The Nation February 18, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Why 2013 budget is not signed

Gunmen kidnap Briton, Italian, others in Bauchi NEWS Page 2

NEWS

Page 7

•Presidency speaks on delay

•Manhunt for abductors of seven foreigners

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VOL. 8, NO. 2404 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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•Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Ayo Oritsejafor praying for the First Family…yesterday

First Lady: I ‘ was dead for F one week

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

People are always afraid of operation (surgery) but in my own case, while my travail lasted, I was begging for it (surgery) after the third operation because I was going to the theatre everyday. It was God who saw me through.

I did eight or nine surgeries within one month. It was not an easy one

•Nine surgeries in one month

IRST Lady Patience Jonathan yesterday recounted, for the first time, her experience in a German hospital last year.

She declared herself “dead for one week”, but God gave

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

her a second chance.

Speaking at a special church thanksgiving service at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Mrs. Jonathan said she

underwent eight to nine surgeries within one month.

The First Lady left for Germany on September 3, last year and returned on October 19. She also travelled in January for a medical check-

’

up.

Her state of health generated a huge controversy as the Presidency kept denying that she was ill.

Her spokesman Ayo OsContinued on page 2

PDP governors to release Jonathan’s one-term pact North should not blackmail Mr. President, says Niger Delta activist

I

•Niger Governor Aliyu

T is about two years away, but 2015 is already sparking big rows.

Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu spoke at the weekend on an agreement which he said the President signed - that he (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan) would spend one term in office.

The Presidency is yet to react to the statement, but more Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)governors are threatening to release copies of the agreement.

From Yusuf Alli and Yomi Odunuga Abuja

Aliyu’s statement is said to have rattled the Presidency.

It was also learnt that some National Assembly leaders are claiming to know about the one-term agreement with the governors.

The Nation learnt that all PDP governors have copies of the agreement, which was allegedly signed before the presidential primaries in January, 2011.

A source said the agreement accounted for why the Northern governors dumped former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who lost woefully at the presidential primaries.

It was learnt that Jonathan entered into the agreement “to appease the North”.

According to another Northern governor, who spoke with some PDP leaders and National Assembly members yesterday in Abuja , the “one-term agreement is real”. “We

are just waiting for the right time to talk,” he said.

“I have a copy of the agreement and some of us have come together to enforce the agreement. We will soon release a copy of the agreement to the public to prove a point — that we are not just raising the alarm.

“I think the right thing is for the President to stick to the agreement.

Some of us were almost stoned for sacrificing the interest of the North Continued on page 2

•ONE DEAD IN DELTA CULT CLASH P59 •UNILORIN ASUU EXCO SACKED P54

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

NEWS

•Bishops at the opening of the first plenary session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Abuja…yesterday. Sixth left is John Cardinal Onaiyekan

Gunmen kidnap Briton, Italian, five other foreigners in Bauchi

PDP governors to release Jonathan’s one-term pact Continued from page 1

for the Southsouth.

“We hope the President will own up to this crucial agreement. It is a welcome development that the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum was the one who raised it.”

It was gathered that the Presidency was rattled by the revelation, forcing strategists to spend hours planning a response which did not come at press time last night.

A source said: “The comments of the Niger State Governor were initially greeted with disbelieve by the President’s strategists, who worked through the night on the appropriate response.

“The issues highlighted by the strategists were how to manage why the President went into the agreement; plausible reasons why the pact might not subsist, and

tackling the bearer of the message, Governor Babangida Aliyu.

“They considered the governor’s disclosure as a serious challenge.”

Niger Delta activist and human rights campaigner, Annkio Briggs, has described as sheer blackmail the allegation that President Jonathan signed an agreement to serve only for a term in the run-up to the 2011 Presidential election.

Speaking with our correspondent on the telephone, Briggs said if it turned out that there was such an agreement, it must have been obtained under duress since there was nothing that compels Jonathan to serve for four years.

Arguing that the Northern governors appear bent on using the controversial agreement to blackmail Jonathan

against running in 2015, should he decide to do so, Briggs insists that the agreement remains null and void since it was not signed on behalf of Nigerians.

She said: “If that statement is true, then you can see that Nigeria is in trouble if a set of people can sit and decide how politics should be played. Does it mean that the power of choice no longer resides with voters? In my opinion, it is totally wrong if Jonathan has to be put in a position in which he has to sign under duress that he would serve for a term. If such a document exists, then it must have been obtained under duress.

“In the first place, Jonathan has no right to sign that document on behalf of Nigerians and, particularly, on behalf of the Southsouth people. He has a right to run for a sec-

U

•Dr. Jonathan

ond term of four years just like any other Nigerian if he so wishes. If Babangida Aliyu wants to run for President, he should do so without resorting to blackmailing Jonathan.

That also applies to any Northern governor who plans to run. They should Continued on page 57

I was dead for one week, says First Lady Continued from page 1

inlu said she travelled abroad to take “a moment’s rest”.

Special Adviser to the President Dr. Reuben Abati dismissed Mrs Jonathan’s widely reported illness as “a rumour”, adding: “There’s nothing like that.”

Yesterday, Mrs Jonathan likened her experience to that of the Biblical Lazarus. She expressed gratitude to God

for keeping her alive as she rededicated herself to doing things that will touch the lives of the less privileged in the society.

She said: “I remember when Chief Obasanjo was the President of the country, I was close to his late wife, Stella. We worshipped together in this chapel. It was a painful moment for me at that time when she died and her

corpse was brought here.

“That was how my corpse would have been brought here. It was not an easy experience for me. I actually died. I passed out for more than a week. My intestine and tummy were opened.

“I am not Lazarus, but my experience was similar to his.

My doctors said all hope was lost. A black doctor in London, who is with us in this

PHOTO: NAN

service, was flown in when the situation became critical.

It was God himself in His infinite mercy that said I will return to Nigeria. God woke me up after seven days.”

She added: “I know that some people somehow leaked the information that I was dead. They are people that I trust and rely on. To them, I was dead and I would

Continued on page 57

NKNOWN gunmen kidnapped seven foreigners and killed a security guard when they stormed the compound of Lebanese construction company SETRACO in Bauchi yesterday morning.

Among those abducted were a Briton, an Italian, a Greek and four Lebanese workers, including two women, Local Government Chairman Adamu Aliyu and security sources said.

It was the worst case of foreigners being kidnapped in the North since an insurgency by Islamist militants intensified nearly two years ago.

No one took responsibility for the attacks and kidnappings have been linked to Boko Haram and another Islamist group - Al Qaeda-aligned group Ansaru - which rose to prominence recently. The group claimed responsibility for the kidnap in December of a French national, who is still missing.

Bauchi Police Chief Mohammed Ladan said the gunmen attacked a police station and a prison overnight before storming the construction firm’s compound in Jama’are, a Bauchi State town.

“We repelled the attack on the police station and the security men at the prison yard also repelled the attack, but they burnt two vehicles in Jama’are police station,” Ladan said.

“They then attacked Setraco construction, killed a local se-

curity guard and they succeeded in kidnapping people,” he said and declined to state the nationality of the victims.

The Italian and Greek foreign ministries confirmed that one of their nationals was taken in the raid. A spokesman for the British Embassy in Abuja said it was investigating.

Islamist group Ansaru’s full name is Jama’atu Ansarul Musilimina Fi Biladis Sudan, which roughly translates as “Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa”.

It claimed responsibility for a dawn raid on a major police station in Abuja last year, where it said hundreds of prisoners were released. Last month in Kogi State, it attacked a convoy of Nigerian troops en route to deployment in Mali.

The group said the abduction of the Frenchman last year was motivated by France’s ban of the full-face veil and its military intervention against Islamist insurgents in Mali.

Kidnapping of foreigners for ransom has been common in the Southsouth for years but abductions by radical Islamists in the North began only last year.

Britain in November put Ansaru on its official “terrorist group” list, saying it was aligned with al Qaeda and was behind the kidnap of a British and a Italian killed last year during a failed rescue attempt.

Ansaru is thought to have Continued on page 57

Obasanjo’s men weigh options on sack of Oyinlola, Oni, others

T

HERE was disquiet yesterday in ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s camp, following the sack of ‘exGovernor’ Segun Oni and Chief Bode Mustapha from the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Obasanjo’s loyalist are weighing some options, including seeking audience with their godfather and President Goodluck Jonathan. They may also go to court.

But it emerged yesterday that the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and the NWC removed the officials in defiance of a subsisting Court of Appeal order A group, the Society for the Rule of Law in Nigeria (SRLN), is threatening to take the PDP to court on why all NWC members must step down.

It claimed that since the Federal High Court nullified the Southwest Zonal Congress, all the votes by the zone for NWC members at the April 2012 National Convention were also null and void.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Obasanjo’s camp is embittered because, according to them, the removal of Oni and Mustapha was done “in a premeditated manner”.

They claimed that Mustapha’s office was locked up as soon as the announcement was prepared.

It was also gathered that Tukur wielded the big stick on Friday in order “not to give room for the two officers to seek any injunction in any court”.

A highly-placed source said: “Many loyalists of Obasanjo have been calling him to intervene in the development as it might seal the chances of PDP winning any seat in 2014 or 2015 in the Southwest. They think the prayer of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is being answered.

“The two affected officers have also left Abuja for consultations on the next line of action. That is why they have not issued any statement.

“The desire of Obasanjo’s

loyalists is that the President, who is the national leader of PDP, should call Tukur and the NWC to order. The loyalists will also seek audience with Jonathan very soon.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “If political solutions fail, Obasanjo’s loyalists may go to court.”

But the PDP chief said the party has a challenge because of alleged subsisting order of the Court of Appeal which asked it to preserve the res.

The source said: “The National Working Committee, in a bizarre political move has sacked the Southwest zonal leadership of the party in its move to pander to the mood of the Presidency against former President Obasanjo, claiming that it was in obedience to the ruling of a Federal High court, which had ruled that the zonal congress was nullified for failing to accommodate the delegates of a faction of the PDP in Ogun State, led by Buruji Kashamu.

“However, the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos presided

over by Justice H. M. Ogunwumiju had granted a stay of execution of the same order, pending the appeal filed by the Segun Oni-led PDP zonal executive since May 25, 2012.

“Bamanga Tukur NWC and Oyinlola ,the National Secretary had also benefited from the stay as it avoided the contempt charge slammed against it by the High Court using the same Court of Appeal ruling.

“The appellate court ruled: “We are firmly convinced that the balance of justice lies in the stay being granted. The res in this case cannot be destroyed by either party but the liberty of any of the applicants, if taken by contempt proceedings, cannot be easily restored. An order of stay of execution or further execution of the judgement and orders of Hon Justice CE Archibong of the Federal High court Lagos in suit NO FHC/L/CS/ 1248/2011 delivered on 27/1/ 11 is hereby made. All contempt proceedings shall stay to abide the outcome of the Appeal in the said suit. Order as prayed.”

“We learnt that the National

Legal Adviser was tactically precluded from giving his advice and a private legal practitioner , who also played along with Tukur, was invited. The party pretended to have forgotten about the Court of Appeal ruling, which superseded the high court’s.”

The Society for the Rule of Law in Nigeria (SRLN) yesterday called on the PDP to go the whole hog to implement the High Court order, which also voided all elections conducted by the PDP at the National Convention.

In a statement in Abuja by its National Co-ordinator, Comrade Chima Ubeku, the group said it was wrong of PDP to set aside the order of the Court of Appeal for that of a Federal High Court.

The group said: “As a group that is concerned with the sustenance of rule of law in the country, we felt obliged to comment on the decision taken by the PDP yesterday, most especially because of its effect on party politics in the country”.

•Chief Obasanjo

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

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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NEWS MERGER OF PARTIES

• Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (right); Catholic Bishop, Ijebu-Ode Diocese, Most Rev. Albert Fasina; (left) a member of the diocese, Prof. Segun Ogunsaju (second left); and Rev. Father Jude Kuti during a courtesy visit by the promoters of Loyola Jesuit University to the governor in Abeokuta...at the weekend.

•Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima (left)) and Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, when he visited the governor in Maiduguri... yesterday

•Okorocha

•Obi

‘Merger is giving • Over 70 PDP

I

F the claims of Senator Abdulkadir Alkali Jajare are anything to go by, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will soon lose 70 of its senators to the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC).

Alkali, an All Nigeria Peoples Party (PDP) senator representing Yobe South, said the coalition of opposition parties was giving the ruling PDP sleepless nights.

According to him, scores of the PDP

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

members in the upper legislative chamber and many from other parties are set to join the APC ahead of the general elections in 2015.

Jajare spoke in Damaturu at the weekend after ANPP stakeholders and supporters met in the state capital, where they endorsed the merger of parties that produced the APC. The senator told reporters: “PDP Hhas been having sleepless nights since the

APC door open to parties, individuals, says Fayemi

F •Left to right: Deputy Country Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Uyi Akpata, Lagos State Accountant-General, Mr. David Sunmoni, Managing Consultant, Brandsmith Consulting, Mr. Akin Ambode and Global Public Finance/ Accounting Partner, PwC, Patrice Schumesch at the Conference on Global Accounting and Financial Reporting by Governments in Brussels, Belgium

OR Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a shade to all progressive individuals, groups with parties, irrespective of their socio-political and economic divides.

Fayemi, who is the party’s Contact and Mobilisation Committee Chairman in the Southwest, said the party has flung its door open to other platforms and interest groups outside of the four parties that had publicly en-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

dorsed merger.

According to him, the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN); the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC); and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), will “create a robust platform that would strive towards the realisation of a better Nigeria.”

The governor, who gave the open invitation in a statement by his spokeman, Mr

Imo’s expanded Governor vows to win Southeast for new party

M

• Dean, Archbishop Vining Memorial Church and Bishop-elect, Ven. James Odedeji (left); Archdeacon of Amuwo Archdeaconry, Ven. Funso Ogini (second right), Bishop of Diocese, Rt. Rev. Peter Adebiyi; Mrs Emilem Ogini and Chancellor, Justice Babasola Oguntade after the inaguration of Amuwo Archdeaconry...yesterday.

ORE support came at the weekend for the involvement of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha in the merger of four opposition parties.

The parties are: the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); and the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC).

Okorocha’s participation in the formation of the APC was applauded by members of the enlarged state executive committee and his political associates, who described the governor’s move as visionary and timely.

The committee members unani-

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

mously expressed their support for Okorocha and endorsed the mega party in an affirmative voice vote after the governor had briefed them on the development at a closed-door parley.

At the parley, which took place at the Sam Mbakwe Council Chamber, were political appointees and the governor’s associates.

While throwing more light on his participation, Okorocha reportedly told his audience that the APC would offer a formidable platform for the enthronement of good governance in 2015.

The governor’s media adviser, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa, quoted his boss as telling the gathering that the rescue mission by the APC became necessary to clear

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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NEWS MERGER OF PARTIES

‘

PDP is having sleepless nights since the emergence of the APC. They are desperate to destroy the party from its formation. But I want to tell you that the APC is a moving train and no one can stand on its way

‘

•Bello

PDP sleepless nights’ senators set to join APC’ emergence of the APC. They are desperate to destroy the party from its formation. But I want to tell you that the APC is a moving train and no one can stand on its way.

“As I am talking to you, we have received a lot of commendation and full backing from over 70 PDP serving senators among others. And very soon, they will join our new part - the APC.” Jajare expresssed optimism that the APC will unseat the ruling PDP at the 2015

polls going by the popular acceptance it has received from Nigerians.

Noting with sadness the rate at which average Nigerians have been subjected to poverty, corruption and injustice under the PDP-led government for more than 13 years, the senator said: “Many people from across the country are ready to offer their unflinching support to the new party for a change, knowing that the problems which have drawn backward

Olayinka Oyebode, in Ado-Ekiti, at the weekend, assured of APC’s commitment to the emergence of a more egalitarian polity.

The statement reads: “The birth of APC at a time Nigerians earnestly yearn for accountable, responsive and responsible leadership is quite significant.

“Nigerians, who are already tired of the consuming gridlock and desirous of change would be mobilised to join the new party based on the core values of freedom, social justice, equality and solidarity.”

Noting that the party would equally embrace the principles of social democracy, with emphasis on the values of collective justice and individual freedom, Fayemi was quoted as saying: “It is a renaissance and collective mission to re-

deem and remedy our much bruised destiny.

“Our party will undertake to facilitate radical socio-economic and political transformation of the country.

Our programme priorities shall be agricultural development, jobs creation, free education, infrastructural development, poverty eradication and rapid technological development.

“The APC manifesto will highlight strategic short, medium and longterm programme initiatives to be undertaken by all governments produced by the party.

“APC will restore the values of federalism and the virtues of internal democracy in the quest to deepen good and democratic governance.

“The decentralisation and devolu-

our socio- economic development and indeed the realisation of the country’s dream.”

Allaying fears that personal interests of coalition leaders might jeopardise the APC mission, Jajare said: “This is an imagination from the opposition and of course that of the media which are purely PDP scripts.

“Everybody and the political parties that have endorsed the initiative will be carried along without any political sentiment or ethnic consideration.” tion of powers at the centre shall be a fundamental tenet of the APC’s political frame work, allowing all parts of the country to feel a sense of belonging and ownership.

“Gender equality and the empowerment of women who have been denied their inalienable rights for long shall be a major focus of the activities of the party and all the progressive governors’ alliance, holding the sawy in the Southwest will soon roll out plans for outreach without prejudice to all and sundry.

“The APC is a viable, credible and alternative platform, willing and capable of providing the right leadership that will get the country out of the woods. APC is a movement for renewal, not just a political party.”

EXCO backs Okorocha on APC the mess created by the ruling Peoples Party (PDP).

Okorocha blamed the slow pace of development in the country on the failure of the PDP to address the socio-economic problems in the past 14 years.

Uzoukwa described the talks as fruitful and a significant step towards making the APC a household name in Imo and across the Southeast.

He said: “You know that Governor Okorocha since has been in Abuja following his deep involvement in the formation of the first-ever mega party in the country comprising the four leading opposition parties including our party APGA. “As a leader, the governor deemed it necessary to brief members of the state expanded executive and other political associates on his participation and the level of progress so far made in building

a very strong platform that will dislodge the PDP in 2015.

“In fact, we applauded his vision in making sure that the Southeast is fully represented in the new party.

The governor’s bold step has no doubt given hope to the people of Southeast who are presently marginalised by the PDP.” Speaking on the challenges posed by the crisis rocking APGA in respect to the merger, Uzoukwa said: “The real APGA people, otherwise known as APGA-APGA, are part of the merger while the APGA-PDP, will join later. We really understand their predicament. As appointees of President Goodluck Jonathan, you do not expect them to declare open support to whatever move that is targeted at sacking the PDP. According to Uzoukwa, having

secured the support of his political associates, Okorocha, who is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the activities of the party in the Southeast, is building the necessary structures to position APC for victory in future elections in the zone.

“As I am speaking with you, Okorocha, who no doubt is a beautiful bride in the merger, considering his popularity in the North, the West and the massive support he has continued to enjoy in the Southeast, has started consultation with other leaders and progressives from the zone.

“Then considering the achievement of the governor in the bid to rescue Imo state, especially the fact that he remains a brand well-respected by the Igbos, the APC will definitely win Anambra in 2014 and other Southeast states in 2015.”

Why APGA has not joined APC

T

HERE is no division in the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) contrary to widespread speculation that the merger of opposition political parties has created a disaffection within the party.

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, who made the clarification in Abuja yesterday, also explained the reluctance of APGA as a party to join the coalition of parties.

He said APGA was not ready to compromise its identity, being a party respected and loved in the Southeast.

Obi said: “We want something that will allow our voice to be heard in this enterprise called Nigeria and we believe that APGA will give us that opportunity.’’

According to Obi, the people of Southeast in particular, held APGA in high esteem and would not give it out for “negotiation.”

Obi’s spoke after a meeting of APGA’s national caucus which approved the appointment of Mr. Maxi Okwu and Alhaji Sanni Shinkafi to serve in acting capacities as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party respectively.

The involvement of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha of APGA in the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), has unsettled APGA. Denying the alleged division in the party, Obi, also of APGA, admitted every member of his party had sympathy for the merger arrangement.

He said: “APGA as a party is not in the merger arrangement.

“There are no two APGA, there is only one indivisible APGA and that one indivisible APGA is not involved in any merger talk or any merger plan.’’

According to him, APGA, as a political party, was not ready to surrender its identity and logo which was one of the conditions for a successful merger by political parties.

APGA’s position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the caucus emergency meeting in Abuja, read by Dr Tim Menakaya, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT).

The meeting, according to him, is to holistically review the February 8, court judgment on the party‘s leadership and the recent merger by some opposition parties.

The meeting, Menakaya said, was also to proffer the way forward for the party.

The High Court in Enugu had removed Chief Victor Umeh, APGA’s National Chairman and his National Working Committee (NWC) members.

The court also ruled that Umeh‘s election as the party‘s National Chairman contravened Article 18 of the party‘s constitution.

“The party has accepted the judgment of the High Court in good faith and will abide by it in order to move forward.

“Our great party, APGA, has never been consulted or participated in any discussion about any merger, alliance or whatsoever union with any political party or parties.”

On why Okorocha was not at the meeting which was attended by leaders of APGA, Obi said: “I had a quality meeting’’ with him earlier in the day.

Governor Okorocha excused himself from the meeting.’’

CPC Rep: presidential candidate not our priority now From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

H

OUSE of Representatives member representing Igabi Federal Constituency of Kaduna State under the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Ibrahim Bello yesterday foreclosed the possibility of allowing personal ambition to derail the merger the four major opposition parties.

Bello said the primary aim of the new party is not who flies its flag in the 2015 presidential election, but how to give Nigerians a quality opposition capable of unseating the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking at an interactive forum organised by the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the CPC Representative, who chairs the House Committee on Customs, said the botched merger between the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the CPC before the 2011 election had nothing to do with the ambition of the party leaders.

Rather, he said the lack of adequate time to do the necessary spade work was responsible for the failed deal and pointed out that there is ample time for the various parties involved in the ongoing arrangement to smoothen all the rough edges.

He said: “We did not have the time during the first merger plan because the CPC was a new party without structures, while the ACN had structure and was in government.

“The CPC did not even have a councillor and as you know, time is of essence in things like that and we didn’t have enough time. So, we had to go to the polls and try our luck.

“You do not expect the ruling party to fold its arms at that particular time and watch. So, there were a lot of frustration and gossips and that was partly why it was not successful at the time.

“Now, we have enough time for this merger. There is enough time for this marriage to be sealed between the four political parties. We are assuring Nigerians that very soon, they will see the result of our efforts.

There is a legal framework to iron out and we have enough lawyers in the parties to handle that.

“We have enough time to work out party manifesto and agree on the party constitution. We know that the ruling party will not fold its hands, but there is no cause for alarm even though they were the first to send us a congratulatory letter. The dynamism of opposition is what Nigeria needs.

“I still insist this merger is going to work by God’s grace because we have enough time to sought out the problems. We are going into mediation; we are going into consensus and understanding.

“We are going into merger in a way that all the four party manifestoes must be subjected to discussion. So, in that respect, the question of who is going to be the presidential candidate in the 2015 election is not the issue.

“The issue of presidency in respect of this merger is never a part of the issue now. What we want is a formidable understanding, unity of purpose, all interest and ambitions kept aside and that issue will come up by way of consensus.”

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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NEWS ‘ICPC probing four governors’ From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

UNIABUJA crisis: SSS invites six dons as ASUU raises legal team T

the students were recalled HE State Security Servfrom home, the second seice (SSS) has invited six OUR governors are mester examinations were members of the Acabeing investigated by again disrupted on February demic Staff Union of Univerthe Independent CorFrom Yusuf Alli, Managing 11. sities (ASUU) of the Univerrupt Practices and other MisEditor, Northern Operation The invitation of the ASUU ‘We are suspecting sity of Abuja (UNIABUJA) cellaneous Offences. Comactivists by the SSS might be chapter for interaction. mission (ICPC), its Chairman, There had been crisis of moves to detain a pre-emptive step by the The invitation followed confidence Mr Ekpo Nta said yesterday. between university management to renewed tension over examNta, however said he will UNIABUJA chapter and the the lecturers for avert a fresh disruption of the inations at the institution. not name the governors to Vice-Chancellor, Prof. James semester examinaThe lecturers will be Adelabu. no just cause. second avoid any act which could tions, it was learnt. grilled today when the secjeopardise ongoing investigaThe local chapter of ASUU One of the lecturers said: want to “We ond semester examinations has been calling for full im- They tions. have been invited to rewill begin.

He also said the anti-graft plementation of the White ASUU has raised a legal Paper of the Visitation Pan- intimidate ASUU port at the SSS FCT command commission has uncovered a by 11am on Monday. No reateam from the chambers of el to the university. school where young ones are members’ son was given in the letter, Mr. Femi Falana(SAN) to acbeing trained on how to The university managebut we are suspecting that the company the lecturers. professionalise 419 business. ment, however, disagreed The lecturers are Dr. Chups with ASUU on the alleged in- over non-accreditation of invitation might be in conAccording to a statement by nection with the crisis situaClement, Dr. Abubakar Sule- dictment of the VC. som courses. the commission’s Resident tion on the campus and the iman, Dr. Abu Malam, Prof.

The protests led to the Consultant on Media and While the crisis with forthcoming examinations Siyan Peter, Dr. Abdulhamid Publicity, Mr. Folu Olamiti, the ASUU was still pending, the school’s closure for three schedule to commence on Sulaiman and Mr. Rafiu ICPC spoke in an interview on students of the university months.

Monday.

But barely a few days after Splash FM Radio in Ibadan, the Akano. also staged series of protests Oyo State capital.

The statement said: “The ICPC Chairman re-confirmed to his interviewer that four governors were being probed.

“When pressed to name them, he declined, saying “It will jeopardise our investigations.

“He said it should be noted that those invited for questioning were still innocent until prima facie cases were made against them.

“So, those who have no case to answer will be allowed to go home free men with their image intact”.

The statement said “Nta disclosed that the commission’s effort in this regard had yielded positive result when four alleged big time 419 fraudsters known as Yahoo Yahoo boys were arrested in Owerri, Imo State in a joint operation between ICPC and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

“He disclosed that the alleged Yahoo Yahoo boys had even gone a step further by setting up a school where they were teaching young minds on •L-R: Specialist, Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Dayo Adeyelure; Nigerian Idol season 3 Host, Ill Rhymz and Director, Brands and Communications, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Enitan Denloye at the Etisalat sponsored Nigerian Idol Top 12 Unveil event at the how to professionalise 419 Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos...at the weekend. business.

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Tinubu’s book for launch March 7

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HE planned launch of a book: FINANCIALISM -Water from an Empty Well,” co-authored by National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and an diplomat Brian Browne has been rescheduled for March 7 at the Civic Center, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The time is 11am.

The Committee for the launch, which announced the postponement, earlier scheduled for February 21, said the shift was “necessitated by unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.”

The committee, in a statement yesterday, regretted “any inconveniences this change in date might have caused any of our invited guests.”

According to the statement, Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; former Defence Minister, Theophilus Danjuma and busnessmen Aliko Dangote and Oba Otudeko are special guests of honour.

Former Finance Minister, Kalu idika Kalu will serve as the event’s Chairman. Chairman, Visafone Communications Limited, Jim Ovia is the Chief Launcher.

“Other than criticising when necessary on non-accreditation of courses and demanding for the implementation of the White Paper on the report of the Visitation Committee to the university, we have nothing to do with the crisis on the campus.

We do not incite students, we do not engage in violence.

“Are they saying that students are blind not to know that their courses are unaccredited? Don’t students know what is right or wrong?Was any lecturer with the students when they marched on the office of the Minister of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyat Rufai?

“Instead, our members are being harassed by the university management for making genuine representations that things are not working well in the system.”

Another source said: “ASUU has engaged Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) chambers to accompany the six lecturers to the SSS office.

“We are suspecting moves to detain the lecturers for no just cause. They want to intimidate ASUU members.”

Police warn vehicle owners

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HE Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of accident and abandoned vehicles parked at Shagamu Road Division, Ikorodu and Elere Division to remove them within 21 days or lose them to members of the public through auction.

They are Honda Accord Car unregistered, Mazda Car DL 409GGE, Toyota Camry unregistered and a KIA Seranto Salon car marked EX398KRD, parked at Ebute Ero Police station.

Falana urges Fed Govt to recover trillions allegedly brought to book.

C T I V I S T - L A W Y E R diverted by NNPC, others Besides, he said neither the Femi Falana (SAN) has Minister of Finance nor CBN

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urged the Federal Government to recover trillions of naira allegedly diverted by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and contractors.

He said a Panel of Inquiry on abandoned projects set up

by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010 reported that projects worth N8 trillion were abandoned by local and foreign contractors.

Falana, in a statement yesterday, alleged that with the connivance of top government officials, many of the contractors made away with mobilisation fees of over N2.5 trillion.

The abandoned projects include schools and hospital buildings, supply of water, construction and maintenance of roads, he said.

Regarding NNPC, the lawyer said following allegations of massive mismanagent of public funds by it, the government enaged an audit firm, KPMG Consulting Services, to probe the corporation.

Its report, Falana recalled, accused the NNPC of shortchanging the Federation Account to the tune of trillions of naira.

Besides, he said in 2011, the National Assembly appropriated N245 billion for fuel sub-

By Joseph Jibueze

sidy, but allegedly without any legislative approval, the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) released N2.5 trillion to fund the fuel subsidy scam.

Falana urged President Jonathan to “pluck up the courage” to ensure that the “diverted” trillions are recovered forthwith.

According to him, having set up committees and engaged audit firms to probe the agencies of government, Jonathan is under a duty to implement their reports no matter whose ox is gored.

The senior advocate urged states and local governments which are entitled to 47 percent of the revenue accruable to the Federation Account to collaborate with the National Assembly and the anti-graft agencies to recover the looted wealth of the Nigerian people.

He added: “Since the NNPC has been indicted by KPMG, Auditor-General of the Federation, Special Petroleum Task Force, the National Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and both chambers of the National Assembly, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Deziani Allison-

Madueke should be sacked without any further delay.

“This will go a long way to convince Nigerians that there is no sacred cow in the fight against corruption.

“After all, the money allegedly stolen by all the ex-governors is not up to N1 trillion.

Why should they be standing trial if civil servants who divert and convert trillions of naira payable to the Federation Account are allowed to go scotfree?

“If indicted fuel importers are being prosecuted, why should the NNPC which collected the bulk of the fuel subsidy fund through fraud be spared from prosecution?

“Since what is good for the goose is good for the gander all the NNPC board members and officials who were involved in the fraud of over N1 trillion fuel subsidy should be prosecuted without any further delay.”

Falana insisted that the report of the investigation conducted by the House of Representatives confirmed that the NNPC collected over 50 per cent of the fund.

Up till now, he said, no member of the NNPC board who took part “in the grand economic sabotage” has been

governor has been sanctioned for allegedly releasing over N2 trillion to fuel importers in 2011 without appropriation.

Falana added: “The Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force set up by the Federal Government after the January 2012 protests, indicted the NNPC for diverting trillions of naira payable to the Federation Account.

“A number of oil companies were also slammed for withholding billions of dollars which ought to have been paid to the coffers of the Federal Government.

“In a bid to cover up the fraud perpetrated by the NNPC, abortive efforts were made by the Federal Government to discredit the findings and recommendations of the Task Force. The Jonathan Administration was reported last week to have jettisoned the Report of the Task Force.

“In 2010, the NEITI, a statutory agency of the Federal Government disclosed that some oil companies had failed to remit $8.9 billion to the Federation Account. For some inexplicable reasons the Federal Government has refused to recover the stolen funds from indicted oil companies.

“A fortnight ago, the NEITI

•Falana

released another report which indicted the NNPC for withholding N1.9 trillion from the Federation Account. Apart from the general denial of the serious allegation of fraud contained in the audit report the NNPC has failed to controvert the findings and conclusions of the NEITI. “In a recent report submitted to the National assembly by the Auditor-General of the Federation, it was revealed that a number of MDAs collected N4.5 trillion from 2009 to 2012 which they failed to pay to the Federation Account.

“In the course of debating the report the House of Representatives has discovered that the actual amount diverted by the MDAs is not less than N8 trillion within a period of three years.”

THE NATION MONDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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NEWS

Why 2013 budget is not signed, by Presidency

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HE Presidency yesterday explained why President Goodluck Jonathan has not signed the 2013 budget.

Addressing reporters in Abuja, the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Dr. Nwanze Okeidegbe, said President Jonathan refused to sign the budget because “of some contentious issues in the budget, chief among which are the constituency projects injected into the budget document by the legislators and the reduction in the personnel estimates submitted by the executive.”

However, the Presidency has moved to mitigate any adverse consequence of a possible veto of the 2013 budget by the National Assembly following the President’s refusal to sign the budget.

It has directed the Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF) to give the President a legal advice on the provisions of the constitution as it applies to the veto

•Seeks advice on constitutionality of veto from AGF

By Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

power.

Dr. Okeidegbe said the Presidency was uncomfortable with some aspects of the 2013 budget, which the lawmakers tampered with.

According to him, “there were differences in what the executive submitted in the votes for personnel and what came back from the National Assembly, as the votes were cut down. This has remained unresolved. It would be difficult to pay salaries with the personnel votes they passed and this may lead to industrial challenges.”

Okeidegbe added: “There is an issue on constituency project, which is on the table and discussion is ongoing. It is difficult to give a definite answer on the matter when discussions are ongoing, but we are progressing in reaching understanding and accommodation on

the issues on the table.”

The Chief Economic Adviser noted that another issue delaying the signing of the budget is “that the overhead as passed by the National Assembly is higher than what was submitted by the executive, and again, we are discussing and progress is being made, but not fully resolved.”

With regards to capital votes, Dr. Okeidegbe said there were some re-allocations made by the legislators.

“Some went up and some went down and some were removed, thus making it difficult to implement. As a result, we have pointed out those areas and the National Assembly and executive are discussing with a view to resolving them,” he said.

The Chief Economic Adviser to the President noted that in the interim, the executive and legislative arms

have reached an understanding on how government would function pending a resolution of the contentious issues and subsequent signing into law by the President.

Said he: “President Jonathan wants to sign the 2013 budget as soon as possible if our discussions with the National Assembly leads to a resolution of certain key issues.”

In his defence of the executive arm of government, Dr. Okeidegbe said: “The executive submitted the budget to the National Assembly in October 2012. Nigerians were very happy about this because it was a refreshing difference from the delays we had been used to. We worked very hard to achieve this. So we want budget implementation to begin as soon as possible so that Nigerians can enjoy the benefits in the budget.”

The National Assembly,

he said, “returned the budget in December 2012. Upon review by the executive, some grey areas were identified and needed to be resolved.

Since then, we have been working in partnership with the National Assembly to resolve the issues around the budget.

“The President wants the issues resolved in a manner that will protect the interest of Nigerians. He supports a collaborative approach in the discussions with the National Assembly.”

Dr. Okeidegbe noted that government does not “want the current situation surrounding the budget to degenerate into an impasse because Nigerians want results not disagreements. This is why we have asked the Attorney- General of the Federation to furnish us with a legal advice on the constitutionality of a veto and its application.”

AIB report: Bellview kicks

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

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ELLVIEW Airlines yesterday disagreed with the report of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), which identified human error, faulty aircraft, inadequate regulatory oversight and poor aircraft maintenance culture as the factors responsible for the crash of its Boeing 737-200 aircraft in Lisa, Ogun State, on October 22, 2005.

It said in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Terver Uzer Luke that the accident report released by AIB was distorted.

The airline also alleged that AIB allowed its internal politics to determine the outcome of its investigations into the cause of the crash, rather than base its findings on the facts of the accident.

