explained.

She further said: “As our own way of empowering the masses Isis Gaming models are simple to understand, and are designed with the customers in mind. The flexibility of the gaming options makes it possible for the entire population, especially the upper-middle, middle and low income earners, and all others within the age bracket of 18-55, to participate and get rewarded in this exciting experience.”

I

N a bid to improve security in his area, the chairman of Badagry Local Government in Lagos State, Hon. Husitode Moses Dosu, has donated two patrol vehicles to Nigeria Police Area “K” Command and one van to the Neighbourhood Watch in Badagry at the council secretariat.

The council chief remarked that though the council had been peaceful, it was better to prevent it, saying: “my people say it is better to prevent than to cure and failure to plan

Abia use the right materials to avoid wastage.

He was optimistic that the road when completed will encourage better patronage.

“Honestly, the governor has really done well by building this road. He should make sure that, the contractors uses good and quality materials. If not, the rains will wash them away during the rainy season and thereby wasting money used to execute this project.

“I believe, it will help to reduce the pains of both traders and buyers who make use of this road daily.

Mr. Gilbert Osuagwu, a trader at ‘A’ line, called on the contractor handling road construction work in the line to expedite actions in order to finish the project before the rains.

He said trading has improved since the project started and thanked the ASMATA chair-

•Governor Orji man, Chief Francis Ezeduru, for drawing the attention of the state government to the challenges traders are facing in the market.

Council chief donates patrol vans is planning to fail.”

Dosu charged residents to be security conscious because the present situation in the country calls for alertness, and caution. He said that all hands must be on deck to prevent threat to life, insurgency, bombing, kidnapping and other social vices which have poten-

tial to create chaos.

According to him: “I want to implore everybody to support the Nigeria Police and other security operatives either through sensitisation or by providing vital information about hoodlums, robbers’ dens or notorious activities which can affect the peaceful co-existence of our people. All of us must be community police informants as part of our civic responsibilities”. He said to whom much is given much is expected.

Area “K” Command, Commander, Mr Sina Soyemi, expressed his appreciation and assured the residents of more crime-free enviroment. He urged the residents to cooperate with all security operatives.

Among the dignitaries present were the representative of Aholu Menu Toyi, the Oba Akran, High Chief Jenge of Badagry Kingdom, DPO Badagry, CSP M.A. Dankoli, ACN Chairman, Alhaji Nojeem Ojo, Council Manager, Prince Sunday Adegbola Olujobi, Community Development Committee Chairman, Mr. Ebenezer Kuponu, Secretary to the council, ,Hon. Sunday Setonji Balogun.

Briefly

•From left: Mr Dankoli; Mr Soyemi; Hon. Dosu ;Vice Chairman Kuappo Pedetin Elizabeth and Jegen of Badagry

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GEGE Local Government Chairman, Hon. Jubreel Abdulkareem has provided a school bus to convey all students in the council from designated bus stops to school every day.

The gesture was part of activities marking his 1,500 days in office.

The council chief also presented vehicles to all executive council officers, councillors, community development committee and the chieftaincy council members.

According to him, every child in school uniform would have access to the bus and teachers with their I.D card can also board the bus free of charge.

Hon. Abdulkareem said his administration is committed to child and youth development, citing the graduation ceremony of hundreds of students from vocational training centre in various skills which include hairdressing, catering, home management and computer training.

He said roads among which are Kamoru Alimi, Desalu Lewis, Abeokuta Street were surfaced and upgraded while drains were constructed at Adepegba Street, Road 4 Zone 1, LSDPC, Medium Estate, Apapa, Bankole and Kosoko Street.

He added that culvert was constructed at Lewu Iju Street, Lewu Summonu Street and Oke Street, Idimagoro.

The chairman declared that a healthy and hygienic environment has been created at all the primary health centres and immunisation programmes are given necessary support.

He urged residents to take advantage of the diabetic and hypertension screening going on at the council’s health centres.

A member of the House of Reps from the

Free ride for students

By Kemi Okunade

council, Hon Samuel Adejare, congratulated the council boss on his achievements.

Adejare solicited support for the council leaders, urging the residents to pay their dues and levies regularly.

This, he said, would enable the council to improve on the development programmes.

Church holds programme THE Redeemed Christian Church of God Miracle Centre will on Wednesday, February 27, hold its monthly Jacob Service programme at 6pm. The venue is 19, Bello Folawiyo Cresent, off Ikosi Road, by Mr Biggs, Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos. The theme of the programme is:The God of Suddenly The host, Pastor A.D. Doherty, described this month edition of the programme as a total, intense praise worship, time to rejoice, saying that anyone who attends will receive divine touch bringing spiritual, marital, financial breakthroughand testimonies. Perfected Praise Team,Zonal Mass Choir among others.

• Hon AbdulKareem (left) presenting key of the vehicle to Agege monarch Oba Kamilu Isiba

THE NATION FRIDAY,FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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COMMENTARY Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Critical moments •Report on Dana plane crash victims is, again, an indictment of our emergency procedure

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AS there any chance, however slim, that at least 27 of the 153 persons aboard the Dana Airline plane that crashed on June 3, 2012, in IjuIshaga, Lagos State, could have escaped death? This haunting question will likely remain in the public sphere for quite some time. The final report on the examination of bodies recovered from the crash concluded that 27 victims “did not die immediately after the impact.” Prof John Obafunwa, the Lagos State Chief Medical Examiner and Consultant Pathologist of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital who authored the report, said: “The post-mortem examination indicated that 27 victims had died of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. This suggests that the victims were alive for some time in the fire that probably followed the

‘The picture of the crash survivors having to go through the experience of gradual death in the aircraft’s burning fuselage after the impact is nightmarish, and further plays up the tragedy. For those who died on impact, the end was immediate, but these others at least stood a chance of being rescued, if only help came promptly. It is regrettable that all went wrong at this critical point, exposing weighty flaws in the country’s emergency management’

crash.”

The revelation adds a disturbing twist to the ongoing coroner’s inquest into the deaths. Obafunwa also stated that, apart from smoke inhalation, the victims in question could have lost their lives because of other factors such as multiple injury or blood fall trauma, either singly or combined. The bottom line of the findings, however, was that these victims survived the crash, but succumbed to post-crash crisis.

The picture of the crash survivors having to go through the experience of gradual death in the aircraft’s burning fuselage after the impact is nightmarish, and further plays up the tragedy. For those who died on impact, the end was immediate, but these others at least stood a chance of being rescued, if only help came promptly.

It is regrettable that all went wrong at this critical point, exposing weighty flaws in the country’s emergency management. To start with, the site of the crash was turned into an instant sightseeing zone, where a crowd of curious onlookers gathered, blocking emergency service personnel from gaining prompt access to the plane.

In his testimony, the Chief Fire Fighter of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Sanni Enessi, blamed crowd congestion for the delay in rescue work within the first three hours of the crash.

The overcrowding at the place was not only unhelpful and counter-productive; it demonstrated a failure of public safety education. It was evident from the incident that the public was clueless on how to respond to such emergency.

Sadly, this observation was corroborated at the inquest by Mr John Ekpe, FAAN’s Assistant General Manager, Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. He alleged that the National Emergency Management Agency, which has the responsibility of coordinating national emergencies, did not have a tested emergency plan. Such plan, he said, should have been tested by simulating an emergency, to prepare the public and provide education on emergency response.

However, public attitude, which is a human factor, is just one aspect of the crisis-response failing. It is surely baffling that, as Eke also disclosed, the country lacks aircraft designed for fire fighting. What this means is that the country is basically ill-prepared for plane crash management. The Dana crash inferno reportedly raged for about 24 hours before it was brought under control, raising logical questions on the state of preparedness of the agencies concerned, both in terms of personnel as well as equipment. It is a disgrace that government emergency agencies have had to rely on private companies for essential equipment in emergency situations, such as happened in this particular case when Julius Berger Construction Company was invited to help out.

Emergencies do arise, but when they do, how they are tackled may make the difference between life and death. This is the lesson to be drawn from the handling of the Dana disaster, which calls for a radical improvement in emergency management in the country.

Keshi’s resignation • Nigeria’s AFCON victory conceals deep-rooted problems in its football administration

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HE now-withdrawn resignation of the Head Coach of the victorious Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, is a sobering reminder of the deep-seated problems confronting Nigeria’s football administration, especially the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). The coach had accused the NFF of undue pressure during the just-concluded African Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in South Africa.

He had allegedly been told that he would be sacked, his tactics and selection were continually questioned, and his salary withheld.

Keshi had apparently kept all this to himself in order not to distract his team, and the heart-warming victory of the Super Eagles shows the wisdom of that strategy. However, the challenges posed by the incompetence and venality of many of the country’s football administrators are formidable obstacles to the growth of the game in Nigeria.

Football is not just about sporting talent. If the sport is not properly managed, it will be difficult for players to flourish.

Over the years, this fact has become tragically evident in the Nigerian game. The local league is characterised by the absence of binding player contracts, poor stadia and facilities, match-fixing and violence.

At the international level, funds provided by the Federal Government and bodies like FIFA are poorly-managed and rarely accounted for. Elections into the NFF and the Nigerian Premier League (NPL), its domestic counterpart, are never transparent, and often throw up the worst candidates. Instead of focusing on

grassroots development, most football administrators are intent upon competitions where money can be made from misappropriating government funds and overseas travels.

The consequences for football in the country have been devastating. In spite of its depth of talent, Nigeria has consistently underperformed internationally at both the club and national levels. Its best players are so disenchanted with the local set-up that they continuously seek to move to better-organised leagues elsewhere. Foreign-based professionals are often reluctant to give their best to the country because they are afraid that injuries sustained while on national duty could jeopardise their club careers.

Given the anomalies that plague football administration, it is understandable that the aggrieved Keshi attempted to quit his job in the wake of his triumph. In 1996, Bonfrere Jo set a precedent by resigning after guiding the Dream Team to a gold medal at that year’s Olympics in Atlanta.

Nothing was done then to ensure that such a thing never happened again, and if the issues raised by Keshi are not thoroughly addressed, it could recur in the near future.

If football administration in Nigeria is to be improved, it must be run on principles that are transparent, businesslike and result-oriented. For too long, football administration has been seen as a consolation prize for influential individuals who were unable to get more-coveted positions. Consequently, many administrators see it as an opportunity to make as much money as possible before moving on.

That cannot continue if things are to change. Administrators should be chosen based on merit and competence rather than federal quota or political connections. Elections into the NFF and the NPL must be made more transparent; the practice of imposing so-called “government candidates” on those bodies must stop. Governing bodies for the sport in the country must be encouraged to depend less on government and more on the private sector for financing their programmes. This will give them greater freedom of action and will force them to be more accountable to their sponsors.

As Nigeria basks in its AFCON triumph, those who administer the country’s football would do well to ensure that they facilitate the growth of the sport instead of hindering it.

‘Given the anomalies that plague football administration, it is understandable that the aggrieved Keshi attempted to quit his job in the wake of his triumph. In 1996, Bonfrere Jo set a precedent by resigning after guiding the Dream Team to a gold medal at that year’s Olympics in Atlanta. Nothing was done then to ensure that such a thing never happened again, and if the issues raised by Keshi are not thoroughly addressed, it could recur in the near future’

UK press laws The best hope for media freedom is independent regulation

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HEN Sir Brian Leveson published his report into the British press last November, he was clear about the regime that he wanted. A new regulator, endowed with strong enforcement powers, would protect the public against abuses. This would be dominated by independent minds. Newspapers would no longer get to mark their own homework.

The Financial Times has few quibbles with the vision. Independent and robust regulation is not only desirable in itself; it is a necessary precondition if public confidence in the media is to be rebuilt after the shaming revelations of the hacking scandal. However, we have also always been clear that well-meaning reform must not unwittingly open the door to state interference in the press.

Lord Justice Leveson’s original proposals would have taken us too far down this path, putting the new regime under statutory control for the first time, and appointing the broadcast regulator Ofcom, which reports directly to government, to oversee it. So now, the Conservative party has come up with a modified plan – albeit one that does not command the support of its coalition partners. Rather than Ofcom, the overseeing body would be an independent entity. Meanwhile, the entire regime would be placed, like the BBC, under a royal charter.

In spite of the archaic title, this would not banish the shadow of state interference. Incorporation by royal charter is a form of government regulation. These instruments can be amended by the “royal prerogative” – an undemocratic procedure that hands power to the government of the day without reference to parliament. These powers have been used.

Tony Blair’s administration amended the BBC’s governance in retaliation for its critical reporting in the run-up to the Iraq war.

To protect the press, the Tory plan provides that the charter’s terms can only be changed if all three party leaders agree, and are backed by “supermajorities” in parliament. Yet this does not exclude the possibility that at some future date parliament might rein back press freedom.

The royal charter is an ingenious concept, and parliamentary lawyers must be salivating at the task of drafting a quintessentially British instrument. But it cannot eliminate the risk of creeping state interference. While some may see such a fudge as a better expedient than statutory control, this newspaper continues to favour credible independent regulation at arm’s length from the state.

- Financial Times

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

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge

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•Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: According to Russian football chief, Alexie Sorokin, Locomotiv Moscow FC supporters’ problem with Osaze Odemwingie, had nothing to do with racism but that they had often accused him of playing better for his country than their team. Rashidi Yekini of blessed memory never played for any giant club in Europe.

But Nigerian strikers who plied their trade in big clubs were no match for him in the green and white colours because he was a national team player. These rare attributes the “gangling” former African Player of the Year shared with ever-recurring decimal Garba Lawal, bulky but astonishingly swift Danny Shittu (unarguably Nigeria’s best defender at AFCON 2010) and Odemwingie who were and are always at their best playing for their national team.

Coach Keshi won AFCON 2013 because he had bestowed on him the grace of an unusual collection of boys possessed of the Osaze spirit. Perhaps for the first time, John Obi Mikel played for his national team with greater commitment than he does for his foreign club. At any point in time, Germany will present a machine-efficient soccer squad because they are never “rebuilding” a structure that never collapsed but only maintaining. For any occasion it is required, the US will present a formidable basketball team because they are never “building a new team.” That is working philosophy.

That was the philosophy of Shaibu Amodu whose major undoing was dearth of players with sustained right attitude. This is why he took

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Odemwingie spirit won AFCON for Nigeria over from the wobbling Bon Fere Jo in 2001 and dramatically qualified Nigeria for the 2002 AFCON and World Cup. He came again in 2008 and qualified the country for the 2010 AFCON and World Cup, winning his first seven matches (home and away) scoring 12 goals and conceding none! That was the world of the one, whose two World Cup

postings in only as many attempts with two AFCON bronze medals as fringe benefits, was described by French legend, Alain Giresse, as “massive feat.”

But how long will the Osaze spirit in the Super Eagles last? What happens when the Omeruos, the Oboabonas, the Emenikes and the Onazis suddenly remember their

uncles who slumped and died while waiting endlessly for their well-deserved pension that had been captured and swallowed by “patriotic Nigerians” now expecting their own share of the notorious cake national honours? Thank God for the Osaze spirit in Victor Moses who magnanimously agreed to serve, with his heart, a nation whose hands are

Lessons of Pope Benedict’s resignation IR: His Holiness, Pope Benedict stunned the Roman Catholic Church when he announced he would stand down - the first pope to do so in almost 700 years - saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to carry on. Just as the case of Pope Benedict, the Code of Canon Law states that a resignation must be made freely and properly manifested and that the pope resigning must be of sound mind.

Other popes known to have resigned include Pope Celestine V, who only reluctantly accepted his election in 1294 and fled the Vatican after just three months to ‘wander in the mountains’. The bishop who became his successor, Boniface VIII, was

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intent on ensuring that Celestine V did not become an example for future popes, and ordered him seized and imprisoned as he was about to sail to Greece. He eventually died in custody in 1296 at the age of 81, and was declared a saint in 1313.

The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415. He stepped down to end the “Great Western Schism”, during which there were rival claims to the papacy. Several popes in the past, including Benedict’s predecessor John Paul, have refrained from stepping down over their health, because of the division that could arise there from by having an “ex-pope” and of course, a reigning pope alive altogether.

Despite that, Pope Benedict has decided to do the ‘right thing’ by stepping down when he knew he will not be capable of effectively administer the church.

No doubt, he will be remembered for his unblemished leadership, selfless service, frankness, tolerance, humility and large heart that endeared him to many faithful, as well as people of other faiths and religions.

The pontiff, who always maintained that he never wanted to be pope, was an uncompromising conservative on social and theological issues, fighting what he regarded as the increasing secularization of society, which theologians believe contributed immensely to the moral

A word for APC leadership

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IR: The formation of the All Progressives Congress by major opposition parties in Nigeria is a right step in a right direction and timely. As a matter of fact, the inability of the opposition parties to forge a common front to challenge the behemoth that the ruling party is has afforded the PDP to roughshod on the nation. Therefore, the movers of the idea to form the APC deserve commendations for this feat.

However, going by the history of alliances and merger of political parties in Nigeria, certain factors like ambition, insincerity, mutual

soiled in the callous murder of his precious parents, even as a little boy!

Thank God for the spirit of a rebel, an enfant terrible, who, even as a ‘big boy’,would still be genuinely bitter at being stopped from serving his nation. He almost single-handedly qualified the country for the 2010 World Cup. At the finals, he was made a spectator! Which genuine patriot would not be cross in the circumstance? He might be going through some terrifying psychological trauma on account of such unfortunate events leading to his current infection by the deadly disease of Twitter-rant-tiasis, but to him goes the credit of the new-found spirit. May he savour quick deliverance.

• Dele Akinola, Ikorodu, Lagos.

suspicion, over-bearing influence of leading partners had always led to the collapse of such alliances.

Therefore, for APC to succeed, its leadership should be sincere to one another and be modest in pursuit of their ambitions. In relation to that, the leadership should allow democratic principle to guide the party in its activities. In other words, they should promote internal democracy in the party. In this wise, dictatorship by the leaders, imposition of candidates, and factionalisation of the party along pre-merger parties should be discouraged. Members should be inte-

grated as one and undifferentiated members of a family. This would create in members, a sense of belonging. Not only that, the leadership should be vigilant and prevent the ruling party from planting fifth columnists in the party to truncate the efforts of leadership and cause disaffection among the party leaders as well as party members.

Last but not the least, governors spearheading the merger are advised to show the difference by making the welfare of the people the focus of their governments. This is because they will be the template upon which the prospects of the new

party would be measured. Those whose policies have brought hardship on the people should make a redress because of the future of the party.

It is hoped that if the above factors are considered by the leadership of the party, the party will definitely win the support of the majority who are fed up with the maladministration of the PDP and looking up to the leadership of the APC to save the nation from the abyss that the ruling party has thrown the nation.

• Adewuyi Adegbite Apake, Ogbomoso

decadence bedeviling us today.

Despite his firm opposition to homosexual acts, his reign saw gay marriage accepted in many countries.

He has staunchly resisted allowing women to be ordained as priests, and opposed embryonic stem cell research, although he is said to have retreated slightly from the hard-line stance that condoms could never be used to fight AIDS. There are a few lessons to be learnt from the proposed exit of Pope Benedict. First, positions should not be seen as a do-or-die affair. Leaders should not hang-on to power at all costs. Secondly, not matter the circumstance, leaders should use every given opportunity for the service to humanity. Thirdly, leaders must be courageous and faithful to admit their shortcomings when they are in positions of authority, bearing in mind that no one is perfect.

Fourthly, humility should be imbibed by all. As the pope will be retiring into low profile lifestyle, world leaders should know and acknowledge the transient nature of earthly positions. Lastly, honesty and discipline should be the watch-word of leaders. There should be limitations to crave for ephemeral desires.

In this season of Lent, it is the supplication of all that his successor – who is expected to be named before Easter - will do more to make our troubled world a better place.

• Adewale Kupoluyi Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013 16

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COMMENTS

Fair weather patriots (Metaphor of the round leather 6)

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Suddenly everybody is proudly Nigerian. And the maniacal hooting of the Nigerian citizenry and State attains the eerie melodiousness of owls. It is tragic to see everyone celebrate the Super Eagles’ victory at the recently concluded African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2013 tournament. It is even more frightening to see what record lows Nigerians would descend in pursuit of unearned sentimentality and delight.

Nobody gave the Super Eagles a chance. Nobody wished that they did well and emerge Champions of African soccer. Every soccer enthusiast, sports writer, analyst and even the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) predicted and wished upon the Super Eagles, doom, and a disgraceful outing at AFCON 2013.

NFF chieftains reportedly sought to force a foreign technical adviser on Coach Stephen Keshi even while the tournament was on, in a desperate plot to embezzle state funds.

They never cared or wished that the national team do well at the tourney. And like the NFF, everyone else wished that the Super Eagles crash out in the early stages of the tournament.

They claimed they were only being objective. They claimed they were simply making informed analysis and extrapolation based on the team’s lackluster and disgraceful approach to the game. Many of my colleagues in the media even went as far as forecasting that the national team will not win a single match at the tournament; they also hinged their analyses on towering

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objectivity and dispassionate love for the beautiful game of soccer.

And so do I, by similar standards of unimpeachable objectivity, dispassionately analyze and infer that many Nigerian soccer enthusiasts; sports writers, analysts, et al are intellectually challenged and handicapped by their base inclinations to be failures. Little wonder they denounce anything and everything Nigerian.

Today, we see a perversion of brotherhood and faith. Today we see the sickly manifestations of blundering fanaticism and the Nigerian spirit, for the love of football. It’s ridiculous to see everybody show love to the Super Eagles. Suddenly, the ones on whom many invoked doomsday prophesies and disgrace have become compatriots with whom they are well pleased.

Shame. Shame that it took the victory of the Super Eagles at AFCON 2013 to reveal the average Nigerian for what he truly is; a bumbling coward and a fraud. It is even more shameful that the media which should serve as the last bastion of hope for the incurably disillusioned and cynical cheerfully championed the forecasts of doom and irreparable disgrace of the country’s national team at the soccer fiesta.

More worrisome was the attitude of columnists who ought to desensitize the citizenry of arrant cynicism but derived a perverse pleasure from riling the national team and predicting its failure. Many a columnist and TV soccer analyst likened the team to every other failed project in Nigeria. They predicted the team’s failure and inexo-

N December 1983, my chummy with Alhaji Uba Ahmed (April 28, 1939 to December 17, 2012), prompted him to invite me to travel with him on a global tour.

He was the national secretary of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and I was the National Assembly Editor for The Punch at that time.

Goodwill and amity between politicians and reporters, is an old tradition. Reporters’ duty is to cover events and people while politicians have a duty to take decisions that affect lives.

We have been friends for long – a relationship that began in 1975 when he was the Manager of Nigerian Tobacco Company in Jos and I briefly reported for the Kwara state-government owned Nigeria Herald at that time in Jos. I was in Jos to relieve a colleague who was on leave following an order from my then Editor, Peter Ajayi who asked me to proceed to Jos from Ibadan and report on a top Civil Servant who murdered his wife.

Uba Ahmed was staying in a house near Tilley Gyado Place in Jos. The relationship blossomed when he was elected to the Constituent Assembly in 1977 to represent Tangale Waja constituency in the old Bauchi State and I covered the proceedings of the assembly.

He was always a delight, a good friend indeed. I followed his political career till he was elected Senator in 1978 and in 1979 the then Senate President Dr. Joseph Wayas appointed him chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation.

Through that journey, he courted the friendship of notable and reputable reporters who covered the National Assembly in the Second Republic. They include late Tunde Lisboa, Jimi Aderinokun, Labake Adebiyi now Labake Fawehinmi, Raymond Okiti, Yinka Guedon now in London, Alli Zubair, Idiat Abari, Demola Osinubi, Nduka Irabor, Eddy Ekpo, Gboyega Amoboye, Ronke Akinsete, Adebolu Clinton Oni, Ruffi Oladipo, Joke Sanyaolu, Nduka Obaigbena, Richard Amayo, Tony Idigo, Nkem Agetua, Frank Olize, Bayo Adewusi, Chris Anyanwu, Clement Iranola Akintomide alias CIA, James Bello, Gbenga Onayinga, Dupe Ajayi, Clement Eluaka, Anene Ugoani, Wale Oshodi, Moni Adebayo, Yomi Ajetumobi, Bolaji Macaulay, Isaac Oleleye, Chief Olugbayo Ogunleye, Dipo Akinsiku, and even state house correspondents like Toye Akiode, Wole Odunaike, and the Public Relations Manager of the Nigeria Airways at that time, Femi Ogunleye who is now the Towulade of Akinale in Ogun State.

His devotion to his friends is unwearied and

rably relished the prospect of saying to every believer in the chances of the team, “I told you so!”

Now that the joke is on them and every other disparager of the Nigerian team, they have suddenly learnt to cheer in support of the Nigerian team. But a paltry few of this disgraceful band of Nigerians have remained resolute in their antagonism of the Nigerian team.

They say: “Let’s see how they will fare against the Spaniards at the Confederation Cup in Brazil.”

As if they are doomed to stereotype the dying moans of human guinea pigs; their continued disparagement of the national team resonates like the whining of relics of mortality who discountenance hope to howl like an owl at the break of a new dawn. Their cynicism is reflective of a mind which has reached the gooey stage in the mortification of all hopeful and courageous thought.

Although Thoreau would claim that they remind him of ghouls and idiots and insane wailings, I would say that they are merely symptomatic of a vast and undeveloped nature best suited for the base and cretinous amongst mankind.

Yes, this is very personal. But lest I am attacked for being too acerbic, let me reiterate that I am only being ‘very objective and dispassionate’ as every Super Eagles’ critic was and still is perhaps.

The Nigerian youth had no business wishing that much ill on their

peers in the national team. By their shameful attitude, they managed to affirm that the biggest challenge facing the Nigerian youth is the Nigerian youth.

The quality of support given the national team by the Nigerian citizenry and State is reflective of our persistent struggle against the ruling class’ tyranny. It is always quite sufficient to keep us busy and enthusiastic even as our fervor for the struggle is always half-hearted and uncoordinated.

Having experienced more hardship than necessary in the formation of our character, we imagine a dark pall after every dark cloud and thus react with unforgivable cynicism to anything and everything.

There is no special reason for this circumstance; the ones that were, have been rendered unjustifiable by our immoderate lust to circumvent the universe’s carefully ordered path to the good life. Not only is the Nigerian youth unable to believe the benefits in honest labour and patriotism, we are unable to believe in anything else. This reveals a worrisome state of affairs that emphasizes the loss and irredeemable corruption of old loyalties. Today, every lofty ideal of nationhood, honesty, justice and truth are ultimately far-fetched in our eyes.

That is why we are reduced to a cesspool of nonstop tragedies. That is why we have Nigerian terrorists playing with bombs and snuffing

‘Thus is the tragedy of the Nigerian youth; he excitedly perfects the parable of a man who looks around for a coffin, every time he smells flowers’

our lives like unstable candlelight in a storm. That is why we have very lazy and jobless youth threatening war if anything should happen to “their son,” Mr. President.

That is why we suffer incessant cases of armed robbery, advance fee fraud and hooliganism. That is why we have more youths picking up charms, bullets and machine guns than a stethoscope, complete works of Wole Soyinka, Christopher Okigbo and chalk.

It is the Nigerian youth that is blowing up Churches, Mosques and killing people in the north. It is the Nigerian youth that is passionately serving as assassins and political thugs. It is the Nigerian youth that is tirelessly totting guns and machete to rob and decapitate poor, helpless citizenry on our highways.

It is the Nigerian youth blaming his lot on the ruling class even as he unquestioningly agrees to serve as canon-fodder in the ruling class’ inhuman designs.

It is also Nigerian youth like the Super Eagles, that passionately attempts to propagate the Nigerian dream against all odds but the efforts of such human elements are wholly inconsequential amidst the psychosis of the unbelieving and rampaging hordes. Goaded by such abject reality, the Nigerian youth, submits to the decadent and tirelessly projects it, arguing as he does that since he can neither beat nor correct the system, it is better he serves it. He conveniently forgets that it is by the honest fervor and citizenship of human elements like him that the foundations of the most powerful nations are built.

Thus is the tragedy of the Nigerian youth; he excitedly perfects the parable of a man who looks around for a coffin, every time he smells flowers.

Uba Ahmed (1939-2012)

By Eric Teniola indefatigable. When Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarka (1932-1980) was sick in London, Uba Ahmed travelled to see him six times. When he died eventually on March 30, 1980, Uba Ahmed was at his bed side. I was with him in London at that time and we brought Senator Tarka’s corpse in a Nigerian Air Force Hercules jet on April 7, 1980, to Lagos. He was a consummate politician who understood gamesmanship.

In the Senate, he served competently introducing bills and motions. I remember he submitted a strong memorandum to the Abubakar Tuggar’s committee on creation of state in 1982, demanding for the creation of Gombe State from the former Bauchi State. He wanted Akko, Tangale Waja, Dukku and Gombe to be independent of Shira, Kantagum, Gamowa, Nissau and Jamari districts.

Following the appointment of the national secretary of the NPN, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma as Minister of Agriculture in 1979 and that of his deputy, Dr. Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo (19412003) as special adviser by President Shehu Aliyu Shagari, the post of the secretary became vacant.

The lot fell on the spokesman of the party Alhaji Suleiman Takuma (1934-2001), the Sarkin Malamai Nupe in Bida, the man with the golden voice to run the secretariat of the party in the absence of a national convention.

An open convention was summoned by the party in 1982 to elect and re-confirm all the posts including the chairmanship of the party and the secretary. Alhaji Uba Ahmed came out to challenge Alhaji Takuma- the famous broadcaster.

In an open election held at the National Theatre, Alhaji Uba Ahmed defeated Alhaji Takuma to become the national secretary. He later resigned from the Senate and his seat was won by his friend, Ambassador Ajuju Waziri, the spouse of Farida Waziri, the former EFCC chairman.

As national secretary of the NPN, Alhaji Uba Ahmed became an automatic member of the Monday caucus presided over by President Shagari, which was the highest decision making body at that time.

Our global tour in December 1983 took us to Las Vegas, New York, Houston in U.S.A., Peking and Shanghai in China, Hong Kong and Bahrain. By the time we landed on December 30, 1983 we were all home sick and very anxious to

come back to Nigeria having been away for 24 days. Moreover we wanted to escape the freezing London weather.

Upon the insistence of his faithful and loyal aide Chief Fab Uche and much to our delight too, Alhaji Uba arranged for us to travel back to Nigeria. The schedule was for us to land in Lagos on December 31 and then to fly to Jos in the afternoon for the New Year celebrations. Jos was the second hometown of Uba Ahmed.

But that was not to be.

We headed for the Heathrow airport around 7.00 p.m. and tagged our entire luggage UBA AHMED so as to enjoy ‘executive clearance’. The WTO Nigerian Airways flight took off around 10.00 p.m. It was a smooth flight. We were given royal treatment aboard the flight. Drinks and food were served in excess. We dropped the Kano passengers around 4.00 p.m. and headed for the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. I sat next to Alhaji Uba Ahmed in the first class compartment. We joked and discussed; we even fantasised on our scheduled trip to Jos later in the day.

As were about to land, I became curious for I noticed that other airlines were fully packed; none took off and none on the runaway. Being first class passengers, we were the first to disembark.

I looked through the window and saw soldiers surrounding our plane. I became uncomfortable.

I immediately alerted Alhaji Uba Ahmed who was having discussion with the famous Ibadan trained unionist Alhaji Kola Balogun who was also disembarking too. He then directed me to find out what was happening.

