The Nation February 20, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Seven French nationals abducted

Ibadan residents count losses

NEWS Page 6

NEWS

Page 11

•Hollande: Boko Haram did it

•Storm victims seek aid

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VOL. 8, NO. 2406 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•ACCESS BANK: UBAH’S JUDGMENT CAN’T AFFECT DEBT RECOVERY EFFORT —PAGE 7

•Fashola (third left), Gen. Gowon (right), Anyaoku (left), Tinubu (second left), Okunnu (third right) and his wife, Alhaja Latifat at Okunnu’s 80th birthday lecture in Lagos …yesterday

Lagos to oppose petroleum tax

Federal Govt to pay N37.6b damages for Odi massacre

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro, Staff Reporter

F

L

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola, (SAN) has said that the state will resist any plan by the Federal Government to tax the purchase of petrol at pump price through the FERMA Act. Fashola spoke yesterday at a public lecture in commemoration of the 80th birthday anniversary of Alhaji Femi Okunnu.

The lecture, which was held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), was chaired by former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon and attended by other emiContinued on page 6

•Chief Obasanjo...ordered Odi invasion

OURTEEN years after the military invasion of Odi, a Bayelsa State community, a court yesterday awarded N37.618 billion damages for the killings.

Justice Lambi Akanbi of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, awarded the damages in his judgment on the N100 billion suit filed by the community against the

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

Federal Government.

The plaintiffs sought the damages for the destruction of lives and property in Odi during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo recently condemned President Goodluck Jonathan’s handling of the Boko Haram crisis, saying

when he faced such a situation in Odi he acted swiftly and decisively.

President Jonathan rejected the criticism, saying Odi invasion was callous and brutal.

Justice Akanbi ordered that the money be paid by the Federal Government within three weeks.

Continued on page 6

2015: Jonathan to reject one-term agreement Pact has no legal implication,says senior govt official

I

•Dr. Jonathan

F he decides to run in 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan may insist that he signed no agreement to have just one term, a source said yesterday.

His argument will be that if there was any agreement with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, it has no legal effect, “although it is a moral challenge”.

The Presidency is yet to react to the one-term row in order not to overheat the party, it was learnt yesterday.

But a highly-placed source insist-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

ed that an agreement was signed with the PDP governors and some leaders of the party.

The source, who was part of the pact, claimed that most PDP governors have not spoken because they are afraid of “possible backlash” from the Presidency.

According to sources, the President’s strategists have been meeting since Saturday on the implications of the revelation of the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF), Governor Babangida Aliyu, that

there was an agreement that Jonathan would serve one-term in office.

The strategists comprise some ministers, the Chief of Staff to the President, some senators, advisers and a few members of the House of Representatives.

It was gathered that the strategists had weighed the facts available to them and Aliyu’s comment.

The think-tank members were said to have concluded that “Governor Babangida Aliyu’s comment cannot affect President Jonathan’s second

term aspiration.

A top source in the Presidency, who spoke in confidence, said: “None of the governors has produced a copy of the said agreement.

Only one of them spoke about it.

There is a difference between mutual understanding and an agreement.

“The truth is that even if any agreement was entered into by the President in 2011, it has no legal implication or force at all. It has only a moral force which political circumstance can change.

Continued on page 6

•FAYEMI NAMES COMMISSIONERS P11 •MAINA MUST GO, SAY REPS P12

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

2

NEWS WAR IN MALI

20 rebels, A

• Vice President Namadi Sambo (second left), Minister of Water Resources Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, former Managing Director, Uganda Water Corporation, Dr. William Muhairwe and Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mrs. Evelyin Oputu at the closing ceremony of the presidential water summit at the Presidential Villa in Abuja...yesterday.

•Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Rear Admiral. Gboribigha John Jonah (left), Minister of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Acting Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Prof. Charles Onocha and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwabiala, during the minister's Inspection of Federal Government Schools Projects in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State...yesterday.

•Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (right); Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (middle); his wife, Olufunso (second right); and the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso at the thanksgiving service to mark the Oba’s 75th birthday at the Cathedral of St. James African Church, Idi-Ape, Abeokuta...yesterday

•Senator Oluremi Tinubu (left); Mrs,Olamipeju Lawal and former Information and Communications Minister , Prof.Dora Akunyili, at the The Girl Show organised by UNILAG 103.1 FM at the main auditorium of the university, Akoka .

FRENCH soldier and more than 20 Islamist rebels were killed during what appeared to be the first clashes in the Adrar des Ifoghas mountain range where militants have taken refuge in northern Mali, French sources said yesterday.

Speaking on a visit to Athens, French President Francois Hollande said serious fighting had broken out and was continuing in the remote Adrar des Ifoghas mountains, resulting in several casualties among the rebels and one among the French.

“A legionnaire from the 2nd foreign parachute regiment has died in a clash with Islamists in northern Mali,” Hollande told reporters in Athens.

The soldier is the second French casualty since the intervention last month to oust al Qaeda-backed rebels from northern Mali.

The French defense ministry said in a statement that a parachute regiment of 150 soldiers supported by a heavy vehicle patrol and Mirage fighter jets had come under fire yesterday morning.

The French raid aimed at disrupting the militants and dismantling their camps, the ministry said.

“The French mission was able to locate terrorist elements in their hideout, to chase them and to kill more than 20 of them,” it said.

Around 4,000 French troops, backed by the Malian army and several thousand troops from other African states, have driven the Islamist alliance out of the main cities into the northern mountains.

“We are now in the last phase of the operation,” Hollande said.

“It’s no longer a question of simply arresting the terrorists, making the territory safe, but to go to the end of the mission and that means arresting the last leaders of these groups that are in the extreme north of Mali.

The German cabinet has given the green light for German military instructors to begin the training of the Malian army. Germany’s armed forces are to provide logistical support, but will not be deployed in combat.

Germany’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr, have been providing logistical support for French and ECOWAS troops in Mali for some weeks. Three German Transall transport planes have already flown 500 troops to Mali. The German cabinet has now approved this officially and has also given the go-ahead for the mid-air refueling of French warplanes using German tankers, should this be requested by Paris.

Germany is sending 80 military specialists, including engineers, doctors and paramedics.

A maximum of 330 German soldiers would be permitted to take part in these two operations, which have yet to be approved by the lower house of the German parliament, the Bundestag.

A vote is due on Friday and all political parties have signaled their support for the motion with the exception of the Left Party. ?German troops will provide medical training to the Malian army Government spokesperson Steffen Seibert outlined the objectives of the German troops who will be part of the European Union’s Training Mission in Mali (EUTM). “The goals of EUTM are to help Mali’s government regain control of its territory and to reduce the threat to the population, particularly in the north,” Seibert said.

Yesterday’s decision by the German cabinet came shortly after EU foreign ministers had agreed to begin deploying a military training mission to the West African nation, a plan

•Nigeria to take •French Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius (R) gives a press conference with Malian Prime minister Diango Sissoko after their meeting at the Foreign affairs ministry in Paris... yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

which had been in development since the beginning of the UN-mandated mission in January.

Tough mission ahead The European military instructors believe they will have to start pretty much from scratch when they arrive in Mali.

The Malian army is poorly trained and equipped, which is why the European Union has decided to dispatch a military training mission. More than a dozen EU countries will be taking part in this mission which is due to start in the next few weeks.

Andreas Peschke, spokesperson for the Federal Foreign Office said Germany and its European partners expect Mali to reciprocate the intervention by adapting the country’s military structure. “This would of course include reforming the Malian army and the reintegration of the armed forces in civilian government structures,” Peschke said.

By mid-March, the number of EU soldiers in the Malian capital Bamako is expected to reach nearly 150, double the amount currently stationed there. An estimated 200 European military advisors are to begin training four Malian battalions of 640 men each by the start of the following month.

EUTM, which currently has a mandate of 15 months and an upward limit of 500 soldiers, expects to commence its reform of the Malian army within the coming months.

German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle says Mali’s security is crucial for Europe. “We in Europe have a vested interest in ensuring that safe harbors for terrorist activity are simply not allowed to come into existence. That is why we want to help the Africans take responsibility for security in Mali,” Germany’s top envoy said.

Islamists still pose a threat despite being pushed back by French and African forces.

The EU training mission will reportedly focus on human rights and the rule of law in addition to military skills Troops from Nigeria and other West African countris will take charge of helping Mali’s army maintain security next month.

France wants to pull out its troops from Mali in March.

From then on, West African troops will help Mali’s army maintain security in the whole country. But critics fear that the country is ill-prepared.

French Foreign Minister Laurent

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

3

NEWS WAR IN MALI

French soldier dead charge next month •Germans to train army

What must be done for the people Mali needs aid donors to focus on resilience, a clear mission for peacekeepers, and peace-building at grassroots in the north, writes Jeremy Konyndyk

M

•Staff Sergeant Harold Vormezeele, an NCO and commando with the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, an elite unit of the French Foreign Legion, who died yesterday in an operation against Islamist rebels in northern Mali

‘Major military operations end soon’

M

ALI’S Prime Minister Diango Cissoko said vention last month that ousted the rebels from cities yesterday major military operations against they had seized last year in Mali’s vast desert north.

“We must ensure the integrity of the reconquest of Islamist rebels in the country were coming to Mali. As cities are reclaimed, Malian and African an end.

After meeting in Paris with French Foreign Minister troops must ensure they are secured,” Fabius said.

Cissoko acknowledged reports of widespread huLaurent Fabius, he also vowed that Malian soldiers responsible for rights abuses during the operations would man rights abuses by Malian soldiers as they secure the north and promised a response. be held to account.

“Regarding the abuses that would have been car“The situation is much better than a few weeks ago.

Large-scale military operations are coming to an end. ried out by certain elements of the Malian army, these What remains is to secure the liberated areas,” Cissoko abuses, once they are proven, must be punished. Soldiers should behave in an exemplary manner,” he said. said.

Fabius also said the abuses were “unacceptable”.

Fabius said “difficult operations” remained in the “If they have taken place they must be punished,” country, where the French military launched an interhe said.

Fabius has announced plans to pull his country’s troops out of Mali in March.

But Mali expert Roland Marchal questions whether France can pull out its troops from Mali in a few weeks. The situation in the northern part of the country is still by not means stable, he told a conference organized by the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Berlin. No one knows how the rebels will react and whether they’ll try to regain the land that they have lost in recent weeks. It is also likely that some groups of fighters will withdraw to unstable neighboring countries.

And there was also the risk that Islamist insurgents could infiltrate refugee camps and disrupt the peace there.

“It is not enough to win the battle, the war must be won,” said Marchal: the French military intervention may not have been well thought out, but he still couldn’t see any alternative at the moment.

Roland Marchal believes that the European trainers have a difficult task ahead of them: “We need to build up a Malian army that safeguards human rights, doesn’t take revenge, and is not dependent on militias.”

It needs to be an army that respects republican values, the laws of war and its country’s legislation. But that could take years.

At the moment, the political discussion in France is limited to the military dimension of the intervention in Mali. But stabilizing Mali politically and economically has greater significance for the country’s future. Interim President Dioncounda Traoré, who came to power after a military coup last year, plans to hold general elections on July 31. But Roland Marchal wonders whether that

will happen.

Malian sociologist Ismael Sory Maiga also fears that it will be a long time before his country can recover from the activities of the rebels in the north and the French military intervention. The crisis in Mali goes deeper than Europe and the US want to realize, he insists, adding it goes well beyond military questions. It’s not one crisis but several - and they are destabilizing the country on all levels.

The main crisis is the complete loss of trust between the government and the people which led to a military coup last year. Malians believe that their country’s ruling class - the government, parliament, the administration and the justice system - is corrupt.

“There’s a political-financial complex, which has taken control of the country in order to push its own interests,” says Maiga.

Politicians and business people have done everything to make themselves rich. They’ve even been working with the kidnappers of foreigners and negotiated ransoms, turning kidnapping and smuggling into a lucrative business in northern Mali. At the same time, the power of the traditional rulers has been diminished, replaced by small militias that have created what he calls a “Mafia-like system.” The collapse of the state in northern Mali has in turn paved the way for Tuareg rebels and Islamist fighters who have come from neighboring countries, especially Libya.

Now, there is the risk that the old corrupt system could be re-established, with the protection of the mili-

tary intervention.

German journalist Charlotte Wiedemann, who has traveled widely in Mali and West Africa, also fears that things could go back to how they were in Mali. She told the conference that, in order to strengthen democracy and create peace in Mali, drastic internal reform needs to be carried out. Above all, democracy needs to be strengthened.

This could be done without outside intervention. Mali has enough democratic-minded intellectuals, who have withdrawn from public life in recent years. They could return to public life to push democracy. But Mali cannot be considered a failed state.

“Mali is extremely poor and the north of the country is even poorer,” he said.

The priority should be fixing the economy, especially in the north, which has been more seriously affected by the unrest. The locals have mainly survived on smuggling.

People, weapons, counterfeit cigarettes and drugs are transported along the ancient trade routes across the Sahara. Even regular goods have been smuggled, Marchal notes - “legal goods which are traded illegally.”

The European Union has to ensure that trans-Saharan commerce is not criminalized entirely so that the people of Northern Mali are not deprived of their livelihood. Instead, it has to come up with an ambitious long-term economic reconstruction plan to stabilize Mali and with it the entire Sahel.

ALI, long on the international backburner, is now having its moment in prime-time. Media from around the world have breathlessly covered the lightning offensive by French and Malian military forces and the liberation of the legendary city of Timbuktu. But the limelight is already beginning to fade, obscuring that the hardest task is yet to come.

Restoring a degree of normality in northern Mali will mean dealing with a humanitarian emergency and building peace amid weak governance and worsening ethnic tensions.

These challenges have deep roots.

Their underlying drivers will not be resolved – and in the near term may actually be aggravated – by military action. As planning moves ahead for a UN peacekeeping mission and a resumption of aid, there must be a concerted, careful effort to address these issues.

The first priority must be to reopen access to the north of the country. The offensive has pushed rebels out of Mali’s major northern towns but has worsened access. Until January, the north depended on two principal lifelines: food supply in commercial markets and humanitarian aid. Both remain largely blocked due to restrictions on movement, the closure of trade routes with Algeria and insecurity. Mercy Corps and other organisations have warned that the population is rapidly running through food reserves and is already beginning to experience serious hunger; lives will be threatened if access is not restored soon.

We must also rethink the role of aid in Mali. The humanitarian crisis persists because of what William Garvelink, former US ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has called a “resilience deficit”. As serious droughts and economic shocks hit more frequently, communities have less time to recover; they lose more ground with each subsequent shock.

Mercy Corps has seen how this puts people into a spiral of vulnerability – a cycle accelerated by the conflict. Traditional humanitarian aid can treat the symptoms, but not the root causes, of this problem. Traditional development aid as practised in Mali for decades has not proved equal to this challenge.

A different approach is needed.

Donors including the UK (pdf) and US governments are piloting resilience-oriented aid, which mixes elements of the relief and development toolkits to help communities anticipate and adapt to shocks. Such initiatives are making headway under similar circumstances in the Horn of Africa. Yet most aid to Mali remains locked in humanitarian or development silos. UK, US and other donors must shift gears to focus on resilience, starting now.

Even the most effective, thoughtful aid strategy will not make progress without peace and security.

The planned UN peacekeeping force will be given the task of restoring security, but there are major questions about its mission and capacity.

Effective peacekeeping relies on a clear mission. In Mali, the UN is unlikely to have any clear peace agreement to enforce. Instead, it will focus on stabilisation, akin to efforts in Somalia and Congo that have been plagued by problems. Stabilisation ultimately depends on effective gov-

‘

Press reports that the more experienced Nigerian contingent has been asking for food from local communities do not inspire confidence either

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ernance; yet Mali’s government is struggling to reconstitute itself, particularly in the north.

In Somalia and Congo, peacekeepers have struggled to pursue effective political objectives in the face of such gaping governance gaps. Those forces have had a hard time maintaining effective co-ordination with humanitarian agencies, often trying to co-opt the humanitarians’ role rather than protect it. These lessons must be integrated into planning for Mali. The UN should ensure that the force’s security objectives are guided by realistic political and governance analysis, and must define appropriate parameters for civil-military interaction.

Equally concerning is the lack of significant peacekeeping experience among many of the countries contributing troops to the Afisma mission in Mali – notably Chad, a major contributor with desert combat experience but little on the peacekeeping side. Press reports that the more experienced Nigerian contingent has been asking for food from local communities do not inspire confidence either.

The resolution that the UN passed in December authorising the mission contained important provisions on protection of civilians, and training troops on peacekeeping practices and international humanitarian law. The unexpectedly rapid deployment of the forces will make this difficult, but the UN must ensure this training happens soon. Likewise, the UN must build a strong human rights monitoring mechanism to complement the force.

Finally, efforts at high-level political dialogue between Mali’s interim government and northern groups must be paired with local peacebuilding initiatives across the north.

Local leaders in northern Mali have called for restraint but recriminations against some ethnic groups have already begun. This reflects not just the recent conflict but deeper-seated grievances going back years.

Against this backdrop, grassroots violence will polarise communities and make political resolution much more difficult. It could also undermine resilience and wipe out aid investments. Major donors cannot afford to neglect this grassroots peacebuilding, which will be critical both for political progress and effective aid.

The challenges facing Mali are immense. Getting these first steps right will pay dividends in the long term; getting them wrong could endanger the entire international effort.

• Konyndyk, director of policy and advocacy for Mercy Corps, wrote this for The Guardian of London

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CITYBEATS Three docked T for 'murder'

By Precious Igbonwelundu

AN Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, yesterday remanded three suspects in prison for allegedly killing Chief Juventus Oguejiofor.

The defendants, Udekwe Orekwu, 29, Chinedu Akpu, 27, and Edwin Obalen, 27, were arraigned on a fourcount charge of conspiracy, impersonation, armed robbery and murder before Magistrate O. SuleHamzat.

Prosecuting Inspector Roman Unuigbe, said the defendants, with others, killed the deceased during a robbery operation on December 3, 2010, at 5pm, at Alakija, Ojo, Lagos.

He said they dispossessed the deceased of N20 million at Augusta College, Okokomaiko, a Lagos suburb, after which they killed him.

Unuigbe added that the defendants had in their possession, 16 rounds of 9mm calibre ammunition; one empty Baretta Magazine and a woven cap in police colours, which they have been using without any authority from the Inspector General of Police or any other appropriate authority.

The alleged offence, Unuigbe said, contravened Section 297 and is punishable under 231, 232, 328(a)(b)(c)(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

The defendants’ pleas were not taken as the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.

In her ruling, Sule-Hamzat, ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). She adjourned the matter till April 9.

Missing boy MASTER Kolapo Opeyemi Adeola, 29, has been declared missing by his family.

After years of disappearance, Opeyemi reportedly recently returned to the family’s former house at 10, Ola Ogundipe Street, Bammeke, Shasha, in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

He was said to have been taken to the police station at Shasha where he was released to some people who are not his parents.

Anybody with useful information about his whereabouts should contact his parents on 07030706714 or 08159887976

HITY-TWO-YEARS after her marriage crashed, another major problem is staring her in the face. she risk losing one of her legs to cancer, if she does not get urgent financial assistance for surgery.

Mrs Ololade Motunrayo Adegbenle (52), is lying critically ill at her Iyana Ipaja, Lagos home, where she is nursing a six-year-old leg injury.

All these years, she has struggled to raise N700, 000 for surgery on the troubled leg. But as hard as she tried, help is not forthcoming. She prays and fast everyday, that one day, a helper would come.

Her travail began in 1981, following the crash of her marriage. Her husband left her with their only child, who is now 31.

After living for many years in Kaduna, where she lost her property and other valuables to the incessant crises in that city, she returned to Lagos in 2007 with her only child. Her plan was to start afresh until another problem reared its head.

She took to menial jobs to pay for her child’s education. At a time, she was a housemaid and a casual worker on different construction sites.

Mrs Adegbenle's dream for a better life began to fade few years after her return when she narrowly escaped death on a commercial motorcycle on May 11, 2007 on Dopemu-Agege Road.

Before the mishap, the Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State-born woman hawked ‘pure’ water on Oshodi-Sango Road. She had an accident while trying to eke out a living as water vendor.

Reliving her ordeal yesterday, she said: “Some years after I separated from my husband in 1981, I went to stay in Kaduna. I also trained as a nurse and worked in some hospitals. I came back to stay permanently in Lagos because the problems in the North were too many. I lost many things.

“On May 11, 2007 along DopemuAgege Road, I had an accident on Okada while going to buy some bags of pure water with which I made ends meet. After the accident, I first went to the General Hospital, Orile-Agege, where the injury was treated. To my surprise, many months after the treatment, the injury festered. I took many drugs in the hope that it would heal, but it was to no avail. I went back to the hospital where I was referred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, for more examination and treatment. There I was told that the injury had de-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Widow, 52, battles leg cancer

•Mrs Adegbenle

•The festering wound on the leg

‘All these years, she has struggled to raise N700, 000 for surgery on the troubled leg. But as hard as she tried, help is not forthcoming. She prays and fast everyday, that one day, a helper would come.’

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

veloped to chronic leg cancer in my medical report."

At the infirmary, she was told that she needed surgery which would cost N450, 000 excluding drugs and post-medical treatment. The cost of her treatment was put at N700, 000.

She has to buy some antibiotics and pain-relieving drugs to ease her condition pending the surgery.

"At first, I was struggling to buy the drugs," she recalled, adding:

"Now, I can no longer afford them because the sickness has affected my movement. I now live at the mercy of people and my son who does menial jobs to provide for both of us. I have not been receiving treatment for some time now owing to lack of money. When it was getting more difficult to feed, I started selling ‘pure’ water again at motor parks despite my condition."

Her condition has become so pathetic that her relations, who had been assisting her, have stopped

because of lack of money.

“I have not been able to raise anything tangible because I spend most of the money I get on drugs and food.

Now, I have been served eviction notice where I currently live. Now, I don't know where else to turn for help.

I really need assistance from wellmeaning Nigerians so that I can live a normal life and be able to get back to my work."

Princess Olubukola Fasuyi, the President of Lady of Africa Empowerment and Advocacy Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, is championing her case.

The foundation, she said, would ensure that Mrs Adegbenle gets medical assistance.

"We plead with Nigerians to help Motunrayo out of her sickness. The Foundation alone cannot do it. We need the support of every one,” she said."

She gave the woman's First Bank help account number as: 3065983617; name: Adegbenle Ololade Motunrayo, adding that prospective helpers could reach her through the foundation’s mobile line 08093287614.

Suspected kidnapper's girlfriend states case

T •Opeyemi

Baptist ministers hold conference THE 10th ministers' conference of Baptist College of Theology starts on February 19 and ends on the 22nd at the college’s permanent site, Agbowa-Ikosi, Lagos.

The Rector of the College, Dr. Emiola Nihinlola, said the theme of this year's conference is; “The Pastor and Christian Missions”. He added that the annual conference is a platform to equip and provide spiritual empowerment for pastors in order to prepare them for challenges in ministry.

Expected to minister at the conference are Rev. Steve Enyi and Rev. Amos Kunat

HE girlfriend of a kidnap suspect was yesterday paraded with her man by the police in Lagos. They had, for days, been guests of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police Command for allegedly kidnapping a 13-year-old boy, Daniel Oke, in Lagos.

The man, Raymond Quadri, 24, a native of Auchi, Edo State, operates a film-viewing centre in Lagos, while his co-suspect, Miss Bolanle Fasasi, 19, is a hair-dresser hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The state police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said Quadri was arrested after a complaint was lodged at Ikotun Police Station by the kidnapped child's parents. The policemen at the Ikotun Police Station arrested him and he was later transferred to SARS. The SARS' Special Squad led by Abba Kyari stormed Bolanle's home, arrested her and rescued Daniel.

Defending herself, Fasasi said: "Uncle Raymond told me that he was coming with somebody to stay with me for some days. I said I

By Ebele Boniface

would tell my sister because I was living with her and my mother. The next day, he came with the child and left after dropping money to take care of him. The following day, I became worried and called him on phone and asked: 'Why is the child not going to school and he is of school age. Will the parents not get worried?' Even my mother who is living with us became worried. “ It was on Monday morning that I called Raymond to come and take the child back to his parents. I did not know that he kept the child for kidnap deal."

"Raymond is my boyfriend. I did not know that he could go into kidnapping until I was arrested. Even when I asked the boy when police were arresting me, the child claimed he planned it together with Raymond," she said.

Quadri confessed his involvement, saying: "I was the one who kidnapped the child."

He added: "Both of us lived at 51 Lasisis Ige Street, Ikotun. I have a viewing centre there. I needed

•Bolanle and Quadri...on parade yesterday money to buy more equipment for centre because expanding the centre would cost between N500,000 and N2 million and the cheapest way to get it is to kidnap the boy whose parents I knew, were capable of producing the money. I only wanted N2 million from the parents.

He spoke further: "I later took the child to the house of my girlfriend

at Ikorodu to keep pending the time the parents would pay the ransom. I kept the boy there for three days. I used to spend N2,000 for the child every day because I instructed my girlfriend to be giving him anything he liked to take so that he would be comfortable. I told my girlfriend that we would get millions of naira when the parents pay ransom."

Braide said they would soon be charged to court.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

5

CThree ITYBEATS remanded for

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

T

O STEM vandals’ activities in Arepo, Ogun State, the Federal Government has started demolishing all structures on the “Right of Way” of the Nigerian Nat i o n a l P e t r o l e u m c o r p o r a t io n (NNPC).

Oil pipelines pass through the “Right of Way” and no structure is expected to be on it.

Vandals are known to pass through Arepo to vandalise these pipelines and scoop fuel from them.

The vandals killed threeNNPC engineers there in September, last year.

A few weeks ago, the vandals and soldiers engaged in gun battle.

Shortly after the encounter, the vandals returned to torch the pipelines.

On Monday, some NNPC officials marked some structures on the “Right of Way” after contravention notices were served on residents.

Yesterday, shops and make-shift houses, among other illegal structures were demolished.

Plain-clothed policemen, soldiers, NNPC and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officials stormed the community to demolish the marked buildings.

An NNPC engineer, who supervised the demolition, said: "Government took the decision to keep the place safe for law-abiding citizens and to safeguard installations and infrastructure built with tax payers' money.”

He regretted that Arepo had been in the news of late for serial acts of vandalism which had caused the nation a huge loss.

"The vandals went too far by killing NNPC engineers, whose only crime was that they went to inspect vandalised pipelines. With that dastardly act, government decided to take this decisive action to clear the area of illegal structures and establish its ‘Right of Way’. Our mandate is to clear obstructions up to 30 metres to ensure the ‘Right of Way’, but currently, we have decided to limit it to 13 metres, considering the high level of encroachment and the loss that will be suffered by residents."

He regretted the inability of the community’s leaders to hand over the culprits.

He added that there would be no compensation for those affected as they had no approval from government before they built on the NNPC's Right of Way. The spokesperson for the soldiers, who monitored the process, said though they were touched by the demolition, they could not help. The demolition, he said, was necessary to remove bad elements from the community. He said they were bound by the brief they had from their superiors, especially as the Chief of Army Staff may visit the site next week.

An alternative medicine practitioner, Mrs. Nkem Akowe, whose clinic was demolished, faulted the exercise.

She claimed that her building was not on the Right of Way based on NNPC’s markings.

She praised the soldiers and NNPC officials for their peaceful conduct as they allowed people to move their things out before bringing down their buildings.

Govt demolishes structures at Arepo to stem pipeline vandalism

T

By Precious Igbonwelundu

AN Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, yesterday, remanded two suspects in prison for alleged theft of tyres worth N12 million.

The defendants, Anthony Nzeakor, 40, and Onyebuchi Onwuekwu, 29, were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and receipt of stolen goods before Magistrate F. O. Botoku.

Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police, C.M. Odii, said the duo, who claimed to be traders, had no traceable address.

He said they conspired with others to commit the offence on November 20, last year, on Apapa Oshodi Expressway, Lagos.

Odii said: "The defendants aided others now at large to rob a 40-foot container loaded with tyres worth N12 million belonging to Rocklet Global Service Ltd. Onwuekwu, on December 21, received the loot. Investigation is still ongoing and the other robbery suspect will be arrested as soon as possible."

The offence, he said, contravened Sections 5 and 6 of the Robbery and Firearms (special provision) Act, laws of the Federation, 2004.

The defendants' pleas were not taken because the court “lacks jurisdiction to hear the case”.

Botoku remanded them, pending the legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). She adjourned the case till March 20.

Lagos explosion: Police arrest suspects

•The demolition exercise in progress...yesterday

By Jude Isiguzo

•A section of the demolished area

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chukezie

One Alhaja Sikirat, who lost her shops, accused the officials of partiality, asking: "Why is the demolition only on one side of the road?

You will notice that the houses of some 'big men' are still standing and l can bet you that nothing will happen to their houses."

She wondered why corruption must manifest even in things that

should be for the good of all. She blamed the community leaders for what happened, claiming that they know the vandals but are protecting them for fear of reprisal attacks.

Alleged impersonator of IG's brother arrested HE Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police Command, yesterday paraded a suspect who had been presenting himself as the younger brother to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed D. Abubakar, in Lagos.

The suspect, Sanni Mohammed, 36, is a business man based at Ketu, Lagos.

He is known and reverred among fellow traders, especially at the Ketu market, as the IGP's immediate younger brother. He is known as 'Sanni Mile 12'.

Unfortunately, traders at Mile 12 know the IG's real relation with the appellation, Sanni Mile 12, a relation of the police boss.

When the traders realised he was

alleged robbery

By Ebele Boniface

fake, they raised the alarm and alerted the authentic Sanni Mile 12 It was learnt that when Sanni Mile 12 confronted the suspect, he could not prove his relationship with the police IG. Alarmed by what he saw, Sanni went to report the case at the Ketu Police Station. It was later found out that the suspect had allegedly duped many traders of whopping amounts of money under the pretext.

Policemen from Ketu arrested the alleged impersonator and he was moved to the Special Anti-Robbery

Squad (SARS), at the State Police Command.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Umar Manko, when briefed, ordered the officer in charge of SARS, Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police (SP) , to investigate the matter.

Upon interrogation, the suspect who gave his real name as Sanni Mohammed confessed further that he hailed from Kebbi State, far from the IGP's home state.

The command's image maker, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said the suspect would be charged to court today.

•Mohammed

SOME suspects were yesterday arrested in the ongoing investigation of an explosion that killed Pius Oladele, the chairman of Sand Dredgers' Association and injured a police officer on Monday at Amuwo-Odofin/ FESTAC link bridge.

The arrested persons, The Nation learnt, were linked with the phone call the deceased received shortly before the explosion.

The late Oladele left his office for home that fateful morning; he was reluctant to go back to the office, as he complained to his second wife, Seun, of having usual feeling.

The first phone call he received on one of his phones was reportedly from the policeman that was with him when the blast occurred. Other calls came in at about 10:54am, 11:06am, 11:25am and 11:30am respectively.

The persistent call eventually forced the Ondo-state -born father of five out of bed and he went back to his office where he was killed shortly after his arrival.

Police sources confirmed to The Nation that the suspects are currently being interrogated by Homicide detectives.

Meanwhile, his neighbours and friends have accused the police of not conducting any investigation into the incident. They alleged that Pius was assassinated.

The neighbours condemned the Lagos State Police command for attributing the explosion to an electrical fault.

When The Nation visited the deceased's home at Lake View Estate, it was learnt that he had survived murder attempts before the attack that eventually killed him.

A lottery operator said: "Who didn't know Dele in the area? He was a very generous man and that is why you can see many residents trooping in to see his family. Before his death, many people had been urging him to contest for Local Government Chairman of Amuwo Odofin in the next election.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police, Ngozi Braide, insisted that preliminary investigations showed that the explosion was caused by electrical fault and not a bomb.

"The experts have said the explosion was caused by an electrical fault and not a bomb. No one can fault that for now but investigations are ongoing", she said.

6

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

NEWS Boko Haram kidnapped French nationals in Cameroun, says Hollande

F

•Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment Mr.Tunji Bello pointing at an object of interest during his visit to the Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos Mainland...yesterday. With him are other officials of the ministry

RENCH President Fancois Hollande yesterday accused Nigerian terrorists of kidnapping French nationals in Cameroun.

Seven French nationals, including three children, were abducted by armed men on motorbikes from a Camroun border town and taken towards Nigeria.

They where taken from Dadanga village – less than 10 kilometres from the Nigeria border.

The victims were likely returning from a trip to Cameroun’s Waza National Park.

The park is about 240 kilometres to the east of Maiduguri, a stronghold of the extremist group Boko Haram.

“They have been taken by a terrorist group that we know and that is in Nigeria,” Hollande told reporters during a visit to

Odi massacre: Fed Govt to pay N37.6b damages Continued from page 1

He awarded N17.618 billion as general damages and N206 billion as special damages — as pleaded by the plaintiffs.

The applicant also demanded a public apology from the government and a re-building of the community by the Federal Government. These prayers were rejected by the court.

Odi, a community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was invaded by soldiers on November 20, 1999, on the orders of then President Obasanjo.

The invasion it followed the alleged killing of 12 policemen by a group in the town in two attacks — on November 4 and 5. Seven of them died.

The military invasion followed the refusal of the community to identify and hand over those responsible for the killing of the policemen.

During the invasion, every building in the village – except the bank, the Anglican Church and the health centre, – was razed.

The Human Rights Watch, in its report, said “the soldiers must certainly have killed tens of unarmed civilians and that figures of several hundred dead are entirely plausible”.

Environmental Rights Action (ERA) executive Director Nnimmo Bassey claims that nearly 2,500 civilians were killed, but the government ini-

tially put the death toll at 43.

Delivering the judgment, which lasted for two hours, Justice Akanbi accused the 1st and 4th respondents (The Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation) of being economical with the truth by pleading in their counter affidavits that no resident of the community was killed, apart from some militant youths who engaged the military in a gun battle; and that no property was destroyed by the soldiers.

Relying on various statements by the government, the National Assembly and inscriptions left on the soils of Odi by the soldiers as well as video clips of the invasion which was watched in the open court at the January 17 session, the court described the government’s claims and counter affidavits as “worthless”.