NIMET predicts favourable weather for aviation

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•Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta/Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku (awarded Fellowship in Educational Development and Community Service), flanked by Dr. (Mrs.) A. O. Oyeleke (right), the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (left) and another awardee during their investiture at the 32nd convocation of the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo... at the weekend.

PDP to blame for Yoruba neglect, says ACN

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is exposing its folly by blaming the neglect of the Yoruba by the Jonathan administration on the ACN, saying the PDP has nothing but total contempt for the Yoruba in particular and Nigerians in general.

Reacting to the allegation

by Dr. Doyin Okupe that “the Yoruba in the ACN conspired against the Yoruba” to scuttle the election of a Yoruba as House Speaker, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday that ACN is not bound by the shifty and phoney zoning formula of the PDP. “If the PDP had indeed wanted a Yoruba as the Speaker, the party should either have won enough seats in the Southwest or used its majority in the House to push through its anointed candidate. Failure to ensure the election of its candidate is a reflection of the insincerity of the PDP about the zoning of

the post to the Yoruba and the gross indiscipline in the party.

“The last option open to the PDP would have been to support any other Yoruba for the post across party lines.

“We, in the ACN, have capable members in the House to serve as Speaker. But the truth is that the ruling party wants a PDP member, not a Yoruba, for the post.

“Therefore, we are not surprised that the PDP acquiesced in the defeat of its Yoruba candidate for the post of Speaker of the House. The PDP zoning formula is pivoted on convenience rather than principle, After all, the

zoning was easily jettisoned to pave the way for President Goodluck Jonathan to contest as President,” it said.

ACN said even if the PDP had not succeeded in giving the post of House Speaker to the Yoruba in accordance with its so-called zoning formula, it could have rewarded them with known choice ministries or other top appointments, instead of relegating the Yoruba into irrelevance.

The party slammed the PDP for playing the ethnic card, and rejected the cheeky and devilish move by the PDP to pigeon-hole the ACN into an ethnic cocoon.

“We are a national party and our spread attests to it.

We have shown by supporting the election of Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker of the House that our agenda is not sectional but national, and we have no apologies to offer for that.

“Let the PDP continue to wallow in insufferable arrogance and disdain for the electorate, by sharing posts before elections are concluded. It’s like sharing the parts of an animal that is yet to be killed.

This is the stuff the PDP is made of, and this is why it is crumbling like a pack of cards,” it said.

HE Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) at the weekend predicted that the air transport sector might not experience significant negative impact during the harmattan season of 2013.

The weather agency, however, said there would be minor delays in flights due to reduced horizontal visibility in dust haze in some airports.

The Director-General, NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, who presented the 2013 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction to the media in Abuja, advised airline operators to obtain meteorological reports regularly in compliance with the International Aviation Organisation Standard and Recommended Practices.

Anuforom warned pilots to exercise caution and heed the weather advisories provided by NIMET during the onset and cessation periods of the rainy season when thunderstorms would be prevalent and severe with associated turbulence.

The NIMET boss said there would be above-normal rainfall in four states in comparison with that of 2012.

He said Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and its environs were likely to have above-normal rainfall and advised relevant authorities to use NIMET’s updates to control a possible adverse impact.

Anuforom said there would be normal rainfall over large areas of the country with enough water in lakes, dams and rivers for hydroelectric power generations and irrigation.

According to him, the expected changes in the predicted annual rainfall were below normal in Abeokuta and above normal in Ibadan and Yelwa, adding that generally, a near normal rainfall amount would be witnessed this year.

JAMB refutes extortion allegation HE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has refuted allegations that fresh graduates mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have to pay to get their admission letters.

This followed a report last Thursday by a newspaper (not The Nation) that officials of the Owerri zonal office of JAMB demanded between N3,000 and N4,000 from graduates before giving them admission letters.

NYSC has entered into an agreement with JAMB to mobilise only graduates certified to have written the Unified

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Okwu is APGA’s Acting National Chairman

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ORMER National Leader of the Citizen Popular Party (CPP) and Convener of the Save Enugu Group (SEG), Maxi Okwu, a lawyer, has been elected as the Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Alhaji Sanni Shinkafi is the

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Acting National Secretary.

A member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of APGA, who is the Acting Chairman of BOT, Dr. Tim Menakaya, told reporters in a communiqué at the end of the national caucus meeting of the party, which lasted for

six hours at the weekend in Abuja.

Menakaya, a former Minister of Health, said the development became necessary following the removal of the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh and other National Working Committee (NWC) members by the High Court of Enugu State in

a judgment delivered on February 8. The judgment said their re-election was in breach of Article 18 of the constitution of the party.

The meeting also passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as the National Leader of the party.

By Kofoworola BeloOsagie

Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to gain admission into tertiary institutions.

As a result, graduates must supply their UTME registration numbers contained in their admission letters before they are mobilised for the one year national service.

In a statement signed by JAMB’s PRO, Fabian Benjamin, the board noted that the admissions letter can be printed from the JAMB website, which the graduates can access using PINs sold with JAMB scratch cards without patronising anybody.

The statement reads: “For record purposes, on assumption of duty as the fourth Registrar of JAMB, Prof Dibu Ojerinde’s first task was to automate the operations of the board in such a way and manner that with even a mobile telephone that is online, one can access the services offered by the board from checking of result to changing of courses and other necessary services, depending on need.”

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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NEWS

Graduating students win awards

Aregbesola begins working visit to US O ‘ SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola will today begin a working visit to the United States.

The visit will end next Monday.

In a statement, the governor’s media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the trip is aimed at building partnerships to improve the state.

Okanlawon said Aregbesola’s Six-Point Integral Action Plan is consistent with the Innovation in Governance and Economic Development programme of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, one of the places the governor would be visiting.

He said: “He will be advancing his innovation and economic development efforts through meetings with the Harvard Kennedy School, other academic institutions and potential investors. The development of human capacity is the most important responsibility of any serious government. We are treading on this course progressively.

“During this trip, the governor will speak at several engagements to showcase the achievements and oppor-

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He will be advancing his innovation and economic development efforts through meetings with the Harvard Kennedy School, other academic institutions and potential investors.

The development of human capacity is the most important responsibility of any serious government. We are treading on this course progressively From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

tunities in Osun as an investment destination in the global emerging market of Nigeria.

“He will visit Boston, Pittsburgh and Washington DC to establish relationships with prestigious American institutions, such as the Harvard University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh and Howard University, as well as Africans in the Diaspora.

Select sessions will be open to the public and streamed live on www.ustream.tv/

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channel/ogbeni-tv.

“Prominent organisations, such as the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard African Caucus, Corporate Council on Africa, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation and Alliance of Nigerians in Diaspora will be hosting the governor at various events.

“There will be a welcome event for the governor tomorrow from 5pm to 8pm at Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge MA. The event, hosted by the Harvard

•Aregbesola

African Caucus and Harvard African Business Club, is tagged: Innovations in Governance and Economic Development in Osun State: Conversations with Ogbeni.

“On Wednesday, there will be a lecture on Nigeria in the World Series Seminar: ‘Nigeria, the challenge of development’, from 7pm to 9pm at the Belfer Room (S-20) of the Harvard Weatherhead Center for International Affairs.”

WO graduating students of the Adeyemi College of Education in Ondo State, Akindele Oluwabukola Yemi and Adedeji Olubunmi, at the weekend won President Goodluck Jonathan’s awards for Best English students.

They received N200,000 each from the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, who sponsored the award in Jonathan’s name.

Kuku, an indigene of EseOdo Local Government, was conferred with an award for Educational Development and Community Service by the institution.

Miss Grace Funmilayo Falowo won Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s price for Best Biology Student.

The college Provost, Prof.

Idowu Adeyemi, said the President’s awards for best

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

English students will now be given at every convocation.

Adeyemi urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the institution.

Minister of Education Prof.

Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I said the education of teachers was the bedrock of sustainable human development for the attainment of national goals.

She urged the graduating students to explore self-employment opportunities.

Also honoured were the former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu; the Proprietress of Oyeleke Group of Schools, Offa, Kwara State, Dr. A.O Oyeleke and the Proprietress of Hallmark Group of Schools, Mrs. Aralola Surulola Faturoti.

‘Maintain status quo on oil derivation fund’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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GROUP in the riverside area of Ondo State, the Apoi Democratic Front (ADF), at the weekend faulted the demand by some stakeholders in oil producing communities for direct access to the 13 per cent oil derivation funds.

The group argued that such development may lead to communal crisis among oil producing communities, adding that the agencies set up by the various the state government remains the best option.

Last week, some stakeholders of oil communities, led by the former Chairman of the State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Chief Wale Omojuwa, urged the Federal Government to pay the funds directly to the communities.

ADF Chairman Sowore Allen told The Nation shortly after the group’s inauguration that they were not in support of the demand.

He said: “Though there is a lot of corruption in the country, calling for direct funds will not bring development to the area, but crisis. Many communities would be deprived and this may lead to crisis.

“What we should be pushing for is good governance and credible leaders, who are ready to manage our resources efficiently.”

‘

What we should be pushing for is good governance and credible leaders, who are ready to manage our resources efficiently.

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Ibadan dry port ready soon

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HE Ibadan Inland Container Depot, which is under construction, will soon be completed by the Federal Government.

Oyo State Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperatives Mr. Bayo Olagbenro, in a statement at the weekend, said the project had been upgraded from Inland Container Depot to a dry port to ensure better performance.

He said work has resumed at the port with the building of roads, administrative blocks and stores.

Expressing the Federal Government’s commitment to the quick completion of the port, he said officials of the Federal Ministry of Transport said they have to put necessary facilities in place.

The facilities include the extension of the rail line from Erunmu Railway Station to the port to ensure easy movement of goods.

Olagbenro said a committee, comprising stakeholders, had been put together by the Federal Ministry of Transport to fast-track the take off of the project.

Baba Suwe’s case adjourned

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HE appeal filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against a judgment directing it to pay N25 million to popular comedian Tunde Omidina, a.k.a. Baba Suwe, suffered a setback last Friday, due to what was described as the court’s “busy schedule”.

The case, which was to be heard last Friday, was adjourned till April 18.

Justice Yetunde Idowu awarded N25 million damages to Omidina after he was detained by the NDLEA for more than two weeks on the suspicion that he ingested narcotic drugs.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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NEWS LAUTECH gets four professors, six readers From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (second right) greeting the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, in Ado-Ekiti...at the weekend. With them is the State OPC Coordinator, Mr. Adeniyi Adedipe (left) and others.

‘Osun’ll be nation’s food basket’

Amnesty has boosted Nigeria’s oil production, says Kuku

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•SA urges EKSU to lift ban on student unionism

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HE Special Adviser (SA) to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, at the weekend said the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme has raised the country’s crude oil production.

He spoke after accepting the Distinguished Alumnus Award of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) Alumni Association.

Kuku said: “The increase in crude oil production from 700,000 barrels per day to 2.5 million barrels per day is the direct consequence of the

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Amnesty Programme.”

He said the foreign direct investment of the country has also increased, owing to the relative peace in the Niger Delta.

Kuku said security could now be guaranteed in the region and urged investors to take advantage of the opportunities.

The former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly said: “The Amnesty programme is on course. It has recorded a huge success. Vio-

lence has been stopped to a large extent in the Niger Delta and this is having a positive effect on the nation’s economy.

“From the midnight of October 4, 2009, when the programme ended, oil production has risen from 700,000 barrels per day to around 2.5 million barrels.”

He urged EKSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina, to remove the ban on students’ union activities in the institution and pledged to always support the university.

The National President of the Alumni Association, Mr.

•Kuku

Bola Ogunlayi, said Kuku was chosen for the award because he has “distinguished himself in his career”.

According to him, Kuku, who finished from EKSU in 1995, is “a role model, whose life has become a lesson in doggedness, resilience, achievement and excellence”.

ACN backs Oyo’s call on EFCC to release seized funds

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State has backed the state executive council’s call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release funds and property seized from two former governors to the state.

ACN said the funds would enable the state government execute more capital projects.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kolawole, ACN condemned a newspaper publication in which Governor Abiola Ajimobi was accused of attacking Senator Rashidi Ladoja.

It said: “The state executive council, which made that resolution, has two Accord commissioners, one Action Alliance commissioner, ACN commissioners, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and many techno-

crats. So it could not have been targeted at any individual, but the repatriation of Oyo’s money, so that it can be expended on the people of the state, where the money was allegedly taken from in the first instance.”

On the allegation that the removal of an Accord member, the caretaker chairman of Ona-Ara Local Government, was political, ACN said no governor in the history of Oyo State has demonstrated Ajimobi’s political tolerance.

It said many officials of the Ajimobi administration were from the opposition.

ACN said: “The governor has done what every noble gentleman will do by giving Ladoja unprecedented space in his government. Ladoja would never have done what Ajimobi did if their roles were reversed. This man deserves

kudos and not invectives from Accord men, whose master is known for political intolerance.

“When Ladoja was governor during the 2003 local government election, Dr. Joshua Akintaro of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) won the chairmanship seat in Ibarapa East local government, despite the political fraud perpetrated by the PDP government.

“Akintaro was not sworn in even after the election tribunal and the Appeal Court affirmed his election. Akintaro was not sworn in until Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala assumed office.

“The intolerance of the Ladoja administration for the opposition was demonstrated in Ibadan North West, when Bashorun Bosun Ajuwon of the AD won the council’s chair-

manship seat. Ajuwon was denied of the position.”

On the demolition of illegal structures in Ibadan, ACN said Ladoja and his loyalists lack the moral right to condemn the state government’s action.

It said: “We have challenged Ladoja in an earlier statement to deny that he demolished a church and a construction company’s office on Ring Road, shops at Orita Aperin-Elekuro, Orita Aperin-Adesola, Orita Aperin-Adekile and Academy Under-Bridge roads.

“What this means is that he desired Ajimobi’s highly applauded urban renewal effort, but lacked the political will to implement it. Worse still, we do not have it on record that Ladoja ever built a single shop for market women and Ajimobi is building thousands of such at the moment.”

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has restated his resolve to turn the state into the food basket of the nation.

He spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, while distributing farm implements to 1,830 farmers under the replication of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Community Development Initiative programme.

Aregbesola said he would continue to empower farmers to revolutionise the agricultural sector and ensure massive food production, job and wealth creation, which are part of his administration’s Six-Point Integral Action Plan.

He said his administration would continue to execute people-oriented projects and improve the living standard of the people.

The governor said: “I am optimistic that with the host of programmes put in place by this administration to revolutionise the agricultural sector, Osun would soon become the food basket of not only the Southwest, but the nation.

“Our administration shall continue to distribute farm implements to farmers annually and the number of beneficiaries would be increased regularly.”

Aregbesola hailed the farmers for making good use of the implements given to them in the past, saying it has increased food production and reduced poverty among farmers.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural and Community Development, Mr. Kunle Ige, said 183 farmers were trained by his agency on best farming practices.

HE management of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, has approved the promotion of four of its workers to professors and six to readers.

The new professors are Mrs. F.O. Akinpelu (Applied Mathematics), T.O. Bello (Radiology), A.T. Adeboyejo (Urban and Regional Planning) and L.O. Olarinde (Agricultural Economics).

The readers are Dr.(Mrs.) T.J. Afolabi (Chemical Engineering), Dr. A.W. Ogunsola (Pure and Applied Mathematics), Dr. J.O. Komolafe (Obstetrics and Gynecology), Dr. O.S. Adedeji (Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology), Dr. G.O. Adesina and Dr. O.A. Ojo (Crop and Environmental Protection Department).

Meanwhile, the orientation programme for fresh students begins today and ends on Sunday.

Two remanded in prison for oil ‘adulteration’ From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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FEDERAL High Court, sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has remanded two persons accused of adulterating petroleum products in prison custody.

Oyedeji Abiodun and Agboola Abiodun were arrested in Osogbo by the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

They will remain in prison till February 26, pending the submission of a written application for their bail.

They were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy, felony, illegal dealing in petroleum product and adulteration of petroleum products.

They pleaded not guilty.

The defence counsel Mr. Kazeem Badmos prayed the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.

The prosecutor, Mrs. Bella Abidoye, objected to the bail.

Justice Babs Kuewumi said the gravity of the offences allegedly committed warrant a written bail application and not an oral application.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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NEWS

Pension fund crisis: Maina’s file missing

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HERE is a twist to the ongoing pension fund crisis as the official service file of the embattled Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team(PRTT), Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, is missing.

But a temporary file-T-File has been opened to enable the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Maina as directed by President Goodluck Jonathan through the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali.

It is expected that the Permanent Secretary will submit his report to the Head of Service, who will write a comprehensive note to the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

The FCSC is expected to determine Maina’s fate this week.

The whereabouts of Maina was still unknown with speculations rife that he might have slipped out of the country.

Security agencies are trailing more than 10 telephone lines allegedly traced to Maina to locate his whereabouts.

The PRTT yesterday made a statement faulting the Senate Pension Probe Committee.

The statement signed by PRTT spokesman, Mr.Hassan Salihu, said the allegations against the Task Force were baseless and untrue.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that Maina’s file, containing his qualifications and records of service, could not be located in the past few months.

It was learnt that the file disappeared mysteriously when Maina had issues with a former Head of Service, Prof.

Oladapo Afolabi.

It was gathered that, when the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service and States and Local Government wrote to the Head of Service for Maina’s file. It could not be produced.

A source said: “Maina’s file cannot be located, but a T-File will be opened for the ongoing disciplinary proceedings against him. We have been searching for the file in the past few months.

“We are working on the suspicion that a pension fraud syndicate could be at work and in solidarity it decided to hide Maina’s file. What happened was that at a point, Maina had issues with a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi.

When disciplinary action was about to be taken against him, the file disappeared.

“So, the Ministry of Interior is working with a T-File to attend to disciplinary issues involving Maina.”

The source added: “The service rules do not allow you to issue query to any officer on abscondment. Therefore, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior can make recommendations without hearing from Maina.

“The misconduct in question is abscondment. The Permanent Secretary will look at the antecedents of Maina’s (who had served under many top civil servants), past reports by superiors on him and treat abscondment within the confines of the Civil Service rules.

“We are expecting a report on Maina today from the Ministry of Inteior. After the receipt of the report, the Head of Service will write the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) which will determine whether to terminate Maina’s

•Perm Sec to turn in report today ‘Allegation against PRTT baseless’

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HE Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) headed by Abdulrasheed Maina, who is currently in the eye of the storm, yesterday denied allegation of mismanagement of the pension

cash.

The statement signed by PRTT spokesman, Mr.Hassan Salihu, said the allegations against the Task Force were baseless and untrue.

The statement said: “The allegations against the Pension Reform Task Team on misappropriation of pension funds are baseless and untrue. These spurious allegations are the products of Etuk - Gaya Senate Pension Probe Committee who bitterly hates the Pension Task Team with an intense emotion. There are no established facts to support all these allegations.

“Thus, the Distinguished Senate Pension Probe Committee has grossly misinformed and misled the entire Senate with a fictitious report muddled up with a multitude of naked untrue and misleading From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

appointment or ask him to proceed on retirement.

“All things being equal, the FCSC should be able to take a

definite decision on Maina before the week runs out.”

Another source added: “Security agencies are working on the theory that Maina might

unjustifiable conclusions against the Pension Reform Task Team.

“It is important for Nigerians to equally know that since the inauguration of the Pension Team in June 2010 to date, the National Assembly has never appropriated ONE NAIRA for the Pension Reform Task Team in its Appropriation Acts of 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Where and how the Pension Team could have misappropriated funds when nothing has been appropriated to it by the National Assembly?

“The Task Team is not a statutory body. Thus, the Head of Service has the exclusive rights for expenditure control of his Office. All financial or material engagements of the Task Team are subject of approvals from the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. There is no period when the Chairman of the Pension Task Team who is an ordinary “Assistant Director” became the Head of Civil Service of the Federation? have escaped abroad. The search for him has local and international content because other foreign agencies are collaborating with our security apparatchik.

“The status at present is that Maina has been watch-listed.”

A close aide to Maina, however, said: “As far as I am concerned, Maina is still in the country. He is still using his

•Maina

normal GSM line unless they are assuming that he has roamed it.”

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali, on Friday directed the Permnent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Maina, who is a Deputy Director in the ministry.

Maina is undergoing disciplinary action in line with Rules 030301 and 030304 of the civil service.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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NEWS

Why we’re probing Ezu River crisis, by Ekwunife

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HE House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Environment, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, has said the National Assembly intervened in the Ezu River crisis to prevent a recurrence.

Some bodies were dumped in the river, which is a boundary spot between Anambra and Enugu states.

Mrs. Ekwunife, who spoke yesterday at the palace of the monarch of Amansea community, Igwe Kenneth Okonkwo, described the incident as a calamity.

She said the claim by the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra

•Monarch: we still live in fear From Nwanosike Onu, Awka (MASSOB) that its members were killed and dumped in the river by security agents must be investigated.

Mrs. Ekwunife, who visited the community with bags of rice, garri, beans, corn, mats and exercise books, said the culprits must be brought to book.

She said: “The investigation is on going, we are not talking of two or three dead bodies, rather over

30 bodies.

“This issue is not for Amansea or Anambra because it will affect the nation, if nothing serious is done about it.

“There is every possibility that it might happen elsewhere. So, it must be taken seriously.

“We must follow the investigation at the National Assembly.

“All the members are working together on this issue and we are happy that those on the panel are men of integrity.”

Okonkwo said members

‘Imo ACN ready for council polls’

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Imo State yesterday said it is ready for the April 27 local government elections.

The party said its structures across the state are intact, adding that it would win the election in the 27 local governments.

Its Chairman, Charles Ubah, said the party would resist any attempt to undermine the credibility of

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

the elections.

“We are ready to defend our votes. We will insist on free and fair elections as we did in 2011.

“Although the State Independent Electoral Commission is yet to announce the newly created electoral wards, we are prepared for the election in all the wards and council areas.”

Panel indicts Abia agency

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HE Judicial Panel of Enquiry set up by •Mrs. Ekwunife the Abia State Government to probe the of the community still live a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e S t a t e in fear.

Housing Corporation has He said: “What we want said the agency borrowed is justice to be done on this N 1 b i l l i o n w i t h o u t d u e matter.” process.

The panel’s Chairman, Justice Emele Uka Onuoha, spoke while submitting the report to Governor Theodore Orji.

Onuoha said the panel discovered that the management borrowed the money without approval from the government.

He said the panel held 35 public sittings, received 74 memoranda and exhibits and cross examined 36 witnesses.

“We discovered that the management borrowed more than N1billion without approval and due process from government.

“We also discovered that

From Ugochukwu UgojiEke, Umuahia

many people were being owed land and houses.”

Justice Onuoha said in the course of the investigation, it was discovered that both the management and the board members were at loggerheads throughout the period as they failed to cooperate.

He said: “We discovered that the management was not cooperating with the board, so many people were given free land.”

Orji said: “I did not set up panel to witchhunt anyone but on the request from Abians.

“One thing I have to assure Abians of is that anybody who has been indicted in this report should be ready to refund the money or face prosecution.”

House to screen nominees today

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THE Edo State House of Assembly will today begin the screening of commissionernominees.

A principal officer of the House said the House has received the list from the governor and will begin the screening today.

He said: “By today, we

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

will present the list and start the screening immediately.

“One thing that delayed the list was our colleague’s abduction.

“He has been released.

Now, we can sit and do our normal business.”

‘Don’t distract Oshiomhole’

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GROUP, the Bini Truth Movement, has said the debate on who would succeed Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole is ill-conceived and distracting.

A statement by the group’s Director of Research and Publicity, Donald Inwalomhe, said Oshiomhole has a four-year tenure and many state assignments to contend with and not who succeeds him.

“For me who succeeds Oshiomhole should not bother any right thinking person because the

governor has about four years to the end of his tenure.

“Besides, Oshiomhole has another opportunity to conduct another local government election before the expiration of his tenure in 2016.

“So, for anyone to assume that Oshiomhole is thinking of how to ensure that he produces a successor is erroneous.

“We must all support Oshiomhole to deliver the goods of democracy and stop rumours on who will succeed the governor.”

Union Bank director loses dad

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HE death has occurred in Lagos of Mr Geoffrey Ademola Thomas, a former Minister of Finance and Science and Technology.

He was 87.

The late Thomas, who was a patriotic Nigerian, according to a statement from the family, among whom is the Executive Director of Finance/chief financial officer of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mrs Oyinkan Adewale, gave his life to the service of the nation and humanity.

He is survived by children and grandchildren.

Mr Thomas will buried on Thursday.

•The late Thomas

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the Lagos State Directorate of Land Services and the general public of the loss of the original Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) Registered as number 87 at page 87 in volume 1983L of the Land Registry in the office at Lagos in the name of MR RASIDI AYANKOYA OGUNBAJO in the respect of the landed property at No. 20, Kasumu Street, Shangisha, Lagos, belonging to Abbey Onas.

All efforts made to trace the said document proved abortive. If found kindly contact the firm of Messrs TOYIN AJIBOGERE & ASSOCIATES.

08033046815 / 07098005253.

CHANGE OF NAME AKOR

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Glory Eleojo Akor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Glory Eleojo Henshaw. All former documents remain valid . General public should take note.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Avoidable delay • Economy suffers again as executive, legislature disagree on budget proposals

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GAIN, the economy is being handled incompetently by both the executive and legislative arms of government. The constitution is clear that public expenditure must be based on clearly articulated proposals passed by the National Assembly and duly signed into law by the president.

Since 1999, passage of the Appropriation Bill has been a ding-dong affair between politicians in both branches of government. Last year, the Bill was passed in March and signed into an Act by President Goodluck Jonathan on April 13. It is unfortunate that the outcry on the dire consequences of this by the general public and economists has failed to catch the attention of public officials who keep suggesting that Nigeria is well on the way to joining the 20 most advanced economies within the next eight years.

When President Jonathan presented this year’s budget proposals to a joint sitting of the two chambers of the National Assembly on October 11, last year, there were hopes that, for once, it would be passed and assented to before the year ran out. Almost 60 days after its passage by the National Assembly, the Bill remains a proposal on the president’s table.

As always the case, the president is said to be studying the details with a possibility of sending it back to the National Assembly with his observations and objections. On their part, the lawmakers are said to be spoiling for a war that, in their view, would determine which of the two institutions is superior. One area said to

be causing unrest at the Federal Ministry of Finance and the presidency is the reported padding of the financial estimates by the National Assembly. The lawmakers have obviously chosen to misuse their power of appropriation by forcing into the law a huge allocation for constituency projects in the 360 federal constituencies and the 109 senatorial districts.

The president is also believed to be uncomfortable with the jacking up of the oil price benchmark. While the executive had predicated the budget on $75 per barrel of crude oil, the National Assembly increased it to $79 . The executive has argued that the willful increase by the lawmakers is reckless and constitutes a danger to the economy.

The lawmakers have continued to argue that they would not succumb to blackmail, insisting that the marginal increase in the benchmark was informed by the average price in the international market in the past three years. The lawmakers said it was meant to reduce the deficit component of the budget and deemphasise the importance attached to the excess crude oil account that has strengthened the Federal Government to the detriment of the federating units.

While the disagreement continues between the two arms, the people bear the brunt. Last year, there was a consensus that budget performance was under 49 per cent. This is regrettable. While the lawmakers are quick at pointing accus-

ing fingers at the president, they have failed to acknowledge that only greed could have informed the power-grabbing mentality that made them insist on constituency projects. It is the duty of the executive to articulate and implement government’s programmes and projects.

The lawmakers threw the spanner in the works by insisting on the projects and determining what must be spent in each constituency. This could only hamper the implementation of huge projects.

We call on the lawmakers to retrace their steps and accede to the request to withdraw the constituency projects that have made monitoring difficult. No excuse would be acceptable this year if the economy is once again made a victim of power play by elected and appointed leaders.

‘While the lawmakers are quick at pointing accusing fingers at the president, they have failed to acknowledge that only greed could have informed the power-grabbing mentality that made them insist on constituency projects. It is the duty of the executive to articulate and implement government’s programmes and projects’

Market share •We don’t have to worry about report on ‘big’ banks provided regulators do their work well OUR years after the gale of sanitisation swept through the nation’s financial services industry, the goal of fewer and generally more effective banking institutions appears to have been met. Whereas in 2009, the motley assembly of anaemic financial houses numbered 24, it is currently down to 20, all of which are said to be relatively stable and in good standing. Between then and now, the industry has, without question, witnessed vast improvements in risk management practices and corporate governance, just as the environment of regulation has gone through some transformation.

But then, the question bears restating, even now, as to whether the larger objectives which necessitated the wholescale restructuring of the industry can be said

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‘The challenge is for the regulators to keep an eye on the operators, particularly the emerging big banks, given the potential systemic risks they pose in the event of their failure. We expect to see the push for financial system stability matched by an equal if not greater push to deepen financial services. Just as we expect to see the banks lend more to the real sector, we also expect to see the cost of lending go down in the long run’

to have been achieved several years after the financial services industry set out on the restructuring journey.

When the journey started in 2005, the objective was consolidation. The singular requirement was for the banks to raise their share capital to N25 billion.

By 2006 when the exercise ended, 25 out of the initial 84 managed to scale the hurdle; a sizeable number went into mergers, others that couldn’t find suitors went into liquidation.

Unfortunately, all manners of risk management and corporate governance practices would reduce the exercise to a farce barely three years after. By then, a good number of the newly consolidated banks were already in the financial hole. What followed was the remedy of sweeping sanitisation under which the entire executive management of eight banks were swept away. At the end of the exercise, the industry was further reduced from 24 to 20.

Today, whereas the industry has emerged from the ashes of that turbulent phase, there are however isssues from that past that still linger. First is that of access to credit – the lifeblood of the economy; this has remained restrictive, particularly to the real sector. Indeed, the cost of funds has not only remained astronomical, it has remained the sore point, more so in an environment where other enablers of production are sorely lacking.

Second is the issue of banking penetration. At current levels of 25million out of 84million adult Nigerians, it is well below those of other emerging markets and

indeed below those of the nation’s frontier market peers.

But a more interesting dimesion of the problem appears to have been captured in a recent report by the Financial Derivative Company when it notes that “imperfect competition still prevails , where five Tier 1 banks control about 70 percent of the market and 80 percent of profit before tax (PBT)”.

Imperfect competition or not, the development comes as no surprise. While it may seem hard to reconcile the emergence of the big five with the objectives of deepening and liberalisation of the financial sector which the restructuring seeks, it seems to this newspaper an inevitable law of natural selection that dominant players would emerge at some point. What the development does is lay bare the pretence of some of the banks, particularly those that covet national or international classification without the requisite hard work, to grow their market share. We expect the report to cure them of their obsession with size which we consider absurd.

The challenge is for the regulators to keep an eye on the operators, particularly the emerging big banks, given the potential systemic risks they pose in the event of their failure. We expect to see the push for financial system stability matched by an equal if not greater push to deepen financial services. Just as we expect to see the banks lend more to the real sector, we also expect to see the cost of lending go down in the long run.

The latter is, after all, what constitutes the rationale of the banks.

G20 in search of recovery • Leaders should acknowledge their own role in slowdown

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HEN the Group of 20 largest economies meets, their top economic officials will see bad news whichever way they look. Following a year of slowdowns in the big emerging economies, all the rich countries – from the US to Japan, from the UK to Germany – went into reverse in the fourth quarter.

The US and UK growth numbers – a tiny contraction and a 0.3 per cent quarterly fall, respectively – had been known for a while.

This week news that Japan had slipped worse than the USin the fourth quarter (growth was expected) and the eurozone contraction was steeper than forecast added to the misery.

France was set back 0.3 per cent; Germany took a bloodied nose with a 0.6 per cent fall.

It may feel better to be in a hole together.

But, ideally, the arrested recovery should focus G20 minds on what they can do to climb out of it together as well. The drags on growth are not mysterious. They relate to a self-flagellating policy of austerity even by those who do not need to pursue it, and to the determination of policy makers in the US and Europe to keep everyone in suspense about their next move.

As the Financial Times has long argued, austerity is necessary for countries with record-high deficits and reliant on mobile investors. But economies with relative fiscal space, such as the large euro members, or those with captive bond markets – the US and Japan – should relax the tightening. The eurozone’s high priests of fiscal consolidation, especially, should note the effects of squeezing their export markets. In exportdependent countries such as Germany but also Japan, a fall in net trade was one of the most important factors in the fourth-quarter downturn.

A pact in which countries with fiscal space slow their tightening to ease the adjustment for those without it is desirable, but unrealistic. A lack of will to co-ordinate policies is evident in the universal combination of easy money with a condemnation of competitive devaluation. In truth, the so-called “currency war” is not all bad: if everyone debases their currency, the world will get closer to the monetary stimulus necessary to outweigh excessive fiscal zeal.

The other clamp on growth is uncertainty in Europe about the future of structural reforms within countries and integration between them. In the US, worries centre on the risk of abrupt fiscal tightening with a “sequester” only two weeks away. The bad growth numbers reflect drops in business investment unlikely to be reversed if leaders cannot give the private sector a clear sense of direction.

- 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

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

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

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) Yomi Odunuga •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Manager, Corporate •Group Business Editor Marketing Ayodele Aminu Hameed Odejayi •Sport Editor • Manager (Admin) Ade Ojeikere Folake Adeoye •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR The resignation of the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome, Pope Benedict XVI was shocking not only to the 1.2 billion Catholics but to the nearly seven billion people across the globe. The 85 years old German-born Pope made history as the first in the last 598 years to step down since Gregory XII quit in 1415.

Elected to the papacy on April 19, 2005 when he was 78, he could not be as vibrant as his predecessor who was 58 years when he was elected to the papacy. I commend the courage and truthfulness of Pope Benedict XVI for being truthful to himself, the church and to God. As the world awaits the emergence of new Pope, the Vatican City must be diligent and put sentiment apart. The cardinals must look beyond race or colour so as to allow God to have His way because God is not the author of confusion.

When Pope John Paul II died in 2005, Africans were hoping that Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, then 72, arch-conservative and number four in the Vatican hierarchy widely seen as the wider world’s best candidate would be the first African Pope, but as God would have it was outgoing pope that emerged.

It is also in the record that no African has led the Roman Catholic Church since the death of Gelasius I in 496 AD. Therefore it may be possible that the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI may be God’s way of

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

As the world expects a new Pope opening the door for a nonEuropean Pope to emerge especially now that the church is facing scandals in the Holy See, like numerous charges against pedophile priests or conflicts in the Curia after Benedict XVI gave the top post of secretary of state to

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

I will also suggest the emergence of a young, vibrant and agile Pope.

Pope John Paul II (1978-2005) who was the second longest serving Pope after Pope Pius IX (1846-1878) became Pope in 1978 when he was 58 years and that was one of the factor that

really helped him to move up and down without hindrances for the 26 years he served as Bishop of Rome.

I hereby suggest that a new Pope should be a cardinal in his 50s or early 60s so that both spiritual and physical strength will there for him to carry out the Petering ministry.

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The Roman Catholic Church all over the world and other Christian bodies must use this Lenten period to pray for the emergence of a new Pope who is expected to be elected by the 118 eligible members of the College of Cardinal before Easter.

•John Tosin Ajiboye Osogbo Osun State

Adieu Victor Oduah

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IR The 29 th edition of the African Nations Cup has come and gone with the soccer loving Nigerians still basking in the euphoria of sweet victory of the national team, the Super Eagles in far away South Africa. But the exploits of the national team in the continental championship cannot be complete without the mention of the name of Victor Oduah who skippered the then Green Eagles to lift the first ever Nigeria’s major trophy at our National Stadium in a gruelling and pulsating final against the Desert Warriors of Algeria in 1980.