I rushed to the ground floor and saw the junior brother of a close friend who works for the security services. He shouted my name with respect and wondered what I was doing at the odd place and at that odd time. I asked him why he was asking and I informed that I was coming from London.

‘Are you not aware there is coup’, he asked? I became dumb. He said the voice of Brigadier Sanni Abacha was on the air, and advised me to get my luggage and flee the airport. I raced back to third floor to inform Uba Ahmed that there was a military coup and that the voice of Brigadier Sanni Abacha was on air.

He was mute, rattled, confused and abashed.

He just sat down and shook his head intermittently. By this time other passengers were mur-

muring about the coup and pointing at our direction. It was an embarrassing moment for us both. Ten minutes later, he regained his composure and looked directly into my eyes and asked “You mean Brigadier Bako not Abacha?” I insisted Abacha to which he then declared “I must escape; if this chap seizes me they will kill me. I must go, kajiko, I must go”.

His escape was later designed and executed.

I got back to the arrival lounge of the airport to collect my three luggages only to meet wild soldiers carting away all luggage including mine, tagged UBA AHMED. Wisdom dictated to me not to move near those wild soldiers, more so that they have just taken over power in less than five hours.

I left the airport dejected that day, missing a friend and losing my luggage- a bad way to begin a new year, 1984.

Six days later the security personnel came to The Punch premises at Onipetesi in Ikeja and asked me to report myself at their office at Alagbon in Ikoyi where I was detained for 27 days.

That was where my ulcer became worse.

My then boss Dr. Haruna Adamu, Managing Director of The Punch came to release me on bail, only for Dr. Adamu himself to be detained for 12 months by Major General Buhari’s government.

In disguised voices, Alhaji Uba used to phone me from abroad. He came home in 1994 and lived with Adekunle Agunbiade alias LAKO in his Ikoyi Lagos residence.

I did not see Uba Ahmed again until he was appointed Minister of Labour by General Sanni Abacha and shortly after I was engaged in the Presidency. We met often at the villa either for official assignments or during federal executive meetings.

In February 2005, he was a member of the National Political Reform Conference headed by Justice Niki Tobi. A noble prince in Bida, Senator Dangana Ndayako, a common friend of ours phoned me of Uba’s demise in Germany on Christmas day December 25, 2012. Alhaji Uba Ahmed was a very friendly person. Very neighbourly. Very steadfast.

My condolence is to his family and friends, for he was a good man.

• Teniola, former Director in the Presidency lives in Lagos

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

22

COMMENTS “Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.”

John F. Kennedy

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The inimitable legend of socialism, Karl Marx has been proved wrong

by Nigerians. Marx’s position that religion is the only opium of the people might be fallacious to the extent that citizens of my country, Nigeria, recently showed that the round leather game of football is their own opium, even if momentarily.

Football, otherwise called soccer, is a game that has tremendous followership all over the world. The game is one of passion for it brings joy as well as sadness; it evokes emotion as well as compassion. Football could sometimes lead to violence of uni maginable magnitude when favourite teams lose games.

Soccer is a game of love just as it breeds revulsion. The contemporary game of soccer that has even become one of money spinning has created several models that younger folks the world over look up to. Global companies scramble to get such football models’ endorsements.

Without equivocation, football remains the prime enveloping culture that humanity knows; the language the diverse peoples of the world understands; the bridge for global networking and the tonic for life renewal.

No other game has beaten the record of football for it uses its altar to bring humanity together to celebrate and worship at the same time. The passion of Nigerians for football is unsurpassable. My countrymen and women, like other citizens of the world, have shown unalloyed commitment and love for the round leather game. Whenever the national team, the Super Eagles are playing, Nigerians become truly one indivisible and indissoluble country. This well loved game brings people of different geographical, religious and political divides together in my country. It is during football matches that we do not remember federal character, quota system, zoning system and other detrimentally anti-societal epithets.

During such games, especially when the country’s teams are performing well, football to Nigerians is life. They forget their despair and poverty that are caused largely by misgovernance cum corruption that have been the hallmark of public affairs in the country. Our people, also like

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HERE is an emerging consensus today that the trouble with Nigeria is low leadership quotient among successive leaders of the country in the past four decades. The kind of low quality leadership that is lacking in vision, patriotism and a sense of history; the type that has been replicating and preserving itself via an uncanny multiple fission. But the other matter with the polity is the unstated but deep-seated apathy towards the Igbo race in Nigeria. In a country where agreement is hardly reached on any national issue, Igbo-stomping is hardly one of such. Anything to stymie the Igbo is game in the national scheme of things. This may well be the real problem with Nigeria.

And the Igbo, the merry victim of his habitat generally trudges on, oblivious, raucous, rampaging and foraging into new ‘enemy’ territories seeking sustenance in an environment that wishes it turns to vapor.

Igbophobia was at the root of the 30-month civil war in which this fellow was goaded into near-extermination by majority of his hate-filled neighbors. It started by simple peer envy – oh, he has taken over the Army, all the top officers are Igbo; ah he has taken over the civil service, the Stock Exchange; oh he has taken over the country – they kept ringing the hate bell until it became a consensus. Then all that was needed was the precipitant, the rationale to trigger their hate. Then it came, they swooped on this fellow, this hateful mob, they stripped him to his pants, to the bones and they left him kwashiokored and half dead.

This is a better forgotten era in our history is often called up when one sees traces of it in the polity in any guise at all. Such fresh case is the impertinent accusation thrown at the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika recently that he is ‘Igbonising’ the army as reflected in the recent recruitments in the force. Beyond the obvious assault of the accusation, the ‘poor’ General was put on the stump and made to sweat out a rebuttal before the watching world. Not exactly the way to treat a General and a COAS unless he is an Igbo that he is. To think that this is the first Igbo to hold this position in post civil war Nigeria; after over 40 years; the simple import is that no

Football as opium of Nigerians

Mike Adenuga

their counterparts in other continents of the world stay glued whether at the stadium or on television, to that rectangular piece of grass called soccer pitch. Momentarily, they rejoice in genuine nationalistic celebration and for few weeks savour the joy of victory through incisive analysis and panegyrics.

The above depicts the scenario that unfurled in the country immediately the nation won her third African Cup of Nations gold medal. In a contemporary rare display of genuine love that is devoid of retrogressively created boundaries, Nigerians celebrated the victory that eluded the country for 19 years. The last time the nation won the cup was in 1994 under the despotic reign of that tyrant and position

usurper called Sani Abacha. Ironically, the skipper of that 1994 squad, Stephen Keshi, was the coach that tutored the team to victory in 2013 in South Africa, the host of that edition of AFCON competition.

For 19 years, Nigerians saw the miserable side of soccer. The now swaggering Eagles wobbled and fumbled thereby forcing our countrymen and women to transfer their passion for the game to supporting other high soccer performing countries in Africa and clubs across the globe; most of our homes were compelled to watch premiership games and other European leagues at very high subscription costs because the local league is less inspiring if not near comatose. We all erroneously believed more in foreign based professionals until the likes of Sunday Mba and Omeuro displayed classical soccer skills in South-Africa. No doubt, there are still other talents in the local league that are waiting to be tapped.

The beginning of what l termed to be new dawn in soccer in the country should be properly managed so that the accruing benefits would not be frittered away. Beyond the funfair of presidential reception, doling out of national honours, cash and land rewards for the team by government and corporate bodies, the most important task is to commence planning ahead on how to make the Eagles gather more positive steam to tackle future soccer challenges. The team had just conquered Africa and what stops it from taming the entire world when it comes to this round leather game of football.

This poser has brought back fond memories of the era of Aare MKO Abiola, John

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS O8181624757, email:steve_osuji@yahoo.com

Ihejirika’s Army and Igbophobia Igbo could head the Nigeria Army all this while no matter how competent, brilliant or high in ranking.

It is not possible that Ihejirika could ‘Igbonise’ the Nigerian Army even if he so desires because there are ample checks in the recruitment process, which includes the Army Council, headed by the president; there is the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and there is also the Minister of Defence. And if one must add, if the Army is ‘Igbonised’ for once so what? Igbo remains an important part of this polity and has as much right as any to have a dominant number in the Army as other have had in the past. It is called equity.

It is important to note that military politics in Nigeria is almost one and the same with Nigeria’s politics and it has been dominated by the North especially in the past 40 years. At a point in the 80s and 90s, the military, police, civil servant, the entire polity was ‘northernised’ and indeed, with impunity. No COAS was put through the sufferance of sweating through a public explanation of any purely military exercise. Today an Igbo general has to come under live media to tell the whole world why he has a few more men in one or two states.

But nobody quarrels about the fact that in the Council of State, the highest consultative body in the land where decisions that could affect the very life of this country may be

taken, no Igbo man is represented. This is the result of years of inequity in the distribution of political power in the land. Nobody is weeping about the fact that two or three states in the North were skewed to have more military personnel, more police, more federal civil servants, more local councils, more federal allocation, etc, than the entire South East zone put together. In other words two states in the North probably have more soldiers in the army than the entire South East quota yet the Igbo is not going about raising hell over such deep injustices that the polity heaps on him.

This is why today, when the Igbo ask for one more state for her zone to bridge the gulf of injustice her neighbors have dug around her over these years, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) would stand up with so much licentious impunity to say: no, the Igbo can never have another state just because we say so; others would deliberately obfuscate the argument with shouts of unviability of states. But we are talking about equity in the sharing of what belongs to us all – give me the measure that you measured for yourself. If the South East gets at least one more state as it rightly deserves, it will get a few more soldiers, a few more policemen, civil servants, students in federal schools, more local councils more allocation… it is called equity, we cannot hide from

Masteroudes, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Israel Adebajo in Nigerian football. These were individuals that once made our local league to be a must watch several decades back. They established and massively funded great clubs such as the Stationery Stores of Lagos, Abiola Babes of Abeokuta, Leventis United of Ibadan and Iwuanyanwu International of Owerri. These clubs produced great football players that made the day of millions of Nigerians at local and international levels.

The questions that should be asked at this juncture are: Where are similar sports oriented wealthy people in today’s Nigeria? If they are still amongst us, what is delaying them from establishing such well funded and managed clubs so that the glory of our local league can be returned? What about our state governments? Can’t they revive Stationery Stores, Abiola Babes and others for the sporting good of their people?

The Mike Adenugas and Aliko Dangotes of this world can go ahead and be donating millions of naira and even dollars to the Eagles and football promotions; but their impact will be more felt if they can establish football clubs that would bring about talent generation and also return the local league to its old glorious days. The Football Academy reportedly set up

by Globacom is not enough. Such should be an appendage of a great football team owned by the outfit. The way football academies are structured in the country, the academies merely scout for and train talents that are immediately sold to foreign clubs at no gain to the country’s local league. The dearth of sports infrastructure should not be an excuse for their likes (Adenuga and Dangote), that are rich enough to construct football facilities if they really want the game to genuinely grow in the country.

The victory of the Eagles should be treated as compensation for soccer loving Nigerians that waited eagerly for 19 years before the dawn of this new era. The football authorities and football loving rich men/organisations should consolidate on this scorecard rather that allow the benefits to slip away just like that. To the players of the Super Eagles, they must realise that winning is not everything but the spirit of wanting to win.

The latter is what they must sustain in future soccer endeavours. it if we seek to build a proper nation.

Finally, if perchance Ihejirika managed to wangle a few more okoros and okorobias into the army so what! Supposing they are more qualified, more competent? What about the prerogative of the chief? Isn’t it what happens in other establishments? Someone should see the staff list of the Central Bank of Nigeria (?), the Customs, the Federal Capital Territory, etc. Let us close by saying that we know what to do if we want to set things right. In this matter for instance, the Federal Character Commission (FCC) is the body that ought to do staff audit of all federal establishments, publish their findings and make the necessary corrections. But the FCC works in the breach these days.

Nothing seems to matter in this polity anymore; well, unless there is an Igbo ‘consensus’.

LAST MUGS: (1)Anambra budget hiatus: could it be true what was in the news about Anambra state budget still being reviewed by the State House of Assembly? Is it true that some commissioners did not know a thing about their budget while many of them refused to answer the call of the House? We are more inclined to believe that this report about Anambra’s 2013 budget is incorrect because the first quarter of the year is almost gone!

(2)Lagos VIO’s overtime: we read the other day that the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) of the Lagos State Government is going to start working 24/7 henceforth in order to rid the state of un-roadworthy vehicles.

Hmn, we can only chuckle at this new-found overdrive and we can only beg the VIO to take it easy on the populace. If they could please keep to their normal official time; things are tough enough as it is.

(3)FRSC’s grand jamboree: it has been reported that the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, is planning a bumper international conference perhaps worthy of its status. And how about this: 11 international speakers will ‘grace’ the occasion. Wow, how we love to jaw, jaw and the more foreigners we get to talk down at us and tell us what we already know, the happier we are. Well let’s just caution that the FRSC seems to do everything else these days but its job. How will this conference safe lives on our highways?

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

24

AGRO-BUSINESS

Experts seek origin labels on food products A

FOOD expert, Prof Tola Atinmo, has thrown his weight on the inclusion of information on countryof origin on food labels.

Atinmo, president, Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS),said fresh meat, poultry, fish and dairy products, fruit and vegetables, and other single-ingredient products should carry labels of countries of origin. This, according to him, would help government agencies to address the challenges of food safety.

It would also ensure that consumers know where their meat or dairy products come from. It will also help to know if foods were transported over a long distance so consumers can avoid buying them.

He said people have the right to know what’s in the food they buy and they need to be able to do it easily and quickly so that they can make healthy choices.

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

He said all kind of edible products were being imported into the country without proper examination of the potential for negative consequences. Consequently, Atinmo of the Department of Human Nutrition University of Ibadan, advocated a regulation that will compel food companies to add key data on food labels, including name, list of ingredients, ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates.

Atinmo canvassed stronger rules against deceptive labelling of ‘fake’ foods.

He said consumers must be concerned about welfare and the environment and should know where the meat they buy comes from, including those in processed products .

Also,a food safety advocate Prof Stephen Fapohunda welcomed “improvements” on origin label-

• Atinno

• Fapohunda

ling and fake foods.

Fapohunda of Department of Biosciences, Bacbock University, Ogun State, said there was no good

justification for ‘hiding away’ core health information on food packaging.

He said every piece of informa-

tion should be legible, adding that the origin country of products is a key criteria for consumers when buying food. He said that it is not easy for consumers to find out where their food comes from as origin information remains absent from many foods sold in the markets.

According to him, when manufacturers do declare the origin on a voluntary basis, writing “made in” or “product of”, it’s often also impossible to figure out if a product was only processed, transformed or farmed in the given country.

He said most consumers are interested in the origin because they relate this to the quality and the safety of the food.

He advocated that origin labelling should become mandatory for all meats, milk, unprocessed foods, single-ingredient foods such as flour and sugar and ingredients that represent more than 50 per cent of a food.

Ogun to support 360,000 farmers

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HE Ogun State government will support 360,000 farmers with seeds and improved technology, to enhance their productivity. Programme Manager, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Mr Ibikunle Onasanya, said the programme would focus on six priority crops, including cassava, rice, cotton, oil palm and cocoa.

He said the government had procured heavy equipment such as tractors, which had been a major challenge to increased production.

Onasanya said the agency would encourage a shift from the old method of rice production from the up land to the low land variety.

By Adedeji Fakorede He said the farmers have been focusing on up land rice production, but in the year, the agency would encourage a paradigm shift to low land rice production that would yield four times the yield of upland rice varieties.

Onasanya also said the state government would focus on the promotion of improved technology in livestock production, fish farming and agro forestry.

He ,however, advised farmers in the state to register and be captured in the national farmer’s database. He said this will enable the farmers to benefit from the government and move agricultural production forward.

‘Pesticides harmful to honey bees ’ • From left: Faseru; Managing Director, Sahara Group, Tonye Cole; Chairman, Best Foods Nigeria, Emmanuel Ijewere and Publicity Secretary, NCAN Sotonye Anga, at the event.

Group to improve cashew quality for export

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HE National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) plans to improve the quality of cashew nuts leaving the country, by 70 per cent.

Addressing a stakeholders forum in Lagos, its President, Pastor Tola Faseru, gave the yearly production figure of raw cashew nuts as 120,000 metric tonnes valued at N23 billion.

With the government’s support, Faseru said the association hoped to increase the volume from 120,000 tonnes to 240,000 tonnes in the next six years.

He said the cashew industry provides livelihood for over 300,000 families and has created over 600,000 jobs.

Faseru said Nigeria was home to 15 cashew processing factories whose combined production capacity was not enough to

meet local demand.

With a population of over 160 million, Faseru said the market for edible cashew kernel is very huge, hence, the need to grow the business.

He said over 90 per cent of raw cashew nuts are exported to India, Vietnam and other countries.

In the last 13 months, Faseru said the executive committee of the association has worked at ensuring that cashew takes its rightful place in the economy.

He said the efforts had yielded positive results and attention.

He said the association has stopped the use of polypropylene bags while farmers are encouraged to use jute bags in packaging cashew nuts.

He added that producers are advised to dry the nut properly.

According to him, the associa-

tion has taken some initiatives to develop the industry. These include the memorandum of understanding for the Nigerian Cashew Cluster Finance Scheme (NCCFS) signed with Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Ecobank Plc, Abod Success Investment Limited, ACET Limited, KD Foods Limited, National Cashew Association of Nigeria, African Cashew Alliance, West African Trade Hub and AIMS Limited. The MoU is to facilitate access to over $2 million in financing to three Nigerian Cashew processing Firms to enable them increase cashew kernel production.

Other initiatives of NCAN are: Special Cashew Production (SCP) Scheme, Kogi Cashew Corridor (KCC) and N10 billion Cashew Intervention Fund.

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FORMER apiculture expert with the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, Mr Victor Obi, has cautioned against the use of pesticides to halt the dwindling honeybee colonies.

In an interview, Obi, now Chief Executive, Obi-de-bee Farms, said farming was becoming highly dependent on the use of chemicals to control insects pests and weeds.

According to him, honey bees are killed by insecticides.

Besides, he said dangerous pesticides posed “high acute risks” to pollinators. Where spraying is done, he advised that it should be on the field and not on plants.

He said indiscriminate spraying of field chemicals have wiped out bee farms. Obi said herbicides destroy the flora, depriving the bees of natural source of feed.

He said: “Use of sophisticated equipment, such as aircraft, in spraying chemicals, has not helped matters as such chemicals expand their impact beyond a given environment.”

According to him, the government must ensure that farmers use only pesticides that are ap-

proved whose use would not have a detrimental effect on bees.

His words: ”Use of biological rather than pest control should be encouraged. I advocated a legislation against indiscriminate use of chemicals and continued education of farmers. Honeybee colonies have disappeared in most parts of the country. Insects such as honey bees and wild bees help pollinate crop species and vegetable varieties, contributing to food production growth.”

He expressed concern about bee health and investing in research to minimise the impact of crop protection products on bees and supporting the responsible and proper use of pesticides.

Agric expert, Mr Abiodun Adedeji, also alerted that fraudulent pesticides are threatening farmers, land and produce. He said there are illegal pesticides and insecticides, which pose a potential threat to public health.

According to him, many counterfeit pesticides sold in the market violate safety standards.

Illicit suppliers fraudulently use packaging and trademarks from agribusiness and chemicals companies that include Syngenta, BASF, DuPont and Dow to mask sales of fraudulent agricultural products.

Firm targets 5,000 tonnes of seeds yearly

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FIRM, Da-all Green Seeds, Zaria, will produce 5,000 tonnes of seeds yearlly before the winding down of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA),its Chief Executive Officer Mr Steven Attah, has said.

Speaking in Abuja, Attah praised the Federal Government’s ATA policy, noting that it was capable

of improving agricultural production.

His company,he said, produced 1,200 tonnes of seeds during the ATA’s first year as against the 500 tonnes it used to produce. He said the company would produce 2,500 to 3,000 tonnes of seeds this year. He futher said the ATA had built the confidence of the company

in the area of trade channels and relationship with agro-dealers. ‘’We have been able to also increase our farmers’ population and our employees have been increased. ‘’We now have agro-dealers that we can trust to some extent because we know that they are under check and we also believe that only credible people will be

sustained under this agenda. ‘’Before the winding down of the agenda, we are targeting the production of 5,000 tonnes of seeds per annum, which is 10 times our production level two years ago.’’

Attah explained that even though the mobile phones might not be the ultimate thing the farmers need, it would be a platform to ensure that the govern-

ment’s fertiliser reached them on time.

“The mobile phones for farmers is not a luxury, it is a platform being developed to yield billions in the future.’’‘’It should not be looked at as if the seeds and fertiliser are more important because these things cannot get to the farmers without the e-wallet.’’

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THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

PEOPLE THE NATION

AN EIGHT-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye celebrated his 80th birthday in Lagos last Friday. His friends, associates and family members gathered to share in the joy of the occasion. AMIDU ARIJE and OCHUKO ETABE report.

•From right: Gen Gowon; the celebrator Senator Durojaiye; Asiwaju Tinubu and Dr Fayemi

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VERYWHERE you turned, you saw politicians. They cut across party lines.

They were brought together under one roof by Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye who celebrated his 80 th birthday last Friday in Lagos.

They exchanged pleasantries as they arrived one after the other at the Archbishop Vining Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja for the thanksgiving service. They parked their cars under the guidance of the police and officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and moved straight into the church auditorium.

The birthday ‘boy’ looked younger than his age. He smiled as he shook hands with his guests.

The church choir rendered melodious praise songs and Senator Durojaiye danced to the admiration of guests.

Presiding Bishop Victor Adedipe gave the sermon, urging the celebrator to be thankful to God for what He has done in his life.

He urged Durojaiye not to stop serving God. After the church service, guests converged on The Haven Hall, Ikeja, Lagos for a reception, where Durojaiye’s book, Guided by His Hands, was also launched.

Ace broadcaster Bisi Olatilo and Publisher, Ovation Magazine, Chief Dele Momodu were the masters of ceremony.

Former Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon chaired the occasion. Gowon described Durojaiye as a man of honour and a dedicated family man.

“I have known him for over a decade, I had to be here to celebrate him because he is a man of honour, and one who has stood for his country,’’ he said.

Wishing him longer life, Gowon said at-

80 cheers to a Senator ‘All these mark you out as a courageous political leader and true patriot. I, therefore, urge you to continue to bring your track record of purposefulness, honesty and integrity to bear in promoting the cause of national unity’ taining the octogenarian age is something worthy of thanking God for.

Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora reviewed the book.

“The print is good and the language is simple, making it easily readable. The book is garnished with photographs which tell volumes of stories,” he said.

The 12-chapter book with 350 pages was presented to the public by Modupe Alakija.

The celebrator, was a Senator in 1999 representing Ogun-East Senatorial District. He is also the Otunba Kolawolu of Ijebu-Igbo.

Durojaiye was a Senior Central Bank Officer between 1961 and 1984. He was Executive Director (Finance and Commercial) Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) between 1984 and 1989.

In a congratulatory message, President Goodluck Jonathan described Durojaiye as a man of worthy achievements.

“I join your family, friends and well wishers to thank Almighty God for your life of noteworthy achievements and dedicated service to God, country and community”, Jonathan said.

Wishing Durojaiye good health, the president added: “It is my prayer that He continues to imbue you with robust health and many more blissful years of fulfilment”.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo extolled Durojaiye as a courageous political leader.

“Your commitment to enthroning democracy in our dear country, your tenancity in the face of daunting odds and mortal risk to your life is very common knowledge. All these mark you out as a courageous political leader and true patriot. I, therefore, urge you to continue to bring your track record of purposefulness, honesty and integrity to bear in promoting the cause of national unity”, Obasanjo said.

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun said: “Your life is tapestry of distinguished career spanning law, banking, politics and community service. For several years, you were a Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria during an era which remains a subject of proud reminiscences.

“It is my prayer that the good Lord will preserve you for many more years of vibrancy, in good health, so that you remain a source of inspiration to younger generations,” Amosun said.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola said: “I feel comfortable and proud to be associated with Otunba Durojaiye, he is among those who stood to serve Nigeria. We owe him a debt of gratitude; he also stood firm during the NADECO days, he is my learned colleague’’.

“I have listened to the book reviewer Senator Mamora, who did justice to the book and I enjoin everyone to have a copy of the book as we will reach for copies of the book in a more robust Nigerian currency,’’ he said.

Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi also gave his goodwill message.

The Juju maestro King Sunny Ade, thrilled guests with songs and his scintillating dance steps.

Among those in attendance were former Lagos State Governors, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Dr Amos Akingba; General Ike Nwachukwu; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; wife of former Vice-President Mrs Titi Abubakar and Senator Ganiyu Solomon.

•More pictures on page 26

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

26

SOCIETY 80 CHEERS TO A SENATOR

•Governor Fashola

•Chief Bisi Akande

•Alhaji Jakande and Chief Nike Akande

•From left: Mrs Ibijoke Atanleyi; Mrs Abeke Apata; Mrs Atiku; Mrs Bose Adebayo and Mrs Jessy Ikimi

•Alhaji Mohammed (left) and Prof Wale Omole

•Governor Amosun and Senator Tinubu

•Alakija and his wife, Folorunso

•Prof Layi Ogunkoya (left) and Prof Ladipo Akinkungbe

•Alhaji Jani Ibrahim (left) and Gen Nwachukwu PHOTOS:OMOSEHIN MOSES AND BOLA OMILABU More pictures of page 27

27

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

SOCIETY Continued from page 26

•Senator Mamora (left) and Senator Gbenga Kaka

•Senator Solomon and Chief Kemi Nelson

•From left: Gen David Jemibewon; Mrs Ronke Olunloyo; Mrs Modupe Jemibewon and Chief Tola Adeniyi

•Mrs Gwea Akingba (left) and Erelu Abiola Dosunmu

•Ambassador Olu Adeniji and Mrs Owosina Modupe

•Chief Olatilo (left) and Chief Momodu

•Chief Jubrin Olu Yusuf (left) and Dr Akingba

•Mrs Sode Omole

•Mr Segun Ajayi

PHOTOS:OMOSEHIN MOSES

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

28

• Falomo

•From left: Deacon Durodola; Dr Nuhu; Rev Odutola and Prof Utomi

•Brig-Gen Johnson flanked by his wife Funmilayo and Dr Makinde

•Major-Gen Abbey (left) and Dr Obaseki

The fifth Founders Day annual lecture and awards ceremony of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) was held last Friday at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

NNEKA NWANERI writes

Reward for selfless service

O

NE would have expected a Christian gathering; a church kind of event with bible readings and preaching. But it was none of that last Friday when the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) held its fifth Founders Day at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos.

As part of its activities to mark the day, it also held this year’s edition of its annual lecture entitled: Selfless Service: Key to Achieving Sustainable National Economic Growth and Development.

So, one after the other, they thronged the auditorium of the NIIA. Many were men and women of God, young and old, politicians alike who sang the National Anthem. They were all there to learn one or two new things.

The opening prayer was led by Deacon Ayo Durodola.

On the high table were chairs arranged for the special guests and the awardees. BSN National President Dr Aaron Nuhu gave the welcome speech. He noted that the annual celebration of the society holds on February 8 every year, having being founded on same day in 1966 by the late Alahu Ibia.

Nuhu also added that the society is to make available the word of God to every creature and Nigerian.

“It is done through five cardinal ways: translation; mass production; free distribution to the destitute, blind and prisoners; levelling subsidy on the bibles and raising funds to maintain the level of subsidy. These programmes are done to let people know the word of God and his saving grace.”

Nuhu said: “It takes 13 years to translate the bible and N30 million to translate a bible. So far, we have translated in 20 Nigerian languages.

Nigeria has 505 languages so we still have a long way to go for the sake of those we have to bring to the saving knowledge of Christ.”

Representing the chairman of the occasion and former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was Deacon Olusola Durodola, who apologised for the non-attendance of Obasanjo, who he said was launching his foundation at the moment in London.

Reading a goodwill message from Obasanjo, Durodola thanked God for the impact the bible has on Christendom, which has enabled people read in their own language and spur them into action.

Congratulating the awardees, he said it is a testimony that their tireless effort is appreciated by many and God. Another special guest was the former General Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation, (NNPC) Dr Gaius Obaseki, thanked those who have sustained the vision of the bible society.

“Nigeria is the largest distributor of the bible after the United States (US). Not only is the bible used in promoting the needed peace for the growth of the country, the bible being read by all ensures good living; believing in the teaching ensures salvation because the bible isn’t only for Christians but for all Nigerians.”

As soon as Dr Obaseki finished his speech, Professor of Political Economics, Pat Utomi mounted the podium for the lecture entitled: Selfless Service: Key to Achieving Sustainable National Economic Growth and Development.

Guests listened with rapt attention as Utomi took them down memory lane of how the country had been as compared to other countries.

Their hope-filled eyes were on him, though, there seemed to be no hint of the truth registering in their minds yet of what the Delta State born don was saying.

There was also the opportunity for the audience to respond and ask questions on the lecture.

Soon afterwards, students of the National Society of the Blind, Oshodi demonstrated how they read the bible through the Braille Scriptures.

There was also a musical interlude by the students of the Living Primary School, Lekki.

There were also awards given to notable men who have selflessly served Christendom and humanity. They were the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Sunday Ola Makinde; chairman of Modadola group, Sir Bode Akindele and the first governor of Lagos, Brig Gen

•Sir Akindele (left) and Prof Anigbogu

• Pastor Komolafe and Mrs Ogunlewe

Mobolaji Johnson.

In response, Brig-Gen Johnson thanked God for sparing his life. The day after was his 77th birthday and with a frail voice was grateful for the gift, adding, that it is more than what he could ever wish for.

Prelate Makinde dedicated his award to his parents who taught him what Christianity is. For Sir Akindele, the award will inspire him more to service.

PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

In attendance were: Archbishop Sunday Ajayi of the Methodist Church; Sir Akin Oyenusi; representative of Dr Tunde Lemo, Mrs Chris Okpala; representative of the wife of the governor of Lagos and wife of the Head of Service, Mrs Adenike Ogunlewe; former minister Maj Gen Godwin Abbey; Prof Vincent Anibogwu; former ICAN President Chief Ayo Oni; Chief Olu Falomo and Sir Remi Omotosho.

29 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

Vol 4. No. 1789

Premium banking for premium people T

HEY are rich. They are comfortable. Yet they are busy like bees. They have no time for frivolities. If they are not in the boardroom, they are in an important business meeting with their top managers and accountants keeping eyes not only on the bottom line but also tracking investments development on the global plane. They are the super rich.

Despite the coming of online, and cash-less banking, bank customers irrespective of their status are expected to be physically present for specific transactions.

But in most cases, transactions where huge cash is involved are done by high net worth customers. In order to save time and retain their loyalty, FirstBank has unveiled a product for its premium customers who could be personal or corporate account holders.

For a premium customer, the bank has designed a package that is suitable to his needs and taste rather than bombard him with the usual, general, all-comer package.

When one qualifies for premium banking, lots of benefits accrue to the customer and these include a financial advisor, priority treatment at bank branches, exclusive banking products and services.

As an icing on the cake, the premium customer rather than queue, will just head straight to the sleek design of the premium banking lounge at dedicated areas for premium banking clients where he is attended to without much ado.

Also, when making enquiries on the telephone, the premium customer has access to dedicated phone lines and special operators, who answer his questions. With this development, First Bank is playing the positioning game by offering its rich, premium clients specific privileges of comfort and convenience.