“The destruction of Odi was comprehensive and complete; no aspect of the community was spared by what I saw in the pictures showed here.

“The respondents violated the fundamental human rights of the people of Odi, by the massacre. The people are entitled to fundamental rights to life, dignity and fair play. The destruction of Odi was not as a result of gun battle but clear bombardment; the destruction was malicious. “ The judge quoted President GoodLuck Jonathan as saying

in a media chat on the National Television Authority (NTA) on November 18, 2010 that “only innocent people, including women, children and the very weak that could not escape were killed in Odi”.

According to him, the then Senate President, the late Dr. Chuka Okadigbo, was also quoted to have said the facts speak for themselves, no need to speak again, as there is nobody to speak.”

He equally recalled some of the inscriptions the soldiers left on the soil of the community after the destruction as tendered as exhibit. They included: “We go kill all the Ijaw people with our guns”; “Come to Odi and learn a lesson”; “Ijaw face, monkey face”; “Government has given us power to kill”; “Odi is for soldiers not for Ijaws” and “Bayelsa will remain sorrowful for ever”, among others.

The 1st and 2nd respondents were represented by Mrs. Nkoli Awa Esq. The 2nd and 3rd respondents (the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff), did not make any formal appearance throughout the proceedings.

They, however, showed up yesterday, represented by Mallam Jimoh Abdukadreen Adamu, with an application to delay judgment until they have stated their case.

They denied receiving any of the court invitations inviting

them to defend the allegations against them. They said they did not get the hearing notice and the originating process.

It was, however, proven by court records that they received all the invitations but ignored them.

The records showed that they were served through substituted service via the office of the Attorney- General of the Federation as directed by Justice Abdullahi Mustapha, who previously handled the case.

Awarding the cost against the Federal Government, the judge noted that no amount could be adequate enough to solve the pains and trauma of the people in the community.

The lead lawyer for the applicants, Mr. Lucius Nwosu (SAN), described the judgment as “a victory for an aggressive Nigerian Bar and more victory for Nigerian Judiciary, particularly the Federal High Court.”

“It’s a reflection of courage, erudition and consideration for justice governed by conscience, truth and good faith.”

On the two other prayers that could not go through, he said: “It would have been double compensation if the prayer for re-building of the community was granted. The judgment was very sound and considered with truth and common sense.”

He said.

Three Senior Advocates of Nigeria including Ayo Adedipe (SAN) and Rafin.Lawal Rabana,(SAN), and seven oth-

er lawyers appeared for the applicants.

The respondents’ lawyers Mallam Adamu and Mrs. Awa, said they would react to the judgment later. They lauded the judge for the well-delivered judgment.

After the Odi invasion, the indigenes brought a N100 billion suit against the President, the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff.

When the matter came up on January 17, DVD and projectors were used to show the military operations in Odi, how machine guns, bombs and helicopter gunships were used to destroy lives and property in the village.

Nwosu (SAN), said: “The President and Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has responsibly stated that no militant was killed in the military invasion.

“It was only old men, women and children, who could not run, that were massacred in that military operation.

“A situation where you turn guns and artillery purchased with taxpayers’ money against the taxpayers is a call for sober reflection and a matter of serious concern.

“It calls for atonement for the dead and compensation for the living, for the trauma and loss they have been made to suffer as refugees and loss of their precious homes, loved ones, friends and objects of reverence.”

Greece.

The seven tourists were abducted at around 7 a.m. in a village about 10 km (six miles) from the Nigerian border near the Waza National Park and Lake Chad in the extreme north of Cameroon where Westerners often go for holidays.

It was the first case of foreigners being snatched in the mostly Muslim north of Cameroon, a former French colony.

“I see the hand of (Nigerian militants) Boko Haram in that part of Cameroon. France is in Mali, and it will continue until its mission is completed,” Hollande said.

France intervened in Mali last month when Islamist rebels, after hijacking a rebellion by ethnic Tuareg MNLA separatists to seize control of the north in the confusion following a military coup, pushed south towards the capital Bamako.

Hollande added that the captives were all members of the same family.

The were based in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde, working for “a large energy company”, bfm television quoted Hollande as saying.

“They were (in Cameroon) for professional reasons, but they were on a tourist trip” to the north of the country, he said.

The French ambassador in Yaounde, Bruno Gain, said “no ransom had been asked for”.

Boko Haram has waged an insurgency against Western lifestyles and wants to impose Islamic law in Nigeria. They are believed to be responsible for the killing of more than 1,400 people since 2009.

An offshoot of the group, called Ansaru, claimed responsibility for taking seven workers from a construction company’s offices in Jamaa’re, Bauchi State, Nigeria at the weekend. The same group also claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of a Frenchman in Nigeria last December, near the Niger border.

Jonathan to reject agreement Continued from page 1

“Based on circumstances at his disposal, the President can decide on moral grounds to seek re-election or not. But he is legally and constitutionally qualified for second term.

“What Governor Babangida Aliyu has said is within the realm of politics or political intrigues within the ruling PDP.” Continued on page 7

Lagos to oppose petroleum tax, says Fashola Continued from page 1

nent personalities, including the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Oba Rilwan Akiolu 1 of Lagos, among others.

Fashola, who, delivered a lecture titled “The essence of patriot and federalist’, described the development as unconstitutional. Such a levy, in his view, is a consumption tax that is collectible by the territory in which the fuel is consumed.

He explained that the state with 592 state roads, 8,402 local government roads and 25 Federal roads bear the burden of heavy tonnages, adding that it would be proper for such a levy to be collected and used to fix the roads for the benefit of the people.

Speaking on the lack of true federalism in Nigeria, the governor said: “Federal Government is already collecting royalties on extraction of crude oil, taxing the profits of oil companies at about 30 per cent, taking 52.68 per cent of the National revenues and leaving 36 states and 774 local governments to 26.72 per cent and 20.60 per cent respectively.

“We will not lie at ease and watch a further encroachment.

Currently, we are in court to have the issues of centralisation of Value Added Tax (VAT) another consumption tax, decentralised and left to each state according to the appropriate principles of federalism and derivation.

“The same applies to the attempt to encroach the power of states to raise revenues in their territories from lotteries, hotel licensing and other areas of residual authority of the

state.

“The question to ask is what service the Federal Government provides for hotels either by water supply, waste management, healthcare of their staff or the provision of land for hotel business that gives it the impression that it can tax them.

“Beyond the registration of hotel as a company from which the Federal Government has already collected revenues through the Corporate Affairs Commission, what more service does it render to the hotel in the various states of the Federation?”

Fashola said efforts by the Federal Government to manage highways within the state, which are under its maintenance jurisdiction, is a welcome acceptance and discharge of its responsibility, noting that the announcement by one of its agencies to replace

manholes on Ikorodu Road is misplaced.

“If the agency checks its records, it will realise that the Ikorodu Road is no longer under its jurisdiction. This is why we were able to use the road for the BRT scheme, this is why we re-surfaced the road from Jibowu to Ketu in 2010 and we will do so again because the wearing course has eroded due to heavy traffic.”

He described the celebrator as a patriot, who is committed to true federalism.

“I believe that the best and the most valuable birthday gift we could all give him today is a truer and more Federal union in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I do not think the ink will dry soon on our celebrant and the many roles he has played in the history of Nigeria, Lagos State, his community in Victoria Island through Victoria Island Ikoyi Residents As-

sociation, his religious denomination in Ansar Ud Deen Society of Nigeria and in the Old Boys Association of his alma mater, Kings College of Nigeria, Lagos.

Tinubu said Okunnu left a legacy of excellence as a Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing. “He set the standard for that office, a standard that is yet to be exceeded or even equalled by those who succeeded him.”

He listed some of Okunnu’s contribution towards national development, saying he guided the construction of several roads which include the LagosIbadan expressway, the Sagamu-Benin-Asaba Expressway, the Warri-Benin-Auchi-Koton Karfi-Abuja expressway, the Calabar-Yola Maiduguri expressway and numerous highways and bridges throughout the country.

Continued on page 7

•Fashola

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

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

7

NEWS Access Bank: Judgment in Ubah’s suit can’t affect debt recovery effort

By Eric Ikhilae

A

CCESS Bank Plc has said its on-going effort to recover debts allegedly owed it by businessman Ifeanyi Ubah and his company, Capital Oil and Gas Limited would not be hampered by Monday’s judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, had in the judgment, among others, voided police’s interim reports and complaints by the Presidential Committee on the Verification and Reconciliation of Fuel Subsidy Payment, linking Ubah and his company to fuel subsidy claims fraud.

In a statement yesterday by the bank’s Secretary/Legal Compliance, Sunday Ekwochi, Access assured its stakeholders that “the recovery actions it embarked upon against Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah and Capital Oil and Gas have not been, in any form or substance, affected nor prejudiced by the proceedings or judgment.”

The bank said its statement was informed by the need “to correct any unfortunate misinformation” contained in media reports of the judgment. It denied being a party to the suit marked: FHC/L/CS/07/13 in which the judgment was given.

“Access Bank Plc is not a party to the above captioned suit instituted by Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah and his company Capital Oil and Gas Limited.

“The subject of the suit and reliefs sought therein are unconnected with the actions instituted by the Bank for the recovery of the monies due to it from Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah and Capital Oil and Gas Limited. The plaintiffs in the above suit did not seek any declaration, injunctive relief or damages against the bank.

“The honourable court in its considered judgment of February 19, 2013 did not make any declaration nor grant any perpetual or interlocutory injunction against the Bank in favour of the plaintiff or any other party in the proceedings.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Bank confirms that the recovery actions it embarked upon against Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah and Capital Oil and Gas have not been in any form or substance affected nor prejudiced by the proceedings or judgments of the honourable Court in the above mentioned suit.

“The bank remains confident of the overwhelming success of the recovery actions it has initiated against Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah and Capital Oil and Gas Limited.

“The bank will continue to furnish relevant regulatory authorities with updates on the status of its recovery actions and would fulfill its obligation to its depositors and shareholders regarding the recovery of debts due from Patrick Ifeanyi Uba and Capital Oil and Gas Limited,” Access bank said.

15 Russians arraigned for ‘unlawful importation of arms, ammunition’

F

IFTEEN Russians being held for allegedly importing firearms and ammunition unlawfully were yesterday arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos.

They were arrested aboard a cargo ship - MV Myre Seadiver -containing the alleged unlawful shipment, in Lagos on October 18 last year by Naval officers.

The suspects were arraigned before Justice Okechukwu Okeke yesterday on a fourcount charge, to which they pleaded not guilty.

The accused persons in-

By Eric Ikhilae

clude: Zhelyazkov Andrey (the captain of the ship) (53), Savchenko Sergrey (36), Chichikanov Vasily (49), Varlygin Igor (48), Komilov Alexandr (32), Lopatin Alexey (38), Baranovskly Nikolay (50).

Others are: Mishin Pavel (31), LLia Shubov (33), Dmitry Bannyrn (40), Alexander Tsarikov (44), Kononov Sergel (44), Korotchenko Andrey (23), Vorobev Mikhail (40) and Stepan Oleksuik (52).

Because they did not understand English, an official from the Russian Embassy in Niger-

ia was brought in to interpret the charges, read in English by the court’s Registrar.

They were in the charge accused of importing, without lawful authority, “a cache of firearms and ammunitions prohibited from importation under Section 18 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004".

The accused were said to have been in possession of firearms prohibited under Part 1 of the Schedule to the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004, without a license.

The ship and its captain are also accused of unlawfully en-

tering the country through its territorial waters “without due clearance and declaration of the goods carried therein on board the ship”.

Their lawyer, Chukwuike Okafor told the court that he has filed a fresh application for bail, which he served on the prosecution on Tuesday morning.

Justice Okeke, who declined the bail application adjourned the matter to February 25 to enable prosecution, Ernest Ezebilo, of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), respond to the application for bail.

•From left: All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Chairman, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu; Mark; Atiku; Chief Orji Kalu and Kufuor at the lecture in Abuja... yesterday.

Only failed politicians play up religious sentiments, say Mark, Atiku T HE former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar and Senate President David Mark yesterday said only failed politicians bring religious sentiments into politics to score cheap political points towards winning elections.

They made the remark at The Sun 10th Anniversary Public Lecture in Abuja entitled: ‘Religion, Strife and the Future of Democracy in Africa.’

Former Ghanaian President, John Kufour, was the Guest Speaker at the lecture.

Stressing that religious tolerance is inevitable to preserve and promote democracy in Africa, they said religion is not a progressive step to build a progressive democracy in any country.

According to them, a criminal should be treated as a criminal irrespective of his religious affiliation.

The Senate President, who was the Chairman of the occasion, in a closing remark, said: “A criminal is a criminal whether he is a Christian or Muslim. It is only failed politicians that bring religion to the fore.

When people find out that

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

they cannot do enough, they turn to religion. Religion is not a progressive step to build our democracy.

“In Nigeria, especially in the North, religious violence has become more commonplace in the towns with mixed populations. Religious fundamentalism poses a great threat to our democracy as seen in the rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria.”

“Christians and Muslims must engage in inter-faith dialogue. All faiths must work with each other with respect and amicably resolve interethnic and inter-faith conflicts.

All religious leaders (Muslims and Christians) should increasingly include popular sovereignty and defence of human rights as part of their message,” he added.

According to him, the Nigerian political game and leadership crisis is a reflection of the cultural and moral situation, which hinders political leaders from meeting up with

the demands of authentic good governance in Nigeria.

“I should point out that there is a chance that religious fundamentalism will thrive more in a democratic regime due to opportunities as free speech and civil rights movement. In general however, recent public opinion polls show that both Muslims in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Nigeria overwhelmingly support multiparty democracy, freedom of speech and the press, and religious freedom.

“I want to emphasise that although fundamentalism can undermine democracy, religion in general has the potential for reducing the intensity of conflicts and promoting good citizenship and democratic cultures,” Mark said.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, whilec speaking on crimes being carried out with religion as a cover, said the lingering issue of Almajiris in the North was a result of failed government.

He also faulted the present

situation where the government is involved in air lifting of Nigerians embarking on pilgrimage rather than being done by a regulatory agency.

He said: “The issue of Almajiris is what our government has failed to do. Poverty can drive young people to crime and as far as I am concerned, crime is crime and not religion.

With more education and jobs, we will get them out.

“When some governors introduced Sharia, I said it was political, some people called me Rev. Atiku, but where is it today? The politicians have used it to win election and have abandoned it. We need to see through the tricks they play.”

In his presentation, he said: “As we are gather here to celebrate this 10th anniversary of this publishing outfit, different parts of Africa, and indeed Nigeria, are being torn apart by ethnic, religious and regional conflicts. The cost to Africa in terms of human lives, property, productivity and trade is clearly enormous.

N40m scam: Court jails ex-WEMA Securities manager

A

FORMER Manager of WEMA Securities and Finance Plc and Rainbow Global ventures Limited, Akin Oladipupo has been jailed for two and a half years for defrauding his customers.

The sentence was imposed

by Justice Sadiq Umar of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja after a seven-year trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC) had arraigned the convict together with his compa-

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

ny on February 13, 2006 on a nine-count charge bordering on dishonest conversion of various customers’ money to the tune of over N40 million.

To prove its case against the convict, the Commission tendered three exhibits and called three witnesses.

A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the ex-manager

was jailed on January 28.

The statement said: “Justice Umar convicted the accused on four of the ninecount charge but acquitted him on the others.

“The convict bagged six months imprisonment on the first count and two years imprisonment on counts two, three, eight and nine without an option of fine. The sentences are to run concurrently with effect from the date of delivery of judgment.

“In a related development,

Justice M. L. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, on February 8, and 18, 2013 sentenced the duo of Michael Adewunmi Ifashole and Mr. Ibini Kayode to six months imprisonment respectively for offences bordering on obtaining by false pretence and possession of document containing false pretence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

Jonathan to reject agreement Continued from page 1

An Abuja lawyer, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, who is a counsel to a political godfather of the President, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday said the pact cannot stand.

Ajulo said: “President Goodluck Jonathan has constitutional right to present himself to vie for second term while every eligible Nigerian has constitutional right to vote for him or not. That is the constitutional choice upon which democracy is premised.”

Another source said the Presidency was yet to speak on the agreement because consultations were still ongoing.

The source said: “The President does not want to overheat the polity in any manner at all with 2015 politics now.

“I think at the right time, there will be an appropriate response.”

But a highly-placed source yesterday insisted that an agreement was signed with the PDP governors and some leaders of the party.

The source claimed that most PDP governors have not spoken because they are afraid of “possible backlash” from the Presidency.

The source added: “What really transpired was that when one of the leaders at the meeting raised an issue on Jonathan’s fate and there was a bit of argument, Governor Aliyu was the one who saved the situation by initiating the one-term solution.

“Therefore, if the Governor of Niger State is talking, he is doing so from a vantage position as a key actor.

“At that point, ex-Governor Danjuma Goje and a few other governors supported the proposal. Most second term governors were at the session.”

Lagos to oppose tax Continued from page 1

He also spoke about Okunnu’s contribution towards transportation.

“The development of our economy would have been further retard because vehicular transport would not have reduced to fraction of what we now have,” Tinubu said.

He said the celebrator was his rallying point on policy matters during his tenure as governor.

He said it was through his advice and guidance that the state began to build its internally generated revenue so as to pursue developmental projects that would benefit the larger masses.

General Gowon eulogised the Okunnu, who served under his regime as a Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing.

He said Okunnu has lived a life full of achievements and accomplishments and the celebration of his 80th birthday would not only look at his past and present achievements but more importantly to acknowledge God’s presence in his life.

Okunnu praised the organisers for having the event in his honour, noting that true federalism will not be kept in the cooler.

He said land is a matter for the state stressing that the Federal Government must recognise that land in any part of the country is a residual matter and the title is vested in the governor.

8

THE NATION WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2013

NEWS

Protesters bar Mark, Tambuwal from National Assembly

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ROTESTERS yesterday barricaded the gates of the National Assembly.

Senate President David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and other lawmakers were locked out.

Senator Bello Tukur, who arrived at 10am apparently through the gate of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), was advised by the security personnel to turn back and he did.

Workers, who resumed work early, could neither take their cars to the designated parks nor trek to their offices, as the over 4,600 disengaged workers of the National Identity Card Management Commission (NIMC) barricaded the main gate.

The few policemen on duty watched helplessly.

Our correspondent learnt that the disengaged workers, who had carried out similar demonstrations in the past, stormed Abuja from the 36 states and the Federal Capi-

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

tal Territory (FCT).

The leader of the workers, Mr. Ushe Fidelis, told The Nation that they have vowed to continue the action.

He said they would only leave if the Senate President told them why the DirectorGeneral of NIMC planned to recruit 18600 new workers after sacking 4600 workers of the commission.

It was learnt that most of the protesters kept vigil to ensure their early arrival at the National Assembly.

The men carried placards while their female counterparts held green leaves with which they drove away workers, who attempted to enter the premises.

Traffic was obstructed as workers blocked the road leading to the complex from the National Arcade.

The Nation observed that five policemen bearing arms arrived at the gate on foot by 10am.

Some of the placards read: ‘NIMC DG is deceiving Nigerians’, ‘NIMC DG must

Okonjo-Iweala to MDGs Office: complete unfinished business

•National Assembly main gate blocked by angry disengaged workers of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

go’, ‘NIMC DG is a thief’, ‘No more tomorrow, Onyemenam is enemy of progress’.

Efforts by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Asokoro, Ahmed Musa and other National Assembly security and administrative workers to appeal to the protesters not to be hostile were rebuffed.

A security operative, who

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I

S the Niger Delta region sinking due to excessive oil exploration and drilling activities?

This is the question Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, wants scientists in the country to verify urgently in the interest of the region and the country at large.

Ekweremadu gave the mandate yesterday on the floor of the Senate after examining the contributions of senators on a motion, which sought immediate development of the solid mineral sector.

He noted that the mandate for Nigerian scientists to conduct in-depth impact assessment of oil drilling in the Niger Delta became imperative because Italian scientists reported that the Niger Delta region is sinking

S

popular known as Ghana, attacked and killed some Fulani herdsmen living in the area a week ago.

He said the Fulani carried out a reprisal on Ghana’s home and he attempted to seek refuge with his gang members in Tor-Donga township. A vigilance group in the town opposed this.

The action of the group reportedly annoyed Ghana and he killed the head of the TorDonga vigilance group and his deputy.

The people of Tor-Donga, in retaliation, attacked the elder brother of Ghana, who is the Head Teacher of Doy Secondary School, Harga, set his house and cars ablaze .

Ezeala said nobody has been arrested.

From: Onyedi Ojiabo and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

by eight millimeters annually.

Nigerian scientists, he said, should step in to verify the report though eight millimeter seems small but may become significant years to come.

The motion entitled “Development solid mineral sector as panacea to bankruptcy of states of the federation and creation of jobs in Nigeria “ was sponsored by Senator Abu Ibrahim (Katsina South) and 62 others.

Ekweremadu said that the motion is very important because it has sensitized lawmakers to appreciate that the country cannot continue to be sustained through a structure where the Federal Government appropriated everything to itself while it feeds the states

like a baby.

He noted that it is important that Nigerians begin to think about how to ensure that the federal system of government is run in the best way other countries run their federal system.

On development of solid minerals, he said that one salient point that should be considered is the environmental impact of their exploitation.

He said, “It has been mentioned here what happened in Enugu . Unfortunately, the coal mine in Enugu, the activities affected not just Enugu but the entire South East and that is why you now have erosion and not just erosion we have experienced tremors in some parts of the states.

“Just last week I got a very frightening report about the

Niger Delta.

“Some scientists from Italy have said that the Niger Delta region is sinking by 8 millimeters annually.

“Because the figure seems to be small we don’t seem to notice it now but in 50 years it is going to be very significant.

“I think our scientists need to verify this because if it is true it is frightening and we need to do something about it.

“So that brings me to the point namely that if we are going to embark on the exploitation of the solid minerals we must first of all do environmental impact assessment and then we must put measures in place to remedy the effects so that we will be able to protect not just the environment but the people that will benefit from the proceeds of those minerals.”

FERMA under probe for N3.5b road contract

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Identity Card and National Population, Senator Abdulmumuni Hassan, to address the protesters were unsuccessful.

Hassan told the protesters that the Senate Committee on Identity Card and National Population have met the NIMC management to find a solution to the problem.

•As Senate moves to assess solid mineral development

Six killed in Benue IX persons were yesterday killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed, following a bloody communal strife in Tor-Donga town in Katsina Ala Local Government, Benue-Northeast Senatorial District of Benue State.

Tor-Donga is a settlement located on the Katsina AlaTakum Road. It shares a boundary with Benue and Taraba states. The crisis in the town has been on for over one week before yesterday’s incident.

Police spokesman Ezeala Daniel confirmed the incident. He said policemen have been drafted to the area to maintain law and other.

According to an eyewitness, who asked for anonymity, trouble started when a notorious thug,

He added that since the security personnel could not use firearms, it was difficult to stop the protesters.

At about 11am, most workers, left for home.

Efforts by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence and National Intelligence, Senator Mohammed Magoro and Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on

Senate worried about ‘sinking Niger Delta’ over oil exploration

From: Olugbenga Adanikin and Jane Maha, Abuja

HE Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday advised the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Office to complete its unfinished business by achieving the remaining goals.

The minister said as the MDGs Office gets closer to its deadline, there is need to focus on poverty alleviation as part of the post-2015 strategy.

She spoke at the Sub-national and Thematic Consultation on Post-2015 Development Agenda in Abuja.

Okonjo-Iweala said: “A key aspect to the Post-2015 Agenda is completing the ‘unfinished business’ started under the MDGs framework.

This recommendation was well articulated in the first two stages of the National Consultation process led by OSSAPMDGs early last year.

“At the first meeting of the High-Level Panel considering the Post-2015 Development Agenda, there was a consensus that the current MDGs must not be sidelined.

“Poverty eradication should remain in focus, while recognising the new global challenges a decade and a half from the inception of this original framework.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, said plans have begun to broaden inclusion and participation in post-2015 development agenda.

She said the plans would include conveyance of sub-national and thematic consultation on the post-2015 development framework.

spoke on condition of anonymity, said the National Assembly security personnel should not be blamed for the breach.

The operat ive said the main entrance to the complex behind the National Arcade is the Presidency gate and the security guards tried to stop them, but they were pushed back by the protesters.

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HE House of Representatives is set to investigate the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) over the N3.5billion repair contracts for the Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriage way.

According to the lawmakers, developments on the project have made it imperative to find out if the contracts conform with the provision of the Public Procurement Act. Abimbola Daramola (ACN, Ekiti), who moved the motion under a point of order, said it was necessary to investigate the repair work on the EnuguPort Harcourt dual carriage way awarded by FERMA to

From Victor Oluwaseguna and Dele Anofi, Abuja

four contractors.

He said when a House committee went to look at the road project three months ago, the lawmakers promised to be back to assess the level of progress, but to his amazement, his trip on that road barely a week ago showed that the lawmakers might have been taken for a ride by the contractors.

Daramola said the road project that was split into four sections with each section awarded to different contractors was awarded last year by FERMA for N3,514,464,613.04.

The breakdown, according to the lawmaker, showed that Messrs Ferotex was awarded

Enugu-Okigwe for N643,403,339.25; Messrs Mothercat, OkigweUmuahia for N1,105,000,000.00; Messrs Nigercat, Umuahiakm.163+500- Umuahia for N969,881,641.29; and Messrs Monatech-Km. 163+500 Umuahia-Aba for N796, 179,632.50.

He said: “While the original contract between FERMA and these contractors subsist, and due to road user’s outcry and slow and unimpressive pace of work by the above listed contractors, the Federal Ministry of Works had to draft in Messrs SETRACO Nigeria Ltd., Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd. and RCC Nigeria Ltd. on emergency intervention repairs of the same road in the

run up to the Yuletide at a cost to be determined later based on evaluation of work done.

“If the contractors do not improve on the tempo and quality of the work, once the rainy season sets in, these may further draw back the performance of the contractors with dire consequences to the economic and social activities of motorists and other users of the roads.

“The award of contract for repairs of the same roads by FERMA and its parent Ministry of Works could amount to abuse of the Public Procurement Act and waste of public funds.”

The motion was unanimously adopted after the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, put it to voice vote.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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NEWS

Markets shut for Iwo monarch’s burial

‘ Comments against Ikuforiji unfortunate’

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EMBERS and supporters of the “Stand up for Lagos” group yesterday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to protest the “malicious press statements” against the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji by the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC).

They described CSNAC’s activities as “undue intimidation of the Speaker” and urged Lagosians to resist “the evil plot and diversionary agenda of agents of mischief, who want to score political points and offend the sensibilities of the people”.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions, such as: “Don’t distract Ikuforiji from his patriotic commitments”; “Falana Pay Your Tax”; “Ikuforiji is working, our House is working”; “Let the Speaker continue the good work” and “Stop prosecuting Nigeria’s best Speaker, stop hunting Ikuforiji”, among others.

The group said it would soon expose those behind the Speaker’s travails.

It condemned CSNAC’s allegation that the Assembly members have abandoned their official duties to support the Speaker since his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The group said: “We wish to enlighten the so-called

•Aregbesola, Speaker: ruler’s death shocking

EFCC accuses Ikuforiji of money laundering

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday accused Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji of converting part of cash payments he allegedly collected from the House to personal use.

An EFCC investigator, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo, told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos that Ikuforiji’s aide, Mr. Oyebode Atoyebi, allegedly used part of the cash payments received from the House to run errands for his boss.

Ikuforiji and Atoyebi are on trial for a 20-count charge of money laundering.

The trial was adjourned till March 19.

‘

Their aim is to manipulate the ever-conscious, volatile and politically sophisticated people of Lagos State to achieve their personal vendetta against Mr. Speaker, but they have failed because Lagosians can never be manipulated by any self-centred politician.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

CSNAC that legislative duties are not limited to the four walls of the legislative chamber and the House reserves the right to dictate the proceedings of sitting and deliberation. It has never been a prerogative of non-members to regulate the activities of the House.

“It is very clear at this juncture that the hired protesters in the name of CSNAC are dancing to the tune of some agents of mischief, who are having sleepless nights over

’

Ikuforiji’s rising political profile.

“Their aim is to manipulate the ever-conscious, volatile and politically sophisticated people of Lagos State to achieve their personal vendetta against Mr. Speaker, but they have failed because Lagosians can never be manipulated by any self-centred politician.”

Stand up for Lagos Leader Mr. Gbenga Osobu said the group would continue to support the Speaker.

Osobu said: “Some civil so-

•Ikuforiji

ciety groups have refused to see the progress recorded in Lagos because they have been induced by failed politicians, who will continue to fail.

“We remind civil society groups that have been bought over that the state government is working because the Assembly is working. Without the House, there is no state government.

“Stand up for Lagos will not tolerate the victimisation, oppression and intimidation of the Speaker. We have over 200,000 members in the state and are ready to stand up for the Speaker.”

Mr. Saka Dayo Fafunmi (Ifako-Ijaiye State Constituency), who received the protesters, said the House was on recess because there were no plenary issues to deal with, contrary to speculations that it was shut because of the Speaker’s trial.

Fafunmi said: “If you look at the case that has taken the Speaker to court, it is not a case of Ikuforiji, but the Speaker of the House versus EFCC. I do not want to speak further because the matter is in court.”

HE remains of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Asiru Olatunbosun Tadese, Ariwajoye I, who died on Sunday evening, were yesterday buried in the ancient town.

Dignitaries from within and outside Osun State were present at the ceremony.

Islamic rites were carried out by clerics, led by the President of the League of Imams and Alfas in the Southwest, Edo and Delta states, Sheik Mustapha Ajisafe.

At 11:10am, the monarch’s body was lowered into a grave in the palace. Ajisafe urged those present to emulate the virtues of the late monarch, who he said did his best for the people of Iwo and others who crossed his path.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, led members of the executive council to the funeral.

Also present were the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; the Asiwaju of Iwo, Chief Gbadegesin Adedeji and the Chairman of Iwo Board of Trustees, Mr. Bayo Aremu.

Markets in Iwo have been closed since yesterday to mourn the monarch. They will not be reopened until Friday.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola and House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam described the monarch’s demise

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

as “painful and sad”.

In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the governor said the monarch would be greatly missed by the government and people of the state.

He said the late Oba Tadese led a good life and was loved by his people.

Aregbesola said: “Oluwo’s reign was remarkable in the history of the ancient town.

The monarch was a quintessential leader. He demonstrated his capacity for community development.

“I received the news of his death with a heavy heart, but I believe that as a good Muslim and just leader, he led a meaningful life during his earthly sojourn.

“On behalf of my family, government and the people of Osun State, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Oba Tadese and the people of Iwo. We pray the Almighty Allah would grant him a befitting abode in Aljana Firdaus.”

Salaam said: “I am deeply shocked about the transition of the great king to the silent land of his forebears. It was expected that the peaceful royal father would stay with us for a longer time. His positive influence on his subjects explains why Iwo, a highly sophisticated progressive enclave, is peaceful.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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NEWS Jubilation as ex-Oyo teachers get pension •Assembly hails Ajimobi

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HERE was jubilation yesterday at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Ibadan, as primary school teachers, who retired from 2011 till date, received their first monthly pension.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi approved the payment on Monday.

The government said a fraud discovered at the Local Government Pension Board was responsible for the delay of the payment.

The payment was presided over by the Chairman of the State Local Government Pension Board, Chief Lasisi Ayankojo and other officials of the board.

The elated retired teachers thanked the governor for listening to their cries.

One of them, Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo, said he had almost lost hope of receiving his pension.

Mrs. Alice Modupe Adigun critised those responsible for

•A cross section of retirees jubilating...yesterday. Inset: Ayankojo (middle) presenting the pension for January to Mrs. Adigun. With them are Mr. Abolanle Saliu, an Accounting Officer, and others.

From Adetayo Johnson, Ibadan

the fraud at the pension board.

Mr. Olalekan Bolaji urged the government to sanction those found culpable.

Ayankojo said the pension would henceforth be paid

through the e-payment system, adding that the cash payment for January was to avoid delays.

He said pension arrears and other benefits would be paid as soon as computations are completed.

The Oyo House of Assem-

bly hailed the governor on the payment.

The commendation, which was adopted at a plenary session, was moved by Deputy Majority Leader Kehinde Subair.

Subair said the pension payment showed that the

Ibadan rainstorm: NEMA, SEMA begin damage assessment •Residents count losses •Victims seek govt’s aid

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FFICIALS of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have been deployed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to assess the damage done

by Sunday’s rainstorm.

NEMA spokesman in the Southwest Alhaji Ibrahim Farinloye said the agency would act on their report.

Farinloye said relief materials would be distributed to victims of the storm tomorrow.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday visited affected areas and consoled the victims.

The Oyo State Emergency Management Authority (SEMA) has started taking stock of the victims.

SEMA Chief Situation Welfare Officer Alhaji Tayo Ayoade told reporters that the rainstorm affected over 1,000 houses. He said the agency is working with council chairmen on the stock-taking.

Ayoade said the agency would not open rehabilitation camps for the victims and urged communities to accommodate them.

From Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Residents of Kasumu Estate in Odo-Ona Elewe, Oluyole Local Government Area urged Governor Abiola Ajimobi to come to their aid.

The area was badly hit by Sunday’s rainstorm. Many houses, electricity poles and cables were destroyed.

In a statement, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Landlord Association, Mr. Niyi Fagbemi and Mr. Isaac Otolorin, said: “It is unfortunate that Sunday’s storm has rendered some of our neighbours in Kasamu Estate homeless. We seek financial assistance for the victims from the governor.

“The last time Ibadan people experienced this disaster, the government assisted the victims financially and donated roofing sheets, planks, nails and other items to them.”

At Felele, Sanyo and Olomi, residents are still picking the pieces of their roofs.

They described the rain-

storm as a “hurricane”, saying it has brought pain and sorrow to their lives.

At Olomi-Olunde, a highly populated area where houses are closely built together, many buildings were damaged.