Victor Oduah gained admission to Saint Peters College Aro (now Olomore) Abeokuta in 1962.

Initially, he was the goalkeeper of the junior school team, but the talent

in Oduah was soon discovered by the vice principal, the late Revd.

Father James Morrison who converted him to central defender, the position he retained until he retired from active football a couple of years ago.

Oduah, together with the likes of James Alaba Akintonde of the 1965/ 1966 West academicals and later Barclays Bank Football Club of Lagos (now Union bank), Yemi Akinwowo also of 1965/1966 West academicals fame and later N.P.A Football club of Lagos (now a big time professor in the US), and of course the one and only George Joseph Hassan who gallivanted from Shooting stars Ibadan to Stationery stores of Lagos and finally ended his career with the Mighty jets of Jos while Victor Oduah relocated to his

home state the Old Bendel State where he featured prominently for the Bendel Insurance of Benin City bagging the captaincy badge.

The four were products of St. Peters College Abeokuta who tormented and taunted other secondary schools in Abeokuta and left no one in doubt of the schools soccer prowess.

Oduah’s mien and equanimity in and outside the field of play were clear manifestation of some of the characteristics that stood him out as a gentleman to the core. Victor and others were a delight to watch who brought fame and cheap publicity to their alma-mater, St. Peters College Abeokuta.

Today, the body of Victor Oduah lies smouldering in his white painted sepulchre in his home state Edo, but one thing is clear, his soul

Nigerians should cry out to God for help now!

IR Going by the many calamities and tragedies that have been befalling the nation, I want to state prophetically that Nigeria’s problems are more spiritual than physical. Therefore we need to go spiritual first before human efforts can have the desired results.

Nigerians must seek God’s intervention if we want peace, progress and prosperity to reign in our land. We have a case to answer with God and unless and until we settle our case with God, we will continue to live in fear and confusion.

Nigerians have sinned greatly against God and He has turned His back against us and our nation,

The 118 cardinals eligible to vote in election of the Pope must learn from the word of wisdom of outgoing Pope and try and elect a strong and energetic Pope who can cope with the rigorous task of the office of Bishop of Rome.

which is why we are contending with seemingly intractable problems, foremost of which is the Boko Haram insurgency.

We take God’s grace for granted and engage in acts of vanity that are detestable to God. Life is very cheap in Nigeria. People are slaughtered on daily basis through accidents and for rituals.

In Nigeria, everyone acts as he or she sees fit. No respect for laws.

No respect for constituted authorities. No respect for parents and no respect for neighbours and fellow citizen. And, above all, no respect for God Almighty. Only one thing seems to matter to our people and that one thing is money. The only god many

Nigerians are ready to worship fervently is the god called mammon.

With all our sins, unrighteousness and shamelessness, the time has come for us to pay for our sins, through repentance and forsaking of our evil and unprofitable ways.

When you have depended on your wisdom, on your own devices and that has failed you, is it not time to cry unto God for help?

To what extent will we fall before we realize that we need help from above? As far as I can see, this is the time for every man in Nigeria to call upon God to come to our help, because our own efforts can no longer avail us.

I see the Boko Haram insurgency

as a metaphor and pestilence allowed by God to torment Nigerians to wake up to the reality that there are many things we are doing wrongly in Nigeria.

As we have read in the Bible, when God allows pestilence to torment his people, it is to enable them repent of a particular sin or sins; the answer is spiritual action, repentance, acceptable sacrifice, atonement for the sins committed and a crying out to God for help.

Pestilences have no human solution.

•Prophet Oladipupo FunmiladeJoel Lagos

goes marching on and Nigerians may not forget him so quickly.

Within a space of nine months, Nigeria has lost two prominent footballers who have paid their dues to their father land and left their footprints on the sands of time.

While one belonged to the new generation Super Eagles, the other belonged to the old generation Green Eagles – talking about the late Rashidi Yekini and Victor Oduah respectively.

As we continue to celebrate the resounding victory of the Stephen Okechukwu Keshi-led Super Eagles let us for a moment, remember these fallen heroes who also affected us with their scintillating performances in the Nations Cup competitions at various editions.

It is sad that neither the country nor the football federation reckons with the geese that once laid the golden eggs. If indeed the wordings of our national anthems are anything to go by and quote “Arise, o compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey” having harkened to the national call in their prime, should they now be discarded like a pack of cards? Those who make Nigeria proud in football today may tomorrow die unloved and unheralded. The buck stops at the doorstep of the duo of Bolaji Abdullahi, the sports minister and Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the president of the football federation.

Wherever Victor Oduah may be today in the spirit world, we at the St. Peters College pray that may the light perpetual continue to shine on him. Adieu Victor.

•Muyiwa Idowu Ipaja, Lagos

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

COMMENTS

Will party merger become solution?

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ITH the emergence of All Progressives Congress (APC) as a mega party, democracy in Nigeria might be on the pathway of becoming deepened. As it were, since 1999 when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged as winner of the presidential election of the new republic, the nation has in reality been nailed to operating more like a single-party state.

Under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, opposition was weakened and many idle people desperate for survival chose being part of the ruling party, even when it was perceptible that it was not meeting the needs of the nation. It was only at the approach of elections where opportunities for options had been hindered by the authority in power that the weak opponents would attempt coalition which never worked.

Now that the next general elections is still two years further on, a long overdue merger to establish a formidable opposition is timely for its workability. This is so because the story of Nigeria has not changed for good in the almost one and a half decades of PDP monopoly reign. And since many deprived Nigerians are increasingly becoming passionate for alternative choice in power, the new platform of opposition comprising Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) must be welcomed by genuine democrats.

When last the governors of the amalgamation parties met in Abuja, they pronounced the merger initiative as credible process aimed at not only ensuring good governance, but also deepening democracy in Nigeria. Nassarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura who read out a statement on behalf of his colleagues stated that “given the desire of Nigerians for change, our party (APC) will undertake to facilitate radical social, economic and political transformation of the country.” He further disclosed that the programme priorities of the party will be agricultural development, jobs creation, free education, affordable healthcare, infrastructural development, adequate power supply, eradication of poverty and corruption and rapid technological advancement and industrialization.

“We shall pride ourselves as social democrats that are committed to organizing our society based on the values of justice for all and individual freedom where everyone’s basic needs are fulfilled,” the new party’s governors asserted en-

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HE credit for Nigeria’s first win of the Africa Nations Cup in nearly two decades is essentially Stephen Keshi’s.

For riding a cloud of skepticism after his team stuttered in pre-tournament tune-ups and standing up to apparently meddlesome football officials to get a result, he is in the running for my Man of the Year, so soon. I watched, with interest, as all, from President Goodluck Jonathan to the man on the street, hopped on the feel-good bandwagon as the Super Eagles flapped tentatively before searing through the championship like some phantom unleashed from a dungeon of self-inflicted mediocrity.

Progress by the Eagles tallied with his administration’s reform agenda, remarked the president. Many a citizen thought the cup as good as won.

But I chose, and still choose, to look beyond the cup. While the party lasts, allow me, dear fan, to sour the mood a little – for the greater good. First, the victory, however deserved, came at rather average expense. Imagine the resistance Egypt sanspolitical revolution or Cameroon minus infighting and administrative malaise would have put up. While Nigeria ultimately avoided confrontation with West Coast rivals Ghana in the final, even the Black Stars reflected a shadow of the side that trounced the Eagles at the 2008 quarter-finals in Ghana and registered a derby drubbing on February 6, 2007 in London.

Is it not possible that since great teams rise and fall, Nigeria could be on the ascendancy while major rivals are in decline?

For evidence of dynamism in sports hegemony, compare Zambia’s success at the 2012 edition in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea with Nigeria’s in terms of weakened opposition. As they did last year, Ivory Coast and Ghana fell short this term while Egypt and Cameroon bowed to upstarts on the road.

Nigeria also benefited from the fortune of having a‘son of the soil’ willing to soil his hands in the morass that typifies Nigerian football. With the national team failures of predecessor Samson Siasia probably ringing in his ears, Keshi rolled up his sleeves and went to work. Issues with accommodation and salary?

Official car delayed? None was reason enough to stymie the project. Tellingly, players from the once derided domestic league shifted through a revolving door that shooed six on the train to South Africa. A few found tactical expression in South Africa, but more significantly, Keshi’s near-faultless selection squeezed out off-form captain, Joseph Yobo, for the plucky Godfrey Oboabona and promising Kenneth Omeruo.

Hindered by poor officiating, the sandy Mbombela pitch on which Nigeria launched out and Keshi’s experimentation with the First Eleven, the Eagles laboured to prey until the Brown Ideye-Emmanuel Emenike spitfire attack worked by Victor Moses and Mikel Obi strafed all and sundry. Ivory Coast took unexpected flak in the quarter-finals as a more mature Elephants yielded to the eager young guns in green. Afterwards, Russiabased Ivorien striker Lancina Traore parried insinuation that his team lost because they underrated the Eagles. He said: “… once on the pitch, Mikel Obi and his mates quickly seized the midfield, cutting off the link to our front men,”adding that his

couragingly.

Coming together to achieve a common goal is inspirational. It is motivating to unite to politically combat a PDP that has been boasting of just retaining power for 50 years without assurance of making positive impact on the life of the people. Ask an average Nigerian to compare his life 15 years ago under the military dictatorship to what it is today under a supposed democratic politics, hardly would there be many other than the shady who would admit a fulfilled existence. Apart from the privileged few scooping public resources, most Nigerians today are lamenting in frustration of a nation where nothing seems to be working except in few states. For many, it has been more of the harder they labour, the poorer they become.

This is why it is therefore logical and patriotic for an opposition to clueless governance to decide to fuse together for authentic transformation of the depreciating nation, above personal or sectional interest. It is also reasonable that the merging is coming well ahead of the next general elections as there would be enough time to resolve differentiations and disparities.

The last 14 years in power has ratified a PDP without focus.

Education keeps degenerating. A look at WAEC, NECO and JAMB results in the last decade is deplorable. After all, when neighbouring Ghana was in economic coma, the country’s education standard remained sustained. Today, many Nigerians prefer to send their children to school in Ghana than to the flooding private institutions here where money is more of the principal target.

It is no news that our nation of about 150 million people is being stressed with barely 4,000MW of electricity power, whereas South Africa with 50 million population handles no less than 40,000MW. Indeed, it sells electricity to neighbouring Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe – representing about three percent of total energy produced.

The power sector would not work in Nigeria because of corruption that has been endemically implanted. Between 1999 and 2007 when the Obasanjo administration exited office, a conservative public expenditure profile of $16 billion was said to have been incurred on the power plants to increase power production, stabilise power supply and promote economic activities. Much more might have been spent by his successors from the same political party. Yet, the nation remains in darkness, only now still hoping that the sale of PHCN might make the situation better.

For light to shine upon this nation, there is definitely need for alternative choice to a party that imbibes corruption and renders impotent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which it established. Dr. Oby Ezekwesili bounced back few weeks ago to lash the presidency with a query on the consumption of the quantum foreign reserve left by the administration where she served. The present administra-

tion fired back with the unresolved allegation of unaccountable N300 billion voted for the Works Ministry under the same Anthony Anenih that is now being manipulated to be restored as Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees. It has been a chronicle of corruption versus corruption.

As financial resources are being wasted, so also are human resources because of poor management of the affairs of the divinely blessed country. Today, many valuable Nigerians are functioning productively outside the boundary. I was in far away Australia recently and found that most Nigerians there are professionals, largely medical practitioners of worth adding value to an already developed nation. Back home are mainly those without the opportunity to “check out” like the dramatic Andrew of old.

This is not to say that the merging opposition is perfect.

No. In APGA, Governor Rochas Okorocha admits there is APGA-APGA just as there is also APGA-PDP. It has also been reported too that PDP is now working the same factionalisation to have ANPP-PDP out of ANPP-ANPP as well. Of course, as Lai Mohammed, ACN’s spokesman acknowledged, moles are likely to be set against leaders of the merger, but the antics would be subdued if APC leadership could come up with wisdom and commitment with the right focus to accomplish the will of the people.

What is of essence is the eventual workability of a strong and viable progressive party just like it occurs in the United States, United Kingdom and India developed democracies where there are two major parties to be chosen from. In Nigeria, June 12, 1993 elections became outstanding based on the two parties that contested. This is to say that it is when there is a strong alternative to a party in power which fails to perform to peoples’ satisfaction, that a rewarding democracy would be established.

Let retired Pope Benedict be a model Catholic dominion Pope Benedict XVI has decided to retire from Papacy because of his advanced age and growing inability to keep up with the physical and mental demand of the office.

Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye’s reaction to the shocking retirement makes good sense. He urged Nigerian leaders, both in politics and religion to learn a lesson from the Pope’s resignation, by quitting office when they could no longer perform optimally – not only by old age but by whatever circumstance that may be hindering their fulfilling functionality.

Instead of seeking for tenure elongation, the Pope, feeling fulfilled just like Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul after successfully performing the assignments given to them, has decided to live a quiet life that would still be functional to the growth of the work of God. Are people listening?

Beyond the AFCON triumph

By Olubanwo Fagbemi team wondered whether Nigeria “was the same team that drew 1-1 against Burkina Faso in the group phase”.

Whether Mali succumbed more to fatigue after an epic quarterfinal shootout with host, South Africa, we may never know, but goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa thought his Eagles played against “Brazil”. “From my post I saw more than 15 green shirts pouring forth against us and not the usual 10 players. They were strong, slippery, focused and pacy.”

And the mood portrayed by a Burkina Faso fan before the final could not have been more ominous. “…the Super Eagles now seem like a wild beast unchained. They are devouring and the general fear here now is that they could do the same to us like they did to Mali.”

Such superlatives to make the head swim!

In the event, the Nigeria attack blunted by Emenike’s absence through injury after his semi-final exertions in pursuit of the Golden Boot managed to douse the opponents’ patriotic flame with a goal from impressive local lad, Sunday Mba. It would have been more but for the forward line’s profligacy, a development that should task Keshi going forward.

In South Africa, nonetheless, the Mikel we long sought emanated. Mikel, the tentative and mellow in green turned Mikel, leader and magician. Overall, he was the best player by any yard and certainly the best Nigerian by a mile. Why the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) differed, crowning the Burkinabe trickster Jonathan Pitroipa, is a mystery of political proportions as suggested by the referee’s admission of error and official rescind of the striker’s red card from the semi-final. In fulfilling all self-righteousness, CAF may have set a precedence to be cited again and again.

Considering the rave reviews, Africa had thirsted for typical Nigerian flair for a while. Remarkably, the fear induced by the Eagles in South Africa evoked a bygone era. And in deference to the Eagles heyday, I propose a change in cognomen to reflect conquest and domination – something with ‘Lions’ in it, perhaps.

No, that’s taken – by Cameroon and Senegal. How about ‘Devils’?

Well, the Eagles bore that before ‘Green Eagles’. Besides that is also taken: it’s Manchester United’s world-famous epithet. So, ‘Green Devils’? ‘Predatory Eagles’? Anyway, you get the picture; a petrifying appellation wouldn’t hurt.

But to the Brazil 2014 World Cup finals we must turn our heads in earnest. Nigeria top African Zone Group F with four points from a win and a draw, and the next qualifier comes up against Kenya next month. With the current squad, Nigeria should pick a spot, but is Keshi truly up to the bigger task? He triumphed by selecting his team on merit but what happens when the players

earn greater exposure, with profiles expanding spheres of influence? How Keshi fares against swarming player agents is of consequence, for they have been known to ruin a promising coach or two by their machinations. While we might trust Keshi’s massive ego to supersede any player’s, the coach must be more tactful in dealing with super brats and the establishment. To do otherwise would suggest impetuosity and unprofessional conduct, both elements of a tragic career.

The Mundial is a different ball game, more demanding and technical. In the event of qualification, can Keshi supervise the tactical annihilation of the elite teams of Europe and the Americas? On the basis of his substitutions and tactical discipline, I think not. But that is no reason to call for his sack.

Should we tinker with the technical bench to improve technical input? Yes, of course. Do we bring a foreign technical expert, director or adviser to fill the chasm? Yes, with urgency. And how would it work? With Keshi as immediate assistant to an accomplished coach or as immediate boss, if the expat is less accomplished? Samson Siasia’s sustained association with Dutch match analyst Simon Kalika here refers.

At any rate, let us not forget that Keshi succeeded because he thrived within a deficient system, experiencing the same factors that affected the players, leading to a synergy in mentality. He didn’t work out of Europe as Berti Vogts and Lars Lagerback were excused in unremarkable spells with the national team.

The 2014 dream therefore begins with efficient administration from team welfare and discipline to kitting and logistics.

Financial motivation should not be a challenge for a government adept at throwing money at problems, but if smaller countries achieve significantly more at less expense, then fatter bonuses do not necessarily translate to better results.

In the end, Keshi’s record as the second man, after the late Mahmoud el-Gohary of Egypt, to triumph as coach following his Tunisia 1994 gold as captain is secured as is the prestigious ticket to the FIFA Confederations Cup in June following CAF’s selection of the 2013 and not 2012 champions. The Eagles would do well to exploit the subsequent window to continental domination and find eternal relevance in 160 million hearts.

‘In South Africa, nonetheless, the Mikel we long sought emanated. Mikel, the tentative and mellow in green turned Mikel, leader and magician. Overall, he was the best player by any yard and certainly the best Nigerian by a mile’

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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COMMENTS

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VEN with the hurried congratulatory message by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), it is becoming clearer by the day that the PDP is very uncomfortable with the unprecedented and surprising fusion of these political parties. Though a shred of this discomfort was latent from its caution on the APC not to heat up the polity, there is now, every thing to indicate that the leadership of the ruling party is jittery at the success of the new party. Perhaps, this phobia stems from the disbelief that these parties could possibly agree to dissolve into one, more so with all of them commanding credible regional influences. It must have therefore taken the PDP by the storm to have woken up one morning only to learn that a new mega party is born.

Or how else can we rationalize the indecent haste with which sundry PDP chieftains and characters have been predicting doom for the new party just a few days of its birth?

Its national publicity secretary, Olisa Metu, former Oyo state governor Adebayo AlaoAkala and sundry leaders of the party have overnight turned into doomsday prophets.

They are either predicting a collapse of the new party, asserting that the PDP will still win the 2015 elections or simulating imminent rancour in its leadership when it comes to the sharing of offices.

But by far the most curious of these jittery statements was the one by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, PDP national chairman. He had said last week that the APC is a collection of

‘The question Tukur wants APC to answer is redundant given that that principle has been the driving force for the merger. They have said time without number that the merger is not about individuals, not about ambitions but the overall interest of the nation’

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Emeka OMEIHE 08121971199 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Tukur’s APC phobia individuals driven by selfish ambition and not national interest and they will be torn apart when elections come.

Asserting that the PDP is a national party that can hold the nation together, Tukur threw a challenge “Let the APC tell Nigerians their stand on issues of national unity. What is APC stand on the unity of the country? What is the manifesto of the APC on issues that bind us together?

And that is where he runs into trouble. By raising these posers, the impression is being conveyed that the APC’s commitment to the unity of this country is cloudy. If he had no doubt on the commitment of the new party to this irreducible decimal of our federal order, his question would then have been absolutely unnecessary. Asking clarifications on this, presupposes that there might be some other things he knows of the new party that is not yet available to the public. And for someone of his stature, he would have done the nation well if he avails us the information that led him into this doubt. If he has none, then he must be a very big disappointment not only to the party he leads but the entire nation. We say so because it is inconceivable that a party seeking to lead the country is being taken to task on an issue of this nature. Moreover, all the parties to the amalgamation have been around for quite sometime now. There has been nothing either in their conduct or activities to suggest that they are against the unity of the country unless there is something Tukur knows that is not available to us.

As a matter of fact, sacrificing their differences and unconditional resolve to float

ACKLING malaria, which is a major public health problem in the country, needs action not rhetorics.

Previously, the issue was handled with levity but Kano State government under Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso takes everything serious. From healthcare delivery, education, water supply, infrastructural development— down to sports, every issue affecting the people receives government’s utmost attention.

According to Malaria Fact Sheet produced by the US embassy in Nigeria, “malaria accounts for more cases and deaths than any other country in the world”. With Kano’s leading position in terms of population, one wonders the percentage the state accounts in the cases and deaths.

Matching words with action, Governor Kwankwaso therefore developed a multi-pronged approach that will tackle the root cause, destroy the parasite itself and ensure general supply of effective and affordable drugs in the hospitals.

The long-abandoned vector control fumigation of yesteryears has now been revived in Kano. Enough vehicles, chemicals and equipment were bought, just as enough personnel were employed to go through every street and alley of the ancient city.

Apart from that, major channels in the state will soon be encapsulated and tiled. The famous Jakara stream will no longer bear its name, nor wear its ugly look, nor breed the parasitic vectors it bred for ages. The dream of the governor is to see that open drainages in the state, which are the breeding grounds of mosquitoes, are covered, tiled and become pedestrian walkways as obtained in the developed world.

Against this background, Governor Kwankwaso formed drainages committee which will identify the blockages and suggest ways of improving free flow of waste water in the state. With this, the perennial flood recorded in the state can be tackled. In a similar vein, another committee on interlocking is also working assiduously to make the state look neater.

Last week, the governor launched his administration’s flagship Malaria Control Programme, a few months after directing the state Ministry of Health to exit from from the 27 million US dollar loan obtained from the World Bank for the project by the previous administration.

Sourcing loans is not the trend of Kwankwaso administration, just as buffeting public funds in the name of “security vote” is outlawed by the government. The governor’s reason in abhorring loans is obvious as debt burden retards economic growth.

Known for brutal frankness and point-blank approach, Gov. Kwankwaso once told a World Bank senior official that Kano is exiting from the malaria loan. “As a matter of policy,” he told the official, “the state government is not taking any loan.

What government is getting from IGR and other sources presently is enough to manage our health challenges. But exiting from the loan does not mean discarding the programme warts and all”.

a mega party is a testament to their commitment to rescue this country from the rudderless drift into which it has been steered by the PDP. If any party should be taken to task on this singular issue, it is definitely the ruling PDP. Leaders of the APC have said time without number that their goal in collapsing into one party is to rescue the country from inevitable slide to the precipice. By this, they have in mind the worsening corruption that has reduced our citizens to hewers of wood and drawers of water in spite of the enormous resources available to this country. They have in mind the worsening security situation that has threatened the very foundation of this country. Ironically, the heightened insecurity that has raised parochial and centrifugal tendencies to an all time high has been linked to the last presidential primaries of Tukur’s PDP. If there is therefore any party that should be taken to task on the matter, it is definitely the PDP. Where is the evidence of the claim and pontification that PDP is the only party that can guarantee the unity of the country?

Today, the PDP is largely, a fragmented party. This division derives in the main, from the anticipated ambition of President Jonathan come 2015 and those of other vested interests in that party.

It is no longer a hidden matter that should Jonathan run in the 2015 elections, that party will be further polarized. This would have dire repercussions for the same unity which Tukur wants the APC to state its position on. The coming together of the parties under

the canopy of APC is therefore to provide an alternative source of hope and choice for our people to take their common destiny in their hands. Nothing can be more nationalistic than this sacrifice.

The question Tukur wants APC to answer is redundant given that that principle has been the driving force for the merger. They have said time without number that the merger is not about individuals, not about ambitions but the overall interest of the nation. That is why all discussions have been without any precondition from the coalescing leaders. That to me is a very big sacrifice that ought to attract the commendation of any well meaning Nigerian. It is an effort to deepen democracy in this country given the dangerous slide to a one-party state in the face of the festering culture of impunity, rigging and falsification of results that have before now, eroded people’s confidence in the ballot process.

Those who wish this country well must be pleased by the enormous sacrifice that has been made by the parties in the merger. What they need at this time is encouragement not unnecessary scepticisms as to whether they will quarrel in the sharing of offices or when the elections draw nearer. Such negativism gives out PDP’s discomfort in seeing a credible opposition emerge in the nation’s political chess board.

But then, these worries about the APC are even misplaced given that Tukur himself had a few months ago, predicted the emergence of a credible opposition if PDP fails to put its house in order. Inaugurating an eight-member reconciliation committee, he had raised alarm over what he called the depletion in the ranks of their members across the country. He then warned that “if members fail to resolve their differences across the country, it will lead to an onslaught of the opposition parties in 2015”.

As I write, the differences in the PDP have taken a dangerous dimension with no prospects of abating. Is it not a self-fulfilling prophesy that APC emerged at this point in time? So those signs Tukur saw a couple of months back which led him into this visionary prediction have come to pass. Who says Tukur is not a political prophet? So, he has no cause grumbling since he saw it coming. Since he saw it coming and could not avert the looming danger, he should lick his wounds.

Kano’s action plan against malaria

By Jaafar Jaafar Of course the government opted out of the loan without discarding the programme as it has enough resources in its kitty to execute the project. Aware of the perils of throwing the baby with bath water, the governor then developed a homegrown strategy and married it with the World Bank action plan.

Speaking during the launching of the malaria programme last week, Governor Kwankwaso said the government decided to continue the programme because malaria remains a major health challenge in the state, accounting for an estimated 30 percent child mortality and 11 percent maternal mortality.

“The disease has negative impact on the local and national economy by causing low productivity, absenteeism from school and work, resulting into economic loss of billions of naira annually. Because of the danger of malaria, we are putting in place our own Malaria Control Programme without any foreign loan. Action plan has been drafted and we welcome support from any well-meaning organization”, the governor stated.

He revealed that the state government is working closely with metropolitan local government councils in the state to address the scourge of the disease, while the state refuse disposal agency, REMASAB has been provided with adequate funds to enable it discharge its responsibility of keeping the environment clean and mosquito-free. While 80 dumpsites were purchased recently by the government, thousands of dustbins, as obtained in cities across the world, have dotted the city of Kano.

The governor therefore told the gathering that the state government recently awarded contract for channelling the Jakara River, which runs through five of the eight metropolitan local government areas, as part of deliberate strategies to address the menace of malaria, pointing out that a road would be constructed over the channel to improve transportation in Kano city. Contract worth N8.7 billion has been awarded for the Jakara river project.

He also appealed to people of the state to ensure that refuse is disposed the way it should be done to prevent malaria and other killer diseases, saying it is also necessary for them to make good use of health facilities provided by the government, as well as to patronize its reintroduced “Lafiya Jari”pharmacies for quality and affordable drugs.

Kwankwaso’s campaign promise of providing quality and affordable healthcare service to the people of Kano is steadily taking shape as not only those living in the urban areas but also the rural dwellers are benefiting. New urban and rural health centers are built, while the dilapidated ones are equipped and

restructured. Government’s ambulances for the state’s Mobile Clinic Programme tagged “Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach” are criss-crossing the state, covering major routes and strategic referral centres to reduce trauma associated with accidents and other emergencies.

While Kano doctors are now fully equipped to carry out surgeries, the dilapidated health infrastructures in the state are undergoing reconstructive surgeries by Gov. Kwankwaso, the surgeon-general of modern Kano. Apart from general overhaul of the structures and equipment, there is now constant supply of electricity in the hospitals. The Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are also standardized and qualified anesthesiologists/ intensivists are recruited to man the units.

The government has also established a buoyant drug revolving fund to ensure steady supply of quality and affordable drugs to health facilities besides waging a war against prohibited and counterfeit drugs.

In view of our competing demands in the state, Kwankwaso devised a way of tackling the paucity of equipment in our hospitals. Some of the hospitals are now equipped with medical equipment and consumables worth millions of naira obtained free of charge from MedShare, a US based NGO, during the governor’s visit to their headquarters last year.

Of the 21 training institutes established by the present administration, three of them are health related. Additionally, government will establish two medical schools for Northwest University and Kano University of Science and Technology.

The achievements of the present administration in the health sector are as myriads as the vectors themselves. Now that the no-nonsense leader has waged a war against malaria, the mosquitos are surely on their mark...

• Jaafar is the Special Assistant to Kano State Governor on Media and Public Relations

‘Kwankwaso’s campaign promise of providing quality and affordable healthcare service to the people of Kano is steadily taking shape as not only those living in the urban areas but also the rural dwellers are benefiting’

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Governorship aspirants on the platform of the major political parties have begun mobilisation in Taraba State, ahead of the 2015 polls. Who are these contenders? What are their chances? Correspondent FANEN IHYONGO provides answers in this report.

National Assembly. He has a big financial chest to oil his campaign machinery. He established the ‘DSK Foundation’ to assist the needy in the state, but the foundation also serves as his campaign organisation.

Kente, who hails from Wukari local government area, is described by many as a simple, affable and benevolent young man.

Recently, his relationship with Suntai has not been rosy. Some people perceive him a neophyte in politics because he is more of a civil servant than a politician.

Taraba: Who wears the crown in 2015?

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ILL power shift from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to another party in 2015 in Taraba State when the tenure of Governor Dambaba Suntai expires? The ruling party has declared that it will still maintain its hold on the Northeast state. But oppostion parties are scheming to pull the rug off its feet. Will they succeed?

Despite the governor’s absence, PDP is leaving nothing to chances. But it is not clear whether Suntai will be able to dictate the tune during the electioneering, unless he fully recovers from the injuries injuries he sustained when his plane crashed in October last year. He is still recuperating in a German hospital.

For now, those itching to profit from the incumbency factor seem to be in the wilderness. But PDP is definitely facing a stiff opposition from those plotting its downfall in Taraba State. There are other calculations too. If the acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, becomes the substantive governor, he will be the leading PDP governorship aspirant.

Emmanuel Bwacha

•Suntai

•Alhaji Umar

Garba Umar

PDP’s setback In Taraba State, PDP lacks an active party leader. There has been lull in party activites, since the governor was hospitalised. Party members are worried that the state of his health is being concealed from the public. The political atmosphere is gloomy. Although the acting governor visited his boss in the hospital, he returned without good tidings. Alhaji Umar returned from Hannover, Germany, without a word from the ailing helmsman for the people of Taraba. When anxious reporters asked him about Suntai’s health, he merely said: “I met him in the hospital”. Nothing more.

Zoning Unlike other states, there is no rotational principle or zoning system in Taraba. A governor can come from any of the three senatorial zones, even if he is the kinsman of the incumbent governor. For example, former Governor Jolly Nyame, who hails from Taraba North, wanted Mr. Danladi Tijos, who is from the same district, to succeed him. In fact, he won the PDP primaries, but was denied the ticket at the party’s zonal convention in Bauchi. The former governor later threw his backing behind Suntai, who is from the South.

In 2011, politicians from the Central District backed Suitai, with the hope that power would shift to the South. But politicians from the North and Central zones are now in the ring. They have described the ‘gentleman agreement’ as “laughable”.

They said, even if it is a legitimate agreement, a politician from the zone, Senator Joel Ikenya, had reneged on the agreement by contesting against Suntai in 2011.

A lawyer, Baba Adi, who is also from Taraba South, had declared that he supported Suntai’s re-election, based on natural justice, stressing that he deserved to spend eight years in office because Nyame

Senator Bwacha is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. He is representing Taraba South District in the National Assembly. A lawyer, he was once a member of the House of Representatives. He was also a Commissioner and Majority Leader of the House of Assembly. He hails from Donga local government area. As a homeboy who grew up with grassroots politics in his blood, Bwacha is conversant with the state’s political terrain. In the words of one analyst, “Bwacha knows the good, the bad and the ugly in Taraba politics; he knows how to woo party stalwarts and how to neutralise opponents”. He is a cheerful giver with many high-profile politicians in his camp.

Bwacha has not declared his ambition public, but he is being touted as Suntai’s successor because of his close relationship with the governor. But the lawmaker has often said his relationship with Suntai is not because he has any ambition to succeed him and is courting him for favour. His chances of clinching the PDP ticket would be negatively affected, if Suntai does not return to office. Suntai’s opponents also see Bwacha as their antagonist.

•Mr. Kente

spent 10 years.

“We don’t have any zoning policy in Taraba. The fact that some people are saying power is supposed to shift to Taraba South is a matter of opinion. I am supporting Suntai’s re-election because Jolly Nyame did 10 years from the North Zone.

So, it would only be fair if Suntai from Central zone, is allowed to serve for eight years”.

Ethnicity Taraba is made up of many heterogeneous ethnic groups. The governor could come from any of the tribes, irrespective of its numerical strength or weakness. For example, Jukun which is one of the most populous ethnic groups in the state, has not produced any governor, since Taraba State was created from the defunct Gongola State in 1991. Also, Mambilla, Fulani, Kona, Kuteb, Tiv, Jenjo and Wurukun have not produced any governor, despite their numerical strength. But, Mumuye and Chamba, with lesser population, produced Nyame and Suntai as governors.

•Bwacha

Religion Although, it is largely a secular state, religion affects the governorship polls in Taraba. Christians and Muslims fight for the soul of the state, with Christians always carrying the day and Muslims playing the second fiddle. The emergence of Alhaji Umar as the acting governor is by sheer providence.

The contenders Many politicians are oiling their political machineries, ahead of the contest. They include David Kente, Emmanuel Bwacha, Garba Umar, Aisha Alhassan, Istifanus Haruna Gbana, Adamu Ibrahim, Ikenya and Ahmed Yusuf.

David Sabo Kente Kente became a household name in Taraba politics, since he indicated his interest in running for the coveted office. He is the Deputy Director of Finance in the

‘PDP is definitely facing a stiff opposition from those plotting its downfall in Taraba State. There are other calculations too. If the acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, becomes the substantive governor, he will be the leading PDP governorship aspirant’

Umar is the acting governor of the state.

He looks every inch a complete gentleman with good leadership qualities. But he is a reclusive, having lived most of his life as a business entrepreneur trading outside the shores of the state for years. He is not cunning. Last year, Umar who hails from Karim-Lamido local government area, was picked as deputy by the ailing governor to replace the impeached deputy governor, Alhaji Sani Danladi. Barely 20 days after, he was empowered by the House of Assembly to act, following the involvement of his boss in the air crash. Umar’s political associates have started campaigning vigorously for him to run, even if his boss returns to office. As a member of the PDP, Umar’s chances of clinching the ruling party’s ticket depends significantly on Suntai’s absence. If he continues to act, in the absence of Suntai, the likelihood exists that he would alter the calculation to his own advantage. He will likely get the ticket as the controller of state resources and government apparatuses. On the other hand, if Suntai returns hale and hearty, the religious factor would come to play, with Suntai preferring a transition to another Christian governor.

Aisha Alhassan Mrs. Alhassan was the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in Taraba. She also served as the registrar of the Federal Capital Territory Judiciary. She is now the senator representing Taraba North in the National Assembly. She contested the senate on the PDP platform, beating a former senator, Dr. Anthony Manzo, at the primaries. In the general elections, she crushed former Governor Jolly Nyame, who was fielded by the ACN, to become the first woman senator from the state. Her supporters have nick-named her “Mama •Continued on page 24

24

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

POLITICS ‘APC ‘ll liberate Nigeria’

Ugochukwu Emezue is Abia State Governor Theodore Orji’s media aide. He spoke with UGOCHUKWU UGOJI-EKE on the achievements of the administration and priorities for this year.

A

CHIEFTAIN of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos State, Mr. Josiah Abiola, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the 2015 elections.

Abiola, a journalist, told reporters in Lagos that APC was formed to end bad governance in the country.

He said: misruled Nigeria and mismanaged the economy. The critical sectors are ailing. That is

‘Orji is not intimidating opposition’

H

OW did Orji Administration fare in 2012 ?

2012 was a good year for us. The governor recorded many achievements. The governor has undertaken many projects in Abia State, starting from the secretariat project to the diagnostic centre, the ophthalmology and dialysis centre, court complexes in Aba and Umuahia, the Amachara General Hospital, the International conference centre. The governor constructed the roads in Aba. The work on these roads have gotten to an appreciable level. Other sectors were not neglected.