From its legion of customers, FirstBank is sifting out and issuing premium cards to affluent customers who have the cash but lack the time to wait on the queue. With five new premium banking lounges already located in highbrow areas of Marina, Victoria Island, Ikeja — and 26 others scheduled to be sited in various branches in Port Harcourt, Enugu and Abuja

by June 2013— a new service line has been developed for these big clients and professionals, whose priority is to enrich and protect their assets.

The First Premium Lounge is located in a specially designed section of the branch, which will include a large sitting area with leather sofas, refreshments and private meeting room or office for the customer to discuss personal business with the relationship teams without interruption.

According to the bank, for a customer to move into this privileged position, he has to run an account — current, savings or fixed deposit — the annual turnover of which should fall within a certain range.

Three premium customers – Messrs Uchenna Ogbu, Kehinde Shote and Kanu Etia— who recently met at the Marina Premuim

Across the world, the affluent hate being kept waiting in banking halls. Apart from considering it as a waste of precious manhour, they also look at the security implications. It is perhaps for these reasons that, FirstBank Plc unveiled a new platform, Premium Lounge for its rich customers, writes WALE ALABI.

• Premium Lodge

Lounge of the bank, agreed they were getting what they bargained for in terms of value and customer service. Etia, an oil and gas professional, said he is averse to filling out forms and waiting for several minutes before being attended to, the reason he detests entering any of the banking halls except FirstBank.

“I must confess that I enjoyed the personalised and royal treatment.

Please, keep it up and do replicate it in other cities, as you promised,” Etia said.

Ogbu, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Eurocomm Securities Limited, said as a customer, he has been banking with FirstBank for over 20 years. He said: “I relish this experience and initiative of FirstBank.

Over the years, I have seen a lot of ideas and the things we have and I have personally benefitted from FirstBank. This is well managed by the managers.”

Shote said: “I hate filling forms. I don’t want to go to a bank where I fill forms. I got here and things got sorted out. I rather come here and rest and get things sorted out. I don’t like stress.

• GMD FirstBank Bisi Onasanya

“This is like a mini branch; we give the affluent customers the best service they want. Over here, there is high and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity. The customer can check his balance, buy airtime and do other minor banking transactions using the Firstonline facility while we

quickly attend to his needs, said FirstBank’s Ms. Olubunmi Oladimeji, who welcomed the premium customers into the ambience of the expanse premium lounge of the Marina branch.

“As a corporate client, we can even help the premium customer pay employees’ salaries.”

Group Head of Retail Services, Lagos Mainland, Mr Tunde Afolabi, said: “The affluent, including managing directors of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) and other companies don’t have time.

This is one of the characteristics of the affluent; they don’t like waiting or filling out forms.

“When you reach that threshold, the system throws you out. As a customer, once you get there, the chance of losing that status is very slim, because we will stick with you giving you advisory support.”

“When you get to lending status, you won’t sit in the comfort of your home anymore. No time is lost at all because while you wait, the first online services are here for you to use,” Afolabi stressed.

Although the premium card which offers the holder priority attention at any of the bank’s

branches nationwide — is not transferable, representative of the holder would be accorded similar honour provided the relationship manager is put on notice by the customer.

According to FirstBank, it provides special benefits and advantages to the customers, just as the design is aimed at providing comfort, security, luxury, and other amenities. They specifically handle loans and new product inquires and request. A designated officer is on hand to respond to queries, resolve complaints and provide feedback within a shorter turnaround time by working seamlessly with operations counterparts to promote priority service.

Other benefits of the premium card, include increased convenience and responsiveness (priority in-branch cash deposit and withdrawal), instant account opening, instant issuance of ATM cards, instant/timely provision of statement of accounts (email or hard copy), access to savings and time deposits in local and foreign currencies, remittance and foreign exchange services.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

30

T

HE Transformation Agenda of the present regime, like other policies by successive governments, seeks to reposition the economy, through addressing, issues of poverty, unemployment, insecurity and most especially, diversifying the economy from total dependence on oil to a non-oil driven economy.

For this to happen, concrete commitment translated into strategic action must be shown by all Nigerians and the present administration in a sustained manner even beyond 20:2020; that is, even after Nigeria becomes of the 20 economies by year 2020.

In his Christmas Day address to the nation, President Jonathan stated, “As we celebrate Christmas… I urge you all to continue to trust in our unwavering commitment to fully achieve the objectives of our Agenda for National Transformation for the benefit of all Nigerians. No one should doubt that we have the political will and determination to deliver on our promise of positive changes in the living conditions of our people in the shortest possible time….and that, despite the “distractions” posed by the security challenges in parts of the country, the Administration has remained committed to improving in priority areas such as roads, public infrastructure, power supply, agriculture, health, education and job creation.”

Agreeably, Nigeria is undergoing a fundamental transformation across sectors and the set developmental goals for 20:2020 will be realised through the implementation of the Transformation Agenda of President Jonathan. The successes being recorded in the power and energy sector, agriculture, youth empowerment programmes, increase in direct foreign investment, etc underscore this reality.

It is also imperative and trite to state that for Nigeria to achieve Vision 20:2020, government, at all levels, must accord other sectors of the economy apart from the oil, the needed attention.

In various economies where the government had pursued the kind of transformation being undertaken by Nigeria, the instrumentality of Development Financing has been used to the hilt. As stated in ‘The Growing Role of the Development Finance Institutions in International Development Policy’ by the Global Development Advisors - Dalberg , the role of DFIs are strategically “catalytic” and “additive”.

According to the argument, DFIs catalyse private capital and expertise; reduce risk of other parties, increase visibility of opportunities and offer tailored financing solutions; and create a multiplier effect in which their own investment are paired with additional private investment. On the other hand, they are “additive” to the extent that they invest in enterprises in developing countries which would otherwise not receive financing or use investment instruments that other private sector investors would not be willing to use.

Summarily, the argument is that DFIs add value in three main ways namely, Investing in underserved project types and settings – the way DFIs do business enables them to invest in higher risk segments; Investing in under-capitalized sectors; and mobilizing other investors after they have de-risked the sector and made it commercially viable. The rational for DFIs robust participation in national development efforts is simply for the reason that helping the private sector to grow is one of the keys to sustainable development. According to the World Bank, private firms are a powerful source of job creation in the developing world, which has shown to reduce poverty.

Perhaps, the Government of President Goodluck Jonathan has done more than previous Administrations to ensure that various DFIs are empowered to effectively contribute to the national transformation agenda. The injection of billions of Naira into Bank of Industry, Nigerian Export-Import

Role of NEXIM Bank brand in transformation

By Ibrahim Yusuf

Bank – NEXIM Bank, Bank of Agriculture, Federal Mortgage Bank and others are a pointer to this. An analysis of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), an Export Credit Agency (ECA) established by the Federal Government of Nigeria through Act No. 38 of 1991 will be apposite for this piece.

As a DFI, NEXIM takes developmental rather than a purely financial-return maximisation approach. It has consistently focused on the identification, development and financing of projects that leads to national objectives being met through encouraging private sector development. NEXIM has consistently provided financial products not readily provided by other financial institutions e.g. equity, longer-term finances, venture capital, etc. It has also undertaken and managed a higher risk profile while playing a catalytic role and providing additionality thereby encouraging exportoriented investments which move the economy in the desired direction.

The Bank is owned in equal proportions by the Central bank of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated, but had till the Jonathan Administration suffered from paucity of equity funds from its major Shareholders and unfocused leadership which had digressed from the mandate of the Bank.

All that came to a head in 2010 when the CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and his Deputy Governor, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu decided to inject fresh capital into NEXIM to enable it pursue its mandate effectively and with renewed impetus.

The Bank, under the leadership of Mr Roberts Orya, a seasoned investment banker with close to three decades of experience in the industry, has re-defined its mission and vision statements and also developed new strategic objectives that would be achieved through focus on key areas of risk management and corporate governance, financial performance, review of operations and organisational processes and people. It also has defined its market focus on channelling resources into development of four sectors, namely Manufacturing, Agro processing, Solid minerals and Services in what has been tagged the “MASS Agenda.” These sectors have high employment and foreignexchange generation potentials in the non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy.

Less than three years since 2010 when the funds were injected and in justification of the trust by Mr President, CBN and Ministry of Finance, NEXIM Bank, through its various operational interventions, has generated or sustained direct jobs of over 14,358 as at August 31, 2012. In fact between August 2009 and August 2012, its facilities have enhanced the potentials of beneficiary projects to generate estimated foreign exchange in the sum of $189.20 million annually. Loan recovery and pragmatic remedial assets management continues to be a major focus of the Management, which had resulted in a cumulative loan recovery of N1.3 billion in the period under review.

NEXIM Bank is also pursuing other innovative initiatives such as trade facilitation. Mr. Orya consistently asserts that part of the Bank’s developmental role is to identify barriers to Nigerian export trade and come up with innovative mechanisms and instruments to make Nigeria’s exports more competitive by facilitating the reduction and /or elimination of the identified barriers.

Towards this, the bank is trying to address two major limitations of formal trade between Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries, the rest of Africa and the world. One is absence of information and credible data on Nigeria’s informal sector to ensure that credible information and statistical data are made available for financial intermediation.

• Ibrahim Yusuf is a brand analyst based in Abuja.

Tales from the banking hall

H

AVE you been served? Or are you waiting to be served? Do you find it convenient waiting endlessly in line while the bank teller chats with colleagues, oblivion to your presence? Do you get quality face-time with the teller when it is your turn to be served? Can you recall the teller’s facial features? No. Do you know why?

With about 20 customers waiting on her, the teller has no time to spare. She asks for your ID. She asks you to sign at the back of the cheques for verification, and bingo, she pays you. What else would you require from a teller? Give you a handshake, a hug, or take a bow? She is probably under intense pressure the moment she sees a long queue before her.

Once she notices the long line, she instantly shifts into autopilot. That way, she becomes an auto-bot, doing things mechanically with little human touch. As such, she does not have the time or the presence of mind to relate with you properly. All she wants is ways to get you out of the banking hall as fast as possible. That is the only thing on her mind.

So, with a scenario as this, would you say you are being served? If you think about it, your needs are not much, are they? However, are they being met? You do not know. Well, according to a global research, banks have been implored to start checking how the customers feel every day about their services.

It is not a quarterly exercise. That is because banks do not grow quarterly. Banks grow daily. As such, banks should gauge their customers’ experiences daily.

Why? Banks interact daily with loads of customers, and these customers have different needs, different ideologies, different selfesteem, and different product preferences.

These moments of truth represent important opportunities for banks to assess their customer service capabilities and to ensure a proper alignment of investments with customer needs.

These moments can allow a bank to understand how it should relate with the customer in order to meet the needs of a customer, just the way he wants to be served, not the way the bank perceived. For instance, there are several disgruntled customers in the banking hall every day. I am one of the bunch.

However, who cares about the dissenting elements? A negative customer experience, say, unsolicited SMS alert and an unexpected charge, cannot translate into a positive experience by merely sending the same customer season greetings in December.

Therefore, what gives? How the banks resolve customer problems is crucial. Banks must re-examine their broader servicerecovery processes if they are to address the lapses that turn disgruntled customers into former ones. Some of these challenges have shut the door of banking on the faces of millions of potential bank customers. It is not about to end. Nevertheless, before we go further, let us share some banking hall tales: In the bulk room There were eight counting machines, indicating eight service points. Meanwhile, only two machines were active. The other six machines were idle. Other employees were chatting. The floor was strewn with used currency wrapper, unending length of twain, dirt, and loud music was blaring from a surround speaker.

With the music so loud, you wondered how the men could hear each other. One man came in with a bag, obviously full of cash. He did his business. Then, it hit you. This room should not have been called bulk room. It should be called recycle room. For, what goes on here is currency recycling.

As you handed over your cash, it was counted, wrapped, stamped, tied and stashed away. From there, the teller accepted it and used it as a payout. What would you call that?

Is it currency-lifecycle or currency recycle?

Friend is valuable than a customer The customer executive ignored your friendliness, and focused her attention on her old friend who sauntered into the banking

hall at about that time. She did not even exchange eye contact with you. Do you matter? You were just another bank customer who was there to disturb her and deny her the pleasure of exchanging pleasantry with her course-mate from God-knows-where.

Meanwhile she was supposed to serve you, attend to your needs and ensure you are served. However, did she care? She did not care. She had elevated friendship above business relationship. Meaning: the bond of friendship is thicker than the value a customer adds to the business. As such, the business place was turned into a chat room at the expense of the customer. That is banking made in Nigeria.

Alone in the john While it is a quiet place to relax and catch your breath, it serves another purpose. You would not expect the water closet [WC] of a bank to be this awful, would you? On the other hand, is it that the cleaning girls and boys did not make their rounds that afternoon? Did that explain why the water tap was dry? Or was it the bank’s culture to keep the place that way? Since you were alone in the john, these thoughts flooded your mind.

No one was around to provide an answer to your questions. It was just a thought…

Where is the value chain?

Your preferred bank has a plasma TV screen in the banking hall. It has water dispenser and disposable cups, too, so that you would not come to the banking hall with a mug. It has calming and welcoming ambience. It has bright lights. So what is the meaning of these?

You do not know. However, whatever these aesthetics may be, they do not add value, or do they? What you need is not these “nice-tohave-feelings”.

You need a set of activities that create and add value, so that your banking hall experience could lead to something better, bigger and broader, giving you an involvement that would transport your business from mere existence to flourishing state. This is lacking in the delivery of banking services in Nigeria. Meanwhile, there are opportunities to increase profits by maximizing cross-sell opportunities.

Bank customers are demanding improved access to personal advisors, not plasma TV. Bank customers do not need more bank branches. They need more courteous service delivery. Bank customer need improve access and communications, using remote channels in order to increase customer awareness.

Banks say one thing in their external communications but actually deliver another.

Where is the value chain?

Cashless what?

Some bank customers still do not understand how this cashless policy works. While the policy is aimed at reducing the use of cash in the transaction of goods and services, customers are still in ‘love’ with cash; and government’s attempt to make them do otherwise is seen as anti-business. For instance, a woman in the banking hall would not understand why withdrawing N600, 000 from her savings account has become a taboo.

She needed the money badly. She muttered something about sending it to her son in the university. When reminded that reason she would not be allowed to make such a ‘huge’ amount is because of the cashless policy in force, she retorted cashless what? Obviously, the CBN has more work to be done!

Who is bad?

That said, a bank does not have to be the first to be the best. It does not have to have orange colour to be delicious. It does not have to have access to the presidency before it provides smooth service. It does not have to be in the union before it could blend courteous customer relations with prompt delivery service. However, a bank does not need to be the last to be bad. Which bank brand is bad? Look in the mirror and answer the question. Is your bank serving you?

*Editor - Wale Alabi *Consulting Editors - Rarzack Olaegbe, Sola Fanawopo * Correspondent-Jimi David * Business Development - Kenny Hussain * Legal Adviser - Olasupo Osewa & Co Brandweek is powered by Brandz Republic Consulting and published every Friday in THE NATION newspaper.

All correspondence to the editor - 0808.247.7806, 0805.618.0040, e-mail: korede2000@gmail.com © All rights reserved.

31

SHOPPING THE NATION

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

email:- shopping@thenationonlineng.net

‘Nigerians are better shoppers’ Story on Page 34

• Subrathie Imtheyaaz, General Manager, 'Mr. Price'

Irregularities in food prices continue Prices of foodstuff and other commodities still remain irregular in most markets, probably because of the constant security challenges facing the northern part of the country, among other factors. Reports TONIA ‘DIYAN • Story on Page 32

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 2013

32

SHOPPING

Irregularities in food prices continue I

RREGULARITIES in food prices have prevented traders and consumers from buying what they want. While some traders ascribe the irregularities to security challenges, other blame it on other factors, such as high cost of transporting goods from the north, A visit to some markets in Lagos and a survey on other major markets has shown that prices of commodities have been irregular since December during the Christmas celebrations. Some items are still sold twice their usual prices. Initially, though prices always return to normal after festivities, the reverse is the case.

Various categories of eateries and canteens are now encouraged to increase how much they sell their meals. A food vendor, Mrs Kelechi Ugbona, said things are no longer the way they were last year because according to her, the quantity of beans she bought for N400 three months ago, now sells for between N900 and N1,200.

She added that foodstuffs have now become very expensive, and that they have become three times the prices they used to be at the last year. She attributed the hike to high cost of transportation and said “some traders whom I patronise told me they sell to make profit and so, they include the transportation fare with the prices.

Beans has been the most expensive and customers have not stopped lamenting due to its unstable price-especially those brought from the northern part of the country. Mrs Adenike Taiwo, who sells beans in small and large quantities, complained that a bag of beans which used to cost N14, 000 four months ago is now N20, 000.

“I know the beans hike has to do with the crisis in the north. Tomorrow its price might reduce lower than what it used to be. For now it’s just here and there, sometimes traders are tired to purchase because we are not sure of how much we are taking with us’’ she said.

A trader, Mr Kingsley Maduka attributed it to the late last year flood in most of the northern states where food items are transported from.

“The Bornu, Jigawa, Sokoto and Kano flood in November caused havoc in the north and farmlands were washed away.

Only those who could save some crops increased the prices to make up for their investments,” he said.

A wheelbarrow of yam is between N8,000 and N15, 000. It hasn’t been stable after Christmas. Rice fluctuates between N7, 300 and N10, 000 per bag.

The Secretary of the Mile-12 food stuff market, Alhaji Muhammed Abdul said the past flood is a reason for the rise and fluctuation in prices. “Some people planted and couldn’t harvest. Like, in my village in the North, flood washed away everything including maize. Any water above the knee can automatically wash away the crops. The farmers lose

• Food stuffs.

millions of Naira. It’s just like when a river overflows. When the flood came, it overflew all the crops and we didn’t find anything to harvest.”

Survey shows that the price of garri, which is regarded as a common staple food among low income earners has also being irregular, jumping to N280, sometimes N300 for a brand while another brand sells for between N200 and N230.

Yam flour now goes for between N750 and N800 at times, while those mixed with cassava are between N500 and N600.

According to traders the prevailing security challenges facing some part of the Northern states has prevented many of them from travelling to states like Borno, Sokoto, Yobe , as well as Chad and Niger Republic, where most of the commodities are available to be purchased at affordable prices.

A yam seller, Mr Bala Usman told The Nation Shopping that the country is no longer safe for traders who travel to the North to get these foodstuffs cheap, so that they can also sell them cheap to consumers. “The yam you see here are costly;

it is not our fault we also have to sell to make profits. We are afraid to travel to our home towns” he said A retailer, Mr Franklin Idumebor said: “Food stuffs are now very expensive. It keeps rising and I wonder when it will ever fall, we sell according to how we buy.”

The price of onions has remained relatively stable. A bag sells for between N5,000 and N6,500; a small bag of 50kg costs between N2,500 and N3,000. Half sack sells for between N3,000 to N4,000.

Last month, it was from N6,000 to N7,000.

Some Valentine gifts for your loved ones • Makeup kit

• Crystal necklaise

• Val roses • Val basket

• Val roses

• Val bag

33

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

SHOPPING

Gadgets now portable As the world advances, things tend to get smaller and smaller to cope with the fast paced world. The smaller they are, the easier for people to carry around. Writes TONIA’DIYAN.

•Portable washing machine

G

ONE are the days when people want to keep big old fashion equipment. Everyone is moving with the trend using handy gadgets which are better, portable and come in beautiful modern designs and models.

An example of a handy gadget is the small hand powered washing machine which is designed to save some electricity bills, because of its size; washing clothes on the go is also guaranteed.

With the introduction of portable kitchen in the market today, large kitchens do not have to be permanently installed. So that, they can be moved from one apartment to another. The portable kitchen is preferred by households because it is handy and it enables extra workspace as well as provides solutions to storage problems. They are not only used in houses but can be used when serving buffet style dinner.

They are available in many designs ranging from the simplest to the most elaborate, made from different materials like wood, granite and stainless steel. No matter the style or theme of your space, you will surely find the perfect type that will compliment and fit in. To achieve that sophisticated look for your kitchen area, consider using the portable kitchen , you will only be saying goodbye to the hassle of remodelling and installing old kitchen. It will bring out the best at a lesser cost.

A peculiar tie with lots of pockets and slots for credit cards, identity cards and other valuable documents including cash is the portable tie. They come in different patterns and colours. They sell for N1,500 each and are durable.

Mr Nduka Ukomadu. Who imports these ties is a major distributor at the alade market Allen, Ikeja. He said he is fond of the tie as such, he uses them regularly as he stocks them in their numbers .”it is one of my most treasured asset. I love them in their colours and

patterns. They are just cute for my foreign currencies and travelling document.

It is one thing business men shouldn’t do without, it helps a great deal.” he emphasised The portable toilet called “shit on the go” is also a handy piece where one can enjoy its scenery while using it.

It is sold for N25,000......

The portable DVD player is what many have particular fondness for especially the men. Gone are the days when a trip meant that a television was out of the question. However, within the past several years, portable DVD players have allowed people take movies everywhere and in really high quality.

With the luxuries of portable DVD players at hand, a person can hunt, travel, and do a vast assortment of activities with convenience. It is one genius invention with which you get to work while you walk,travel, shop or jog.

Portable TVs are a convenient way of occupying your children. They’re lightweight, easy to carry, easy to store and are relatively inexpensive-especially if you buy a used one. Knowing where to look for a used portable TV can save you money. Alaba international market, ojo and west minister, apapa stock lots of them.

There are many small appliances found in a kitchen.

Unlike major appliances that are typically fixtures that can’t be moved easily, small appliances refer to a class of appliances that are portable or semiportable. While some are used handheld, most of them are used on tabletops, countertops and other platforms. Small appliances are usually powered by electricity. Others are gas-powered or battery-powered. Every type of appliance is designed to enable or assist in performing a specific function, improve a situation or provide entertainment to the user.

Mall revolution

M

OST Nigerians shop from markets or purchase their goods from traders and street vendors but the government is seeing the tax benefits of more formalised trading. This, added to the rising expectations of consumers, has led to a modest boom in the development of shopping malls. This is expected to accelerate considerably in the near future.

As one would expect of the nation’s foremost commercial centre, Lagos is at the forefront in building shopping malls. The Lagos City Mall is a well-established complex while the Silverbird Galleria, offers the city’s only multi-cinema complex. It was the building of The Palms in late 2005 however, which set a new bar by providing a wide choice of shopping experiences in a modern, customer-oriented, building.

The Nigerian developer, who initiated the project, Tayo Amusan of Persianas Properties said: “This development and retail environment is unprecedented in Nigeria’. Situated on Lekki Peninsula, The Palms was a truly international effort: capital from UK-based equity company Actis, electrical contracting by Israeli.

Very high standards were set for the building of this 23, 600square-metre centre, which has its own generator, water purifier and sewage treatment plant. Some of the problems encountered in the building of the shopping mall illustrate the challenges facing foreign retailers in Nigeria. Getting building materials through the ports was difficult, and many of the items needed for fitting out the store were on the import banned list. The import ban exists to protect local manufacturing but it was impossible to find locals who could produce some of the items needed.

Since the building of The Palms, the number of items on the banned list has been cut and the import tariff reduced from 29 to 12 percent. Despite the very considerable difficulties in building the centre, delaying the opening by more than a year, it has been so well received byLagosians that plans are under way to double the size of the centre, with anchor tenant Shoprite alone adding 2,000 square metres to its floor space.

ish ‘shredded the proposal’ so he turned to South Africa. He persuaded food retailer Shoprite, electronics and appliances store Game, and cinema company Nu Metro to sign on as anchor tenants.

Nu Metro had already tasted success in Lagos with outstanding returns from its Media Store, ‘the massive pent up demand for world-class retail that exists in Nigeria’. Shoprite is Africa’s biggest food retailer with 969 outlets in 17 countries and this experience has given it the resilience to overcome the difficulties of setting up a retail business in Nigeria. Nu Metro has since sold its holdings to Nigerians.

Doing business in Nigeria is easier today. The existence of a computerised registry and new regional offices of the Corporate Affairs Commission (responsible for registering new businesses) are key factors in this improvement.

‘Game’is similarly experienced in Africa (10 countries) and is sourcing about 35per cent of its product range within Nigeria.

Game’s Director for Africa, Richard Fuller said: “We believe in supporting local business products wherever we can, as long as the customer benefits and the prices are in line. Our number of local suppliers is growing at a rapid rate.”

‘Doing business in Nigeria is easier today. The existence of a computerized registry and new regional offices of the Corporate Affairs Commission (responsible for registering new businesses) are key factors in this improvement’

Pioneer tenants When Tayo Amusan went looking for tenants, he first approached British firms which enjoy high brand recognition among Nigerians. Amusan said the Brit-

Plans

Several highend shopping c o m p l e x e s linked to hotel development are in the pipeline in Lagos and Abuja. There is the six-storey, 20 000-square square metre Ceddi Plaza which was built at $20-million .

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has called for investors to install and run shopping malls at various airports across the country.

The most ambitious retail project is at Tinapa in Calabar, Cross River State. Tens of thousands of square metres have been set aside for retail ‘emporiums’ in what is hoped will become West Africa’s answer to Dubai. As evidence that Nigeria’s middle class really is a powerful entity, it is said that 500 Nigerians shop in Dubai daily. The newspaper estimates the annual loss to Nigeria at $1.8-billion and puts the blame for this on the fact that it has taken too long to make Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort operational.

Built with $450-million, Tinapa obviously has tremendous potential as a retail and leisure destination, but there are many issues that need to be resolved before it can live up to expectation •Source- Google

•portable cocacola fridge

34

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

SHOPPING

‘Nigerians are better shoppers’ H

By Tonia 'Diyan

OW fulfilled are you in Nigeria?

The potential in Nigeria is unbelievable; it is something that cannot be compared with any other place in Africa.

There is a big difference between the South African shopping culture and the Nigerian shopping culture. The average unit per consumer in Nigeria is much more than in South Africa. Nigerians buy much more than South Africans and this is very visible. Mr Price has been successful for many years of building the brand but with what is obtainable in Nigeria within one year of existence, means that we are barely scratching the surface.

What are your prospects?

The company's prospect is higher in Nigeria. It cannot be compared with those of other African countries. Strategically, 'Mr Price' is based in Nigeria and we operate from here. We will be feeding the Ghanaian and other African markets from here. When we came to Nigeria, then we knew we just ventured into Africa proper.

Who is Nigeria’s competition?

The Ghanaian spending power is close to that of Nigeria. Ghanaian consumers also have high spending power like Nigerians. They are almost on par with their Nigerians counterparts.Mr Price is in other parts of Africa like; Namibia and

Botswana, but we are driven by the possibilities available in Nigeria, being a powerhouse of development and economic activities. Despite the fact that some challenges came up, we are very glad with what we have achieved in the last year.

What are your strategies?

Our strategy in the area of property acquisition is to set up about twenty-five to thirty stores in the next three years.

Due to the rate of development, there are a number of potential sites that have been found. Obviously, not every store will be in a shopping centre or a shopping mall like they have it in Lagos. There will be standalone stores. Stores with well established Nigerian retail companies will also be set up.

We will have landlords develop properties to our specifications; renovate some properties to fit into our business. By and large, we will not only set up stores in shopping centres, it will be a combination of both the shopping centres and the stand-alone stores.

What challenges are you facing?

Competition against local market is a major challenge for Mr Price, being able to cope with other international retail brands entering Nigeria is a test.

And this is because there is a shopping culture embedded in the minds of an average Nigerian that they should shop in the local market. However, our prices are

‘The average unit per consumer in Nigeria is much more than in South Africa.

Nigerians buy much more than South Africans and this is very visible. Mr Price has been successful for many years of building the brand but with what is obtainable in Nigeria within one year of existence, means that we are barely scratching the surface’ very affordable and we offer quality products.

Though it's pretty difficult to reverse that culture, the store is to find ways to attract these consumers to and make them experience a different type of shopping and still get the same quality and value.

Have you studied the Nigerian culture?

We have shape our merchandise to accommodate the Nigerian climate. In terms of logistics, it's not as easy with the traffic to get stocks to the stores in a timely manner. I think we've managed to get a good idea of the landscape over the last

one year."

How has Nigerian employees benefited from you?

Beyond financial investments, a more important factor is to invest in human capital. That is, investing in people, helping to develop new talents and creating job opportunities for the country. The minimum number of employee we have is two hundred workers.

What do you have to say concerning the fire incident last month?

I praised the fire service for the manner at which they handled the fire incident in the shop last month. The evacuation was world-class and I think I must mention it

What are you expansion plans?

Generally, our plan is to open about 25 to 30 stores in the country. I think if we can get to that it will be a big success. It will be beyond our expectations. We would have opened four more by April and we think with this, we are on the right track. In other words, if we can roll out 25 to 30 stores in three years, then we would have surpassed our expectations. Primarily, we think Lagos is so big and we think there are so many opportunities here that even if we open ten stores in Lagos, we will only be scratching the surface.

• Adedeji Itire night market.

Some say for convenience, affordability and availability, night market is better, especially for those who don’t have time during the day for shopping. IDOWU TAIBAT writes that at the Adedeji Night market in Itire, a Lagos surburb, shopping is easy because of the relatively cheap prices.

A

DEDEJI night market at old Garage bus-stop, Itire, a metropolitan area in Lagos State, has been an advantage to the working class.

Commodities in the market are more affordable than the day market. It Is mostly patronised by working class people within and outside the area. Some people visit the market because they can’t cope with the harsh rays of the sun in the afternoon. But majority visit mainly because of its affordability.

There are more items at the night market.

Mainly items such as cassava flour, yam flour, all kinds of food items, school items for children, assorted fruits, hair beauty and barbing salon, restaurant, hot baked bread

Why shoppers prefer night market directly from the bakery , shoes, bags, male and female accessories, clothes , etc. The market is secured, such that there is a police station and policemen are always on patrol.

As expected of a normal market environment, the market is noisy one with cars plying the road and traders calling on passersby to patronise them. Items are displayed on thick nylons spread on the ground and some on tables.

One of the traders called Iya Cele told The Nation Shopping that she sells cheap items to

customers mainly the regular ones. My customers benefit a lot from me; I don’t fail to give them value for their money when they visit the market.

For Mrs Abimbola Ishola, who visited the market to buy food items, she said: “I am always busy during the day; therefore shopping at night is the best option. As you can see, this place is a blessing to people like me. I can tell you that for some time, I have not done my shopping anywhere else. I have come to buy some foodstuffs that I will cook

for my family when I return home.

Miss Fausat Ibrahim, a worker with a construction company, said it is easy for her to buy things at the night market because her house is not far from the market and she is more comfortable shopping there. The market is open every day, even on Sundays.

An advantage of the market is it gives traders much room, especially women; it gives them time to do other things. Nursing mothers also have time for their babies during the day .

35

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS 1. Finalised (9) 7. Employ (3) 8. Tear (3) 9. Succeeded (3) 10. Consumed (3) 12. per Unit (4) 13. Bird (4) 14. Beer (3) 16. Imitate (3) 18. Bed (3) 19. Resort (3) 21. Justly (9)

DOWN

1. Correspond (9) 2. Pinch (3) 3. Sexual Desire (4) 4. Ourselves (2) 5. Moisture (3) 6. Discourage (4) 10. Expression of Surprise (3) 11. Get with Difficulty (3) 15. Enumerate (4) 17. Bird (3) 18. Taxi (4) 20. Father (2)

MISSING LETTERS All the words in the columns below have lost their first letters as indicated by the blank spaces above them. You are required to find and affix them. When done, all the first letters will form a 9-letter, sexually offensive word or action. Happy Puzzling!‘

Sands of Time AALIYAH

Produced by the successful singer R. Kelly, the album quickly sold a million copies and eventually earned platinum status based largely on the success of two hit singles, “Back and Forth” and “At Your Best (You Are Love).” Later that year, tabloid reports surfaced claiming that the sultry teen singer had married the 27-year-old Kelly, but Aaliyah denied the union and the marriage was reportedly annulled.