Residential buildings, petrol station, shops and electric poles were badly damaged, leaving their owners dejected.

Olomi Landlord Association Chairman Alhaji Mukaila Olayode said the roof of his home and his 10 shops were blown off.

He described the incident as a “hurricane” nobody was prepared for.

Olayode said: “NEMA officials have come here and we have been given a form to fill, which would enable us access relief materials, but we cannot ascertain what will be given to us. All we want is for the state government and other well meaning Nigerians to assist us.”

At an Oando filling station, the roof was also blown off.

The station’s Manager, Mr. Atanda Olutayo, said he was not

around when the incident happened, but was informed by his neigbhours.

Olutayo said: “I am still wondering how it happened because this roof is made up of heavy iron rods. When I got here in the morning, I could not believe what I saw. The wind completely blew off the roof. It will cost a lot of money to fix it. We are grateful to God that no casualty was recorded. We have stopped selling petroleum products since the incident occurred.”

A private school in the area, NOOR Ibrahim Group of Schools, also lost its roof. The incident forced the school to go on a break.

A landlord and retiree, Pa Basiru Olaogun, said he was at home when the roof of his onestorey building was blown off and rain poured on him and his family.

Three rooms, including the living room, were affected.

Olaogun said he would need about N1 million to fix the damage and urged the state government to assist him.

EFCC urged to accelerate Ladoja’s trial

•Ladoja

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NON socio-political group, the Oyo State Patriotic Front

(OYPF), has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to speed up the trial of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja for alleged financial malpractices.

In a statement yesterday by its State Coordinator, Comrade Rasaki Adedotun, OYPF said the people of the state cannot understand why Ladoja has not been arraigned since he was accused of corruption

by EFCC. It urged the commission to do so without delay and prove

‘All we want is justice and fair play. A situation where the state’s political climate would be polluted by corrupt politicians would not do the state any good’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

its case.

The group backed calls by

the state government and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for the release of funds and property seized by EFCC from former Oyo governors to the state.

It said: “All we want is justice and fair play. A situation where the state’s political climate would be polluted by corrupt politicians would not do the state any good.”

OYPF urged the people to continue to support the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration.

governor has listening ears.

The State Community Service Punishment Bill, 2013 and Oyo Tenancy Bill 2012, passed through their second reading.

The lawmakers adopted a motion moved by Mr. Adeniyi Farinto that there

should be a public hearing on the Community Service Punishment Bill to accommodate the views of all stakeholders.

The Tenancy Bill was referred to the House Committee on Lands and Housing for further reading.

Fayemi names commissioner-nominees From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has sent a list of 19 commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly.

They are: Mr. Wale Fapohunda (Ekiti West), Mr. Remi Olorunleke (Gbonyin), Mr. Kehinde Ojo (Ido-Osi), Mrs. Ronke Okusanya (Efon), Mr. Oluwole Ariyo (Ekiti Southwest), Mr. Tayo Ekundayo (Ise/Orun), Mr. Dapo Kolawole (Ijero) Mr. Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti West), Mr. Funminiyi Afuye (Ikere) and Mr. Paul Omotoso (Gbonyin).

Others are Mr. Folorunso Olabode (Ilejemeje), Dr. Eniola Ajayi (Irepodun/Ifelodun), Dr. Olusola Fasubaa (Ado-Ekiti), Mr. Apalara Wole Adewunmi (Ekiti East), Mr. Debo Ajayi (Emure), Mr. Jide Arowosafe (Ikole), Mrs. Fola Richie Adewusi (Oye), Mr. Kayode Olaosebikan (Moba) and Mr. Sola Adebayo (Irepodun/Ifelodun).

The State Executive Council was dissolved on January 9.

Former members of the council, who did not make the new list, are Dr. Wole Olugboji (Commissioner for Special Duties); Mrs. Bunmi Dipo-Salami (Commissioner for Inter-governmental Affairs); Mr. Remi Bodunrin (Commissioner for Commerce and Industry); Mr. Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) (Commissioner for Justice) and Chief Dayo Fadipe (Commissioner for Local Government).

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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NEWS Jonathan approves appointments of VCs, registrars of three varsities

Fire at FAAN

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointments of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars for three federal universities in Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara states .

Education Minister Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I, who conveyed the President’s approval, named the new Vice-Chancellors as Prof Shehu AbdulRahman, Federal University, Gashua, Prof.

Lawal Suleiman Bilbis, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi and Prof.

Ben Chuks Okeke, Federal University, Gusau.

The Minister said the President also approved the appointment of Prof Isaac Asuzu to replace the former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who was recently appointed Minister of Power.

According to a statement issued in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala, Prof Rufa’I named the Registrars for the new universities as: Alhaji Sule Dauda Federal University Gashua, Mr. Ibrahim Mungadi Federal University Birnin Kebbi and Mr. Ibrahim Bawa Kaura (Federal University Gusau).

Prof. Rufa’i said the choice of the new Vice Chancellors and Registrars followed the laid down rules that require a vice chancellor to among others “be an experienced former vice chancellor or deputy vice Chancellor with sufficient scholarship and leadership backed with area of specialization relevant to primary area of focus of the new university’’.

The minister thanked the President for the support and called on the benefiting states to support the take off and development of the new varsities.

The new vice chancellors and registrars are to report for briefings by the minister on Friday.

Their appointments take immediate effect.

Fed Govt to increase investment in water sector, says Sambo

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From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

ICE-President Namadi Sambo yesterday reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to upscale its investment in water sector.

In a statement issued by his media aide Umar Sani, the Vice President assured that the government is unrelenting in its determination to reform the sector.

Sambo, who spoke at the closing ceremony of the two-day Presidential Summit on Water, said: “Within the ambit of the Transformation Agenda, we will take all measures to ensure that the policies as it pertains to the sector are careful enough to protect the interests and welfare of the most vulnerable groups within our society.

“This is to ensure that the resources are managed in a manner that favours the maintenance of the expected qualities and standards in potable water supply and water tariffs.”

He further called for closer collaboration among the three tiers of government and other stakeholders to ensure proper and sustainable management of the sector.

“What we now need is closer collaboration and synergy, especially sharing of responsibilities and delineation of roles between the Federal and other tiers of government”, he said.

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•L-R: Senators Babafemi Ojudu, ‘Gbenga Ashafa and Helen Esuene at a Senate Committee on Works meeting to deliberate on the Resolutions on the Motion sponsored by Ashafa to investigate the imminent collapse of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.

HERE was anxiety among workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) yesterday as fire gutted a fuel dump operated by the airport authority near its corporate headquarters at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The incident occurred at 10.40 am.

A source said the fire broke out while routine work was ongoing at the fuel dump, but it was put out with the combined efforts of fire fighters from the safety and security unit of the authority.

Nobody died in the inferno.

Reps back Senate on Maina’s sack

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HE House of Representatives yesterday backed the Senate in its call for the sack of the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) Abdulrasheed Maina.

The House ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, to appear before the Committee on Police Affairs to give reasons why he did not act on the warrant issued by the Senate.

The lawmakers defied picketing by over a thousand sacked National Identity Card Management Commission ( NIMC) to attend plenary yesterday.

The Senate on February 13 passed resolutions requesting that Maina be dismissed from the public service and that he should be disengaged from the acts relating to the public.

The posture of the House yesterday was surprisingly at variance with an earlier position of its Committee on Pension, headed by Ibrahim Bawa Kamba, which at the onset of the face-off between the Sen-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

ate and Maina flayed the Senate report and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to give Maina more protection to carry out the pension reforms in MDAs and parastatals.

The resolution of the House yesterday was sequel to the adoption of the prayer of a motion moved under Matters of Urgent National Importance, by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Albert Sam-Tsokwa.

Tsokwa, while presenting the motion, said it sought the concurrence with the earlier resolution of the Senate, which sought the dismissal of Maina.

“Maina has been having a running battle with the Senate on the issue of pension. The committee had summoned Maina to appear several times, but he refused,” the lawmaker said, adding that there is need to present a united front to uphold the integrity of the parliament.

“It is a constitutional responsibility that the resolutions that should carry the weigt of

the law should be agreed to by the two chambers,” he added.

According to him, the step taken by the House would send a strong signal to the executive arm of the government to stop impunity and disregard for due process in the conduct of government business.

The Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN-Lagos), while supporting the motion, noted that the House was not transgressing on the powers of the executive by requesting the sack of Maina, but asking it to act.

“A constitution that has no efficacy is no law. It’s a useless provision. There are provisions here that give us the power to recommend as in Section 5 of the constitution,” he said.

Another member, Abike Dabiri-Erewa (ACN-Lagos), said there was no need to beg the executive to do its job and that the joint resolution should send a message to those allegedly protecting Maina.

“It’s only in this country that such things can happen. Even

if he’s not guilty, he must show up to answer the allegations against him. The resolution has the force of law and must we beg the executive to do its job? If Maina is not found, the Head of Service must lose his job.”

A lawmaker, Bitrus Kaze, expressed surprise that “it has to take a resolution of the National Assembly for a person to be disciplined and the executive arm has no interest in doing such. It shows the National Assembly can’t bite.”

Samson Osagie (ACN-Edo) alleged that the executive arm of government had continued to ignore the resolutions of the National Assembly even when the workers of the affected organisations had protested against their management Other members like Forte Dike (PDP- Anambra) and Aminu Suleiman (PDP-Kano) agreed that the legislature was constitutionally empowered to do what it was doing concerning Maina since he was being protected and shielded from arrest by people in high places.

Nursing students lock out Ministry of Health workers

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CTIVITIES in the Ministry of Health were disrupted yesterday by protesting nursing students over the non-implementation of the one year internship programme.

The nursing students from various institutions in the country gathered at the ministry’s secretariat in Abuja and locked the entrance gate, forcing workers to park along the road.

This did not, however, stopped the workers from gaining entry to their offices

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From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

as they went through the general entrance, since the building also accommodates the Ministry of Education and some banks.

The protest, which started at 8am was, however, peaceful. The students carried placards with various inscriptions such as ‘Internship is the way forward’.

According to one of the protesting students, who identified himself as Comrade Nworji Brethen and also the

Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Union of Nursing Students Association (NUNSA), the issue of internship was agreed with all stakeholders in 2006 and since then it had not been implemented.

He said the students have come to occupy the ministry and their demand for the implementation of the internship programme is not negotiable.

He noted that the non- implementation of the programme is affecting the output of the students, as they

would end up as inferior to their counterparts in other countries.

The protest, he said, was meant to remind the government and to ensure the implementation of the programme so that the country’s nursing institutions would stop producing half baked nurses.

He said without the internship, the students are incomplete and cannot be relevant in the country’s primary health delivery system in which they will operate.

TVC News to tell African stories, says CBS boss

HE Chief Executive Officer, Continental Broadcasting Services (CBS), owners of TVC News, Nigel Parson has assured Nigerians that when the pan-African news and information platform launches at the end of this month, it will provide an opportunity for Africans to tell their stories in the African way.

He claimed arguing that the recent launch of Arise TV did not fill the vacuum as the broadcast station has no broadcast licence in Nigeria. Parson who fielded questions at the end of a media facilities tour of the Ikosi, Lagos office of television station yesterday, decried the absence of an African news channel that could tell the story of the continent in the ap-

By Lucas Ajanaku

propriate manner, assuring that TVC News will do that.

“We don’t have an African news channel. We have a lot of foreign news channel. We have BBC, CCTV. Chinese are spending a huge budget on Africa.

Our mission is to tell African stories from an African perspective, the onus is on us to interpret the continent,” he said, adding that Arise TV has no broadcast licence in Nigeria.

“Arise is not even licenced to broadcast in Nigeria. It is broadcasting from London or in Washington and from what I have seen, they have been running a bunch of old documentaries. And looking at the list

of the senior executives, there are no Africans there,” he said, adding that TVC News is entirely an African project which is going to be managed and run

by Africans.

On what will be the focus of the television station, he explained that Africa will be the capstone of all the progarmmes of the news station. “It is a fantastic challenge. Our focus is sub-Saharan Africa. Of course, we will cover North Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt but our real focus will be sub-Saharan Africa. It is going to look at Africa from the African perspective and allow African to tell their stories instead of (it) being told by foreigners. The onus is on us to interpret this continent in our own ways,”

Parson said.

Shedding more light on content, he said it is not going to be restricted to reporting ongoing news stories alone but will focus on culture, health, environment and other issues that affects the continent, stressing however that “extra ordinary” breaking news happening in other parts of the globe will not be left unattended to.

On other platforms the news platform will be partnering with for deeper reach, he disclosed that the organisation has partnered with Aljazera English, StarTimes and was in talks with Dstv in Johannesbourg, Top TV in South Africa, and other TV houses in Ghana and Kenya.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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AD V E R T O R IAL

PLATEAU PATRIOTIC FRONT plateaupatrioticfront25@gmail.com

6 dogon karfe, Jos.

The Nightmare on the Plateau – For the Avoidance of Doubt

W

e acknowledge the feeble face saving attempt by Jang and his people through their lawyer to defend issues we raised in our maiden advertorial of 22nd of November last year. We first of all want to appreciate the lawyer for further publicizing our publication in another daily and also highlighting his views on some of the vital issues in our publications.

We want to leave Jang in no doubt of our determination to defend and stand by our commitment to unravel the enormous atrocities that he has committed against the people of plateau state. This, we view, as our constitutional right in a democratic dispensation and as service to the people of our state. No one is intimidated by a senseless threat of litigation in the face of glaring truth and justification. More so coming from a government that has hardly won any case in court in spite of the over 11 billion naira squandered in senseless litigation between 2007 and 2013.

It is an open secret that a few lawyers have made a huge fortune from this. (We also know as a fact that only a small percentage goes to them as the rest is fritted away.)

For the avoidance of doubt, we state categorically and unequivocally that Jang is (in the words of his lawyer) “incompetent, an ethnic jingoist. He runs a directionless government by his family and tribesmen.”

If he is indeed not a tribalist, why is it that for you to get any meaningful appointment in the state you have to be either his kinsman or woman, be married to them or to be recommended by them. If he is not a tribalist, why was it that in his second term of office, he reappointed all his Berom tribesmen and women back into his government irrespective of their performance?

We are ready to defend all the information we provided and even give greater insight into what we previously provided. A sampler: we had noted in the previous write up that his government under the guise of state security collected the sum of 1.2 billion from the local governments; we also know that after the funds were collected they were never remitted into the state government accounts. Instead it was collected directly from the ministry of local government during the elections. At the end of the elections, the balance was not remitted to the government’s coffers. The balance ran into hundreds of millions.

He overlooks corrupt practices at the state and local government level, so long as the beneficiaries are his cronies. Little wonder that those who perpetrated corruption in the state in the past have all crept back into his government.

We want Jang to explain to the people of plateau state, what happened to the Foron fertilizer plant, which he personally laid the foundation stone with pomp and pageantry in 2008 and at which occasion he informed the people of plateau state that fertilizer will roll out in six months. Why did he not hold any body responsible for the abandonment of the project? Is it because of the shoddy deals that surround the establishment of the company?

Jang should tell us who are the main beneficiaries of the new government house contract and indeed the sub contracts in the project.

They should tell plateau people why they commissioned a PRTV OB vans without any equipment in the vans. Our people were told that the government had taken bold steps to transform and improve communication by procuring the OB vans which will facilitate and improve broadcasts of live programs in the state only for them to discover to their disbelief that empty vans were supplied without any equipment. We know those involved in this contract through a front employed by government and living in Abuja.

What did Jang do when a total of about 1.5 billion naira was illegally transferred from the account of the Board of Internal Revenue and placed in a fixed deposit in First bank in mid 2008 without authorization? Who benefited from that transaction?

Can Jang in all honesty justify before the people of the state the lavish lifestyle and ostentatious display of wealth being exhibited coupled with the very fat bank statement that those close to him parade about now. None of whom has any known source of income.

Knowing that we knew all of them before and the miserable existence they were living before. Where did some of his associates get the money they have reportedly used to build and purchase various properties in Abuja and outside our shores? people who have never been known to be employed gainfully anywhere or engaged in any known viable business are now known to own estates in Abuja.

The plateau people deserve to know how much is the security vote for the governor yearly.

Has the Governor of Plateau state got any approval limit for his security vote?

Jang should explain why no contractor has been brought to book in the various contracts that have been revoked in the state, where billions have been committed. Such examples include the JUTH dualization project where over 500 million was paid to the contractor and the contract was revoked and re awarded.

Can anyone justify the expending of close to 600 million for the extension of a 500 meter road from the Fly over in Jos at Gada Biyu to nearby the Rukuba Satellite market. Just imagine that 2.5 billion was expended on the dualization of the road from Plateau Hospital Roundabout to Farin Gada where 50% of the distance was existing as dualised. The remaining 50% was only extended by one lane.

It is an open secret that recently, consultants were brought in for the Board of Internal Revenue and the sum of 400 million naira was paid to them up front.

In an odd arrangement, the ASTC are solely responsible for the distribution of fertilizers to farmers in the state. Since the arrangement was made most farmers have ceased to receive fertilizers. We wondered how many farmers in the state are registered with the ASTC. The state collected 1 billion naira from Fidelity bank in early 2011 for onward disbursement to farmers. This money was handed over to ASTC. To date there is no known beneficiary farmer from that arrangement.

In a classic case of unprecedented mediocrity and stark incompetence, Plateau State has been ripped off 13 billion naira in the ASTC Agricultural project without anything to show for it, other than the small tables corners that sell tomatoes and cucumber in parts of Jos. Jang celebrates the project in a desperate effort to convince the people that it is a success.

Why is it that since the inception of this government, no known competitive bidding (due process) has been followed in the award of some contracts? Examples include the NYSC camp, all the road projects awarded to PW and some other road projects, the Zaria Road stadium project, the government house project, the new office of his Special Advisers opposite First bank, etc. The shoddy involvement of his associates in these projects shall be revealed.

How transparent is a government which is asking for an approval of a supplementary budget in December a month to the end of the fiscal year? Meanwhile the main budget for the year has not been implemented.

What justifies the huge amount of expenditure on the Du road network costing billions, while the road network in the city center, the hub of commercial and business activities for the state with much vehicular and human traffic is abandoned and failing daily, dying for attention?

Jang expects our people to be grateful to him that he did roads. His crude brazenness is unbelievable and all the sycophants around him drum it into his head that people ought to be grateful to him for doing a few projects instead of stealing all the money.

We are living witnesses of how Jang’s policy of pushing only his tribesmen at the federal level irrespective of their qualification, suitability and competence has begun to backfire and has in fact put us in bad light. Recently the PDP headquarters, totally dissatisfied with the poor performance, incompetence and inexperience of the National Legal Adviser of the Party has stripped him of all major legal responsibilities and handed over to as a private legal practitioner as reported in ThisDay of 21st January 2013 (pg. 8). It is the reputation of the entire state that is at stake.

Did we hear that about 3 billion of plateau state money that was about to be taken out in dollars was intercepted at the airport? And the matter is now pending in the EFCC. And we also hear that frantic efforts are being made to kill the matter and the 3 billion forfeited to whoever.

Jang should explain to the people what happened to the retired Justice Onalaja Panel he set up to look into the atrocities committed during the Dariye years. The people know that the panel sat, took plenty of evidence and was at the point of preparing its report, when suddenly it stopped seating. Why did somebody decide to hush up the panel? What more is there to show for corruption and lack of transparency in governance?

Why has he failed to identify other materials outside of his tribe, to give responsibility and build them up. Because of his insecurity, it is impossible for him to give responsibilities to others. Little wonder that in the process he has failed and undermined the state and created havoc in the lives of our people. In doing this, he forgets that in the process of pushing the other tribes down, he is also pushing down his own tribe and he is also coming down himself.

In a queer and rather primitive kind of rationale, Jang has to ruthlessly deprive and marginalize the rest of us in our state, in order to bring respect to his tribe, which he perceived as being looked down by the rest of the state.

We are of the strong conviction that Jang is not a leadership material. A leader who views everything from the point of view of ego cannot offer credible leadership to the people. The blatant arrogance and insensitivity exhibited by Jang even in his public utterances is very embarrassing to the state and not befitting of the office of a governor.

Meanwhile…. … But the Lord hardened pharaoh’s hearth… then Pharaoh said to him, get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; ( Ex. 10 : 27,28) Jang the “pharaoh” sees himself as king. He acts in an arrogant and defiant manner; that what suits him must suit the state. He insists that what he wants must be right. His Son who has never worked before is a material worthy of appointment into the state government.

Plateau is where it is today because of unprecedented mediocrity in governance.

Out of sheer arrogance, the man became insensitive to the suffering of his people during the 7 months workers strike that it took the intervention of the federal government for him to come back home and pay his own people three months arrears. He refused to pay on the petty and flimsy excuse that he was fighting opposition. Now he has tied the payment of the other four months arrears to the conduct of biometric exercise How long will that take and when will our workers be paid? Only him can tell. It is true that “those whom the gods want to destroy, they first make mad.” We have seen this playing out in plateau state.

We as a people have now to deal with the stark realities that Jang is petty and crude. And has failed woefully to build trust amongst our diverse peoples. He failed to exhibit competence and character as a leader. As if that was not bad enough, plateau people are now jittery that Jang may well attempt to choose the next Governor for them. “God Forbid”!!!

Jang was brought to power through sheer determination and will power of the people, not because he had any money. We therefore want to assure the people that the same people that brought him to power whom he ended up betraying are still there strongly committed to making sure that he will be resisted.

IBRAHIM DIKAM Secretary

ATANG MANNASEH Pub. Secretary

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

EXCURSION

POLICY

PROJECT

A day with nature at Ikogosi warm spring

Aliyu decries poor facilities to farmers

Fashola to rehabilitate 1,000 roads

Ekiti

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Niger

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Lagos

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Community, PHCN at daggers drawn

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•Governor Suswam

ESIDENTS of Logo 1 Community, a suburb of Makurdi, Benue State capital, are at daggers drawn with the staff of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Makurdi Business District over alleged pilfering of transformer parts. This incident, they said, has thrown the entire community into darkness for more than one month.

The leader of the community Godwin Omole told our correspondent that for years, the community had been in darkness until

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

2011 when the former governor of the state and Senator representing Benue-north West senatorial zone, George Akume donated 500KVA transformer to them.

According to Omole, it took residents of the community more than one year to raise funds to install and activate the transformer. “We bought virtually everything; from concrete poles, cables, insulators and feeder pillars.

“But shortly after the transformer was installed, PHCN officials first demanded N100, 000 before they could activate it. Members of the community refused to oblige them.

“When that move failed, they demanded to be given extra two units of the transformer but we maintained our stance.”

He further stated that it was after the community turned down their request that their long journey to darkness began, as PHCN technical staff moved into the community and disconnected the wires that

supply light to the community from the transformer.

“Shortly after they disconnected the community from the facility, they also took away the key to the transformer. They came back in the midnight to remove some components. Thereafter, they returned the key to the community and alleged that the transformer is damaged beyond repairs.

“But after much pressure, some •Continued on Page 45

I

T was a day of joy for Anambra women when Rural Women Awakening (RUWA) a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with A.U. Foundation empowered them and other less-privileged people.

Pregnant women; the young; the aged; widows and other less-privileged people gathered at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ekwulobia to receive financial gifts from the nongovernmental organisation.

They included women from Ihiala; Orumba North; Orumba South; Nnewi North; Nnewi South; Ekwusigo and Aguata local government areas.

They sang, danced and waved their hands thanking God for His intervention in their lives.

Some of the women were trained in soap making, fashion designing, and hair dressing, among others.

Newsextra investigation revealed that 873 rural women were empowered throughout the state in the first phase of the programme.

Beneficiaries of the interestfree loans are expected to pay back in good time to enable others to benefit from the programme. The exercise will be supervised by coordinators in these local government areas.

One of the local government coordinators told Newsextra in confidence that each beneficiary of the interest-free loan will collect about N20, 000.

It is expected that 291 women will be selected from each senatorial zone and three women from each of the 177 communities. The criterion for selection is through balloting.

One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Mrs. Fidelia Igweike from Nkerechi now called Umuchukwu Community in Orumba South Local Government Area described the gesture from the NGO as amazing.

She said: “The gesture shows that the God of women never

•Lady Chukwuogor addressing the women

A lift for rural women From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

sleeps. The empowerment programme that was meant for only the widow’s has been extended to other less-privileged individuals.”

For Calista Anagwu from Ihembosi in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, it was a gift from God. He is using the NGO to make the downtrodden feel a sense of belonging.

Also, Mrs. Beatrice Nwanne

873 trained in different skills

praised God for lifting the souls of the downtrodden in the society.

Another beneficiary of the programme, Sister Chi Nwosu told Newsextra that the hand of God will never depart from the initiator of the programme. Princess Virgy Chukwuogor from Awka South Local Government Area, among others was also jubilant over the gesture of the group.

However, the founder and coordinator of the programme, Princess Virgy Chukwuogor, told Newsextra that the NGO was one of the ways of realising her dream to make the rural women who have been neglected for too long feel a sense of belonging.

“It is not only those whose husbands have died that are suffering in the society. Most rural women are hungry and suffer-

ing. This is not for any political reason but a vision God gave me to help the rural women.

“We should not always rely on politicians or our husbands to take care of ourselves as mothers. This is the time for rural women in Anambra State to chart a new cause in their lives.

“We are also interested in the mental development of the rural women. In the circumstances therefore, any of them that wants to enroll in part-time adult education is free to regis•Continued on Page 45

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Kano committed to sanitation

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•Governor Kwankwaso

HE Kano State government says it is committed to ensuring that residents of the state imbibe proper sanitation habits.

The Director of the state Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB),Alhaji Ismail Bello, expressed this desire in an interview with journalists in Kano.

Bello said that part of the efforts included the provision of dump sites in major streets in the metropolis to discourage people from indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

“The governor, at inception, had directed the eight metropolitan councils to allocate 10 places where people will dump refuse.

‘Provide amenities in border towns’

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HE Chairman, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State,Alhaji Lafia Sabi, has urged the Federal Government to provide amenities in the nation’s border towns to make life comfortable for Nigerians.

He made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Kosubosu.

Sabi noted that most border communities in the country lacked amenities such as roads, potable water, electricity and other necessities of life.

The situation, he said, prompted many Nigerians to cross to neighbouring countries to receive medical treatment or education for their children.

The chairman expressed regret that

Kwara Chikanda, which is a border town to the Republic of Benin in Kwara, could not boast of electricity, good roads and potable water.

He said this was responsible for the residents of the area crossing to the Republic of Benin for their basic needs.

“If our border towns are provided with amenities by both the federal and state governments, more development will be attained in all parts of the country,” the chairman said.

Sabi called on local government chairmen in the country to complement the effort of both the federal and states government in developing the grassroots.

Govt trains workers

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HE Lagos State government has through the office of the Local Government Establishment Pension and Training trained human resources managers at the local government level.They were trained on Information Communication Technology (ICT).

The training held at the Lagos State Council of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Ikeja Lagos, was to ensure that all human resources managers in the councils understand the importance of ICT to enhance job performance.

By Amidu Arije

IGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu has decried the poor provision of agric facilities to farmers by the commercial banks in the state.

Aliyu, who made the remark during the annual Bankers’ Clearing Committee’s end of year award ceremony in Minna, said only N62 million was disbursed last year.

He said that the state government was planning to hold a discussion with the stakeholders on how to improve farmers’ accessibility to agriculture loans.

Aliyu said the time had come when commercial banks should participate actively in complementing government programmes, especially in education, by intervening in the running of any school they had chosen.

He said his administration would continue to patronise commercial banks operating in the state and provide the enabling environ-

Kano “This will, at least, discourage residents from dumping refuse everywhere, and make them stop the habit of dumping refuse in drains in front of their homes.

“We intend to sensitise the public on the health implications of refuse dumping, especially solid waste in front of their homes.

“We want them to know that when you dump refuse anyhow, you endanger not only yourself but your neighbours as well,’’ he said.

Bello also said that the agency had purchased 3,000 drums of 200-litre capacity for distribution in all major streets of the eight metropolitan local councils.

He said that experts from different ministries and departments of the state were selected into a committee to decide where to allocate the drums in order to make them accessible for the agency’s officials.

Briefly •From left: Wife of Chairman Ifako-Ijaye Local Govt, Mrs Modupe Oke, Mrs Janet Olukunle; Mrs Ayodele Lawal, Coordinator Nightingale Senior Citizen and Mr Babatunde Jokotoye. during the presentation of food items to widows and aged men and women at Ifako Ijaye Old Secretariat.

Council to boost revenue from crocodiles

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HE Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Area in Benue State, Mr Sunday Ojoh, has promised to transform the crocodiles in River Adu to a revenue source for the council.

Ojoh told journalists in Makurdi that River Adu had plenty of crocodiles which were at the moment not being exploited.

He said that he had plans toward training the unemployed youths of the area in harvesting the crocodiles for economic gains.

Benue He added that youths would be sponsored to Taraba State where they would be trained on the process of harvesting the crocodiles so as to generate income for themselves.

He noted that the harvest of crocodiles would be an additional revenue base not only for the council but also as source of employment for the youth.

Ojoh said that the council intended to con-

Speaking on the essence of the training the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Establishment Pension and Training, Mr Ashimi Jamiu Adewale disclosed that it was meant to equip the council human resources managers with more ICT knowledge and its application to their jobs.

“The essence of the training is to train our local government personnel on the use of computer because that is what is in operation now all over the world and in few years time, there will be nothing you can do without ICT.

Fadama projects inaugurated

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UCCOUR came the way of farmers in rural communities of Ibeju-Lekki and EtiOsa Local Government Areas of Lagos State penultimate Wednesday as the Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal inaugurated three projects of the Lagos State Fadama Coordination Office.

The projects include, a N5million 100- metre foot bridge built for the residents of Okunlape, a fishing community in Lekki, five-tonne capacity cold room for fish farmers and sellers in Jakande Estate as well as a reconstructed butchers’ section of Ajah market in Eti-Osa. In his speech at the inauguration of the bridge, Prince Lawal said: “Our administration is not unmindful of the need to develop the rural areas; hence, Governor Babatunde Fashola considers rural development an integral part of his developmental agenda.

“What we are witnessing today is a clear testimony of our commitment to fulfil the promises made to the people of Lagos State. The

By Kunle Akinrinade

bridge project was conceived to alleviate your sufferings in transporting fish from the sea to the market. To this end, I urge you to make use of the bridge so that government can be encouraged to do more for your community. But more importantly, you must fulfil your own side of the bargain by paying your taxes regularly.”

At the commissioning of the butchers’ stall and cold room, Prince Lawal called for the support of rural dwellers in the transformation agenda of agriculture in the state.

“I want to urge you all to support the state government in its transformation of the agricultural sector by making judicious use of facilities provided to boost your businesses.”

A cross section of farmers who spoke with our correspondent at the occasion thanked the state government for considering them worthy of the projects.

struct rural roads linking the palm wine and palm oil producing villages for commercial production.

He added that the council had started discussing with Lower Benue River Basin Authority to rent earth moving machines for the construction of the roads.

He added that the rural road projects would cost the local government N50 million.

He said that upon completion of the roads, the council would rake in huge fund in the form of internally generated revenues from the sources.

“The local council will raise between N8 million and N10 million annually from such sources when fully utilised.’’

He said that his administration placed much emphasis on youth empowerment rather than provision of jobs, adding that he intended to make agriculture the center piece of his projects.

According to the chairman, the youth will also be trained in animal husbandry.

He said that veterinary doctors had been contacted to set up clinics in the area to control airborne and animal diseases that might likely attack the animals.

Ojoh said he had enlisted 30 youths with “very sound minds” for industrial skills acquisition training where they would learn trades like welding, building and carpentry.

He assured that upon the completion of such programmes, the council would set up businesses for them.

Candidate seeks support THE newly elected Ezeigbo in Sokoto State Chief Ozo Nweke has appealed for cooperation and support from the entire Igbo community in the state.

This is coming on the heels of some alleged meddsomesness from the southeast.

According to him, the November 8, 2012 election that produced him followed the normal guidelines and therefore he remained the authentic winner of the election.

He said any effort made to scuttle such a fair election would only create confusion and injustice which are inconsistent with the spirit of Ezeigbo

•From left: Deputy Controller of Customs (Admin), Mr Binga Benjamin; Officer in charge of Operations, Mr Johnson Gabriel; Customs Area Controller, Mr Zakka Audu; Officer in Charge (Technical) Mr Okere L.N and Officer in charge Badagry, Mr Bambe Titus during the destruction of smuggled goods by the Western Marine Command, Nigerian Customs Service

Residents seek Ajimobi’s intervention HE residents of Beyioku-Ikereku in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State have called on the governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi to intervene in the continual illegal trespass on their land by members of Aare Latosa, Oke-Are family.

Beyioku-Ikereku village which consists of Beyioku, Idi Apa, Osanyideyi, Onimo,Olokuta, EseOke, Ekefa and Ojo Owoseni communities in Ibadan land was claimed as part of the inheritance of the family of Oke-Are in Oke Ibadan.

A statement signed by the secretary of the family, Chief Taiwo Adegbite, indicated that the families are ready to useall powers at their disposal to reclaim their land.

The Oke-are family also claimed that the perpetrators three years ago reported to the state police command and after several visits to the police they were asked to go and settle it amicably.

According to the statement “The Aare

people started their incursion three years ago by first reporting a case of malicious damage of their property at the Iwo Road Command of the Nigeria Police.

“Some members of our Villages were interrogated and the Police discovered that the claimants have no proof for the purported damage.

They neither have houses in any of the eight villages nor economic crops on the lands. We have beautiful houses, boreholes, churches, mosques while the villages have been electrified.

“The police, therefore, advised both parties for amicable solution. On this advice, our representatives visited the family head, Arole MabinuoriAdegboyega described the action of his people as barbaric and uncalled-for.

“As peace loving people we are therefore calling on Governor Ajimobi to call the Aare family to order as we would resist their incursion with everything at our disposal”.

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O FEWER than 50 prominent sons and daughters of Ogu indigenes worldwide including President Boni Yayi of the Republic of Benin, would be honoured at the Sheraton-Hilton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday, February 23. Other awardees include musicians, artists, politicians and a footballers.