Abia is an agrarian state. What achievements were recorded in agriculture.

One of the major achievements of the governor was the disbursement of N1b loan to the farmers.

The loan got to the real farmers.

The liberation farms, which the governor initiated in the three senatorial zones, would soon commence agricultural activities. The Songhai farms at Okwoyi-Ibeku in Umuahia North council, is making progress.

What is the governor doing to ensure security in the state?

The Abia State Vigilante Service is a creation of the law of the state.

The purpose is to complement the work of the state security agencies.

When you call them vigilante services, you should know that they are operating at the community level and they do this in collabora-

tion with the SSS, the police and Army. The governor gave patrol vans to all of them, even the NDLEA, because they are also doing their own job, the Nigerian custom services, Immigration and the Civil Defense.

The opposition in the state has alleged that Governor Orji is emasculating the opposition parties.

How would you react to this allegation? l don’t think it is true. As soon as the election ended, politics went to the back seat and what we are now seeing is governance. He is the governor of Abia State and not the governor of PDP. After his victory at the electoral tribunal, High Court and Appeal Court, he appealed to everybody, including his opponents, to be part of his government, make contributions, and offer suggestions. of cause you and If you go to the Mission Hill in Umuahia, you will see the secretariats of the two parties there. If you go to Aba Road, you will see other party offices. The truth is that when you have a party that is performing, it diminishes the stature and influence of other parties. The governor has rebranded the state.

He is accommodating. He is tolerant of the opposition.

What is the plan of the administration for Aba, the commercial nerve centre?

Let me start from electricity. God willing, in the first quarter of this year, Aba is going to witness unin-

•Emezua

terrupted power supply. The governor is tackling the infrastructural The companies at Aba are not operating at full capacity because of lack of electricity. Electricity is the exclusive reserve of the federal government. Now that the power sector has been decentralized and private people are coming into the sector, we are supporting the Geometrics Services to light up Aba. The federal government has its own at Alaoji. When it is fully realized, it will really boost electricity in Aba and its environs.

What plans of the government are underway for poverty reduction through the MDG? As far as the governor is concerned, he is very much interested in MDG projects and that is why he is very eager to pay the state’s counterpart funds. When the Senior Special Assistant to the President visited the state, she singled the governor out for commendation. The MDG fund is being used to empower our youths to make sure that unemployment and poverty are reduced. nor on his monumental projects.

PDP, ACN trade blames over Offa/Erin-Ile crises

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are trading blames over the communal clashes between Offa and Erin-Ile communities in Kwara State.

The ACN and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) alleged that the dissolution of the Offa and Oyun council executives was an orchestrated plot by the state government to get rid of Prince Saheed Popoola, the only ACN local government chairman in the state.

ACN National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had criticised the dissolution, saying that it was in bad faith. But the government said the move was to ensure peace in the troubled communities.

Mohammed said: “Government’s

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

action risks aggravating the crisis, especially as the people of Offa local government, the only council controlled by the ACN in the state, are bound to interpret the government’s action as being aimed at depriving them of the leadership they have willingly voted into office.”

But the PDP fired back, saying that ACN and CPC’s unholy alliance fueled the crisis in the two communities.

The communal clashes were triggered by the protracted land dispute, which pitched the two communities against each other.

Justifying its action, government said the land dispute was not enough justification for the destruc-

tion of lives and property.

The ACN’s spokesperson disagreed. He said: “The Kwara State government either acted in indecent haste in dissolving the councils or decided to cash in on the crisis to neutralize the awesome popularity and acceptability of the ACN, considering that judgment is still being awaited on the ACN’s appeal against the election tribunal’s award of the council to the PDP, and being acutely aware that any fresh election ordered in the local government will be swept by the ACN. ‘’We at the ACN will like to say unequivocally that the Kwara State government was wrong in dissolving the councils because it has not been found that the crisis erupted due to any act of omission or commission by the council chairmen or officials.

why APC is on a rescue mission”. Abiola argued that the PDP’s records in education, roads construction, health, youth empowerment and employment have not impressed Nigerians.

He imlplored the people to keep faith with APC, assuring that the party would reposition the critical sectors.

Abiola added: “Now, we have a credible alternative to the rot.

When power shifts to the progressives at the centre, Nigeria will be transformed”.

Taraba: Who wears the crown in 2015?

•Continued from page 23

Taraba”, for her philanthropy and for securing donations from donors for the under-privileged.

She is a major critic of Suntai and has formed a strong opposition camp against his administration.

Alhassan has the finances and ‘connection’ to bankroll her campaigns, but her major setback is that she is a woman. She is also not in the good book of the state PDP leadership.

Adamu Ibrahim Ibrahim retired as a Major-General in the Nigeria Army. He was the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu state.

Following his retirement, he joined politics. He also established the ‘A-Dinota Ventures Limited (AVL)’, which, when completed, would be a multi-billion naira ethanol fuel-producing plant, using cassava and sugar cane. The 56-year-old politician hails from Wukari. His political potency,is not based on his financial muscles, but his vision and passion to develop Taraba.

Ibrahim has the qualities to be a leader and is quietly being supported by some heavy-weight politicians within and outside the state. His military approach to politics may be a disadvantage to his chances.

Joel Ikenya Ikenya, 50, is one of the movers and shakers of politics in Taraba.

A sociable personality, Ikenya has been nicknamed the “The Bulldozer”, for his radical style of politicking. He hails from Wukari local government area of Southern Taraba. He was a member of the PDP and won a senatorial seat on its platform. He had served as a member of the State House of Assembly and House of Representatives. In 2011, he contested the governorship in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), but lost, in spite of the formidable opposition. The Bulldozer will still contest the poll in the opposition. He has been in obscurity in recent time.

engineer who hails from Jalingo, Taraba North, was a strong stalwart of the PDP, earning the sobriquet ‘Gamaliya’. He knows Taraba’s voting strength and all the polling units by name. He was expelled from the ruling party seven years ago when he fell apart with former Governor Nyame. In June last year, he returned to the PDP. He was warmly embraced by Governor Suntai and other PDP leaders. He is a likable politician, pulling crowds during his rallies. The stumbling block however, is the fact that the stakeholders have tagged him as a politician who knows too much. They believe that “if you give him power he will not mull over anybody’s advice”.

Istifanus Gbana He is the Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly. Born on January 2, 1964, Gbana has been the Speaker since 2004, after serving as House committees chairman. He was also the chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria in the last dispensation. He is a lawyer from Donga, Taraba south. Gbana is a complete gentleman and has all it takes to govern the state. He has not made his ambition public, but his political allies are doing the ‘homework’ to ensure the lawmaker succeeds Suntai in 2015. The Speaker also has a good relationship with Governor Suntai. The obstacle however, is that he belongs to the Bwacha Camp, where his interest is said to be clashing with Bwacha’s. Recently, his colleagues in the Assembly plotted to remove him from the throne.

Ahmed Yusuf A former Commissioner of Finance in Nyame Administration, Yusuf was the governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the 2011 polls. In 2007, he lost his deposit when he contested in the Action Congress (AC). Yusuf, an

•Senator Alhassan

How to tackle insecurity, by Minister

T

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola presenting a Kia Rio car key to former Commissioner for Information Comrade Tayo Ilupeju. With them is the Speaker, House of Assembly, Mr. Najeem Salam, during the Constituents’ Empowerment Scheme, at Ejigbo, Osun State.

HE Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, has called for the harmonisation of the activities of security agencies in tackling insecurity in the country.

He said the police, Nigerian Customs, Immigration and other security agencies should cooperate to foster security.

Moro, who paid an un scheduled

visit to the Idi Iroko border post, lamented that the security men policing the border lacked the capacity to discharge their duties.

He said: “There is need for synergy among the security outfits at the border to checkmate the influx of those who can threaten the peace and security of this country”.

25

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

ISSUES

JOBS

How will CBN’s account policy benefit depositors? - P. 27 News Briefing ‘Bridged banks now profitable’ The three bridged banks Mainstreet Bank Limited, Keystone Bank Limited and Enterprise Bank Limited have been restructured and are back to profitability, the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Bank, Ahmed Kuru, has said.

- Page 26

TUC appeals to govt over strike The Chairman of the Kwara State Chapter of the Trade Union Congress, Mr Israel Adebisi, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to wade into the on-going industrial action by research institutes in Nigeria.

- Page 32

Agents go after defaulters The National Pension Commission (PenCoM) has made good its threat of recovering workers’pension deductions withheld by some employers.

- Page 33 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

-N7.560 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation 11.9% Treasury Bills 7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending - 15.87% Savings rate 2% 91-day NTB 15% Time Deposit 5.49% MPR 12% Foreign Reserve $35.8b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 242.1 $ 156 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 238 RIYAL 40.472

At the moment there is an average of about 18 hours per day of constant power supply to different parts of the country. This feat was brought about by the implementation of the integrated power sector reform programme anchored on the power roadmap.

- Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

More jobs as pelting takes packaging to new height - Pg 35

BFIG slams $2.8b suit on RUSSAL over Supreme Court judgment B FIGroup Corporation, the Nigerian-Ameri can Consortium, has started the enforcement of the Supreme Court order with a $2.8 billion suit against RUSSAL and Dayson Holden Limited at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The law suit was instituted by the firm following government’s inability to kick RUSSAL out of the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) after the Supreme Court judgment last year.

The President of DFIG Group, Dr Reuben Jaja, told The Nation that his firm was fed up with RUSSAL’s contempt for the Supreme Court judgment, and as

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor), Abuja

such, “will challenge anybody not willing to obey the judgment of the Supreme Court and will ensure that the judgment is obeyed and enforced.”

As part of the ligation, BFIG had sought and secured a court order in the country, to serve RUSSAL with the suit by mail, and on January 31, this year, it was served on RUSSAL accordingly.

Jaja said: “They have received it, the case has been scheduled for March 25, 2013, adding that BFIG

NIPPs target 4,147mw generation by year end

T

HE National Inte grated Power Projects (NIPPs), supervised by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), are expected to generate a combined 4,147 megawatts (MW) of electricity by December this year, it was learnt.

The NIPPs comprise 10 medium size power plants spread across the Niger Delta planned to use stranded natural gas in the oil producing region.

According to data from the power sector, the 10 power stations given adequate gas supply would generate 4,147MW but the data showed that with the gas supply and that expected from ongoing gas pipeline projects expected to be completed within the third quarter, at least 2,903MW of power is guaranteed by end of the year.

Specifically, it was gathered that from October this year, supply from the NIPP plants would hit 2,903MW. The Alaoji power plant, the biggest of the NIPP plants with installed capacity of over 1000mw being built by Rockson Engineering, is expected to generate 450mw by end of this year but as at December last year, it wasn’t operational as a result of lack of gas supply.

The Olorunsogo power plant, being constructed by Chinese Sepco 111, is expected to generate 675mw at the end of the year as against 563mw planned by end of last year while Sapele, being handled by Marubeni, is expected to generate 450mw as against 225 by December last year.

The Ihovbor power plant also being built by Marubeni, which generates zero power, is expected to be wheeling

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

450mw to the national grid

by December this year and 450mw from Calabar power plant by December 2013 as against current zero generation.

The Gbarain power plant, being handled by Rockson Engineering, is expected to generate 225mw by end of the year. The plant is not generating any power. Egbema and Omoku power plants, which also are being handled

by Rockson Engineering, are expected to be generating 338mw and 225mw by the end of the year. The two plants are not generating as a result of lack of gas supply.

Geregu Power Plant Phase Two and Omotosho Power Phase Two are planned to generate 434mw 450mw by the end of the year but they have capacity to generate about 145mw and 338mw.

The power plants are being built by Siemens and Chinese CMEC. The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Mr James Abiodun Olotu, last year said the NIPPs had the capacity to generate 1,025MW out of which Olorunsogo Phase Two and Sapele were ready to deliver 650MW and 250MW to the national grid.

He, however, noted that the delivery of the 1,025MW into the grid would be dependent on the availability of gas.

But he said the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), were making efforts to bridge the gas gap.

was prepared to fight a battle with RUSSAL. “This case is for the pain and insult inflicted on the Nigerian body by RUSSAL.” He said the group has “already notified the police, demanding enforcement and expects the signed copy of the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in five days.

Thereafter, we will commence enforcement by using enforcement infrastructure.”

Jaja said the suit started in the United States against RUSSAL, “for interference in contractual relations, in our prospective business advantage in ALSCON, conspiracy to defraud us and unfair competition,”

stating that BFIG was further angered when RUSSAL questioned the list of those to visit the plant after the Supreme Court judgment vacated their hold on ALSCON, and Nigerian government could not do anything about it.

He insisted that the Federal Government “was supposed to step in the next day after the Supreme Court judgement to boot them out and institute an interim management.”

To ensure that the case is quickly dispensed with, Jaja said: “The $2.8 billion is now a contingent liability on the balance sheet of ALSCON/RUSSAL, and nobody, especially bankers will deal with them with such a liability, until

the case is resolved. It is a slam dunk case.”

He said BFIG is not blackmailing or challenging the government, but is interested in executing the Supreme Court order which handed ALSCON over to it. He was angry that RUSSAL, “is still there managing the plant, and the government has not stepped in to ask them to leave.”

Jaja disclosed that the BFIG has delivered a mutually agreed SPA to BPE, which was validated by the court, lamenting, however, that the group has asked the BPE for a meeting on the discrepancies in the SPA, on February 8, 2013, but that the BPE declined.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

26

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

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LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

By Simeon Ebulu

Among other aspirations, Kuru said his ultimate desire is to increase the Information Technology (IT) platforms to transact its business and reduce the number of people coming to the banking hall to about five per cent.

To aid this, he said the bank has invested in modern Information and Communication Technology solutions that would make it convenient for people to carry out banking operations in the comfort of their homes and officers, as well as through their mobile telephones.

On the cash-less initiative, whose pilot is running in Lagos, Kuru said it was the ultimate, but added that the country needed to enforce the law on dud cheque issuance in such a way that issuers should be sent to jail within three weeks.

He said it was up to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria ( AMCON) to determine

what to do with the three bridged banks, adding that “what is important to us, is to run the Institutions commercially, profitably and put all the structures on ground to ensure that business continues, because whoever steps in to buy the banks is not coming to buy structures, he is coming to buy the value that is in the structures.

On the choice of Borno State by the Bankers’ Committee to kickoff its financial inclusion policy, the Enterprise Bank boss, admitted that the issue of security in Borno is a problem. He said the banks will involve people around the state to implement the policy.

“You don’t just employ people and send them to a volatile area.

Every organisation has the responsibility to protect its workers. There are people that hail from those areas. Part of the structure we want to leverage on; besides the banks’ branches that are currently in those locations, is to leverage on the Post Offices in the over 700 local governments. They try to put local people that speak the local dialect; they are usually the staff that manages Post Offices

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

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

• Kuru

in Nigeria.”

On whether the industry is over regulated, Kuru, said, the Financial Sector, mostly the Banking Industry, is the most regulated in the world, explaining that what the CBN is trying to do is to ensure that they put necessary measures in place; so as not to be caught unawares; that is why they continue to rollout guidelines. “ I can tell you that most part of the Circulars they put out, are also discussed at the Bankers Committee meeting; they want to carry everybody along, and as partners, we will see how to position the industry, it will not be driven by individuals; but structures.

“So if anybody comes into the system, regardless of what happens, the structure will mould how he conducts himself. We are not distracted by the CBN’s regulation; but rather, encouraged by it. So, we will continue to operate in a way that we do not go contrary to the CBN rules,” Kuru said.

Naira strengthens on bonds

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HE three bridged banks Mainstreet Bank Limited, Keystone Bank Limited and Enterprise Bank Limited - have been restructured and are back to profitability, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Bank, Ahmed Kuru, has said.

Addressing reporters in Lagos, Kuru, who justified the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in these institutions, said the three banks are strong enough to compete with their peers in the industry, He said: “When we came on board, our mandate was to run the banks profitably with strong financials. I can categorically say that the three banks are strong enough to compete with others.”

Kuru said Enterprise Bank has been able to grow its deposits by over 27 per cent, while the industry average is 15 per cent; loan book by 200 per cent, with average industry rate being 16 per cent; and asset base by 26 per cent; and return on investment (ROI) by 20 per cent, which is over seven per cent above industry average.

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

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Bridged banks now profitable, says Kuru T

T • From left: Manager, Brand Building Department, Unilever Nig Plc, Miss Sarah Adoki; Category Manager Oral Care, Miss Vivian Ihaza and Brand Manager, Close Up, Mr Dexter Adeola, with CPC Product Excellence Award won

by Close Up toothpaste in Lagos.

NACCIMA frets over drop in oil export

T

HE Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, In dustry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has said the drop in the oil export to the United States may affect this year’s budget.

Its Director-General, Joseph Isemede, said the cut in oil export to the US would affect the economic projections which were based on the budget.

The US, which is Nigeria’s highest importer of the product, reduced its purchases from Nigeria due to its shale gas discovery.

According to Isemede,the dependence in the oil sector is creating distortion in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors, which are the main engines of an economy.

“US, which is our main importer is set to cut back; so what do you think will happen to the 2013 Budget, which depends heavily on the oil. Definitely, the budget will be hindered and it may not work.

“Nigeria is struggling to get buyers for its petroleum product, following sharp drop in interest in the country’s crude oil by refinery operators in Europe.

“From our findings, traders operating in the oil markets that deal with Nigerian crude recently revealed that about 21 Nigerian

By Toba Agboola

crude cargoes (31 per cent of output) were unsold in February.

This is alarming and, of course, it is dangerous for the economy,” Isemede added.

He also said the oil sector has caused substantial decline in agricultural exports, which began in the mid-1960s and continued till date.

“It was observed that the advent of the oil sector (petrol dollars) assuming a prominent place in contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had created a distortion in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors of the

economy,” he said.

He said there is the need to focus more on non-oil exports, adding that a situation where the GDP earnings from manufacturing had stagnated at four per cent was not satisfactory.

“We need to develop manufacturing non-export. It is the only way to confront unemployment.

This can also be done by reviewing the laws against counterfeiting and faking,” he said.

Isemede emphasised the need for Nigeria to align with the global trend by refocusing and restrategising through diversification of its economic base away from oil to non-oil products.

HE naira gained for the sec ond day, after foreign in flows into Nigerian bonds.

According to Bloomberg, the currency climbed less than 0.1 per cent to $157.3 and has added less than 0.1 per cent this week.

“Yields continue to fall as more investors get involved in the local market,” Kojo Amoo-Gottfried, a London-basd analyst at FM Capital Partners Ltd. said. The inflation rate in the country 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 (CBN) Governor Lamido Sanusi said in an interview last month.

Data to be released this week will show price gains slowed to 9.5 per cent last month, the median of five estimates in a Bloomberg survey.

“Inflation is expected to remain under control providing increased support to investors,” said AmooGottfried.

The naira is being buoyed 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.

Demuren seeks increased security at airports

T

HERE is an improvement in security at airports nation wide because of counter terrorism measures in place, the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, has said.

Speaking with The Nation in Lagos, Demuren listed some of the measures to include primary and secondary screening of passengers, intelligence information exchange, installation of imaging body scanners at airports for out bound and inbound passengers, more training

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

for aviation security personnel as well as increasing surveillance on the activities of personnel who work at the airports.

He said some aeronautical agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), are putting measures in place to checkmate the possibility of penetration by mischief makers who are poised to use the sector for their dastardly activities.

Demuren said the threat to security and safety around the nation’s airports had become disturbing because terrorists were seeking ways to penetrate the sector.

He spoke of plans to foster interagency collaboration at airports through exchange of intelligence information as well as more training for security personnel.

He said those targeting the sector had enough time to plan. He called for more vigilance by stakeholders.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

27

ISSUES The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has placed a limit on account holders' deposits to allow the unbanked access to the financial system. COLLINS NWEZE examines what this policy means for small savers and its implications on the financial system.

• Naira notes

B

How will CBN’s account policy benefit depositors?

Y their names the categories may be known. They are three in all; low value accounts (level one); medium value accounts (level two) and high value accounts (level three). The names speak for themselves, so it seems at the face level. The first category should be for the poor; two for the middle class and three for the wealthy. But do this categorisation fit?

Only the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which released this account classification policy last month can answer this question.

The classification set new deposit limits for each category.

CBN also introduced a three-tier Know Your Customer (KYC) requirement for banks. Under this new regime, CBN set maximum single deposit of N20,000 and N50,000 for Low and Medium Value Accounts.

It also pegged maximum cumulative balance for Low Value Accounts at N200,000 at any point in time and a maximum cumulative balance of N400,000 on the Medium Value Account.

For the High Value Account, no

limit was placed on cumulative balance.

The CBN explained that the policy became exigent following its recognisation that access to basic banking facilities and other financial services was necessary in achieving the policy on financial inclusion. The CBN

advised banks to adopt the new KYC requirement. It added that the proposed deposit limits was meant to reduce the risk of money laundering and financing of terrorism, noting that the Low Value Accounts are subject to close monitoring by the financial institutions and less

scrutiny by bank examiners.

The CBN said the Low Value account can be opened at branches of banks by a prospective customer or through banking agents and no amount is required for opening. Such accounts prohibit international funds transfer.

‘The policy will further push the people away from the banks leaving them with the option of keeping their money at home. As long as fewer people are allowed to use the banks; the lenders will not have enough money to lend to the real sector.

Implications of such action on the labour market will be devastating. There is no way that the real sector will secure enough loans from banks when depositors are running away from the banks’

The Medium Value Accounts can be opened face to face at any branch of a bank by agents for enterprises or by the account holder, but the accounts are strictly savings with no amount required for its opening. Also, where cross-checking of client's identity cards information is not completed at the point of account opening, withdrawal would be denied.

The CBN added that for the High-Value Accounts, banks are required to obtain, verify and maintain copies of all the required documents for account opening. Accounts are to be opened at the bank branches by physical presence of the prospective customer and the accounts can be both savings and current.

However, for mobile banking products, the account attracts a maximum transaction limit of N100, 000 and daily limit of N1 million. But, such products are subject to the CBN Regulatory Framework for Mobile Payments Services in Nigeria.

"All accounts, no matter how •Continued on page 28

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

28

ISSUES •Continued from page 27

Financial inclusion target

low the transaction or the risks, must be subjected to continuous suspicious transactions monitoring by financial institutions, which will determine when incremental KYC requirements need to be provided by the customers," the circular said, adding that the banking watchdog would ensure the establishment of appropriate processes and procedures for the purpose of monitoring compliance with the regulatory framework The circular said that non-compliant financial institutions would be sanctioned in line with the provisions of extant laws and regulations. According to the apex bank, 64.1 per cent representing 56.3 million adult Nigerians do not have access to financial services; hence the policy is designed to bridge the gap.

Stakeholders' reactions Stakeholders and bank customers question the rationale behind the policy, saying it is counter-productive considering its cashless initiative. The regulator, they said, is unnecessarily over regulating the financial system.

An industrialist, Mr Henry Boyo, described the policy as a contradiction of the e-payment policy of the apex bank. According to him, there is a contradiction between what the CBN is saying about Nigeria's payment system and what the people want.

According to him, the policy will further push the people away from the banks leaving them with the option of keeping their money at home. He said as long as fewer people are allowed to use the banks; the lenders will not have enough money to lend to the real sector.

Implications of such action on the labour market he said, will be devastating. "There is no way that the real sector will secure enough loans from banks when depositors are running away from the banks. The CBN needs to have a rethink on this policy," he said.

A civil rights activist, Michael Oduta, said the policy is tantamount to over regulation. He said it will not in any way help financial inclusion as claimed by the banking watchdog. He advised the CBN to provide further guidelines on how the banks will establish the account categories operationally. Oduta wondered how the apex bank will monitor all the individual account holders to determine, which category they belong and decide when they have breached their thresholds.

He asked whether the CBN also considered possibilities of financial growth by account holders, which could make them to abandon a particular account category when their income levels exceed the threshold. "If the CBN is advocating for financial inclusion and now places limits on how much one should keep in the bank. Where will the rest of the money be kept or does one have to start saving at home?" he queried.

He said setting a deposit limit does not in anyway, check money laundering as claimed by the CBN as there are other more professional means of achieving better results. "We have enough regulation and should monitor the compliance of those regulations rather than initiating new ones," he said, adding that the policy is an undue intrusion into

• CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido

•Eze

How will CBN’s account policy benefit depositors? the freedom of individuals to own and run bank accounts.

Principal Associate, MobileMoneyAfrica, Emmanuel Okoegwale, however, said there was need to define clear operational processes, guidelines and procedures for operating and managing an agency network that will improve the spread of financial services along areas of strong compelling needs.

He said the regulator was actually trying to set KYC thresholds for agency banking, adding that transaction limits appropriates the risk for these set of people that might seek banking services outside of the existing branch network at third party locations, expected to commence before year end.

He said banks' branches might be able to circumvent the process, but it remains useful at agent locations. The low value account he said, will enable people with limited documentation to open account on-thego. He advised Nigerians to embrace the guidelines.

A civil servant based in Lagos, Monday Okon, also embraced the policy. He said it is clear to all that it is only the money bags "politicians/high level business tycon" that have money to launder. Therefore, if the policy does not put a limit on people that can afford above 200,000, it means that CBN is trying to further widen the gap between the rich and the poor instead of making policies that will improve the standard of living of all Nigerians.

A member of Council, Chartered Institute of Taxation of

Nigeria (CITN), Chukwuemeka Eze, insisted that the categorisation of accounts does not run contrary to the financial inclusion policy of the CBN. He explained that the CBN wants to sift the grains from the chaffs for ease of monitoring. "It is practically impossible for the CBN to monitor all accounts in the financial institutions for the purpose of identifying money laundering-prone accounts. By the categorisation, the CBN will beam its searchlight on the High-Value Accounts," he said.

He noted that other strategies had been implemented to curbing money laundering but proved abortive. He said initially, the National Advisory Council against Money Laundering by Designated Non-Financial Institutions and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit applied persuasion, but such approach failed. He said the CBN is just a medium by which the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 is being implemented since the option of going through professional bodies and business associations have also failed.

He said the banking watchdog is by no means, contradicting itself by placing limit on deposit.

"The CBN will not be contradicting itself because the relationship between a bank and its customer is contractual in nature. CBN's interference is just statutory - to identify a target group whose activities it will monitor with regard to cash transactions and suspicious transactions pursuant to the Anti-Money Laundering/ Combating of Financing of Ter-

rorism regime as provided by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011," he said.

He said the policy is by no way, tailored towards entrenching agency banking as such banking model affects only the Low Value Account, which is not a significant phenomenon."The policy is in tandem with the target objectives of the anti-money laundering laws and rules in order to meet international minimum standards as prescribed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an offshoot of the Organisation for Co-operation and Development in Europe, standards that have attained global acceptance," he said.

CBN’s reaction Commenting on these developments, CBN's Director of Communication, Ugochukwu Okoroafor, said the apex bank has only lowered the KYC requirement to allow the unbaked access to the financial system.

According to him, the regulator is interested in bringing small savers into the financial sector in line with its financial inclusion policy. He said the CBN is not over regulating the financial sector as claimed by some stakeholders.

A top CBN official further explained that the decision to relax the account opening requirements through categorisation was because one of the obstacles encountered by the low income people was the tedious documentation used for account opening.

‘The apex bank has only lowered the KYC requirement to allow the unbanked access to the financial system.

The regulator is interested in bringing small savers into the financial sector in line with its financial inclusion policy. The CBN is not over regulating the financial sector as claimed by some stakeholders’

The CBN said it intends to reduce the country's unbanked population by 20 per cent before year 2020. The plan is part of the regulator's financial inclusion strategy aimed at ensuring greater participation in the nation's financial sector.

CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department, 'Dipo Fatokun said the apex bank will work to ensure success of the strategy. According to him, a survey carried out in 2008 by an international agency, Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA), on access to financial services in the Nigeria revealed that banking penetration was relatively low with only 21 per cent of adult population in the country having access to banking services, while 74 per cent had never been banked.

The remaining five per cent, pr e v i o u s l y ban k e d , i n o t h e r words, had left the banking system, Fatokun added. Reasons adduced for lack of bank accounts by many are- proximity to financial service outlets, product complexity and cost of service.

He said: "The concerns for financial inclusion are valid as no nation can progress and develop if majority of its population is under banked or has no access to financial services. A good example is Kenya where it has been proved that a half percentage increase in their national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is attributable to mobile money transactions. Indian policy makers too, have embraced the importance of mobile money as the best solution for financial inclusion and economic growth."

Money laundering

On money laundering, Managing Director, DataPro, Abimbola Adeseyoju, called for the implementation of the asset seizure, confiscation and forfeiture policy of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to check money laundering in the country.

He said the anti-money laundering /combating the financial terrorism (AML/CFT) initiative was instituted by the CBN to ensure that financial crime perpetrators are punished, and they do not benefit from their crimes.

He advised that an acceptable framework that tallies with 'Recommendations Four of the Financial Action Task Force 2012 Principles', which is on asset seizure, confiscation and forfeiture should be implemented to check money laundering and terrorists financing. He said that the government should ensure that competent authorities have powers to freeze or seize laundered property or proceeds including instrumentalities used or intended to be used for money laundering or terrorism financing.

He said there was also need to allow such proceeds to be confiscated without requiring criminal prosecution otherwise called a non-conviction based confiscation approach. According to him, it is no longer required for an offender to demonstrate the lawful origin of the property before it is confiscated. He said once the offender's known source of income cannot provide the basis for such property, it should be enough room for confiscation and conviction.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

29

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

30

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-2-13

Investors move funds to bonds as equities slow down

I

NVESTORS appeared to be rebalancing their portfolios in favour of bonds as four-day consecutive decline at the equities market dampened investors’ appetite.

Turnover at the Over-theCounter (OTC) bond market, where Federal Government’s bonds are traded, improved considerably last week in contrast to the slow down at the equities market.

Investors staked N204.58 billion on 172.42 million units of bonds in 1,005 deals last week compared with a turnover of 152.116 million units worth N174.11 billion recorded in 912 deals two weeks ago.

However, turnover at the equities market slipped to N23.18 billion for 4.25 billion shares through 39,391 deals as against N24.69 billion staked on 3.57 billion shares in 39,321 deals in the previous week.

With investors reevaluating the prospects for mid and high-cap stocks, activities shifted to low-priced stocks.

Otherwise known as penny stocks, stocks trading around

By Taofik Salako

100 kobo to 200 kobo range were the most active stocks.

Unity Bank Plc, International Energy Insurance Company Plc and Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc were the three most active stocks, accounting for 20.92 per cent of total turnover for the week. Altogether, the three financial services stocks pooled a turnover of 888.79 million shares worth N700.62 million in 2,634 deals.

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc also recorded a turnover of 355.103 million shares valued at N698.511 million in 1,610 deals.

The financial services sector remained the main driver of activities with 76.53 per cent, 61.87 per cent and 60.51 per cent of total equity volume, value and number of deals during the week. The financial services sector recorded a turnover of 3.25 billion shares valued at N14.34 billion through 23,835 deals. Conglomerates sector staged a distant second position with a total turnover volume of 363.527 million shares worth

N964.618 million in 2,053 deals.

Losses by fast-moving consumer good (FMCGs) companies dragged the overall market to the negative. The All Share Index (ASI), which tracks prices of all equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), depreciated by 55.04 points or 0.17 per cent to close the week at 33,258.45 points.

Aggregate market value of all equities also dropped by 0.15 per cent to close at N10.643 trillion.

Although there were 51 gainers to 42 losers, the preponderance of mid and high-cap manufacturing stocks coloured market negative. Guinness Nigeria topped the losers’ list with a drop of N7.41 to close at N290.

Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria followed with a loss of N5.20 to close at N69. Total Nigeria dropped by N3.99 to close at N137.01. Forte Oil lost N2.41 to close at N14.26, while Flour Mills of Nigeria was down by N2.26 to close at N77.74 per share.

On the positive side, Nestle Nigeria led the gainers with a gain of N20.27 to close at N835.234. Okomu Oil Palm added N7.63 to close at N61.63. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria rose by N7.49 to close at N55.09. Mobil Oil Nigeria chalked up N5.53 to close at N125.97 while CAP rose by N2.36 to close at N36.10 per share.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-2-13

31

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

MONEY LINK

CBN to banks: pursue sustainable banking practice T HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has called on banks to pursue and implement issues itemized in the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Practice (NSBP).

In a circular to the lenders, Special Adviser to the CBN governor, on Sustainable Banking, A’sha Mahmood explained that the policy involves integration of social and environmental considerations into banks’ operations, services, procedures and strategies.

According to the CBN guidelines on the policy, the environmental and social policies as well as decision-making processes will also be integrated into the operations of discount houses and development finance institutions.

The sustainable banking practice, according to the state-

Stories by Collins Nweze

ment, aims at minimising or mitigating the negative impacts of financial institutions’ operations on the environment and local communities in which they operate. It also captures the Nigerian sustainable banking principle on agric sector, power sector and the oil and gas sector.

According to the regulator, for the successful implementation of the principles, the institutions would be required to develop a management approach that balances the environments and social (E&S) risks identified with the opportunities to be exploited through their business activities.

spread implementation of the principles and develop its institutional capacity to support the banks in their implementation of the principles,” it added.

While noting that the process of developing the sustainable banking principles and guidelines has so far been driven by the banks, the apex bank assured that it will create the enabling environment for banks to succeed in their implementation of the principles.

The CBN has also recently set new rules for lending to the agricultural sector of the economy. The decision was taken after reports from banks and discount houses indicated that lending to the subsector remains a high-risk, which should be followed with caution.

“The adoption of the principles will not only help banks in mitigating the E & S risks associated with their business operation and those of their clients, but also help them to achieve greater efficiencies and better position them to take advantage of opportunities in the global market place where environmental and social issues are becoming increasingly important.

“They will also enjoy higher productivity, higher staff morale, lower turnover and absenteeism due to strong employee relations and workplace practices. The CBN would need to provide the structural mechanism to encourage consistent and wide-

N

output, the bank said. Agricultural “areas adversely affected by the floods during the second half of 2012 were yet to recover fully from the impact.”

The fiscal deficit of the country rose to N420.8 billion or 3.9 per cent of economic output, in the fourth quarter. That compares with a targeted deficit of N284.1 billion for the period and a gap of N489.5 billion in the previous three months, the bank said. “The deficit was financed mainly from do-

T

HE World Economic Forum (WEF) in partnership with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) will conduct the Executive Opinion Survey 2013 in Nigeria between February and April 2013.

In a statement, the NESG said the Executive Opinion Survey, “The Voice of the Business Community” is a major component of The Global Competitiveness Report and provides the key ingredient that turns the Report into a representative annual measure of a nation’s economic environ-

•President Goodluck Jonathan

mestic sources, particularly through the issuance of additional Federal Government of Nigeria Bonds,” it said.

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

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

350m

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 15-2-13

SYMBOL UNILEVER ABCTRANS GLAXOSMITH JOHNHOLT NCR WAPIC CUTIX NASCON CORNERST IPWA

O/PRICE 47.00 0.60 52.47 1.21 15.96 1.35 1.60 9.20 0.69 0.75

C/PRICE 49.50 0.63 55.09 1.27 16.75 1.41 1.67 9.60 0.72 0.78

CHANGE 2.50 0.03 2.62 0.06 0.79 0.06 0.07 0.40 0.03 0.03

WEMABANK PRESTIGE ROYALEX ACADEMY UNITYBNK AIICO REDSTAREX UBN UBCAP PORTPAINT

O/PRICE 1.70 1.01 1.33 2.82 1.05 1.16 3.79 10.00 1.60 5.00

C/PRICE 1.53 0.91 1.20 2.55 0.95 1.05 3.54 9.39 1.52 4.75

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8

2-7-12 27-6-12

113m

155.7

22-6-12

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

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

Date

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

CHANGE 0.17 0.10 0.13 0.27 0.10 0.11 0.25 0.61 0.08 0.25

113m

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 15-2-13

SYMBOL

Nigeria will be engaged in this important and confidential survey, the NESG stressed that it was essential for each executive sampled to complete the survey to ensure that Nigeria has accurate and reliable data in the Report.