Natalie Portman

Singer, actress. Born Aaliyah Dana Haughton, on January 16, 1979, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, the young singer competed unsuccessfully on the television program Star Search at age 11. Later that same year, she performed with R&B legend Gladys Knight, the former wife of her uncle and manager, Barry Hankerson, at a five-night stand in Las Vegas.

In 1994, at the age of 15, Aaliyah catapulted onto the R&B charts herself with her debut album, “Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number”.

Pep Talk

While a student in the dance program at Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts (she graduated in 1997), Aaliyah released her sophomore album, One in a Million (1996). Helmed by the well-known pop producer Timbaland and featuring rap performer Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, One in a Million portrayed the 17year-old singer as a sultry hip-hop chanteuse with a selfconfidence well beyond her years. The album garnered favorable reviews and sold two million copies.

In 1997 she recorded “Journey to the Past,” the Academy Award-nominated theme song to the animated feature Anastasia and performed the song for the Oscar telecast in 1998. Her next soundtrack effort, “Are You That Somebody?” for 1998’s Dr. Dolittle, starring Eddie Murphy, went to No. 1 on the R&B charts and was a pop crossover hit, earning Aaliyah her first Grammy Award nomination.

In 2000, Aaliyah made her acting debut in the surprise action hit Romeo Must Die, starring opposite martial arts star Jet Li in a Romeo and Juliet-inspired story set in modern-day Los Angeles. She was also an executive producer of the movie’s soundtrack and performed the hit single “Try Again,” which netted her a second Grammy nomination as well as two MTV Music Video Awards for Best Female Video and Best Video From a Film.

Aaliyah was killed on August 25, 2001, when a small Cessna passenger plane carrying the singer and her video crew crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff from Abaco Island in the Bahamas, where they had just completed work on a video. The plane was headed for Miami, Florida. Aaliyah and seven other people, including the pilot, were believed to have died instantly, while a ninth passenger died later at a Bahamian hospital. Aaliyah was 22 years old at the time of her death. She is survived by her parents, Diane and Michael Haughton, and an older brother, Rashaad

HUMOUR True Believers The two thousand member Baptist church was filled to overflowing capacity one Sunday morning. The preacher was ready to start the sermon when two men, dressed in long black coats and black hats entered thru the rear of the church.

One of the two men walked to the middle of the church while the other stayed at the back of the church. They both then reached under their coats and withdrew automatic weapons. The one in the middle announced, “Everyone willing to take a bullet for Jesus stay in your seats!”

Naturally, the pews emptied, followed by the choir. The deacons ran out the door, followed by the choir director and the assistant pastor.

After a few moments, there were about twenty people left sitting in the church. The preacher was holding steady in the pulpit. The men put their weapons away and said, gently, to the preacher, “All right, pastor, the hypocrites are gone now. You may begin the service.”

Getting Into Fights A young couple drove several miles down a country road, not saying a word.

An earlier discussion had led to an argument, and neither wanted to concede their position.

As they passed a barnyard of mules and pigs, the husband sarcastically asked, “Are they relatives of yours?”

“Yes,” his wife replied. “I married into the family.”

Our ideas like orange plants, spread out in proportion to the size of the box which imprisons the roots.

– Edward Bulwer Lytton

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

36

COMMENTARY

H

ISTORY is an invisible object with two wings flying across generations in time and space. One wing is positive, the other is negative. With history, the present becomes the heritage of the past even as the future awaits the baton of continuity from the present.

No living nation or tribe or even individual can dream of a realisable future without a viable present based on the experience of the past. The web of life is like a magnet which no iron element can bypass on its way to ornamental glory.

Against what ought to be her heritage, Nigeria is, today, passing through a fabric of uncertainty as she rolls back the fibres of the future into those of the present and weaves both into the vestiges of the past. Such is a sign of a dead nation waiting to be buried. What war is not ravaging Nigeria today in spite of Allah’s abundant bounties? The forces of the present seem to have connived with those of the past in planning to wrestle the future aground thereby depriving the generations yet unborn of any hope of existence. From all indications, Nigerians live in a country where the ruled are evidently enslaved to their rulers.

For decades, this country had been forced by her so-called rulers to fight wars ranging from political to economic to social and to ethnic without winning any. Now, a religious war with political ember is being added. Religion is likened to opium in human beings because of its seeming addictive effect on an average believer. Literally, opium means a brownish gummy extract from unripe seed of the opium poppy that contains highly addictive narcotic alkaloid substances like morphine and codeine. When such a substance is mixed with an unstable powdery matter, it turns it into a disadvantageous hardened substance.

Thus, like a billow vigorously storming around at the instance of an invisible tempest, a melee of religious hullabaloo engendered by a vicious political Pandora has virtually turned Nigeria into a land of curses.

Ordinarily, by its design and intent, religion is supposed to be not only a panacea for all human psychological ailments but also a soothing balm for any spiritual ache. But ironically, it has been turned into a poison in our society which seemingly has no provision for an antidote. And through our attitudes, we seem to be bent on swallowing the pill of that poison without minding its consequences.

The factors that culminated in what we now variously call religious militancy, extremism, fanaticism and terrorism emanated only from the yoke of ignorance which bad governance has come to aid. And could anything have influenced bad governance as much as ignorance? Yet ignorance would not have had a role to play in our religious or political lives if we had demonstrated the will to genuinely follow the tenets of our religions and learned from the lessons of history without banking on mere assumption and rumour. History as a teacher always has a lesson to teach those who are ready to learn. But unfortunately, most human beings especially Nigerians refuse to learn any lesson from history and the price is what we are paying today.

In 1962, Nigeria’s Governor General, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (who later became Nigeria’s first President), paid a three day official courtesy visit to the Premier of Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello in Kaduna. He was accompanied by his wife, Flora. The host Premier mobilised all the paraphernalia of office in honour of his guests whom he gave an unprecedented, flamboyant hospitality. The visit enabled their wives to become so familiar with each other that Flora also invited the Bellos to the East on a similar visit. By the end of the visit, Dr. Azikiwe had become so much impressed that at the point of departure he held Ahmadu Bello’s hands and gently told him to “Let us forget our differences”.

In response to that emotional but infatuating gesture however, Sir Ahmadu Bello said in an equally gentle but emotional baritone voice: “No sir! Rather than forgetting our differences, let us understand them. I am a Muslim and a Northerner. You are a Christian and a Southerner. It is only by identifying and understanding those differences that our friendliness can truly endure”. There and

FEMI ABBAS ON Femabbas@yahoo.com 08122697498

Opium based on ignorance

•Map of Nigeria

then, Dr. Azikiwe nodded in agreement with his host’s logic and accepted the fact that one could not forget what is not understood.

The lesson to learn from this experience is that of mutual understanding without pretentiously sweeping anything under the carpet. That is the principle upon which the marriage of political strange fellows who find themselves in the same political party is often based in Nigeria. It is also the principle upon which the partnership of many Nigerian businessmen and women is based despite their cultural incompatibility.

For thousands of years, peoples of all races and tribes across the world thrived vaingloriously on cultural ignorance attributing their calamities to mysterious forces and blaming such mysteries on what they called witchcraft. Here in Nigeria, millions of children were forced to die in infancy by their own parents out of sheer ignorance while the same parents turned round to blame what they called ‘ABIKU or OGBANJE’ for the mass infanticide. With time, however, education and knowledge of science brought about the invention of various vaccines with which children are now immunised against all diseases thereby giving them the opportunity to survive. And this has enabled us to know today that the mystery once called ‘ABIKU or OGBANJE’ was a euphemism for ignorance in the days of ignorance.

And now that the days of cultural ignorance seem to be over, Nigerians have devised another means of restiveness by shifting to religious ignorance which enables them to replace the infanticide of the yore with modern day genocide in the name of religion. It is however hoped that one day, knowledge will also help us to overcome the spectre of religious ignorance and enable tomorrow’s generations to tell the story as we are doing today about ‘ABIKU or OGBANJE’.

If it had pleased the Almighty Allah to make all human beings one single race with one colour, one tongue and one religion, He would have done so without receiving any query from anybody. But as the Omnipresent and Omnipotent, His decision to diversify His creatures cannot be faulted as it is from that diversity that all creatures have consistently derived benefits. In the world today, there are different races and tribes of human beings with different colours, languages and cultures each functioning as predestined and

‘But since paradise is for individuals and not for religious blocks why are we fighting each other?

After all, the journey to Paradise or Hell is a matter of choice for every individual.

And no one can tell with precision who will go to Paradise or go to Hell’ yet they all interact positively with one another to the benefit of all and sundry.

This is in accordance with the words of Allah in Chapter 49 verse 13 of the Qur’an thus: “Oh mankind! We have created you from a male and a female and classified you into races and tribes that you may interact with one another (and thereby draw from the advantages therein). Verily, the most honourable of you before Allah is the most pious among you. Allah is All-knower and most acquainted with all things”.

What is true of human beings here is equally true of other creatures. For instance we can all see that on a single arable plot of land, a variety of plants may grow to form an orchard but each with different foliages and fruits. Some of those fruits may be sweet, some may be bitter and some may be sour. Some plants may be fruitful and some may be fruitless. On that same plot of land some may grow to become trees of gargantuan posture while others may not grow beyond ordinary shrubs and legumes. Yet they are all fed by the same soil, watered by the same rain and photosynthesized by the same sun. Their different foliages, sizes, heights and tastes notwithstanding, they all function effectively and advantageously according to the purpose for which they are created.

In the ecosystem, no tree in an orchard will ever accuse another of bearing fruits different from its own and no animal will blame another for carrying a different feature or wearing a different colour. Neither will a whale denigrate even a fingerling in the ocean for sharing the same water with it. Ditto the world of birds and that of insects. Even as plants, animals, aquatics, birds and insects they all know that for everything Allah creates there is a purpose which may not be known to them as creatures. It is only among human beings that discrimination and segregation exist based on ignorance.

In Islam, all revealed religions are believed to be like an embassy established by a nation in another nation to strengthen her relationship with the host country. The Ambassadors appointed to manage such embassy, may be changed from time to time just like the foreign policy which guides those ambassadors but the embassy remains intact barring any unforeseen circumstances. So is the case with the Prophets of Allah. They might have come at different times, and

from different lands and tribes. They might have brought different books and spoken different languages but their mission was one and the same.

Muslims believe that all the Prophets and Messengers who have come into the world to guide mankind were from one and the same God who created the universe. Thus, Prophets Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismail (Ishmael) Ishaq (Isaac), Musa (Moses), Daud (David), Isa (Jesus) and Muhammad (SAW) as well as others who preceded them or came in-between them brought the same message of monotheism through which mankind was counselled to worship one God and be upright in conduct.

As a Muslim, you cannot believe in one of those Apostles and disbelieve in others. Neither can you believe in one of the revealed Books while disbelieving in others. That is why no true adherent of Islam will ever express foul language against the person of Jesus. Though the modalities for worship may differ from faith to faith and from sanctuary to sanctuary this does not change the course of their faith in only one God. Thus, the rivalry between Muslims and Christians especially in Nigeria over who is spiritually right or wrong is a product of ignorance.

As taught by Christianity and Islam through their respective revealed Books, the areas of life that need our cooperation are by far more comprehensive than those in which we differ. For instance, both the Bible and the Qur’an counsel humanity to worship one God. They preach good deeds to neighbours and other fellow human beings in public and in private irrespective of religious lineage. They advocate good care of our parents, our children, the aged ones amongst us and the handicapped. They urge kindness to our wives and leniency with our adversaries. They admonish us against cheating and any form of corruption. They forbid theft, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism and above all the killing of fellow human beings extra-judicially for whatever reason. They also warn us against provocation, aggression, exploitation and transgression even as they emphasize the ephemerality of this world and the eventuality of the hereafter. In all these, we have a common affinity to jointly guard.

The few areas in which we differ are abstract and quite personal. They are not areas in which human beings are given the power to pass judgment. Only the Almighty God can judge on them. Such are the areas which we believe will pave our ways towards the Paradise. But since paradise is for individuals and not for religious blocks why are we fighting each other? After all, the journey to Paradise or Hell is a matter of choice for every individual. And no one can tell with precision who will go to Paradise or go to Hell. Such is the prerogative of God which He has not assigned to any human being and which no human being can and should arrogate to himself or herself except one who wants to play God. As an adherent of a religion, you can only perceive your God according to your faith and that should not cause any rancour between you and adherents of any other religion. As Nigerians, we dwell in the same country, eat the same foods, drink the same water, wear similar dresses trade in the same markets and spend the same money. Our children attend the same schools, write the same examinations and obtain the same certificates. We intermarry across tribes and ethnicities as well as religions. All these form a stronger bond that ought to unite us much more than the abstract ones which often threaten to separate us. In a situation where the factors of life that unite us grossly surpass those that divide us will it not be stupid to sacrifice unity and cooperation?

This is the time for change. We cannot wait any longer. Let the Christians in Nigeria engage in Crusade and the Muslims in Jihad against all vices in the society which their two revealed Books (Bible and Qur’an) abhor. Let all of us jointly work towards upholding the values of life as contained in the Bible and the Qur’an that we may find ourselves in a new world of peace and harmony in the very near future. As for how we became entangled in opium and terrorism in the first place, please, read this column next Friday in sha’Allah.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

37

SOCIETY

Muslims in the Southwest under the umbrella of the Joint Muslims’ Action Forum (JOMAF) held a get-together at the open field of the Government Technical College, Osogbo, Osun State capital last Saturday. It was tagged “The Nation Prays,” writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

Seeking Allah’s face I

T was an event many had waited for. They could not wait for the day to break before besieging Oke Fia at Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State for it.

Even the environmental sanitation which holds every second Saturday in Osun State could not stop them. People were seen putting finishing touches to the setting of the venue. Shortly after the sanitation, people stormed the place, paving way for its early start.

Hordes of clerics from different parts of the Southwest teamed up with their Osun counterparts at the venue. Traditional rulers were not left out. They waved their horsetails to acknowledge greetings from the mammoth crowd who yelled Kaabiyesi ooo.

They arrived in time for the event organised by the Joint Muslims’ Action Forum (JOMAF), tagged “The Nation Prays.”

The open field of the Government Technical College, Osogbo where it was held, was ornately decorated. Giant size canopies dotted the length and width of the field.

Inside were cushion chairs usually used by traditional rulers and top government functionaries at events and plastic chairs covered with white satin clothes. A big signboard mounted behind the podium were reserved for the moderators who were coordinated by the Imam of Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Ustadh Muhammad Jamiu Trimidhi.

The event began with an opening prayer bythe President-General, League of Imams and Alfas in Southwest, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Mustapha Ajisafe.

It was followed by recitation of the Quran seven times. This was done through distribution of the Quran leaflets to those who could read.

Immediately the congregation was done with the recitation, one of the moderators announced the arrival of the special guest of honour - Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Aregbesola, decked in his usual simple trademark - Buba, Sokoto, cap and footwear – all white, moved round to greet the people.

In his opening remark, JOMAF Chairman, Alhaji Kola Usaamot said the programme was organised to pray for the peace and progress of the country.

He said:“We are gradually but steadily moving towards a precipice. On the political scene, the centrifugal forces are too strong to be ignored. Issues that divide us are more on the front burner of national discourse than the ones that unite us.

“As if this is not enough, the general state of insecurity is alarmingly snowballing to a conflagration that may consume us all if we don’t recourse to prayer. Unfortunately, no single geo-political zone is totally immune or free.”

Usaamot observed that leaders in the country must wake up to their responsibility and steer the nation from collapse.

•Prof Daud Noibi

•Aregbesola (right) chatting with Sheikh Ahmad

•President Osun Muslim community Sheikh Saludeen Olayiwola (left) and Sheikh Ajisafe

•Aragbiji of Iragbiji Oba AbdRasheed Olabomi (left) and Akirun of Ikirun Oba Rauf Adedeji

•Prof Akintola; Dr Abbas and Ustaz AbdRasheed Buweab

•Dr Kamil Oloso

•Hon Abdoulbaq Ladi

•Alhaji Qasim Badrudeen; Sheikh AbdMajeed Ayinla and Sheikh Sulaiman Adangba

•Alhaji Usaamot

•Olobo Oko of Obo Oke Oba Adam Iyiola

Chief Missioner, Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad, who was one of the fathers of the day described the day as great.

He said it was a day to thank Allah for the life of Governor Aregbesola, who he said has done much to earn the respect of the electorate.

Sheikh Ahmad enjoined Aregbesola to ensure rights of citizens are always protected irrespective of political and religious affiliations.

He said citizens demand for their rights should not be seen as public disturbance.

“The continuous demand of rights by the Muslims should not

The gathering seized the opportunity to demand for using of Hijab (head scarf) by female Muslim students in all public schools, Hijrah public holiday, teaching of morals in schools as well as adequate representation of Muslims in public offices in accordance with their population in various states.

While praying for peace, progress and development of the country, Dr Abbas urged Nigerian to work toward achieving the aforementioned, saying “it would amount to hypocrisy for people to pray for peace and at the same time behave in a manner capable of breaching the peace.”

The gathering thereafter threw

their weights behind Aregbesola on state policies that they said were in conformity with divine injunctions that harped on equal rights for the citizenry, promising to keep on supporting him in as much as he governed well and gave everybody his rights.

In his response, Aregbesola expressed appreciation to the gathering, assuring them that he would not relent in his efforts at giving every citizen his due as dictated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

His administration, he said, is poised to implement policies that would uplift the state and the nation at large.

He enjoined them to continue praying for the country.

be seen as act of militancy because we have been civil enough in going about it and we never close the chapter of dialogue to achieve this purpose,” he said.

A senior lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ishaq Lakin Akintola, said it was high time the nation had a round table talk about the Nigerian project.

Prof. Akintola and The Nation newspapers columnist, Dr. Femi Abbas who were among the guest speakers on the occasion urged those in authorities to create an enabling environment through which rights could be demanded unhindered to allow for peace and tranquility in the country.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

38

S OCIETY An Associate Professor, Peter Nwadinigwe, gave out his daughter, Ngozi Judith in marriage to Uchenna Christian Okotta. The wedding took place at the the Catholic Chaplaincy Centre of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and College of Medicine (LUTH/CMUL). AMIDU ARIJE and OCHUKO ETABE were there.

Student marries teacher’s daughter T

HEY share many things in common.

They hail from the same state. They are alumni of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where the bride’s father taught his son-in-law and are both gap-toothed.

The couple’s seven-year romance climaxed in Holy Matrimony penultimate Saturday.

The atmosphere was calm and clement.

There was love in the air.

There was no dress code; so many turned up in colourful attires.

Few minutes after the arrival of guests, the beautiful damsel, Ngozika arrived in a blue SUV with her father. Many posed for photograph with her.

She wore a flowing white gown with the upper part made of a patterned lace. Her beau was decked in a black suit and a matching golden tie.

The praise team of the cathedral led the song to usher in the bride, who was led by her father to the altar where the groom stood waiting for his bride.

The bride took the first reading from Corinthians 13:1-13 which centres on love.

The gospel reading was followed by a sermon by Rev. Father E D Debanny.

The unusual was done. Far from the ordinary and leaving on-lookers amazed, the couple were asked to wash each other’s feet.

This, the cleric said, would go a long way in making them to be humble and patient with each other.

After the church service, guests moved to the Professor and Ven Sam Ade Olaitan Hall, nearby the Chaplaincy for the reception.

The hall was decorated in purple and gold silky ribbon materials. There was never a dull moment for the guests as there was un-

derground music to entertain them.

What caught the attention of all present on the occasion was the decoration on the cake; resting on a veil covered stool, the three layered cake was decorated with flowers Chairman of the ocassion Osas Osareme urged the couple to trust each other by doing away with a third party in their affairs.

As is the tradition of the easterners, kolanut was brought, prayed on and shared among guests.

The cutting of the cake was supervised by Dr Charity Iriobe, Dr Virgy Onyene, Douglas Anete and Dr Ubangha Bassey.

As they performed their first duty of feeding each other, they acknowledged cheers from onlookers.

The bride, a pharmacologist could not contain her joy on the success of the day. She had many good words to describe her beau, who was beside her.

Uchenna, a law graduate of UNILAG described the day as his happiest.

“I am fulfilled, having married my best friend”.

The bride’s father Dr Nwadinigwe said: “I feel highly elated. One thing that is certain in life is that God is central, so I have told them earlier that God should be made central in their life.”

The groom’s father, who is now late, was represented by Uchenna’s twin brother, Ugonna.

Guests on the occasion included Chief Raph Anyama; former Edo State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Osareme; Prof Duro Ajeyalemi; Dr Ezekiel Agbaje and his wife Esther; Prof Guy Ilogu and Prof Chigozie Nnabuike among others.

•The couple Uchenna and Ngozi

•The bride’s parents Dr Nwadinigwe and his wife, Esther

•Groom’s mother Louisa and his brother Ugonna

•Prof Guy Ilogu (left) and Prof Chigozie Nnabuike

PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI

WHAT AND WHERE Funeral

Wedding

C

HILDREN of Omo Oba Adebisi Onanuga, a staff of The Nation and Mr Ademola Shote, Aisha Oluwaseun and Oluseun Ajibola will tomorrow tie the nuptial knot at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Nikah

T

HE Nikah (marriage solemnisation) between Fausiya Abimbola and Muyideen Oladele, children of Alhaji Hussien Akinsanya and the late Alhaji Ahmad Adeleke will hold tomorrow at Nawair-ud-Deen Central Mosque, Oshodi, Lagos.

Cocktail

A

CHRISTIAN wake-keep for the late Pa Omoniyi Omotoye, will hold today at Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos.

The funeral service will hold tomorrow at the same venue and interment will follow immediately. Guests will also be entertained accordingly at the same venue.

The late Pa Omotoye was 76.

Obsequies

T

HE remains of Princess Anita Ene-Ita will be interned today at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Duke town Cathedral, Calabar.

T

HE 2013 National Day of Lithuania in Nigeria will hold tomorrow with a cocktail party at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The occasion will be hosted by the Consul General of Lithuania to Nigeria and Chairman of Ikeja Hotel Mr Goddie Ibru.

•The late Omotoye

Solemnisation

T

HE Nikah (wedding) of the children of Mr Najimdeen Abdusalam and the late Mr Akayinode, Kafayat and Mudashir will come up tomorrow at Abdusalam’s compound, Sango Ota, Ogun State.

A

Funeral

•Ibru

FUNERAL will be held today for the mother of the former editor-inchief of NewsWatch Magazine, Mrs. EleIcha Ayiyi Giwa, at the Church of God Mission, Ugbekpe–Ekperri, Auchi, Edo State.

A Christian Wake-keep was held yesterday at the Dele Giwa’s family compound in Ugbekpe–Ekperri, Auchi.

Guests will be feted at Abbebe Primary School, Ugbekpe-Ekperri, after the interment.

COMPILED BY OCHUKO ETABE

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

39

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS

Mrs Olabisi Aduke Akinhanmi, aka Sisi lawyer celebrated her 70th birthday in Lagos last week. ABIKE ADEGBULEHIN was there. isi lawyer, that is how the young and old address her.

But she is not a young girl, who could be addressed as such in Yorubaland. She turned 70 last week, yet her family affectionately refers to Mrs Olabisi Aduke Akinhanmi as Sisi lawyer.

The Holy Trinity Church Hall on Ilasamaja Road, Lagos was filled to the brim last Wednesday when she turned 70. Her children, grandchildren and the love of her life, Mr Josiah Adekunle Akinhanmi, popularly called lawyer, and their friends gathered to celebrate her.

S

Sisi lawyer at 70 The day started with a service in the church auditorium at noon. The officiating ministers urged Sisi lawyer to always give thanks to God who has kept her all these years.

They noted that she has hit the biblical three score plus 10 years and prayed that she lives for many more years.

She sang heartily and danced to the delight of all. With lawyer be-

•The celebrator Mrs Akinhanmi and her husband cutting her birthday cake

•Sir and Lady Akinsola Lawason

•Rev and Mrs Ebenezer Johnson PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI

side her, she walked into the hall for the reception where there was a lot to eat and drink.

Sisi lawyer attended Methodist Primary School, Zaria; Olowogbowo Methodist Girls School, Lagos; Methodist Girls High School, Yaba and Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos. She was captain of the Girls Brigade at St Jude’s Church, Ebute Meta, Lagos.

Intrapersonal Communication (2)

Y

OUR life is a reflection of your mind. While we may not be able to read your mind, it is very possible to know your attitude to life by what you say and do. So many people have tried to change certain things about their lives- the way they talk, work or interact with people- without much success. But they need to first understand that the AMODU LANRE OLAOLU (Ph.D) way they see themselves and what sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. they communicate with themselves 07034737394 invariably influence what they do.

Let me show you how intrapersonal communication can influence your entire day. Several years ago, I woke up one morning and started to get ready for work. It seemed like one of those days when everything just went wrong. It started with me misplacing an important item I needed to take to the office. Then I tried to fix myself a breakfast but the cooking oil spilled.

While trying to rescue what was left of it, the pot fell off and the content spilled. By that time, I was already getting late for work. So, I had to clean up, abandon the idea of breakfast and head for work. You can imagine the mood I was in. I was about to tell myself that it was a bad day when I caught myself. When I realized that I was about to spoil my entire day, I started to deliberately tell myself, "today is a great day. A small incident like that can't spoil my day. I have a right to enjoy my day; in fact, today is my best day so far." You won't believe what happened to me! I so much enjoyed that day that I quickly forgot about my initial unpleasant experience. So, I learnt that no situation is strong enough to spoil my day. If I had a bad day, it's the fault of my personal communication.

Intrapersonal communication is your defense against negative information. It occurred to me how difficult it seems for people to succeed.

When you want to try to make a difference, you are expected to locate yourself in an existing framework. Yet, the framework is too tough to penetrate!

If I am new in the field of advertising, can I compete with the existing companies in the industry? Can I produce a soft drink that will rival Coca Cola? Can I shoot a movie that will beat Titanic and Avatar? Can I compose a music that will transcend time and culture like Handel's Messiah? Where do I start from in the stock market when some people have been trading before I was born? Is buying a few shares comparable with owning the company on placement? How many hours of programming do I engage in to be better than Bill Gates? The question is, "Do I stand a chance in this competitive world?"

When one looks at some businesses both on the local and the global platforms, there is a tendency to feel pretty small. In whatever area you want to go into, there are some people already making waves. So, where do you start from? How does one get attention? Most people have given up because they do not fit in and they cannot compete. But should that stop me? No! Why not? Because: •There was a time when each of those big achievers was not in existence. Handel's Messiah was not handed down to Adam by God after creation. Several compositions existed before it. If Handel allowed himself to be intimidated by them, he would never have composed Halleluiah Chorus. Yes, there are achievers in my field! No, that will not make me quit! And Yes, I will make my own mark by doing something unique!

•Naturally, some people's achievements become some other people's stumbling blocks or limitations. For instance, if a lot of people pass the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, cut off marks for admission into universities are reviewed upward to reduce the number of admitted students. The fact that someone passed has reduced the chances of someone who failed. So, do I resign because someone else is succeeding? No! All I have to realize is that if I try to follow someone else, I would be judged by his standards; but if I create my own idea, people will be forced to judge me on my own merit. Let me too create a standard that will be an example for others. And don't tell me it can't be done, because that is what people say until they see it done!

•I should not be afraid to start small. Coca Cola did not become a multinational company overnight- how on earth do I expect to compete with it overnight? We focus so much on those big companies doing great things that we don't take note of small needs that require our attention. Let us start by solving small problems and we will grow with time. Some of these companies that we fear are too big to solve some small problems that we can solve. So, let them make their names over there while we make ours right here.

People may say you are small, but haven't they heard? "SMALL IS BIG!!!"

Check out these quotes: “Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will acquire the skill to do difficult things easily." -- Johann Schiller, poet and historian "Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I'll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things." -- Lawrence Bell

Dr. Amodu lectures at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

40

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

SOCIETY An event tagged The Barry Colloquium organised by The Ayinde Barrister Legacy Club (ABLE) has been held in Lagos, reports TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

Barry Wonder lives on

B

EFORE the end came, ace Fuji musician, the late Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Balogun popularly known as Barrister had reached the peak of his career. He was the first among eqauls. He and others made Fuji the popular music it is today.

Little wonder he was named Mr Fuji.

The wide acceptability of his music beyond the shores of the country shows the humanity in his music.

Last Friday, his fans streamed into the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos for an event in his honour.

A roll-up huge banner with his bold picture welcomed guests.

A bevy of beautiful women escorted the guests to their seats. The hall bubbled with records of the musician.

Some sang along, some nodded their heads; some shook their bodies; others who could not resist the tune took to the dance floor.

Welcome to the colloquium organised by a facebook group, The Ayinde Barrister Legacy Club (ABLE) tagged The Barry Colloquium.

ABLE was incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on May 10 last year as a trusteeship, notfor-profit organisation.

Its members cut across Nigeria, Republic of Ireland, United States and United Kingdom.

ABLE members on the occasion stood out among the gathering. Decked in uniformed blue Ankara, they were the cynosure of all eyes.

The attendance of Barry Wonder’s children - Rasaq Balogun; Barrymade and Barry showkey was a stamp on the event. Likewise, the presence of King of Juju music, Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye (a.k.a King Sunny Ade); Waka Queen Salawa Abeni; Bonsue creator Dr Adewale Ayuba and Abass Akande (a.k.a Obesere) was an icing on the cake.

The event began with an opening prayer. It was spiced with the rendition of the National Anthem, keynote addresses, entertainment, lecture, Ewi, Barry testimonial and investiture of Barry Fellow.

Welcoming the guests, ABLE President, Kayode Bello said Barrister celebrated Nigeria and did not bring shame to the country.

With his legacy, he said, a museum should be built in his name.

"What type of music are our young ones studying in the university?" he asked rhetorically.

He canvassed inculcation of his type of music into the education curriculum.

Bello enjoined the federal government to honour him as a foremost Nigerian ambassador.

Former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba who chaired the occasion, told the gathering his long relationship with the deceased.

"I am very close to Ayinde Barrister in his lifetime. Barry and I have been involved in the promotion of music right from my day as editor of Lagos Weekend.

I was involved in the development of musicians such as Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey etc. In 1988, while I was still in Daily Times, Barrister prophesied that I would be governor and I became governor. His song became my campaign slogan. I wrote the forward of his autobiography. I am happy that even in death people came to celebrate him.

His music is culture, wisdom and teaches education. I am happy that even in death; Barry's name is larger than life," Osoba said.

He thanked King Sunny Ade for his supports to his fellow musicians.

Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Otunba Segun Runsewe said "If he (Barrister) was born in the English world, I am sure he would be called 'Ayinde the Edifice'".

Barrister, Runsewe said, was one of the greatest artistes Nigeria ever produces.