The awards will be sponsored by the Centre for Global Promotion of Ogu People (CGPOP).The group has always agitated for projects that can improve the living standard of residents of the communities.

The coordinator of the group, Prof Michael Padonu, said this at a briefing in Lagos.

Prof Padonu said the Ogu peope spread across Lagos, Badagry, Abeokuta, Agbara (Nigeria), Cotonou, Port-Novo, Ajahtado, Dahomey, Whydah (in Benin Republic), Lome and part of Abidjan in Cote D’Ivoire, Togo, Brazil, West-Indies and Haiti.

He said: “Ogu people are a minority ethnicnationality and governments at all level have over the years taken advantage of that to neglect and even marginalise our people and our communities” Henceforth, Padonu said CGPOP would demand and facilitate the granting of the rights of Ogu people, and promote developmental programmes for the people and its communities.

Padonu said that Ogu people must not be left out in the dynamics of development, prosperity and progress as it is being done by other parts of the country and the globe.

He said GUNNVI Global award is the brain child of CGPOP, to celebrate rare gems of Ogu tribe. He also described the forthcoming event

Aliyu speaks for farmers Niger ment for them to actualise their mandate for the benefit of people of Niger State.

Alhaji Mohammed Dangusau, the chairman of the Bankers’ Clearing Committee, said only two out of the 17 commercial Banks operating in the state, offered 224 loans to farmers under the agriculture credit guarantee scheme.

He, however, expressed the hope of increased participation by other banks through the introduction of the Nigerian incentive-based risk sharing system for agriculture lending.

Dangusau said the system was expected to cover risk sharing, insurance, technical assistance, and bank incentive.

Union Bank won the prizes for best bank in

By Adegunle Olugbamila

as a veritable platform for image laundering for the entire Ogu tribe and as a means of encouragement and motivation for the younger generation, to seek excellence and attain distinction in all human endeavour.

Ehubo Ajose Harrison, who represented the Aholu Menu Toyi, Oba Akran of Badagry, said it is about time governments made Ogu people have a sense of belonging in Lagos and at the same time, being included in Federal Government’s transformation agenda.

He appealed to the government to expedite action on the APM Terminal Port to be sited at Badagry, explaining that since 1976 when Oba Akran ascended the throne, he has been championing the port which he noted has economic value because of its closeness to Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana.

Another indigene of Ogu and chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) of Lagos State University (LASU), Comrade Agnes Funmi Sessi, equally appealed to governments to make Ogu people feel their presence.

She said: “Our roads are bad, government should not abandon us. We are suffering and we have been marginalised in federal appointments.”

Former Head of Service in Lagos, Mr. Sunny Ajose, lauded the initiative behind the formation of CGPOP, saying it would bring Ogu people together to foster development in the communities and tasked the Federal Government and Lagos State government to accord recognition to Ogu areas.

•Governor Aliyu agriculture lending and best bank in loan recovery, while First Bank won award for being the bank with the highest currency deposit.

Council gets new mode of payment

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USHIN Local Government Area in Lagos State has introduced a new mode of payment for dues and levies. The Chairman, Hon .Olatunde Adepitan said that payment of council revenue through Associations would no longer be allowed.

Speaking at the budget retreat where suggestions were made on how best to improve the fortunes of the council, Adepitan said individuals in an association would be made

•Chairman, Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Hon Akeem Bamgbola (right) presenting a copy of the budget proposal to the Leader of the House, Hon Shina Mustapha

Community honours indigenes

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•Director of Agricultural Services, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya, Fadama South-west coordinator, Alhaji Rasaq Salau, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperatives, Dr. Olayide Bashorun, Prince Lawal, Chief Rauf Bello & state coordinator of Fadama II Mr. Folu Ajijola at the event.

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IGERIAN leaders have been advised to get closer to God in order to move the country forward.

The Senior Pastor of The Elect Gospel Assembly (Inc) Eagles Arena, Prophet Collins Obi Favour, gave the advice when preaching during a three-day programme tagged: Altar versus Altar at the church’s auditorium at Orilowo Ejigbo Lagos State.

The cleric said: “The ugly experiences the country is going through could be corrected if the leaders and the led should put God first in all they do. They should fear and worship God in truth and in spirit. We should engage God in all we do. Every one, no matter your position must acknowledge God. When we do this, He will even make our enemies to be at peace with us. Nigerians should correct the faulty foundation by doing what is right before God. If the righteous is on the throne, the people will rejoice.”

He stated that many people are undergoing great suffering because there are evil forces that try to silence people’s destiny.

“Since there is an Altar greater than other altars, we are calling upon Him to rise up and rescue His people. The Altar of God is coming against the altar of darkness.

“Christians should come out en masse and stand firmly on the Altar of God to counter the altar of darkness •Prophet Favour

to pay as against executives of the associations.Speaking further on the programme, he said: “Council staff are being trained to meet this challenge.The local government now has revenue bus that can aid mobility within the council area.Tailors, hairdressers,paper sellers, plank sellers,food vendors, electronic sellers, barbers e t c will now pay in accordance to the shops they have” Adepitan said that Franchise Revenue Contractors that failed to renew their contract this year should consider such contract revoked.

“If the thinking of the Federal and the state governments on the sustainability of the local government is to be achieved, every revenue item must be tapped to have enough funds to provide the needed infrastructural facilities to the people”, he said The council chief assured residents that the Matori Burial ground would be brought to an acceptable standard as the dead deserves good rest.

He condemned the activities of mechanics who operate on the newly reconstructed roads saying: “huge sums of money are being expended on these roads in order to satisfy the yearnings of the citizens, it would be a deservice if unscrupulous elements in the society are allowed to spoil them.We should ensure that community leaders are part of our projects. As the projects belong to them, they are under natural obligation to protect them”.

He urged the residents to cooperate fully with governments at all levels

Leaders urged to fear God that is out to overshadow this country. I know Nigeria will rise and shine again. Soon, the Altar of God will exterminate the altar of darkness in this country.

“A faulty foundation has no respect for righteousness. The foundation must be right. Any city or country that is laid on a faulty foundation will suffer it in time to come.

“Children of God should endeavour to have a strong Altar with God so that the princes of this world would not get at us unprepared. If God is in a man, he will understand that nothing is done without God’s will.

His will is uppermost in the heart of man.

Church programme THE Consuming Fire Prayer Ministries has begun its seven-day Evening Special Programme and will end on February 24.

The time is 5.30pm to 8.30pm daily and the venue is 66, Ijaiye Road, Opposite Area ‘G’ Police Command, Ogba. It has Intensive Surgical Deliverance at its theme.

Speaking on the programme, the Public Relations Officer, Brother Lucky said the programme would set people from spiritual and financial bondage.

A major highlight of the programme is the launch of a book on Sunday March 3 at the church auditorium.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY,FEBRUAY 20, 2013

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

EDITORIALS

Dame’s banquet

• After lying about the first lady’s illness, the presidency flaunted an obscene party

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HEN the first lady went to Europe for medical treatment, it was a furtive adventure. It was not our business, so Dame Patience Jonathan simply vanished out of presidential sight. But the nation knew and wondered, and later journalists asked questions. So insistent and inescapable was the enquiry that the media team of the presidency felt compelled to respond. When they did, they fibbed. She did not go for medical treatment, they lied. She went to rest. So the first lady escaped to rest?

Even the president, who should understand, obfuscated the matter by defiantly saying that she went abroad for medical reasons. No more details. The nation could bear shrouding the doings of its first lady in obscurity.

When first lady Dame Patience Jonathan returned, she evinced a lack of grace, but spoke with noxious irritability about those who wished her dead. She invoked superstitions peddled in the polity about the motif of deaths and funerals accompanying one of the first spouses since the former bespectacled military despot, General Sani Abacha, passed on from the pinnacle of power.

She had in mind the fates of such other persons as President Olusegun Obasanjo’s wife, Stella, and the late Umaru Yar’Adua. Dame Jonathan lacked the grace and generosity of spirit for a person who escaped the clutches of a terrible affliction. According to her own story last Sunday, the hospital subjected her to an improbable ordeal of about nine surgeries in one month. She has not told us the name of the illness.

We expected a loftier and nobler tem-

perament for a beneficiary of such superlative miracle rather than the air of bilious contempt for her so-called detractors.

Be that as it may, she recovered. But then, no one knew how serious her ordeal was, even if many suspected that she could not have travelled abroad for a protracted period without a serious affliction, especially since she and the presidency locked her state in curious silence. To cap it all, she returned to gloat in triumph.

It is the sort of obscurantist pose we condemned in January about the attitudes of some governors who travelled abroad without informing the citizens about their states of health. They left the press and the civil society to a fever of speculations.

It is a bad omen for a democracy that extols the virtues of due process and transparency. The argument that a person’s illness is a personal matter is only true if the person does not occupy a public office. To all intents and purposes, these persons take advantage of taxpayers’ resources to fly to the upscale hospitals of the world while neglecting the humbler citizens to the moribund death channels that our hospitals at home have become.

To stress the cynicism, the presidency organised an obscene banquet to fete the first lady and it was beamed live to the world. Clearly the dances, choreographies, drum rolls, fluty tunes, flattering rhetoric that characterised the “praise and thanksgiving” event were not for the first lady’s rest abroad, or mere medical reasons as President Jonathan contemptuously described it.

The nation’s government and party elite were invited to Abuja and they de-

ployed what was clearly an obscene sum of money to celebrate what they denied at first. They were asked to celebrate a lie and the fiction that she was sick. They lied to the world but celebrated in God’s holy of holies.

President Jonathan turned that party into a vengeful extravaganza when he said he approved the party to counter the superstition that one of the spouses must die in office. It was therefore a new low in presidential malice. He organised the party as exhibition - with all the money, so-called dignitaries, frills and a vaudevillian stage - to launch revenge against his enemies.

It is also a new low in presidential speech, a low of malice as well as superstition. Presidents evince magnanimity, not the folly of malice.

‘The nation’s government and party elite were invited to Abuja and they deployed what was clearly an obscene sum of money to celebrate what they denied at first. They were asked to celebrate a lie and the fiction that she was sick. They lied to the world but celebrated in God’s holy of holies’

Badagry deep port • This is good, but there are other issues to be considered before giving a final nod to it

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HE report that the Federal Government, in conjunction with the Lagos State Government, plans to develop a deep seaport in Badagry, Lagos State, is cheering news. To push the quest, the Federal Government is reported to have inaugurated an eight-man Steering and Project Development Committee for the Badagry Deep Seaport in Lagos, with members drawn from the Federal Ministry of Transport, Lagos State Government, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

As the transport minister, Senator Idris Umar noted, “the maritime sector of Nigeria, with 84,000 square nautical miles, is central to the nation’s economic devel-

‘What we are saying in essence is that the committee set up for the Badagry port may have some balancing act to perform ... We count on the experience and expertise of its members and hope that they would come up with the best decision that will reduce to the barest minimum, if not completely eliminate, most of the hiccups presently encountered by stakeholders making use of the existing ports in the country’

opment as a medium of transportation, for global commerce, resource exploitation and recreation”. With the combined handling capacity of the six ports at Apapa, Tin-Can, Onne, Port-Harcourt, Calabar and Warri at 60million metric tonnes out of the over 100million metric tonnes cargo coming into the country annually, it seems about time the Federal Government took steps to bridge the huge shortfall.

Of course a new seaport in Lagos means additional jobs as well as related support services will be created. This is good for Lagos. As a matter of fact, many people will argue that anything that would take our teeming unemployed youths from the unemployment queues is welcome.

We also appreciate the government’s intention in proposing the Badagry port; for instance the need to accommodate high volume of cargo generated through international maritime trade and to enable the country attain status of a maritime hub for West and Central Africa. The port will also accommodate dry docking facilities for super tanker vessels which would offer low-cost access to both offshore oil/ gas fields.

These are laudable intentions. But then, we have to consider the other side of the coin. With only the Apapa and Tin Can ports in Lagos, Lagosians know what their experiences are, especially on the ApapaOshodi Expressway, as a result of the activities at the ports. The road is ever busy, with all manner of articulated vehicles ei-

ther going into the ports to load, or coming from there with different kinds of cargoes. Because of heavy vehicular traffic, the road is overstretched, making it require being fixed almost all the time.

We cannot count the number of accidents that the articulated vehicles plying the road have caused.

If there are alternative means of transporting the cargoes from the ports, perhaps the situation would have been different. There is no functional railway to take the heat off the road; even the road from Sokoto to Apapa that was conceived about 20 years ago has been abandoned.

We do not know why, but if experience is anything to go by, then it is even possible that the government has forgotten that such an abandoned project exists.

At any rate, even if we need a new port, won’t it further suffocate Lagos, giving the experience with the ports in the state?

What we are saying in essence is that the committee set up for the Badagry port may have some balancing act to perform.

It should look at all the possibilities with a view to coming up with recommendations that would be truly beneficial to the state and the country at large. We count on the experience and expertise of its members and hope that they would come up with the best decision that will reduce to the barest minimum, if not completely eliminate, most of the hiccups presently encountered by stakeholders making use of the existing ports in the country.

The Trouble With Online College

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TANFORD University ratcheted up interest in online education when a pair of celebrity professors attracted more than 150,000 students from around the world to a noncredit, open enrollment course on artificial intelligence. This development, though, says very little about what role online courses could have as part of standard college instruction. College administrators who dream of emulating this strategy for classes like freshman English would be irresponsible not to consider two serious issues.

First, student attrition rates — around 90 percent for some huge online courses — appear to be a problem even in small-scale online courses when compared with traditional faceto-face classes. Second, courses delivered solely online may be fine for highly skilled, highly motivated people, but they are inappropriate for struggling students who make up a significant portion of college enrollment and who need close contact with instructors to succeed.

Online classes are already common in colleges, and, on the whole, the record is not encouraging. According to Columbia University’s Community College Research Center, for example, about seven million students — about a third of all those enrolled in college — are enrolled in what the center describes as traditional online courses. These typically have about 25 students and are run by professors who often have little interaction with students. Over all, the center has produced nine studies covering hundreds of thousands of classes in two states, Washington and Virginia. The picture the studies offer of the online revolution is distressing.

The research has shown over and over again that community college students who enroll in online courses are significantly more likely to fail or withdraw than those in traditional classes, which means that they spend hard-earned tuition dollars and get nothing in return. Worse still, low-performing students who may be just barely hanging on in traditional classes tend to fall even further behind in online courses.

A five-year study, issued in 2011, tracked 51,000 students enrolled in Washington State community and technical colleges. It found that those who took higher proportions of online courses were less likely to earn degrees or transfer to four-year colleges. The reasons for such failures are well known. Many students, for example, show up at college (or junior college) unprepared to learn, unable to manage time and having failed to master basics like math and English.

Lacking confidence as well as competence, these students need engagement with their teachers to feel comfortable and to succeed. What they often get online is estrangement from the instructor who rarely can get to know them directly. Colleges need to improve online courses before they deploy them widely.

Moreover, schools with high numbers of students needing remedial education should consider requiring at least some students to demonstrate success in traditional classes before allowing them to take online courses.

Interestingly, the center found that students in hybrid classes — those that blended online instruction with a face-to-face component — performed as well academically as those in traditional classes. But hybrid courses are rare, and teaching professors how to manage them is costly and time-consuming.

The online revolution offers intriguing opportunities for broadening access to education. But, so far, the evidence shows that poorly designed courses can seriously shortchange the most vulnerable students.

- New York 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 •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) Yomi Odunuga •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge •Advert Manager Robinson Osirike •IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUAY 20, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The deluge of reactions and comments that have greeted the recent announcement of the merger of the country’s major opposition parties- All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), All Nigerian Political Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)-which has given birth to the mega alliance: All Progressives Congress (APC), are not by any mean surprising. These reactions stemmed from the fact that the electorates are tired of the present “come and chop” political arrangement as symbolised by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the centre.

It is a notorious fact that the nation’s 13-year old democracy has been battered and bastardised beyond description by no less persons than our corrupt politicians, who keep amassing stupendous wealth to themselves at the detriment of the larger populace.

Indeed, the PDP has largely contributed to these 13 years of misrule and squandering of our collective wealth.

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

APC: The hurdles ahead Again, there is no gain saying the fact that the so-called dividends of democracy have become as elusive as the thin air. The level of disconnect between the masses and their leaders has never been this glaring since the country’s independence!

To further aggravate the injuries, the culprit of this hopelessness, the ruling PDP, has severally bragged to remain in the saddle for the next 60 years!

It is in view of the above gloomy picture that the need for a strong and virile opposition, that will offer a better alternative to the already disillusioned people, has become impera-

tive. It is, therefore, gratifying that the All Progressive Congress (APC) is offering this alternative. However, how the new party is able to do this depends largely on its ability to overcome certain hurdles which have been widely acknowledged as obstacles in our politicking. These “symptoms”, include (1) god-fatherism (2) dearth of internal democracy (3) selfish interest of the leaders, amongst others.

Reading the comments expressed so far by the leaders of the new party, it does appear they are merely interested in kicking out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Aso Rock come 2015, not minding what happens

thereafter. It will turnout the biggest political mistake the new party would make if, indeed, it is only concentrating all its resources at “grabbing” power at the centre without a corresponding action plan that will salvage the nation’s political and economic miseries. History is replete with such political blunder. This was what happened, in 2002, in Kenya when in their bid to wrestle power from the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) at all cost, the politicians formed a merger- National Alliance of Rainbow Coalition (NARC). But because the merger was power-grabbing driven, it was later to suffer in-

ternal bickering, few years after winning the election. In other to avoid this mistake, APC must work out a people-oriented action plan that will not just be limited at “capturing” the coveted Aso Rock seat but will add joy and smiles to the populace.

It needs also be stated here that the new party should make internal democracy its guiding principle. Candidates should be allowed to emerge through a more open democratic process that is devoid of whims and caprices of its leadership.

It is not in doubt that this initiative will, in the long run, deepen our “nascent” democracy (a fact the leadership of the ruling PDP has magnanimously accepted) to the benefits of the already impoverished masses, the new party must take a step further to convince Nigerians that it is not just going to be business as usual after assuming power.

• Barrister Okoro Gabriel Lagos

The killing of health workers in Kano

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IR: A man’s house is on fire and a concerned neighbour ran with a bucket of water to quench the fire. The man whose house is on fire turned and stabbed the neighbour with a bucket of water to death. The above scenario pic-

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tured the recent killings of health workers in Kano and Yobe states.

How can one explain the madness behind the killings of those health workers who came to save lives of brothers and sisters of these unknown gun men?

To exonerate the dreaded Islamic fundamentalist organisation “Ahlan Sunnah Lid Da’ Waati Wal Jihad Yaanaa”, also known as Boko Haram from this nefarious act is like exonerating anterior placenta from the survival of a foetus in a woman’s

womb.

This insane act reminded me of a recent report from a journalist from Somalia. The journalist Ghaith Abdul-Ahad in Mogadishu reported that a procession of famished mothers with their skeletal children bur-

What I saw at Nassarawa varsity, Keffi

IR: From the handful of universities we had in different parts of Nigeria barely a decade ago, the number has soared significantly over the years. The result is that wherever you go across Nigeria these days, a private or federal or state university is bound to be located somewhere nearby. It is, however, one thing to have a varsity; having a university that stands out in terms of good governance, infrastructure, laboratory, and high academic standard is a different ball game.

It was against this backdrop that I travelled to the Nasarawa State University, Keffi in Nasarawa State, recently to visit my daughter-in-law.

Although I had been to the school once or twice before now for sundry

reasons, I hadn’t paid much attention to the place.

Located along the Keffi –Akwanga highway, Nasarawa State University (NSU) occupies a relatively wide expanse of land on the outskirts of Keffi town.

In terms of size, NSU is, in my view, not all that impressive. Particularly when compared with a number of other universities that one has been privileged to visit in recent years. But when you realize that the institution is relatively young, even as it grows in leaps and bounds, it becomes obvious that it needs time to develop according to expectations.

Like any parent or student, however, want concerns me most is the quality of academic work available (or otherwise) here. When I sought

her opinion, my girl said, in her usual melodramatic manner, that: “they are killing us o.” To which I inquired:” Killing you? How?” Her response: “The lectures are too much; there is hardly any space to breath or time to rest; it’s lecture, lecture, all the time.” What about strikes, riots, cultists and the like, I prodded. She shrugged. “So far, at least, I haven’t witnessed any such things here; I heard that the Vice Chancellor is a no-nonsense man who doesn’t allow such things happen here.”

That, to those who know the NSU helmsman, Prof. Shamsudeen Amali, is hardly surprising, given that he had conjured a similar feat at his old duty post – the University of Ilorin.

Prof. Amali had, through a dint of visionary leadership, exemplary hu-

man relations and deft shuffles, ensured that Unilorin remained largely unaffected by the chaos and madness of these seasons. Maintaining an open-door policy and acting like a father to both students and staff alike, he was said to have effectively tamed the monster of industrial crises in the hitherto restive school.

Indeed, based on what I witnessed at the university that day, one dares say without fear of contradiction that Prof. Amali, the renowned administrator, scholar, leader and acclaimed professor of Theatre and Drama, has “transferred” his inimitable leadership and administrative acumen to NSU. • Hajia Jamila Mohammed Abuja

dened further with outsized bellies travelling many miles on foot across the desert to get food were driven back home by al-Shabaab: “They told us it was better to wait for God’s mercy than to beg for food from the unbelievers.” Why? Because Western aid is a sin and so is western knowledge of routine immunization, and the polio eradication programme in Northern Nigeria.

Boko Haram is wielding the same guns and bombs (the only instruments in which western education is not a sin) and spreading hate and insecurities in Nigeria.

Boko Haram, how do you want poverty and high rate of illiteracy to be eradicated in your area? When you are causing local and foreign investors to flee? The Yorubas will say: ‘ronu’ meaning think. Please, Boko Haram members, you should think deeper so to heal the past wounds instead of inflicting deeper wounds.May the souls of those innocent health workers killed in Kano and Yobe states rest in peace, Amen.

• Eyeke Solomon Eyeke.

Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUAY 20, 2013

COMMENTS

The centenary Nigerian; Political Party Corruption-PPC; Smoothen the path of Nigerians

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We have adult decisions at this 100 year junction in Nigeria’s life. We have bombs exploding and multibillion naira thefts and with millions disTony placed and tens of thousands injured and dead Marinho of the wounds of surviving in Nigeria. Yet, we are not ‘At War’. Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, NISER should quantify the mental, physical, family, work and other costs of being a ‘Centenary Nigerian’, The Centenary Nigerian survives okada mayhem and exists without a predictable salary, pension, mortgage, monthly house rent, water, electricity. In addition banking COT, borrowing and high naira exchange costs have made life a 100 year misery and short life expectancy, 47 years.

Every good thing arrives late for Centenary Nigerians, be it childhood vaccinations, electricity to study and work and play, books for education, medicines in hospitals, jobs and joy and justice, good roads, affordable accommodation and mosquito nets. But they still say ‘Thank you!’ though ‘justice delayed is justice denied’. Things expected from government are mis-labelled ‘government cannot do it alone’ and are delayed, denied, undelivered or delegated to the private sector in a PPP - Public Private Partnership.

Evil federal polices brought Nigeria to its knees from internal slavery. Government even refused to buy sports equipment for schools while officials stole billions weekly. Sorry, Centenary Nigerian children! ‘Nothing for you’ as Lagbaja says.

When in Nigerian education history was the meeting held which cancelled ‘history’, ‘sports equipment’, ‘library books’ and ‘science disposables’ from Nigeria’s education budgets?

Whoever did it is probably a ‘big’ retired ‘respected’ Minister or Director of Education and ‘hiding’ in Senate.

Centenary Nigerians have suffered needless trauma over the last 100 years from failure and abandonment of leadership opportunities – electricity, transport, security, and education. I see it every day in the preventable suffering of my patients and in the pigsties mislabelled ‘schools’. Yes, many Centenary Nigerians are amazingly ‘content with nothing’,

accepting what they see on TV as ‘unattainable’. This is Centenary Nigeria where only the sun is free - so free that we refuse to give CBN or other loans for solar equipment! Of course we have several ‘working’ officials. But we require a critical mass of good Centenary Nigerians.

Our problems are corruption and incompetence. Corruption can stop today, overnight. We must quickly change to survive the huge rock of corruption, far greater than the meteor that hit Russia. Corruption devalues every government naira to 30kobo. Our recent wonderful 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations football success belongs to the team, not us, because Centenary Nigeria did too little. And there are even better players, undiscovered because no one gave them footballs, opportunity or scouted for talent in their LGA. Ditto for all sports and many academic programmes which need organised systematic LGA, State and National Sports Databases. Centenary Nigeria could so easily replicate this football success story in events from shooting to swimming. Sport is neglected job creation. This football success revealed how easily Centenary Nigerians overcome mass suffering whenever transient hope and joy appears.

But living in hope without much expectation is lethal.

We are a blessed people but cursed with many corrupt leaders in corrupt party politics and a rotten greedy civil service. If the survival of Nigeria is paramount we must eliminate political party corruption to save Centenary Nigeria@100.

With the ‘2013 Amalgamation’ of some political parties into APC, remember that Organised Political Party Corruption, OPPC is traditionally the greatest Nigerian corruption. Are political parties entitled to 50-70% of the budget?

By what right do political parties steal? Let political parties study international political party funding etc, and stop stealing from budgets and taking high percentages of contract fees, consultant fees, tax task force funds and Internally Generated Revenue to fund political parties and personalities.

Before Nigerian Centenary amalgamation celebrations, we need delivery on developmental centenary projects and goals. The private sector is not spending its own money for the centenary celebration. Government will still spend billions on junketing, hotel, transport and ‘palliative’ allowances. The private sector is spending the money you, Cente-

nary Nigerian, paid for excessive bank and cement charges etc. So Fellow Nigerians, you are paying to celebrate the 1914 amalgamation and have paid for the post-amalgamation suffering during the last 100 years. QED! At least the Centenary film showed us heroic figures including Olaudah Equiano, the first Nigerian best selling author and slave who is not yet taught in Nigerian schools.

Every student should have a copy of Olauda Equiano’s Book, ‘The interesting narrative of the Travels of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa.’ We in Educare Trust have given out hundreds of copies of the book and run a reading club called The Olaudah Equiano Poetry and Prose Club. You should start one in your school or university as an Amalgamation Project on Nigerian heroes.

In Ibadan, we have a newly reconstructed bridge in Bodija, and the Mokola flyover. Amen. Something new, money well spent by Governor Abiola Ajimobi. During construction the poor alternative routes have cost Nigerians millions of hours and naira daily in fuel and time. Some ‘suffering’ is necessary during development but much Nigerian suffering will be reduced merely by tarring and smoothening alternative routes. Even today though the Davies Bridge is repaired, the Tewogbade, Veterinary and Mokola alternative routes need urgent maintenance and pothole filling, to ‘make our paths straight and smooth’. Building a flyover is good but adding smooth motorable alternative routes during construction is better. Make smooth their path, nationwide please.

‘Our problems are corruption and incompetence. Corruption can stop today, overnight. We must quickly change to survive the huge rock of corruption, far greater than the meteor that hit Russia. Corruption devalues every government naira to 30kobo’

Yusuf and his ‘near acquittal’

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HE Nigerian judiciary, through the decision of Justice Abubakar Talba of an Abuja high court on January 28, on the police pension scam case, has sent a clear message to ‘future offenders’. John Yusuf, a Director at the Police Pension Office, was charged to court for criminal misappropriation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, under section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria, 2007. He was charged alongside seven other members of the Pension Office whose cases are still pending in court.

Yusuf, who originally pleaded not guilty to the charges, turned around to plead guilty to three specific charges for which he was convicted. The change in his plea came after a session with the prosecution lawyers led by Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, where plea bargaining purportedly took place. The actual terms of the plea bargaining remains unclear.

Yusuf was sentenced to two years imprisonment for each of the three counts to which he pleaded guilty, to run concurrently and with an option of fine, set at N750,000. This, he paid off, with the swiftness of one who had prior knowledge of this outcome.

This judgment sparked a lot of outcries from within the legal profession, the media and, of course, amongst the populace. Before Nigerians forget their recent history, Bode George was similarly convicted a few years back, after a plea bargaining session with prosecution lawyers. George got two years concurrent sentences on all counts

for which he was found guilty.

Then, Nigerians lauded the judgment. But in truth, he got off easy as well. The option of fine in Yusuf’s case seems like a world of difference, but really, it is not. Section 309 of the Penal Code, under which Yusuf was sentenced, reads thus: “Whoever commits criminal misappropriation shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both”.

Now, there are a few issues to be addressed in the scenario. First, what options did the prosecution have in prosecuting Yusuf? Apparently, the Penal Code was one option. Another option, considering that the prosecutors were the EFCC, would have been to bring charges for offences under the EFCC Act. Section 17 (1) of the EFCC Act provides for offences in relation to economic and financial crimes. Section 17 (2) specifically states thus: “The penalties for offences under sub section (1) of this section shall be imprisonment for a term not less than fifteen years and not exceeding twenty-five years”. In addition to this, section 18 of the EFCC Act was clear in sub section (1) and (2) thus: “(1) The Federal High Court or High Court of a State has jurisdiction to try offenders under this Act. (2) The Court shall have power, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other enactment, to impose the penalties provided for in this Act.” A rational prosecutor, who wishes to set an example as a deterrent for future offenders, will not be at a loss as to which of the two enactments (Penal Code or EFCC Act) will serve better to

‘Nigerians need to be sated with landmark judgments that will show that the judiciary is not caught up in the power politics of the executive and legislature’

charge the accused.

Secondly, if the Penal Code’s Section 309 was really all that was before the court as a guide to the punishment of the accused, why did the judge give an option of fine which is clearly within his discretion to insert or withhold from his judgment? Alternatively, Section 309 also provides the possibility of a fine and mandatory imprisonment running together. And since the judge had given the accused an option of fine, why N750,000 for misappropriation of a figure in excess of N23 billion? While the section does not specify the amount of fine to be set, where applicable, the judge, in the exercise of his discretion, is to be guided by the principles of fairness and justice and, in special cases, public interest. Although, in defence of the judge, N750,000 is a fair fine for two years imprisonment, judging by the similar proportions of terms of imprisonment to fines, where specifically provided. The public interest vote on this particular decision should have outweighed the others in the mind of the judge, as this is a special case with immense national significance. He was within his rights to set that fine as he would have been if he had gone much higher.

Third, is the issue of plea bargaining. To start with, plea bargaining, in itself, is not a destructive mechanism but rather a constructive one.

Its essence is to expedite the process of justice and clear the court’s desks to make way for the tons of litigations flooding the courts. The simple process involves an accused pleading guilty to some or all of the charges brought against him/ her in return for a reduced sentence.

This saves the court the task of a full-fledged hearing and even clears the prisons by keeping convicts incarcerated for a relatively shorter period. It is practised in many developed countries and, to-

day, is a key part of the United States justice system in terms of effective dispensation of justice. Although it is not specifically provided for in the Nigerian legal system or in any of the laws, there have been calls for its integration in the laws along with alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

The reality is that, in our recent experiments with the procedure, it is the Cecilia Ibrus, Bode Georges and other billionaire offenders that have the privilege, while the common man is sentenced to five years imprisonment for stealing an item worth less than N100.

Though a copy of the charge sheet is yet to emerge for public scrutiny, it is not unlikely that the charges were brought both under the Penal Code and EFCC Act, as a seasoned legal practitioner would not be so absent minded to overlook such disparity in sentences. It is possible that it was during the plea bargaining that the Penal Code Section 309 was adopted and the EFCC Act Section 17 was abandoned. Whether there was communication by the parties and acquiescence by the honourable judge also is yet unclear. What is clear is that the public feels exposed and vulnerable after what seems like a slap on the wrist for a crime that should not have been taken lightly.

At this point, different theories of the events leading to the judgment will be passing around in the minds of the people. Was there a conspiracy by the judge, prosecution and defence to blindside the public and pull a judicial manoeuvre that resulted in the ‘near acquittal’ of the accused? Or were the hands of an impartial judge tied by the rusty binds of old statutes that predate that country as we now know it by almost half a century? The Penal Code and the Criminal Code are a 1916 ordinance and, as the current president of the Nigerian Bar Association put it when commenting

Dele Agekameh on the sentence, “It is obvious that the law is inadequate and so the sentence is inadequate”. Since 1960, only Lagos State has ever amended its criminal laws, including criminal procedure rules. And that was done quite recently.

Yusuf may have also forfeited 32 houses in the FCT and Gombe as well as N325million, which the EFCC said were proceeds from the crime. But Nigerians are not thrilled by forfeitures in a system where there have been rumours of ex-offenders repurchasing their ‘forfeited’ properties and forfeited sums vanishing into thin air. Nigerians need to be sated with landmark judgments that will show that the judiciary is not caught up in the power politics of the executive and legislature. The people are not calling for burning at a stake or beheading; they simply ask for public officials to be accountable for their actions and for the justice system to apply commensurate punishment for crimes. After all, following a plethora of judicial authorities, justice must not only be done, justice must also be seen to be done!

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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COMMENTS ‘Re: Lord Lugard and the 1914 amagamation of Nigeria. If Lugard made a mistake of amalgamating the Northern and Southern Protectorates nearly a century ago, rather than for us to keep referring to what had been done as a mistake, our emphasis should be on exploring and exploiting the diversity of our culture, ethnicity, climate, etc in making sure that this nation is able to actualise its potential as the giant of Africa.