The Global Competitiveness Report has been the World Economic Forum’s flagship publication since 1979 and is widely recognized as the world’s leading cross-country comparison of factors affecting economic competitiveness and growth.

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

ment and its ability to achieve sustained growth.

The Survey gathers valuable information on a broad range of variables for which hard data sources are scarce or non-existent.

“Starting Monday, 18 February 2013, NESG Survey Administrators will administer questionnaires to a sample of high level business executives operating in Nigeria, to capture their opinions on the business environment in which they operate,” it said.

Given that only a sample of company executives in

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

ing these security vehicles to boost government’s effort at creating a safe and secure environment for residents and businesses in the state. This is also in appreciation of the partnership that exists between UBA and Ebonyi State government,” he said.

Okeke who led a team of top management staff of the Bank to make the presentation including Managing Director of UBA Foundation, Ijeoma Aso, Regional Bank Head, East Bank, Casmir Molokwu and Branch Manager of Abakaliki branch, Sam Agbo thanked the state government for providing a conducive atmosphere for the bank to carry out its operations in the state.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

T

HE UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has donated five security vehicles to Ebonyi State government, the lender said in a statement.

Presenting the vehicles, which include four Toyota Hilux jeeps and a van at the government house premises in Abakaliki, Executive Director East and Abuja, UBA Plc, Mr. Dan Okeke, in a statement, said the donation was the bank’s contribution to improving the security situation in Ebonyi state. “We at UBA have appraised the security situation in Ebonyi State and decided to make a commitment of support by donat-

WEF, NESG to conduct economic survey

‘Nigeria’s growth accelerated to 7.1% in Q4’ IGERIA economy expanded 7.1 per cent in the fourth quarter, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said. Growth was 6.9 per cent in the previous three months and 7.7 per cent in the same period the previous year, the bank said in a report on its website, citing figures from the National Bureau of Statistics.

The pickup was largely driven by industrial growth, with the non-oil sector expanding 8.2 per cent and accounting for 87 per cent of all

UBA Foundation donates vehicles to Ebonyi

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

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

32

LABOUR

TUC appeals to govt over research institutes’ strike T HE Chairman of the Kwara State Chapter of the Trade Union Congress, Mr Israel Adebisi, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to wade into the on-going industrial action by research institutes in Nigeria.

Adebisi told reporters in Ilorin that the action involved all research institutes, including those in the health, agriculture and education

Stories by Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

sectors.

“The development would have adverse effect on Nigeria’s quest to research breakthroughs. At present, we have all these research institutes scattered in many ministries. Our

demands include merger of all the institutes under a commission-the National Research Institutes Commission (NARICOM).

“We are also calling for adequate funding of the institutes, as well giving us the same privileges like is the case with universities and skipping

of one grade level as is done in government employment,’’ he said.

He said various member unions of the institutes have negotiated with some ministers since last year on their demands.

Adebisi said the research institutes started the strike on February 4, after the Federal Government failed to look into their demands, adding that Nigeria has more than 30 research institutes.

• An awardee Bob-Manuel displaying her certificate.

Lagos NUJ rewards excellence at training

T

HE Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council has rewarded members who excelled during its last computer training.

Presenting a computer set to the best student in the class, Enefaa BobManuel, the Lagos NUJ Chairman, Comrade Deji Elumoye, said the Council wants the best for its members, and would, therefore, update them on trainings that would make them compete favourably with colleagues elsewhere.

He added that the advanced computer education would accord the journalists the opportunity to build their capacity, and that this would ensure their maximum productivity.

Elumoye said beneficiaries of the four months’ course were drawn from all the union’s chapels in the state.

The beneficiary of the computer set, Bob-Manuel of the Federal Information chapel, said she was honoured. “I feel elated. It was a surprise though I was hoping for the best.”

The first quarter Computer School has started.

Rivers opens crèche From left: Ag. General Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Chris Uyot; former General Secretary, NLC, Comrade John Odah; Deputy President, Comrade Kiri Mohammed and President, Abdulwahed Omar, rejoicing after Odah was reinstated by the National Industrial Court at the Labour House, Abuja.

SSANU praises introduction of residential policy in LASU

T

HE Lagos State University (LASU) Chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has described the residential policy introduced in the university as good.

The policy is coming 30 years after the establishment of the institution.

The Chairperson of SSANU in LASU, Mrs Funmi Sessi, told The Nation that the development would bring relief, not only to students and staff, but to the management of the university.

She said the implementation of the residential policy would boost the quality profile of the university.

“We are, indeed, happy about this new policy, 30 years after. The

institution has been operating a non-residential policy. This development is going to improve the status of the institution and bring so much relief, especially to students, who have been subjected to a lot of mental and physical torture by some ‘shylock’ landlords.

“We will also have fewer reports of cases of our students being involved in anti-social activities as they will be accommodated right there on campus and their activities can be checked from time to time.

“The security of the students will be solely the responsibility of the institution and I want to believe that with this in place, the performance of the students will be enhanced,” Sessi said.

The institution’s Vice Chancellor,

Prof. John Obafunwa, had at a preconference of the university’s 18th convocation, announced the new policy.

He said the development was in line with the state government’s commitment to repositioning the university.

“One of the focal points of the present leadership in this university is to rebuild and reposition the institution, not only in terms of academic excellence and work ethics, but also in terms of corporate image.

“I want to seize this opportunity to announce that efforts are on to ensure that this university is made residential.

“Already, the Commissioner for works and Infrastructure, has put machinery in place to ensure that

• General Secretary, SSANU, Promise Adeyemi

the project is kick-started.

“The facilities for the project are already on ground. The site has been mapped out and survey carried out,” Obafunwa said.

RSUT accuses ASUU of blackmail

T

HE management of Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) has alleged that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is undermining its credibility for calling for a sanction on the varsity, saying its action amounts to blackmail.

The university’s spokesman, Mr Desmond Nwosu, said this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt.

ASSU’s National Executive Council at a meeting in Osun State, had called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to discipline the university.

A communiqué issued after the

meeting stated that the management of the university disregarded the rights of ASUU members to freedom of association and peaceful assembly in the university.

The communiqué described RSUST as a institution where mediocrity thrived and as such lacked the ability to produce quality graduates.

Nwosu said the university chapter of ASUU had refused to follow due process in notifying the university management before holding its meetings.

He said other unions in the university have always notified the university management prior to its meetings and as such enjoyed peace-

ful deliberations.

“The National Executive Council of ASUU is merely blackmailing the management of this university because Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said he followed due process in the re-appointment of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, and if they (ASUU) felt he did not follow due process, they should go to court. ”It is unfortunate that ASUU is calling on the National Universities Commission to sanction this university because NUC sent a delegation late last year to find out whether academic activities were going on here or not.

“They (NUC) found that what they read in the newspapers was differ-

ent from what is happening here on campus; they saw students sitting for examination and lecturers administering exams and were satisfied.

“They wrote us a letter commending the management of this university for not disrupting academic activities and our programmes for last section. ”A few lecturers that are out there (on strike), mainly the leadership of ASUU, RSUST branch, is carryingout press war against the management of this university. ”We are calling on a few of them out there to exercise restraint and come back to work because the strike is not supported by the public, students, and more than 85 per cent of

T

O improve the productivity of nursing mothers in the Rivers State Government Service and reduce the burden of child care for working mothers, a crèche has been established at the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs.

Speaking at the inaugurating of the facility, the Head of Service, Mr Samuel LongJohn, commended the ministry for championing the establishment of the crèche.

He urged nursing mothers to use the opportunity created by the crèche and be more productive at their places of work since their worries over their babies’well-being, while at work, would be over.

LongJohn approved more office space for the crèche to accommodate more children and tasked the ministry on sustenance and maintenance of the facility.

The immediate past Head of Service, Mrs Esther Anucha, described the crèche as a “good thing which will make life easy for the nursing mothers.

“Nursing mothers will work and relax with the feeling that their children are well-taken care of,” she said.

Anucha, who was the Chairman of the occasion, commended the Ministry of Women Affairs for achieving the feat, saying that it would go a long way to enhance the working mothers’ productivity.

In her address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Joeba West, said the crèche was the initiative of the state governor’s wife, Dame Patience Amaechi.

West said her ministry only executed the project, adding that the state government believed in “catching the children young for education.”

She explained that the crèche would be for children of three months to two years and that, a token, to be paid by mothers, would be given to the staff of the crèche.

West said trained minders and caregivers had been engaged to ensure adequate care for the children in the crèche.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

33

INSURANCE

Pension remittance: Recovery agents go after 8,584 defaulting firms T HE National Pension Commission (PenCoM) has made good its threat of recovering workers’pension deductions withheld by some employers.

It has asked Recovery Agents to collect all outstanding remitances. from defaulting firms. The exercise has recorded progress, according to the Chairman of the Pension Operators of Nigeria (PenOp), Mr Dave Udeanu.

Udeanu told The Nation that the Recovery Agents have visited 8,584 of 15,760 defaulting firms.

He said:“Recovery agents appointed by the National Pension Commission to go after companies, or organisations that failed to remit their employees’ contributions to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), have made progress by visiting 8,584 of such firms and recovered various amounts from some of them.”

He said as at the end of January,

Stories by Uyoatta Eshiet

the liabilities from the firms visited stood at N2.5 billion. Demand notices have been sent to them; the accounts of the Pension Fund Custodians to remit the monies and how the remitances should be made have been forwarded to them.”

The Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004 made it compulsory for companies seeking government business to present certificates of compliance, which indicates that they are meeting the regulation on staff pension contributions.

The PRA 2004 also mandates employers with minimum of five staff to subscribe to the new pension scheme.

To ensure enforcement of the law, the commission said employers who fail to remit their pension contributions would pay two per

cent surcharge, two weeks after deductions have been made by them.

PenCom noted that employers are to remit employees contributions not later than seven working days from the day salary is paid, adding that if the default persists after three months, one per cent of the outstanding would be paid to the commission.

The co The Organised Private Sector (OPS) has taken over the lead in pension contributions from the public sector which has been at the fore-front since 2004 when the contributory scheme became operational.

Udeanu said the OPS has performed tremendously well, as organisations in the sector are complying with the scheme by remitting their contributions promptly.

He said: “The organised private sector has done very well. Often time, we talk of the public sector, but we should give credit to the private sector, for most of them treat pension as they treat salary.

It is important to encourage them for they have turned out to be the strongest pillar or supporters of the scheme. The private sector has overtaken the public sector in terms of registration of contributors.”

Udeanu also disclosed that as part of efforts aimed deepening the sector, pension operators and the National Pension Commission (PenCom) are working out ways of integrating the over 40 million workers in the informal sector into the scheme. He noted that the framework to that effect will soon be finalised.

He said PenCom will also before the end of the first quarter of this year, incorporate a multi-fund structure for Retirement Saving Accounts (RSA) funds, into the amended investment guidelines.

“The decision to introduce the

multi-fund structure in the first quarter of 2013` is to allow enough time for public education and sensitisation by the commission and also allow operators enough time to be ready to implement the structure.

“The multi-fund would be primarily differentiated by their overall exposure to variable income instruments and a contributor’s choice of funds may be limited based on the age of the contributor. Also the multi-fund structure would likely also allow for the introduction of a non-interest or ethical fund,” he said.

The Managing Director, Legacy Pension Managers Limited, Mr Misbahu Yola, said most of the big companies treat pension deduction and remittance the same way they treat salaries. This is what it is supposed to be, he said; adding that it is important to encourage them.

He said when the scheme started initially, employers felt it was another burden on them but that now most of them understand what they government meant by taking that decision.

He, however, said many employers are not still complying.

Mutual Benefits aims high

M

•From left: Deputy President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr Ayodapo Shoderu; President, Mrs Laide Osijo; Lead Consultant, IKK Consultancy, Mr Samuel Korode and Honourary Auditor of Council, Mrs Bola Onigbogi at the NCRIB retreat in Lagos.

PFAs pay N12b into life annuity accounts

P

ENSION Fund Administrators (PFA) paid N12.09 billion to some life insurance companies for life annuity bought by retirees as at December 31, last year.

Speaking on Issues arising from marketing of retirement annuities, at a workshop in Lagos, the Head of Benefits and Insurance, National Pension Commission, Mr Olulana Loyinmi, said Section Four of the Pension Reform Act 2004 provides that an employee can, on retirement, make withdrawals from his Retirement Savings Account (RSA).

Such withdrawal, he said, could be monthly or quarterly based on his life expectancy of life annuity bought from a life insurance company.

He said the retired worker can as also withdraw a lump sum from the balance in his RSA account provided that the amount left in the account after the withdrawal is enough to fund the life annuity or a programmed withdrawal of not less than 50 per cent of his yearly remuneration at the date of retirement.

He explained that retirement by life annuity under contributory pension scheme started in 2010, adding that as at last year, only 10 life assurance firms in the country were licensed to transact retirement annuity business.

The PenCom official stated that as at the end of 2012, 2,343 retirees were on annuity, while the total life annuity premium paid amounted to N12.09 billion and total monthly pension by annuity averaged N118.06 million.

The Acting Director-General of PenCom, Mrs Chinelo AnohuAmazu, said a major challenge facing annuity business in the country is inadequate sensitisation and public enlightenment on the expectations from stakeholders.

She said annuity is a contract between the annuitant and a service provider, usually an insurance company for the payment of an agreed amount of money at given intervals to the annuitant. She said there are different types of annuity, but the one recommended under the Pension Reform Act 2004, is life annuity, which seeks

to guarantee income for retirees until they die.

Mrs. Amazu said life annuity, one of the modes of withdrawing retirement benefits under the pension reform law is a regular income received from a life insurance firm in consideration for payment of premium, or transfer of the accumulated savings standing in the retirement savings of a worker or part of it at the time of retirement.

UTUAL Benefits Assurance Plc said it has positioned itself to take over as the leading insurance firm in the country in the next three years.

To realise its plans, the underwriting company disclosed that it has undertaken strategic investments in various sectors of the economy.

The Group Managing Director (GMD), Akin Ogunbiyi, in an interview with The Nation, said:“With a lot of successes already recorded in the retail space of the insurance market, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc is expanding beyond insurance into property, housing development; mass transportation and investment in other subsidiaries within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

“We want to be number one in the industry by 2015 in all fundamentals,” he said.

On the company’s performance in 2012, the helmsman said though the result has not been released, he is sure the company would record about 35 per cent growth in premium volume, adding that the company achieved premium income of N10.7 billion in 2011, and made a profit before tax of N916.9 million, as against N892.2 million in 2010.

Its profit after tax rose from N758.4 million in 2010 to N763.8 million in 2011, while claims settlement increased from N731.5 million in 2010 to N1.02 billion in the 2011 financial period.

Ogunbiyi said the underwriting firm has invested N3 billion in the development of Mutual Alpha

Courts at Costain, Lagos, adding that the work had reached about 75 per cent completion stage.

He said the firm’s investment in marginal oil field was almost at its completion stage, while other investments were yielding returns in line with its projection.

He said with a workforce in excess of 4,000, the firm is pulling long terms funds that leave room for more expansion in other sectors of the economy.

He said the company’s success story is also hinged on the quality of its product offerings, adding that the firm has in its offerings, 45 different products, which allow the insured to make savings for the future.

“What we have done is to design our products to reach the mass market. The premiums are as low as N50 daily and these have offered the lower class of the society, the market women and the artisans the opportunity to get insured” According to him, beyond its huge investment in the Lagos Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project, it has invested in the Imo State Transport Company (ITC).

“Before we came into ITC to provide vehicles for the company, it was almost moribund and, today, life has returned in that company and the state government is happy with us,” Ogunbiyi said.

We are not stopping there; rather, we are determined to make insurance more relevant in the economy by providing long term funding for development of other sectors, he added.

LASPEC advises retirees on wills

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HE Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) has advised retiring civil servants to write wills while they are still alive.

The Director-General, Mr Rotimi Hussain, said a will is an essential document in the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Hussain, who gave the advice during a retirement seminar organised by LASPEC in partnership with some Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for workers billed to retire from the state public service between January and

June, said: “The erroneous belief in many quarters is that if you prepare your will, you may die early.This is not the case. Preparation of a will is not a licence to early; rather it is an essential document which allows beneficiaries or next-of-kin to unfettered access to the estate when eventually left behind by the benefactor.”

Explaining further, the DirectorGeneral said: “If a person died intestate without a will, the beneficiaries would be required to provide a letter of administration from the Probate Registry of a Law

Court before they could access the balance in the Retirement Savings Account.

He said: “Obtaining the Letter of Administration is always a difficult task, considering the time and finances involved.

“Lagos State Pension Commission is already exploring the possibility of identifying reputable organisations who will assist workers in the area of will preparation,” he said.

He noted that the pre-retirement seminar was designed to help retirees on pensions.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18 , 2013

34

EQUITIES WATCH

Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk

Sterling Bank posted a full year return of 71.29 per cent in 2012, twice the rate of average return in the capital market during the period. It opened today with a year-to-date return of 61.85 per cent, more than thrice the overall market's average return so far this year. Has Sterling Bank's market consideration reached its intrinsic value? TAOFIK SALAKO examines the upside potential for the lender in the light of its fundamentals and probable earnings

I

N nearly 14 months, investors have earned more than 177 per cent gain on Sterling Bank Plc. While the general recovery at the stock market has seen substantial increases in values of quoted companies, some stocks have been quite exceptional. Sterling Bank has proven to be an outstandingly bullish stock since last year.

The stock market posted average full-year return of 35.4 per cent in 2012. This implied accretion of some N2.44 trillion in capital gains to investors in 2012. The All Share Index (ASI), the common value-based index that tracks changes in prices of all quoted companies, closed 2012 at 28,078.81 points as against its opening index of 20,730.63 points for the year. Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted equities also rose from its opening value of N6.533 trillion to close the year at N8.974 trillion, indicating capital gains of N2.44 trillion.

Sterling Bank's market consideration appreciated by 71.29 per cent in 2012, pushing through the opening price of N1.01 and a low of 80 kobo to close at N1.73. This overrode the negative return of 56.28 per cent recorded in 2011. Sterling Bank also started this year with a sprint, opening today with a year-to-date return of 61.85 per cent, more than 43 percentage points above ASI's return of 18.45 per cent. This represents one of the highest returns in the banking sector. Banks generally are running ahead of the market. The NSE Banking Index opened today with a year-to-date return of 30 per cent.

Valuing the fundamentals But in spite of the significant capital gain in recent period, Sterling Bank's share price still appears to be lagging behind fundamental performance. From the rubbles of the banking crisis, Sterling Bank emerged with improving operational earnings. Latest operational report showed almost a double in gross earnings and 64 per cent increase in profit after tax. Interim report and accounts of the bank for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012 showed substantial growths across key performance indicators, improving prospects for considerable improvement in dividends for the business year.

The report indicated 92.6 per cent growth in gross earnings, underlining the success of the lender's bank-focused business strategy. Interest income had doubled by 109.9 per cent while net interest income jumped by 84 per cent. Profit before tax thus rose by 58.5 per cent. Sterling Bank grossed N50.74 billion by third quarter 2012 as against N26.35 billion recorded in comparable period of 2011. Interest income leapt to N39.56 billion in 2012 compared with N18.85 billion in corresponding period of 2011. While interest expenses increased from N8.97 billion to N21.37 billion, net interest income also nearly doubled from N9.88 billion to N18.19 billion. Non-interest income increased by 49 per cent to N11.2 billion as against N7.5 billion. Altogether,

What headroom for Sterling Bank? operating income rose by 78 per cent from N15.9 billion to N28.3 billion. Consequently, profit before tax jumped from N3.01 billion to N4.77 billion. After taxes, net profit distributable to shareholders increased from N2.74 billion to N4.49 billion.

Besides, the report showed strong and quality balance sheet with growing deposit base and increasing lending activities underpinned by reduction in the proportion of non-performing loans to total loans from 4.8 per cent in December 2011 to 2.4 per cent

by September 2012. Customers' deposits increased from N392.05 billion to N433.98 billion. Loans and advances similarly improved from N164.3 billion to N229.43 billion. Total assets also rose to N564.06 billion from N504.72 billion Earnings analysis showed earnings per share of 29 kobo for third quarter 2012 compared with 22 kobo in similar period of 2011. Annualized, earnings per share could be about 39 kobo for the 2012 business year.

However, further consolidation in the fourth quarter could lead to higher full-year earnings. At share price, the net earnings indicated strong double-digit returns for Sterling Bank. Earnings yield, based on the third quarter report, stands at 10.4 per cent.

This could extend to about 14 per cent at the conservative annualised rate. Sterling Bank's earnings and probable dividend yields are within the most attractive bracket for the banking industry, especially within the mid-tier category.

A strong performance for 2012, barring any untoward development in the fourth quarter, would steady the growth trajectory of Sterling Bank, which had pulled through 2011 with appreciable growths in the topline and the bottom-line. Audited report and accounts of the bank for the year ended December 31, 2011 had showed robust growths in incomes and profitability as well as improvements in assets quality and returns.

Gross earnings rode on the back of 110 per cent growth in non-interest income and 23 per cent growth interest-based incomes to N45.2 billion in 2011 as against N30.4 billion in 2010, indicating an increase of 49 per cent. Interest income had increased from N24.5 billion in 2010 to N30.2 billion.

Operating income also grew by 32 per cent to N27.0 billion in 2011 compared with N20.4 billion in 2010. Profit after tax and extra-ordinary income thus jumped by 60 per cent to N6.7 billion in 2011 as against N4.2 billion in 2010. The bank emerged with a stronger and healthier balance sheet as the proportion of bad loans to total loans and advances surpassed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)'s industry target of five per cent at 4.8 per cent. Non-performing loans had stood at 10.7 per cent of gross loans in 2010. Sterling Bank's total balance

sheet nearly doubled from N259.6 billion in 2010 to N504.4 billion in 2011. Total deposits doubled by 104 per cent to N406.5 billion as against N199.3 billion while the bank expanded its risks assets as net loans and advances rose by 60 per cent to N163.5 billion from N101.9 billion in 2010. Shareholders' funds also grew by 56 per cent from N26.3 billion to N41.0 billion. Sterling Bank had distributed a dividend per share of 10 kobo for the 2011 business year. Earnings per share had stood at 51 kobo in 2011 as against 33 kobo in 2010. The payout for 2011 had implied a dividend cover of 5.10 times.

The dividend payout for 2011 has been used as baseline for projection of possible cash payout for the 2012 business year.

Long-term prospects But several investors are still cautious about the outlook for the banking sector.

Beyond the improving fundamentals of banks, there are still palpable fears of policy summersaults, corporate governance issues and heterogeneous external and domestic changes that tend to reshape the industry.

While several analysts' reports have underlined the relative undervaluation of the Nigerian banking industry compared with other emerging markets, the reins on industry's revaluation are macroeconomic and industry policy risks. But farsightedness, stable management, long-term strategic corporate plan and corporate goodwill could mitigate the adverse impact of any unforeseen change on a bank's longterm performance.

Sterling Bank appeared to be in better stead than several banks in terms of stable management, corporate planning and goodwill. Already, the bank has outlined eightyear plan strategic growth plan aimed at building a globally competitive financial franchise with strong fundamental performance and sustainable returns to shareholders. The 2011-2019 strategic growth plan details key identifiable goals and parameters for measuring performance of the bank, giving a directional outlook for yearon-year assessment of management performance. Overall, the bank plans to build a fully scaled business model with institutionalised processes that will endure beyond the stewardship of current owners and management while transforming into a systemically important operator that impact significantly on all segments of its business over the long period.

Within the immediate future, Sterling Bank's fundamental targets include double digit annual growth in gross earnings, diversified income streams with leading positions in all segments of operations as well as a diverse retail funding base. Besides, the bank said it will strive to keep non-

•Sterling Bank MD, Mr Yemi Adeola

performing loans below five per cent of gross loans and advances, focus on singledigit cost of funds and consolidate on products and services that would make the institution the consumer banking franchise of choice to customers. Some of the key performance indices to measure the feat of the bank include return on average equity, non-performing loan/gross loan ration, cost-to-income ratio, revenue growth, loan growth, deposit growth, total assets, sources of funding and capital adequacy among others.

Commenting on the strategic outlook of the bank, its Managing Director, Mr Yemi Adeola, said: "The outcome we seek is to become the financial institution of choice through the creation of exceptional value for all our stakeholders: employees, shareholders, customers, business, communities where we operate, partners, vendors, the financial services industry and the country as a whole."

He said the lender's performance so far reflected the continuing success of the i's strategic growth initiatives as it continued to draw benefits from the seamless integration of Equitorial Trust Bank. According to him, Sterling Bank has been well positioned to capture emerging growth opportunities with customer-centric approach to financial services and products.

He assured that the bank would consolidate on the progress made so far and sustain its drive towards building retail deposits with a view to achieving its corporate goals.

As investors await the full-year report for 2012 and interim reports for 2013, good earnings outlook could create further headroom for Sterling Bank's share price. With analysts harping on fundamentals as decisive pricing factors going forward, investors would tend to favour stocks with relatively high and stable yields.

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Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

35

• Psackaging materials and processing machine

Many companies are breaking away from the traditional world of packaging products. They have embraced a concept known as pelting, which experts say, is a veritable means of creating jobs, AKINOLA AJIBADE writes.

More jobs as pelting takes packaging I to new height

T is no longer fashionable to package products the way companies used to do. Many firms had broken away from tradition to adopt the modern means of packaging known as pelting. Pelting?

Yes, it is the process of converting skin, fur and other related raw materials into useful packaging items like sachets, aluminum foils, tetra paks, among others.

The concept has redefined the manner in which Fast Moving Consumable Goods (FCMG) are packaged.

Pelting enable companies to produce goods in convenient, light, flexible and disposable packs. In the United States (US) and Europe, firms are offering some of their products in sachets, aluminum foils and other forms of packages.

They may have adopted this approach

because it is cost effective to produce such packs, compared to bottles, among other traditional means of packaging.

Nigeria has joined the train. Many companies are redesigning the packs in which they offer their products.

Among them are Friesland Campina, Promasidor Nigeria, Nestle Nigeria, Cadbury Nigeria, Glaxo Smith Beecham, Nigerian Breweries, Unilever Nigeria, Chivita Nigeria Limited, Dangote, Fumman Nigeria Limited, Nigerian Bottling Company, and pharmaceutical firms.

According to experts, pelting has widened

job prospects for graphic artists, printers, suppliers, quality control and laboratory officers, drivers, technicians and factory workers. They said a paradigm shift is occurring in the packaging industry, adding that people that are technologically driven would get jobs.

A Quality Control Officer at Alufoils Nigeria Limited, Mr Michael John, said pelting is the in-thing globally, adding that the concept has the potential to create jobs.

Alufiols produces packages for companies.

John said conglomerates are sparring no efforts in offering their products in sachets and

tetra paks, adding that the development is creating jobs for people who have expertise in those areas.

He said packaging firms are adding tetra paks and sachets to their lines of production to foster growth. This, he said, is creating jobs for some people. He said more people would get jobs because companies are looking for a cost effective and flexible ways of offering their products to consumers. This, he added, is evident by their decision to import or source materials locally to produce such packs.

He said: “Three different job opportunities are opening up in the nation’s packaging industry. First are the manufacturing companies that are adopting pelting as the new packaging concepts, and further employ people who can fit into the •Continued on page 36

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

36

JOBS

Pelting takes packaging to new height •Continued from page 35 system. Secondly, are the packaging firms that are buying new machines to produce sachets, among other packs. Thirdly, are people who supply materials to packaging outfits. This shows that there are lots of job prospects in the packaging industry. Besides, new packaging firms are springing up in the country.

“A packaging firm employs an average of 500 people depending on its size, adding that many of such companies would be established to meet the needs, as they arise.

We have fewer number of packaging companies in the country. With time, hundreds of such companies would be established, once the economy improves. Though it is difficult to mention the number of people that would be employed in the packaging industry, thousands would get jobs because the demand for packaging items, such as sachets, aluminum foils and tetra paks is huge.”

He said the nation’s aluminum industry has cut its production due to certain problems,

arguing that the development has affected companies that produce crown corks, and cans for breweries and soft drinks companies.

“The losses in one sector are gains in another. What is happening in the aluminum industry is a plus for the packaging companies, that now increase their production. This has brought a corresponding increase in the number of people needed to produce packs for manufacturers, “he added.

He said pelting has opened up opportunities for unemployed, advising them to use it well.

The former secretary, Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers, Mr Aderemi Adegboyega, said there are different layers of jobs in the manufacturing and allied fields. He said there is no area of the sector that does not have its own job potential. He advised the government to help in fostering economic growth. He said every aspect of production can be improved by employing more hands. He said companies’ decision to develop new packages has not only

• Minister of Labour Emeka Wogu

boosted their operations, it has provided opportunities for people to get jobs.

According to him, many people would be employed as companies continue to fashion out new methods of packaging their products. He said at the heart of packaging is crea-

tive, adding that people that are highly creative would get jobs. He said as companies produce sachets and tetra paks for their products, more people are coming into employment nets.

A former production manager, Vono Nigeria Plc, Mr Segun Babayanju, said technology has simplified the processes of producing packages for consumable goods.

Babayeju said ‘pelting’ has helped in creating millions of jobs in Europe, arguing that it would take some time before Nigeria optimises the opportunities in it.

“Considering the size of the economy, a company that adopts ‘pelting’ as a concept should be able to create seasonal and nonseasonal jobs for people. Seasonal jobs have to do with employment. For instance, let’s say we have 6,000 companies producing consumable goods in the country, each of them is expected to employ more workers to make the idea works. I know the companies are more than that. Even at that, over 100,000 jobs would be created in the future if the companies are serious enough, “ he said. He added that conglomerates like Nestle Nigeria, Cadbury Nigeria and Unilever Nigeria know what it takes to offer their products in sachets, adding that they employ competent people to handle such issues.

Babayanju said government’s roles are critical to the success of the real sector, advising it to provide an environment that is suitable for economic growth.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Ikazoboh becomes Canada-based IISD director

T

• Ikazoboh

HE former Interim Administrator of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Emmanuel Ikazoboh, has been appointed a member of the Board of Directors of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).

The institute is a public policy research think tank that contributes to sustainable development by advancing policy recommendations on international trade and investment, economic policy, climate change and energy, natural and social capital.

Ikazoboh is a former Managing Partner/Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte West & Central Africa. He and Papa Kwesi Nduom, the Convention People’s Party’s flag bearer for the 2008 elections in Ghana, are the only two Africans on the board of IISD that has 25 members.

Ikazoboh was welcomed to IISD meeting in Ottawa, Canada last month.

In the appointment letter, IISD said of Ikhazoboh: “Given your experience and areas of action, as well as your deep understanding

of the region’s priorities, your name would be an outstanding addition to our Board.”

Ikazoboh, who is the Executive Chairman of Hedonmark Management Services Limited, was the interim administrator of the NSE between August 2010 and April last year.

He studied Finance and Accounting at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos. He holds an MBA in Financial Management and Marketing of the Manchester University Business School.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants and of the Nigeria Institute of Taxation.

He has over 25 years experience in the management of high profile advisory assignments for Federal Government institutions, state governments and private sector clients, in Nigeria.

He has attended leadership and senior management courses with Deloitte and was one of the helmsmen seconded to Kellogg Senior Management School at the Northwestern University Chicago.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

10 things that can go wrong with your job search (III)

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OOKING for job is not fun.

Not at all. It can be lonely, frustrating and discouraging.

And it can be tough on your ego.

But then, it is something nearly everybody past the age of consent will have to go through; at least once in a life – time, most likely five times. And like most things, there is a right way of going about finding a good job ... well not exactly – if what you are expecting is a fool-proof mathematical formula!

Really, more accurate thing to say is that these is a way of looking for work that definitely increase your chances of finding a good job, and there is also a way that not only reduces these chances, but also makes your job search miserable and discouraging to the bargain.

True, it is possible to get a good job today even when you doing everything ‘the wrong way’. But the point is this: The more you know about what works and what does not in job search, the better the chances that you will be one of those to get the dream jobs, which was the purpose of this series. Let us proceed to examine the last three factors that they injure your chances of getting a good job in the shortest possible time.

• Poor conduct and presentation.

“Qualifications are important,” said one respondent in a survey, “but it is the whole person that I

By Olu Oyeniran

am interested in. How much does that person come across? How enthusiastic is this person. How positive is this individual? That is so important.” But how do you communicate this in the course of job interview? It is not only about what you will say, but also about how you say it, including nonverbal expression. Findings upon findings indicated that within the first few minutes of any personal meeting with somebody who has the power to hire you or screen you out, the decision has pretty much been made.

And to your personality/traits.

For example, are you stable?

Don’t answer yes or no. Employer has their way of discovering people with extreme behaviour of any type: inability to stay focused on an issue, disorganisation beyond the normal range, personal drive for success and achievement, honesty and integrity, people and interpersonal skills, dependability, loyalty, sense of responsibility etc. Good candidates who cannot effectively communicate their ‘goodness’ have lost out in the race for good jobs notwithstanding their impressive credentials.

• Poor interview skills as competence as often said in this column. There are basically five questions you • Why are you here?

• What can you do for us?

• What kind of a person are you?

• What distinguish you from the other if people who have the same ability as you have? And finally: • Can we afford you?

So, if a job seeker does not have answers to these questions before any interview, then he/she hasn’t started to look for work.

When an interviewer looks at your resume and says: “You’ve been out of work for quite some time, haven’t you?” Or when you resume reveals a record of perhaps six jobs in eight years or when you are considered too young, too old, too short for heavy etc. Do you have defence for these questions and other uncomfortable questions that may come up?

• Ineffective job hunt strategy. If you are not going to anywhere in particular, any road will lead you there. For us, the fundamental of job hunt strategy is to determine your job target/objectives i.e, which job would you want to do.

Where, in terms of which sector or industry or company or geographic locale. In short, you need to construct a thoughtful, practical and achievable job target/objective statement. A job that’s “interesting”, “challenging” that offers “opportunity” for “personal growth” or “personal expression” look good and adorable as job objectives. But they are inadequate unless tied to some fairly concrete goals: How much? Where (industry, location, level, etc. And it is

such beautiful prose of no value, or sometimes bombastic phrases that recruitment personnel see most of the time. Most of them consider them empty and irritating If we assume that you have your job objectives /target, the question then, how do you reach this objective? How do you get a shot at your dream job without which you stand no chance of getting it at all?.

For most job hunters, opportunity rarely knocks, not even once.

Job seekers who want to succeed will have to do the knocking, the digging, the searching. It must be done actively or better still, proactively. You have to develop your own leads, and figure out the test way to follow them up. Most job hunters rely on the conventional route. Unfortunately, the conventional route is in job hunting is crowded. The odds are long, and the going is slow.

One of the worst mistakes you can make in a job search is to stop moving forward: to sit back and wait for jobs or job leads to locate them, for employers, for recruitment agencies to call, for job advertisements that appeal to you to appear in the newspapers. Most job seekers spend 90 per cent of their time working hard to fail by doing just that - waiting!

Babies are born everyday. But that is not to say that the process of conception to delivery is a sure,

certain and riskless endeavour.