"Our greatest problem is that we don't celebrate our own. We did not realise while growing up that these

•Otunba Runsewe (left) chatting with Aremo Osoba

•Alhaji Lanre Issa- Onilu (left) and son of the deceased Rasaq Balogun

Dr. Banire (left) and Alhaji Oyefeso

•Prof Lawal (right) and Bello

Alhaji Abass and Queen Abeni

group of artistes were the pioneer missionaries sent to the world because their music was loaded. Honestly, Barrister was a great man of our time. He was one of the most courageous and gifted man of our time. If a white man is celebrating our bests and we don't, that is a problem. We must not wait to celebrate people when they have gone but in their lifetime. Barrister was a humble and unassuming man," he said.

One of Barrister's fans, Otunba Adisa Osiefa described Alhaji Agba as a contented man.

"He was not after wealth otherwise he would have left billions of naira behind. I watched him carefully, and whenever I introduced anything that would yield money even when he had the opportunity, he would just waive it aside. He was generous to a fault. As a musician, Barrister was the only one I knew would take money from his house and spray his host. He was a discipline, calm and gentleman. And in terms of education, he tried his best for all his children," Otunba Osiefa stated.

Another fan, Asiwaju Oyasola Oyadeji said Barrister does not discriminate.

"We were always together before he passed on. We used to spend Christmas together and did most of his Xmas in my house," he said.

Chief Lekan Alabi who stood in for Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola-Alao, thanked everyone for recognising the son of the soil and Fuji maestro.

Guest speaker, Prof Kunle Lawal of the Department of History, University of Ibadan (UI), promised to write a book

on the deceased, because "there were many things to learn from him right from childhood."

Prof Lawal, former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, described Barrister as a genius who he said singlehandedly turned what was 'just a play thing' - Were into the most important identity of Yoruba popular musical culture.

"It will probably be surprising to hear that Barrister was an introverted personality. This much I came to discover from my close interactions with him. He was not a garrulous person; he was not the usually loud person who, because he was a star, would wants his presence to be noticed," he said.

For the former commissioner of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Alhaji Musbau Oyefeso, Barrister was a gift to the nation.

Oyefeso who taught he is one of the bests of Barrister's fan met a better fan in the person of his childhood friend and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Legal Adviser, Dr Muiz Banire.

According to him, records of Mr Fuji are played at Dr Banire's office everyday from morning till the close of work.

Dr Banire, former Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment said, the philosophies behind most of Barrister's songs are too educative to be neglected.

While commending Prof Lawal for promising to write a book on him, he enjoined the club to compile all songs of the Fuji legend in one format.

•Oba of Odi-Olowo Oba Fatai Irawo (left) and Alhaji Mojeed Mayabikan

•Chief Alabi (left) and King Sunny Ade

•Otunba Osiefa

•Prince Adeyinka Durosinmi

5, 2013

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

41

AGRO-BUSINESS

Expert opposes purchase of phones for farmers S

HOULD the Federal Government buy mobile phones for farmers? Two experts answered the question differently. Dr Kola Adebayo, the Project Manager of Cassava: Adding Value for Africa(C:AVA) says the government should not but Chairman, Ondo State Fadama Farmers Association, Mr Akin Olotu answered in the affirmative.

Adebayo said the provision of phones was not a sustainable way of building capacities of rural farmers.

Justifying the government’s stance, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adeshina said the government would not commit itself to direct purchase of the cell phones for farmers but would only subsidise the phones through a partnership that

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

would involve telephone service operators, Ministry of Communications Technology and other stakeholders.

According to him, the decision by government to subsidise the purchase of cell phones for farmers is tied to the distribution of fertilisers directly to the farmers without the involvement of third parties who had allegedly been ripping them off.

He said: “Government policy must always be based on evidence and well analysed data. We carried out an analysis of our GES work based on a large sample of 426,000 farmers from various local government areas in 13 states.

Though, Adebayo agreed that ex-

panding production of staple and high-value crops would require communicating knowledge of improved technologies to rural farmers to increase yields and productivity and regular release of weather alerts to enable them improve resilience and reduce risks of climate changes, he explained, however, that in many countries where the extension services are equipped to provide such services, farmers bought their phones register them with local service centres to enjoy such services.

Beyond this, Adebayo said the government will achieve more if the extension systems are strengthened and give incentives to provide short text messages to farmers registered at the different local government areas.

He said regional extension service can be empowered to issue early warning systems to mitigate agricultural risks and safeguard agricultural incomes.

He said local weather forecasts will be transmitted through SMS to provide very timely warnings of impending adverse weather conditions.

Adebayo, has said giving farmers easy access to the information through cell phones will help increase farmers’ productivity and generate higher returns on the money they invest in production inputs.

He said farmers need forecasts to help them make decisions related to timing, such as choosing the best planting dates and deciding when

to apply fertiliser.

Adebayo stressed the importance of getting the seasonal forecast in advance to enable farmers make good pre-season decisions.

For decisions to be effective, he said farmers need complementary agricultural services, such as a good supply of appropriate seed varieties, soil tests to help in managing soil fertility, plus training on how to collect and use local climate data.

Olotu said access to seasonal weather forecasts will help farmers facing threats from extreme weather to make informed cropping decisions. Olotu said choosing the best seeds and planting dates for the likely conditions, based on weather information would boost yields and secure farmers’ livelihoods.

‘Nigeria needs quality soil survey’

N

IGERIA needs a survey to create a database of soil types to aid land use planning and agricultural expansion, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), University of Agirculture, Abeokuta, Prof Felix Salako, has said.

In an interview with The Nation, Salako said such surveys would help farmers, planners and developers to better evaluate the potential of soils for agriculture.

He said a quality soil survey is an immense undertaking, driven by minute scientific detail and extensive field work .

The project,he said, involves survey and analysis of the makeup of the soil, water availability, surrounding vegetation, and a variety of other factors including suitability for irrigated agriculture of soils.

According to him, a soil survey is an accurate and robust inventory of natural resources and information from the survey can be used by the farming community, decision makers and environmental-impact assessors.

He said various soils respond different to crop rotation, tillage

and fertiliser as such,soil scientists need to inform farmers about how to correct problems and provide information and recommendations to them about plants to avoid or the best use of land.

He said the survey will enable the government to analyse thousands of soil samples and draw up a “chemical content map of the land.

Such sampling, he noted, becomes a regular part of monitoring resources and will feed into climate change and biodiversity-related studies and assessments of soil degradation.

Hard data on soil quality, Salako explained, was particularly valuable for soil protection that a directive on soil is necessary in managing issues such as climate change, biodiversity and water pollution.

Stressing the importance of soil biodiversity in agriculture,the don said mismanaging soil biodiversity could jeopardise agricultural production.

He said land degradation and associated pressures are threatening soil biodiversity, hence, the ability of the soil to perform its basic ecosystem functions and services.

• From left: Richenhagen; former Federal President of Germany, Prof Dr. Horst Köhler; former President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor and former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the summit.

AGCO Africa summit holds in Berlin

A

GCO, an American tractor company, set to invest massively in the agro business sector in Nigeria has held its Second annual AGCO Africa Summit in Berlin.

The summit gathers politicians, chief executives and industry experts to help Africa move in the right direction by developing a new vision for agriculture and sustainable investments.

The summit is an initiative of AGCO, Bayer CropScience, DEG –

‘Agric central to industrial development’

T

HE Kogi Deputy Governor, Mr YomiAwoniyi, has said agriculture is the fulcrum that will drive the industrial development of the state.

Awoniyi spoke at the presentation of 10 tractors purchased by the government for rice farmers as part of its flood recovery programme.

He said the government was resolute to tap into the Federal Gov-

•Sandgrouse market, Lagso

ernment’s agenda for rice farming.

He said 10,000 hectares of land had been cleared for rice farming while another had been set aside for cassava.

Awoniyi said the concentration of the government on agriculture had become imperative to ensure that farmers affected by flood in the state got back on their feet.

He stated that the Korean Govern-

ment had helped the state in establishing rice mills, while an approval for the purchase and erection of four cassava mills was in progress.

Earlier, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Femi Abolarin, praised the administration for its determination to reposition the sector.

He noted that the result of the efforts would ensure self-sustenance and improved economy.

Deutsche Investitionsund Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH and Rabobank.

Speaking during the ceremony, AGCO Chairman,Martin Richenhagen, said “Africa’s population is set to rise to two billion by 2050.” “But food security in Africa is by no means where it needs to be to face this challenge. It is a global responsibility to develop agriculture in Africa to meet the growing demand for food security and better nutrition.”

To meet the growing needs of Af-

rica’s rapidly growing population, he said farm productivity must increase.

According to him, Africa is estimated to hold more than 60 per cent of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land. This untapped reserve of farmland holds the key to ensuring a sustainable food supply.

“Large areas across Africa have suitable soil and climate for farming, but are not used,” explained Richenhagen. “We need to support agricultural mechanisation in Africa to create better food security.”

T

Osun to intensify agric investment

HE Osun State government has reiterated its determination to give priority to agriculture by stepping up investment. The Commissioner for Finance, Economic Planning and Budget, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, in a statement, said the government is ready to reposition agriculture by investing in programmes to transform the energy of young people into tangible development targets.

According to him, youth participation is critical to the achievement of sustainable agriculture development. He said the government will continue to attach high importance to the youth agenda.

He said the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme(O’YES) has taken 20,000 volunteer youths off unemployment for a range of social services and public works with direct positive impact on the comfort and health, or even on the economic betterment of the citizens.

“The state government allows each O’YES cadet N10, 000 relief allowance monthly, which translates to about N6 billion for the cycle of two years each batch of 20,000 cadets stays on the programme.

This is apart from the outlay on kitting and training. The first batch of the cadets passed out a week ago, paving way for the second,” he explained.

Bolorunduro pointed out that the

government is pleased to spend the money to lift a large of number of youths from poverty.

On the O’MEAL programme, the commissioner said it is another social services initiative that provides one balanced meal a day for primary school children.

At the cost of N260 million a month, he said the programme brings vital nutrition to children who might otherwise have gone hungry or even stayed back from school. “O’MEAL engages 3,000 food vendors in the state and they are also assisted with soft loans from the state government,“ he explained.

The Commissioner said that the social capital expenditures are deliberate efforts to stimulate the domestic economy of the state and that the government is using fiscal tools to achieve a fairer distribution of wealth by making allocations to favour the vulnerable groups.

He urged the youth to take advantage of the several programmes and projects initiated by the government to boost agricultural production in the country.

42

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

43

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Ondo 2015: Parties prepare for parliamentary polls Four months after the governorship election in Ondo State, the three main political parties-Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)-are warming up for the next parliamentary elections. Correspondent LEKE AKEREDOLU examines their chances at the polls.

T

HE next general elections will hold in Ondo State in 2015. But the political parties have started mobilisation, ahead of the electioneering.

Four political parties, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party (AP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) are presently challenging the victory of Governor Segun Mimiko at the State Electoral Petition Tribunal. The opposition parties are warming up again to slug it out with the ruling Labour Party (LP) at the parliamentary elections.

As they fight the legal battle, they also oil their machineries at the grassroots. In Ondo State, the parties are competing for the three seats in the Senate, eight House of Representatives slots and 26 seats in the House of Assembly.

During the 2011 elections, LP won 25 out of the 26 seats in the Assembly. PDP had one seat. Also, while the LP won seven seats out of the eight seats in the House of Representatives, PDP won one seat. LP won the three senatorial seats.

However, ahead of the 2012 governorship election, Senator Ajayi Boroffice from Ondo North District and House of Representatives member Ifedayo Abegunde from Akure South/North Constituency defected to the ACN. The two politicians were governorship aspirants, but they stepped down for Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

The senators and House of Representatives members have not openly declared their ambitions to recontest, Even though none of the serving legislators, but underground consultations among politicians are in progress. This is to be expected, given the tradition of Nigerian politicians to seek for second terms in office.

A member of the House of Representatives from Akoko Southwest/Akoko Southeast, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, recently held an empowerment programme in his constituency. At the ceremony, some youths emerged to endorse him for another term.

He was amused by the endorsement. Since then, he has been oiling his campaign machinery.

Ologunagba’s challenger is the son of the former Ondo State governor, Otunba Gboyega Adefarati, who has informed his political associates that he would vie for the parliamentary seat. In 2011, he had indicated his interest in the slot, but luck did not smile on him.

The young politician delivered his community (Akungba Akoko) for his party, the ACN, in the October 20, 2012 governorship election.

There may also be a political drama in the Central Senatorial District. The battle for the House of Representatives seat will be fierce.

Sources said that Abegunde is scheming to retain the seat for the ACN. But LP is raising a candidate to dislodge him. Party sources said one of the state legislators from Akure has been anointed for the job.

“I can tell you that Hon. Ade Adeniyi, who is a member of the House of Assembly, is interested in the seat and he has the backing of the party”, added the source.

However, he will face Mr Deji Falae, a lawyer and commissioner, and the governor’s Chief Protocol Officer, Dayo Awude, at the primaries.

Deji, son of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation [SGF], Chief Olu Falae, had vied for the position in 2011.

He could not make it. But he was also used the appoinment to compensate his father for endorsing him.

The senatorial race will also be a stiff competition. Senator Ayo Akinyelure, who is representing Ondo Central at the Upper Chamber, contested the seat against the PDP candidate, Senator Gbenga Ogunniya, and the ACN flagbear, Dr. Michael Akintade.

Ogunniya was among the few PDP leaders

•Boroface

•Abegunde

•Kuku

•Kunlere

•Ojo

•Agunloye

‘The opposition parties are warming up again to slug it out with the ruling Labour Party (LP) at the parliamentary elections. As they fight the legal battle, they also oil their machineries at the grassroots. In Ondo State, the parties are competing for the three seats in the Senate, eight House of Representatives slots and 26 seats in the House of Assembly’ who endorsed Mimiko for a second term.

Many believe that he may not aspire again because it may be difficult for him to secure the ticket.

Akintade who came third during the last elections, left the country for the United States after the polls. ACN, sources said, is preparing to raise another candidate to fight for the seat.

Senator Boroffice from Ondo North is yet to declare his interest in the senatorial race.

But his associates said that he is interested in retaining the seat for the ACN. Boroffice, the Asiwaju of Akokoland, may have to wrest for the seat with the candidate of LP candidate. Already, a Prince from Owo local government, ‘Nekan Olateru-Olagbegi who was the party senatorial candidate for 2007 general elections, has embarked on secret consultation to contest the seat again.

But the race will not be a walk over for the prince. The former Commissioner for Finance in Adefarati Administration, Chief Segun Ojo, may slug it out with Olateru-Olagbegi.

Segun Ojo was among the prominent politicians who helped governor Mimiko to win the 2007 and 2012 governorship elections.

Although he left the party for the ACN, he returned to the fold before the October 20, 2012 election. The former commissioner his now seeking for Mimiko’s blessing for the ticket.

Another politician who may also join the race is Dr. Olu Agunloye. The former Minister of Power and Steel vied for the ticket in 2011.

He lost to Boroffice. Later, he joined the ACN to contest the governorship. He again lost to Akeredolu. After that, he retuned to the LP. When contacted on phone, the former Special Assistant to the slain Justice Minister, Chief Bola Ige, said it is too early to talk about the 2015 general elections. He said that he would remain silent on his future plans. But sources said that he is already holding consultations with stakeholders in his district.

There have been speculations that the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, is interested in the Ondo South senatorial ticket.

He is a chieftain of the PDP. Kuku, an Ese-Odo born politician, played a crucial role in the emergence of the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, who lost to Mimiko in the last election. The presidential adviser is solidly behind the embattled PDP State Executive Committee led by Mr. Ebenezer Alabi. But it is uncertain whether Kuku is siding with Oke, who is locked in a war of attriction with his erstwhile Director of Campaigns, Dr. Dare Bada, over the way he ran his governorship campaigns.

Apart from Kuku, who had confided in some of his followers about his aspiration, no PDP chieftain has shown interest. The Ijaw politician may likely contest the position againt the LP Senator Boluwaji Kunlere, who is seeking re-election. .

In 2011, Kunlere defeated the former governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, who was the PDP candidate in the South District.

Kunlere, an LP chieftain, is relying on the power of incumbency to retain the seat.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

POLITICS

2015: PDP, APC have equal chances

‘Igbo can produce first APC President’

S

ENATOR Annie Okonkwo has said that Igbo will back the new party, All Progressives Congress (APC), in the next general elections. He dismissed the insinuation that the involvement of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the merger talks did not command the blessing of the party leadership.

He told our correspondent in Lagos that participation of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who is a leader of the party, has given credibility to the party’s involvement in the exercise.

Okonkwo said the APC will install a progressive administration that will rescue the country from total anarchy.

He said APC is on a rescue mission to halt the corrupt and inept PDP administration at the centre.

Okonkwo said: “It is very clear why the merger deal was brokered. It has become very important and urgent to salvage the country from the claws of insecurity, collapse of infrastructure, the rising profile of unemployment and the continuous drifting of the country to one party state.”

Anambra State government had criticised the merger, saying it does not have its backing. Also, APGA Board of Trustees (BoT) member, Dr. Tim Menakaya, also faulted the identification of Governor Okorocha and Senator Okonkwo with the process.

T

By Musa Odoshimokhe

Defending the presence of the APGA leaders, Senator Okonkwo maintained that Okorocha’s presence was overwhelmingly applauded by the party hierarchy.

He added: “Governor Okorocha is a leader of the party; you have to follow what the leaders of your party say. Practically, the only way an Igbo man can become the President of this country is through this merger and we are in support of it.”

Okonkwo said that the position of the Anambra State government did not come as a surprise because it was already fraternising with the ruling party.

He said: “Governor Peter Obi is already in alliance with the PDP. So, we are not surprised by the position of the government. Those who think the merger would not work were not facing the reality on ground because it was not arrived at on selfish or personal ground.

“It was concluded based on the overwhelming support of Nigerians to save this country because the ruling party has run short of management ideas”.

In reaction to the statement by APGA Deputy National Chairman Uche Ejike that the merger is a union of strange bedfellows that would collapse in the next six months, Okonkwo explained that every result available indicated that the

•Senator Okonkwo

merger would sweep of the ruling party from power.

He observed that the Igbo were going to benefit more in the union and urged all progressive minded people to keep hope alive in the All Progressives Congress (APC) because through it they would rule the country.

“We are democrats and would not do anything to undermine democracy that will assuage all the segments of the country. All those who are not supporting the merger from the Igbo extraction are enemies of the Igbo people. Let me state it again, that this is the platform through which an Igbo man can become president of this country,” he said.

Kano youths endorse lawmaker for governorship From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

•Kawu

A

PARTISAN group, ‘Kawu Dala Sumaila Organisation’, has endorsed a House of Representatives member, Alhaji Kawu Sumaila, for the governorship in Kano State. Members of the group have presented him to the former Kano State governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. They pledged their support for the for-

mation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group said the party will dislodge the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Following the birth of the new party, the Two parties in the merger, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), held rallies in Kano to celebrate the merger.

The CPC held its rally at the Murtala Muhammed Library Complex. It was attended by party chieftains from the 44 local council areas . The ANPP cmembers converged on Shekarau’s residence.

At the rally, the group asked cthe former governor to support the federal legislator, saying that he will reposition the state, if elected as governor.

The youths argued Sumaila, who

has been a federal legislator since 1999, has the experience and capability to govern the state on the platform of the APC. The youths maintained that the state has been facing serious security challenges in the past two years.

They said the security challenge has prevented investors from coming to the state.

The group said the state government has failed to solve the problems of water shortage and unemployment.

Kano State CPC leader Alhaji Usman Alhaji, who is the former National Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), said the merger will end the domination of the polity by the PDP. Also, Usman said APC will provide good leadership, foster accountability and prevent corruption in governance.

HOSE who had dreamt of making Nigeria a one-party state must now come to terms with the reality of its impossibility. Not anymore with the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

About four years ago, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Vincent Ogbulafor had predicted that the party would rule the country for 60 years. He predicted that Nigeria will become a one-party state.

Ogbulafor also said that Nigeria needed a one-party system of government to ensure stability and progress, stressing that it was only the PDP that could make it possible.

But speaking with The Nation, the national chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr Yunusa Tanko, said the dream of a one-party state has been aborted. He said the opposition and the ruling party have an equal chance of forming the government at the centre in 2015.

“We now know that the tendency to foist a one-party state on Nigeria has been broken. Those who think that they can rule Nigeria for ever must have a re-think. The truth is that the PDP is sure to be depleted; all progressives whose parties were deregistered and others who have been sitting on the fence will now team up with the APC and I can tell you, Nigerians are wiser now.

“They will not allow any party to continue to rule them with impunity again. The level of impunity has been too much and Nigerians are sure to, with the coming of APC, halt the plan by the PDP to rule this country for the next 60 years. If the truth must be told, for now, the PDP and the ACP both has an equal chance of forming the next government at the centre”, he said.

Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Osita Okechukwu, said the political equation has changed, adding that it is a straight contest between the APC and the PDP. “The birth of APC has redefined the political landscape in Nigeria. I can tell you that the electoral battle of 2015 is now between PDP and APC. It is illusory now for anybody in the PDP to still think that the party can rule Nigeria for 60 years. The inability of the opposition parties to come together in the past probably accounted for that way of thinking. But things have change and nobody will be able to make Nigeria a one-party state.

“Right now, we are calling on all

By Augustine Avwode, Assistantl Editor

Nigerians to join the new mega party because it is a mass movement . There is an urgent need for all progressives to join hand in the process that could prevent the dangerous slide of Nigeria into a failed state. We want them to do this so as to ensure the safety of our fledgling democracy”.

Following the landslide victory of the PDP in the 2003 general elections, especially the unexpected in-road it made into the Southwest and a repeat performance in 2007, Ogbulafor concluded that Nigeria was heading for a one party state where the opposition have no say.

The PDP chieftain said: “Some time ago, I used to read in the newspapers that the umbrella of the PDP is torn. Each time I read that, I would laugh and then say to myself that the umbrella is still strong and very intact and ready to accommodate more people. The PDP is a party for all and it is set to rule Nigeria for the next 60 years. I don’t care if Nigeria becomes a one-party state. We can do it and the PDP can contain all,” were his words.

Ogbulafor’s perception of the political situation in the country then, was a place where the opposition has not the slightest opportunity of challenging it. As a result, the ruling party was at liberty to continue in governance for as long as it wanted.

What started then as a mere desire to expand its coast and establish a comfortable majority over other parties by the PDP led to the emasculation of the opposition parties.

However, Yunusa said: “Oneparty state is no longer feasible in Nigeria, not with the emergence of the APC. The equation has changed”.

Afenifere can re-unite, says Falae

A

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and former President Olusegun Obasanjo when the latter paid a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Government House, Benin City ... yesterday.

•Dr. Yunusa

FENIFERE chieftain Chief Olu Falae has said that the two factions of the panYoruba socio-political group can still reconcile, if the terms of reconciliation are right and genuine. He said, at 74, he has no political ambition than the unity and progress of Yoruba and development of Nigeria in all ramifications.

The two factions are led by the Acting Leader, Pa Rueben Fasoranti, and Pa Ayo Fasanmi, the deputy leader. Prominent members of the Fasoranti faction are Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi, Pa Falae, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, and Chief Supo Sonibare. In Fasanmi’s group are Chief Bisi Akande, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Pa Olabiyi Durojaye, Chief Michael Koleoso, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The former Secretary to Federal Military Government (SFG) and Finance Minister said the division in the umbrella group has led to the marginalisation of Yoruba race. He spoke on national issues in his home town, Akure, Ondo State capital. However, he said reconciliation cannot be ruled out, if there is sincerity

and commitment on the part of warring members.

Falae stressed: “The interest of Yoruba race will be best served, if we work together. As long as we remain divided, the rest of Nigeria will see that division and they will exploit it and they will marginalise us, knowing that we will not be able to speak with one voice. If Afenifere says something, Afenifere Renewal Group will say something different. They will say Yoruba cannot agree, forget about them.

“For the sake of our people, let us reconcile. The last attempt made to reconcile the two sides was at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan. It was at the instance of the ACN. Lere Adebayo, former Commissioner for Finance in Bola Ige Administration in Oyo State was the person sent to us. We said before then, there should be a joint committee to prepare the agenda.

“We still count. Our people still respect us. Because we don’t have billions of naira, you don’t say that we don’t matter electorally and politically. In Yorubaland, in Ondo State in particular, credibility, integrity, track record and honest leadership still count.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

45

Osun empowers 300 artisans •Continued from Page 17

training was a gift to them as it will enhance their economic wellbeing even beyond the period of the O’School projects.

He also noted that the painters’ relevance would extend beyond the state when people realise that they are professionals. He also promised that the training would extend to artisans of other professions and would come up regularly.

He said: “To give an idea of the enormity of what is involved; construction is going on in 24 sites in different parts of the state.

Contracts for the construction of 30 new sites would be awarded within the next two weeks.

“This training is not a one-off exercise; it is one in a series that will embrace other artisans in the state. Capacity building and improvement are also parts of our government’s policies to help improve the life of our people by giving them the opportunity to earn decent living for themselves.

“As a result, a similar training workshop for metal fabricators will follow this one in a matter of short time. Our objective with capacity enhancement is to make our local artisans more effective and efficient in their trade.

“It would also expose them to modern technology, which, in turn, would improve their professionalism; with a view to adding value to their services.”

•Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (second left); presenting a Certificate of Completion to Mrs Waheed Aminat from Iwo Local Government. With them are Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam (left) and the coordinator, Osun Schools Infrastructure Development Committee (O-School), Otunba Lai Oyeduntan at the event

With the successful training for the painters, government has equally promised that other vocations such as electrical, plumbing, bricklaying, carpentry, aluminium work and others, would soon benefit from the skill acquisition scheme.

People within the state who before now went outside to get professionals at exorbitant prices to

do their works would now source for them locally at a reasonable price.

Besides, there would be capital flow and circulation within the economy of the state and people’s income would improve.

Not only this, it is also envisaged that these artisans would be sought after by clients from

other states once they prove that they are capable of doing quality jobs.

“Again, the programme will engender rapid development in the state,” Aregbesola said.

Some of the participants, who spoke to Newsextra, expressed their satisfaction over government’s gesture.

One of them, Mr. Kayode Bello,

said the training has exposed him to new opportunities.

He stated that at the completion of the training, he has become a professional painter.

Bello, however, pleaded with government to extend such training to artisans of other professions so that Osun State can reap the economic benefit of the scheme in future.

Council distributes free school uniform

E

JIGBO Local Council Development Area Chairman, Lagos State Kehinde Bamigbetan has distributed free school uniforms to 8,000 pupils in the 10 public primary schools within the council area free.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lagos State, Hon. Ademorin Kuye who was a special guest at the ceremony held at the premises of Low Cost Housing Estate Primary School 2, described the distribution of the uniforms by Ejigbo LCDA as a demonstration the council’s high level of passion for education.

Hon. Kuye stated further that education is a means through which poverty is eradicated among the people. He added that the free uniform programme alleviates the burden of poor parents who cannot afford to send their children to school.

“Some children have been sent away from school because of their parents’ inability to buy school uniforms for them. What Bamigbetan has done with the free uniform project is to take away that burden from the poor parents,” the commissioner stated.

He advised the children to see the gesture as part of their learning processes. He told the pupils that the council chairman is teaching them to remember to help people in need when they grow up and become successful in life.

To parents, Hon. Kuye said

By Duro Babayemi

they have no excuse not to send their children to school, as both the state and local governments in Lagos have done enough to improve the standard of primary education.

The commissioner, while praising Bamigbetan for his giant strides in moving Ejigbo forward through education, urged him to also pay attention to the welfare of primary school teachers, stating that there is need to train and equip teachers on information technology to enable them to perform better.

“Unless the teachers teach the pupils well, the uniform will amount to nothing,” Hon Kuye said.

In his welcome address, the council chief said the distribution of the uniforms is the third phase of the exercise started by his administration. In 2008, he said, 4,200 pupils were beneficiaries and the second phase was in 2011, when 7,200 pupils were given free uniforms.

He stated that the free uniform project of his administration is in line with the manifestoes of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and also in line with the objectives of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on education.

He added that the idea is also a poverty-reduction strategy and a continuation of the free education programmes of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the the old

•Hon. Kuye presents free uniform to a pupil of Asiwaju Bola Hamed Tinubu Primary School, Ejigbo during the third phase distribution of free uniforms. With him is Hon Bamigbetan

Education is a means through which poverty is eradicated among the people...The free uniform programme alleviates the burden of poor parents who cannot afford to send their children to school Western Region.

“This free uniform project and many others that have been ex-

ecuted by our administration are indication of our commitment to the welfare of our people. We

care for the children; we care for parents. That is the position of our party and that is the position of our government,” Bamigbetan said.

At the ceremony, representatives of teachers, parents, the pupils, as well as Comrade Oyejobi Olakunle, the Public Relations Officer of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest region, praised Bamigbetan for his passion to ensure that children receive quality education in the council area.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

46

Imo inaugurates committee on award

I

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has inaugurated a 14-man committee on merit award.

His Grace, Most Rev. Cyril Okorocha, Anglican Bishop of Owerri diocese is its chairman, while Chief Goddy Dike, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism is the secretary.

Other members of the committee are Chief Bon Nwakanma; Mrs. Victoria Eronini; Chief J.A. Udogu; Mr. Bob Njamanze; Dr. Reginald Anyadike; Dr. Emeka Obioha; the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adisa Bolanta, the Director State Security Service; chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Imo State chapter; Sir Innocent Igwe and S. I.

The award should neither be for the highest bidder nor a reward for the privileged people in the society. Rather, it should be for those Imo people who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour and have contributed to the development of the state and well-being of Imo citizens

T

WENTY-YEAR-OLD Emeka Mbeke is in a critical condition at the intensive care unit of Parklane Hospital, Enugu where doctors are battling to save his life. He was inflicted with several machete cuts by some assailants because of conflict over land.

Emeka Mbeke had visited his cousin in Ibagwa Nike Community, a suburb of Enugu. There, a gang of seven persons accosted him and started inflicting machete cuts on him.

The assailants left him in his pool of blood as they thought he was dead. After the assailants had left, some relations raised alarm and Emeka was rushed to the hospital.

Emeka was able to identify those who attacked him. He said all are members of an opposing group in the community that are laying claim to some community lands. They are also contending the control and sale of some of the community’s land. Sales of land have become lucrative business in the community since extention of urbanisation to the community.

As a result of this, the Ibagwa Nike Community split into two factions. One of the factions is alleged to be led by the traditional

Okpara.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at Government House Owerri, Governor Okorocha urged them to evolve procedure and requirement for selecting worthy recipients of the award.

He said: “The award should neither be for the highest bidder nor a reward for the privileged people in the society. Rather, it should be for those Imo people who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour and have contributed to the development of the state and well-being of Imo citizens.”

The governor further said that the award will be extended to those who are not indigenous to the state that, in one way or the other, have positively impacted on the lives of Imo people and contributed to the development of the state.

He said that the first edition of

the award will take place at the International Conference Centre Owerri which, he said, will soon be completed.

Governor Okorocha maintained that the event would include, among other things, lectures, symposia and cultural displays that will serve as a showcase for the rich cultural heritage of Imo people.

He said that the award is in line with the National Merit Award and is aimed at encouraging hard work and excellence, adding that the Imo State House of Assembly has already passed a law to give it legal backing.

Responding on behalf of other members of the committee, Rt. Rev. Cyril Okorocha thanked the governor for finding them worthy for the assignment. He assured that the committee would discharge its responsibility with utmost sincerity and dedication.