From Olumide Soyemi, Bariga’

• Jonathan

For Dapo Fafowora Sir, I want to know whether Asaba and Lokoja can be regarded as former federal capital territories. From Ademola Adejumo, Ibadan Sir, your commentary about the centinary is biased and wrong. Will you suggest that a child born as a result of the gang rape of his mother should not celeberate his birthday? Even the kingdoms you said that existed before the advent of the British were established by wars and many tribes were forced to speak the dialet of their conquerors. Let us thank God for Nigeria. From Barango Dear Dapo, thank you on the brilliant piece, “Lord Lugard and the 1914 amalgamation of Nigerian”. But you have not said anything new irrespective of how Nigeria came into being. She is a country and her case is not unique. The Serbs celebrate their country’s conquest in 1365 by the Turks. Was the British policy in Nigeria different from her American policy pre-1775? What about in China, and others? Talking about nation states, what was it like in Oyo, Benin, Kano pre 1900? What gave rise to the Esans and the Urhobos from ancient Benin? You as a Yoruba man, have you forgotten “Yoruba ronu “? We should stop barking agaist the bad and chant the beauty of the good. From Omoweh Is there nobody to tell these clueless individuals in power that the amalgamation has expired and they should be thinking of another system that will benefit Nigerians?

Anonymous As a student of history, you are very right sir, but Calabar equally played important role then. From Enang Enang, Uyo. The amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 was neither a historical accident nor a dubious event rather in my opinion it was good. The so called protectorates would not have been better separately than Nigeria today. From Abbe Jos Sir, I just read your salient commentary on the amalgamation project published in The Nation with so many historical facts to support its relevance to national development hence, I would like to find out when the concluding segment of the commentary would be published. I appreciate. From Moses Umanah, Uyo. Please develop this excellent piece into a book and your name would enter world record. Give us more on this that we may know the true history of Nigeria and please, advise them to develop new federal cities in some other regions including the rehabilitation of the old government house in Lagos.

This will be an amazing way of celebrating our centenary. Thanks! From Rev. Sam, Port Harcourt.

Dear, congratulations! You are a true historian. This piece is something to read, and I must follow it to its conclusion. Please, let

the columnist of HARDBALL make his phone number available, many might want to comment on his post strengthen some truth and shun many lies and sentiments that can never do us good. You will agree with me that misinformations if not checkmated can turn this country into a sorry situation. Thanks once more for your piece. Anonymous Dear Dapo, your write-up captioned “The Summit” of 14th Feb. 2013 in The Nation newspaper is a perfect one that made tears roll down my cheeks as I read through. I am pained by the huge amount of money being wasted on irrelevant things in this country, and the centenary celebration is just another.

This centenary period would have been fixed as a time of sober reflection of our past, present, and concern about the future of this country. Let us face the reality, this country is faced with grave situations that needs urgent solution. Convocation of a National Conference is the right step. A stitch in time saves nine. May God give us wisdom. Anonymous Please kindly forward same write-up to my e-mail: pipersgroup@gmail.com. I would like to keep it for my children to read. Our leaders do not understand our history. The only thing worth celebrating is our Independence Day on 1st October. From Major Ken. Dapo, really no need for celebration. It is just as a slave is celebrating the day he was captured. It can just remain in our historical books for record sake but not worthy of celebration. The big question is what did colonisation did to us as a nation? We have too many piority projects at hand beging for attention. From Basiomele, Auchi

For Dare Olatunji Good use of “Discretion is better part of valour”. We decry our leader’s discretion on the rename of “Liberty Stadiun”, of UNILAG, N5000 note and Idiocy of BAKASSI! Now that Professor Wole Soyinka received Awo’s award, the question is: which dignifies the other? What gives ‘Independence’ its salt is the liberty of human mind, in freedom from shackles of ignorance, poverty and ill-health, so that people like Soyinka or Emegwali could go places! And Awo quite believed this.

You see now? Anonymous Sir, who knew what apparently damning evidence some of the reporters who covered Governor S. Chime’s arrival might have contrived to concoct in order to gain their end?

When a man is determined by his own inclination either to act or not to act in a particular manner, he invariably sets about devising an argument by which he may justify himself to himself for the line he is about to pursue. For now, we should believe the reports except the facts. From Adegoke O. O., Ikhin, Edo State Thank God he has returned hale and hearty and may God Almighty grant him more wisdom to pilot the affairs of Enugu State. And may the remaining ailing other governors return in peace. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Docyard Apapa Lagos.

Your exciting write-up on family involvement in education especially the concluding part on building a new Coalition of Committed Family and Community Organisation for Children Education is good, let us work it out. From Pastor Caleb, Family Life Care What I have to say as regards to the various comments made by some disgruntled elements especially the so-called Save Enugu group is that they should appologise pub-

licly to the governor while the person who originated the rumour that he died should go for confession. From Okibe, Lagos Chime is now back alive, what will be the feeling of his critics and enemies who wished him dead? Chime should just forgive them all. From Gordon Chika Nnorom

For Segun Gbadegesin The Jonathan administration has failed Nigerians in many respects already. It should not go to the extent of distorting history as a basis for organizing useless jamborees.

Anonymous I agree that no government wants its sins to be exposed to the world when its time is over. Yes, the APC will make a difference if it does not harbour elements that sinned against the people yesterday. Thanks! From Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna Re: Lord Lugard and the 1914 amagamation of Nigeria. If Lugard made a mistake of amalgamating the Northern and Southern Protectorates nearly a century ago, rather than for us to keep referring to what had been done as a mistake, our emphasis should be on exploring and exploiting the diversity of our culture, ethnicity, climate, etc in making sure that this nation is able to actualise its potential as the giant of Africa.

From Olumide Soyemi, Bariga.

‘A progressive agenda’ is surely the foundation of a new prosperous Nigeria. But the real fear is the connection between the military and the conservative class. Remember what happened to June 12,1993 election. May God save Nigeria and our politics. From Alhaji ADEYCorsim, Oshodi, Lagos All Progressive Congress party must have an agenda to reverse this pervasive decadence. Education is crucial on the agenda.

The success would not be achieved by massive increase in public expenditure on education to beef up the percentage of GNI. Promotion of private investment on education would beef up the education percentage of GNP. The centralisation of economic power on the fedral government constitute temptation and absolute power that would corrupt even the Holiness. Those in PDP are not of different stocks and breeds from those that would constitute APC. They are all Nigerians. The curruption hitherto is not attributable to PDP members alone. They are Nigerians that got state control and would not withstand the corruptive influences. The agenda would distiguish APC and be the yardstick to measure their performance. PDP had no agenda and should not have been allowed to get power. With agenda as yardstick we may boot out a failure and a looter and deny them power. Let us empower and patronise private investments in education and in other sectors. Revert the economy to private management under public negotiated regulation. From Engr. Adewumi. Ilorin Re: A progressive agenda. Coming together, alone, of the oppositions to wrestle power from the PDP is on its own, progressive. One only hopes that sharing of ‘Who takes what’, will not disunite them. For once, this agendum by the opposition is democracy in democracy, hopefully, for the good of the citizens in particular, and the nation in general. Bravo! From Lanre Oseni Your piece “A progressive agenda” is quite interesting. The gladiators of the merger should abstain from selfish interest or individualistic tendencies, it is not impossible to wrest power from the ruling party; the

• Keshi

interest of the people should be paramount in their hearts above all.

I wish them well. From Ojo A. Ayodele, Emure Ekiti Oga Segun, you journalists should tell the National Universities Commission to quickly and decisively intervene in the ugly matter of lecturers forcing students to buy handouts/pamphlets. No university in the world practices this illicit trade. Thanks sir.

Anonymous My prayer is for APC to consider pensioners first, and connect the six geo-political zones with modern railway. Thanks sir.

Anonymous

For Tunji Adegboyega RE: “AFCON 2013, Keshi’s resignation, etc.” Notwithstanding Keshi and his team’s success, it was an act of cowardice that Keshi decided to throw in the towel, irrespective of what the NFF might have initially done to hurt him. Thanks that he has retraced his steps by withdrawing the resignation letter.

We must show gratitude to God, Keshi and the team members, Nigerian supporters, Dangote, Adenuga, Uduaghan, Fashola, etc.

All said and done, successive Nigerian governments must improve on stadia and sports infrastructure, grant coaches reasonable freedom to administer. Our 1985 and 2013 successes suffice. From Lanre Oseni.

Continuity is the answer to the Super Eagles coaching crews for their brilliant performance in the just-ended AFCON 2013. From Gordon Chika Nnorom.

Re:”The lost century” (February 10): All is not a loss when Nigeria is compared with other West African countries. I have been an incurable pessimist about Nigeria’s growth but when we all sit and ruminate honestly, we have every cause to count some blessings notwithstanding our need to kill indiscipline, corruption, indolence ethnicism and religious extremism. To me, nothing is wrong with commemoration of our century of amalgamation; it is over-celebration under our present situation that is detested.

From Lanre Oseni.

Now that our leaders have spoken about mistakes made in the last century, what plans are they making to ensure that past mistakes didn’t repeat themselves? What structures are on ground to have a new bountiful century?

If we are to make any headway in this century, let’s do away with corruption in our governance. From Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

Quite a nice combination; the duo of President Jonathan and Anyim are in charge in 2013/14 to mark 100 years of amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates.

The look-alike understandably cannot be expected to seize the opportunity for any meaningful discourse on this matter. Nigeria never fails to miss opportunities. Pity!

From Olatunde.

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NATIONSPORT WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

NFF refutes 'foreign coach' story television programme in Lagos Monday night.

“We never discussed that since Keshi took over the team. What we had planned was to have a technical director which is not for the Super Eagles. I see no reason why we will want Keshi that we employed to fail."

Olajire also said the NFF has suspended all requests to host the victorious Eagles till after a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya next month.

He said, "We have a crucial World Cup qualifier in March against Kenya, so preparation starts now. We don't want any distraction so we told the states that still want to host Eagles to wait till after that game because they need full concentration ahead of the game."

•Mark

Ideye eyes Confed Cup glory

•Brown

TRANSFER

Eagles' list for World Cup clash out soon

T

HE list of the Super Eagles who will battle Kenya in a 2014 World Cup in March will be announced month’s end, officials said.

Nigeria will host the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Calabar on March 23 and a training camp will be opened in Abuja soon.

•Keshi

It is believed coach Stephen Keshi will keep faith with the squad who won the 2013 AFCON in South Africa recently.

Eagles' spokesman Ben Alaiya said a date has not been fixed when the camping will begin, but he is hopefully the list of call-ups for the match will be released by the end of the month.

"The list of the players who will play the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya should be made public before the end of the month,” he disclosed.

“The game is on March 23 and as usual the home-based players will be the first set of players to resume while their foreign-based counterparts will join up later.

“There is no cause for alarm as our foreign-based players are back at their clubs and doing well, while the home lads are with their club preparing for the new NPL season."

Nigeria lead their qualifying group with four points from two matches, a point ahead of closest rivals Namibia.

Malawi are third on two points, while Kenya have a point.

Sunshine demands N210m for Oboabona

Celtic boss hails Ambrose, Wilson partnership

C

ELTIC manager Neil Lennon has praised his centre back pairing, saying that Efe Ambrose has caught the attention of "top clubs in different countries" and that Kelvin Wilson is "worth looking at" for an England call-up.

Nigerian Ambrose, 24, and Wilson, 27, played in Celtic's 3-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League last 16, with the former receiving considerable flak following a poor performance that saw him make vital mistakes in defence and attack, just a few days after he had helped Nigeria win the African Cup of Nations.

Speaking to The Scotsman, Lennon said: "Efe is strong-minded regarding the criticism. He is very humble and was extremely disappointed after last Tuesday night.

"Overall, he has been brilliant for us and there has been a lot of interest in him. Not just in England, but from the continent as well.

"I don't think we will lose him in the summer as he is just in the door and there is more he can add to his game.

But he has a few admirers out there with his performances this season.

"Efe has been a great signing for us.

He has also brought the best out of Kelvin Wilson, who has been magnificent this season. At European level, they have made us better."

Wilson's emergence is in stark contrast to last season, which saw the defender struggle with injuries and personal problems following his free transfer from Nottingham Forest.

So marked is his improvement that he

Isima's death shocks Chukwu, Nwosu

has caught the eye of Roy Hodgson, who was in attendance for Celtic's game with Juventus to take in Gary Hooper's performance.

Lennon continued: "Roy was very complimentary about Kelvin after seeing him against Juve.

"I think Kelvin is worth looking at. He is a modern-day centre-half, who is composed on the ball.

"Kelvin had a few things in his private life which unsettled him when he first came here. I also don’t think he realised how big the club was and the pressure that came with it.

"He has improved aspects of his game, like his heading, and he has become dominant. He also has pace, which is a huge asset."

•Okey Isima

Amiesimaka commiserates with Isima's family

E

X-INTERNATIONAL, Adokie Amiesimaka has empathized with the family of the late Okey Isima.

In a condolence message written by Amiesimaka, he wrote:"My condolences to the Isimas on the shocking mews of the demise of my former colleague in the national team, Okey Isima(MON). As a

Moses hails 'dream' season for Chelsea, Nigeria

NFF plans big for African Nations Championship

"It means a lot of me, but not only for me, for the whole nation it means a lot to represent Nigeria in Brazil. We are all looking forward to it. We are delighted to be going there," Moses added.

"I am looking forward to playing against [Spain]. It will be wonderful, not just for me, but for the other players as well. That we have the chance to play against some of the greatest players in the world is terrific.

"We are very happy, but the most important thing was to win the Nations Cup. With having actually done that, we are looking forward to Brazil."

Matchmakers praise Eagles, set for Night of Stars

M

ATCHMAKERS Consult International, which is organizing the inaugural Nigeria Pitch Awards with the support of the Nigeria Football Federation, has praised the Senior National Football Team, Super Eagles, for its victory at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.

The Nigeria Pitch Awards will reward all actors on the football pitch in Nigeria and will be held annually.

Mr. Shina Philips, chief executive officer of Matchmakers Consult, said on Tuesday that the triumph in the Rainbow Nation is a glorious turn-around for Nigeria football and will engender so many positives for our football.

“Winning the Africa Cup of Nations means a lot to the Nigeria game. It will change the way Nigeria football is seen and assessed worldwide and brighten up the market. The value of Nigeria football is fast rising.

•Moses

•Mikel Obi (L) and Joseph Yobo

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Life

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The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

Behold the unkept European cemetery cemetery

They never thought they would die and be buried on the Nigerian soil soil;; in the Confluence town of Lokoja Lokoja,, the Kogi State capital. Over a century after, hundreds of Portuguese and other Europeans were neither celebrated nor respected; and their families and home countries may have forgotten them. them.....

– SEE STORY ON PAGE 28 Reflection Catching on A Achebe’s chebe’s them as A There T here W Was young ountry Country C – Page 26 •SAVED ON MAC 62 & Mac 27 - LIFE Feb 13 FOLDER

– Page 27

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Community Primary School, Umuchu, winners of the competition

Nigeria is still celebrating its historic victory in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa. To enable the country win more laurels in future, a foundation is discovering and nurturing talents. The Charity Ezeemo Trust for Less-Previleged is uniting the young and the old through sport.

ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU reports.

Catching them young

T

HE CHARITY Ezeemo Trust for the LessPrivileged is out to catch them young.

Determined to discover and encourage fresh talents through sports, the foundation has established some sporting events under the umbrella name of Ezeemo Trust Football Tournament that has run in Anambra State for six years.

The foundation, which is geared towards developing budding talents, was founded by Mr Godwin Ezeemo, the Chief Executive Officer, Orient Group, publishers of Orient Daily Newspaper and Orient magazine.

According to Ezeemo, the event is a way of adding value to the lives of the less-privileged and inspiring the young, particularly those under 13. Aside winning the Africa’s Cup of Nations (AFCON), he said, Nigeria has since established its leading role in continental football, adding that the foundation seeks to raise young stars that would rule continental football in the future.

Hence, it is promoting sports in over 15 communities in the state. Yearly, the foundation organises two of such competitions: the Old Aguata Union Football Competition for Primary Schools and the Umuchu Cup of Unity Football competition. For the people, especially the young in those communities, the football competitions have since become a unifying factor. The foundation held this year’s Umuchu Cup of Unity Football competition, which is in its sixth edition, at Umuchu Liberty Stadium, Aguata Local Government Area.

It registered 178 private and public primary schools.

They competed for the first position worth N100,000, N70,000 for the second prize and N50,000, among other consolation prizes. Each player got a football jersey presented to the various teams.

According to Ezeemo, the foundation hopes to establish a formidable football club that will present a platform for youths in the state to develop and showcase their talents.

He said: “We are preparing the young ones as future stars. The tournaments seek to discover budding talents among pupils who shall be groomed to metamorphose into famous future football stars. We are discovering lots of talents from the participating schools. In this year’s competition, we also discovered many just as in other competitions organised by the foundation. I believe this is the right time for us to establish a football club for the young ones in the state, which when established would be called Orient Football Club and would be able to participate at the national level.

Through this avenue our youths would be in a better position to give in their best for our great country.”

What inspired the football projects, he was asked.

“Football has become serious business. And Nigerians are among the major world’s players. But yet there are

RECREATION little or no efforts made to give fresh talents the opportunities to showcase their potential like their counterparts elsewhere. Even where the opportunity exists, oftentimes young ones are not always in the picture. Hence, you see talents wasting away. When I was younger, playing football was a taboo; but now it has turned out to be a popular sports that fetches honour and fame faster than any other profession; and has become a lucrative business. So, it now holds big opportunity for those who are nursing the ambition of becoming international soccer stars.

“And that is what Ezeemo Charity Trust is all about: discovering and nurturing fresh talents, with a mind of helping and positioning them where they can have their dreams come true. The football tournaments are also meant to write the history of the towns and develop the spirit of patriotism in the minds of the children so that they would acquaint with their roots. It also seeks to create awareness on the pride of place of sports in the minds of the people, reminding them of what held us together,” he said.

For Ezeemo, it is not just about raising future champions. According to him, the foundation is also challenging the young to aim for academic excellence.

He said: “Aside being dedicated towards showcasing their talents, I have always urged the children to ensure that they always study hard because the Ezeemo Charity Trust scholarship scheme will also be of immense help to them. And it is only when they study hard that they will become beneficiaries of the scheme.

Above all, they should be obedient, hardworking and honest. We have also completed our resource centre that would serve as the Headquarters of Ezeemo Charity Trust. It would also house a computer training department and a library.”

For his efforts on youth development, he was recently conferred with the traditional title Achi na agbara oha; which means “wealth knows no bounds”. He urged spirited-individuals “to embrace charity work and support youth development in order to reduce the rate of crime such as robberies, kidnappings and other vices”.

‘Football has become serious business. And Nigerians are among the major world’s players. But yet there are little or no efforts made to give fresh talents the opportunities to showcase their potential’

•Captain of Community Primary School team

•Ezeemo

Sports Officer, Orumba North Local Government Area, Mrs Ezeanyim Angela Amaka, praised the efforts of the foundation, saying: “Although we have been organising inter-primary schools’ sports competition, this one organised by the foundation has proved to be more interesting and competitive because of the incentives attached to it.”

Mrs Ebere Eze-Okoye, a parent said: “This competition will help our children grow in sports and in their academics.”

•Culled from The Times of London

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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The Midweek Magazine

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Reflection on Achebe’s There Was A Country Country

N

OBEL laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka’s statement , ‘’I believe quite frankly this country is at war...” at the unveiling of Port Harcourt as UNESCO World Book Capital 2014, last year was re-echoed at the Rainbow Book Club’s reading. The book read was Chinua Achebe’s recent piece, There was a Country.

The reading, which was held recently at the poolside of Le Meridien, Ogeyi Place, Port Harcourt, was nothing short of explosive.

While Prof. Soyinka made his comments in reference to the killings of the ‘Aluu four’ last year, the sentiments at the reading were on happenings between 1967 and 1970, the years of the Nigerian Civil War. Achebe goes to great length to put the war into geographical and political context; quoting numerous sources and narrating the events in simple everyday language, thus making his account accessible to a wide audience. This, however, was all but lost on the book club members who were more concerned with the content than the delivery of it.

Some members felt that while Achebe is entitled to give his account of the war, his memoir coming 42 years later, was a bit late, opening old wounds and inciting new ethnic hostilities. On the other hand were those who felt that his book was timely, for, as one member pointed out, “Has the war ended?” referring to the killings by Boko Haram in the north and other parts of Nigeria. Indeed this group felt that the book was precautionary and that our leaders need to be students of history to prevent it from repeating its self.

An ex-Biafran soldier, with scars from the war, amused us with his war tales and kicked the hornet’s nest when he asserted that Ojukwu started the Biafran war. While, in his book, Achebe is careful not to lay the blame squarely on Ojukwu’s shoulders, the ex-soldier, still referring to himself as a Biafran, went on with his own eye witness account, oblivious to the din his statements were caus-

A

WRITER should not be an accomplice to lies. Even when thorns infect the land, a writer must embody and defend the perennial destiny of high values and principles. It is not the business of a writer to side with the powerless against the powerful; the powerless can be thoughtless and wrong. (The Nazi party was once a powerless group). A writer should not prefer falsehoods to reality just because they serve patriotic ends. In times of great upheavals in a multi-ethnic society, a writer should get out and warn the society that the more perfect the answer, the more terrifying its consequences. Pride in one’s ethnic identity is good, patriotism is fantastic but when they are not properly moderated by other higher considerations, they can prove more destructive than nuclear weapons.

I was in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife when another round of the war of self-determination and secession broke out between Modakeke and Ife. As the war escalated, a single bullet wasn’t enough to kill the “enemy,” he had to be butchered into little pieces and the severed heads displayed at each other’s market squares to huge approval and celebration. Such was the power of the mutual hatred unleashed from their pride in their respective ethnic identities that these two communities were not rebuked by the fact that were both Yoruba, both Nigerians, or that the massacres were being conducted around the famed cradle of Yoruba civilisation.

Patriotism when deployed must always be simultaneously governed by something higher and lower than itself like the arms of a democratic government. These provide checks and balances so that patriotism doesn’t become a false conception of greatness at the expense of other tribes or nations. It is for this reason that we proceed to discuss Achebe’s patriotic autobiography, There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra in the light of something higher than it: 21,000 pages of Confidential, Secret, Top Secret US State Department Central Files on Nigeria-Biafra 1967- 1969 and something lower: The Education of a British Protected Child

by Chinua Achebe himself.

There Was a Country is written for modern day Igbos to know from where the injustice of their existence originated. Achebe’s logic is neat but too simple: Africa began to suffer 500 years ago when Europe discovered it (that is, there was no suffering or intertribal wars be-

•Soyinka From Daniella Menezor

LITERATURE ing, and were it not for his constant controversial statements, his was a sobering tale of suffering, famine and death.

“War is not simple,” said Mrs Judy Nwanodi, whose stay in Nigeria pre dates independence. Aunty Judy, who relocated to Nigeria from England with her husband in 1958, encouraged members to read as many accounts of the war as they could because one person’s account could not adequately cap-

•Achebe’s book

•Achebe

ture the numerous complexities of war. She told of how her husband, who was actively involved in the creation of the old Rivers State, had all his law books burnt by the Biafrans and on one occasion, along with others, he had to be imprisoned for his own safety.

The youth, who even though were not witnesses to the events in question, were surprisingly well-informed on the subject. Debating the issue of meritocracy over the government quota system, the house was sharply divided among those who felt that meritocracy was the only way Nigeria would be able to move forward, adding that it would remove ‘tribe

domination’. However, those opposed to this, said it was the responsibility of the government to address the social, political and economic inequalities that exist in the country, adding that until these were addressed, the quota system remained a necessary evil.

This month’s reading was fixed for February 24 and the book, Fine Boys, was chosen. Its author, Dr Eghosa Imauesen, is expected to be in attendance.

Achebe and the Moral Obligation to be Intelligent (1) From Damola Awoyokun

fore then in Africa). Nigeria began to suffer when Lord Lugard amalgamated it. And Igbos began to suffer because of the event surrounding the Biafran secession.

To Achebe there should have been more countries in the behemoth Lord Lugard cobbled together called Nigeria. What Achebe does not take into account is the role rabid tribalism plays in doing violence to social cohesion which makes every region counterproductively seeks a perfect answer in demanding its own nation state. There are over 250 tribes in Nigeria and there cannot be over 250 countries in Nigeria. There are officially 645 distinctive tribes in India and only one country. All over the world there are tens of thousands of tribes and there are only 206 countries. What the tribes that constitute Nigeria need to learn for the unity of the country is the democratisation of their tribal loyalties.

And that inevitably leads to gradual detribalisation of consciousness which makes it possible to treat a person as an individual and not basically a member of another tribe.

That is the first error of Achebe.

Instead of writing the book as a writer who is Igbo, Achebe wrote the book as an Igbo writer hence working himself into a Zugzwang bind. In chess once you are in this bind, every step you make weakens your position further and further. All the places that should alarm the moral consciousness of any writer, Achebe is either indifferent to or dismisses them outright because the victims are not his people. However, in every encounter that shows Igbos being killed or resented by Nigerians, or by the Yoruba in particular, Achebe intensifies the spotlight, deploying

stratospheric rhetoric, including quotes from foreign authors with further elaborations in endnotes to show he is not partial.

Achebe calls upon powerfully coercive emotive words and phrasings to dignify what is clearly repugnant to reason. Furthermore, not only does he take pride in ignoring the findings of common sense, he allocates primetime attention to facts-free rants just because they say his people are the most superior tribe in Nigeria. The book, to say the least, is a masterpiece of propaganda and sycophancy. And yet it is not a writer’s business to be an accomplice to lies.

First let’s take Achebe’s Christopher Okigbo.

Throughout the book, Achebe presents Okigbo in loving moments complete with tender details: Okigbo attending to Achebe’s wife during labour, Okigbo ordering opulent room service dishes for Achebe wife in a swank hotel while millions were allegedly dying of starvation and Achebe was out of the country, Okigbo being a dearly beloved uncle to Achebe’s children, Okigbo opening a publishing house in the middle of the war. Out of the blue he writes that he hears on Radio Nigeria the death of Major Christopher Okigbo. Major? The reader is completely shocked and feels revulsion for the side that killed him and sympathy for the side that lost him. Unlike other accounts like Obi Nwakanma’s definitive biography of Okigbo, Achebe skips details of Okigbo running arms and ammunition from Birmingham to Biafra and also from place to place in Biafra; he omits the fact that Okigbo was an active-duty guerrilla fighter killing the other side before he himself got killed.

Like many other episodes recounted in the book, Achebe photoshops the true picture so that readers would allocate early enough

‘Instead of writing the book as a writer who is Igbo, Achebe wrote the book as an Igbo writer hence working himself into a Zugzwang bind. In chess once you are in this bind, every step you make weakens your position further and further. All the places that should alarm the moral consciousness of any writer, Achebe is either indifferent to or dismisses them outright because the victims are not his people’

•Menezor is of Rainbow Book Club, Port Harcourt. which side should merit their sympathy, which side should be for slated for revulsion.

Pities, cheap sympathy, sloppy sentimentalism, one-sided victimhood are what are on sale throughout the book. Achebe of course is preparing the reader for his agenda at the end of the book.

To Achebe, the final straw that led to secession was the alleged 30,000 Igbos killed in the North. He carefully structures the narrative to locate the reason for this systematic killing/ pogrom/ethnic-cleansing in the so-called usual resentment of Igbos and not from the fallout of the first coup in the history of Nigeria. Achebe dismisses the targeted assassinations as not an Igbo coup. The two reasons Achebe gives are because there was a Yoruba officer among the coup plotters and that the alleged leader of the coup, Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu was Igbo in name only.

“Not only was he born in Kaduna, the capital of the Muslim North, he was widely known as someone who saw himself as a Northerner, spoke fluent Hausa and little Igbo, and wore the Northern traditional dress when not in uniform(pg 79).” Really? First, it was not mysterious that Azikiwe left the country in October 1965 on an endless medical cruise to Britain and the Caribbean. Dr. Idemudia Idehen his personal doctor, abandoned him when he got tired of the endless medical trip. Not even the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference never held outside London but hosted in Lagos for the first time in early January was incentive enough for Azikiwe to return and yet he was the president of the nation.

In a revelation contained in the American secret documents, it was Azikiwe’s presidential bodyguards that Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, the coup’s mastermind, used to capture the Prime Minister, Abubakar Balewa.

Once Ifeajuna and Major Donatus Okafor, the Commanding officer of the Federal Guards tipped off Azikiwe about the planned bloodshed, Okafor, Godfrey Ezedigbo and others Guards became freer to meet 12km away in Ifeajuna’s house in Apapa to take the plan to the next level. The recruitment for the ringleaders was done between August and October 1965. Immediately Azikiwe left, planning and training for the execution began.

•Awoyokun, a Structural and Marine Engineer in London is also the Executive Editor of Pwc Review.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

28

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

The Portuguese left the confluence town of Lokoja, which is today the capital of Kogi State, without going with the remains of their youth who died fighting for the Royal Niger Company (RNC). Their remains were buried at the aboundoned European Cemetery, which has the potential of becoming a major tourist’s destination. TAIWO ABIODUN writes .

•A tomb at the cemetery

•The fence of the cemetery

Behold the unkept European cemetery

E

NGRAVED on the tombs are their ages: 24, 25, 28, 30 and 35.

Some are even younger than that. They all died in their prime. They never thought they would die and be buried on Nigerian soil.

Over a century after, they were neither celebrated nor respected; and their families and home countries may have forgotten them. Here they are, lying six feet below the ground level and 'sleeping' forever of course, until the day of resurrection. Meet the heroes of colonisation, who fought for the Royal Niger Company (RNC) and Christianity.

A visit to the Confluence town of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, in the centre of the place lies the European Cemetery, where hundreds of Portuguese and other Europeans were buried over 100 years ago. It is surrounded by residential houses, close to a popular market.

Tall trees serve as shade for the tombs.

Each tombstone has engraved on it the names, age and dates of death of the deceased written in capital letters. The following are some of these fallen Portuguese heroes: •Captain E.G Baskett, Oxford and Bucks Light in and Nigeria Regt.W.A.F.F., 27th October 1918. Age 35.

•J.J .De Boisddiere died 23rd December 1907.

•Corporal J. Carpenter, died 14th June 1898 •Lieut.J.S Comun. W.A.F.F. (2nd LT.R West Kent Regi, died 16th July, 1899.

•390735 Col.Seit F. Brittenden, Victoria's Rifles and Nigeria Regt W.A.F.F. 28th October 1918, Age 24, a loving son called to higher service.

•13047 Sergeant A. Mc Namara, Yorkshore Regiment, 9th January, 1919.

•In Memory of John Percival Clegg, died 18th December, 1906.

•Here Rests Walter Molesworth Dene, District SUPT CMC, Son of John Ene of Herwood, Devon, died September 28th, 1900, Aged 30, makes him to be remembered with the Saints...and many more.

The place has become a place of myth for many, it was learnt. It was said that many believe those buried at the cemetery are still living. And for this reason some residents have nightmares. "In the dead of the night,

TOURISM I used to see some of these dead white people discussing, buying and selling as if it is a market. They spoke English and they are all dressed in immaculate white while some in military uniform. At a time, I used to be afraid but later I got used to it. I live directly opposite the burial ground here," a resident, MrJohn Adams, said.

In spite of its unique composition, the place is now an eye sore. It has become a dunghill of sort with faeces scattered all over. Most of the tombs have caved in, while the epitaphs on them are defaced; and hardly can one read what is written on them. "There is no respect for the dead ones," the resident said of the state of the place.

To show that it is the order of the day, this reporter sighted a man defecating with confidence at the cemetery. And as Mr Adams rightly observed: "it glaring that the lack of fear and the dignity some people in the area have for the dead".

He said: "For how can himself one have the effrontery to defecate, clean himself, leave the cemetery without conscience and without blinking an eye. Call it the highest level of wickedness, ungodly act, abomination, defilement or if you like, tell the world that it is an insult to the Saints. Yes, some of these fallen men could have ''sinned'' by coming to Lokoja for one business or the other. But definitely they were all white men and women who came to the country during the period of slave trade, RNC business; others came as mis-

‘The state government should turn the place into a tourist site; and endeavour to keep the place neat as a sign of respect for the dead.

They were here to contribute their own quota to the development of Nigeria’

•Another tomb in the place

sionaries, preaching the gospel or what have you. The fact remains that they all died young; were not honoured but are forgotten, no thanks to poor record or distorted history."

Mr Adams, however, spoke about the unkempt environment, saying the Kogi State government has not considered keeping the place clean. "This place should be a tourist centre. The Europeans will be proud to have the place as a resting place for their fallen heroes. Many foreigners do come here to have a glance. I am not sure many will remember these people again. But if the place is well kept it would go a long way in making the

place a tourists attraction. There was a time the state government fenced the place round, painted it and fixed electricity there," he said.

Mrs Rebecca Goodluck, said the state government has neglected the place "May be because it does not bring income to them, but at least they should contact the Embassy of these fallen Europeans who may be interested in this project."

A trader, Agnes Yusuf said: "The state government should turn the place a tourist site; and endeavour to keep the place neat as a sign of respect for the dead. They were here to contribute their own quota to the development of Nigeria"

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

29

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Forecasts Niger Insurance Gross Premium - N2.73b Profit after tax - N212.95m Mutual Benefits Gross Premium - N2b Profit - N885.633m Regency Alliance Gross Premium – N812.596m Profit after tax – N256.437m Learn Africa Turnover - N1.06b Profit after tax - N58.336m Total Nigeria Turnover - N46.676 b Profit after tax - N942.1m MRS Oil Nigeria Turnover - N51.20b Profit after tax - N712 m Eterna Turnover - N27.64b Profit after tax - N563.834m Okomu Oil Palm Turnover - N2.667b Profit after tax - N1.044b Stanbic/IBTC Bank Net operating income N16.805b Profit after tax - N2.737b ASL Turnover - N1.084b Profit after tax - N101.355m GT Assurance Gross Premium - N3.892b Profit after tax - N710.62m Cornerstone Insurance Gross Premium - N1.223b Profit after tax - N80.01m Oasis Insurance Gross Premium N562.500m Profit after tax - N79.868m African Alliance INS Gross Premium - N1.215b Profit after tax - N107.213m Berger Paints Turnover - N976.303m Profit after tax - N88.258m SCOA Nigeria Turnover - N835.0m Profit after tax - N18.200m Dangote Sugar Refinery Turnover - N38.251b Profit after tax - N3.49b Studio Press Nig. Turnover - N3.375b Profit after tax - N20.422m Julius Berger Nig. Turnover - N80.125b Profit after tax - N2.55b Intercontinental Wapic Ins Gross Premium - N1.41b Profit after tax - N250.450m Equity Assurance Gross Premium - N2.45b Profit after tax - N287.283m Standard Alliance Insurance Gross Premium - N2.142b Profit after tax - N475.964m Continental Reinsurance Gross Premium - N6.917b Profit after tax - N805m PRESCO Turnover - N2.60b Profit after tax - N800.9m RT Briscoe Turnover - N4.553b

NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Excess tax may kill HoldCo, experts warn T HE Holding Company (HoldCo) structure adopted by some banks may face tax challenges, especially excess dividend tax, tax experts have said.