Many things can, and often go wrong, ending the story in an entirely different, sometimes tragic direction.

Many things can be wrong with your job search, which may be responsible for your prolonged stay in the unemployment queue.

These last three articles were not meant to weigh you down; but to give you a framework to execute your job search campaign. It can also give you a rear-mirror view for the purposes of correcting your ‘unforced errors’. So, it is useful in evaluating your efforts and strategies employed so far in the quest for that your dream job.

And then seek to change things that need be done differently.

People get jobs everyday. Yours is at hand.

A personal NOTE to you: The job market in Nigeria is competitive.

Passing aptitude tests is not enough. Give yourself a bigger and unfair advantage. Visit www.jobsearchhow.com.ng/ jobhuntingmanual for more information.

•Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Assoiciates & Author. Author Jobsearchguru’s Job-Hunting Manual. Website: Jobsearchhow.com,ng Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

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MOTORING THE NATION

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

With a new model just around the corner, the 2013 Chevrolet Impala gets just a few minor changes, including a new Luxury Edition package, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO with agency addition

•Chevrolet Impala

Chevrolet Impala: stylish, roomy, refined I

T has been seven years since Chevy’s flagship sedan has enjoyed a major overhaul and even longer since it was redesigned from the ground up. That alone makes the 2013 Chevrolet Impala difficult to recommend, but it gets even harder when you realise that an all-new, dramatically improved replacement is on its way.

While this year’s Impala still offers a roomy interior and good reliability, the full-size sedan segment is crowded with competing models that best this long-in-the-tooth model in terms of styling, performance, quality and refinement. The minor upgrades for 2013 include a new Luxury Edition package that bundles leather upholstery, heated poweradjustable front seats, a premium Bose audio system and a few other niceties, yet these enhancements are not nearly enough to tip the scales in its favour.

The Impala full-size sedan is offered in three trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ. Five seats are standard, but an optional 40/20/40 it to seat on the LS and LT trims brings six.

Standard features on the entry-level LS include 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry, cruise control, air-conditioning, a six-way power driver seat, full power accessories, a tilt-only leatherwrapped steering wheel, OnStar emergency communications, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.

Moving up to the LT gets you 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, remote ignition, dual-zone manual climate control, a leatherwrapped shift knob, a trip computer and a folding rear seat with a center armrest.

The top-of-the-line LTZ adds 18-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, heated mirrors, heated power front seats (eight-way driver, six-way passenger), leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system.

Options include a sunroof (available on LT and LTZ only) and a new Luxury Edition package that adds many of the LTZ’s extras to LT models.

The new Chevy Impala comes only with a 3.6-litre V6 that puts out a healthy 300 horse-

•Interior of the car

power and 262 pound-feet of torque. A sixspeed automatic transmission and frontwheel drive are standard. EPA fuel economy estimates are 18 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.

The Impala’s list of standard safety features includes antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front seat side-impact airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Also standard is GM’s OnStar service, which includes automatic crash notification, an emergency assistance button, remote door unlock and stolen vehicle assistance.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Impala the top ranking of “Good” in both its frontal-offset and side-impact tests,

but the second-best rating of “Acceptable” in the roof strength test.

The car offers a spacious passenger cabin with room for five. Opt for the available front bench seat and you have a sedan with seating for six, something that is a rarity nowadays. And in this world of ever-increasing technological complexity, the Impala’s simple stereo will certainly be welcomed by many.

However, the fact remains that the Impala simply lacks many of the bells and whistles that make more modern cars technologically complex in the first place. The cabin’s design is also outdated compared to most of its competitors, while the materials do not

measure up to those found in many of GM’s more recent models. One glimpse at the upcoming all-new Impala will reveal just how behind the times the current model is.

While the Impala’s trunk offers a generous 18.6 cubic feet of cargo room, the fold-down rear seatback is optional and does not split 60/ 40. This means that sooner or later one will have to choose between carrying a rear seat passenger and bringing home that extra-long Bjorgen box from Ikea.

The car’s performance is something of a mixed bag. The 300-hp V6 (just introduced last year), delivers acceleration on par with many of its competitors, plus respectable fuel economy.

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85TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING On Wednesday 13th February, 2013 (3rd Rabi’ul Thani, 1434) Council sitting was presided over by the Gov. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso FNSE during which 23 memoranda were submitted by 8 MDAs for deliberation. An expenditure of N2,133,263,481.00 was approved for the execution of 18 projects. Thus; OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT This Office submitted nine (9) memoranda on behalf of some MDAs for deliberation by the Council as follows; a. Presentation on the requirements for the establishment of Industrial Clusters in Kano State and recommendation on the Entrepreneurship Development Center (EDC) Project funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN):Complying with an Executive directive issued by the Council at its sitting held on Wednesday 8th August, 2012 the Hon. Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism/ Chairman Committee on Entrepreneurship Development submitted suggestions on the two issues mentioned above through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government which presented them as follows; i.

Establishment of Industrial Clusters: * That Industrial Cluster as a Sectoral and Geographical Concentration of Small/Medium Enterprises can effectively take-off with the followings; a) Provision of appropriate (5-7 hectares) piece of Land; b) Provision of Drainage System (both external and internal); and c) Provision of Infrastructure such as Electricity and Water. * That the major advantage of the Industrial Clusters is greater focusing of public resources at one axis with firms in the Cluster benefiting from localization of economic activities since large pool of trained Specialized Personnel will enhance inter-firm technology and information transfer. * That the Industrial Clusters can add significant value to the productive process, particularly because they are established based on comparative advantage that cost efficiency could be achieved with regard to joint planning, training, input purchase, and marketing for members of each respective Cluster. There is also the shared facility advantage. ii. Entrepreneurship Development Center (EDC): • That the EDC/CBN project/program situated at Murtala Muhammad Library will end in the year 2013 but Opportunity Industrialization Center (OIC) is arranging for an extension and upon expiration of the project the State Government will take over and support the OIC by paying rent for the Office at Dawaki Road, Kano for the next extension.

• That the program will be handled by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute with the classes/equipment at the Murtala Muhammad Library serving as outreach for the Institute to conduct Short Courses such as Seminars and Symposia.

• That the program of the EDC be integrated into the curriculum of the 18 Specialized Institutes established to train students in developing their skills in establishing business that will lead to self-employment, wealth creation, and economic empowerment/growth.

• That the State Government to sponsor some of the students of the 18 established Institutes by paying the CBN mandatory fee of N5,000 each to enable them acquire the required skills to successfully start, manage, diversify and expand business for self-employment and its generation.

Council noted, considered, and approved; • The Hon. Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning to identify and allocate a suitable site for the establishment of the Industrial Cluster in the State.

• The EDC project of the CBN to be taken over and the facilities put into use. b. Request for funds to facilitate the payment of Sitting Allowances to the Standing Committee on Investment Climate for Six (6) Months (July-December, 2012) as well as the provision of Operational Funds:Government has been putting everything in place to attract foreign and indigenous investors to the State by providing enabling environment. Setting and operating business/industrial enterprises are now much easier with the establishment of Kano State Geographic Information System and a “One Stop Shop” at the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism. Request for and allocation of land for industrial purposes is now treated with a dispatch under the new system named “One Stop Shop”.

To attract investor a Standing Committee was setup by the Government for such purpose. This explains the prayers of this memorandum submitted by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government requesting on behalf of the Standing Committee on Investment Climate approval for the release of the sum of N1,810,000.00 to facilitate the payment of sitting allowances of the seven (7) member Committee and provide for their Operational Funds.

Council approved the release of the requested sum of N1,810,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to enable; • Payment of Sitting allowances of 7 member Committee according to the details presented = N1,380,000.00 • Operational Funds for the Committee = N430,000.00 c.

Request for funds to settle Six (6) Media Outlets for airing and publishing the activities of the State Government on Quarterly basis:The incumbent administration under the leadership of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso FNSE is concerned and pays attention to the upkeep of the general environment especially the dwelling places of people in the State. The activities of Refuse Management and Sanitation Agency (REMASAB) as steered by the Ministry of Environment, KNUPDA (under the guidance of Ministry of Land and Physical Planning), etc attest to this. In addition, a Standing Committee was inaugurated to spearhead all issues to do with improvement/provision of the Drainage System.

As such, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted a request on behalf of the Standing Committee on Drainage for the release of the sum of N11,678,031.00 to settle six (6) media outlets for the services rendered to the Committee on quarterly basis. Details were submitted on how the fund will be expended.

Council approved the release of the sum of N8,278,031.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to enable the Committee settle/cater the payment for placement of jingles in both print and electronic media for a period of three (3) Months. d. Presentation on the Retirement of KNAP project Coordinator and Forwarding two Names of Senior Officers for Consideration for eventual Appointment of any one of them as the New Project Coordinator:The Office of Secretary to the State Government made a submission, on behalf of the Ministry of Environment, regarding the retirement of the project Coordinator KNAP from the Services of Kano State.

Notably, the names of two (2) Senior Officers were presented to the Council for the selection of one of them for appointment as the new Project Coordinator, KNAP. Council noted, considered, and approved the appointment of Malam Aliyu Dauda as the new Project Coordinator KNAP being the most senior officer and presently a Deputy Director. e.

Request for funds as the State’s Contribution for the History and Culture Bureau to Participate at Arewa Festival of Arts and Culture:The Arewa Festival of Arts and Culture is a worthwhile event that calls for all to participate. Kano State History and Culture Bureau, an Agency established to promote Kano State Cultural heritage has been an active participant in all cultural activities within and outside the nation. It is in this vein, that the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism submitted a request through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for the Council to consider and approve the release of the sum of N6,000,000.00 as the Government contribution to enable Agency participate at the Arewa Festival of Arts and Culture.

Council noted, considered, and approved the release of the trimmed down sum of N3,000,000.00

to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, as recommended by contents of this memorandum for onward payment to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives, and Tourism to enable the History and Culture Bureau participation. The event is worthwhile as participation in it reflects the positive aspects of the History, Culture, and Traditions of the people of Kano State. g. Request for funds to facilitate the provision of additional vital requirements for the smooth take-off of the Security Training Institute at Gabasawa:In preparation for the inauguration ceremony of the Kano State Corporate Security Training Institute, Gabasawa, the organizing Committee deliberated and came up with other vital requirements needed to facilitate the smooth conduct of the Inauguration ceremony as well as full take-off of the Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso training program.

Twelve (12) items were identified and valued at the sum of N51,179,125.00 SN i. ii. iii. iv. v.

Vi. vii. viii. ix.

X xi. xii.

ITEM Vehicles • Toyota Hilux (Double Cabin) • Ford E350 (Super Duty) Uniform (Comprising Seven Items) Track Suit, Beret, Canvas, Socks, Caps T-Shirts and Physical Training Shorts Unarmed Combat Training Uniforms plus batons plus Cost of Training Supply and Installation of Electronic Surveillance materials (4 items plus accessories) Kitchen Equipment Dry Store Wet Store Provision of Stationeries Printing (file jackets, forms, Certificates) Monthly allowance for Staff GRAND TOTAL

COST (N) 6,950,000.00 10,850,000.00 4,793,260.00 1,299,500.00 525,450.00 1,490,000.00 9,770,553.00 1,737,855.00 4,021,996.00 1,019,511.00 395,500.00 1,695,500.00 6,630,000.00 51,179.125.00

Council noted, considered, and approved the release of the requested sum of N51,179.125.00 to the Office of the State Government to procure the necessary items for the Institute to ensure a successful inauguration ceremony and its smooth take-off.

This Institute is one of the 21 institutions established by the present Administration for the training of unemployed youths’ relevant skills for self-reliance. The Security Institute is the first of its kind to be established by a State Government in the Northern part of the country for the training of youths security courses. h. Support to the families of those shot by unknown gunmen on Thursday, February 7, 2013 while engaged in the State Polio Exercise:Contents of this memorandum concisely presented the names of the fourteen (14) victims of gunshots that resulted in loss of lives and serious injuries. In fact, ten (10) of the victims died while the remaining four (4) are still in hospital receiving treatment as they recuperate from injuries sustained.

Concertedly, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government requested the Council to consider and approve the formation of a high-powered delegation to represent the Government in undertaking a Condolence and Sympathy visitation to the respective bereaved and sad families of the victims.

Again, a token sum of N6,000,000.00 was requested for release by the Council for disbursement to the affected families as follows; • Ten (10) bereaved families N500,000.00 x 10=N5,000,000.00 • Four (4) families of the injured N250,000.00 x 4=N1,000,000.00 • Total N6,000,000.00 Council noted, considered, and approved the co-option of a high-powered delegation to visit and condole with the affected families as well as the release of the requested sum of N6,000,000.00 to be disbursed as presented. Council commiserates with the families of the deceased wishing them the resilience to bear the loss and pray for quick recovery of the injured.

1. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT Five (5) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by the Council from the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Transport as follows; a. Request for funds to enable the repairs of broken down vehicles, Electricity Generating Sets and construction of 5,500 Liters Capacity Steel Tank:The sum of N1,194,690.00 was approved for release as recommended by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to execute the repairs of broken down vehicles and electricity generating sets at various locations and construction of 5,500 liters capacity Steel tank at the premises of the Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate. The money approved for release was below the sum of N1,568,060.00 earlier requested for the purpose. This is in line with the State Government’s policy of repairing and putting into use all serviceable equipment left unattended to by the previous administration at various Ministries. b. Request for funds to facilitate the renovation of Office/Boardroom of the Guidance and Counselling Board:The Ministry of Works, Housing, and Transport informed Council of the deplorable condition of the Boardroom/Office of the Guidance and Counselling Board, which calls for general renovation.

A Bill of Quantities was prepared to the tune of N8,106,681.00, which was submitted for Council’s consideration and eventual approval.

Considering the policy of the present administration on the maintenance, refurbishing, fortification, etc of Government properties/facilities, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N8,106,681.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Transport to enable the execution of the stated renovation work at the Guidance and Counseling Board. In fact, since inception, the Administration has awarded contract worth over N3 billion for the renovation of Ministries and Agencies. Few examples are the renovation of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Projects Monitoring Directorate, Gidan Murtala Office Complex, Office of the Deputy Governor, State Protocol, Research and Documentation, etc. c.

Request for funds to facilitate the purchase/supply and installation of furniture at Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS) Building situated at Dr. Bala Muhammad Road:The Ministry of Works, Housing, and Transport reminded the Council of the recent completion of the KANGIS Building at its present location. What remains now is to furnish the property for

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013 immediate occupation and utilization.

So, the sum of N45,462,303.93 was requested for release by the Council to the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Transport to enable the execution of the stated project.

Considering the plausible multiple reasons for the establishment of KANGIS as an Agency, Council approved the release of the required sum of money to the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Transport to expedite action on the execution of the stated project. d. Request for funds to undertake renovation works at Children Home located at Nassarawa District (Local Government):The Torrey Home (Children Home) is a boarding house/home for parentless/abandoned children that require renovation and salvation from its present deplorable condition in consideration of its location.

As such, the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Transport requested for the release of the sum of N28,450,300.26 by the Council to enable the facilitation of the stated renovation work.

Council noted, considered, and approved the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Transport to enable the renovation works at the Nassarawa Torrey Home so as to improve the living standards of the less privileged children residing there. e. Request for funds to facilitate the proposed upgrading of the perimeter wall fence at Bukavu Barracks along Katsina Road:Bukavu Barracks is the residence of the 3rd Armored Brigade of the Nigerian Army and its existing perimeter wall fence requires renovation to befitting standards to improve/enhance security of the lives and properties of the occupants.

The Ministry of Works, Housing, and Transport observed the situation and requested for the release of the sum of N19,626,043.36 to enable execution of the upgrading/renovation project on the perimeter wall fence at Bukavu Barracks.

Considering the vitally required presence of the Military in the State regarding their significance to security, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N19,626,043.36 to the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Transport to undertake the stated project.

2. MINISTRY LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Request for the allocation of Six (6) Inspection Vehicles:This Administration has awarded mega projects such as the construction of 5 Kilometers roads leading to, and leaving the 44 Local Government Areas for improved transportation within the State and modernize the local areas. The execution of these projects led to the need for the provision of inspection vehicles to the officials attached to supervise the projects. This explains the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning request for the allocation of six (6) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin vehicles to facilitate the inspection and monitoring of the projects by the officials of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning and Kano State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KNUPDA). The requirements are; • Ministry of Land and Physical Planning - 2 Vehicles • KNUPDA - 4 Vehicles.

Contents of this memorandum continued to suggest that the vehicles can be sourced through utilization of Bill one of the following ongoing projects; Kura LGA 5km, Ungogo LGA 5km, Gaya LGA 5km, Bichi LGA 5km, Takai LGA 5km and Albasu LGA 5km.

Council noted, considered, and approved the utilisation of Provisions of Bill 1 of BEME to undertake this expenditure.

3. MINISTRY OF RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Request for funds to facilitate the provision of Two (2) Solar Powered Boreholes at Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH):The qualitative provisions enjoyed by the Health Sector since the inception of this Administration need not be overemphasized. This Government has expended Millions of Naira in the provision of adequate infrastructural facilities in many hospitals. Majority of the Hospitals are renovated and equipped. Few examples are Gaya General Hospital, Gwarzo General Hospital, Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, State Dental Hospital, etc.

Nevertheless, the Ministry of Rural and Community Development, as informed by an inspection report by Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), deemed it imperative to request for Government intervention in solving the acute water scarcity at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH).

RUWASA recommended, among other things, the construction of two (2) Solar Powered Boreholes at the Hospital including overhead tanks judging from the implied volume/quantity of water required based on a geophysical survey.

Essentially, the total financial implication of this project is N11,000,000.00 for which a detailed breakdown was presented for Council’s consideration.

Council approved the drilling of One (1) borehole with an overhead tank based upon the recommendation of the Ministry at the sum of N5, 500,000.00 at the IDH Hospital in order to assuage the nagging situations at the location.

4. MINISTRY OF STATE AFFAIRS The Ministry of State Affairs submitted three (3) memoranda for deliberation by the Council as follows; a. Presentation of situation report pertaining to the Triumph Publishing Company:Contents of this memorandum concisely presented the Situation Report Pertaining to Triumph Publishing Company in strict compliance to the Executive Council directive issued via Council Extract NO.SSCA/CA/EX/4/1 of 19th December, 2012.

The Triumph Publishing Company was closed down by the present Administration for its failure to function as a modern Newspaper and printing commercial entity. The Company solely depended on Government support from staff salary to capital and recurrent expenditure. Government efforts to resuscitate the moribund company since inception with the release of the sum of N60 million and monthly payment of staff salary failed to have the required impact. Government cannot continue to expend its scarce resources without recouping benefits worth the amount spent. This explains the setting up of an Executive Council Committee to propose a way forward towards the privatization of the company and the taking over of its liabilities and assets by the Government Printer. On this basis the Committee to recommended that: • Government Printer to takeover all existing contractual works previously handled by the Triumph Publishing Company prior to its closure.

• The Company should quantify in monetary terms the total amount of money and name of contractors owed by the Company at the time of the takeover.

Meanwhile, the Committee informed Council that it advertised Triumph Publishing Company and is awaiting expression of interest by private investors interested in taking over of the company.

Council noted and appreciated the presentation and remains alert to any outcome from the Concomitant actions of the Committee on the Subject Matter. b. Presentation of notification on Land Compensation for Kano Prison Yard at Janguza and Youth Development Centers at Municipal and Warawa Local Government Council Areas:The Hon. Commissioner for State Affairs as the mandated Chairman of the Land Compensation Committee reported findings of his Committee on the subject matter and submitted the following for Council’s consideration. i.

N5,019,500.00 is the aggregate sum of money required for the payment of total compensation for the site acquired for the construction of the Youth Development Center at Warawa Local Government Council Area. Thus; • Land Value N2,559,000.00 • Economic Trees N2,460,500.00 • Total N5,019,500.00 ii.

• • •

N45,681,850.00 is the aggregate sum of money required for the payment of total compensation for the site acquired for the construction of Kano Central Prison at Janguza (Gwarzo). Thus; Land Value N16,838,600.00 Economic Trees N28,843,250.00 Total N45,681,850.00

Discrepancies were observed with the second presentation. Therefore, the Committee requested the Council to approve the release of the sum of N5,019,500.00 to enable the payment of compensation for the site acquired at Warawa LGCA for the construction of Youth Development Center. On the hand, the Committee resolved to undertake physical inspection tour to the area at Janguza in order to ascertain the actual number of the economic trees in the land selected for the construction.

Council noted, considered, and approved the release of the requested sum of N5,019,500.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the payment of compensation for the site acquitted at Warawa LGCA for the construction of Youth Development Center.

43 c.

Presentation on compensation in respect of Power Holding Company of Nigeria additional Sub-Station at Rimin Zakara/Dausayi Village, Ungogo LGCA:The Hon. Commissioner for State Affairs/Chairman Committee on Compensation submitted, through contents of this memorandum, that the Committee inspected the site in question and agreed with the submission of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning on the sum of N58,787,503.00 as required for its compensation.

Council noted, considered, and approved the release of the sum of N58,787,503.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to facilitate the payment of compensation for the acquired site in respect of PHCN additional Sub-station at Rimin Zakara/Dausayi Village, Ungogo LGCA. 5. MINISTRY OF JUSTICE Presentation on Kano Economic City Project (BOO) Concession Agreement):The Office of the Attorney General/Hon. Commissioner for Justice reminded the Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of its approval of a request from Integrated Development and Investment Services Ltd. at its meeting held on 2nd January, 2013. The request was for the Council to approve the intervention of the Company to refund the sum of N467,000,000.00 paid as compensation by the State Government to acquire the land now allocated to the Company for the Kano Economic City Project. However, the money is to be refunded in phases. Thus; • 50% of N467,000,000.00 to be paid after signing the agreement • 50% balance to be paid within two (2) years.

Notably, the Company will complete the first (1st) phase of the project within two (2) years. In addition, the new agreement superseded the existing one.

Council approved the execution of the new agreement as it is in line with Government policy to support private sector investment in the State.

6. OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE Two (2) memoranda were submitted by the Office of the Head of Civil Service for deliberation by the Council as follows; a. Request for funds to enable some selected Officers attend a Corporate Planning Workshop:The Office of the Head of Civil Service intimated the Council of having received an Invitation from SPARC CONSULTANT OF THE DFID on a proposal to convene a Corporate Planning Workshop for some selected Officers in the State Civil Service as part of the ongoing Public Service Reform Program. The Workshop will be held in Abuja (7th-10th February 2013).

Twelve (12) officers were recommended to attend the Workshop. Details of the financial commitment were presented to the Council totalling the sum of N372,000.00. Again, the Consultants indicated their readiness to shoulder certain aspects of logistics for the proposed Workshop.

Therefore, the Office of the Head of Civil Service requested for the release of the sum of N372,000.00 by the Council to enable the officers attend the workshop.

Council approved the release of the requested sum of money to the Office of the Head of Civil Service to facilitate for the stated purpose in view of its significance. b. Presentation on the Composition of State Manpower Training Committee (SMTC):Office of the Head of Civil Service referred Council to its decision at its sitting on 29th October, 2012 as attested by the Council Extract NO. SSCA/CA/EX/19/1/81, which approved the composition of the State Manpower Training Committee (SMTC). Contents of this memorandum emphatically stated that such a Committee has been in existence for several years with a standing composition of thirteen key stakeholders comprising one (1) Chairman, seven (7) members, three (3) co-opted persons, one Secretary and one co-Secretary. The main function of the Committee is principally articulating policies/guidelines on Training and Manpower Development for the State.

Council acknowledged and approved the composition of the existing Committee along with its function but directed the inclusion of Senior Special Assistants Labour (SSAL) OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR/HON. COMMISSIONER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Request for funds to enable payment for Consultancy and Resident Services for the construction of three cities (Kwankwasiyya, Amana and Bandirawo), Mega Road projects and 5 Kilometers Local Government Roads being executed in the State:Office of the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments applauded the incumbent administration for the outright actualization of its desire for the overall transformation of Kano State. This is done through the execution of various projects aimed at providing socioeconomic infrastructures for sustainable multi-sectoral development/advancement of the State.

Notable among such mega projects include; i.

Approval granted for the construction of three model cities of Kwankwasiyya, Amana and Bandirawo for multi-dimensional housing program. ii. Approval granted for the construction of Mega Road projects comprising expansion / dualization of Zaria Road, Gwarzo Road, Hadejia and Sheikh Jafar Roads with streetlights, pedestrian walkways, drainages and other facilities. iii. Approval granted for the revalidation of the Yantsaki, Mandawari, Bank Roads, Murtala Muhammad way and Independence Roads projects. iv. Approval granted for the construction of the Southern and Northern Terminus projects. v. Approval granted for the 5 Kilometers Road projects across the 44 LGCAs. These projects represent an unsurpassed financial commitment to the tune of N126,163,945,096.00 and when completed will afford an exalted position for the present administration in the history of Kano State in terms of the provision of infrastructural transformation of the State.

Based upon the stated fact, Council approved the engagement of Intergrated Engineering Associates as Managing Consultants for the stated projects.

7.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES LAUNCHING OF MALARIA PROGRAM Council acknowledged the flag-off of the Malaria Control program, which is aimed towards the total eradication of malaria parasite and other communicable diseases across the State.

Consequently, Government has approved the sum of over N150,000,000.00 for the procurement of essential drugs and other consumables and also fifteen (15) vehicles will be engaged for sensitization/campaigns on the epidemic.

Swearing-in of one new Hon. Commissioner and 2 new Permanent Secretaries Council acknowledged the swearing in of Dr Binta Tijjani Jibril as the new Commissioner for Women Affairs, Alhaji Lawan Badamasi as Permanent Secretary/Clerk of Kano Stat House of Assembly and Baba Abubakar Umar as Permanent Secretary, Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).

SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF POLIO ATTACK Council commiserated with the families of the polio vaccinators who were attacked among whom ten lost their lives and four were injured. Accordingly, Council and Dangote Groups each have donated the sum of N500,000.00 to the families of the deceased and N250,000.00 to those who were injured, totaling the sum of N12,000,000.00 .

REGISTRATION OF STUDENTS AT NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY, KANO Council was delighted with the start of registration for the first set of 1000 students admitted into the Northwest University and called on the students to dedicate themselves to their studies to excel.

SIGNING OF A BILL ON COMMUNITY REORIENTATION COUNCIL (CRC) Council witnessed the endorsement of a Bill changing the name of Community Reorientation Committee (CRC) to Community Reorientation Council, thereby transforming it into a formal organization with a permanent structure. In fact, the CRC has been involved in the execution of many social and economic services formulated by the Government for the welfare of its citizens.

1.

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY

Contact (KAROTA) for: Breakdown of Vehicle, Traffic Congestion, Accident, Illegal / Wrong Parking through the following number. – 08091626747. State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, 08123821575. State Fire Service may also be contacted on – 07051246833, 08191778888.

For further information on Government activities visit us at: www.kano.gov.ng/new

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture, Kano State

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Monday, January 18, 2013

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"My baba, I’ve killed my baba. God take me away. I said to him, 'What are you talking about?' He then repeated himself – 'There has been a terrible accident, I shot Reeva" Oscar Pistorius’ best friend explaining how he received a phone call moments after Reeva Steenkamp was shot dead.

MESSI

scores 301 in 365 games for Barca L

IONEL MESSI scored his 300th and 301st career goals for Barcelona as the Spanish side beat Granada 2-1 on Saturday.

He also extended his scoring run to 14 league games and took his tally for the season to 37 league goals.

Messi, 25, has now scored 301 times in 365 appearances for Barca, a ratio of 0.82 goals per match.

Barcelona remain on course to reclaim the league title with a 12-point lead over Atletico Madrid.

In total Messi has scored 44 goals in all competitions this season, including a hat-trick in Barca's 5-4 win over Deportivo and four goals in the recent 5-1 win over Osasuna.

He has also scored 14 braces so far and been booked just once.

The Argentine forward, who signed a two-year contract extension earlier this month, enjoyed a record-breaking 2012 for club and country, scoring 91 goals.

He surpassed Gerd Mueller's 40-year-old record of 85 goals scored in a calendar year with a brace in a 2-1 win over Real Betis on 9 December.

His form saw him awarded the Ballon d'Or for a fourth year running ahead of Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta and

WHY ALWAYS ME?

Balotelli scores four goals in three matches

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made heart shapes with her hands… ario Balotelli continued presumably aimed at Balotelli. his hot streak for new club 'I am playing at a consistent level and AC Milan as he scored his fourth nearing my best form,' he told Sky Sport goal in three league games on Friday, one more than he managed in the first half of the 2012-13 season for Manchester City.

The volatile Italian forward has made an instant impact on his return to Milan and he scored yet again with a 78th-minute free-kick at the San Siro in a 2-1 win over Parma.

His girlfriend Fanny Robert Neguesha, a Belgian model, was in the stands to see his curling free•Balotelli kick and she caught the eye as she

•Messi

Italia.

'I had already missed two free kicks.

But I said to him that if I missed his one, he could have a go.'

Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri said: 'Balotelli scored a great free kick.

Balotelli Saturday evening suffered many fouls, but, his reaction was good.'

Since Balotelli left the Etihad in January, not a lot has gone right for Manchester City as draws against QPR and Liverpool as well as defeat at Southampton have all but ended their chances of retaining the Premier League crown they won on a dramatic final day last year.

But the controversial striker has made a flying start to his Milan career, whichbegan with fireworks on the day

Guardiola bid £50m for Gareth Bale

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• Guardiola

AYERN MUNICH's new coach, Pep Guardiola, is set to beat Real Madrid to the signature of new Welsh wonder, Gareth Bale, as he prepares a N12.5 trillion (£50m) bid for the Tottenham Hotspurs winger.

The will former Barcelona coach will reportedly have £100m to spend in the summer and will give up half of it for Gareth Bale.

The Tottenham winger has been linked on and off with a move away from White Hart Lane for the past couple of years, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona in particular linked with moves.

However, former Barca boss Guardiola is reportedly set to bring Bayern into the bidding for the Welshman this summer.

The Daily Mail say that the club

will hand him a £100m transfer budget for the summer and that they and their Coach have identified Bale as a primary target.

Guardiola is described by the British publication as a keen admirer of Bale’s for a number of months, with Bayern understood to be prepared to pay up to £50m to secure the 23-year-old’s services.

OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...

PISTORIUS’ PANICKED PHONE CALL MOMENTS AFTER KILLING GIRLFRIEND

‘I've killed my baba... God take me away', he told his best friend

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SCAR PISTORIUS' best friend has told how he received a phone call moments after Reeva Steenkamp had been shot dead and a distraught Blade Runnder later crying ‘My baba, I’ve killed my baba. God take me away.’

Before the Paralympic medallist called the emergency services he phoned Justin Divaris, 27, at 3.55am to tell him what had happened.

‘I said to him, “What are you talking about?” He then repeated himself – “There has been a terrible accident, I shot Reeva”,’ he told the Sunday People.

By the time the businessman had rushed

to the athlete's luxury Pretoria home it had already been sealed off by police, but Mr Divaris described seeing the model 'covered in blankets and towels'.

Members of both families have spoken out as Pistorius’ father Henke 59, said he had ‘zero doubt’ the fatal shooting was a mistake saying his son had ‘acted on instinct’.

The father of the South African model allegedly murdered by Pistorius spoke movingly yesterday of his family’s grief – and said he bore the athlete no animosity.

In an emotional interview with The Mail on Sunday, Barry Steenkamp said he was struggling ‘to find some reason why this

happened to our lovely daughter’.

•Pistorius

•Mata

Mata inspires Chelsea to FA Cup win over Brentford

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UAN MATA helped Chelsea to break through Brentford's resistance in the second half and advance to the fifth round with a 40 victory over the third tier side in their replay on Sunday.

After being held to a 2-2 draw by their west London rivals three weeks ago, the Blues took until the 54th minute to score at Stamford Bridge, with Mata striking from the edge of the penalty area.

After Oscar flicked in Chelsea's second, Mata whipped in the cross that Frank Lampard sidefooted into the net in the 71st.

And another Chelsea veteran scored 10 minutes later, with captain John Terry heading home.

Chelsea will play at Middlesbrough in the fifth round on Feb. 27.

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NEWS Solution to Edo gully erosion

Amaechi won’t speak on 2015 A R

IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi at the weekend declined comments on his reported interest in the presidency in 2015.

The second term governor, who is the chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), has been linked to the race as a prospective running mate to Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.

Some vehicles with the inscription “Lamido for President/Amaechi for Vice-President 2015,” bearing the photographs of the two governors have been seen in Kaduna.

At the weekend while fielding questions at a citizens’ forum in Port Harcourt, Amaechi described the vehicles and issues around his 2015 ambition as coming

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

from his political detractors.

But he declined to confirm or deny his interest in the race.

But when he later asked the audience the qualification for contesting the presidency and they chorused “school certificate”, he then said: “If the educational qualification for contesting the presidency is school certificate, then I am qualified because I have a school certificate, I have a first degree and even a Master’s.”

He said his political history has always been tortuous but he always conquered through prayers.

Amaechi said he has no regret for his actions as Governors’ Forum chair, saying

his actions are “done in the interest of Nigerians and the governors” because the governors defend the interest of the masses.

On his call that local governments should not be granted autonomy as being proposed in the constitutional amendment, the governor said his position and that of the governors was backed by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

The unions protested against the independence of local governments because they believe local government chairmen may not pay them salaries and allowances.

He also argued that there is no federalism where there

are three levels of government.

Responding to the advice of Minister of Information Labaran Maku that the model schools he built be sourced out to indigenous organisations to manage, Amaechi insisted that Indians would continue to run the schools.

He said a Nigerian contractor handling the Information Communication Technology (ICT) system in the schools damaged the facilities.

“Our ICT in schools collapsed because we gave it to a Nigerian to manage and for some months now, our children have not been taught ICT.” He praised the Indians for running the schools well.

NEW initiative to address gully erosion in Edo State has been put in place by the Federal Government in collaboration with the World Bank and state government.

It is the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).

Officials of the World Bank, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the Federal Ministry of Environment are in Edo State on a two-week joint technical mission.

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

The team inspected some sites.

Declaring the mission open in Benin City, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities, Lawrence Loye said the Adams Oshiomhole-led administration was desirous of finding a lasting solution to the problem.

He hoped that the tripartite arrangement would restore life to the affected communities.

Benin Airport for inauguration

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HE Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), George Uriesi, has said the Benin Airport was ready for inauguration.

Uriesi said this while inspecting the level of work done at the airport.

The FAAN MD also inspected the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and the Port Harcourt International Airport.

Uriesi who addressed the contractors, noted that the ongoing remodelling project was long overdue He called on passengers to bear with the Authority concerning the inconveniences they had to go through during the project execution.

Delta terminates stadium contract

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•Vice Chairman, Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elders’ Council, Alhaji Agboola Alausa (left); Zonal Secretary, Southwest, Chief ‘Pegba Otemolu and party leader, Prince Buruji Kashamu at the victory rally organised by the party in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State...yesterday

NNPC, Shell to bear cost of Ogoni clean-up

S

UCCOUR may be on the way for Ogoniland as efforts are ongoing for the remediation of the degraded environment of Rivers State community in line with the report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

UNEP had indicted Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (SPDC), the operator of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC/Shell) Joint Venture, after its assessment of the environmental impact of oil spills in Ogoniland.

A top official of the Petroleum Ministry said as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to promote and ensure a pollution-free environment in line with UNEP’s specification, the NNPC/ Shell Joint Venture and other stakeholders would bear the cost of the clean-up.

According to the official, NNPC/Shell JV would bear 80 percent, 15 percent would come from the Ecological Fund and the remaining will be borne by the nation’s re-

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

fineries.