Those present at the inauguration were the Commissioner for

•Governor Okorocha

Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Chinedu Offor, Commissioner for Community Government, Lady Nnanna Okoro; Commissioner for Petroleum and Environment, Emma Ekweremba and other government functionaries.

Enugu community boils over land From Chris Oji, Enugu

ruler of the community, Igwe Emma Ugwu while the other consists of members of a clan within the community known as Umu Ameke Ode who want to assert their rights.

The latter group became known as Transparency Forum (TF) and transformed into freedom fighters. Emeka is said to be its secretary.

The Transparency Forum has been advocate of accountability, even as it allegedly dragged the Igwe to court. It obtained an injunction against the traditional ruler over the power of attorney which he allegedly exercised.

A day after the court injunction, the chairman of the Transparency Forum, Valentine Eke was attacked by members of the opposing camp.

Emeka, on his hospital bed, managed to speak to Newsextra. He alleged that those who attacked him were sent by one of his townsmen (names withheld) with whom he had a land deal. He further said that he bought a piece of land from

the townsman when the community was still united.

But as crisis crept in and indigenes found themselves in different camps, he and the man he bought land from found themselves in opposing groups.

The said townsman, according to him, made entreaties to him to either decamp to his or forfeit the piece of land he bought from him. Emeka said he refused to honour his request and that pitched him against his former

O

business associate who seized the land from him without refund of his money.

Emeka’s cousin corroborated Emeka’s claim. He said: “We know those who attacked him.

They are henchmen of the man who is desperate to repossess the piece of land he sold to my cousin because of his refusal to dump the Transparency Forum. It won’t happen.”

Enugu State Police Command said it was on top of the crisis.

According to the command’s spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, the police have swung into action to determine the real cause of the problem and those behind “the brutal cuts on the young man.”

Amaraizu further said although no arrest has been made, “our men have been drafted to the community for thorough investigation.”

The community’s traditional ruler was said to be away to Abuja when Newsextra visited his palace for comment on the matter.

Ogun restates commitment to healthcare delivery

GUN State Commissioner for Health Dr. Olaokun Soyinka has assured residents of the state of government’s commitment to the well-being and healthy lifestyle of its citizens.

Soyinka, who gave this assurance in Abeokuta while briefing newsmen on his ministry’s activities for the year, stated that government would continue to focus on development of healthcare delivery service.

The commissioner further explained that government has plan to build model health centres in each of the nine federal constituencies of the state, adding that one of such is already under construction in Abeokuta, the state capital.

He added that more primary healthcare centres, secondary and tertiary health institutions across the state would be upgraded and provided with basic social amenities and equipment.

The commissioner further disclosed that four additional ambulance base points would be estab-

lished across the state to enhance quick response to emergencies, even as he said that necessary researches would be carried out to address health-related issues.

Soyinka stated that government would not leave out training and re-training of its medical personnel to enhance skills. He stated that 450 health personnel would be engaged to strengthen the school health programmme.

He assured that the free health programme for children aged zero to five as well as ante-natal care and delivery remained top priorities of government.

More primary healthcare centres, secondary and tertiary health institutions across the state would be upgraded and provided with basic social amenities and equipment

•Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation/Revenue, Mr Abimbola Shodipo (right) with the students of Yewa Junior High School, Agege District I during the Lagos State Science and Technology Week (LASTECH) held at Alausa, Ikeja -Lagos PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

48

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

He did not record a single accident from 1999 till date. I can therefore proclaim, confirm publicly and put on record that he served me well. I could not have had a better driver whilst it lasted

Driver gets car, N500,000 as parting gift FORMER judge in the Edo State judiciary, Justice Roland Amaize, has given his official driver, Jimoh Momodu, a cash gift of N500,000 and a Volvo car as he retires from service.

Justice Amaize made the gesture at a special court session held in his honour.

The retired Judge said the driver drove him in the past 14 years without any recorded case of accident and described him as ‘constant Northern star that never changed.’

He said the gifts were in recognition of the good service rendered to him and the family during his period as a judge in the state.

He said: “In all the courts that I had served there were changes of guards from court to court in terms of staff but one person had remained constant like the Northern star. That person is Mr. Jimoh Momodu, my official driver. Upon my assumption of office in May 1999, I got him appointed for me as a motor driver on Grade Level 04 with effect from June of that year.

“In appreciation of the overall good services he rendered to me and my family, we are therefore making a token cash gift of N500,000 to him and his family.

Token not in the sense that it is of its own too small but because the services he rendered to me far outweigh the sum.

“The money will be handed over to his wife, whom I know to be a trader and hard-working woman.

It will enable her advance her petty trade for the overall benefit of his

A

P

RESIDENT and founder of Anabel Leadership Academy, Nicholas Okoye has urged Nigerian students to change their mindset and dependence on destiny and face the realities of life.

Okoye, who was at the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus for Youths Leadership Entrepreneurship seminar, told the students that although destiny plays a role in one’s life, depending on it may lead to ugly future.

According to him, it is the indi-

•Justice Cromwell Idahosa, Chief Judge of Edo State presents the car keys to Jimoh Momodu; with them is Peter Isibor, President, Customary Court of Appeal (right) the car keys and documents to the tions he served especially to Ubiaja sum of N4,000 per month as spedriver, commended the retired where they travelled three days in cial allowance from me.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin judge for setting the pace in the a week for five years.

“He did not record a single accistate judicial system.

“He drove me to and from all the dent from 1999 till date. I can therefamily. In addition my small Volvo Momodu said he was surprised stations I had served. In the case of fore proclaim, confirm publicly car that I cherished so much tothat despite his status as a driver, Ubiaja in particular, on daily baand put on record that he served gether with the keys and all the the judge found him worthy of sis, three days in the week (Monme well. I could not have had a relevant vehicle particulars will be such an honour. day- Wednesday) for five years we better driver whilst it lasted,” he handed over to him.”

He stated that he never realised were on the road to and from stated.

Justice Amaize noted that Jimoh that his duty as a driver was being Ubiaja. He was on duty Saturdays Chief Judge of the state, Justice drove him to and fro in all the stanoticed and recognised by his boss. and Sundays with only a paltry Cromwell Idahosa who presented

Youths urged to develop their potential From Chris Oji, Enugu

vidual that makes his or her destiny realisable by harnessing the potential in him.

“If your destiny has been pre-determined, you won’t be here seeking educational development. You would have stayed back in your

homes waiting for your destiny to come,” he said.

He said that the idea of university education is job creation, adding that “when you have your degree, you are now equipped to create jobs for yourselves.”

Okoye disagreed with the saying that information is power, insist-

•Chairman, Ikeja Local Government Area, Hon Wale Odunlami addressing young mothers during the National Immunisation Day Plus programme at the secretariat

ing that information is empowerment which propels one to take action and bring out one’s potential.

“Therefore, we don’t want to sit down and proffer solutions to the problems in Nigeria, but we want to solve the problems.

Continuing, he said: “One way in which we are going to solve the problems is by empowering Nigerian students with entrepreneurial skills so that they can survive on their own without relying on nonexisting jobs in the private sector, or having to steal or depend on government money for survival.”

Advising students who desire to work in government and private sector establishments after graduation, Okoye said it was not the role of government to create jobs. He advocated that government must provide an enabling environment for jobs to be created.

“Let government create the enabling environment. Then the private sector will create the jobs.

“The enabling environment is not on ground because our leaders are so embedded in corruption.

Until the reverse becomes the case, the private sector would not be able to create jobs,” he said.

Okoye, however, added that the over-reliance on the private sector for jobs or job creation was not realistic, as the private companies could only provide jobs for a fraction of the unemployed class.

“How many people can the banks and telecommunication companies employ?

The staff strength of MTN is not

more than 5, 000. If you put the staff strength of the entire telecommunication companies in Nigeria, it is not more than 15, 000. Yet we are graduating more than 1, 000, 000 people every year.

“Last year, no oil company engaged in drilling. It is only when the oil companies are carrying out an oil explorative service by way of well drilling that they employ.

“So, we must not wait for these companies to provide jobs. We must take our destiny into our hands,” he said.

He urged the youth and students not to be docile in the political affairs of the country, even as he urged them to ensure that they participate in every aspect of the endeavour.

He said: “You have no right to criticise our leaders if you don’t participate in politics.”

He further said the academy would try as much as possible to ensure that the crisis in the country which culminated in Boko Haram insurgency in the North did not spill over to the South-East by making the empowerment of the youth in the zone a priority.

According to him, Anabel Leadership Academy represents a bold step to address the leadership crisis in Nigeria with a very practical approach to solving the problem.

“Anabel Leadership Academy has a unique set of resources to assist in this effort, some local and many international. But all our resources have one target and one goal which is to develop the skills of our leaders or would-be leaders in our political and corporate institutions.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

49

NATION SPORT

‘My children try to emulate Messi’ —Song

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HE Barcelona midfielder has spoken out about the important role of sport in a young person’s life, citing the example of his two sons.

Alex Song has revealed that his children try to emulate what Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi does on the pitch.

The former Arsenal man believes footballers are important role models for youngsters, and that sport should be an integral part of any person’s life.

“When my children see Leo Messi, they try to emulate him,” he was quoted as saying on the official Barcelona website.

“Sports are important for youngsters and for people in general, it makes you feel better.”

Song moved to Camp Nou from Arsenal over the summer, and has since made nine Liga appearances, scoring once in the process.

Sneijder: I will get better and better T HE Dutch midfielder has vowed to hit top form for the Istanbul giants shortly after making his first start for Fatih Terim’s side against Antalyaspor Galatasaray playmaker Wesley Sneijder has promised fans that

Sissoko happy to be at Fiorentina

F

ORMER Liverpool and Juventus midfielder Mohamed Sissoko has expressed his delight to be back in Serie A.

• Sissoko

The defensive midfielder moved to Fiorentina during the January mercato on loan from parent club Paris SaintGermain until the end of the season.

The Malian international was one of the first recruits of PSG’s Qatarirun revolution, however, since his move in the summer of 2011, Sissoko has only featured in 28 Ligue 1 games.

Following the African Cup of Nations, in which Sissoko played for Mali, the midfielder said, “I immediately liked the project which was presented to me. It’s a serious and well constructed one.”

Sissoko added, “I’m happy to be here. We’re a strong team and I hope we’ll do well.”

Sissoko will be available for Fiorentina on Sunday when the team host Inter.

Wilfried Bony: Still looking for a move

H

IGHLY-RATED Vitesse Arnhem striker Wilfried Bony appears set to move to Russia before the end of the month.

The striker has stated his desire to leave the Eredivisie’s surprise-package, with a move to England his preferred choice.

But after reported interest from unnamed clubs in Russia, where the transfer window does not close until February 27, Bony is ready to make a move now.

“I hope to leave this winter.

My wishes have not changed,” the 24-year-old told Voetbal International.

“Yes, the market in Russia

is not open for very much longer, but what can I do?

“I can only work and wait.

Work and wait and hope I get my chance.”

Reports in Holland have suggested Vitesse have asked for 15million euros for the Ivory Coast international, who has only recently returned from the African Nations Cup. Bony is the Eredivisie’s leading scorer this season with 18 goals and his departure would be a blow to Vitesse’s European ambitions.

After challenging near the top of the table for the first half of the season Vitesse have dropped to fifth, albeit still only eight points adrift of leaders PSV Eindhoven.

he will soon hit top form following his move to Istanbul from Inter.

The Dutchman has made three Super Lig appearances for the Turkish champions since completing his switch,

but has failed to make a noteworthy impact.

However, he has vowed to improve has he looks to recover match fitness after a being frozen out of the Nerazzurri first team for his last four months at San Siro.

“After a long period out it was important for me to be in the starting line up. I feel good and will get better and better,” he told Lig TV. “Despite lacking match condition I was in good shape.

We fought well against

Antalyaspor. They were three valuable points.

I played Almost 80 minutes, it feels so good. Every match I’ll be better.”

Galatasaray currently sit five points clear of city-rivals Besiktas at the top of the Turkish league.

Ibrahimovic could face extra ban

Lewandowski banned for B three matches P O R U S S I A DORTMUND have confirmed they will appeal against the threematch ban handed to star striker Robert Lewandowski for his red card against Hamburg at the weekend.

Lewandowski is set to miss Bundesliga games against Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Monchengladbach and Hannover 96 after he

•Lewandowski

was sent off following an altercation during Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at home to Hamburg. The ban does not apply for the DFBPokal match at Bayern Munich on February 27.

Dortmund immediately announced they will appeal the ruling by the German federation’s disciplinary commission. “We consider this suspension too harsh and are going to ask for a hearing,” Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said.

Lewandowski was sent off after a foul against Per Skjelbred, with Dutch star Rafael van der Vaart later claiming he got the Poland international sent off by “kicking up a fuss”.

“Between yellow and three games there is quite a margin and we could talk about that.”

Meanwhile, rumours of Lewandowski leaving the club this summer continue to circulate. The 24-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Bayern Munich at the end of the season and, according to his agent, had two major offers for his services last summer.

“It is true that two clubs were strongly interested in Robert,” Cezary Kucharski told Polish website natmat.pl. “The first club was Manchester United and the second one was Bayern Munich. But Robert is in a situation where he can choose the club he signs for.

SG head coach Carlo Ancelotti was disappointed with the red card given to Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the end of his side’s 2-1 win over Valencia in the UEFA Champions League.Tags: Uefa Champions League, Valencia, Paris Saint-germain, Psg UEFA’s disciplinary panel will meet at the end of February to decide whether PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic should be banned for an extra game.

Ibrahimovic was given his marching orders in the final few minutes of the French side’s 2-1 win over Valencia on Tuesday night for a tackle on Andres Guardado.

The Swede appeared to go over the ball and stamp on the Valencia midfielder’s foot and could face an additional suspension if UEFA’s panel decides the challenge was “assaulting another player”.

The panel will meet on February 27 and Ibrahimovic could be banned from the firstleg of PSG’s quarter-final, if they beat Valencia, or if not his next European game from next season.

In the Champions League a red card is an automatic one-match ban with any additional games purely at the discretion of UEFA’s disciplinary panel.

• Ibra

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

50

NATION SPORT Nico Hulkenberg a great reference, says Esteban Gutierrez

E

• Taiwo

Taiwo named USA track & field Athlete of the Week

EREMY TAIWO of the University of Washington (Renton, Wash.) has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after setting the heptathlon world record in the high jump of 2.24m/7-4.5 en route to his 6,156 point performance at the Boise State Team Classic on Saturday.

Setting personal bests in five of the seven events, Taiwo’s marks are as follows: 60m (7.02); LJ (7.42m/244.25); SP (14.18m/46-06.25); HJ (2.24m/7-4.5 ); 60mH (8.08); PV (4.25m/13-11.25); 1000m (2:34.44).

Taiwo’s mark is the fifth-best in NCAA history, and puts him as the third-best NCAA performer only behind Olympic gold and silver medalists Ashton Eaton and Trey Hardee. The score is also the current world leading mark, facility record and school record.

Taiwo did not compete for 19 months after the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Championships. At that event he managed to finish 15th in the decathlon, in spite of competing with a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

J

Since then he underwent Tommy John surgery and has made a full recovery.

“It is honestly the biggest 180 ever,” Taiwo said. “When I was going through everything last year, I was just telling myself that everything happens for a reason, and a tried to stay positive.”

T

Now in its 12th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognise outstanding performers at all levels of the sport.

USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

Serena’s training goes beyond tennis

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ERENA WILLIAMS’S bid to reclaim the world No1 ranking in Doha this week may be boosted by a French connection that has been helping her recover from an upsetting start to the year.

Williams seemed unusually alert and fresh in Doha after arriving in the Gulf on Saturday night, until it emerged she had crossed only the two time zones from Paris — and not the eight from her Florida home.

This suggests some or most of her preparation may have been done at Patrick Mouratoglou’s academy in the French capital.

There her emotional life as well as

Boxing coach banned for 27 months HE Irish Sports Council has banned an unnamed boxing coach for 27 months for the administration of a prohibited substance to a boxer, the first coach ever to be sanctioned under their anti-doping programmes.

The ISC also announced that there were a total of eight anti-doping rule violations in 2012 from 787 tests across 31 sports. Four were related to cannabis and four of the violations arose from a substance found in supplements.

Three members of a Tug-of War team were banned for 18 months each for the use of Methylhexanamine in a targeted in-competition test based on intelligence supplied to the ISC. A soccer player also tested positive for the same substance.

A motorsport participant was banned for nine months for testing positive for cannabis and a cyclist was banned for

Success runs in the Taiwo family.

Jeremy’s father Joseph was a twotime Olympian competing for Nigeria at the 1984 and 1988 games where he placed ninth in the triple jump both times.

“I’ve always believed that I was capable of being a great athlete if I could just stay healthy,” Taiwo said.

STEBAN GUTIERREZ, SauberSauber rookie Esteban Gutierrez believes partnering Nico Hulkenberg in 2013 will be massively beneficial for his own development as a grand prix driver.

Hulkenberg outscored his 2012 team-mate Paul di Resta during last year’s Formula 1 campaign and finished the season with a starring drive at Interlagos, when he overtook the McLarens to lead at various points of the race.

The German can also boast a pole position during his debut F1 campaign for Williams in addition to an outstanding CV in the junior formulae.

Gutierrez, who earned the inaugural GP3 Series crown in 2010 and finished third in GP2 last year, believes Hulkenberg will act as a valuable benchmark over the coming season.

“Nico is for me a great reference,” he explained.

“He has three years of experience, and also his level of communication with the team is very high.

“For me at the beginning it is important to have a good reference and I am very grateful to have this base to then progress to my potential.

“He is very open to work with, we have a good communication so far and generally the mentality is similar, so that’s positive.”

Gutierrez completed 252 laps in the first pre-season test at Jerez, more than any other driver.

The 21-year-old said that despite a minor fitness concern he was pleased with his consistency.

seven weeks, also after testing positive for cannabis use.

Decisions on two weightlifters that tested positive for the drug are pending.

There were also a number of what the ISC call “whereabouts failures”. For individual sports there were 18 “filing failures” and three “missed tests”. In team sports there were 12 “unsuccessful attempts” including eight in the GAA. Three indiscretions of this kind can lead to an athlete receiving a sanction which to date has not arisen under the Irish Anti-Doping Rules.

Chairman of the Anti-Doping Committee, Professor Brendan Buckley, said: “The results highlight clearly where the problems remain. We see positive tests arising from the use of supplements which contain banned substances; this is something we have warned about repeatedly.

her fitness should have experienced extra nurturing — probably much needed after a calamitous Australian Open where she ended with a quarterfinal defeat and two injuries.

Mouratoglou appears to have been important for Williams for many months now, and not just, it would appear, for his professional coaching abilities.

They met at the French Open in Paris in May last year, after which Williams said, according to Mouratoglou: “I want to win Wimbledon. I want to start now.”

He replied: “That’s simple, that’s how it started.”

However, since then they have sometimes been pictured together in non-coaching situations.

Mouratoglou was snapped with his hand on her posterior during a boat ride in Mauritius. She was caught on

• Serena

camera with her hand in his back pocket while they were shopping in Paris.

They were described as if “they’re sure playing doubles” when shown strolling together at Valbonne, in France. Then they were snapped while snuggling together on a shopping trip in Milan in Italy.

• Hulkenberg

Peter Sagan powers to stage 3 victory in 2013 Tour of Oman

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EAM Cannondale Pro Cycling’s Peter Sagan earlier today sprinted to his second consecutive stage victory in this year’s Tour of Oman when he escaped BMC Racing Team’s Greg Van Avermaet and RadioShackLeopard’s Tony Gallopin in the final meters.

Today’s 190 kilometer stage 3 of the 2013 Tour of Oman took the riders from Nakhal Fort to Wadi Dayqah Dam on a virtually flat route, which made most pro cycling analysts predict a sprint finish. Sagan had won a stage victory on the very same roads in last year’s edition of the same race.

Today’s breakaway group once again included fearless Bobbie Traksel of Team Champion System.

With approximately ten kilometers to the finish Team Astana, Team Omega Pharma-QuickStep and Team Sky Procycling moved to the front of the peloton in order to reel in the breakaway participants and prevent additional breakaway groups from forming.

About 500 meters from the finish Sagan powered away from the competition in his usual fashion and left other strong sprinters gasping for air. Sagan’s move was so strong that he had time to sit up on his bike and deliver a winning salute to the great satisfaction of the spectators in Wadi Dayqah Dam who received a peloton, which was clearly exhausted after nearly five and a half hours in the saddles.

“I remembered the last kilometers of the stage (from his victory in last year’s race) and my idea was to attack on the last ascent. What was unknown was what my competitors were thinking. Here at the Tour of Oman there are a lot of champions with different characteristics, each one could have his own hopes and try to attack,” Sagan explained when asked to describe his strategy in today’s stage.

“The high race rhythm of the final part of the stage didn’t give any freedom and this helped me. I’m really satisfied with this win, especially the way in which I got it.”

52

Friday, February 15, 2013

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

53

NEWS NYSC BATCH A PASSING-OUT PARADE

•The corps members protesting in Lafia...yesterday. INSET: Luka addressing the corps members.

PHOTOS: NAN

Corps members protest in Nasarawa

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EMBERS of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) yesterday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, barricaded the AkwangaLafia-Makurdi Road.

The protest, which started as early as 7am, left many commuters stranded

15 for extension in Anambra From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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HE service years of fifteen members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra State have been extended.

This was announced yesterday by the state coordinator, Mrs.I.B Ekpe, during the passing out of 2012 Batch “A” corps members.

She said of the 2, 228 corps members passing out, nine distinguished themselves through community development projects.

The projects according to Mrs. Ekpe, ranged from community borehole at Oka-Uga, donation of relief materials to flood victims, donation of a computer set to a physically-challenged at Ozubulu.

14 get extension in Ogun From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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EN members of the Batch A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State would have to repeat their service year for contravening the rules and regulations of the scheme.

Fourteen others had their service extended by four months.

However, three of the corps members were honoured with the state awards; five others got commendation certificates for exemplary performance.

The NYSC State Director, Mrs. Theresa Anosike, said of the 3,715 posted to the state, 3,491 completed their service successfully.

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

for hours as the protesters vowed to remain there until their final allowances are paid.

It was gathered that the protesters were Batch ‘A’ corps members, who were to serve in crises-prone

states, but were redeployed to Nasarawa.

The redeployment, according to findings, was not reflected in the state’s wage bill until two weeks ago when the state coordinator took the file to the government.

Deputy Governor

Dameshi Barau Luka addressed the protesting corps members and appealed for calm.

Luka, who addressed them on behalf of Governor Tanko Al-Makura, said the issue did not come to the government’s notice on time.

He said: “Some of you who are supposed to be passing out have not received your arrears.

“When we got the notice yesterday, we began work immediately to know why you have not been paid.

“The issue will be sorted out soon.”

Okorocha booed for non-payment of stipend A GGRIEVED corps members in Imo State yesterday booed Governor Rochas Okorocha for the non-payment of their monthly stipend.

The 2012 Batch ‘A’ corps members, during their passing out, prevented Okorocha, who was represented by Deputy Governor Jude Agbaso, from delivering the address of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The corps members accused the governor of insen-

•Governor prevented from reading speech From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

sitivity to their plight, adding that the refusal of the government to pay the arrears of their monthly stipend was sheer “wickedness”.

Trouble started after the

Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Kenneth Emelu, who is also the chairman of the State NYSC Governing Board, delivered his speech and invited the governor to present the President’s speech.

10 to repeat in Edo

Uduaghan rewards 11

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ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has given cash to 11 corps members who distinguished themselves in their primary assignments.

The governor announced the awards during the passing out of the 2012 Batch A corps members in Asaba.

He said the award was to encourage youths to channel their efforts towards self-employment.

Explaining that the award was not a display of wealth, the governor said the import was to encourage selfemployment and promote human capital development in the state.

“What we are doing is to assist corps members to establish businesses, especially viable businesses that have good feasibility studies.

“It is also to promote eco-

nomic boom in the state because we will encourage the corps members to encourage our people.

“They should not go to their states to bring their own people because we will resist such a move. The condition is that they will employ our own people,” he said.

This angered the corps members, who shouted abuses at the governor.

The protesting corps members rejected the Presidential speech and compelled the ‘governor’ to come from the VIP podium to the open field to address them.

NYSC officials, led by the state coordinator, Mrs. Chinwe Ojukwu, were not spared as the corps members prevented them from speaking.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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EN members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Edo State are to repeat their service year.

They were supposed to pass out yesterday.

State Coordinator Adebayo Somefun said this yesterday at the passing-out parade of the 2012 Batch A corps members.

Adebayo said seven others would have their service year extended.

He said three corps members won the Governor’s award while others got the Chairman’s Merit award for embarking on developmental community services.

A total of 2,423 corps members passed out yesterday.

48 face sanction in Oyo

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ORTY-eight corps members in Oyo State are to be sanctioned, the state Coordinator, Olanipeku Alao, has said.

Parts of the punishments include repeat of service year and extension of service year.

Alao said some of the offences were dereliction of duty, absenteeism and abandonment of duty post.

The state coordinator,

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

however, said the sanctions were subject to ratification by the NYSC Directorate headquarters.

Alao announced that 21 corps members, who excelled in their areas of primary assignment, were rewarded.

He said three of them would be decorated with the State Award, four with NYSC Governing Board Award and

14 would get the State Coordinator’s commendation certificates.

The coordinator thanked Governor Abiola Ajimobi for creating a peaceful and secured atmosphere for corps members.

Alao thanked the governor for the financial and material support to NYSC and the appreciable progress of work at the permanent site of the orientation camp at Iseyin town.

Five to repeat in Kebbi THE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kebbi State has said five of the 1,271 corps members posted to the state would repeat the service year.

Five others had their service year extended by four months.

The state co coordinator, Tom Onohioage Unuigboje, said this yesterday at the passing-out for Batch A corps members.

Uuigboje said 15 members were approved by the state governing board for honours award, seven are to get the NYSC state honour’s award and eight would receive commendation letters.

Deputy Governor Ibrahim Aliyu, who represented the governor, advised them to leave with good memories of their host communities.

He admonished them to shun such negative tendencies and anti–social behaviour.

31 get awards for excellence in Ekiti From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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HIRTY-one Batch ‘A’ National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Ekiti State yesterday got awards.

Twenty five others were sanctioned for offences, which included absenteeism and indiscipline.

The State Coordinator, Tunde Baba-Ahmed, broke the news at the passing-out parade yesterday in AdoEkiti, the state capital.

Baba-Ahmed said: “Eleven of the 31 got state honours; nine got chairman’s commendation certificates and 11 got state coordinator’s recognition certificates.”

According to the State Coordinator, the recognition being accorded the corps members is in tandem with the NYSC policy of rewarding excellence.

54

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-2-13

Profit-taking drags equities down

F

OR every gainer, there were three losers yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange as the downtrend induced by profittaking transactions entered the third consecutive day.

The negative trend was evident in largely negative share price movement and declines in volume, value and number of deals. With 53 decliners to 19 advancers, the decline yesterday reflected widespread depreciation in market considerations of equities, although the overall market position was moderated by gains recorded by Dangote Cement Plc. Aggregate market value of all equities dropped from N10.672 trillion to N10.668 trillion while the All Share Index (ASI), the common value-based index at the NSE, slipped by 0.04 per cent from 33,355.54 points to 33,342.02 points. With these, average year-to-date return at the NSE declined to 18.74 per cent.

Total volume, value and number of deals dropped by 50.89 per cent, 29.63 per cent

By Taofik Salako

and 21.67 per cent respectively. Investors meanwhile, remained excited with the prospects of low-priced stocks, with the so-called penny stocks dominating the activity chart.

The bearish run was pronounced among manufacturing stocks as investors await fundamental supports for built-in market values of fast moving consumer goods companies (FMCGs), which had seen high price increase since 2012.

Unilever Nigeria led the decliners with a drop of N5 to close at N47. UAC of Nigeria followed with a loss of N2.48 to close at N50.52. Cadbury Nigeria lost N2.03 to close at N38.57. PZ Cussons Nigeria dropped by N1.60 to close at N40.25. Nigerian Breweries lost N1 to close at N162. Forte Oil slipped by 79 kobo to close at N15.01. Berger Paints and Julius Berger Nigeria lost 60 kobo each to close at N11.60 and N66.40 respectively. Cement Company of Northern

Nigeria and National Salt Company of Nigeria dropped 59 kobo each to close at N12.01 and N9.20 respectively.

Meanwhile, Dangote Cement, which accounts for a quarter of total equity market value, mitigated the adverse impact of the widespread losses with its gain of N7 to close at N147. Okomu Oil added N2.93 to close at N61.63. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria rose by N2.49 to close at N52.47.

Northern Nigeria Flour Mills gained 96 kobo to close at N20.25 while Custodian and Allied Insurance increased by 21 kobo to N2.36 per share.

Total turnover stood at 706.48 million shares worth N3.94 billion in 7,561 deals.

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria was the most active stock with a turnover of 72.36 million shares valued at N136.18 million in 323 deals.

Japaul Oil and Maritime Services followed with a turnover of 58.89 million shares valued at N56.59 million in 323 deals. Mansard Insurance trailed with a turnover of 51.32 million shares worth N138.39 million in 18 deals.

Insurance subsector was the most active with 229.70 million shares worth N277.03 million in 832 deals. Banking subgroup recorded a turnover of 194.22 million shares valued at N1.67 billion in 2,573 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-2-13

55

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

MONEY LINK

Foreign reserves record $587m inflows

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IGERIA’S foreign reserves rose by $460 million within 14 days, pushing to $46.632 billion, the cumulative reserves of the nation as at February 13.

The reserves had opened the year at $44.33 billion on January 1. The apex bank had consistently maintained that inflow into the reserves was not consistent with the oil prices and, this underscored the need for tighter fiscal con-

Stories by Collins Nweze

trols around oil revenues. The foreign currency reserves stood at $37 billion as at July 4, 2010, and rose to $68 billion in August 2008 before the global financial crises impacted negatively on it.

The gross external reserves at the end of the fourth quarter of 2012 stood at $43.85 billion, indicating an increase of 7.9 per cent above the $40.64

billion recorded at the end of the preceding quarter. A breakdown of the reserves showed that CBN holding stood at $31.22 billion (71.2 per cent), Federal Government holding was $1.17 billion (2.7 per cent) while the Federation Account portion (Excess Crude) was $11.46 billion Analysts said the CBN needs to build up adequate external reserves to satisfy the

genuine needs for foreign exchange as such is consistent with the increase in the growth in economic activity. It will equally assist in conserving resources and withstanding external shocks.

The apex bank has also said there was urgent need to pursue policies that would foster macro-economic stability, economic diversification as well as encouraging foreign capital inflows.

Union Bank transfers legacy pension to PFA

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NION bank of Nigeria Plc has continued the transfer of legacy pension for post-2005 pensioners to their Pension Fund Administrators (PFA) in line with the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004.

In a statement, the bank said

the PFAs will consequently take over full responsibility for pension payments for affected pensioners, excluding pre-2006 pensioners, with effect from February, 2013. The affected pensioners have been informed through letters and short test messages.

The bank also said it had set up a contact centre on the 4th floor in its Head office (Stallion Plaza), which can be reached by concerned pensioners.

This exercise is a further push by the lender to ensure that it fully complies with the Pension Reform Act of 2004.

“On completion, this category of the bank’s pensioners would have been integrated into what had been achieved with the current employees of the bank. “It would be a continuous exercise until all the pensioners are covered,” the statement added.