A chartered accountant, Taiwo Oyedele, quoting the tax law, said where the dividend paid by a company is higher than its taxable profit, the excess dividend will be subjected to 30 per cent tax, which will deplete returns on investment for shareholders.

He said should a HoldCo receive dividend from its bank subsidiary, and redistribute some, it will be sub-

By Collins Nweze

jected to 30 per cent excess dividend tax, not withstanding that the subsidiary that earned the profit had paid 30 per cent income tax.

Also, withholding tax at 10 per cent is always deducted before distributing the profit to the HoldCo. Banks, he said, faced the similar challenges under the universal banking model on their exempt income.

“Where tax exempt income has been excluded from the determination of taxable profit but forms part of the distributable profit available for dividend, this will result in the dividend paid

being higher than the taxable profit,” he said.

Oyedele said the problem will become more pronounced under the HoldCo structure since there will be at least one company between the bank and the shareholders.

Managing Director, Partnership Investment Company Plc, Victor Ogiemwonyi, said banks that have adopted the HoldCo structure will have to contend with the burden of double taxation. He said subsidiaries of banks that adopted the structure have to pay taxes as well as the quoted company. He said

aside the challenge of taxation, the structure is in the interest of stakeholders.

He said HoldCo structure would increase earnings for investors and is also in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) enhanced emphasis on transparency and accountability.

The structure became exigent after the CBN set aside the universal banking regime in 2010 and gave banks the option to either: divest of all their non-banking subsidiaries and become pure commercial banks or form a holding company. The HoldCo structure allows commercial banks to be

properly ring-fenced from the other non-commercial banking activities.

The HoldCo, which will have a separate board, will own the bank and its subsidiaries as separate and independent entities, reporting directly to the board of the HoldCo. While some banks opted out of this structure for reasons favourable to them, few others believe it is the best way to go in their business while adding value to new and existing shareholders. FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Stanbic IBTC Bank and First City Monument Bank, have already adopted the HoldCo structure.

‘Why telcos are distressed’

By Lukas Ajanaku

T

•From right: ED, Corporate Banking and Investment, Mainstreet Bank, Roger Woodbridge; a management staff member, Caverton Helicopters, Tolu Osunsanya; GMD/CEO, Mainstreet Bank Limited, Faith Tuedor-Matthews; Chairman, Caverton Helicopters, Aderemi Makanjuola; ED, Operations & IT, Anogwi Anyanwu and Chief Risk Officer of the bank, Kevin Ugwuoke, during a visit by the bank’s management to Caverton Helicopters ... on Monday.

Council to sanction erring accountants, auditors, others

T

HE Financial Reporting Council (FRC) will sanction un-

qualified professionals holding sensitive positions in an organisation, its Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive officer, Mr Jim Obazee, has said.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, Obazee said accountants, auditors, procurement experts, among other professionals, who did not meet the necessary requirements would be sanctioned.

He said: “Section 41 (2) of FRC Act stipulates that a professional must register with the Council via a written application. Also, he or she must accompany the application with fees and such information as prescribed by the Council from time to

CBN’s lending facility drops from N6.5tr to N1.1tr - P 30

By Akinola Ajibade

time. A person who contravenes the Sub-Section 2 of this constitution commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding N500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both,” Obazee said the development became necessary to ensure that accounting issues are not only well treated, but in line with the best practices of corporate governance.

He said the Council shall maintain a register of professionals, adding that a person shall not hold any appointment or offer any services for remuneration as a professional for public entities, unless he is register under this Act. The Act, he said, required that a professional accountant

carry out audit functions or responsibilities independently, and not in a manner contrary to the code of conduct and ethics that may be made by the council.

“Annual quality reviews shall be conducted for professional accountants that audit more than 20 public interest entities; all others shall be conducted every three years and the Council may order a special inspection of any professional accountant at any time,” he said According to him, preparation of financial statements in line with internationally acceptable standards should be of importance to all publicly quoted entities. He said inability of companies to follow all laid down rules and regulations made them to implement the International Financial Reporting Stand-

MfBs, insurers to explore N60b micro-insurance - P31

ard (IFRS) wrongly.

The FRC’s boss advised companies to adopt IFRS, adding that it is the only means by which they can compete globally.

He said globalisation requires that companies irrespective of their locations do what is regarded as internationally acceptable.

He said the body will not relent in its efforts to ensure that companies comply with the provision of IFRS, arguing that it is the trend globally.

“The IFRS is a true way of accessing whether a company incorporates all known standards or requirements in its financial reports. It is the in-thing globally. Nigeria cannot be in isolation if we are to grow our market to enviable heights,” he added.

HE Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria

(ALTON) has blamed the over N20 billion intercconnect debt threatening the telecoms sector on the industry’s illhealth.

Its President, Gbenga Adebayo, who spoke with The Nation, said it would continue to mediate among the telecoms firms owing the debt to see how it could be settled amicably.

A substantial amount of this debt is said to be owed by the ailing code division multiple access (CDMA) operators.

“It is important to talk about what has led to the interconnect indebtedness.One of the reasons is the state of health of the telecoms companies that we are talking about. Some of the (debtor) companies are not in good state of health at all.

That has accounted greatly for the issue of the indebtedness.

“As an association, we continue to use the power of mediation to talk to people to be awake to their responsibilities.

But that said, if an organisation is not able, that organisation is not able. So, this goes to show that the industry is not as healthy as some people tend to see it. It shows that the industry faces critical challenge. So, what the association is doing is to mediate between parties to use the power of negotiation to discuss and ensure that people are awake to their responsibilities,” the ALTON boss said.

According to him, the debt has further added to the security c h a l l e n g e s f a c i n g the telecoms firms across the cuntry. He recalled that many telcos base transmission stations (BTS) were wilfully vandalised while the twinevil of multiple taxation and regulation kept tormenting the industry.

‘Nigeria loses N2tr to foreigners yearly’ -P 35

30

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

MONEY

CBN’s lending facility drops from N6.5tr to N1.1tr T

HE Standing Lending Facility (SLF) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dropped from N6.5 trillion to N1.1 trillion.

Its fall followed the rising liquidity in the system and CBN’s restrictions on the discount window.

SLF was N1.1 trillion in the fourth quarter of last year, compared to N6.5 trillion in the previous quarter.

SLF is an overnight fund provided by CBN to support bank’s liquidity.

The weighted average interbank call rate, which stood at 15.50 per cent in September fell to 11.72 per cent, reflecting improved liquidity condition in the interbank funds market.

The SLF is granted to banks at 14 per cent in line with the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR). It is available only to banks and discount houses that have executed the Nigerian Master Repurchase Agreement (NMRA) with the banking watchdog.

Stories by Collins Nweze

The apex bank had stipulated that discount window operations in overnight facilities will be backed by borrower-holdings of the government debt instruments and other eligible securities approved by the bank.

It said banks, while computing their cost of funds, should employ the weighted average cost of funds computation framework.

The applicable cost items will include banks’ interest cost on the different types of deposit liabilities, borrowings from the interbank funds market, payments in respect of deposit insurance premium and costs due to reserve requirements. These restrictions have affected banks’access to SLF in the last quarter.

In its Economic Report for the last quarter that the monetary policy rate, Cash Reserve Ratio

(CRR) and liquidity ratio were maintained at their previous levels of 12, 12 and 30 per cent.

The Net Open Position (NOP) was also retained at one per cent; money market indicators, particularly short tenored instruments were relatively stable. The bank’s discount window also remained open to authorised dealers to access both the standing deposit facility (SDF) and SLF. The value of money market assets outstanding stood at N6.2 trillion, an increase of 3.1 per cent, compared with 3.6 per cent recorded at the previous quarter.

The development was attributed to the 5.2 per cent increase in FGN Bonds outstanding.

At N1.6 trillion, currency in circulation rose by 21 per cent, in contrast to a decline of 1.1 per cent at the end of the preceding quarter. The development was attributed, largely, to the 21.6 per cent

•From left: Managing Director, Market Traders Academy, Mr Amro Zakaria; Relationship Manager, Africa, Mr Sunday Edibi and Chief Business Development Officer, Worldwide Markets, Mr Steve Santamouris, at the workshop on Learn to trade and invest in global markets in Lagos.

e-clearing to raise banks’ operational risks T HE commencement of cheque truncation scheme in the nation’s financial system will raise banks’operational risks, an executive of Sybrin Systems Limited, a soft-ware technology firm based in South Africa, Daniel Parreira, has said.

Sybrin Limited provides e-clearing and other payment solutions among Africa’s leading banks, clearing houses and corporations.

For efficiency and reduction of operational risks, he advised that banks should invest in sophisticated payment solutions, adopt fully integrated management systems as well as anti-fraud mechanisms.

He said forward-looking banks are getting set to decentralise the cheque truncation processes to their

branches. According to him, such steps would further reduce the pressure on the clearing centres.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had after due consultation with the banks, issued fresh guidelines to assist banks clear their cheques online. The policy is expected to provide for the regulation and management of cheque truncation in Nigeria with the view to reducing cost and days of clearing instruments. It was also meant to articulate the rights and responsibilities of presenting and paying banks in the Cheque Truncation System.

A circular from the CBN said the policy will provide minimum

technical and operational standards for cheque truncation as well as facilitate the implementation of an effective and efficient payment system in the country.

The apex bank said it acted based on powers conferred in it in section 47 of the CBN Act No. 7 of 2007, which charged CBN with the duty of facilitating the clearing of cheques, credit instruments for banks.

The rules apply to clearing and settlement activities in the Nigeria Bankers Clearing Houses, which practice cheque truncation system.

However, where there is a conflict between the provisions of the cheque truncation guidelines and revised Nigeria bankers’ clearing house rules, the former would prevail.

‘Reforms will impact long-term finance’

T

HE Financial Stability Board (FSB) has said key global financial system reforms including Basel III, OTC derivatives market reforms, and changes affecting the regulatory and accounting framework for institutional investors would reinforce confidence in the financial system and

enhance the availability of long-term finance.

In an update presented to the G20 Ministers and Central Bank Governors, FSB noted that while there may be some short-term adjustment effects, the most important contribution of the financial reform programme to long-

term investment finance is to rebuild confidence and resilience in the global financial system.

According to the FSB, these reforms should substantially enhance the financial system’s capacity to intermediate investment flows through the cycle at all investment horizons.

rise in currency outside the banking system.

Total deposits at the CBN amounted to N7.3 trillion, indicating an i n c r e a s e o f 6 . 9 p e r cent, compared with 6.2 per cent at the end of the preceding quarter. The development reflected the 7.5, 14.6 and 5.7 per cent increase in the deposits of DMBs, private sector and Federal Government.

Consistent with the trends in DMBs’ deposits with the CBN, reserve money (RM), increased by 13.3 per cent to N3.5 trillion, from N3.1 trillion at the end of the preceding quarter.

Available data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that estimated gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 7.1 per cent, compared with 6.9 per cent in the preceding quarter. The

•CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido

development was attributed, largely, to the increase in the contribution of the non-oil sectors, particularly the industrial sector.

e-fraud data storage coming

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will, in collaboration with the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF), introduce a standard template for e-fraud data storage this year.

Speaking at the NeFF meeting in Lagos, CBN Director, Banking Payment & System, ‘Dapo Fatokun, said the template would assist banks to assemble e-fraud data for storage and accessibility within the sector. The sector was working hard to ensure, he said, that fraud is reduced in the financial system.

The NeFF Chairman, Emmanuel Obaigbena, said at the forum’s monthly meeting in Lagos that there was ongoing plan by banks to partner with foreign lenders to fight fraud because of the global dimension of the acts.

Obaigbena said: “It is advisable for banks to give accurate data on fraud cases. They should not be scared of sharing statistics with each other.”

He said the forum has already set up a committee to sanction erring banks. “The objective of this forum is for banks and the

relevant agencies to share data to eliminate fraud in the industry,” he added.

According to him, fraud not only translates to operational risk losses to banks, it erodes the confidence of the public in electronic platforms/systems as a channel for transacting business.

He reiterated the need to protect customers from fraud cannot be over-emphasised, adding that the electronic payment system is international in nature and requires to be approached from global perspective.

Chief Technical Officer, Digital Encode, Seyi Akindeinde, said the internet and mobile banking constitute the most frequent avenues through, which frauds are perpetrated. Also, he said, the NeFF is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the judiciary to effectively fight the scourge. He added that the forum was also working with Nigeria InterBank Settlement System (NIBSS) to enhance the fraud reporting format in banks.

Ex-bank workers in court THE National Industrial Court (NIC) has fixed May 6 for the hearing of the suit filed against Zenith Bank by some of its sacked workers.

Justice Kola Olalere adjourned the case till that date to enable the defence counsel, Obafemi Oluwole, to make some corrections in the statement of defence.

The judge reprimanded Oluwole for making the request when it took the defendant six months to file its defence. She awarded N15,000 cost against the defendant.

She urged the defence counsel that all corrections are made and positions regularised by February 28 in preparation for the definite hearing of the case.

Twenty-four former workers of the bank went to court to challenge the mode of their disengagement and the basis of the entitlements paid them. They are asking the court to compel the bank to pay them N550 million which they claim it owes them.

The plaintiffs averred that they were notified of their disengagement via e-mail and SMS messages between April 24 and 25, last year.

The defendant later gave the claimants their letters of disengagement which were back dated to March 24, last year.

This, they said, negated their con-

ditions of service as stipulated in the defendant’s staff handbook.

They said: “It is a claimant’s condition of service while in the defendant’s employment and the policy of the defendant that three months’ notice should be given before the termination of employment of an employee by the bank or the employee should be paid three month’s salary in lieu of the notice. Prior to their said disengagement, the claimants were not given any notice of disengagement nor were they paid salary in lieu of notice as required by their conditions of service and policy of the defendant.”

They claimed the bank failed to consult with them or with any trade union before terminating their employment and did not apply the principle “of last in, first out” as required by their conditions of service.

The plaintiffs said the defendant arbitrarily computed what it paid them by using an erroneous template fraught with inconsistencies contrary to what is specified in the bank’s staff handbook.

They urged the court to order the bank to pay them their “full entitlements” because what was paid to them after their disengagement fell short of their actual benefits as stipulated in the staff handbook.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

31

MONEY

MfBs, insurers to explore N60b Experts hail govt on reserves N micro-insurance potential

A

HEAD of the release of guidelines for micro-insur ance operation, micro-finance banks (MfBs) and insurance companies are contemplating how to explore the potential of the subsector said to be worth N60 billion.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) is expected to release the frameworks for the implementation of micro insurance operation in a few weeks.

Through micro insurance, MfBs would be able to sell insurance products to those at the bottom of the pyramid. The initiative is expected to bring in more revenue and expand the markets of the insurance firms and the banks for growth.

Insurance Commissioner, Mr Fola Daniel, said plans were underway to release the micro insurance guidelines before the end of next month to enable operators benefit from scheme.

He said the guidelines would enable insurance operators take micro insurance policy to the grassroots where microfinance banks are major players.

He said when the micro insurance guidelines are out soon, poor Nigerians can buy insurance at a cheaper rate. He added that the idea would ensure insurance

Stories by Akinola Ajibade

penetration, especially in the rural areas where underwriting firms have done little to capture.

Chairman, National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMBs), Southwest region, Mr Olufemi Babajide, said the association is waiting for the guidelines to enable its members key into the scheme.

Babajide said when the guidelines are out, the banks would be able to help in selling insurance products to its customers.

He said the banks were not new to insurance, adding that they have been rendering insurance advisory services to people. He advised MfBs to tap into the opportunities offered by the micro insurance scheme.

Babajide urged insurance companies to come up with simplified products and services that will be affordable to microfinance clients, taken into consideration the nature of the market they want to play. He said when the guidelines are able to solve technical issues relating to micro insurance products, there would not be problems in selling them.

He said: “The issue of micro insurance is a good one. It is a positive development, and no doubt,

we will embrace it with our two hands. The idea of micro insurance will help in safeguarding the investments in microfinance banks, especially in lending. For instance, we always give loans to poor people, and if their businesses suffer mishap, it will affect their repayment flow, hence making low recovery difficult.

But with micro insurance, we are rest assured that our money is safe because if our customers suffer fire outbreak, theft among other risks, the underwriting firm is there to compensate them, and as a result they can repay their loans.”

Managing Director, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Mr Godwin Ehigiamusoe, said the poor were more vulnerable to risks, adding that the impacts on them are always severe. This, he said, means that they need insurance more than the wealthy people.

“The poor needs insurance services than even the rich people.

While a financially comfortable person can access medical care, the poor cannot and in the long run, may die from preventable diseases.

Based on this, the micro insurance is needed for the poor, which form the basis of micro banking activities,” he added.

IGERIA’S decision to put 10 per cent of its $46.5 bil lion reserves in Chinese Yuan has been described as a wise and strategic decision by global investment experts. Other currencies in the basket are in Euros, Pounds and Riyal.

Speaking at a trade and investment in global market forum in Lagos, Amro Zakaria, Managing Director, Market Trader Academy (MTA), based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said China is one of the biggest trading partners of Nigeria and as such, diversification would protect the naira from currency war going on among Japan, Europe and America. Japan’s plan to devalue its currency to give its economy a boost is being opposed by Europe and America.

Zakaria said aside reserves diversification, Nigeria should also diversify her economy away from oil, having discovered that its biggest buyer, United States of America will achieve energy independence by 2020. He said that although the country may identify new buyers of its crude oil, the most dependable and trusted buyer, the United States of America, may not be there anymore.

He said Nigeria’s best resource remains its youthful population, adding that with proper education, the country’s development will no longer be dependent on oil.

Zakaria said the company is committed to educating the youth on how the global market works. He said there was need to carry the campaign to schools and higher institutions. He said

there was also the need for the youth to tap into the global market and explore opportunities there. He hinged this on improvement in education and communication among the youths.

Zakaria explained that learning about global markets and economic trends through education will afford Nigerians the opportunity to diversify their investment portfolios and to compete effectively in an ever globalised world.

Describing Nigeria as an emerging market with lots of potential, he advised that trading and investments in global equities, precious metals, forex, etc will further empower the people and improve their chances in mitigating adverse effects caused by current and future global events.

Also, Chief Business Development Officer, World Wide Markets Limited (WWM), based in United States of America, Steven Santamouris, who spoke on Learn to trade and invest in global markets, described World Wide Markets as one of the leading brokerage firms offering access to global markets including “exchange traded US equities.”

He noted that clients should be armed with a true and detailed understanding of how the FX Brokerage business operates from the inside out.

He described WWM partnership with the Market Trader Academy as strategic, saying it would provide the Academy with necessary technical expertise for traders to navigate the volatility of the markets through knowledge of those markets as well as risk management strategies.

NIBBS laments cash-less slow pace THE Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc has lamented the slow pace of cash-less policy in Lagos.

Executive Director, Business Development, NIBSS, Mrs. Christabel Onyejekwe, said efforts must be made to avoid similar problems in other states where the policy would be introduced. These include Rivers, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She said problems such as poor awareness, among the informal sector, lopsidedness in the programmes of the banking operators, have affected the policy.

She called for more proactive measures in the implementation of the policy in Nigeria, adding that Nigerians would accept it well in future. She said there are challenges with interoperability of networks from the telecommunications operators, urging stakeholders to tackle those challenges.

Firm launches on-line forex •From left: Finance and Management Service, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr Chris Iwuagwu; DirectorGeneral, Emeka Ezeh and Director, Special Procurement, Ayo Aderibigbe, during the bureau’s workshop for ministeries and agencies in Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

Nigeria loses N90b worth of fish to illegal fishing

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ORE than N90 billion worth of fish are pirated out of the nation’s waters each year, an expert in fishery, Prof.

Martins Antekhai, has said.

Antekhai, who is of Department of Fisheries, Lagos State University(LASU), said the livelihood of local fishermen are being threatened by the many foreign industrial trawlers, which operate illegally in the nation’s waters.

He said there are zones that are reserved for local fishing which should be recognised by the industrial boats.

He said it is illegal for industrial boats to fish in areas near the shore designated for local fisherman, adding that the laws are ignored.

He added that Illegal, Unreported and Unregistered Fishing( IUU) decrease the operating costs for vessel owners who avoid paying for licences, on-board observers, vessel monitoring systems (VMSs) or catch documentation systems.

By Daniel Essiet

He said: “A reason the IUU fishing takes place is that its activities are facilitated by some shortcomings in national control, including flags of convenience (FOC), insufficient monitoring, control and surveillance in exclusive economic zones on the high seas, ports of convenience, and uncontrolled at-sea transshipments.

“As a punitive measure, countries make a point of not licensing FOC vessels or vessels with an IUU fishing history, as it will increase deterrence and reduce options for IUU fishing operators.”

Antekhai called for a record to track vessels with illegal fishing.

He expressed concern over the violation of international law against illegal, unreported and unregistered fishing.

He said over the years due to illegal fishing practices marine resources are being rapidly depleted. He urged that steps be taken to prevent the country

from being deprived of huge income through seafood t but also livelihood of hundreds of thousands of fisherman families would be put on stake.

Illegal fishing is a major threat to the sustainability of the world’s fisheries. Some estimates are that illegal and unregulated fishing causes yearly financial losses of up to $23.5 billion worldwide and accounts for up to 20 per cent of the wild marine fish caught. In some parts of the world, the situation is even more dire. For example, fisheries scientists estimate that illegal fishing accounts for about 40 per cent of fish caught in West Africa.

Pressure on the world’s fish stocks is high. Fishing fleets use modern technology and massive vessels to fish in places that until were out of reach because they were too deep, remote, or dangerous to exploit.

Massive processing vessels allow fishing vessels to offload catch at sea. The result is: Too many vessels chasing too few fish.

AN on-line foreign exchange company has been launched to deepen trading in Nigeria. Known as Andrey Dashin Forex Time (FXTM) Limited, the firm named after its owner, trades inforex, precious metals, commodities, shares, among others.

In a statement, the company said it is introducing solutions tailored specifically to meet different regions including Shariah compliant areas.

It quoted its Managing Director, Mr Andrey Dashin, as saying that efforts would be made to meet the individual needs of the people.

Dashin said the company boasts of a team of experts, who have garnered years of experience in forex trading, adding that they would bring their experiences to bear on the job.

He said: “My 15 years of experience in the forex industry have helped me to understand what traders want and I have established Forex Time to challenge traders’ expectations. With Forex Time, you get the advantage of trading with sophisticated, reliable and industry-leading technology, partnered with support from a team hand-picked because of their experience and knowledge in the industry.”

Stakeholders chide mobile money firms STAKEHOLDERS have berated the 16 mobile money firms for not living up to expectation a year after they were licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). They said the mobile money companies were still battling with the problems relating to capacity building, agent networks, and strong outlays.

The Managing Director, Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Ade Shonubi, said mobile money operators are yet to realise the huge potential in the country. He said with a market worth billions of naira, what they have on ground is a far cry from their targets.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on cash-less programme in Lagos, he said the NIBSS would continue to do its best to make all the operators in the cash-less value chain achieve their set objectives.

Also, the Managing Director, Mobile Money Africa, Emmanuel Okogwale, said the aggregate value of mobile money companies was about N150,000 billion, stressing that the market can boast of $2 billion if the potential are well harnessed in the sub-sector.

He advised the operators to work harder to solve the teething problems that still affect their activities, arguing that the market has the capacity to produce billion of dollars like its counterpart in Kenya.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

THE NATION INVESTORS

Shareholders get 22% premium, N370m on S Flour Mills, Bargco merger HAREHOLDERS of Nigerian Bag Manufacturing Company (Bagco) Plc would receive about 22 per cent more than the market value of their company in the merger with Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, according to the opening market values of the companies for this week.

Shareholders of both companies met in Lagos yesterday in furtherance of the business combination.

On the scheme valuation of the two companies, directors of the firmshad settled on fair value of N2.75 per share for Bagco and N68.75 per share for Flour Mills on November 8, 2012. On the basis of these valuations, it was agreed that 25 ordinary shares of Bagco would exchange for one ordinary share of Flour Mills in the business combination.

Where shareholders elect to receive cash payments other than share exchange option, it was dagreed that Flour Mills would pay about N5.10 billion to acquire 30 per cent equity stakes held by minority shareholders of Bagco.

The scheme for business combi-

Stories by Taofik Salako

nation had been prepared, submitted and approved by regulatory authorities. The scheme was also sanctioned by the Federal High Court, which ordered yesterday’s extraordinary meetings and circulated to shareholders as the valid scheme document for the merger on the basis of the November 2012 valuation.

Post-scheme market dynamics, which had seen the stock market with strong gains in the latter weeks of last year and equally stronger gains so far this year, have retained about 22 per cent premium in favour of shareholders of Bagco, who would have to sell their shares at lower values if they opt for current market value.

While Flour Mills’ market value opened this week at N77.74 per share, 13.1 per cent above the scheme valuation of N68.75; Bagco’s market value opened lower at N2.55 per share, 7.3 per

cent below the scheme fair consideration of N2.75 per share.

At N5.10 billion scheme valuation, Flour Mills would thus be offering Bagco shareholders premium value of N370 million to the current valuation of the bag-manufacturing company of N4.73 billion.

Also, where shareholders opt for share exchange, Bagco shareholders would save about five ordinary shares from each exchange or a gain of about N14 on every exchange.

At market value of N2.55 per share, 25 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each of Bagco are equivalent to

N63.75 as against scheme valuation of N68.75, the fair value used for one for 25 exchange ratio.

Flour Mills holds 70 per cent equity stake in Bagco. Besides the parent company, Bagco Group includes two subsidiaries-Bagco Morpack Nigeria Limited and Northern Bag Manufacturing Company Limited.

Chairman, Nigerian Bag Manufacturing Company (Bagco) Plc, Mr John Coumantaros, said the merger would provide considerable benefits to shareholders and other stakeholders.

Besides, he said the merger will

offer shareholders of Bagco opportunity to become owners of a more diversified company with investments in high margin and rapidly growing sectors of the economy.

“This combination should create opportunities for high revenue growth, enhancing synergies and extracting maximum value from the enlarged Flour Mills to the benefit of all stakeholders,” Coumantaros said.

Bagco manufactures woven and laminated polypropylene bags.

The most capitalised packaging company, Bagco was incorporated in 1964 and operated as a division and subsidiary of Flour Mills of Nigeria until it was spun off in 2007. It was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2008.

Oando targets N152b profit, N47b dividend •Rights issue closes today

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S the application list for the N54.58 billion rights issue of Oando Plc closes today, directors of the integrated energy company have estimated that it will make a profit before tax of N151.5 billion over a four-year period.

Oando is raising N54.6 billion through a rights issue of 4.55 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo at N12 per share. The rights were pre-allotted on the basis of two new ordinary shares for every ordinary share of 50 kobo each held as at the close of business on October 19, 2012 for Nigeria-registered shareholders and December 28, 2013 for South Africa-registered shareholders.

The rights issue had opened in Nigeria on December 28, 2012 and in South Africa on January 4, 2013.

It was scheduled to close in both Nigeria and South Africa on February 6, 2013. The closing date was however, extended till today due to encumbrances created by nationwide industrial action by retirees of the Nigeria Postal Services (Nipost), which closed down post offices for several days and many public holidays within the period.

In four-year forecasts obtained

by The Nation, directors of Oando said they expected profit before tax for the four years within 2012 and 2015 to be N151.5 billion.

The forecasts report, which was jointly signed by chief financial officer and executive director, Oando Plc, Mr Olufemi Adeyemo and company secretary, Oando Plc, Ms Ayotola Jagun, also indicated that about N46.9 billion could be distributed to shareholders as cash dividends within the period.

The forecasts estimated that there would generally be steady growths in sales, profit and dividend payouts throughout the period, although profit and dividend are expected to witness marginal declines in 2015 due to expected increase in cost of sales.

According to the report, profit before tax is expected at N19.2 billion for the 2012 business year and would subsequently rise to N31.4 billion in 2013 and N56.6 billion in 2014 before slowing to N44.3 billion in 2015.

Profit after tax is also expected

to follow the same curve from N11.74 billion in 2012 to N15 billion in 2013 and N30.05 billion in 2014 but adjusted slightly downward to N28.82 billion in 2015.

Shareholders are expected to receive about N3.2 billion for the immediate past business year ended December 31, 2012, which results are being awaited. Gross dividend is expected to more than double to N8.83 billion in 2013 and N17.83 billion in 2014. Shareholders are projected to receive about N17.06 billion in 2015.

With dividend per share estimated at N1.40, N1.29, N2.61 and N2.50 for the four years, average dividend yield within the period is expected at 16.26 per cent based on the rights’ price, a substantial estimate that enhances the attraction of the rights issue. Dividend yield is expected at 11.7 per cent, 10.75 per cent, 21.75 per cent and 20.83 per cent for the four years.

The board of the company had projected that total sales would increase gradually from N638.28 billion in 2012 to N708.25 billion in 2013, N797.25 billion in 2014 and N804.32 billion in 2015. However, disproportionate increase in cost of sale relative to sales growth in 2015 would impact on the bottom-line.

The directors said that the company’s financial forecasts have been properly compiled based on the assumptions made by the board and are presented on a basis consistent with the accounting policies normally adopted by the company.

Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr Wale Tinubu, has said the rights issue was in line with the company’s corporate strategy for balance sheet optimisation and the financing of growth initiatives in the upstream sector.

According to him, the successful outcome of the rights issue would position Oando Plc to increase value for shareholders in the upstream through focused portfolio growth in production, cash margins and improved returns on capital deployed.

“We count on the consistent support of our shareholders to seize the opportunity to take up their rights and benefit from the higher margin value creation the upstream offers,” Tinubu said.

•Chief Executive Officer, PTI, Mrs Clara Dennar (middle), flanked by some staff at the Long Service Awards of the institute in Warri.

‘Dearth of equity capital leaves little option for business growth’

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HE inability of companies to access amenable equity through the capital market and the resultant high financial leverage and costs from loans were main reasons behind unfolding corporate decisions to consolidate business operations or downscale business structures Chairman, Stanmark Cocoa Processing Company Limited, High Chief Bayo Akinnola, who gave reasons for the decision of his company to merge with Cadbury Nigeria Plc, said the poor investors’ appetite for primary equity issues had made it difficult to access equity funds to deleverage balance sheet and finance business growth plan.

According to him, fundraising challenges evidenced by the dormant primary segment of the capital market and equally difficult and costly loans left Stanmark with little choice other than consolidation with its parent’s company, besides the economies of scale and other synergies usually derivable from properly aligned business combination.

“The difficulties facing the Nige-

rian equity market has also meant that equity capital has been difficult to raise,” Akinnola noted.

He outlined that Stanmark had relied heavily on borrowed funds to finance its operations, which resulted in the company’s balance sheet being weighed down by significant amount of debts and further constraints in accessing additional loans.

He said with the high financial leverage, the company was unable to raise the debt capital it required at sustainable rates while it could also not access its parent company’s cash flow due to regulatory requirements that require lending between parent and subsidiary companies to be done at market rates.

Minority shareholders of Stanmark recently consented to the merger of the company with Cadbury Nigeria after considering the grave financial difficulties amid deficit equity funds frustrating the rebound of the loss-making cocoa-processing firm.

With the merger, Stanmark would be able to access Cadbury Nigeria’s cash flow without incur-

ring additional high debt service charges, eliminate loans due to Cadbury Nigeria through consolidation of accounts and restore its business growth plan.

Akinnola said besides resolving the going concern issues raised by inadequate capital, Stanmark would benefit from the merger through supply chain efficiencies, given the quantum of business between Cadbury Nigeria and Stanmark. Cadbury Nigeria accounts for almost one-third of Stanmark’s turnover.

According to him, there would be significant value creation for minority shareholders of Stanmark, who would have lost their investments in the company given its precarious state.

Minority shareholders held 0.66 per cent stake in Stanmark while Cadbury Nigeria held 99.34 per cent. Cadbury Nigeria is taking over minority shareholders’ shares through a cash option of N4 per share or share exchange ratio of 5.58 shares of Stanmark for one ordinary share of Cadbury Nigeria.

‘Why Nokia is doing less CSR in Nigeria’

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INNISH mobile phone manufacturer, Nokia, said it is looking at other ways of adding value to Nigerians instead of doing this through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platforms.

Its Vice President, West & Central Africa, James Rutherfoord, who spoke with The Nation in Lagos, said it was because of this that the firm em-

barked more on product launch with little emphasis on CSR, which is supposed to be a vehicle through which it would give back to Nigerians.

He admitted that in the last one year, the firm has not done much in CSR, adding that it is exploring other options that will impact on the people.

“In 2012, we did less CSR than we

have done in the past years. What you will see is that our focus has shifted from CSR-specifics to a number of other initiatives which we believe, through Nokia and the digital world, can enhance the lives of the people, and one of them is through the launch of Nokia Life (tools) which is an application that is available on all series 20 and 50 devices,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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THE NATION INVESTORS

Direct African equity investments provide better returns, says Ren Cap D IRECT equity investments in quoted companies in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone and other Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries offer better prospects of higher yields and returns than indirect investments either through South African companies or multinationals with exposures to African economies.

In its latest report entitled: African equity exposure - Direct investment is superior, Renaissance Capital, a leading investment research firm, stated that though there were drawbacks to direct investment in illiquid SSAs’ markets, its approach remains the better option for higher returns.

In the analyst’s equity strategy report signed off by Herman van Papendorp, Renaissance Capital outlined the rationales for investing in Africa’s equity and debt markets to fundamentally include Africa’s positive structural demographic dividend, rapid

Stories by Taofik Salako

urbanisation, improving political stability, commodity wealth, the broadening of its economies beyond commodities, improving regional integration, positive macroeconomic settings and the deepening of its financial markets.