The official said every arrangement is in order, adding that what the affected organisations are waiting for is the 2013 budget.

Although the official

kept mum on the cost of the clean-up, she said the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) set up by the Federal Government for that purpose, would determine the actual cost.

The official, however, said 95 percent of the spill

that occurred last year was due to vandalism, oil theft and illegal refining of crude. She also explained that the five percent given to the refineries was ascribed to the ageing pipelines.

The official said Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB)

when passed into law would redirect the path in the oil and gas sector.

HE Delta State Government has terminated the contract for the Asaba Township Stadium.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who announced this at the Asaba Manna Prayer and Anointing Service, said he has directed that the contract be re-awarded and completed within six months.

Uduaghan said the contract was terminated to ensure the speedy completion of the stadium, which has been renamed Stephen Keshi Stadium.

His words: “I have told God that I am not going to leave any abandoned project in this state.

“We have been having challenges with the contractors in charge of this stadium. “ He told the Founder of Our Daily Manna Devotional, who officiated at the service, Dr. Chris Kwakpovwe, to pray against the spiritual inhibition stalling the progress of the project.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Religious leaders urge govt to tackle insecurity, corruption HE Nigeria Inter-Reretary, NIREC, Prof. Is-haq

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ligious Council (NIREC) has urged the Federal Government to summon the political will to tackle all forms of security challenges and corruption. It called for a holistic approach that addressed the immediate and remote causes of violence and social unrest.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the 2013-First Quarterly General Meeting of the council in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, NIREC condemned the orgies of terrorism, violence and vandalism that have permeated the country and called on the govern-

By Taofik Salako

ment to detect, expose and prosecute those responsible for the acts.

The communiqué was signed by Co-Chairmanship of NIREC, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and National Coordinator and Executive Sec-

Oloyede.

The council noted that acts of terrorism and attendant problems have assumed frightening dimension and are threatening the cordial relationship among the citizenry, thereby working against national unity and cohesion.

“The persistent loss of lives and property occasioned by acts of terrorism, pipeline vandalism, communal strife, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, political and religious intolerance in several parts of this country has become very worrisome,” NIREC said.

MR AKINAWO TUNDE This is to inform the general public that Mr Akinawo Tunde is not in Employment with BAM-DARLEY NIGERIA LIMITED and more so the Director Mr. Paul Bamdele is not his biological Father. Anyone who transact with him does at his risk.General public please take note.

SIGNED: PAUL BAMDELE MD BAM-DARLEY NIGERIA LIMITED

THE NATION MONDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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NEWS We’re ready to present Akume’s certificates, says ACN

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ENUE State chapter of the Action Congress (ACN) has said it is ready to present the certificates of the Senate Minority Leader, Dr. George Akume, in court because he was screened with his certificates.

Mr. Philip Agbese has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the certificates presented by Senator Akume to contest election into the Senate were forged.

ACN said unlike the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose State Secretary, Bem Dzoho, told the Governorship Election Tribunal that Governor Gabriel Suswam did not forward his credentials to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it (ACN) screened its candidates including Senator Akume, as his credentials were attached to the nomination form sent to INEC.

By our reporter

In a statement signed by the state Chairman of the ACN, Comrade Abba Yaro and made available to The Nation, the party said unlike PDP, it is ready to present Senator Akume’s certificates in court and would not file any application against the presentation of his certificates.

ACN said: “Let the PDP also present the certificates of Governor Suswam. We are ready to present those of Senator Akume. We are waiting to be served the summons. In fact, we are going to the court in Abuja to receive the summons to save the bailiff the trouble of looking for Senator Akume.

“Those who filed the suit are busybodies. But ACN will show Nigerians that the presentation of certificates before a competent court of law is as easy as drinking water.”

Five children, 10 others die in Kano

F

IVE children of the same parents were among the 15 people, who died in two incidents at Kumbotso and Takai local governments in Kano State at the weekend.

The minors, who were identified as the children of Magaji Tambaya, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Kano State University, were severely burnt during a midnight inferno at their WRECA home in

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Panshekara Quarters on the outskirts of Kano.

Kano State Fire Service officials told reporters that “the fire, which occurred at the official home of the lecturer, was reported about 1.50am on Saturday.”

Head of Operations, Kano State Fire Service, Kashim Musa Bichi, said the cause of the fire could not be ascertained, adding: “It took my

men a hectic time to put out the inferno.”

He said: “Investigation into the cause of the fire has begun. I appeal to urban dwellers to adopt safety measures to guard their homes.”

Ten people also died on Saturday evening when a Toyota bus travelling on Kano-Kari Federal Highway had a headon collision with a J5 bus at a village near Takai.

Eyewitnesses said that

many travellers were injured in the accident.

The Head of Fire Service told reporters in Kano that “the dead and injured have been taken to Dan’masara General Hospital, near Dutse, Jigawa State capital.”

He enjoined drivers to obey traffic rules and regulations when plying the roads, stressing that “the carnage we have witnessed on the highways in recent times are avoidable.”

Court sacks ASUU exco in UNILORIN From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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HE National Industrial Court, Lagos has sacked an illegal faction of the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU’s) executives at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), led by Prof. Wahab Egbewole.

ASUU’s national body had been battling UNILORIN over the executives, which it considers illegal. The university authorities have been backing the Egbewole faction against the Dr. Taiwo Oloruntoba-led executives recognised by the national body.

Justice O. A. Obaseki-Osagie of the National Industrial Court delivered the judgment following a suit filed by the national leadership of ASUU declaring the Egbewole faction illegal and unconstitutional.

A statement by ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, hailed the judgment, asking the university authorities to uphold the rule of law.

He slammed the UNILORIN authorities for withholding the salaries and entitlements of the reinstated 49 lecturers despite a court order, saying it portends danger for the country.

Dr. Fagge also raised the alarm over threat on the lives of academics at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) owing to a face-off between ASUU and the university authorities.

The ASUU president said academic freedom is no longer guaranteed in RSUST as academics are victimised, intimidated and abducted.

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Serious and qualified candidates for consideration after applying will register with GLOBAL GENERIC CARE LTD and open account with DADIN KOWA MICRO FINANCE BANK, JOS. Information on which commercial Bank you can make your deposit for the credit of your account with DADINKOWA MICRO FINANCE BANK will be made available to qualified Investors/ Distributors.

•Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Osita Chidoka (right); Pastor, First Baptist Church, Garki, Israel Akanji (middle); Deputy Corps Marshall, Policy, Research and Statistics, Ayo Omidiji and Deputy Corps Marshall, Operations, Boboye Oyeyemi, during the church service to mark 25th anniversary of FRSC in Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

STF operative ‘kills’ UNIJOS security guard

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SOLDIER attached to the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crises code-named, ‘Operation safe haven’, has allegedly killed a security guard with the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Mr. Wagley Dauda.

An eyewitness said the incident occurred on Yakubu Gowon Way, Aglo-Jos near NASCO Quarters, Jos, about 11:30am, on Saturday.

The victim was a passenger in an Opel Vectra car heading for Jos central area when he was allegedly killed.

Last week, another STF soldier allegedly shot dead a police inspector following an argument in Mikang.

The driver of the commer-

•’We’re investigating him’ From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

cial vehicle was said to have allegedly taken a one-way due to a traffic jam on the dual carriage road.

One of the soldiers reportedly stopped the driver and asked him to reverse and return to his lane. When doing so, another soldier allegedly shot the driver and a stray bullet hit and killed Mr. Dauda.

The stray bullet passed through the right arm of the driver before hitting the victim on the chest. He and the driver were taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) where he was cer-

tified dead.

The driver, Salisu Musa, is said to be responding to treatment.

STF spokesman Captain Salisu Mustapha, who confirmed the incident yesterday during a media briefing at the STF headquarters in Jos, said: “On February 16, about 11:30am, an unfortunate incident happened. A personnel of the STF on duty shot the driver of an Opel Vectra with registration number EW-336-AA (Lagos), Mr. Musa and a passenger, Mr. Dauda (a worker with the University of Jos, Security Department) “Preliminary investigation showed that the soldier

attempted to stop the driver, who took a one-way near Green Park, NASCO Quarters, Jos. “The driver failed to stop.

He, instead, tried to manoeuvre his way despite the soldier’s instruction that he should stop. This action was suspicious. As a result, the soldier cocked his gun and released a bullet, which pierced through the left shoulder of the driver and unfortunately hit Mr. Dauda on his chest.

“The victims were taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment by the STF personnel. Mr. Dauda died, while the driver is receiving treatment.

“The soldier is in custody, undergoing investigation.”

Belgore advises Kwara to prevent flooding WARA State chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mohammed Dele Belgore SAN, yesterday urged the government to “as a matter of urgency, take steps to avoid another flood in the state.”

Belgore, who was the ACN governorship candidate in the 2011 general elections, said government has not taken “any concrete and aggressive measure” to prevent a recurrence of last year’s flood, which claimed life and destroyed property and farmlands in many parts of the state.

“As another rainy season approaches, we enjoin relevant authorities in the state

K

to take steps to avoid another flood,” Belgore said in a statement by his media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye.

His advice came days after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) issued a flood alert in which Kwara was listed among the states prone to heavy flood this year.

The statement reads: “NIMET, in our opinion, has done its duty of raising a flood alert in states believed to be prone to flood this year. It is the responsibility of the government concerned to address this threat while it can still prevent loss of life and property.

“We are disappointed that the government has not

taken measures to prevent a repeat of last year’s flood because we cannot point to any new drainage, canal or waterway built to ease the flow of water anywhere in the state, especially in the areas ravaged by flood last year.

“Besides the new drainage on Fate Road, Ilorin, linking the underground drainage at GSS roundabout and skeletal evacuation of the drainage on Offa Road (also in Ilorin), we do not know of any serious (executed or ongoing) evacuation of blocked drainages in the Ilorin metropolis or elsewhere. Yet, the state got N300million as its share of the federal intervention, besides its share of the federal

ecological fund.

“Although the government distributed relief materials to victims of floods, which is not a bad idea, a chunk of the money, which we understand was ‘used’ for rural electrification, should have been used to build antiflood barriers in key parts of the state, especially in areas prone to flood.

“We advise the government to do something to prevent a repeat of last year’s flood, because the people are tired of the government issuing condolence messages after floods.

“Also, we urge the residents to keep their environment clean and avoid dumping refuse in the drainage.”

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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FOREIGN NEWS

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Shiites lash out after Pakistan bombing kills 81

NGRY residents on Sunday demanded government protection from an onslaught of attacks against Shiite Muslims, a day after 81 people were killed in a massive bombing that a local official said was a sign that security agencies were too scared to do their jobs.

Saturday’s blast at a produce market in the city of Quetta also wounded 160 people and underlined the precarious situation for Shiites living in a majority Sunni country where many extremist groups don’t consider them real Muslims.

Most of the dead and wounded were Hazaras, an ethnic group that migrated from Afghanistan over a century ago. Shiite Muslims, including Hazaras, have often been targeted

by Sunni extremists in the province of Baluchistan where Quetta is the capital, the southern city of Karachi and northwestern Pakistan.

At the blast site, members of the

Hazara community helped authorities dig through rubble to find the dead or survivors. Most of their efforts were focused on a two-story building that was completely destroyed. More than 20 shops nearby were also demolished.

Clothing and shoes were scattered through the concrete rubble, broken steel bars and shattered wooden window frames littering the streets.

One of those helping, 40-year-old Qurban Ali, was instructing young people to be patient and careful while removing the rubble, lest they hurt themselves or survivors still buried in the debris. His cousin Abbas was still missing after the blast.

Like many Hazaras, he lashed out at the people who perpetrated the violence.

“Who are these people who made us Hazara so grim and sad? Why are they after us?” he asked. “Not one month or week passes here without the killing of a member of the Hazara community ... Why is the government - both central and provincial - so lethargic in protecting Shiites?”

Near the rubble, a group of more than 50 women were wailing and beating their heads in mourning.

On the road to the neighborhood where the attack occurred, Hazara youth burned tires and chanted for the arrests of the killers. A number of Shiite groups also staged a sit-in and were demanding the immediate removal of the chief secretary of Baluchistan and the top police official, said Rahim Jaffery, who heads a Shiite organization called the Council for the

Protection of Mourning.

“We are demanding the city (protection) be handed over to the army so that the killing of Hazara Shiites can be stopped,” he said.

Jaffery said a mass funeral for the victims had been planned for Sunday afternoon but all Shiite groups were meeting to decide whether to stage a protest similar to one in January when they refused to bury their dead for four days.

That protest led the prime minister to sack the chief minister of the province and his cabinet and put Governor Zulfiqar Magsi directly in charge of the region - a move that many Shiites thought would help protect their community. But the governor’s comments revealed his frustration at a job growing ever more difficult.

Magsi said the blast was the result of a failure of the security and intelligence agencies in the province.

ECUADOR, Guayaquil : Ecuadorean opposition candidate Guillermo Lasso waves after casting his vote during general elections at the Guayaquil University, on February 17, 2013 in Guayaquil. Ecuadorans cast ballots Sunday in national elections expected to give leftist President Rafael Correa an overwhelming victory and four more years in office to deepen his socialist program.

AFP PHOTO / CESAR PASACA

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Ecuador holds presidential elections

RESIDENT Correa has been criticized internationally for limiting press freedoms and granting Julian Assange asylum in Ecuador’s London embassy. But his social programs and public works projects have been popular at home.

According to most polls, Correa, a US-trained economist, will take between 50 and 60 percent of the vote this weekend. That is at least 30 percent more than the next most popular candidate, former banker Guillermo Lasso.

But with international headlines condemning Correa for restrictions on freedom of the press after he won several lawsuits against local private media, and more negative coverage following the government’s decision to grant WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange asylum in its London embassy, it may come as a surprise that

A

after six years in power, the president remains so popular at home. But for the majority of those living in Ecuador, Correa stands ready for reelection for a reason.

“This is a president who has done something that other presidents haven’t done: public works and services,” says Ralph Murphine, a US political consultant who advised Correa during his 2006 election campaign.

Before Correa came to power, Ecuador had seven presidents in 10 years and went through a huge financial crisis, which led to the dollarization of the economy in 2000.

Correa’s leadership marked numerous changes in Ecuador. High prices for oil exports resulted in higher revenues, which the government invested in social programs and public

infrastructure. At the same time, his high popularity gave Correa the opportunity to consolidate his power to carry out what he called a “Citizens’s Revolution.”

Roads have been paved and expanded; more schools and hospitals have been built, providing free education and healthcare to all Ecuadorians. Particular attention has been given to the disabled, a policy pushed hard by Correa’s paraplegic vice president. New legislation was approved, making it compulsory for companies to fill at least 4 percent of positions with people with disabilities.

“This government has thought about us,” says Angel Quevedo, a middle-aged man who has been paralyzed from the hips down since an accident 26 years ago.

Mr. Quevedo used to depend on his

family and on odd jobs before the new law was passed. Now he works in a factory where he assembles furniture.

“We weren’t taken into account before,” he says. “Now I feel normal.”

Correa’s success in certain areas is undeniable. Yet some say that many of his policies were created with the primary goal of keeping himself in power.

“Resources have been invested in a politically smart way,” says Sebastian Mantilla, a political analyst at the Latin American Center of Political Studies.

For example, at the beginning of this year’s campaign, Correa announced a raise in the government’s cash payments for the poor from $35 to $50 (about 8,000 naira) a month.

“Public policies and subsidies are needed to temporarily keep certain sectors content,” he says, and “they also give him votes.”

Blasts hit Shi’ite districts in Baghdad, killing 28

SERIES of car bombs exploded in mainly Shi’ite neighbourhoods across the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Sunday, kil(Reuters) - Several car bombs exploded in Shi’ite Muslim neighborhoods across Iraq’s capital Baghdad on Sunday morning, killing at least 26 people in blasts that tore into shops, restaurants and busy commercial streets.

No-one claimed responsibility for the attacks but Sunni Muslim insurgents have stepped up their operations since the beginning of the year in a bid to undermine the Shi’ite-led government and trigger deeper intercommunal fighting.

One blast tore off shop fronts in Qaiyara district while another left the remains of a car and its twisted engine

littered across a high street in the busy, commercial Karrada district packed with restaurants and shops.

“I was buying an air conditioner and suddenly there was an explosion. I threw myself on the ground. Minutes later I saw many people around, some of them dead, others wounded,” said Habibiya district salesman Jumaa Kareem, his jacket spattered with blood.

Sunday’s blasts followed the assassination of a senior Iraqi army intelligence officer on Saturday, the latest in a wave of suicide bombings since January. No one claimed responsibility for that attack.

Many Iraq Sunnis feel they have been sidelined and unfairly targeted by security forces since the fall of Saddam Hussein and the rise of the

country’s Shi’ite majority through the ballot box.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s fragile power-sharing government, made up of Shi’ite, Sunni and ethnic Kurds, has been paralyzed by political infighting since American troops, who invaded the OPEC country to oust Saddam in 2003, withdrew more than a year ago.

Violence is still far from the mass sectarian bloodletting that killed tens of thousands in 2006-2007, though insurgents have carried out at least one big attack a month since the last U.S. troops left.

More than 10 suicide attackers have struck security forces, Shi’ite targets and a Sunni lawmaker since the start of January.

In the most recent attacks, a suicide

bomber killed the head of the army’s intelligence school on Saturday after storming his home in a northern town.

Another suicide bomber killed 26 at a Shi’ite funeral at the start of the month.

There are fears the war in neighboring Syria - where Sunni rebels are fighting to oust President Bashar alAssad, an ally of Shi’ite Iran - could further destabilize Iraq’s delicate sectarian and ethnic balance.

In another development, attackers bombed and disabled a pipeline carrying fuel oil from Iraq’s largest refinery to a province north of Baghdad, the oil ministry said on Sunday.

“A bomb attack led to an explosion in the 16-inch pipeline transporting fuel oil from Baji refinery to Nineveh province,” said ministry spokesman Asim Jihad.

Cyprus election: Anastasiades faces run-off

T

HE presidential election in Cyprus will go to a second round on 24 February after frontrunner Nicos Anastasiades fell short of the 50% needed for an outright majority.

With all the votes counted, Mr Anastasiades, a conservative, secured 45.46%, well ahead of his nearest rival, Stavros Malas, on 26.91%.

Independent George Lillikas got 24.93%.

The election has been dominated by the financial crisis. Cyprus was the fifth eurozone state to ask for a bailout.

Initial exit polls had put support for Mr Anastasiades at an average of 51.1%, within a range of 49% to 52%.

Mr Anastasiades and Mr Malas, backed by the left-wing Akel party, will now contest the run-off vote.

Shut out of the international financial markets, the cash-strapped government was forced to seek financial help after Cypriot banks suffered huge losses as a result of the restructuring of Greece’s sovereign debt.

It has requested some 17bn euros ($22.7bn; £14.6bn) from the European Union and International Monetary Fund - a small amount in comparison with other rescues but roughly equal to Cyprus’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The BBC’s Mark Lowen says that the priority for the winner of Cyprus’s election will be to finalise the bailout.

Before the vote, Mr Anastasiades said he would support the austerity measures which would come with a rescue package, adding that the election was about “the survival of the country”.

Negotiations have been stalled by disagreement between the EU, IMF and the outgoing President Demetris Christofias, leader of the communist Akel party, over how to address the country’s debt and who should pay.

Egypt protesters block access to port, demand justice

T

HOUSANDS of Egyptian protesters blocked access to the harbor and rallied outside state buildings in Port Said on Sunday to demand justice over the deaths of dozens of people killed in riots last month.

That violence was triggered by anger over the death sentences handed down to 21 people from Port Said for their involvement in a soccer stadium disaster in the city a year ago in which more than 70 people were killed.

Sunday’s day of “civil disobedience” was called by hardcore soccer fans from Port Said’s al-Masry, the club that had been playing a home match against Cairo’s Al Ahly when the stadium disaster occurred in February 2012.

Witnesses said around 3,000 people took part in the protest, demanding the death sentence for those responsible for the January 26 violence set off by a verdict read out in Cairo.

“With our lives, with our blood, we will sacrifice ourselves to you martyrs: Either we avenge you or we die like you!” they chanted.

“The disobedience will last for one day and could continue if the protesters’ calls for the death sentence for the killers of martyrs are not granted,” said Ahmad Mutwalli, a political activist in Port Said.

The protesters also disrupted train services. But General Ahmed Najeeb, head of the General Authority of Port Said, said the protest had not affected shipping activity at the Mediterranean port.

Port Said was one of three provinces near the Suez Canal where President Mohamed Mursi declared a 30-day state of emergency in response to last month’s unrest.

56

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

FOREIGN NEWS Mali: Elections now July 7, says minister

Former Chadian leader faces trial

M

ALI will hold nationwide presidential elections on 7 July, the interim government’s territorial administration minister has announced.

It would be a key step to stabilising Mali following the intervention of French troops to oust Islamist fighters from the north of the country, he said.

Legislative elections will follow on 21 July, along with a presidential runoff if required.

Thousands of troops from France and African nations are currently in Mali.

Elections were due in Mali in April 2012, but a coup the month before threw the country into disarray.

The army said it was prompted to act as it was under-resourced to deal with a rebellion in the north that had begun in January.

An alliance of Tuareg separatist and Islamist rebel groups took advantage of the chaos and seized control of the whole of northern Mali - an area larger than France.

France intervened last month to help the Malian army oust the Islamist militants.

“We will organise the elections throughout the national territory in order to reunite the minds of Malians, reunite their hearts, and to enable Mali to remain one and indivisible,” Territorial Administration Minister Moussa Sinko Coulibaly told a news conference in the capital, Bamako, on Thursday.

Last month, Mali’s interim President Dioncounda Traore had said he hoped elections would be held on 31 July.

France wants to start withdrawing its 4,000 soldiers from its former colony next month.

Several thousand troops from nearby African nations, including Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Togo and Senegal, have already been sent to Mali to retain control of the retaken northern towns and also to take care of security in the south.

But the first suicide attacks in Mali’s history in Gao at the end of last week, followed by fierce fighting in the northern town have led to fears it may be a long battle to bring security to the vast desert region.

•Habré

H

ISSÈNE Habré, a former Chadian leader and rebel commander is to face trial in

Dakar, Senegal over various human rights abuses when he ruled over Chad between 1982 until rebel forces led by Idriss Déby overthrew him in 1990. Habré has been living in Senegal ever since. Pressure to put him on trial has come from numerous forces: groups within Chad, officials in Senegal and Belgium, the United Nations, the European Parliament, the African Union, and others.

For years, however, some observers felt that Senegalese authorities were stalling on the question of whether they would try Mr. Habré.

Human Rights Watch has a chronology of the case here, an overview here, and a Q&A here.

Last week marked an important event in the case: the inauguration of special tribunal called the Extraordinary Chambers, in Dakar. There are a number of points to be made about this event. For one thing, as Voice of America reports, “this will be the first time a world leader is prosecuted for crimes against humanity by the government of another country.” The case will have major ramifications for future attempts to try former heads of state.

Second, there are questions to ponder about how Senegalese politics interacted with the trial. VOA quotes Reed Brody, a lawyer with Human Rights Watch, framing the shift in

Senegalese authorities’ behavior on the case as a result of the change in administration from President Abdoulaye Wade – in office 20002012 – to new President Macky Sall.

“In 10 months, Macky Sall and [Justice Minister] Aminata Toure and the government of Senegal have moved this case more than Abdoulaye Wade had done in 12 years. Finally, the tenacity and the perseverance of the victims is being been rewarded by this government,” [Brody] said.

AFP says from investigation through trial and possible appeals, the case could last till May 2015.

Libyan leader calls for unity on second anniversary

L

IBYA’S leader called on Sunday for unity in the North African nation as it celebrates the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi but plunged the country into lawlessness and economic woes.

Addressing thousands of flag-wav-

ing Libyans, Mohammed el-Megarif urged his countrymen to “join ranks and resolve our differences to build our nation.”

He also promised to fight poverty and “marginalization,” and to give Libyans extra cash to mark the occasion. He did not say how much

money he meant, or how it would be distributed.

El-Megarif spoke at a rally in Benghazi, the eastern Libyan city that was the birthplace of the anti-Gadhafi uprising in 2011.

Libya has been roiled by instability and violence since the ouster of

•MALI, bourem : Locals welcome French soldiers in Bourem northen Mali on February 17, 2013. Leaders in Africa’s Sahel region called on Saturday for further efforts to support Mali as they announced new funds to back a West AFP PHOTO /POOL PASCAL GUYOT African force in the country.

the Gadhafi regime in late 2011.

Benghazi has been among the worsthit parts of the country, falling prey to armed militiamen and Muslim militants. El-Megarif alluded to the rise of radical Islam in the energyrich nation, vowing that he would not allow Libya to become “an incubator of terrorism and violence.”

In what appeared to be an attempt to assuage the militants, the Libyan leader promised that the nation’s next constitution would explicitly declare Islam as the country’s religion and that Islamic law, or Shariah, would be the main source of legislation.

He also vowed to push for laws that would “isolate” remnants of the old Gadhafi regime, another bid to appease militants who claim that members of the ousted regime remained in charge of many government departments as well as the security forces.

Sunday’s celebration was held amid tight security precautions. Army vehicles blocked roads leading to the site and snipers deployed on nearby rooftops.

Underlining the depth of resentment in Benghazi toward the central government in the capital, Tripoli, several youths among the crowd interrupted el-Megarif’s speech with hostile chants.

ANALYSIS

C

HINA’S growing presence in Africa is one of the region’s biggest stories, but even seasoned analysts cannot decide whether this booming relationship is good or bad for Africa.

Critics say Chinese strategy is entirely self-promotional, aimed at maintaining access to Africa’s precious mineral resources even when that means propping up odious governments.

China’s supporters say the Asian superpower is strictly neutral and business-oriented, preferring to generate economic growth not a dangerous dependency on aid.

China has certainly been contributing to Africa’s economic growth, both in terms of trade and with building infrastructure. All over the continent, it has built roads, railways, ports, airports, and more, filling a critical gap that western donors have been shy to provide and unblocking major bottlenecks to growth.

The rehabilitated 840-mile Benguela railway line, for example, now connects Angola’s Atlantic coast with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.

And Chinese-financed roads have cut journey times from Ethiopia’s hinterland to the strategic port of Djibouti, facilitating livestock exports.

Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Africa and China continues to grow at an extraordinary pace, reaching $160 billion in 2011 from just $ 9 billion in 2000.

More from CNN: Is West losing out to China in Africa?

But some 90 percent of Sino-African trade is still based around natural resources – oil, ores, and minerals. And exports of natural resources by themselves do not help Africa to develop as we can see from the examples of Nigeria and Angola, Sub-Saharan Africa’s

Is China good or bad for Africa?

By Peter Eigen

two largest oil exporters.

First, oil and mining are not labor intensive industries. So while natural resources may create impressive headline growth figures, they do not necessarily translate into widespread job creation.

Second, as we saw in the Netherlands in the 1960s and Norway today, large oil and mineral reserves can distort the local currency, pushing up prices of other exports, such as agricultural products, and making them much harder to sell overseas.

Third, without careful management, oil and mineral revenues have often fuelled corruption which has a severely negative impact on a country’s development. It’s notable, for example, that China is not yet one of the supporting countries for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), an initiative to promote transparency and accountability in the governance of natural resources.

Away from the oil and mining industries, critics of China say they don’t see much evidence of China advocating for Africa on global issues either.

Climate change and better access to overseas markets are two such issues.

But at the Africa Progress Panel we see little evidence of China pushing hard for improved market access for African products in non-African markets.

Indeed, South African and other manufacturers have frequently complained about the crushing competition from Chinese textiles. Nor do we see China pushing for any meaningful breakthroughs in climate negotiations that

would favor African nations.

More heavily publicized, Chinese use of its veto in the U.N. Security Council to inhibit international action on Darfur has made a mockery of China’s supposedly “neutral” stance.

So what else could Africa and China do so that Africa benefits more from its growing relationship with China?

For a start, African countries could diversify their economies as much as possible away from supplying unprocessed natural resources to China.

This will make them less dependent on the vagaries of both the Chinese economy and the ups and downs of global commodity prices. Trade with China may have helped insulate Africa from the full impact of the 2008 financial crisis, but Africa still looks vulnerable to China’s economic slowdown. Meanwhile, African nations should also prepare for the day when they no longer have natural resources to sell. At the Africa Progress Panel, we talk about transforming natural resource wealth into human capital, by investing revenues into health and education.

Second, African countries need to encourage Chinese investment into more labor intensive sectors. Africa’s population is growing faster than anywhere else in the world, and job creation is a top priority. If Africa cannot create jobs to keep up with the growth of its workforce, then we can expect to see a large and growing population of frustrated, jobless youth.

As China’s relationship with Africa shifts from being essentially government-to-government to business-tobusiness, some analysts see enormous potential in the manufacturing indus-

try, especially for clothing and textiles.

Rising Chinese wages in this sector may lead Chinese manufacturers to export jobs to African countries where labor prices are lower.

One example of how this might work is Zambia, where some 300 Chinese companies now employ around 25,000 people. Ethiopia’s shoemaking sector has also benefited from Chinese investment that has created jobs and exports.

For the most part, however, and despite the scale of investment, linkages between Chinese investment and local economies remains weak.

Third, African countries could negotiate better terms with Chinese investors, including quality control and better linkages with local economies.

African governments could urge China to improve market access for African goods overseas, for example in trade fora such as the World Trade Organization. The IMF estimates the average import tariff faced by low-income countries in Africa in the BRICS at 13 percent – around three times the level in the United States and the European Union (which also operate a range of non-tariff barriers).

On quality, observers describe shoddy workmanship in a range of Chinese investments from crumbling walls in a Chinese-built hospital in Angola, enormous potholes in Ghanaian and Zambian roads, and a leaking roof in the African Union’s new $ 200 million headquarters opened in January.

Fairly or unfairly, many in Africa complain that Chinese projects do not employ enough Africans or do enough to transfer skills and technology. The

reality is that this will vary from project to project. When a country is emerging from a decade or two of civil war, its labor force may not have sufficient capacity to work on technical projects.

But at the Africa Progress Panel we view job creation as a priority issue for Africa’s development. Skills development has a major role to play in this respect.

And when Africans are employed, working conditions are sometimes substandard. Human Rights Watch reports dangerous work conditions in Zambian mines. And pay disputes at a copper mine also in Zambia led to two Chinese managers shooting at miners in 2010, then the death of a Chinese manager this August.

Fifth, Africa could keep working to make itself as attractive a business environment as possible. At the Africa Progress Panel, we consider further regional economic integration to be a priority. Africa’s population will one day represent the world’s largest consumer market. If they can get increased market access by investing in a single country, Chinese businesses will want to invest much more.

Analysts see more Chinese businesses coming to Africa, meaning that the Africa-China relationship is diversifying away from simply government-to-government relationships.

This makes it harder to characterize the relationship as either good or bad.

However we view it, China’s growing presence in Africa is part of a rapidly changing reality that presents enormous opportunity Peter Eigen is a member of the Africa Progress Panel, founder and chair of the Advisory Council, Transparency International.

57

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

NEWS Gunmen kidnap Briton, Italian, others in Bauchi Continued from page 2

loose ties to Boko Haram (Western Education is a sin), which has killed hundreds during a three-year-long insurgency focused mostly on Nigerian security forces, religious targets and politicians, rather than foreigners.

Boko Haram wants to carve out an Islamic state in Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan has repeatedly said that the military are winning the battle against what he calls “terrorism” in northern Nigeria.

But Western governments are increasingly concerned about Islamists in Nigeria linking up with groups outside the region, including al Qaeda’s

North African wing AQIM. President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona Ekhomu urged the Federal Government to urgently commit law enforcement, intelligence and counterterrorism resources in locating and safely rescuing the seven kidnapped foreign workers.

Ekhomu said the international community was waiting to see how the Nigerian authorities will resolve the kidnap crisis. He said the Bauchi kidnap incident was unfortunate as several nationalities were involved. “Our foreign partners are counting on the Nigerian security infrastructure to keep their citizens safe while they

are in Nigeria. Therefore no security resource should be spared in the prompt and safe release of the foreign kidnap victims.”

The internationally-renowned security expert said the kidnap operation was apparently executed by Boko Haram in consultation with Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).. He said: “the security breach must be understood in the context of Nigeria’s military action in Mali. The kidnap saga is meant to teach us a lesson for sending troops to Mali.

This action is obviously one of those backlashes that we have anticipated will follow in the wake of Nigeria’s military action in Mali.”

I was dead for one week, says First Lady Continued from page 2

never return to the country alive. Some of them even sold my things off.”

“I won’t say everything here. It is the Lord’s doing that I returned alive. When God says yes, nobody can say no.”

“People are always afraid of operation (surgery) but in my own case, while my travail lasted, I was begging for it (surgery) after the third operation because I was going to the theatre everyday.”

“It was God who saw me through. I did eight or nine surgeries within one month.

It was not an easy one. The day I came back, I said God I have nothing to say, I offer myself to you. I will be doing things that will touch the lives of the less privilege.”

“God gave me second chance because I reached there. He knew I have not completed the assignments He gave me, that was why I was sent back.” She stated.

Mrs. Jonathan returned to the country on October 17, last year to the warm embrace of the President, her son, the President’s mother Eunice, family members, friends, staff and other well wishers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

“I thank God Almighty for bringing me back safely to Nigeria. Wherever there are good people, there are also bad ones.

“There are few Nigerians that are saying whatever they like but not what God planned because God has a plan for all of us. And God has said it all that where two or three are gathered in His name, he will be with them.

And Nigerians gathered and prayed for me and God listened and heard their prayers. So, I thank God for that.

“At the same time, I will use this opportunity to tell those few ones that are saying that anybody that goes into the villa or Aso Rock will die.

“They mentioned Abacha, they mentioned Stella Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and other people. Why didn’t they mention those ones that went there with their families, succeeded and still came out alive.

“We should remember that Aso Rock is the seat of power and that is where God has ordained for we Nigerians that our leaders should rule from, and rule us right. God is wonderful and his infinite mercies endure.

“But at the same time, I will use this opportunity to thank my beloved husband and my children and my staff in gen-

eral and all Nigerians for standing by me during my trying time.

“God has given me a second chance to come and work with the women of Nigeria, children and the less privileged. I have come to serve Nigeria. I have come to work with Nigerians. I’m there for them. Once more, I am pleased to be back.

“I love Nigerians. They are my family.”

She spoke more on her mystery illness later at a reception at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, saying: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and staff they comfort me.

“It is, therefore, the Grace of God, expressed in His kindness and mercy, and the supplications of you all that I stand before you today, as a living testimony to the goodness of the Lord “This is especially so when you remember that I emerged from a situation that can be said to defy logic and even challenged medical science.”

Dame Patience said Aso Rock Villa must be regarded at the nation’s centre of power and authority and not the devil’s playground. “It is our spiritual duty to sanctify and declare it the city of God, where only the will of God shall always prevail.”

The first lady said she had decided to re-dedicate herself to the service of God, the Nigerian women, youths, children, the less-privileged, the vulnerable, the poor and the disadvantaged.

She expressed gratitude to God, her husband, her mother and mother in-law who she said were genuinely concerned about her, praying for her recovery.

President Jonathan said the recovery of his wife would put an end to the mystery of death of a leader or spouse at the seat of power in Aso Rock.

He said the insinuation of the mystery of death at the seat of power was rife during his wife’s illness.

He expressed gratitude to God for keeping her, saying that “if anything had happened, there would have been different stories from false prophets and many other things would have followed.

Said the President: “We all know we will all die but the best time to die is not when you are serving your nation.”

Aso Rock Chaplain Ven. Obioma Onwuzumba said that the belief, that death usually strikes one of the

couple that occupies the seat of power in Aso Rock never came to pass in the case of Dame Patience.