FirstBank takes ‘expressions’ campaign to UNILAG

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IRST Bank of Nigeria yesterday toured the University of Lagos (UNILAG) campus in a new campaign that promotes its FirstNaira MasterCard termed ‘expressions on card’.

The product gives existing customers the opportunity to upload personal pictures of choice depicting memories, smiles and any others experiences on it.

The bank’s Head, e-Business, Mr. Chuma Ezirim, explained that the bank was giving customers, especially the youth and youth at heart, the flexibility to express

themselves through images captured on the card. “We want people to carry along memories, smiles and any other thing that is personal to them on their FirstNaira MasterCard. It gives customers the opportunity to upload a picture of their choice on the bank’s existing naira MasterCard,” he said.

He however, explained that there are limits, because as a top banking brand in the country, images that are carried in such cards must adhere to rules and guidelines set by the bank.

“The only people entitled

to this card are existing customers of the bank. After application, the card would be ready for pick up within five days following receipt of the email confirming their order. The customers can then visit their designated collection branch,” he said.

Ezirim explained: “The freedom to choose is probably one of the best known and celebrated freedoms, especially when it relates to how we spend our money or what one does with instruments that yield money.

Now consider the freedom to design your electronic card

with pictures of your child’s first steps, your wedding day or that moment you most cherish. That freedom is what expressions on cards offer”.

He said the process for requesting for the product/designing the card is initiated on the bank’s website where the customer is at liberty to select a picture, which would serve as the artwork on the front of his/her card.

Following submission of the selected design, the personalized card would be delivered in 72 hours for Lagos locations and five business days for upcountry locations.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 14-2-13

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CUSTODYINS DNMEYER ROYALEX DANGCEM OKOMUOIL GLAXOSMITH NNFM RTBRISCOE EVANSMED WAPIC

2.15 1.49 1.23 140.00 58.70 49.98 19.29 2.31 1.28 1.29

2.36 1.63 1.33 147.00 61.63 52.47 20.25 2.42 1.34 1.35

350m

CHANGE 0.21 0.14 0.10 7.00 2.93 2.49 0.96 0.11 0.06 0.06

PRESTIGE FIDSON UNILEVER WEMABANK UNITYBNK AIICO NASCON FO MBENEFIT CADBURY

O/PRICE 1.12 1.95 52.00 1.88 1.16 1.28 9.79 15.80 0.60 40.60

C/PRICE 1.01 1.76 47.00 1.70 1.05 1.16 9.20 15.01 0.57 38.57

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12

113m

155.7

22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

Feb. ’11

July ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

July ’12

CHANGE

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 136.93 149.46 0.80 1.13 1.02 100.00 1,000.00 1,752.64 14.58 1.39 1.87 10,677.84

9.08 1.00 136.52 149.19 0.78 1.13 1.00 100.00 1,000.00 1,750.44 13.87 1.33 1.80 10,366.76

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor

NSE CAP Index

Name

DISCOUNT WINDOW

0.11 0.19 5.00 0.18 0.11 0.12 0.59 0.79 0.03 2.03

113m

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

LOSERS AS AT 14-2-13

SYMBOL

S

HARES of Wema Bank Plc yesterday dropped the most in more than eight years as some investors bet that full-year earnings would be insufficient to sustain the price, Bloomberg report said. The shares retreated 9.6 per cent, the most since September 2004, to close at N1.70 kobo.

About 9.14 million securities traded, or 150 per cent of the three-month daily average volume, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The stock decline ended a 21-day record rally.

“Many investors are selling the bank’s shares and the demand is no longer sufficient to hold the price at the previous high level,” David Adonri, chief executive officer of Lagosbased Lambeth Trust and Investment Co., said. “It is not certain if the bank’s full-year result will be good enough to sustain the bullish price.”

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m

Currency OBB Rate Call Rate

Wema drops most in eight years

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

T

HE naira gained for the first time in three days on foreign inflows into Nigeria’s capital markets after a monthly bond auction.

According to report compiled by Bloomberg, the naira climbed less than 0.1 per cent to 157.25 per dollar.

Nigeria’s borrowing costs fell for a fourth monthly bond auction after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) forecast that inflation slowed in January. •CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi The Debt Management Office sold N105 billion ($667 million) in securities, it said in a statement yesterday on its website.

“Whenever there is a bond auction or Treasury-bill sales, there are some offshore portfolio investors that partake in that market and they come with dollars,” Sewa Wusa, research head at Sterling Capital Ltd., said by phone from Lagos, the commercial capital. “That gives strength to the naira.”

The inflation rate in Nigeria fell for the first time in three months in December to 12 per cent. Consumer-price growth may be close to 10 per cent in January, though keeping it at less than that for the rest of the year “will be very difficult,” Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Lamido Sanusi said in an interview last month. The median of five estimates in a Bloomberg survey was for an inflation rate of 9.5 percent in January.

The naira is being supported in part by portfolio inflows, Sanusi said after the January 21 policy meeting, where the bank held the benchmark interest rate at a record high 12 per cent for an eighth straight time.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Naira strenghtens on bond auction

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

57

NEWS

Bayelsa to build two flyovers for N15.6b D T

HE Bayelsa State Government is building two flyovers in the capital, Yenagoa, for N15.6 billion.

It has paid construction giant Julius Berger N3 billion as mobilisation fees.

Governor Seriake Dickson said this yesterday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Yenagoa, as part of his first anniversary celebration.

Dickson said the administration does not owe contractors because “we are in a hurry to develop the state”.

He said there was no political crisis in the state, accusing the chairmen of Sagbama, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Ekeremor local governments of blackmail and propaganda.

The governor said the two flyovers would be at Tombia Junction and the Junction by the Mega Filling Station of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in Yenagoa.

Dickson said the flyover at the Tombia junction would cost

•Pays Berger N3b mobilisation •Dickson celebrates anniversary From Bisi Olaniyi, Yenagoa

the government N9.8 billion.

The other would cost N5.8 billion and both will be completed in 24 months.

He said: “I feel spurred to do more. There is so much to be done. I have the support of my people. I feel challenged. We are laying the foundation for the restoration of Bayelsa State.

“In the second year, our people will see consolidation.

“I enjoy the support and prayers of Bayelsans as well as men and women of goodwill.

We are propelled to go on with greater zeal.”

The governor said in the last one year, 137 Bayelsans had got scholarship awards for doctoral programmes; 400 are studying for Master’s degrees

in Nigeria and overseas.

On the Bayelsa transparency initiative, Dickson said at his inauguration a year ago, he promised Bayelsans accountability and transparency.

He said the gross for the state last month was N15,215,365,755.87.

Total deductions at source stood at N2,385,690,315, with the balance/net inflow being N12,829,675,439.91.

The governor said he does not regret assenting to the law recommending death penalty for kidnapping.

He said: “We no longer have militancy, with the Federal Government’s amnesty offer for ex-militants.

“I confronted cult members and they are now running.

They know that we are serious

about the fight.

“How will they kidnap 80year-old men and women and keep them in the bush to negotiate ransom? It is morally wrong.

“We need to warn that kidnapping will no longer be tolerated. Kidnappers do not deserve pity. We need to be decisive.

“Criminals are finding it very difficult to operate in Bayelsa State and they are now running to neighbouring states.

“We have just handed over 15 fast-moving patrol gunboats to the Navy.

“Fifteen more will be provided to ensure safety on our waterways.

“The youths and others should stay away from violence and criminality. There is no way we can succeed without a strong message against kidnapping.”

The governor also insisted that Bayelsa State is stable, and hailed the people for their support and understanding.

Doctors to go on strike over kidnapped colleague From Osagie Otabor, Benin

OCTORS at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) have threatened to go on strike, if their colleague, Dr. Michael Aziken, is not released by his abductors.

Aziken was abducted in front of his Evbomore home at about 11pm on Wednesday on his way from work.

The kidnappers were said to have laid ambush for him.

The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Michael Ibadin, confirmed the abduction at a briefing yesterday.

Ibadin said the kidnappers have contacted the family for payment of ransom.

He was silent on the demands of the kidnappers, saying the discussion was with the victim’s family.

The CMD said statistics showed that doctors topped kidnapped victims in the state and appealed to the kidnappers to release Aziken.

He urged law enforcement agencies to do their jobs “to stem the recurrent abduction of doctors in the state.”

Farmers back Fed Govt’s cell phone

F

ARMERS have expressed their support for the Federal Government mobile phone project.

The government, through the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, recently revealed plans to make phones available to farmers in the rural areas The farmers, in a statement after a meeting in Lagos, said government should be praised for making phones available to farmers.

According to them, the phones, when given, would go a long way in assisting them in areas such as market information, climate change, production and processing information, to compete with their counterparts in other countries, not just in agriculture but agro-allied businesses.

Church holds programme

T

HE General Overseer of the Fire Camp Ministry, Pastor Bukki Aleshinloye, said the Ilepa Great Shaking 2013 will hold today with theme: “I Need Mercy”.

It will take place at the Fire Camp Ground, Ilepa, off Igbusi Road, along Sango-Ifo Expressway from 8 pm till dawn.

Ministering is Bro. Bukki Aleshinloye and other anointed men of God.

Lagos East Baptist holds meeting

T

HE Executive Committee meeting of the Lagos East Baptist Conference holds tomorrow at the Conference Room by 10 am at Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos.

The Conference President, Rev. E.A. Awotunde, said members should be punctual, adding that kingdom business and other matters affecting the associations and churches under the conference will be discussed.

JTF frees vessel in Port Harcourt From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

•FROM LEFT: The deceased’s sister, Precious Chukwuemezie, her mother, Mrs Amarachukwu Chukwuemezie, Godstime Ifeme Chukwuemezie (brother), Favour Chukwuemezie (sister) and Pastor Charcles Chukwuemezie at the funeral service of The Nation’s Shopping girl, the late Janice Nkoli Ifeme held at the Victoria Court Cemetery, Lekki Epe Expressway in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

Ihedioha, Rep trade words over bill

T

HE Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, almost fought a member of the House, Tijjani Jobe Abdulkadir (ANPP, Kano), yesterday.

The situation degenerated to a level whereby the Deputy Speaker and the member almost fought on the corridor of the “White House”, but for the quick intervention of Friday Itulah (PDP, Edo) who mediated.

An eyewitness said the member was not happy at the way the Deputy Speaker had conducted the proceedings of a bill at the plenary and insinuated that he had an interest in the matter and a hidden agenda.

The bill is entitled: “A bill for an Act to amend the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Act Cap 19 (No.47 of 1971)” It is for the purpose of empowering ITF to design, set up and operate guidelines for the training and certification nationwide at the state, local government and ward levels and to establish area registries for maintaining up to date registers of certified Artisans and Technicians in all fields and in all parts of the federation.”

The bill, which was meant

•Members walk out over ‘wrong ruling’ From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

for second reading, was sponsored by Chudi Uwazuruike.

Members, however, spoke against the bill on the premise that the functions proposed in it were already being carried out by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Tension began during the call for voice votes on the bill by the Deputy Speaker.

Those who opposed the bill were in the majority, but Ihedioha called for second vote on the grounds that the first vote was unclear and put the question the second time.

Again, those against the bill were more than those in favour.

But after consultation with the Deputy Clerk of the House, Ihedioha ruled in favour of the bill, causing lawmakers, who were against the bill, to threaten to leave the chamber.

They, however, returned after he pacified them.

A member, Ali Madaki (PDP, Kano) later raised a point of order, urging the Deputy Speaker to divide the House according to the House Stand-

ing Rule to determine those that won the vote.

Ihedioha, however, stuck to his earlier ruling and referred the bill to the Committee on Industries.

Members thereafter angrily left their seats in protest and walked out of the chamber, leaving just a few lawmakers in the chamber. This prompted the Leader of the House, Mulikat Akande-Adeola, to move for an adjournment.

All the members, who voted against the bill, waited for Ihedioha in front of the chamber. Immediately he came out, Abdulkadir accosted him, saying:. “You cannot continue this

type of attitude in this House.

You have to respect our opinion because we are all representatives of the people.”

Sekonte Davies (PDP, Rivers), Friday Itulah (PDP, Edo), Patrick Ikhariale (PDP, Edo) and Nwazuirike (PDP, Imo), who sponsored the bill, appealed to the angry members to no avail.

T

HE Joint Military Task Force (JTF) yesterday released a vessel it held on suspicion of illegal oil bunkering in Rivers State to the owner, Olumuyiwa Samuel Simeon.

This was in compliance with last November’s directive of a Federal High Court, which ordered the Task Force to release the vessel.

MV Pecos Peters, owned by Hightide Marine Limited, was impounded by the JTF on the Bonny water ways last October on the suspicion that it was involved in illegal oil bunkering.

Although nothing was found on the vessel, two crew members were arrested and charged to court.

The court discharged and acquitted the crew in November and ordered the release of the vessel.

The company’s legal officer, Richard Oyiwuna, hailed the court judgment.

Addressing reporters after a brief handover at Bonny Island yesterday, JTF’s media officer Lt. Chris Erondu said: “MV Pecos Peters was impounded on Bonny waterways on October 17, last year, on suspicion of involvement on illegal oil bunkering.

“Consequently, the vessel and its owners were arraigned in court and after investigation, the owners of the vessel were found not guilty.

“It is against this backdrop that the Defence Headquarters approved the release of this vessel.”

THE NATION FRIDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2013

58

NEWS Christians advised on Lent From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

THE Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has urged Christians to conduct themselves well during the Lenten season, to enjoy its spiritual and physical benefits.

The forum said this yesterday in Minna in a statement by Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, the Chairman of NSGF. The statement, made available to reporters, was signed by Malam Danladi Ndayebo, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the forum.

It identified good intention, prayers and firmness of purpose in the pursuit of good deeds as the conditions for reaping the benefits of the holy season.

The statement urged Christians to accord the period attention by being proactive in decisions and actions that would ensure their full participation in the fast.

Senate decries killing of health workers

T

HE Senate yesterday said the killing of health workers in Kano and Borno states was unacceptable.

This followed the adoption of a motion on the “Killing of health workers in Kano and Borno States,” sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta North) and 12 others.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, said the government must not be intimidated by criminals.

He lamented the increasing number of criminals in the country without a corresponding number of security personnel.

The government, he said, should take steps to increase the number police person-

Fed Govt donates money to victims’ families nel.

Ekweremadu described as worrisome a situation where people commit crime and are never found.

According to him, such a scenario emboldens criminals to commit even more heinous crimes.

He said: “What happened in Kano and Borno states is unacceptable. It is diminishing us as human beings.

“Government should not be intimidated. All of us including religious leaders should educate the people on the need to eradicate polio.

“I find it embarrassing that we still have polio in Nigeria . We should provide security for those involved in the eradication of this disease.

“A situation where we have about 350,000 police personnel in a country of over 160 million people is inadequate.

“It is our prayer that what happened in Kano and Borno States will be the last.”

The Federal Government yesterday donated N1 million to each of the families of the nine slain polio immunisation workers that lost their lives in an attack by gunmen in Kano.

The government also donated N200,000 to each of the two survivors of the attack.

Presenting the donation to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Ali Pate, said the money was not compensation, but assistance to the family of the slain offi-

cials.

Pate, however, said the Federal Government had already commiserated with the families of the victims.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the governor, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, hailed the gesture.

He said the money would be given to the families of the deceased.

Gaduje said the government had already donated N500,000 to each of the bereaved families, while N250,000 was given to the survivors.

He also praised Dangote and Bill and Melinda Gate Foundations for supporting the families of the victims with N500,000 each.

Yero warns health officials From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

KADUNA State Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero yesterday warned officials of the Ministry of Health against illegal dealings in the handling of health facilities and drugs donated to the state under the Health Commodity Support Programme.

Speaking when inaugurating the phase 4 of the programme, the governor told the officials of the ministry that he expected a regular briefing on the use of the facilities and asked benefiting communities to utilise the drugs and other health commodities properly.

He said the government considered health as one of the important means of achieving its goals, adding that this explained why it introduced policies and reforms aimed at repositioning the health sector.

He went on: “This administration shall remain committed to the general wellbeing of the entire people of Kaduna State, as we strive to ensure peace, unity and development.

Kaduna sacks teachers From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

KADUNA State Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero said yesterday that the government has sacked unqualified teachers in the state teaching service and adopted the National Certificate of Education (NCE) as the minimum qualification for teaching in primary schools.

The governor, who spoke at a day education summit organised for members of the House of Assembly, local government chairmen and other stakeholders, said the government has, however, given nonqualified teachers a fiveyear period to obtain the relevant qualification or risk being sacked.

Council spends N50m on the needy From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

W

AMAKKO Local Government in Sokoto State has spent N50 million on the welfare of the needy, its Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Kalambaina, has said.

Kalambaina, who said this yesterday in Wamakko, headquarters of the council when distributing the grains bought by the local government for 450 less privileged persons, added: “We were elected to ensure service delivery to the people and improve their welfare.”

He said each of the 11 wards in the local government has benefited from 15 projects since the inception of his administration and that more projects are being done.

“The yearnings and aspirations of our people are paramount to us,” Kalambaina noted.

According to him, each beneficiary was given N2,000 as transport allowance to convey his grains home.

They included: Maize, Guinea Corn and Millet.

Kalambaina said they were purchased at N10,000 per bag.

Dankwambo presents N33.1b council budget

G •From left: Bauchi State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Mohammed Dhamina; Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh; wife of the governor, Hajiya Mariya Yuguda and Chairman, Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, inaugurating the Broadcast Complex of AIT and Raypower FM Station in Bauchi…yesterday

Ekiti varsity students seal off college

S

TUDENTS of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti yesterday sealed off the premises of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.

The college is an affiliate of the university, running sandwich and regular degree programmes.

The students, who claimed to be 2012 graduates of the institution, said they had not been issued their results, which would qualify them for mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Although the protest was peaceful, a detachment of

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

regular and mobile policemen mounted guards on the roads leading to the campus to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

The undergraduates disrupted the first semester examinations of the National Certificate of Education (NCE) students, as the gates were barricaded.

They made bonfires in front of the gates. Some of the students carried placards with words denouncing the administration of the suspended Provost of the college, Dr. Ibrahim

Abdulrahaman.

Speaking with The Nation, the president of the regular students of the university, Ilorin outreach, Muritala I. Suleiman, accused the provost of being the architect of their woes.

He alleged that Abdulrahaman defaulted in remitting the money due to the parent university in AdoEkiti.

A panel set up by the government to probe the provost’s administration recommended his suspension, alleging gross incompetence, inexperience, administrative high-handedness and non-ad-

herence to due process in policy implementation.

The House of Assembly has reversed the decision and ordered the reinstatement of the provost.

Suleiman said the 2012 graduates wanted the college authorities to iron out their differences with the Ekiti State University.

Said he: “The results ought to have been released three months after the exams and we finished exams in July last year. The bone of contention is that the school authority lied that it is not indebted to the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.”

Workers behind UniAbuja crisis, says VC

T

HE Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), Prof. Sunday Adelabu, yesterday attributed the crisis rocking the institution, which led to its closure, to some workers in the university.

He said the workers and some outsiders were hiding under the delay in accreditation to instigate engineering students to confront the school authority.

The university has been in crisis following the non- ac-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

creditation of four courses, namely: Agriculture, Engineering, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.

UniAbuja was shut last Monday when students offering the four courses said they would not allow their colleagues in other departments to write their examinations.

Adelabu, at a news briefing in Abuja on the crisis and

efforts to get the four programmes accredited, said: “The efforts of the administration have reduced students’ restiveness on the campus.

“It is regrettable that a few of the university workers and some outsiders are hiding under the delay in the accreditation to instigate engineering students to confront the school authority.

This is sabotage.

“Three of the programmes: Medicine, Veteri-

nary Medicine and Agriculture, which started with nothing, are now on the verge of getting full accreditation.

The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) has written the university to convey approval for the beginning of clinical training. The engineering programme had earlier failed the resources verification by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and ought to have been stopped by the previous administration.”

OVERNOR Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has presented an appropriation bill of N33.1 billion to the House of Assembly for the 11 local governments for 2013.

The governor presented the bill on the floor of the house yesterday in Gombe.

It represents about N1 billion decrease from last year’s N34 billion.

The letter, which conveyed the budget estimates for the year, was read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Alhaji Shehu Atiku.

The bill also passed for the second reading after which it was committed to the House Committee on Appropriation for scrutiny.

The House gave the committee six days to finish work on it and present it for third reading and possible passage.

The governor, in a letter, has forwarded a bill for the repeal of the School for Legal and Islamic Studies Act 2003.

The bill was committed to the Committee on Education to work on for two weeks and bring it to the House for consideration.

•Dankwambo

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

59

FOREIGN NEWS Egypt’s ruling party aims at majority

U.N. warns Sudan against foreign military support

T

T

HE U.N. Security Council warned on Thursday that funding, training, spare parts, weapons systems and other materiel supplied to Sudan’s government could be used for air strikes in the Darfur region in violation of a U.N. arms embargo.

The 15-member council expressed concern that “the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of technical assistance and support ... could be used by the Government of Sudan to support military aircraft being used in violation” of Darfur sanctions.

The council included the warning in a unanimously adopted resolution renewing the mandate of a group of experts who monitor sanctions imposed on Darfur in 2005. The arms embargo does not ban supplying military hardware, but states must have a Sudan government guarantee that the arms will not end up in Darfur.

Mainly African tribes in Darfur - a vast arid region in the west of Sudan - took up arms against the government in Khartoum in 2003, complaining of political and economic marginalization. African Union peacekeepers were deployed in 2006 and replaced in 2008 by a joint AU-U.N. force.

Sudan’s U.N. Ambassador Daffa-Alla Elhag Ali Osman told the Security Council that Sudan intends to cooperate with the panel of experts, but denied carrying out air strikes in Darfur.

‘South Korea’s missile targets North’s leaders’

S

OUTH Korea unveiled a cruise missile on yesterday that it said can hit the office of North Korea’s leaders, trying to address concerns that it is technologically behind its unpredictable rival which this week conducted its third nuclear test.

South Korean officials declined to say the exact range of the missile but said it could hit targets anywhere in North Korea.

The Defence Ministry released video footage of the missiles being launched from destroyers and submarines striking mock targets. The weapon was previewed in April last year and officials said deployment was now complete.

“The cruise missile being unveiled today is a precision-guided weapon that can identify and strike the window of the office of North Korea’s leadership,” ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told reporters.

North Korea has forged ahead with long-range missile development, successfully launching a rocket in December that put a satellite into orbit.

The North’s ultimate aim, Washington believes, is to design an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead that could hit the United States.

South Africa’s Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius (middle) leaves the Boshkop police station yesterday in Pretoria East on his way to police custody after allegedly killing his model girlfriend, mistaking her for an intruder at his upscale home.

PHOTO: AFP

Walter Carrington urges US blacks to trace their African roots F ORMER U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, has said that African-Americans have made tremendous gains in combating racism, injustice and inequality but still more remain to be accomplished.

Speaking as guest speaker at a lecture “Celebrating the Black History Month” at the Main Auditorium, University of Lagos yesterday, the ambassador extraordinaire and civil rights leader compared the evil act of slavery which displaced about 20 million Africans to the West with the six million Jews killed in the holocaust, noting that the latter were able to trace their origins.

Lunging back to historicism, the 80-year old Carrington regretted that what we know

By Dayo Fakuade, Foreign Editor

today are the victims of slavery in the west and not the communities that produced them in Africa. This he noted has contributed to a sense of low-esteem and inferiority complex among generations of African-American children whose forebears’ immense contributions to America’s development had gone unnoticed, uncelebrated and underappreciated until lately.

On the impact of the first black US President Barack Obama on Nigeria, Ambassador Carrington saw it as an encouragement and opportuni-

ty for black youths to be hard working knowing that sky is their limit. He also noted that the second inauguration of Obama coincided with the 150th Emancipation Declaration, which eventually led to the abolition of slavery by President Abraham Lincoln, 50th anniversary of the March on Washington organized by civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King and more importantly that Dr. King’s personal bible was one of the two used at the inauguration.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief Host and the 11 th Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor

Rahman A. Bello, eulogises the great accomplishments of Dr. Carrington who was appointed by President Bill Clinton as U.S Ambassador to Nigeria between 1993 to 1997, having earlier served in the same capacity in Senegal between 1980 to 1981.

The event which was attended by distinguished members of the university’s faculty, students and protégés of the ambassador’s Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative, (CYFI), is the second of a three-day program sponsored by The Public Affairs Section of the U.S Consulate General in Lagos.

Ex-Maldives leader to stay in Indian ORMER Maldives presEmbassy, says party ident Mohamed

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Nasheed will stay in the Indian embassy in Male until a caretaker government is formed, his party said on Thursday, despite a government assurance he would not be arrested if left.

Nasheed, the Maldives’ first democratically elected leader, who left office last year in contested circumstances, entered the Indian High Commission in the capital on Wednesday as police tried to arrest him in connection with a court case.

His supporters, who say Nasheed was ousted last February in a coup, clashed with police outside the mission, the latest such unrest in the Indian Ocean archipelago which is best known as a luxury holiday destination.

A court had ordered Nasheed’s arrest after he missed a February 10 court appearance in a case relating to accusations that he illegally detained a judge during the last days of his rule.

But a government spokesman said on Thursday Nasheed no longer faced arrest.

“Nasheed’s arrest warrant has ceased and he won’t be arrested,” Imad Masood, spokesman for President Mohamed Waheed Hussain Manik, told Reuters.

“The court will now announce a fresh date for the hearing and Nasheed can appear without being arrested,” Masood said.

However, Nasheed’s

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said he would remain in the embassy because of the danger he faced.

“Until we find a transitional arrangement, he will be there,” MDP spokesman Hamid Abdul Gafoor told Reuters.

If Nasheed is eventually found guilty in the case he faces, he could be barred from standing in a presidential election on September 7. His party says the trial is an attempt to exclude him from the contest and has challenged the court’s legitimacy.

India’s External Affairs Ministry on Wednesday expressed concern over instability and called on the government of the Maldives “to ad-

•Ex-president Nasheed

here strictly to democratic principles and the rule of law”.

Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said he had a “useful conversation” with his counterpart in the Maldives about what he described as a “situation of unusual nature”, though he offered no suggestion the deadlock had been resolved.

HE Muslim Brotherhood’s political party aims to win an outright majority in Egypt’s forthcoming parliamentary elections without making alliances with other more hardline Islamist groups, its leader said on Thursday.

Saad el-Katatni, 61, became the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) leader in October, replacing Mohamed Mursi who had become the first elected president of Egypt since the overthrow of veteran authoritarian President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

“The Freedom and Justice Party will aim to get a majority (in parliament). We expect more popular support and an increase in our number of seats beyond what we held in the previous parliament,” Katatni told a news conference.

The FJP won about 40 percent of the vote in a parliamentary election last year, short of an absolute majority, although Islamist groups won a total of about 70 percent of the seats.

The assembly was dissolved by a court order months later because the electoral rules were deemed unconstitutional. Katatni was the speaker of that short-lived parliament.

Since the fall of Mubarak, Islamists have moved to the forefront of politics with organisational skills and finances unmatched by liberal and leftist rivals.

But the Brotherhood-led government has faced growing hostility from opponents who accuse it of striving to monopolize power rather than seek consensus on political rights and economic reform, sparking protests that have turned violent.

Although he earlier pledged to forge a broader political front before the parliamentary vote, Katatni said the FJP would not make deals with other Islamist groups such as the Salafist al-Nour party, its biggest religious rival.

“The FJP will coordinate to find alliances with other political forces but until now we have not decided yet who we will seek to form an alliance with,” he said.

“The Salafi parties and in particular Al-Nour have announced they do not wish to ally with the FJP,” Katatni said, signaling fierce competition among Islamists in the next election.

An official at the presidency told Reuters the vote was slated for the end of April or early May and would likely involve three rounds of voting, guarded by the armed forces.

Syria: Death toll approaches 70,000, UN rights’ chief warns

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HE death toll in Syria is likely approaching 70,000 - up almost 10,000 from the start of the year - and civilians are paying the price for the U.N. Security Council’s lack of action to end the conflict, the U.N. human rights chief said on Tuesday.

Navi Pillay, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, repeated her call for the 15-member council to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court to send a message to both parties in the conflict that there will be consequences for their actions.

The death toll in Syria is “probably now approaching 70,000,” Pillay told a council

debate on protection of civilians in armed conflict.

On January 2, Pillay said more than 60,000 people had been killed during the revolt against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which began nearly two years ago with peaceful protests but turned violent after Assad’s forces tried to crush the demonstrations.

“The lack of consensus on Syria and the resulting inaction has been disastrous and civilians on all sides have paid the price,” she said. “We will be judged against the tragedy that has unfolded before our eyes.”

World powers are divided

on how to stop the escalating violence in Syria and the Security Council is unlikely to refer the matter to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which is not an official U.N. body.

Permanent Security Council members Russia and China have acted as Syria’s protector on the council by repeatedly blocking Western efforts to take stronger U.N. action - such as sanctions - against the Syrian government to try to end the war.

Both sides to the Syrian conflict have been accused of committing atrocities but the United Nations says the government and its allies have been

more culpable.

“Syria is self-destructing,” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon told the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday.

“After nearly two years, we no longer count days in hours, but in bodies. Another day, another 100, 200, 300 dead.”

“Fighting rages. Sectarian hatred is on the rise. The catalogue of war crimes is mounting,” he said. “The Security Council must no longer stand on the sidelines, deadlocked, silently witnessing the slaughter.”

More than 50 countries asked the Security Council last month to refer the Syrian crisis to the International Crimi-

nal Court, which prosecutes genocide and war crimes cases.

Syria is not a party to the Rome Statute, which set up the International Criminal Court, so the only way the court can investigate the situation is if it receives a referral from the Security Council. The council has previously referred conflicts in Libya and Darfur, Sudan, to the court.

Speaking at the Security Council on Tuesday, Syria’s U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari repeated accusations that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, the United States and other Western governments support the rebels.

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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NEWS Sambo, G84 meet

Susan ‘Goldie’ Harvey is dead G OLDIE Harvey (born Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey on October 23, 1983), is dead.

She died in a Lagos hospital last night, shortly after returning from the United States.

The British-Nigerian pop artiste on the label of Kennis Music, represented Nigeria in Last Year’s edition of Big Brother Africa (BBA).

Confirming her death last night, a report on Linda Ikeji’s blog said: “I’m in shock. Just got a call from her best friend and my close friend, Denrele

Edun. He told me Goldie died a few minutes ago in his arms at Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island.

“Goldie just came back from the US today, he said, and was so full of life, then something went tragically wrong.” . She had her early education in Lagos, first Green Springs Montessori Primary School and and then St. John’s College, Palm Grove, Lagos before studying Business Management (B.Arts) at the University of Sunderland.

Goldie began her career in 2006 releasing her debut

V

•Goldie

album “Spin Me” with four tracks which include ‘Komole’, ‘Nothing Has Changed’, ‘Shift’ and ‘Spin Me’. Goldie now has two singles ‘You Know It’ featuring eldee da don which is on Nigerian top charts and ‘DJ Play On’.

ICE President Namadi Sambo last night met with a group of stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), popularly known as G-84 at the Presidential villa.

At the end of the meeting which lasted a little more than hour, the party’s chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur declined to speak on the outcome..

Some of those that attended the meeting, which was more like a riposten considering the short time it took and the buffet available, are: former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters.