According to the report, the diversification benefits of Africa’s relatively low, and often negative, correlation with developed and emerging markets, the attractive relative valuations of African equities and debt and the relatively poor risk-return opportunities available in developed markets are additional rationales for investing in Africa’s financial markets.

It noted that the lack of liquidity on SSAs’stock exchanges is a major challenge for investors, which is deterring many from involving themselves directly in African equity investing and instead opting to overcome the illiquidity issue of investing in Africa directly

through use of South African or global multi-national companies that have exposure to African economies as investment conduits to gain exposure to the promising African economies.

Renaissance Capital said in spite of the liquidity challenges, direct Africa equity investment is a superior approach to indirect approach citing the limit of the South African and multinational companies.

According to the report, the indirect approach suffers from several drawbacks including the point that actual African exposure within South Africa corporate revenue and earnings bases is still very low while South African companies predominantly expose investors to the low-growth SA economy, hence removing most of the rationale for this route

to investing in the Africa highgrowth theme.

Besides, the report noted that the high positive correlation of the South Africa’s equity market with global developed markets means that global investors could forgo the potential diversification benefits of investing in African equities if they use South African equities as their investment avenue for African exposure.

It added that buying South African equities is an expensive investment approach to obtain exposure to African markets while the related investment strategy of investing in global multinational companies that have African exposure considered by some global investors to address the illiquidity problem of investing di-

Oteh charges securities regulators on market supervision IRECTOR-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms Arunma Oteh, has urged securities market regulators across Africa and the Middle East to accelerate adoption and institutionalisation of effective regulatory model that would consolidate the growth of their markets.

Oteh, who is also the Chairperson, Africa and Middle East Regional Conference (AMERC) of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), made the call yesterday in her address at the ongoing Annual General Meeting of AMERC at the Dubai International Financial Centre, DIFC, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The AGM’s theme is: Risk-based supervision as a global agenda.

She noted that the adoption of risk-based securities market regulation model would not only help to consolidate the growth of the markets but also assist in avoiding instability.

She recalled that the rationale for the adoption of risk–based model were the weaknesses in the compliance –based supervision ap-

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•From left: Council Member, Nigeria Conservative Foundation, Desmond Majekodunmi; President, NigeriaBritain Association, Mr Tunde Arogunmati; and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Osun State on Government /Public Relations, Mr Femi Adeniran, at the stakeholders forum in Lagos.

Financial regulators release proposed margin rules for derivatives HE Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) have released a near-final proposal on margin requirements for non-centrally cleared derivatives.

In a statement from the IOSCO Secretariat, the two global financial markets regulatory bodies stated that several features of the near-final proposal are intended to manage the liquidity impact of the margin requirements on financial market participants.

They noted that the proposed requirements would allow for the introduction of a universal initial margin threshold of •50 million.

According to the statement, the results of a quantitative impact study (QIS) conducted in 2012 indicate that application of the threshold could reduce the total liquidity costs by 56 per cent relative to a margining framework with a zero initial margin threshold, which was initially proposed in the July 2012 consultative paper on margin requirements for non-centrally cleared derivatives.

The proposal also envisaged a gradual phase-in to provide market participants with sufficient time to adjust to the require-

T

ments.

The requirement to collect and post initial margin on non-centrally cleared trades is proposed to be phased in over a four-year period beginning from 2015 while this initial phase will start with the largest, most active and most systemically risky derivative market participants.

These policy proposals are articulated through a set of key principles that primarily seek to ensure that appropriate margining practices will be established for all non-centrally cleared over-the-counter (OTC) derivative transactions. These principles will apply to all transactions that involve either financial firms or systemically important non-financial entities.

The proposal takes into account the results of the last year’s QIS, which was conducted to quantify the liquidity costs associated with margin requirements for non-centrally cleared derivatives, as well as comments received in connection with the first consultative paper.

The Basel Committee and IOSCO would be taking public comments on the near-final proposal up till March 15, 2013. Specifically, stakeholders in the global financial industry are expected to provide inputs on the treatment of physically-settled foreign exchange forwards and swaps under the framework, ability to engage in lim-

ited re-hypothecation of collected initial margin, proposed phase-in framework, and the adequacy of the conducted quantitative impact study (QIS).

rectly into African stocks has similar, if not even more pronounced, shortcomings to those of the ‘investing in Africa through South Africa’strategy.

“We think direct African equity investment is the superior approach. The combination of a limited investment pool and rapidly increasing global fund flows into African equity funds provides a strong positive underpin for shareprice performance in Africa’s equity markets, in our view. Furthermore, African policy-makers are determined to drastically improve the tradability of their equity markets. Direct SSA equity exposure also benefits from the domestic support provided by large pension funds in Nigeria and Kenya,” Renaissance Capital added.

Stakeholders’ comments on the near-final proposal would be considered in formulating the final joint proposal on margin requirements on non-centrally cleared derivatives.

proach of old, which were highlighted by the recent market meltdown.

According to her, though the momentum of recovery appears slow in some jurisdictions, most markets in the Africa and Middle East Region had recorded considerable and sustained recovery. The renewed investor interest can only be sustained through application of objective and effective risk – based regulatory standards.

“The need to effectively police the emergent complexities of the market while also ensuring the efficient allocation of supervisory resources, led regulators to seek ways and methods of identifying, measuring and mitigating the likely risks that may be posed by the advancements in market composition and transactions. The aim being to move away from the rigid rule based compliance regime to one that relies on the regulators professional assessments and discretions through the adoption of a risk based supervisory model of market regulation covering issues such as licensing, capital requirements, risk assessment and inspection methodologies,” Oteh said.

She, however, noted that notwithstanding the envisaged potency of the new approach to ensure regulatory efficiency, regulators must not merely focus on the size of institutions but to leverage case studies within the region to appreciate the emerging supervision and risk issues.

Retail bond trading picks up slowly

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ETAIL investors are gradually developing interests in Federal Government’s bonds being traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) with volume and value of transactions improving weekly.

Retail bond trading started on the NSE floor on February 1, 2013.

The Nation’s review of the transactions since commencement of retail bond trading showed that investors have so far staked N10.14 million on 8,740 deals units of bonds in 76 deals.

In the first week ended February 1, turnover stood at 610 units of sovereign bonds worth N76,432 in 14 deals.

It improved to 1,670 units of bonds valued at N2.09 million in 41 deals in the second week. Turnover nearly quadrupled to 6,460 units of Federal Government bonds valued at N7.97 million in 21 deals in the third week.

Analysts, however, said the turnover trend for the retail bond platform did not reflect expected initial enthusiasms for such a major initiative.

Turnover on the NSE’s retail bond

trading platform represents fractions of transactions on the Over-the Counter (OTC) bond market, which has seen turnover of about N569 billion in the past three weeks.

Turnover on the OTC bond market so far this month stood at 487.42 million bond units valued at N568.64 billion in 2,873 deals. Investors had staked N189.95 billion on 162.88 million units of FGN bonds in 956 deals in the first week. Turnover slowed down to 152.12 million units of FGN bonds valued at N174.11 billion in 912 deals in the second week. Investors moved more funds to sovereign bonds last week with a turnover of 172.42 million bond units valued at N204.58 billion in 1,005 deals.

Speaking on the take-off performance and outlook for retail bond trading, managing director, Investment One Financial Services Limited, Mr Nicholas Nyamali, said the volume and value of bonds were still relatively low because the retail bond trading initiative has just started.

According to him, the retail bond trading would give opportunities to retail investors to participate and

properly diversify their portfolios from the traditional equities and manage their risk exposure in the capital market.

“I see opportunities in both OTC and NSE Retail Bond Market, therefore a robust outlook lies ahead. We intend to sensitise investors in the retail bond secondary market by the provision of investment research and daily report on the happenings in the market. We believe that education of target investors of this market will go a long way in generating sufficient interest in the market thus enhancing the wealth of the investors and creating a deep market,” he said.

The Federal Government had recently appointed Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers as its stockbroker. As a government broker, the stockbroking firm will provide prices for government bonds on the NSE and also act as an intermediary between the DMO, the NSE, stockbrokers and other market players to ensure that activities in sovereign bonds and other government securities that may be listed in future are effected smoothly.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

MARITIME CRFFN crisis irks shippers

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HE Nigerian Ship pers Council has in tervened in the faceoff between the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and leaders of some freight forwarding associations.

Its Acting Executive Secretary, Mr Hassan Bello, said he would be happy if the disagreements among freight forwarding practitioners over CRFFN transaction fee collection is resolved.

Bello made the appeal when the President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu and members of the association visited him in his office.

He urged ANCLA to display leadership qualities and ensure that it rally other freight forwarders to resolve the crisis.

The Shippers Council boss said: “I challenge ANLCA to show its leadership role in the council so that the reasons it was set up for training and retraining, for positioning of our freight forwarding practice and aligning it with global best practices is realised.

“I think you have a role to play in that organisation so we call on you to work hand in hand with the council and other freight forwarding organisations so • Ongoing reclamation of swamp land at the port.

that the dream of the Nigerian Shipper’s Council is realised.

“I am aware that the reason the Act was set up was for us to align our practice with international best practices, paperless transactions, training and retraining freight forwarders, we don’t want this profession to be invaded by quacks, we need a people who can stand to negotiate with international service providers and for that we have seen the growth of ANLCA, we are very proud of you.”

Responding, the ANLCA chief expressed optimisms that the matter would be resolved soon and that a roundtable meeting would soon be called to resolve issues.

He explained that the association is discussing with other sister freight forwarding associations and trying to resolve the crisis.

Shittu also expressed the hope that the matter would soon be resolved and that a roundtable meeting would soon be called to resolve issues.

Bello, however, lamented the recurring arbitrary charges in the industry by shipping companies and terminal operators. He called on the Federal Government to address the situation.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Tighten ports security

Govt amortises Onne Port T • Firm to invest $370m

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HE Onne Port in Rivers State has been amortised by the Federal Government to ensure its optimal use.

Information Minister Mr Labaran Maku said President Goodluck Jonathan gave the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) the nod to amortise the port to Intels Nigeria Limited.

Maku spoke during a visit to the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

He said as part of the agreement, Intels would invest $370,481,720 in the terminal and the development of the maritime hub and gas activities to international standard.

Intels, the minister added, is expected to complete work in 40 months and use the terminal for 20 years to recoup its investment.

The deal, Maku said, in-

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda Maritime Correspondent

volves the execution of 11 strategic projects to improve port operations, security and infrastructural development to international standard.

Presidency sources, told The Nation that Intels would reclaim 900,000 metres of swamp land with 11 million cubic metres of sand to facilitate the use of the terminal.

The President, sources said, also directed that a 750-metre quay wall be constructed to expand berths 9, 10, and 11.

“The quay apron is an L shaped jetty construction along the Bonny River, closed quays with 1.1 meter thick concrete diaphragm wall to a depth of 26 metre in front, and anchor concrete wall at the

back. The design entails the driving of 9000 cement/sand vibrio piles to consolidate the area while the concrete deck is 250metre thick on compacted soil,” the source said.

Intels, The Nation gathered, has been directed to work on a comprehensive treated water supply scheme that would serve the berths in the terminal.

The supply includes the distribution network and hydrants for fire/industrial water supply with four boreholes connected to the automated treatment plant.

The company is also expected to provide steady power supply to the terminal with high capacity generator, two transformers and six substations to illuminate the port and the port access roads to

boost security.

“The roads are to be illuminated to enhance security. This would facilitate the 24-hour operation at the port. Intel is expected to provide 35 high security lightning poles at 120 metre centres. 4.5 internal road networks is to be constructed along the swamp areas. The road pavement is of 54,000 metres to cover a compacted stone base.

“Intels will also erect a 3.6 kilometre chain link wire mesh to demarcate the industrial area from the quay apron at FOT and FLT, including nine automated controlled gates with security house at strategic location to reduce access to the quay area. The company will also see to the construction of a new trailer park with reinforced concrete pavement to accommodate about 200 trailers daily,” the source said.

‘Nigeria loses N2tr to foreigners yearly’

N

IGERIA loses about N2 trillion yearly to foreign vessels operating in the country, the Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) has said.

Besides, its General Secretary, Captain Niyi Labinjo, said only about 60 of the 600 vessels in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry are owned by indigenous operators.

He told The Nation that a vessel in offshore operations makes a minimum of $5,000 daily. This, according to him, is the least amount made by a foreign vessel doing business in the nation.

He said: “We have plenty of hydrocarbons.

As at today, it is 37 billion barrels, but our government is working towards making it 40 billion barrels. That is our

proven reserve. We are said to be the 10th world producer of oil. The world uses 84 million barrels of oil per day; Nigeria produces 2.5 million barrels every day. For gas, we have 24 trillion reserves.

“Nigeria has close to 500 oil wells. For each well, there is a rig, which is supported by a minimum of five ships, and they are called oil support ves-

sels.”

“We have the best shrimps in the world called tiger shrimps. That is why you have very many Indian fishing companies in Nigeria. All the tiger shrimps are exported. We import every five million metric tonnes of cargo and 100 million metric tonnes of goods.

We also import 65 million litres of petroleum products every year.”

HE Federal Government has been urged to give greater attention to security at the ports, especially the Tin Can Port, Lagos where touts and ‘port rats’ are disturbing people.

In an interview with The Nation, the Chairman, Maritime Risk and Management, Mr Johnson Ebenezer, said over 500 unwanted persons enter the port daily despite the recent efforts by Customs.

Ebenezer said the call became necessary because the sector is seen as the second largest source of revenue for the country after the oil and gas industry.

Besides, he said multinationals and others who invest in the maritime industry, pay huge revenue in form of taxation or duties and import charges into the Federal Government account.

He said poor facilities, incessant sea piracy and insecurity at the ports could scare away massive invest-

ment from the country and hamper ports operations.

Managing Director, Sea Solution, Mr Benjamin Rapheal, said importers were not left out of the menace as many of them have aslo suffered.

He said the access roads to and within the ports and insecurity are some of the major problems that need to be addressed by President Goodluck Jonathan if the Federal Government intends to sustain investment growth in the sector.

“The high level of insecurity in the nation’s seaports has become so widespread that every importer must have at one time or the other experienced losses arising from theft within or on the roads that lead to the ports. As a businessman, who has travelled outside the country, I think it is not too much to ask the government to wake up to its responsibilities,” he added.

Maritime expo coming

A

FORMER President, Nigerian Trawlers Owners Association of Nigeria (NITOA), Mrs Margaret OnyemaOrakwusi, has said there is need for the government to open up the sector.

Briefing reporters in Lagos on the forthcoming international maritime conference and exhibition in Nigeria, Mrs OnyemaOrakwusi, said the group is optimistic that the industry would experience significant growth in the year.

NIMAREX, she said, is not resting on its oars as

they have a public-private partnership in place to open up the sector and spearhead a silent revolution, which will yield fruits in the year.

She also said the Presidential Committee set up last year by President Goodluck Jonathan to chart a roadmap for the industry had concluded its assignment. adding that the Committee’s recommendations would be implemented by the President soon.

This year’s event is entitled: Nigerian maritime: Invest now.

35

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

AVIATION

FAAN, Immigration collaborate to secure airports

T

HE Federal Government is introducing fresh security measures at airports nation-

wide.

This will include improvement in passenger facilitation on arrival from flight at major international airports, to reduce the time for luggage collection.

To this end, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) are to install state-of-theart equipment at the international airports for the facilitation of passenger movement.

Among the facilities to be given priority are Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Comptroller-General of the Rilwan, Bala Musa, said during a visit to FAAN’s Managing Director that more counters and cubicles would also be built to resolve problems associated with passenger clearance at immigration points.

He said the equipment would

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

capture passengers’bio-metrics and photographs, which would be handy if there is need for them.

Such information, he said, would be relayed at the border posts to secure the country’s gateways.

Musa, who had earlier inspected the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, appealed to FAAN management to allocate additional offices to his men, who need more space to do their jobs, especially at the Abuja airport.

He also spoke of plans to facilitate the training of more officers, who would undergo an exchange programme at airports in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States, to see how their airports work.

Soon, he said, NIS would roll out measures to checkmate the request for multiple passports by Nigerians through the 10 finger prints.

Director of Airport Security, FAAN, Mr Wendel Ogunedo, said

the authority is prepared to ameliorate passengers’ problem.

He called on other security agencies at the airports to join hands with his organisation in securing the gateways into the country from unlawful interferences.

Efforts, he said, were on to fasttrack passenger facilitation with the completion of the arrival fingers’extension at the Lagos International Airport, which would be fitted with modern equipment to ease movement before the end of this month.

It is for this reason, he said, that FAAN sent about 30 of its mangers to Manchester in the UK to understudy how the airport system works, to replicate the system in Nigeria.

Ogunedo said the airport authority is poised to carry out pre-emptive measures to secure the airports against any breach.

The government, he said, had signed an agreement with the Dubai-based Emirates Airlines for the training of AVSEC officials.

ATSSSAN berates NAAPE THE National President of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade Benjamin Okewu, has blamed the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) for the problems of the aviation sector.

In a statement in Lagos, Comrade Okewu said ATSSSAN was not interested in joining issues with NAAPE on the position canvassed by Nigeria (NCAA) in its response to the Dana and Allied Air crashes.

He explained that ATSSSAN is a responsible stakeholder in the industry, which would not fold its arms and allow some professional associations to destroy the industry.

On the investigation conducted by the Joint Committee of the National Assembly into the Dana and Allied Air crashes, Comrade Okewu said ATSSSAN disagreed with NAAPE’s attempt to make the probe look legal, adding that ATSSSAN was embarrassed by NAAPE’s claim that the National Assembly has the power to investigate air accidents.

Okewu said NAAPE is misleading Nigerians into believing that only aircraft maintenance engineers were qualified to be safety inspectors and that the airspace was unsafe simply because they are part of the NCAA Inspectorate system.

Etihad increases Lagos flights ETIHAD Airways is upgrading its Lagos service to daily flights to meet the growing demand from passengers.

The new daily service, according to a statement from the airline, would be introduced on March 31, this year to coincide with the start of the airline’s new summer schedule, and would significantly improve connections between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, and beyond to key destinations across the airline’s network in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, India, Malaysia and China.

Maurice Phohleli, Etihad Airways’ General Manager, Nigeria and West Africa, said: “We have received a very positive response from the Nigerian market since launching our service six months ago. Clearly, the people of Nigeria appreciate the superior product and service of the World’s Leading Airline and we are proud to serve them.

“Our passenger loads are strong and we are confident that this route will continue to support the growing flow of business and leisure travellers who fly from Nigeria to the United Arab Emirates, and onwards over the airline’s hub in Abu Dhabi to key commercial and tourism destinations in the GCC, North and Southeast Asia and markets in the Indian subcontinent.”

Etihad Airways recognises the importance of the West African region and is committed to expanding its footprint across the continent, it added.

Overland begins online booking

•From left: Director, International Development, PARC Managers, USA, Mr Paschal Anyanwu; Company Secretary, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Pollie Okoronkwo and Director-General, Dr. Harold Demuren, at Aviator Night organised by Aviators Magazine and NCAA at NCAA Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Aviation College to acquire 10 planes

T

HE Kwara International Aviation College is to acquire 10 aircraft to facilitate the training of pilots, aircraft engineers and other aviation professionals, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has said.

He said in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, that the aircraft would be bought with a loan secured by the Federal Government from the Export Import Bank. It has a moratorium of 10 years.

He said: “This is part of the reasons we have set up an International Aviation College and, luckily, under the new EXIM loan that the Federal Government has signed with the Chinese and Indian governments and others across the world, the International Aviation College will be benefiting from the loan. It will be able to acquire at least 10 new aircraft under a 25-year loan agreement with a 10-year moratorium. It couldn’t be better than that.”

The governor said the school would acquire the aircraft, develop economy of scale, train students, earn money and pay back the loan on its own. He said: “The 10-yearfacility means that the college’s cash flow will not be under pressure. It is when you borrow money and you have to pay within a very short time that you have pressure on your cash flow. The loan was so attractive that

we couldn’t resist it and it is one of the best things that ever happened to us.

“That will enable the school to get to the much-desired full scale aviation college that we have always prayed for and will allow them to attain economy of scale where they can earn a lot of money to service the school and pay back.

For now, the school is fully owned by the state but don’t forget that the state government is not in the business of running aviation.

“So, ultimately, we will sell off 70 per cent of that business to those who know how to do it and then the school will run on its own internationally.”

The governor explained that the aviation college was established in response to the demand for pilots globally. He said the college is positioned to serve as a training hub for Africa.

He said: “For keen observers and those who want to truly see themselves growing among comity of nations, they must begin to learn how to do a clear analysis of opportunities. One big opportunity that exists in the aviation industry is the fact that there is dire need of pilots globally.Check any international airline, they will tell you.

“Training pilots requires that you

understand the dynamics of the business.

“Apart from Zaria and South Africa, I don’t know where else pilots are trained in Africa.”

He said by the time this school gets to its potential, everybody in Africa who intends to train as a pilot would know the existence of an Aviation College in Ilorin.

“For now, we are training pilots but there are other services.

There is engineering training.

There are other services that are going to go into it. This would become itself a hub for driving aviation business,” he said.

•Ahmed

OVERLAND Airways has announced the introduction of online ticket booking and payment for her customers’ convenience.

According to a statement, customers can book and pay for flight tickets to any of their desired Overland Airways destinations.

With the introduction of is option, customers now have the opportunity to make reservation and pay for their flight tickets from any part of the country using any of the following debit cards: Interswitch Verve, VISA, Mastercard and E-tranzact.

The Chief Operating Officer Mrs. Aanu Benson, said: “The introduction of the online ticket reservation and payment will create convenience for our customers as they can book and pay for their tickets online from the comfort of their homes, offices and any other location they find themselves.

“After the payment passengers will receive their electronic ticket with their unique booking reference number or Passenger Name Record (PNR) via their email addressesfor presentation at the check in counter.”

“This is part of our commitment to our customers, to continuously innovate to improve their flying experience. From the booking and payment of tickets, to our seamless check-in process and to flying onboard our modern aircraft, Overland customers are assured of a unique travel experience.”

Unions, NAMA set for showdown THE National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) have given the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) a 14-day ultimatum to pay the workers the enhanced salary scheme.

The workers, in a warning letter to the management of NAMA, which was signed by the executive members of NUATE, Abioye Olayinka, and Abdulkareem Motajo, said they would ground the services of the agency if their demands were not met.

But NAMA said that a committee had been set up to study the new condition of service with the labour leaders to have an acceptable document for the benefit of the workers and the agency’s management.

The letter states: “By this general bulletin, all NAMA workers are hereby placed on red alert, as we can authoritatively state that NAMA management has persistently continued to blackmail union leaders and threaten our members directly or indirectly.”

But NAMA has denied this allegation. General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Supo Atobatele, said in a statement there was no cause for alarm “over the purported strike notice issued by the said two unions NUATE and ATSSSAN on the delay in the implementation of new salary.”

He said none of its workers or union leaders is being threatened by management.

He said: “The latest development, however, is that a committee has been set up by the management to look into the grey areas of the new condition of service. We implore the union leaders to cooperate with the management to sort out the grey areas and come up with an acceptable document for the benefit of all.”

In a related development, the NAMA has put in place the necessary logistics to start area radar control in the country.

The Managing Director of the agency, Nnamdi Udoh, explained that area radar control is an air traffic control service, provided for airplanes flying within the Flight Information Region (FIR).

According to him, many air traffic controllers have been trained to handle this operation at both Kano and Lagos area control centres for flight operations in the nation’s airspace.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

36

TAXATION

Self-assessment can drive tax growth in 2013

M

ANY tax jurisdictions rely on self-assessment as the major means of tax collection; it has become a tax modern administration trend. Indeed, it is a measure of how upto-date a tax authority is. By way of definition, it is a tax regime whereby the taxpayer is granted the right, by law, to compute his own tax liability, pays the tax due (at a designated bank, as is the case in Nigeria) and produces evidence of tax paid to the Tax Office, at the time of filing tax returns, on due date. On the part of the tax authority, it accepts the tax returns as filed, subject to completeness, and carry out audit in due course. Very much unlike an administrative assessment were the tax authority raises an assessment where a taxpayer has failed to file returns and pay taxes due on or before the due date or where there is an understatement of tax in the returns filed.

With the taxpayer’s assumption of the role of assessing self, an obligation arises for the tax authority to ensure that the taxpayer understands the procedures involved in tax administration and how to compute tax liabilities and complete tax returns (if the option is self-service). In addition to taxpayer enablement, it is the responsibility of the tax authority to ensure compliance with all tax administration processes especially accuracy of declarations made and the timeliness of tax returns.

In Nigeria, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) introduced the self assessment regime in 1992 following the enactment of the appropriate law in 1991. The FIRS Board in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Section 61 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2007 with the approval of the Minister of Finance gazetted a Regulation dated 19 December 2011 modifying the processes and procedures for self assessment returns. The Regulations cover tax returns under the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA), Education Tax Act (ETA), Petroleum Profit Tax Act (PPTA), Personal Income Tax Act (PITA), National Information Technology Development Act (NITDA), and Value Added Tax Act (VATA).

However, the method has not been as successful as envisaged. Many will argue that risk-based audit, which is a major feature of self-assessment has not been not been fully optimised. It assists in risk identification, analysis, assessment, evaluation and prioritisation, with the predetermined risk ratios drawn from a risk framework, every tax return is subjected to risk analysis and assessment. This, in itself, is a departure from the government assessment of best of judgment where time and capacity impeded 100 per cent audit. Under risk-based audit, resources

•Ag. Executive Chairman, FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed Mashi

‘The adoption of self-assessment principles reflects a desire to move away from in-house administrative assessment procedures in favour of more comprehensive and targeted approaches to provide help to taxpayers, and to the verification of tax liabilities’

By Frank Obaro

are applied to areas of risk in the order of the weight attached.

Fundamentally, automation of the filing process will encourage tax payers to file their returns independently instead of using the outdated administrative assessment or best of judgment. In this regard, the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) project being undertaken by the FIRS will play a key role. FIRS will need to fully exploit technology to endear efficiency in the process of self-assessment.

Also for the benefits of self-assessment to be fully optimised a more robust mechanism whereby compliance checks are conducted through risk-based case selection for audit; In which case, all tax returns have equal chance of being selected for audit. This approach is a demonstration of transparency in tax administration and is expected to encourage self disclosure and clearer disclosure benchmarks also need be to put in place. Another key driver will be to have a strong Audit and Compliance department that can ensure the validity of disclosure.

Using the Australian Tax Office (ATO) as a case study of the self-assessment sys-

tem, the claims a taxpayer makes in their tax return are accepted by the (ATO), usually without adjustment, and an assessment notice is issued. Even though we may initially accept the tax return, the return may still be subject to further review.

To ensure the integrity of the tax system, the law provides the ATO with a period where it may review a return (and make sure all income has been included) and may increase or decrease the amount of tax payable. The ATO has powers to amend an assessment up to two years (or four years for taxpayers with more complex tax affairs) after tax become due and payable under the assessment. Where anti-avoidance provisions apply, the period is four years. Where the avoidance is due to fraud or evasion, there is no time limit on amending the assessment. If the FIRS can push such laws through it will certainly ensure and endear voluntary and honest filing of returns.

Generally speaking, the adoption of selfassessment principles reflects a desire to move away from in-house administrative assessment procedures in favour of more comprehensive and targeted approaches to providing help to taxpayers, and to the systemic verification of reported tax liabilities through risk-based desk and field audits and computerised matching of income reports. In countries where selfassessment has been adopted, it has generally been initiated with the objective of improving overall compliance with the laws and increasing operational efficiency by collection of tax revenue on time, streamlining the system of returns processing and reducing the incidence of disputed assessments.

Self-assessment, ultimately, reduces administrative costs for tax authorities and aided by modern technology, most economies have adopted the principle to drive down cost and ensure timeliness in filling return and Nigeria can benefit from this trending revenue collection system.

Self-assessment also reduces the discretionary powers of tax officials and reduces opportunities for corruption. However, self-assessment needs to be properly regulated and implemented, with transparent rules, an automated reporting process, and penalties for noncompliance and risk-based assessment procedures for audit procedures.

Also, the FIRS need to embark on media sensitisation campaigns to achieve a change in behaviour of both taxpayers and tax officials in favour of a taxpaying culture through strict application of sanctions. This way, non-compliance will be dealt with timely and will be deterred.

Internal and external stakeholders’ engagements will key in implementation and success of self-assessment regime.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

37

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Our Valentine blues, by widows They used to know what it is to celebrate Valentine’s Day. That was when their husbands were alive. During this year’s Valentine’s Day last Thursday, 100 widows were brought together to savour the joy of the occasion by a nongovernmental organisation, Head High International (HHI).

EVELYN OSAGIE was there.

•Mrs Sogetun

•Some widows at the event

F

EBRUARY usually comes with a spark; a spark of love for it is the month of Valentine. Shopping malls are filled with gift items bearing red to remind everyone of the season. Recreation centres also come alive with activities in preparation for Valentine’s Day. But in some hearts that spark brings back memories and affection of love once shared.

But what does the day mean to widows? “If widows have a choice, they would wish that the day never came,” many have said. This year’s was no different.

“When my husband was alive, it was time to talk about ourselves and how to improve on our love life. But since he died all that changed. Now, Valentine’s Day is a day of reflection for me.

I think more on the love that God gives me since my husband passed away – a love no man can give.” These are the words of Olarenwaju Funmilayo, who lost her husband years ago.

In case you are thinking this is peculiar to Funmilayo, hear those of the late journalist Bayo Ohu’s widow, Blessing.

“It is the same with all widows. Ever since death took away our husbands depression has set in. Valentine’s Day brings back sad memories to us. It used to be a day of sharing and being in a joyful mood when Bayo was alive.

When he died, depression and pain came in. But all that has changed. Instead of depression, it brings back love and joyful memories we shared when I discovered Head High International (HHI).”

Blessing was among over 100 widows, who thronged the Tastee Lawrell Eatery, Isolo, Lagos last week for a love feast organised by HHI, a non-governmental organisation championing the cause of women, particularly widows.

The event was sponsored by V-Ginis Caterers, The Pennisular Resort, Latoye Idowu Generation, RCCG, Eternal Creations Minds and Brains Decorators.

Tagged: HHI Valentine love feast for widows, the event, which is in its 11 th position, is giving the women reasons to smile at the season. “The foundation has made the day interesting to us widows. The feast has become an event that lessen the tension we feel; an eye-opener and an inspiration. We are encouraged by others lives’ experiences. Most women were not happy because were their husbands alive they would have been celebrating with them. But coming here today, it has restored the joy and love in them,” she said.

And so they came elegantly dressed.

Many were decked in a touch of red and white laces and scarf. Initially, some came with drawn faces that gave way to happy ones, filled with smiles and laughter. It was Valentine’s Day! And

•Mrs Elsa Bishop of International Women Society (middle) receiving a gift from Mrs Odugbemi and Mr Pius Bolaji Alabi of Praise Power Family

CELEBRATION the foundation went all out to rouse the feeling it.

However, the event was beyond eating and drinking. The women went home with lots of freebies, including loans, grants, clothes, foodstuff and provisions and more.

By the time they hit the dance floor and came forward to present special numbers; it was clear that the women were not only talented, but also knew how to dance. They danced their hearts out; throwing aside scarves and shoes.

The women also shared jokes and experiences with one another.

Those with Revd Folashade Adelusi of Christ Chapel International Church and Mrs Eunice Olukemi Sogbetun, founder Tolorundaloki Widows of Grace Limited were striking.

Mrs Sogbetun, an advocate of positive living, urged that the women should care for their children, saying: “They are

your investment”. She recalled how she was able to manage life after her husband died.

“When my husband died, people thought I would die because he died of health complications resulting from AIDS. But I did not allow people, including my kids that it was what their father died from. I told them after three years when I also fell very ill as a result of complications from the virus.

“My health deteriorated to the point that I was constantly using pads because my inside was badly affected until I met Doctors Without Borders who looked after me for two years. I later became a volunteer with them.

Today, I cannot believe I am a widow.

God delivered me. Now I am an advocate that HIV is no longer a death sentence. You can live a normal life with the virus. Next year, I would be 60 and for 10 years I have been living with the virus. Get tested and treated: ARV, the drug that helps you maintain a normal

‘When my husband was alive, it was time to talk about ourselves and how to improve on our love life. But since he died all that changed. Now, Valentine’s Day is a day of reflection for me. I think more on the love that God gives me since my husband passed away – a love no man can give’

life, is free. But there are three things that would not allow the drugs to work: unprotected sex, smoking and drinking,” she said.

Even though Revd Adelusi and her hubby were pastors, her travails were no different. She urged the women to have a positive attitude to bring God’s favour to you.

“I have every reason not to serve God. I had a delay in childbearing and when he gave me three wonderful children, I lost my husband. Truly, family and friends will abandon you but I am here to say that God has been faithful; because he said I would not cry a second time. By the month of May, it would be eight years since I lost him; God has kept me through.

“I started attending HHI love feast the year my husband died and it has become an essential celebration for widows. Interestingly, few days before my husband died, I had pasted HHI sticker that reads: Reach Out…Make a widow smile today on my car not knowing that that would be the week he would die. But that did not make me draw back. I am encouraged anytime I come. With a programme like this, one would be encouraged to go on.”

HHI founder, Mrs Tinu Odugbemi said it was to give women like Revd Adelusi and Mrs Sogbetun a smile again that the love feast was being held.

She said: “During this season, many usually go out with loved ones. It is this fact that brings back sad memories to the widows because they are alone. That is why the programme was born. It is borne out of the fact that a greater attention, love and care still needs to be paid to those often ignored, marginalised and forgotten in the society at festive times, in this case, widows. The love feast, apart from being a time to relax, have fun and meet with others, is a time to share songs and stories and encourage one another.