He noted that through fervent prayers, the enemy that wanted to put fear and obstacle in the way of the Jonathan family was put to shame.

“We have a great story to tell today; the First Lady is hale and hearty”, Rev. Onwuzumba said.

Songs and praises were rendered by various gospel artistes and the Aso Rock Villa choir at the reception.

A special presentation of the portrait of the President and the First Lady in joyous mood was presented to the first family by Ministers of Land and Urban Development Ms Ama Pepple and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, on behalf of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Dignitaries at the ceremony included former Ghananian President John Kuffor; former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Maryam Aloma Mukthar; former First Ladies, Maryam Abacha and Justice Fati Abubakar, and wife of former Vice President Titi Abubakar.

Also present were Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy House Speaker Emeka Ihedioha; Governors Godwill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom State), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Theodore Oji (Abia), and Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta).Dame Abimbola Fashola, wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs Oluwakemi Mimiko, wife of the Ondo State Governor, among others.

There were also actors and actresses and other categories of people and politicians.

PDP governors to release Jonathan’s one-term pact Continued from page 2

stop blackmailing Jonathan.

“If he signed such a document, that means he has signed it under duress and therefore the document is a nullity. If Jonathan decides to run in 2015, it should be based on his performance in office. We cannot run away from the fact that the Jonathan Presidency has been under serious threat by those who vowed to make the country ungovernable. And so, that kind of document is not acceptable to us.”

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

58

CITYBEATS A

RE the police and other security agencies involved in pipeline vandalism? Yes, they are, say residents of FESTAC Town, Lagos, who are accusing the law enforcemnet agencies of despoiling their environment.

Oil pipelines pass through some areas of FESTAC. These pipelines are being vandalised by those who scoop petroleum products from them to sell at give-away prices.

Lamenting the degradation of their farm lands, pollution of their water and air, the residents urged the government to come to their rescue.

They said the illicit act, which began in 2006, is thriving because of the involvement of security agents who escort vandals on operation at wee hours of the night.

It was gathered that a stream behind a church in the estate serves as entry and exit points for vandals who come in a fleet of cars with armed policemen.

During a visit, The Nation observed that the stream had been polluted with oil.

A boat paddler, Mr. Francis Adoku, told The Nation that vandals’ activities had forced fishermen in the area out of business.

He said: "The activities of those boys are very painful. It is more painful because the police and other security agencies are aware.

They often come here with police escorts, fully dressed in police uniform with guns. If the police say they are not part of this illegal business, they are lying. This river is not where the pipeline is; they just cross through this place to the other side to steal crude oil.

"Look at the river, it is now black; nothing can survive in it.

Look at even the farmlands here; people cannot engage in bush burning because everywhere will catch fire. Their activities have destroyed our business here."

Another source told The Nation that some policemen who conspired with the vandals were recently arrested. He said the vandals greased the policemen's palms on weekly basis, adding: "If government wants to end pipeline vandalism, it knows what to do.

They must do something fast before my entire farmland will become unproductive," the farmer said.

A resident, Lanre Ogunsanya, urged the government to stop the vandals, adding: "I spend most of my time here. Since they started

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Police, others involved in pipeline vandalism, FESTAC residents allege •It’s a lie, says police spokesman

By Precious Igbonwelundu

this exercise about six years ago, it has not been easy coping with the smell of fuel all over the place.

They usually come between 3 and 4am, when the whole place is quiet. I have seen them on several occasions that I slept in church.

They always come in many cars with police escorts.

"They have condemned our water. Our well is filled with oil.

We used to use the water for domestic chores but we can no longer do so. So, the whole thing is affecting us. We are very cautious with the use of generating sets to avoid an inferno. Their canoe is anchored at the other side; it has been there for more than one week and we have not seen them."

When contacted, Commander, Area E, Festac, Dan Okoro, described the allegations as unfounded. He said none of his men was arrested, nor had any policeman been caught conniving with the hoodlums.

Okoro said: "Who are the policemen? How can they say the vandals are working with police?

The place is strictly manned by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)?

"The Police have no business in that area. And besides, there is no pipeline at 7th Avenue. That place is the creek they pass through.

There are no pipelines there. It is just the river; the pipeline is at a very far distance which is where fire was said to have occurred. So, if anybody says the Police, Army or any security a g e n c y d i d anything, find out and you will see that there is no truth in it.

"The allegation is baseless; it cannot happen in my command.

My men know that if they engage in criminal activities, they will pay dearly for it. No officer was arrested over pipeline vandalism in my command."

The State Commandant, NSCDC, Shem Obafaye, said: "Why not find time and see me

‘Prophet’ arrested with human parts

A

‘prophet’ with the Star Glory Church has been arrested with an accomplice for allegedly being in possession of fresh human parts.

They were arrested by policemen from Ikotun Police Station with the parts which were concealed inside a bag.

The policemen were on patrol around the area on Saturday when they accosted two men carrying a Ghana must go bag and a polythene bag dripping with blood.

The policemen were said to have requested to know the content of the bag, but instead of showing them, one of the suspects suddenly took to his heels.

Police sources disclosed that the suspect’s action aroused suspicion. The police therefore insisted on knowing what was inside the bag.

It was learnt that reluctantly, the remaining suspect opened the bag and the content shocked all those who were

By Jude Isiguzo

around. It was filled with fresh human parts and two bloodfilled plastic containers.

In the bag were five human fingers, heart, liver, kidney and intestines, all concealed inside a plastic filled with water.

The various parts were tied in separate polythene bags which were all put inside the Ghana must go bag.

The arrested suspect, Kunle Olaide, claimed that the bag was given to him by his friend who escaped.

Olaide and his fleeing partner, slept in a church the previous night.

He said he was coming from the church in Egbe area of the state when they were accosted.

Olaide’s confessional statement later led to the arrest of the church’s prophet.

The suspects are being detained at the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Yaba.

•Adoku...getting ready to paddle his canoe in the polluted water on Saturday

Lagos to partner NNPC/PPMC on pipeline vandalism THE Lagos State Government has said that it would assist the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiary, the Pipeline Product Marketing Company (PPMC), to tackle pipeline vandalism in the state.

State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Taofiq Ajibade Tijani, disclosed this during a meeting with top officials from NNPC/PPMC who were in his office to seek the state government's cooperation in clearing illegal structures on the right of way of pipeline routes in the state.

Welcoming the team, the Commissioner said the in my office so that we will discuss the issue? I am in a meeting now and the meeting will last till 3:30pm."

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State, Damasus Ozoani, an Assistant

By Miriam Ndikanwu

state government was ready to do all within its constitutional powers to ensure the safety of its citizens by supporting activities that would discourage pipeline vandalism in any part of the State.

He lauded the initiatives to clear the pipeline right of way which, he said, would further enhance the monitoring of the pipeline routes. He, however, urged the team to explore new technologies to effectively monitor pipeline routes to curb incessant vandalism of pipelines in the state and beyond.

Superintendent (ASP), said he was not aware of any such arrest, adding that the petroleum monitoring task force is in charge of such operations.

"I am not sure such a thing will happen in Okoro's

command because he is a nononsense person. Police officers in the petroleum taskforce are deployed there to work with other agencies. No such case has been reported and I can tell you that those allegations are not true."

Why bank fraud persists, by police boss

T

HE Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Milliverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Mr Olatunde Ogunsakin, has attributed the difficulty in tackling fraud in the financial sector, especially banks, to what he described as insider abuse.

He explained that no matter how hard the police try to check financial crime in banks, bank executives must do something drastic check the problem of insider abuse in the sector.

"There are a lot of people working in banks now that are not supposed to be there. We have been asking the banks' executives to review their procedures for staff recruitment.

This is the only way we can begin to successful fight fraud in the banks.

"The Inspector General of Police has given us that mandate and we must win the fight against financial crime and frauds in the banks. We

•Ogunsakin

By Jude Isiguzo

are already thinking of organising a workshop for banks' executives where we will teach them how to recruit the right persons to work in their organisation", Ogunsakin

explained.

Ogunsakin noted that the new forensic department of the SFU which is still under construction would be employed to check fraud when completed.

"We at the SFU are committed to the course of fighting financial fraud whether in the banking industry or in the oil and gas sector. As a policeman, my responsibility is to fight crime in all its ramifications and that is what I am doing here. And we are lucky to have an IG whose cardinal point is crime fighting", he said.

On how he had been able to ensure justice for victims of fraud cases brought before him, Ogunsakin said: "As an Ekiti man, what gives me satisfaction is to give justice to people. The poor victims feel more fulfilled with the justice they get.

Whoever comes here needs to be given justice. The justice you give to the lowlyplaced in the society can be more enduring than the one you give to the rich".

Christians urged to be peaceful

L

AGOS State Government has charged Christians to live peacefully with members of other religion.

State Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire gave the advice at the thanksgiving service held for the 2012 Pilgrims to Jerusalem in Israel at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa.

Addressing the 2,000 pilgrims who took part in the pilgrimage, she urged them to practise what they had learnt in the holy land.

"We are committed to helping our citizens fulfil their religious

By Miriam Ndikanwu

obligations. Now that you have gone to the holy land, let us be good example of believers. I urge you to allow what you have seen to strengthen your faith in God. "Preach to others on matters that bother on peaceful co-existence and tolerance. Don't relent in praying for our leaders to implement policies that will benefit the citizens and enhance national growth," she urged.

Executive Secretary, Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board,

Mrs. Bola Fashola noted that the spiritual life of the pilgrims had been lifted, adding that the board was looking towards a better pilgrimage this year.

She said there had not been cases of people smuggling hard drugs to the holy land as those who go for the pilgrimage were men of proven integrity.

Also speaking, Governor Babatunde Fashola charged the pilgrims to impact meaningfully on the society. Fashola, who spoke through the Head of Service, Mr Adesegun Ogunlewe, urged the pilgrims to always use the experience garnered to pray for the State, the country and their loved ones

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Fake army officer One dead, 10 nabbed as cultists clash in Delta A held in Lagos A man has died following a bloody clash between two rival cult groups in Delta

fake army officer who specialised in snatching cars in Lagos, has been arrested, police chief Umar Manko said yesterday.

Manko said the suspect, who is widely known as "Lt. Sule" in his neighbourhood, was arrested in his girlfriend's house at Ogudu, a Lagos suburb, following a tip-off.

The suspect's arrest followed series of complaints about car snatching by residents, who claimed that the syndicate was led by an army officer.

Manko said operatives from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested the suspect after a manhunt.

He said four pairs of army uniforms with different badges of various ranks, two army identification cards and boots were recovered from the suspect.

Other items recovered from him include a Honda Civic car marked PQ 786 KJA and Honda CRV Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with registration number BU 277 FST, which were stolen in Lagos and Imo states.

Manko said investigations revealed that the suspect had never enlisted in the Nigerian Army, adding that he was just a

State.

The victim, Victor Odoye was allegedly killed in Okwagbe, Ughelli South Local Government Area.

The victim, it was learnt, died after been caught in a cross fire by the warring groups. It is unclear if the victim was a cultist.

The victim's remains were recovered in a bush close to St. Vincent College, Okwagbe.

It was gathered that the suspected cultists brandished dangerous weapons while engaging each other in a battle before security agents were alerted.

Delta Police Public Relations Officer, Famous Ajieh who

T

•Chidoka

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

confirmed the death of the victim, said his men, with the local vigilance group, arrested ten suspects who allegedly participated in the battle.

Ajieh, however, stated that the deceased had been deposited at morgue in the area, adding that two daggers were recovered at the scene of battle.

Ajieh, who said the ages of those arrested were between 18 and 27 years, disclosed that the police were hot on the trail of one of the leaders of the cult groups simply identified as Solomon said to be an ex-militant.

Also, the Delta Police said they had intensified investigation into

the alleged self-kidnap of a 63year-old mother, Kate Emienor and her 22-year-old son, Obehi.

Obehi , it was learnt, conspired with his mother to arrange her abduction in order to extort money from her wealthy son based overseas.

The duo who reside in Benin City, Edo State, were said to have relocated to their hideout in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Council area and made phone calls to her overseas-based son, demanding N20 million ransom.

The duo, it was gathered reduced the ransom to N10 million after about ten days of negotiation.

However, the police acting on a tip-off swung into action arresting both suspects.

NDLEA takes over Aba drug spot •Manko

member of a criminal syndicate that wanted to tarnish the image of the security institutions.

He urged the public to promptly report such criminals to the Police, promising that his command would strive to reduce crime to the barest minimum.

FRSC counts blessings at anniversary HE Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osita Chidoka yesterday said that the establishment of a lead agency in 1988, had provided significant milage for road traffic administration and safety management in the country.

Making this declaration at a presentation during a special church service in Abuja to mark the Corps' 25th anniversary, the Corps Marshal recalled the numerous measures by the Federal and states government in previous years, in addition to initiatives by various private organisations to address the menace of road crashes until the then Federal Government brought the Oyo state model of road safety to national limelight through the establishment of the FRSC in 1988, at a time when the annual figure on road crashes was 25,000.

Exuding fulfillment, Chidoka added that the FRSC had not only

•Police arrest mother, son in fake kidnap saga

reduced this trend to 4,600 crashes as at 2012, but had initiated an unprecedented advocacy on seatbelt usage, improved staff strength from 250 in 1988 to 18,000 now, adding that the corps had led the creation of the largest volunteer group of 15,000 special marshals in Africa to improve road safety management in Nigeria.

Speaking further, the Corps Marshal said the Corps had installed 374 V-sats to ensure seamless interconnectivity in its administrative and operational func tions, spearheaded the infusion of road safety into schools' curriculum in 2012; impacted tremendously in traffic engineering through road safety audits and reduced response time to road crashes through a 24- hour Call Centre which created a unique interface between the Corps and the motoring public.

However, Chidoka solicited for public support and compliance with traffic rules and regulations as the Corps marches on to deliver on the goals of the United Nations' decade of action on road safety by 2020.

In his sermon, the Minister-inCharge of First Baptist Church, Garki, Rev. Dr. Isreal Akanji quoted from the book of Luke 10: 25-37 which dwells on the good Samaritan who rescued the traveler who was attacked by armed robbers and took him for treatment without seeking any reward, even when a Levite and a Priest passed the same way without rendering any assistance.

Rev Akanji likened the selfless work of the Samaritan in the bible to the tireless service which the FRSC had been doing in the last 25 years in Nigeria, which he said, had impacted positively on the attitude of road users in Nigeria

T

HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has taken over the popular hard drugs retail market, York, in Aba, Abia State.

The state’s Commander, Mrs Florence Ezeonye, told reporters she would wipe out the hard drugs spot.

She said: “I am saying that the purpose of this operation today is to wipe out that particular name called York, a retail market for hard drugs. York is now our beat which has never happened in the history of Abia NDLEA Command. York is now a beat for our officers, instead of saying York for hard drug dealers; it is York for NDLEA

By Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

officers."

"The agency is collaborating with other sister security agencies, the state government and some concerned citizens who offered to pay for office spaces in York so that our officers can stay there as a beat."

She said with the presence of security operatives at the market, drug dealers would not visit the spot again.

Mrs Ezeonye said: "I think for now, people should watch out and see how, whether there will be York after today's operation or business as usual, it is always better seen than heard. I am saying whatever that it is within our power to do, so

that we don't see York in existence again, we will do."

The challenge the agency would face, she said, is providing a rehabilitation home for arrested drug addicts. The building of a rehab home for those arrested will go a long way to keep them off drugs, she added.

“When you go again, you can catch a handful or nobody, or those who are only the users which is of no use to us, the only use they are is that if there is a rehab centre where we can put them through rehabilitation process and then get them back into good use. But where there is no rehabilitation centre, catching them is like a useless venture."

•Left to right: Mr. Ganiyu Adesanya, Mr. Olabunmi Sadiq, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, Princess Mulikat Olukoga and Mr. Ganiyu Ahmed at the 32nd remembrance prayers for the late Pa Sulaimon Adebambo Olukoga held at Okeriya, Ikorodu, Lagos last weekend PHOTO: MOSES OMOSEHIN

King's College appeals to LAWMA

T

HE P a r e n t s / T e a c h e r s Association (PTA) of King's College has appealed to the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) to increase the number of contractors evacuating wastes from schools on Lagos Island.

The executive told reporters on Saturday, that waste evacuation was slow because o n l y o n e c o n t r a c t o r was handling refuse disposal for the schools.

The said a pile of rubbish is defacing the school, which is

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

behind the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS). It appealed to the agency to give way to other contractors or allow the school to clear the waste.

"The challenge we have is that LAWMA has only one contractor evacuating dirt for all schools on Lagos Island and the rate of evacuation is slow.

If LAWMA can assist us to increase the number of contractors that evacuates the dirt, we won't have this problem. If we have a way of doing it ourselves, we will do,"

said Pastor Timi Ajayi, the association's treasurer.

The PTA Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Oriakhi, said the association would get a container large enough to accommodate the refuse to keep the area which overlooks part of the administrative building of the 104-year-old college tidy.

"In two weeks, we will get something to pack the rubbish.

We were planning an incinerator but we will get something that anyone who wants to dispose of rubbish will have to climb up to empty it into the place," he said.

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SPORT EXTRA

Omeruo fears for Flying Eagles’ AYC campaign

S

UPER EAGLES and ADO Den Haag defender on loan from Chelsea, Kenneth Omeruo may not be available for the Flying Eagles campaign in the Africa Youth Championship when hostilities begin in Algeria in March 16.

The defending Champions Nigeria would be

From Seguin Ogunjimi, Abuja campaigning in Group B along with debutants Gabon, Mali and DR Congo. But Omeruo who had a successful campaign in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa where he helped the Super Eagles to win the Afcon

2013 Championship has confided in NationSport it would be very difficult for his Dutch club ADO Den Haag to release him on a long period for the final phase of the preparations for the Algeria tournament.

“Firstly I thanked God for helping us (the Super Eagles) to win the Nations Cup. Happier because this is my first Nation Cup experience and for me to go and win it with my colleagues is an experience I will never forget in my life.

“As regards the Africa Youth Championship I am eager and very ready to help the Flying Eagles defend the Cup we won the last time. But it will be very difficult for ADO Den Haag to release me for the competition this time around. You know I

have stayed long in Eagles amp for the preparations for the Afcon and the tournament proper. So iot will be very difficult for my club to release me for another five to six weeks for both the final preparations and the AYC in Algeria.

“Unless the Nigeria Football Federation comes in to plead on my behalf for ADO Den Haag to release me. You know also that the AYC is not on the major tournament in FIFA’s calendar. In as much as I would like to help the Flying Eagles to defend the AYC Trophy it all depends on my club to release me for the competition”, Omeruo told NationSport after Eagles emerged 2013 Afcon Champions in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Rangers move to the next round in Champions League

FACUP

Man Utd could face Chelsea

M

ANCHESTER UNITED will face Chelsea in a mouthwatering FA Cup quarter-final if both clubs progress through their respective fifth-round ties. helsea, the defending champions who are looking to win the competition for a fourth time in five years, secured their place in round five with a 4-0 fourth-round replay defeat of Brentford and will face npower Championship side Middlesbrough next.

The winner of that tie will then play either runaway Barclays Premier League leaders United or Reading in the quarter-finals, with those teams playing their fifth-round clash at Old Trafford on Monday night.

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, who saw off Leeds 4-0 in their

fifth-round clash, were handed a home tie with Championship outfit Barnsley in the last eight as they look to repeat their 2011 FA Cup success.

Blackburn's reward for their shock 1-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadiumwas an away tie with fellow Championship side Millwall, who ended the run of non-league Luton in the fifth round with a 3-0 triumph.

The other quarter-final will see Wigan, 4-1 victors over Huddersfield, travel to either Oldham or Everton.

League One Oldham, the lowestranked side still in the tournament, earned a fifth-round replay with Everton at Goodison Park after Matt Smith scored a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

The quarter-final ties will be played on the weekend of March 9 and 10.

•Walk over Sporting Clube do Principe

E

•Omeruo

NUGU Rangers are through to the first round of the 2013 CAF Champions League without kicking a ball after their opponents, Sporting Clube do Principe of Sao Tome's were walked over by the match officials after they failed to arrive Nigeria for the match. SportingLife gathered that the team from the Southern African nation had issues with the entry visas for their players which was only given to them on Saturday.

A top official of the Flying Antelopes said Sporting Clube contacted the Confederation of African Football(CAF) to look at the possibility of rescheduling

heights noting that the world Cup is the ultimate.

He commended the head coach of the Supper Eagles Stephen Keshi for the matured way he managed his crisis with the Nigerian Football Federation and urged Nigerians to take a cue from it.

The law maker urged the Supper Eagles to begin early preparation for their world cup campaign.

the game to Tuesday this week but it seemed the Sao Tome representatives couldn't meet up with the requirement set by the football governing body in Africa.

The match officials guided by the match commissioner, Sombo I. Wesley from Liberia performed the walked over rituals and they will be returning back to their base today.

Rangers thus breezed into the next round with the technical disqualification of their Sao Tome opposition.

It is the second time within 24 hours that the two Nigeria's flag bearers in the lucrative club competition would be putting themselves into reckoning for berths into the next round after Kano Pillars thrashed Olympique de Bangui of Central African Republic 51 in the first leg of the same competition on Saturday.

Both will strive to at least emulate the feat set by Sunshine Stars last year when they got to the semi finals before losing out to eventual champions Al Ahly of Egypt 4-3 on aggregate.

as Liverpool quickly settled the game in a rampant spell.

Coutinho was also involved in the build-up in Liverpool's third goal four minutes later, linking up with Luis Suarez before Daniel Sturridge crossed for Jose Enrique to prod in.

Suarez hit a fourth on 56 after twisting and turning in the area before Sturridge made it 5-0 with a second penalty.

It was Liverpool's first victory over a team in the top half of the Premier League this season and a first for manager Brendan Rodgers over his former side.

AFCON 2013: Bamidele salutes Eagles FORMER Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Lagos State, Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele has joined other well meaning Nigerians to congratulate the Super Eagles of Nigeria for winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations held in South Africa.

Bamidele in a press statement noted that the Supper Eagles have shown that Nigeria has both human and capital resources to be the leading country in the continent both economically and sports wise.

According to him, the Eagles victory was as a result of hard work, commitment and dedication.

The former sports commissioner who noted that the Eagles were not given any chance of lifting the Cup have demonstrated and shown that Nigeria has the potentials of maintaining its leading role in Africa.

"I am confident that this is just the starting point for Nigeria because it is certain that Nigeria will no longer lose its number one position to any other country" Opeyemi said.

The law maker who is currently the chairman House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research urged the Federal Government to show more commitment to sports development as he noted that this will bring a turn around and boost the nation's economy.

According to him, many

From Seguin Ogunjimi, Abuja countries of the world make a lot of money from sports just as sports men and women are among the richest people in the world.

Honourable Opeyemi also urged the Supper Eagles not to rest on their oars but see their victory in the Nations cup as a challenge to greater

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

•Chelsea's John Terry, foreground, celebrates his goal against Brentford with teammate Demba Ba, during their English FA Cup fourth round replay soccer match at Stamford Bridge, London, Sunday

WORLD U-12 BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

IBAF invites Nigeria to China

T Liverpool crush Swansea 5-0 B RAZILIAN playmaker Philippe Coutinho scored on his first start for Liverpool who leapfrogged Swansea City into seventh place in the English Premier League by crushing the below-strength Welsh side 5-0 at Anfield on Sunday.

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup rested a host of regular starters with next weekend's Capital One (League) Cup final against fourth-tier Bradford City in mind, a decision which spectacularly backfired.

Steven Gerrard's penalty on 34 minutes set Liverpool on their way, the midfielder making no mistake having had a spot-kick saved in the home defeat by West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

Coutinho, who joined last month from Inter Milan on a long-term contract, ran at the Swansea defence and beat keeper Michel Vorm soon after the restart to make it 2-0

•Swansea City's Leon Britton, centre right, attempts to block a shot by Liverpool's Luis Suarez, centre, during the Barclays Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool, Sunday

HE International Baseball Federation, IBAF, the world governing body for baseball has formally invited Nigeria for the forthcoming world U12 Baseball Championship scheduled to take place in Taipei, China from July 20 to 28, 2013.

In extending the invitation to Nigeria, IBAF acknowledged the developmental programme which the country has embarked on in the recent years adding that embracing the international scene will no doubt help in expiditing the development of the game in the country.

IBAF has also invited 12 other countries from other parts of the world to take part in this competition.

Meanwhile, the process of getting the best players that will represent Nigeria in the world tournament has started with a camping in Ibadan starting 19 February 2013 and to run for 8 days. Best players have seen selected from teams in different from every parts of the country with Oyo state government playing a pivotal role in the national camping

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja event.

In addition, an American Coach has been appointed as the technical adviser of the national team and he is scheduled to be in Nigeria very soon to start working on the team.

Commenting on the journey so far, the secretary of Nigeria Baseball and softball Federation (NBSF) Kehinde Laniyan praised the efforts of the international body in making sure that the game of baseball grows in Nigeria adding that the nation's invitation among the 12 participating countries was a clear indication that the national body is leaving no stone unturned in making sure that it takes the game to the nooks and crannies of this country.

"We felt fulfilled when we got the invitation. It shows that somebody, somewhere is closely following what we are doing here" he said. Nigeria is also playing host to international headquarters of African Baseball and softball Association (ABSA) with Nigeria born Ishola Williams being the president.

WHO SAID WHAT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 8 NO 2,404

‘If the educational qualification for contesting the presidency is school certificate, then I am qualified because I have a school certificate. I have a first degree and even a Master’s’ ROTIMI AMAECHI

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

I

T mocks us as well as it embraces us. It is the ultimate judge, and its verdict can either bruise or boost us. But it is inevitable.

It is history, a perennial guest at the contemporary dinner table. Whether or not we agree to fete it, its appetite gravitates avidly to our feast.

Nothing evokes the undying quest of history more than the move by different political parties to coalesce into the All Progressive Congress (APC). It is the feast of the day, a blend of personas, tendencies, ambitions, geographies, ideological flavours. For some, it is poison. For others, it is mother’s culinary genius.

As the news breaks, we see a tension in some parts of the political society, especially in the peacock ranks of the PDP. For them, including the serpentine President Goodluck Jonathan, it is poison in the woods. But this is nothing new. We have seen alliances of this sort through our history, and that is why, this time around, the burden is great. It is time to deliver the killer mouse to the slithering host hibernating in Aso Rock.

Moves such as this make Nigeria’s political history to simultaneously fascinate and imperil. We cannot but admit that the task before us as a nation mounts monstrously with poverty and disease and ignorance hitting the stratosphere. The Jonathan administration has become a consistency of naiveté, a tragedy of errors and missteps. It is dooming us to destruction as a people partly from ignorance, partly from a provincial world view, and partly from surrender to low expectations.

This is not the Jonathan Nigerians hoped for when they voted for transformation. The mass voted for geographic and ethnic change. It has proved fatal. Next time, I hope Nigerians will learn that elections embolden us to high quality of life, good education, health care, security of lives and property, pervasive infrastructure, all redounding to what utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham calls the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

The story took a more potent turn when the governors, 11 in all, came together in a media coup to announce their coalition in support of APC. The debonair Kashim Shettima, Governor of Borno State, read out the communiqué.

With audacity and finesse, he stressed the urgency that Nigeria is on the verge of salvation.

My investigation showed the speech turned the Presidency into a mouse and Jonathan and company lost composure at the news.

We have travelled this path before. The conservative governments at the centre jittered in the First and Second Republics, and they wheeled the democracies into rut, then chaos, then bloody disasters. That is why I say that the task before the governors and party wheel horses behind the mergers must pray for history not to prey on the nobility of the idea.

In the First Republic, the Northern People’s Congress held sway and formed the government at the centre. It embarrassed everyone who wished the young nation well with brinkmanship, labour turbulence, deepening inequality all wrapped up in a petrifying lack of vision. To oust the Balewa government, a coalition came into being known as the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA). It comprised Obafemi Awolowo’s Action Group,

RIPPLES JONATHAN AGREED TO SERVE ONLY ONE TERM–Aliyu

And YOU BELIEVED HIM?

administration presented us with another drama of buffoonery. It was the first time that Nigeria would witness graduate unemployment. So dire was the polity that another alliance was born, the Progressive Parties Alliance (PPA). Shagari’s National Party of Nigeria launched a divide-and-rule strategy in the loose-knit PPA. Zik’s Nigeria People’s Party and Kano’s People’s Redemption Party reeled under divisions, with factions emerging and some merging with the NPN. Awo’s Unity Party of Nigeria was impregnable as the north star of the west.

The ensuing elections were rigged, and it was so brazen that the NPN swept elections even in the strongholds of the East and West, like Anambra, Bendel and Ondo, although Ondo was taken back by the UPN. The NPN fraud swathed the nation in foreboding. The Shagari government had employed police with such brutal flagrance that Sunday Adewusi, the police chief, ordered “shoot at sight” at civilians.

Wole Soyinka fought back by saying, “you are not God.” Professor Yemi Ogunbiyi had called him deputy president in his column in The Guardian. Awolowo, in a deadpan tone reflecting the ennui in the land, warned that Nigeria would never see democracy again in his lifetime. He also harked back to the days of Kwame Nkrumah when the Ghanaian leader introduced the preventive detention act that crushed dissent.

The chill was a prelude to the second coming of the army. Ironically, the soldier was Muhammadu Buhari, whose mien of winsome severity ushered in another era of the gun.

Buhari, now a born-again democrat, is a principal player in the APC move.

Today, unlike in the first and second chapters of our democratic experiments, the North controlled the vortex of power in the centre.

The alliance often arose from the hegemonic hubris of the Hausa-Fulani. The Jonathan victory of 2011 was a protest against it. Now, the alliance pits itself against a southern minority who, by deceptive humility, swept the votes in the Southeast, his Niger Delta region, the Middle belt and the Southwest.

Now, the APC plans to encircle the serpent within his Niger Delta and Southeast, which will make victory an uphill proposition for the PDP in 2015.

But it is a challenge that the APC must embrace with courage and patriotic zeal. In the First and Second Republics, it failed due to internal wrangling as well as the deployment of the apparatuses of state, including the armed forces and the electoral umpire. The alliance of progressives can win, but it will come down to solving these riddles. The choice of its flag bearer may even be more important than the ideological clarity of the union. Ideological purity is a luxury in times of fragile flux and change.

For a good example, we must look back to the days of Babangida when M.K.O Abiola won the fairest election in history. It is the best scenario for the APC challenge. The Social Democratic Party purred as a coalition of the progressives against the National Republican Convention. It was the army that sullied that high noon.

History beckons. Although some scholars believe that we will always replay our past, we can seize the noon. In his doctrine of eternal return, German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wondered whether there was a mathematical certainty that we will repeat the past, a sort of abiku? Some mathematicians who veered into philosophy agree. But exponents of the concept of rational choice have questioned this premise. So should we. If everything that happened in the past happens again, then we will become victims of what Nietzsche calls amor fati, that is love of fate. It is surrender to our misfortunes.

We have the example of the SDP, and that is the challenge. A candidate can come from the North or South, but he should have the gravitas to roll out a drumbeat against the ineptitude at the centre. It is also a challenge to Nigerians to decide for progress rather than suffocating sentiment. It is also a challenge for humility: the players should be a head ahead of their parochial interests.

“To stumble twice over a stone,” writes Cicero, “is a proverbial disgrace.” Who deserves disgrace but the PDP gang in Abuja!

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchsam@yahoo.com 08054501081(sms only) •NMMA Columnist of the Year

The APC challenge

•Shettima Nnamdi Azikiwe’s National Council of Nigerian Citizens, Aminu Kano’s Northern Elements Progressive Union, Joseph Tarka’s United Middle Belt Congress, among others. The NPC formed the Nigeria National Alliance (NNA), which lapped up malcontents across the regions, including the Samuel L. Akintola’s Nigerian National Democratic Party of the Western Region.

The election was turbulent, and the NPC had held its own fraudulently against the alliance until the elections in the Western Region that held the prospect of giving UPGA victory and therefore control of the senate. The NPC bigwigs tooled the quisling of the west, Chief Akintola who was premier, to rig the elections.

That exploded into a series of violence and lit the tinder of the west in what was called we tie.

The result was the rat-a-tat of soldiers that sounded the death knell of that democracy.

In the Second Republic, the Shehu Shagari

O

N Sunday, newspapers reported Governor Babangida Aliyu as claiming that President Goodluck Jonathan actually signed a one-term pact with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors before they agreed to support him for the 2011 presidential election.

Aliyu made this startling disclosure during an interview with a Kaduna-based radio station, Liberty FM on Saturday. Naturally, as any Nigerian government is wont, the presidency has denied that such an agreement existed anywhere. The ball is now in Aliyu’s court, and we await his angry response. All we can confirm so far is that he was quite definite in talking about the pact on Saturday.

In the interview with the radio station, Aliyu had declared thus: “What will be will be in 2015.

We must remind people of the promises they have made. When he (Jonathan) was going to declare, PDP governors were brought together to ensure that we were all in the same frame of mind. Some of us, given the PDP zoning, were expecting that the northern states would produce the President for a number of years, but God has done His own.

At that discussion, it was agreed that President Jonathan would serve one term and we all signed, and when he went to Kampala, he said the same thing. But for now, President Jonathan has not declared his candidacy and we must not be speculating based on those who are benefiting from such a thing. I believe that we are all gentlemen enough and when the time comes, we will all sit down and see what the right thing to do is.”

Jonathan and the one-term pact For a PDP governor, this was quite strong stuff. But Aliyu’s trenchant claims are probably a reflection of the frustrations many governors, and indeed most Nigerians, feel when they contemplate the Jonathan presidency’s lethargic administration of Nigeria. Those frustrations are not likely to abate in the coming months, as the 2015 elections draw near. Two things are, however, evident. One is that Jonathan himself has neither said he would seek reelection, as Aliyu acknowledged, nor has he denied signing a oneterm pact. But don’t rule out a response from Jonathan. It is in the nature of the boyishly optimistic president, when he is inspired, to sometimes angrily rebut disagreeable claims by setting the records straight, no matter whose ox is gored. That of course does not guarantee he would not give a rose-coloured account of what transpired between him and the PDP governors prior to the 2011 elections. His predecessor, the inimitable Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is famous for telling spectacular untruths. There is no reason for us to think that Jonathan is not mildly tarred with the same brush, having been mentored by the gruff former army general.

Second is the fact that a document suggesting Jonathan agreed to a single term may never surface. It is typical of such documents to become either lost or apocryphal. Recall that

Obasanjo also had an agreement with the northern group that put him in power in 1999 to spend only one term. There is abundant evidence to indicate he agreed to its infamous and humiliating terms, for Hardball himself was for a long time in possession of the document.

But the document was either never signed or the only copy signed was kept with Obasanjo himself. It would be surprising if Jonathan signed any document, just as it would not be surprising if he agreed not to seek reelection.

Outfoxing opponents is the exclusive preserve of ambitious leaders.

Yet, it would be unkind to say Governor Aliyu cannot produce documentary proof. We may, however, have to wait for a more auspicious or, as the case may be, ominous time for the signed proof to surface. The country will then have to decide whether a signed one-term pact that implies Jonathan is a liar is sufficient to debar him from seeking reelection. If Jonathan is to be stopped, as the temper of the country appropriately dictates at the moment, his opponents will have to do better than call him a liar. No politician hangs himself for being caught in flagrant delicto. It is a badge of honour. If in doubt, ask Obasanjo again whether he planned to seek third term. And before he answers, hurl Mallam Nasir el-Rufai’s latest book at him and see whether the solid aurochs will flinch.

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