Ahmed Gulak, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim and the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe

PDP removes Oyinlola’s portraits from secretariat Continued from page6

considered subjudice.

It was learnt that some NWC members yesterday complained about the alleged maltreatment of Oyinlola.

A member of the NWC, who spoke in confidence, said: “We were all shocked by the latest development, which we least expected.

“They have locked up Oyinlola’s office and the portraits have been removed. These actions have been taken at a time we are working on reconciliation within the party.

“Some of us have decided to raise the issue with the Leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

“The irony of it is that most of the administrative officers claimed to have acted on instructions from above.

“The initial plan was to have the acting National Secretary of the party, Mr. Onwe Onwe, to take over Oyinlola’s office but the legal implications far outweigh political considerations.”

Southwest leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday lamented their descent into irrelevance. They described their present situation as dark and gloomy.

The leaders who converged on Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja yesterday, said they are now dangling on a precipice of irrelevance and dark, bitter ruination.

In a mournful speech read by

the former deputy national chairman, Chief Bode George, the party lamented the stunted growth, chaotic situation of their lot in the scheme of things.

George said: “We stunted without growth. We are frozen in chaotic tumult without movement. We are halted in muddle and misery by our own contrivances. Alas, we are orphaned, detained in self-inflicting conundrum and despair.

“Pray, where is the way forward. How do we plow through this prevailing murkiness. How do we restore our path to the desired road of redemption and collective progress.

“We dwell in retrogressive circles, frozen in perpetual

blame game, halted in bickering and muddle, thereby creating a leadership vacuum now absorbed and seized by charlatans and the avatars of dubious and unknown pedigree.

“We steer our ship in different directions. We are led by different, contrary captains on the same boat of life. We all cry and shout progress but we still move and hurry in separate directions. We lack clarity and a unifying articulation.

“There are no easy solutions.

There is no magic wand anywhere. Our collective salvation dwells within us all. We must plunge within our culture and sift through the depths of our ancestry for the way forward”.

Present at the meeting were all past and serving cabinet ministers from the southwest, former governors, former federal legislators and PDP national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

PDP will present credible candidate in 2015, says Lamido

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IGAWA State Governor Sule Lamido said yesterday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would present a credible candidate for the presidential election in 2015.

Lamido gave the assurance in Dutse when he received members of the Arewa Youths Forum who visited him.

“From my political history, I don’t present myself for any position. I believe in my party and it will present a candidate that will be acceptable to all.

“PDP has modalities of doing things, we should wait and see the person that will be chosen to be the flag bearer of the party in 2015.

“PDP is built on justice and fairness and my party has sagacity to break religious dichotomy and it is a party that was formed to unite the country, “ Lamido said.

The governor advised the forum not to allow politicians to use it to achieve their political machinations.

The President of the forum,

Alhaji Ibrahim Gujungu, said it visited Dutse as part of its working tour of Northern states.

Gujungu praised Lamido for his development projects and urged him “to wade in and save the North from total collapse”.

Lamido has been linked with 2015 presidential ticket of the PDP. He has neither denied nor expressed interest in the race.

Campaign vehicles with his name inscribed on them on display in Kaduna.

•Lamido

Jonathan appoints permanent secretaries

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of three new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

They are Dr (Mrs) Habiba Muda Lawal, Mr John Obinna Chukwu and Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita. In a statement, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Sali, said the new appointees would replace the retiring permanent secretaries representing the NorthEast and South-East geo-polit-

ical zones and that of Cross River respectively.

Sali said that the appointments would take effect from the dates when the incumbent permanent secretaries retired from the service as follows: Mudal Lawal, Feb. 18, 2013; Chukwu, March 6, 2013 and Oyo-Ita, March 16, 2013.

The statement was signed by Mr Tope Ajakaiye, Director (Press & Public Relations) in the Office of theHead of the Civil Service of the Federation.

•Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) and Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi when the national team visited the governor in Asaba...yesterday.

Pension fund chief Maina goes into hiding Continued from page6

ically.

“With guards completely withdrawn, and the seeming involvement of the Senate and the police in the alleged plot to get at Maina, it will be suicidal for him to show up or even appear in the public for whatever reasons.

The aide said Maina, who spoke from his hideout said he was “fast losing confidence in the Nigerian state, as he has suddenly become a villain for saving the country billions of naira, being stolen daily by pension thieves.”

Police Chief Mohammed Abubakar yesterday urged Maina to give himself up.

Police spokesman Frank Mba, who spoke on behalf of the In-

spector-General said: “We are irrevocably committed to arresting Maina as soon as we lay our hands on him. We will arrest and take him before the Senate.

“He was declared wanted by the police because he went into hiding and that made it difficult for the police to execute the warrant of arrest that was legitimately issued against him.’’

On the allegation that Maina was being guarded by the police, Mba said “he has no police officer in his entourage, to the best of my knowledge.”

“Even in the press release that we gave, we did say that any citizen who has any information that could help us in finding and executing that order should please pass the information to the appropriate authorities,’’

Mba said, adding: “If anyone has the information on how we can get him, we will be pleased to have it.’’

According to him, the police will not allow themselves to be pulled into unnecessary controversy.

“The only thing is that the Senate has issued a warrant of arrest on Maina and that is where we come in,’’ Mba said.

Mba added: “The media who keep publishing press releases from the chairman of the pension task team should ask him why he is in hiding. If he says police have abused his rights by declaring him wanted, the least he could have done would be to appear at the Force Headquarters where he can query the police for declaring him wanted.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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LENTEN TALK

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Talking to God

EXT: Nehemiah 1: 4-11.

When Nehemiah received visitors from Jerusalem, he was told that the remnant that were left of the captivity were in great affliction and reproach. More important was the fact that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and the gates burned with fire. Nehemiah was downcast and wept. ( Nehemiah 1:24).

Knowing that a big assignment was at hand for him which was obviously out of his personal capacity, he knew that the King’s consent and support was imperative. He immediately went to the place of prayer and was consistently praying and believing, until the walls of Jerusalem were built, even in the midst of very stiff opposition. (Nehemiah 2:4; 4:4-5; 5:19; 6:9,14,22,29,31).

Jesus has promised that whatever you ask in prayer believing, you shall receive ( Matt. 21:22). As you take your case to God in prayer and believing, you will not only have what you ask for but mountains shall be removed in Jesus’ name ( Matt. 17:20).

Jesus Christ continued in Matthew 17:21 that to remove mountains however, it is imperative to combine prayer with fasting.

During this Lenten season, as you fast and pray, the Almighty God shall remove whatever mountain (hindrance, obstruction, fear, lack and challenges) standing between you and where God is taking you to in the name of Jesus. Amen Prayer: Father, remove every mountain in my life during this season, bless my home and prosper this nation in Jesus’ name Theme: Place of His power Text: 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 Paul, the Apostle, knew that God had opened a great door of opportunity for him but also knew that ‘by arm of flesh shall no man prevail’ (1 Sam 2:9b).

The best he could do in the midst of that quagmire was to wait in the place of power. He therefore decided he would not make decisions ‘in the flesh’ but wait till Pentecost - day of His power!

Jesus Christ had given us that template, when after His resurrection He told His disciples to wait for enduement of power from high. (Acts 1:4,7). When the day of Pentecost was fully come, there was a spiritual explosion that not only changed the disciples but lifted them to a higher platform in their lives and ministries. (Acts 2:1-14). Even Peter that betrayed Jesus Christ three times was suddenly emboldened by the power of Pentecost.

As you they stay in the place of His power during this season of fasting, you will have an encounter with fresh fire from above and the Almighty God shall change your tongue, appearance, outlook and your story in Jesus’ name.

Prayer: Eternal God, I stand before you in the place of the power of Pentecost, change my story for your glory in Jesus’ name.

Theme: The voice of the Holy Spirit Text: Acts 27:7-13 A life devoid of the Holy Spirit’s leading and direction is a dangerous, tortuous and wasted life. That was the experience of Paul when he was being taken to Rome. Julius, a

By Rev. Henry O. Adelegan

‘Life is a business. It is therefore imperative to get a vision of where you are going early and pursue it with unwavering focus to enable you make an impact’ centurion of Augustus’ band, ignored Paul’s counsel but believed the owner of the ship as well as the master.

In view of flagrant disregard of the voice of the Holy Spirit, they were troubled, embarked on a long fast, were compelled to jettison some items to lighten the ship and wasted lots of avoidable time and materials.

Jesus Christ is not limited to yesterday alone but also has His power on today and of course the unknown tomorrow ( Hebrew 13:8).

Therefore, his leading, even when it is seemingly stupid is a key to celebration. ( Is. 1:19; John 2:5).

During this period that our nation is passing through pervasive economic, social and security challenges, we need to turn to God for direction.

A word from Him will turn things around for us as a nation , as families and individuals. There is assurance in Him that nothing is impossible.

As you open your heart to hear Him and obey, your life will not be wasted and your progress shall be accelerated in Jesus’ name.

Prayers: Oh Lord, open the ears of our leaders and people in position of influence and authority in this nation to enable them have clear-cut direction and free us from the shackles of poverty, fear and lack in Jesus’ name.

Theme: Gird your loins for adversaries Text: 1 Kings 13:7-24 The young prophet heard God’s voice but surrendered it to the counter-prophesy of the older prophet, who obviously was an enemy in disguise. Eventually, he lost not only his life but also the honour he would have received on accomplishing the task he had been given.

When a person is about to experience a breakthrough, promotion or advancement at work, as a family or even a nation, it is commonplace to find enemies that are clothed with the garb of friends surface to fulfil the devil’s ministry to “kill, steal and destroy” ( John 10:10a). They reared their ugly heads before Nehemiah through Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem but were unable to prevail against the work of God because Nehemiah was very vigilant.

It is therefore expedient to be sober, alert and also vigilant because the devil walks about looking for whom he may devour ( 1 Peter 5:7-8).

During this season of fasting, it behoves every child of God to be vigilant, be wary of temptations that will come through ‘hidden sins’, compromises at work, lies, deceit and son so that fasting is not turned to hunger strike.

As you remain vigilant, the hands of the devil shall not settle upon you and God’s promises for your life shall

not be truncated in Jesus’ name.

Prayer: Father, give me a discerning heart that I might be able to identify the adversary in whatever form it appears and grace to overcome temptations in Jesus’ name.

Theme: Diligence Text: Proverbs 22:29 Diligence means careful and thorough work or effort. It means being committed to a course and pursuing it vigorously.

One of the keys of King Solomon’s success as a King was his hard-work. He was a man that knew where he was going, what he would need to get there, how he would get the required resources and the time frame within which he would have to get there.

Jesus Christ was an emblem of diligence. At age 12, he was at his Father’s business. He knew what He was called out for and 18 years later, His fullness came. In Luke 2:41-49, His parents were looking for Him on their way back from Jerusalem, when they eventually saw Him, He told them “ how is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business”.

Life is a business. It is therefore imperative to get a vision •Commandant, Police Secondary School, Akure, Ondo State, CSP Francis Bisong(left) a plaque to former Edo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Louis Odion of where you are going early presenting during his investiture as the Grand Patron of the Police School Press Club in Akure. and pursue it with unwavering focus to enable you make an impact.

Lenten talk. Rev. Henry O. AdeleganSolomon was not only thankful man but he had a record of being diligent hence his tank was always full. One day, Solomon single-handedly offered a 1,000 burnt offering to God, which Bible commentators valued within the ambit of $ 25,000 and $ 325,000, he provoked God’s hand to move in an unusual way.

The concequence of this rare feat was for God tan offer him an ‘open cheque’ - He asked him to ask for whatever he wanted. In fact after, he made his request known, God surprised him. He gave him all he wanted and added what he never asked for that will make him one of the kings that ever traversed the land.

He didn’t stop there, after the temple had been built, he offered 22,000 oxen and 120,000 oxen which provoked God ‘s second appearance to him ( 2 Chronicles 7:5-12).

At a time like this in the annals of this land, it is only attained when parts come together with their individual capabilities for the purpose of working towards an identified goals and objectives. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

Towards making a success of •Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Bukola Saraki addressing the PHOTO: NAN this life therefore, it is impera- Senate Press Corps in Abuja...on Wednesday tive to walk in the counsel of Jethro to Moses about the need to first identify the human resources available, their areas of strength and delegate towards having good success in life (Exodus 18:13-23). No man knows it all so do not go it alone!

Be that as it may, family success is predicated on husband and wife working as one; on every department in a working environment team together as an entity and a nation not fragmented along tribalistic divides. When we work united, we shall have success unbelievable in Jesus’ name.

Prayer: Father, help me identify the resources that you have sent to me to help me actualise my dream and give •Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wammako (left); Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Kabir Danbaba and me grace to utilise them well Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, when Wammako visited the Emir PHOTO: NAN for your glory in Jesus’ name. in Gusau...on Wednesday

Former Edo presentation Akure, Ond

THE NATION FRIDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2013

62

NEWS

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola with the first Vice-President of the International Association of Lions Clubs, Barry Palmer when he visited the governor at the State House, Marina... on Wednesday

•Abia State Governor Theodore Orji (right) with some secondary school principals at the distribution of education materials to secondary schools in Abia.

•Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State exchanging a note with Chairman, Health Insurance Fund, Mr. Kees Storm after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Health Insurance Fund of Holland and Kwara State government for the expansion of Kwara Community Health Programme at the Kwara Lodge, Asokoro..on Wednesday. With them is Chairperson, Hygeia Mrs.Fola Olaoye

•Ekiti State Governor’s wife, Mrs Bisi Fayemi (second left); General Manager, Adaba FM, Ilaramokin, Ondo State, Mr. Martins Ayoola(left); GM, Nigerian Television Authority, AdoEkiti, Mrs. Gloria Toba and a former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi, at a reception hosted by the governor’s wife for the media in Ado-Ekiti

•Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (sixth left ) with Wednesday

•Pupils of Police Children School, Obalende 1, Lagos, on parade during the maiden edition of Essay and Spelling Competitions of Nigeria Police Schools in Southwest in Lagos...on Wednesday.

members of the National Working Committee of the National Summit Group when they visited the governor in Asaba...on •Executive Secretary, Lagos State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mrs Bola Fashola (left); Permanent Secretary, Home Affairs and Culture, Mrs Olufunmilayo Balogun; representative of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Folashade Ogunnaike; Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe; Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr Cornelius Ojelabi and his Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs counterpart, Mr Ademorin Kuye, at the Lagos State Pilgrims Board’s thanksgiving service for 2012 pilgrims to Holy land at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa...yesterday PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

63

SPORT EXTRA

Sixteen clubs chase Sunday Mba B

UNDELSIGA outfit Bayern Leverkusen and Dinamo Zagreb top the list of sixteen teams chasing the signature of Super Eagles’ latest sensation, Sunday Mba according to the Executive Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick.

Pinnick told a Lagos based radio station on Thursday the list of suitors for the two-goal AFCON hero was growing by the day and his parent club, Warri Wolves will weigh all the offers coming their way before a decision is finally taken -Bayern Leverkusen and Dinamo Zagreb are top on the list but we have received as much as 16 concrete offers for Mba. The Delta State Sports

Boss revealed.

On Sunday in Johannesburg, the 24-year-old Warri Wolves forward scored the goal that ended Nigeria’s 19-year wait for a continental glory as they won their third Nations Cup trophy at the expense of Burkina Faso.

In 2008, Mba was close to

Europa Cup: Why I left out Mikel, Moses—Benitez HELSEA manager Rafael Benitez has explained the reasons why he left out Nigerian duo of John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses from the squad that will take on Sparta Prague in a UEFA Europa cup fixture.

Mikel and Moses were on duty for over three weeks with Nigeria, and Benitez has ruled out rushing the duo into action after winning the African Cup of Nations with Nigeria on Sunday in South Africa.

“Flying from South Africa and then Nigeria would be too much so we have left them in London, Benitez told tribalfootball.com “I’ve had experience in the UEFA Cup with Valencia and Liverpool and when you see the names of teams involved you realise that it is a massive competition.

Mikel and Moses were among Super Eagles players that were rewarded with cash and national honours, among other gifts for helping Nigeria to her third AFCON success.

teaming up with Spanish lower league side Elche, but the deal collapsed after his local club then, Enugu Rangers, demanded too much money.

The window in Western Europe is shut, but there are still opportunities in places like Ukraine and Russia.

• Mba

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Gafaar denies selling Bolowotan to MFM for N10m

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OYIN GAFAAR, proprietor of Bolowotan Football Club of Lagos has vehemently denied insinuations that he sold his pet club to Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries for N10m (Ten million naira.

"I've heard stories that I sold

NFF to pay Obuh’s N13m salary arrears

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HE Head Coach of the National U-20 team (Flying Eagles) John Sam Obuh will be smiling to the bank today, as the NFF is ready to pay his 13 months salary arrears running up to N13 million. This was confirmed to NationSports by the NFF Board Member and Media Committee Chairman, Emeka Inyama in Abuja on Thursday.

According to him , the payment which would serve as a motivation to the coach to ensure that the team retains the Africa Youth Championship it won in South Africa in 2011. The Board member said that the team would play a friendly match against the Benin Republic U-20 team before jetting out to Cairo, Egypt on Saturday to engage the Junior Pharaohs of Egypt in a two legged friendly match on 20th and 21st February.

The team would, thereafter fly to Tunisia for a three-week camping before hitting Algeria to begin their defence of the Africa U-20 Youth Championship.

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja He also revealed that the National U-17 team (Golden Eaglets) will also play a two legged friendly match against Botswana in Calabar on 3rd and 5th March. He said the team will later proceed to Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence in Qatar for a three week final training camp before flying to Morocco for their continential showpiece.

• Obuh

Bolowotan to Mountain of Fire for N10m. This is not only ridiculous but a calculated attempt to tarnish my reputation which I've built over the years."

A very livid Gafaar urged anyone in doubt to verify his claim from the Nigeria National League in Abuja and the Lagos State Football Association.

"God is my witness, I didn't collect one kobo from MFM for Bolowotan. In taking the decision to give up my dear club, I thought of an organisation that had a track record in football and MFM came to mind.

"I had a meeting with MFM Sport Director, Mr Godwin Enakhena and some MFM pastors, I told them that I was giving the club to MFM for free. The records are there with the Nigeria National League and The Lagos State Football Association".

Gafaar revealed that his decision to let go of Bolowotan was personal.

"There is no one in the football circle who is not aware of my love for Bolowotan, I gave my all to keep the club going but there came a time that I had to take a very difficult decision to let go" Meanwhile, MFM FC will travel to Umuahia for a week 9 game against Abia Warriors on Sunday.

MFM defeated Crown FC of Ogbomosho 1-0 at the Agege stadium on Tuesday.

Steenkamp, a law graduate, entrepreneur O

SCAR PISTORIUS'S girlfriend was a law graduate and entrepreneur who had been due to give an inspirational talk to schoolchildren on Thursday Reeva Steenkamp was shot four times on Valentine's Day in Oscar Pistorius's home in Pretoria.

The woman shot dead in South African star sprinter Oscar Pistorius's house had been a model, a law school graduate and an entrepreneur committed to empowering women.

Reeva Steenkamp, who was to have given an inspirational talk on Thursday at a Johannesburg school, had become a celebrity in her own right, said publicist Sarit Tomlinson. She was one of FHM magazine's 100 Sexiest Women in the World for two years running, appeared in international and South African advertisements and was a celebrity contestant on Tropika Island of Treasure, a South African reality show.

She was also the South African face of Avon cosmetics.

She was "continuously breaking the model stereotype", Tomlinson said, adding that Steenkamp was "the sweetest, kindest, just angelic soul" and "a very inspiring individual, very passionate about speaking about women and empowerment".

Police said she was shot four times in the early hours of Valentine's Day. They said only Steenkamp and Pistorius were at his house in a gated complex in Pretoria, the capital. Police have arrested Pistorius on a charge of murder and said he will appear in court on Friday. The two had been dating for a few months.

Scores of tributes were posted online. Her publicist said Steenkamp was 29 but

Friend of Pistorious’ late girlfriend reacts

O

UTSIDE Pistorius's home, Steenkamp's model friend Mashadi Motsogi was in tears.

She had seen on Twitter that Steenkamp had been shot, but did not believe it.

“It was only on my way to campus when I saw journalists come in front of the estate, when I realised that it might be true, that she might be dead. I know Oscar stays here. When I called here, he did not reply. He did not answer my call.”

She described Steenkamp as a “friendly person, always willing to help other people”.

“She never snapped,” said Mogotsi, who had looked to Steenkamp, an established model, for advice.

“I have lost a friend,” she said, tears streaming down her face.

She said it did not make sense that her friend died in a secure complex.

“Look, security here is safe.

We moved to this area for security reasons. It does not make sense to me that my friend was shot, mistaken for an intruder.”

police said she was 30.

On Thursday morning, Steenkamp had been scheduled to give a motivational speech to school students in Johannesburg. "It was about empowerment and inspiration and what inspires you and how to follow your dreams," said Tomlinson, who had Steenkamp's notes for the speech.

On Twitter, Steenkamp posted messages urging women to stand up against rape as well as her excitement about Valentine's Day. "What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow?" she tweeted. "It should be a day of love for everyone."

Her last tweet was an enthusiastic acceptance of a friend's invitation to celebrate the day with chocolate cupcakes topped with red hearts.

She also used her Twitter account to encourage her thousands of followers to combat sexual abuse and violence against women.

"WEAR BLACK THIS FRIDAY IN SUPPORT AGAINST #RAPE," she retweeted just hours before she died.

Steenkamp tweeted four days

• Steenkamp ago as outrage was sparked in South Africa by the particularly brutal rape and murder of a 17-year-old: "I woke up in a happy safe home this morning. Not everyone did. Speak out against the rape of individuals in SA. RIP Anene Booysen #rape #crime #sayNO."

Pistorius’ burglar report surprised cops

P

OLICE expressed “surprise” on Thursday at reports that the shooting at Paralympian Oscar Pistorius' house was an accident.

“The SA Police Service were just as surpised this morning to hear on the radio that allegations had been made that the deceased had been perceived to be a burglar,” police spokeswoman Brigadier Denise Beukes said.

“We were very surprised and those allegations did not come from us.”

Early on Thursday, Beeld newspaper reported on its website that Pistorius allegedly accidentally shot dead his girlfriend after mistaking her for a robber.

Police spokeswoman Captain Sarah Mcira confirmed this to Beeld, the report said.

Beukes was briefing reporters outside Silver Woods estate in Pretoria, where Steenkamp was shot dead in Pistorius' house in the early hours of the morning.

She did not name 26-year-old Pistorius, in accordance with SA law, but said he and Steenkamp were the only people in the house at the time of the shooting.

She said there was no sign of forced entry into Pretorius' house.

•Pistorius

Beukes said bail for Pistorius would be opposed when he appears in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court later on Thursday.

“He will appear in court at 2pm and bail will be opposed,” she said.

“We are at this stage as the SA Police Services not able to disclose why are we opposing the bail,” said Beukes.

“I confirm there had been previous incidents of a domestic nature at his place but this will form part of the investigation.”

Beukes said forensic detectives were busy collecting evidence from the crime scene and journalists would not be allowed in until the police handed over the scene to the estate's security company.

Pistorius was held at the Boschkop police station earlier on Thursday, then taken to the Mamelodi Day Clinic and was expected to be taken to the court after that.

"When a person has been accused of a crime like murder they look at things like testing under the figure nails, taking a blood alcohol sample and all kinds of other test that are done.

They are standard medical tests," Beukes said.

She said witnesses had been interviewed about the incident, which happened in the early hours of the morning.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

W

ITH the announced merger of four political parties, there is a renewal of our hope in the political stability of the nation. We have to thank the leaders who put aside their private interests in pursuit of the nation’s interest.

In a democracy, there must be a viable opposition that can stand as a viable alternative to the party in power. This is true of a parliamentary system as it is of a presidential system. Where there is a proliferation of splinter groups competing for the support of the people against a massive well-oiled single party that intimidates with its network of the mighty and powerful, the outcome is predictable. We can expect avoidable instability in the system as groups and individuals move in and out of splinter groups to seek out their fortunes elsewhere. With a system of two or three strong political parties, aspirants presented by such parties for national offices know that they have as good a chance as any other candidate.

In another more important sense, however, the announced merger also renews the hope of progressives that the principles and ideals they live for finally have a good chance of not only gaining national attention but of also serving as the policy direction of the national government. Of course, there is still a long way to go and many treacherous rivers to cross with externally-induced intrigues and internally generated crisis to contend with. So we are well-advised not to count our chicken before the hatching of the eggs.

Still there is hope and we must keep it alive.

Were the merger to sail through and the nay-sayers shamed, the question that readily comes to mind must be how the new party must differentiate itself from the old Leviathan, the self-acclaimed largest party in Africa. For starters, the new party cannot afford to be known just for that kind of title without having anything to show for it. It is tantamount to having the title of the king of vultures without the ability to hunt for a chicken.

The size of an entity, whether it is a political party, an academic institution, or a social club, cannot by itself be the standard for judging its efficacy. There are good-for-nothing behemoths. This is where the name that it has chosen to be known by must be the basis of its being, and the motivation for its actions and policies. An All Progressives Congress must embrace a progressive agenda as its article of faith and stick to it with religious fervor. If it does, it can be sure of win-

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

A progressive agenda

•Map of Nigeria

‘An All Progressive Congress that hopes to take control of destiny of the nation in the centre must have an agenda to reverse this course and in doing so undo the curse of human tragedy that has been the lot of the nation’

ning the hearts and souls of the masses, and with this, it can be assured of victory at the polls.

All things being equal, there is really little or no magic to a party or a leader’s acceptance by the people. Understand their challenges, feel their pains, make visible efforts to offer efficacious relief without demeaning them, and you can become their hero. The most recent example for us is the last presidential elections in the United States. While the masses perceive one party as the party of hope with an empathetic understanding of their plight, they saw the other as hostile and out of touch. Thus even with a high unemployment rate and a depressing economic outlook, there was an unprecedented turn out

of voters for the man and the party they believed understood their condition and was adjudged best to deal with it.

I am the first to admit that all things are not equal, but it is only a difference of degree not of kind. Recall that in many jurisdictions, American electorates had to overcome human-made hurdles in order to cast their ballots. Voters patiently stood in line for six hours to cast their ballots. A 102 yearold woman was on queue for four hours. The wealthiest democracy is still in search of the solution to election malpractices. The point worth noting is that the people are always going to be the ultimate decision makers in terms of who governs them. And no matter how much funds are disbursed, if they do

RIPPLES DESPITE INSECURITY, NIGERIA IS STILL SAFE FOR INVESTMENT–PDP scribe

Yes...for UNDERTAKERS

VOL.8 NO.2,401

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘It is not possible that Ihejirika could ‘Igbonise’ the Nigerian Army even if he so desires because there are ample checks in the recruitment process, which includes the Army Council, headed by the president; there is the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and there is also the Minister of Defence..’

STEVE OSUJI

HARDBALL

P

RESIDENT of the Nigerian Senate, David Mark, seems puzzled that many African countries are hostile to Nigeria. His evidence, he said, was observing how dignitaries in the state box of the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, all rooted for Nigeria’s opponent, Burkina Faso, during the final match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The support for Burkina Faso must be nearly so overwhelming that Mark and other top Nigerian officials couldn’t help but notice how either unpopular we had become or how enviously other African nations viewed us. Mark voiced his observations during a Senate special session to mark Nigeria’s unexpected and unusual victory in the 2013 edition of AFCON, about 19 years after we last lifted the prestigious continental cup.

Senator Mark was not exaggerating, even though he refrained from adducing reasons for that envy or unpopularity. Indeed, there is hardly any Nigerian who is unaware of the Africa-wide hostility to Nigeria, with many of those haters actually indebted to us. The Senate President’s observation should, therefore, be a challenge to the government of Nigeria. Could we be doing so many things wrong vis-a-vis our African brothers? Are we intimidating our neighbours? Indeed, are we irredentist in any way, or are Nigerian citizens engaged in unwholesome activities in other African countries? Whatever the reasons are, it is perhaps time we examined all the factors that have made us to be loathed.

not believe that a party or candidate shares their interest, they are more than likely to reject such party or candidate.

A progressive agenda is necessarily a populist agenda and it is a winning agenda not just for the party or candidate in a selfish way, but also for the nation. On the latter, we have the example of how a region excelled in the fifties even as the colonisers made efforts to frustrate the agenda. Focusing like a laser beam on the education of the youth enables a government to invest in the human resources that are going to take on the challenges in all other areas. The policy yielded visible dividends. We can do it again and we can do it for the entire country. Our present structure that privileges the centre in the distribution of resources does not make it possible for the regions or states, which are nearest to the people, to fully implement all the ideas embedded in a progressive agenda. Thus while the progressive governors are doing their best with the resources available to them, it would make a lot of difference if a progressive party were to control the central government.

The priorities of such a government would include huge investment in education that would see the country moving away from a paltry 0.85% education expenditure as a percentage of Gross National Income (GNI) and a ranking of 167 out of 168 in the world. We must improve on our public spending on education as a percentage of GDP. Of course, there are competing demands in health, power, transportation and road development, and employment. But no one can deny that all these are related and investment in education must have a domino effect on every other. A progressive party must understand and articulate the connectedness and champion policies that are implementable for the overall good of the masses.

The experience of the country thus far is that the privileged minority have had their backs covered by various administrations at the centre since independence. And the masses have had to depend on the good will and charitable disposition of the powerful.

An All Progressive Congress that hopes to take control of destiny of the nation in the centre must have an agenda to reverse this course and in doing so undo the curse of human tragedy that has been the lot of the nation.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Senator Mark and his African enemies As the experience of two brutalised Nigerian journalists showed on their last day in South Africa covering the competition, that Southern African country has a special dislike for Nigerians. And this is in spite of a remarkable history of solidarity and friendship between the two countries, one in which Nigeria virtually made the sacrifice and gained only a grudging initial thank you. Nigerians are similarly treated with scorn in Namibia, another southern African country Nigeria sacrificed so much to set free from the clutches of their white oppressors.

With the exception of Liberia, where Nigeria is still somewhat regarded with respect, there is hardly any African country, north or south, east or west, where we are respected in proportion to the love we show other African countries, or the sacrifice we made for them. For instance, in spite of the huge sacrifice we made in Sierra Leone during their 1991-2002 civil war, the British calmly walked in towards the end of the war and took the prize after a very short and limited military engagement.

Today, on the subjects of Sierra Leone and Liberia, some European chroniclers choose to remember only the contributions of Britain and the United States. The sacrifice Nigeria made is conveniently glossed over or denied.

It is important to go beyond merely ob-

serving how poorly Nigeria is rated and scorned in many African countries. The Federal Government should call its foreign policy experts and historians together to examine the factors responsible for this anomaly. It is an anomaly that has lasted for far too long probably because of the incompetence of the government in planning the aftermath of our foreign policy actions. The problem should be arrested now, for on its own it will not go away, no matter how much we wish it.

The place to begin, it seems, is to recognise that other countries will respect us only when we become the continental leader in instituting the highest grade of democracy and assiduously promoting it, achieving incomparable economic development feats to give Nigerians a very high standard of living, respecting human rights by eliminating extrajudicial killings and all forms of torture, and generally running an orderly and disciplined society, the toast and envy of the world. The loathing other African countries have for us may in fact be connected to how self-deprecatingly we have carried ourselves than what immeasurable contributions we have made for other countries’ comfort and wellbeing.

Whatever the problems are, and whatever the solutions might be, it is important we never ignore the problems as if they do not exist.

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