“For 10 years, every February 14, HHI holds the feast for widows. This vision took off as a 30-miniute television programme during a summit of widows in Lagos at the Isolo Community Centre on September 22, 2002. It has grown into a large, but still developing organisation. It delves into new issues as moments dictate. The foundation provides the women with skills acquisition schemes and training, opportunities to access loans and grants, collaborate with lawyers for legal aid, sensitise the public on issues affecting widows, among others.”

Mrs Odugbemi said HHI is in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Niger and Kogi states and Abuja. “We are thinking of including widowers, if we get the mandate from God. But we also organise programmes for less-privileged children.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

38

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

T

HAT moment remains etched in my memory just as if it were yesterday. I refer to the death on Saturday, April 17, 1983, of that great statesman, patriot, nationalist and revolutionary thinker, Mallam Aminu Kano.

I was standing on the corridor of the floor of the Independence Hall, University of Ibadan, animatedly discussing the politics of the day when the announcement of Mallam Kano’s demise was made on radio. I was immediately gripped with an indescribable feeling of deep grief. I knew that a truly great and noble soul had departed this sphere of existence and he had hardly been given the appreciation, recognition and honour he truly deserved while in our midst. In terms of tenacity of purpose, ideological clarity and commitment to the liberation of the masses from the tyranny of poverty, Mallam Kano stands second to none among Nigerian political leaders and thinkers across space and time. I was thus overjoyed when in 1993, the Kaduna based Vanguard Printers and Publishers Ltd, published a book simply entitled: The Politics of Mallam Aminu Kano to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Mallam’s transition. Edited by Dr. Alkasum Abba, this book is one of the most treasured among my collection of books.

Subtitled: Documents From The Independence Struggle: 1950-1960, this book compiles documents and papers detailing the activities of Mallam Kano and his close associates during the nationalist struggle for Nigeria’s independence. While some of these documents are position papers of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) and some writings of Mallam on Nigeria’s constitutional evolution, by far the most important and revealing are those confidential reports of the colonial secret service that closely trailed and monitored Mallam’s movements and activities. From these reports, he was perceived by the colonial overlords as a dangerous subversive and an irritant to the status quo. In his foreword to the book, one of Mallam Kano’s closest associates and former Governor of Kaduna State in the Second Republic, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, underscored the significant role of Mallam both in the politics of the North and Nigeria as a whole.

In his words: “…Mallam was essentially a

Segun Ayobolu sms to 07032777778 segunayobolu2@yahoo.com

The politics of Mallam Aminu Kano freedom fighter in the true and fullest sense of the term. More than any other Nigerian political leader, he fought for the freedom of the people of Nigeria from both local despots and foreign oppressors. But that is not all. More than any other Nigerian political leader, he fought for both political freedom and for mental and cultural freedom…Unlike almost all his contemporaries in most of Africa, the thrust of Mallam’s politics is the empowerment of ordinary people to say NO, and to say YES, on their own terms, and chart their own path for the progressive development of their society.”

Developing on this point, Abba in his exhaustive and incisive introductory chapter on the evolution of Nigeria’s nationalist struggle argues that: “In the light of all these, one can affirm that the NEPU and its leader, Mallam Aminu Kano, emerged uniquely at the centre stage of Nigerian politics. There was no political party in Nigeria like the NEPU, which fought two powerful enemies at once. These enemies were the Native Authorities under the autocratic emirs, and the ultimate master, the British colonial state. It is indeed this consideration which makes it very difficult to compare Mallam Kano with any of his contemporaries in the Nigerian nationalist movement, even though he is

often referred to as leader of a “minority party” in the established literature.”

One of the truly remarkable documents in this book that showcases the depth of NEPU’s radical consciousness and the party’s ideological clarity is the Sawaba declaration issued by the party in 1950. This declaration undertakes a ruthless critique of the authoritarian and despotic Native Authority system existing at the time in Northern Nigeria and made a pungent case for its complete overthrow and radical transformation. Part of this revolutionary declaration of the NEPU reads: “That at present, the Machinery of Government, including the armed forces of the nation, exist only to conserve the privilege of the selfish minority group, the Talakawa must organize consciously and politically for the conquest of the powers of Government – both nationally and locally – in order that this machinery of government , including these forces, may be converted from an instrument of oppression into the agent of emancipation, and the overthrow of Bureaucracy and autocratic privilege.”

The declaration concludes on a rousing and defiant note thus: “The Northern Elements Progressive Union of Northern Nigeria, therefore, being the only political party of the Talakawa, enters the field of political action determined to reduce to nonentity any

party of hypocrites and traitors to our mother country, and calls upon all the sons and daughters of Northern Nigeria to muster under its banner to the end, that a speedy termination may be wrought to this system of administration which deprives them of the fruits of their labour, and that POVERTY may give place to COMFORT, PRIVILEGE to EQUALITY and political, economic and social SLAVERY to FREEDOM.” We can thus see why, as the documents reproduced in this book conclusively prove, the colonial police closely trailed Aminu Kano and his associates and wrote copious reports to their superiors on the activities of the NEPU leaders. For instance, on October 16, 1952, Mallam Aminu Kano was quoted by the police in a confidential report as having told a meeting at the Moonshine Hotel, SabonGari, Zaria, that “Have no fear of any Chief, Governor, Resident or District Officer because they are all our employees. They are paid out of our general tax and Jangali so they are of no account. Your slave boy (Dandako) cannot be an object of fear to you.”

Although in the literature, the North is portrayed as being largely conservative and even reticent about the imperative of ending colonial rule and ushering in an independent Nigeria, this is simply not true of Mallam Kano and his associates in the NEPU. As Abba notes “The membership and leaders of this party were demanding among other things: Independence in 1956; a Federal Government with a powerful centre; free and fair elections based on universal adult suffrage; creation of a Middle Belt Region out of the Northern Region; freedom of speech and assembly; democratisation of the Native Authority system; reform of the judicial system; and improvement of the living conditions of the common people”. It is not unlikely that this book is now out of print. But the publishers would do well to issue new editions for the edification of the general public nationwide but particularly to arouse the consciousness of the northern youth that another kind of positive, progressive, radical and compassionate leadership as epitomised by Mallam Kano, among others, is possible.

Diamond Bank, others hold painting competition Stories by Chinasa Ekekwe

•From left: Mr Dozie, Erelu Dosumu and Trimnell

T

HE Lagos Black Heritage Festival (LBHF) Diamond Bank and Lagos State Ministry of Education have flagged off the second edition of the Vision of the child, a painting competition for

children.

The event was tagged: The thousand and one cases of corruption was inaugurated by LBHF Ambassador Erelu Dosunmu, Diamond Bank Executive Di-

Artist showcases drawings

H

E is known for using refuse, signs, posters and scraps of urban decay as a canvas for his works. But Uche Uzorka’s ongoing solo exhibition, Line, Sign, Symbol at the African Artists Foundation (AAF), Lagos, is an effort at the creation and exploration of the art. Yet, the works, which are mainly ink and charcoal drawings on paper, are not short of any harmony in design and forms.

To the uninitiated, the collection is best described as abstract drawings. But on a closer view, it reveals stronger messages, which are enhanced by the details and structures.

The exhibition is AAF’s debut show of the year and the second solo exhibition by the artist. His first, entitled: The organi, was held in association with AAF in October last yearat the Goethe Institut, Lagos His drawings are of sombre tones of black,

grey and red, which dominate the colour spectrum, boldly protruding from the white and barren remainder of the blank picture plane.

“At first glance, these works are best described as abstract drawings, with amorphous shapes and splashes of colour flowing together in an ambigious and seemingly haphazard rhythm; but yet, at closer inspection, meticulous attention has been made to create a myriad of overlapping patterns, bodies and signs, tightly congested together to form a dense combination of complex designs,” the artist said.

Uzorka’s drawings seem to come across arbitrarily. And it also displays a strict and rigorous attention that creates its structure and congeals its fluid power. In a nutshell, what makes his drawings unique is in their place between the figurative and the abstract.

rector, Mr Uzoma Dozie, Diamond Bank Head Corporate Communications, Ayona Trimnell, representatives of the Ministry of Education and LBHF Secretary Foluke Michaels and past winners of the competition.

This year’s edition, according to the organisers, is bigger and better than last year. The age group, they said, within eight to 12 years, adding that this is within to accommodate more participants.

The competition involves primary and secondary (public and private) schools in the state. Miss Michaels said during the selection on Saturday, 30 successful participants were picked to paint in front of a live audience, adding that the best six would be picked.

She said applicants were divided into Instead of existing as binary oppositions, his frames are abstract in a figurative and vice versa. Using strategies that he refers to as ‘contrast and dominance’, it is an exercise in how lines become form, ultimately stopping at the decisive moment that they do.

The exhibits on display include: One space for two pages, The orgasm, Where there is a fire, galaxy, epic centre, rhythm, journey, m,oon and shadow.

The artist says of his works: “A line is like a life. It is a life. It is also like a cell within the nucleus of a life. Its potential are a multitude.

The determinants of its destiny are many and are varied. The journey of a line is full of adventures. A myriad of adventures; there is always the chance of multiplicity.”

Uzorka’s artistic practice includes painting, collage, cutting and pasting, charcoal and ink drawing in an examination of the processes of urban street culture.

He won first place in the Nationl Art Competition in 2011 for his collaboration with Chike Obeagu, another artist. He graduated

groups and that the selection was tougher than last year’s, noting that the committee would access the participants one on one.

“They will be undergoing several stages with different judges. Every participant will be walking away with a prize because all of them are winners. The prize for this year’s edition will spring a pleasant surprise. It will serve to motivate the contestants to strive for excellence in their artistic endeavours,” she said.

Miss Michaels said: “We are partnering with the Ministry of Education, which made it easier for us to reach out to more schools. The painting competition, which Diamond Bank has sponsored for two years, is planned to demonstrate the contestants’ power of observation as it would bring to the fore their perception of the society via their paintings,” she said.

•One of Uzorka’s drawings

in 2001 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, majoring in painting. The exhibition, Line, sign, symbol will run till Saturday.

39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Celebrating U S A L V I elderly the T R A•Old people seek

home, skill acquisition

T

HAT Thursday morning began like any other day for some old people in Anambra State but it ended on a happy note.

It was a day thousands of old people thronged the Women Development Centre in Awka, Anambra State, for the celebration of the Day of the Elderly. With the theme: Longevity: Shaping the future, this year’s celebration came with an addendum – The continued improvement in the quality of life of the elderly.

Acting Director Social Welfare, Ministry of Women Development and Social Welfare, Mrs Rose Udeagbara, said the event was meant to mark the 13th anniversary of the United Nations Decade for the Older Persons following a declaration by the UN General Assembly in 1999 in recognition of immense contributions of senior citizens.

Udeagbara said the event was meant to celebrate the achievements of old people and graceful ageing and to let them know that the government is concerned about their welfare and happiness.

Over 4,000 old people attended the event, which was organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. Participants came from the 21 local government areas in the state. Initially, according to the organisers, the event was expected to host only 2,000 people.

It was six years ago that an event of this magnitude was last held, it was learnt. This year’s was unique as participants seized the opportunity for the old to network among themselves, sharing jokes and banters. The event also provided them the opportunity to voice their plight. At the close of the event, it was evident that they had gained. One could see the smiles on their faces as about 50 of them received N10,000 grants and others went home with various freebies.

The elderly brainstormed with the government on some issues affecting them. They intimated the government on infrastructure that would impact the old.

The old people advocated homes for the elderly in the state. The home, they argued, is obtainable in other climes. They noted that it might be built by the government with good-spirited individuals with the interest of the old at heart, particularly those without people to cater for them as done by the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha at Madonna Mercy Village Odekpe, Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State manned by Revd Father Collins Ifeanyi Ojene.

Mrs Theresa Osita Dibua, 102, who was the oldest woman at the event, was the first to set the agenda for the government. She was one of the two persons who received the Oldest Woman of the Year award and N10, 000 grant from the organisers. The other recipi-

•Chief Okedo, recipient of the oldest man of the year award From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

CELEBRATION ent was 99-year-old Chief Simon Okedo from Abubuo Nnewichi, Nnewi, who received the Oldest Man of the Year award and N10, 000 grant.

Mrs Dibua said the home is good, but that the government should put in place other infrastructure that would better the lives of the old. She said: “Old people’s home is good but it is not in our tradition African where there exist extended family ties. If you have children and train them properly, your children would look after you but if you fail to do that then it is up to you. I thank God for using the governor and his wife and others to reach out to the old. I feel honoured by the award and gift. No leader has done this since my existence on the planet earth but he and his wife. I won’t say we want this or that but government knows what is good for the old people. Whatever is good; let the government do for us.

“It is good to gather the old people together and for them to be praying for the state and its citizens especially for our children who are not following the right way.

Our prayers will help our youths overcome numerous challenges in this perilous time. I detest our girls going naked and I appeal to them – man and woman – to stop such because they are mocking God. They are assaulting God. That is why their prayers are not being answered. Our youths should

For my mum From Ann Embukah

TRIBUTE

•Ann’s late mother

T

HE voice, the words, that intonation, a little high pitched but subtle to the ears.

Resonating deep in my soul, and soothing every fibre in me.

"Anna my daughter," she began, "your eyes, shining bright in deep emerald, your pupil sitting perfectly into them like a diamond

surrounded by emerald waters".

"Oh Anna, your soul so resilient, yet so gentle. Like a wild gazelle in the deep forests of South Africa".

"Your nose, so upright, standing tall in the midst of your facial features like the proverbial iroko tree- it sits gidigbam!

"Your lips...daring, sensuous yet poised to let out smiles and words to warm up and lighten the very embers of souls".

"Your chin, blossoming and full -coming alive with every smile. Your fingers are lovely to behold, designed to hold firm the ink that puts to paper those fiery words-words so mild yet engulfing the being and filling up vacuums in the souls, enlightening the eyes of the heart.

Your nails are wonderfully and beautifully crafted-like the ancient terracotta of the Noks".

"Your legs and feet, like that of a deer, greased with injuries, adorned with scars- scars that represent the many places and familiar terrains which they have known. So much so, that just a feel of them could tell the story of the places

•Mrs Dibua, oldest woman at the event

wear good clothes that would bring out their beauty and glorify God.” Thanking God for the grace to be alive, Chief Okedo urged the government to cater for the less-privileged old, emphasising on the need for the establishment of an old people’s home.

“The government is supposed to be giving us grants to service ourselves because many of the old people have children who are not capable. So there is need for an Old people’s home to enable those who do not have a home and nobody to care for them to be taken care of there. I am happy with the grants they gave us and I advocate for more of that for the old people to give them a sense of belonging, especially those who have no pension and do not have capable children to cater for them,” he said.

For 70 years old, Pa Samuel Agunwa Odogwu from Amanuke in Awka North Local Government Area, said more should be done for the old beyond giving them freebies. A 65-year-old Associate Professor N.C Kwekowe, from Awka, re-echoed the need for concessional treatment at hospitals. Nathan Osakwe, 70, said old people should be given access to loans to enable them to do little farming like poultry.

For Mrs Janeth Nwude, 100, from Umudioka Awka and her friend, Nnalue Okonkwo, 82, from Umumbo Anyamelum, said celebrating the old was worthwhile. “The event has added to our lives. We have laughed and exchanged ideas; and it has helped us fight boredom. We benefitted from lecture series on how the old

person should take care of his life and health.

We were equally educated about the old people’s home at Ogbaru which many of us don’t know about before now,” they said.

Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs Margaret Obi, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Social Re-orientation, Mrs Mitchelle Onugbolu, said the government has concluded plans to start a monthly welfare package for non-pensionable elderly in the state from age 75 and above.

The Commissioner for Women affairs and Social Development, Lady Henrietta Agbata, said the government has put together the events to celebrate the senior citizens, adding that the government pays pensioners promptly.

Agbata said: “A Mega/Micro-credit loan scheme was launched earlier by the governor to provide funds that older citizens could draw from to initiate new ventures or strengthen existing business. Although the care of older persons in African society rest squarely on the extended family system, the government has made the extra efforts to provide for the needs of older citizens to augment their welfare. It is better to be old and be with people you know than with people you don’t know and that is why African setting is dependent on extended family ties. For me, I will prefer my parents to be with me in the house than at old people’s home; and I would not like to be there when I am old. I will prefer to be with the people I know.”

they have been".

"Now, I watch you sleep, oh! How you have evolved into a full blown woman. I pray to behold your children; my grand children-to see how like you they are, to experience again the boisterous laughter, the unabashed frankness and the unending chattering and questionings" "Ma, I said to her in a sleepy dreamy voice, "tell me you love me and promise never to leave me".

"Oh! my babygirl, you know very well that I love you from the deepest recess of my soul. I long to make you a promise never to leave you but it is not for me to say. You see, my child, ime and chance happen to all things - a time it was, when you were a toddler, now you are fully grown.

A time it was, when like you, I was blossoming and full, now am ageing and frail.

So, also it is that a time will certainly come when I will have to depart from the earth and be gathered to my ancestors - the deep calleth the deep my daughter".

"But ma..., I began to say "Sssssh... go now to sleep my child, I see your tiredness, I feel it in your soul, the anxiety and many questions you want to ask.

But you must retire now for you need all the strength you can muster. The journey ahead

of you is rigorous, and the terrain rough.

Your feet must rest now so that it can navigate further".

She reached out with her fingers, traced the lines of my eyebrows, ran her fingers across my face, adjusted my head and kissed me on the cheeks-warmly and deeply.

I smiled..."I love you so much ma, please hold my hands and hug me". I begged as I reached out to take hold of her.

But I felt empty air, "ma, hold my hands please…"-dead silence.

I awoke, hurried out of my bed, looked all round, through the window, in the bathroom-alas! She was gone. She has been gone nine years now, yet I could almost swear that she was here a minute ago.

She was here! She lived. She loved. She spanked. She hugged. She joked. She played.

She instructed. She caressed. She laughed.

And she cried… and gave us every ounce of herself. So that even now, she seems so present, so close, so warm, so here… She left her marks so everyone could know that SHE WAS HERE. Oh mama! Parting is such a sweet sorrow. Combien je vous vois a nouveau!

• Embukah is of the Communications and Liaison Department, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Abuja

40

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

MANY LENSES WATCHING YOU...

A photographer clicking with two cameras at an event in Lagos

•PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Cesc: Milan short •Sneijder

PAGE 42

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

TODAY’S FIXTURES AC Milan v Barcelona Galatasaray v Schalke 04

on quality

Sneijder: Galatasaray going all out for victory

•Fabregas

Allegri: Milan must be courageous to beat Barcelona

•Allegri

OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS

Pistorius faces premeditated murder charge

43

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson spoke with BISI OLANIYI on the achievements of his administration in the last one year and other national issues.

‘No room for one-party system’ H

OW has it been since you assumed the reins as governor on February 14, last

year?

It has been wonderful, exciting and exerting. But I enjoy every bit of it. I enjoy the challenges. More than before, I come face to face with the problems of our people. I have also seen their resilience and their endless possibilities.

There are indications that President Goodluck Jonathan is interested in a second term. What is your reaction?

Any talk about 2015 is a distraction. It is premature and in any case, the President has not said he is going to contest. Will I support President Jonathan, if he decides to contest? That can be taken for granted.

I cannot speak about the relationship that the President has with individual governors, but what I know generally is that President Jonathan has excellent relationship, not just with the Southsouth governors, not just with me and Governor Akpabio, but with all the governors. The President is the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

How can the protracted crisis in the PDP be resolved?

Politics is the act of reconciling differences. Politics, by its very nature, particularly within the context of a democracy, engenders discontent; other times wisdom and ambition. All of these are legitimate.

That is the very nature of politics.

For a major and indeed, the biggest political party in the country, which has been in power for a long time now, people should not be surprised that once in a while, there are differences of opinion. That is normal in a political party. Even in the small political parties, they have differences. The PDP remains very strong.

I do not think there is any major cause for worry.

Why are PDP leaders jittery because of the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the major opposition parties?

We have not seen APC in place. It is still a proposal. With my background of active involvement in opposition politics, before I came into PDP, it is a welcome development. This country needs virile opposition parties. No political party should be allowed to control and dominate the political space in any country or any society. This view is not the conventional Nigerian political view, but I am not a conventional Nigerian politician.

Democracy should be a marketplace of ideas. Political parties should be the instrument of contest.

I personally welcome the alternative that is being proposed, but there is a difference between the proposal and the reality of having a political party on the ground. I look forward to seeing the APC emerge as a formidable alternative.

I welcome it. That is the right thing to do and the country will be happier for it. But the leaders of the APC should do more than they are talking.

The PDP is not threatened. We have more governors. We have the Federal Government that is doing well, but Nigerians need a viable opposition to propose alternative viewpoints and ideas.

‘This country needs virile opposition parties. No political party should be allowed to control and dominate the political space in any country or any society. This view is not the conventional Nigerian political view, but I am not a conventional Nigerian politician. Democracy should be a marketplace of ideas. Political parties should be the instrument of contest’ •Dickson

Many National Assembly members and other politicians who worked against you during the last election attended your first anniversary. What is the secret?

It is not a feat that I should attribute to myself. That is the spirit of the new Bayelsa. I have been a consensus builder. Politics is the act of building consensus. Political leaders are our fountains of wisdom. Building consensus and breaking down barriers are essential.

Differences of opinion must be respected.

Anybody can be a governor.

Whoever emerges after the election, it is expected that the people will support the person. That people who did not support me are coming around, I thank them very well.

That is the right thing to do. That is the feeling of the new Bayelsa. We are building an all-inclusive system. We are all stakeholders.

My stake in this state is not bigger than their own. It is just that I am the custodian of the collective stakes. I do not see myself as having a superior stake. With that mindset, it makes it easy for me to consult them. Their views are taken into consideration. Where I disagree, everybody knows me. I will tell them plainly.

Even, when we agree and disagree, we should do so in the best interest of our people. Once you have that at the back of your mind, it makes things easy. So, I want to thank them for coming around. We hope to build consensus and a united Bayelsa.

Your administration has just put in place a law that recommends death penalty for kidnapping. Will you have the political will to sign kidnappers’ death warrants?

I hope my political will won’t be tested. We do not want any kidnapping in Bayelsa. The rate of kidnapping in the state has recently dropped. Criminality has dropped in Bayelsa State. Even one incident of kidnapping is too much. That is one thing we do not want to hear.

We want to maintain safety on the waterways in Bayelsa. We are making serious investments, most of which we will unfold shortly. The capacity we have and the mindset we are encouraging in this state, anybody that comes to Bayelsa to commit crime cannot go free.

Our response time for distress calls is about three minutes in Yenagoa and its environs, which is commendable. But we want to extend that all over Bayelsa, particularly along the waterways, which are very difficult to police.

We are going forward and we hope that criminality will be a thing of the past. For kidnapping and related offences, in respect of which I have assented to the law, we hope that people will listen and stay away from kidnapping. Bayelsa State is a no-go-area, as far as kidnapping and related violent offences are concerned. Anybody who tests our will, will face the full wrath of the law.

Are your administration’s development projects meeting the expectation of the people of the state?

We are being commended for restoring the lost glory of Bayelsa State. I thank everybody for their support and encouragement, but it is not yet Uhuru. Bayelsa is still a far cry from where I will like it to be. Are we there yet? Certainly no.

But what I know is that we have used the last one year laying a foundation. We will build on it.

Talking about projects and programmes that are close to my heart, people are quite familiar with my priorities. The most challenging problem of our time is that of human capacity development. That is education.

Today, as I finish the interview, I will be going to inspect the Teacher Training Institute that I have started.

We have programmes and projects that are of human capacity development. Scholarships, building of new schools, building of schools for vocational training and others are very particular to me.

There are also infrastructure projects that are on-going and we must open up the economy. You cannot do so without infrastructure.

You cannot also rule out our investment in agriculture and tourism.

There is so much to be done. In all these, investment in human capacity building is very important. Development comes first, but human being is the most important resource. No investment in that sector is too much or misplaced.

The devastating floods of 2012 greatly affected Bayelsa State, leading to loss of lives and property.

The Nigerian Meteorological

Agency has just asked Nigerians to expect more floods this year. How prepared is your administration?

It is a wake-up call. Good that the warning came quite early. It is a clarion call for people, especially those at the helm of affairs, to be proactive. Last year, the flood was terrible, but the effects would have been far worse, particularly in Yenagoa City, but for our timely intervention in opening up the various water courses that had been blocked over the years.

Some people did not understand it initially. They thought it was highhandedness, when houses were broken and other structures or things were pulled down. Later, when the floods came, that Yenagoa City was not evacuated was because of the proactive steps taken by the Bayelsa State government. So, the flood warning should be taken seriously.

I intend, next week, to empanel a technical committee to address the issue and come up with an immediate plan of action. How that will be, I do not know. But something has to be done. We will take steps, within our powers and available resources, to ensure that we lighten the burden for our people.

During your first anniversary, you inaugurated the Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC), whose Advisory Board you are chairing, with Ambassador Lawrence Ekpebu as your deputy.

What was the motivation?

While I was campaigning, I knew clearly that the economy was a major challenge and we needed to address the economy. In Bayelsa, you do not have manufacturing companies. The economy is completely dependent on government. That affects the people’s attitude, the political culture, our IGR (Internally Generated Revenue) status and other things.

So, I know that in going forward, there is the need to expand the base of the economy. I am not a businessman. I may not even be, but I know that there are outstanding business people and people who had played critical roles in various sectors of our economy over the years from Bayelsa State. I knew that I was going to empanel the team made up of financial experts to look at the various ways by which our economy can be diversified, because in this state, we know that oil and gas resources are wasted assets.

If you visit Oloibiri, which is just five to ten minutes drive from here (Government House, Yenagoa), you will see what we mean. Most states probably do not know that oil wells get dried up. We know that in Bayelsa, because of Oloibiri and other oil wells that are now dry.

Therefore, there is the need to begin to expand the base of our economy, as much as we can, to prepare for the days without oil.

I do not feel we are running economies that are sustainable. Any economy that depends on revenue allocation from the Federal Government is not a sustainable economy.

There are very few state economies that are sustainable in this country, especially Lagos, with the capacity to generate enough revenue to fund •Continued on page 44

44

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

POLITICS Local government elections will hold in Gombe State on Saturday. VINCENT OHONBAMU examines the strengths and weaknesses of the parties.

‘APC ‘ll bring succour to Nigerians’

A

Scramble for grassroots power in Gombe

T

HE people of Gombe State will troop out on Saturday to elect new councillors and chairmen of local governments. The preparation for the polls has been marred with controversy. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not rained an eyebrow over the arangements made by the state electoral agency. But the opposition parties have criticised the the electoral commission and headed for the court to stop the exercise.

The chairman of the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC, Mr. Caleb Maina, has assured the parties of a level playing ground. He pledged with their leaders to support the agency in the interest of democracy.

Five years ago, the opposition parties have criticised the commission for partiality. They alleged that the agency deliberately excluded their candidates from the exercise.

The tenure of the local government chairmen had expired two years ago.

Since then, the state government has set up caretaker committees for the councils. But the opposition parties cried foul, saying that it is unconstitutional. They complained that the governor was deliberately avoiding local government elections.

The excuse has always been the security challenges confronting the nation, especially the Northeast zone.

But the opposition parties disagreed, pointing out that Gombe has been relatively peaceful.

Following the release of the timetable, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) held primaries and submitted the lists of their candidates to the commission.

However, the parties later met a brick wall. The commission imposed N500, 000, N250, 000 and N150, 000 on the chairmanship , deputy chairmanship and councilorship candiates as form fees.

The chairman of the CPC, Audu Baba Kwami, said only the PDP can afford the prohibitive fees. He said the opposition parties would boycott the polls, if the commission insists on the fees.

“We are ready and have screened our candidates and we will send the list to GOSIEC, but we will not pay that money. If, because of this, we will be disqualified from contesting, then, we will go to court. That is our stand,” he warned.

The House of Representativea member from Kwami/Gombe/ Funakaye Constituency, Mr. Khamisu Mailantarki, also criticised the electoral agency, saying that elective posiions are not for sale. He called on Governor Ibrahim

•Gov. Dankwambo

Dankwambo to intervene in the situation. But the governor said that he would not dictate to the commission.

However, GOSIEC’s spokesman, Abare Daba, said the decision to impose the fees was in order, adding that it has the blessing of the House of Assembly.

He denied the allegation that GOSIEC is an income-generating agency, explaining that the imposition of electoral levy is not new in the country.

But can the election still hold, in view of the litigation triggered by the preparation for the exercise?

Baba, who is a lawyer, argued that the law passed by the House of Assembly on the nomination fee must conform with the provision the 1990 Constitution. “The law of the state must be subjected to the laws of the country”, he said.

Baba said that, if the court declares the fees illegal, then, the entire process would be deemed to be illegal.

APC: Parties prepare for national conventions

O

PPOSITION parties are preparing for their national con ventions to formally approve the formation of All Progressives Congress(APC), the Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has disclosed in Lagos.

He described the extra-ordinary conventions being planned by the political parties as a critical element of the merger process. Following the resolution of the parties at the conventions, which must be witnessed by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party chairmen will consequently notify the electoral agency that they have merged into APC, Mohammed said.

The letters conveying the decision to merge must also be signed by the party chairmen, secretaries and treasurers. The ACN chieftain said within 30 days, INEC must respond to the collective request for merger in either a positive or negative way. If no response is forth-coming, he said the merger instantly takes effect at the expiration of the 30 days. From that time, the participating parties will

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Group Political Editor

cease to exist.

The parties may share information and ideas on the modalities for conducting the conventions, but they may not hold simultaneously because INEC officials must participate. Indeed, a 21-day notice to INEC about the special convention must be fulfilled as a critical condition.

Mohammed indicated that the separate conventions may hold in the spate of two months from now, but the detailed arrangements are for the parties.

However, only three parties are making plans to hold national conventions for now. They are the ACN, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). The fourth party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is still divided on the issue. While key figures in the party, including Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and Senator Annie Okonkwo are actively involved in the merger, the party hierarchy has not given their definite backing.

Mohammed, who spoke on a live television programme, cautioned against viewing the merger process from the participation of the parties alone. He explained that groups and individuals are also involved in the attempts to liberate the country from the jaw of the inept Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government. He said, with the birth of the new party, there will now be a balance of terror in the polity.

The ACN chieftain said preparations for the conventions have become the next assignment, following the agreement on the logo of the APC in principle. He stressed: “We have agreed on the logo, in principle. What remains is that the merging parties will hold extra-ordinary national conventions to pass resolutions that they have merged. The conventions must be witnessed by the INEC. “After the conventions, the chairmen of the merging parties will write letters to inform INEC. It will be signed by the chairmen, secretaries and treasurers of the parties. The letter from a political party must be accompanied by N100,000. Within 30 days, INEC must say yes or no”.

•President Goodluck Jonathan, (second right), Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam (left) his Oyo State counterpart Abiola Ajimobi and Senator Mohammed Sale at the African Union meeting in Ethiopia.

FEDERAL legislator Mr. Hakeem Muniru has urged Nigerians to embrace the proposed party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), assuring that it will reposition the country for excellence.

He told reporters in Lagos that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has outlived its usefulness. Muniru, who represents Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 11 in the House of Representatives, said, with the birth of the APC, the days of PDP are numbered in the Aso Villa.

Also, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Wahab Alawiye-King and the chairman of Odiolowo-Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Mr. Adeyemi Alli, a applauded the merger of the opposition parties, describing it as a step forward in the struggle to liberate Nigerians.

Muniru said: “This is one of the best political decisions in the history of democracy in the country”.

The legislator said the selfless approach of the APC leaders

should be applauded. He stressed: “I’m quite impressed with the selfless attitude of our leaders in forming this new party and I’m convince that the time has come for the liberation of Nigerians from the misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”.

Muniru assured Nigerians that APC will set up an accountable and transparent government that will give dividends of democracy to Nigerians Alawiye-King urged Nigerians to support the initiative to halt the inept PDP administration.

He added: “The APC is on a rescue mission and I want to assure Nigerians to rally round the party and support the initiative of our leaders”.

Alli said that it was obvious that Nigerians have lost hope in the PDP government, urging them to support the agitation for power shift to the progressives.

He added: “With the APC, we are on rescue mission and I want to assure Nigerians that this new adventure will bring positive results. But we need their cooperation and support to succeed”.

‘No room for one-party system’ •Continued from page 43

their services and development. I want Bayelsa to begin on that note, to self sufficiency.

Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation will also place the economy of Bayelsa S tate on the world map. Which is why the BDIC has already set up its international headquarters in London and the African regional headquarters in South Africa. These are major economic centres. So, that we can key-in the pool of investments outside and also attract capital, local and foreign, and human resources to manage it.

I want to thank the leaders of Bayelsa and elders who volunteered to be part of it and many Bayelsans, within and outside Nigeria, who are going to serve on the board, as honourary members.

Top managing directors of banks in Nigeria, top businessmen in this country and outside have aslready indicated their willingness to join the board, because they have seen the sincerity of our vision and they have seen the clarity of the vision and they agreed to be part of it. We want them to turn Bayelsa to a new Dubai. The new Dubai of Nigeria.

The new Dubai of Africa and it is possible. If they did it in Dubai, why can’t we do it in Bayelsa and other parts of Nigeria?

How transparent is your administration’s transparency initiative, in view of your promise of placing emphasis on transparency and accountability?

Everything I promised, we have tried to fulfil. Transparency has become a cornerstone of our government. We feel that, that is the right way to go. Democracy is all about openness and recognising the rights of the people to participate and know.

Our transparency programme is on course. Every month, I address the state and I explain the details of their income and expenditure. To show how seriously we take the matter, we have even by the law, made it an impeachable offence and gross misconduct, if a governor fails to do so for three months consecutively. That law has also placed a burden, a responsibility and duty on the part of local government chairmen, to also do so at the local government level.

We may not be there yet, but we have started a system by which the rights of the people to know about what resources they have and how these resources are managed are respected and critical to going forward.

Are you not afraid of disclosing

the figures?

No. I am not afraid. It is the right of the people to know. The resources of the state are not the personal property of any governor.

That is part of the issues I have with the council chairmen. The resources that go to the local governments cannot be treated as pocket money of the chairmen and the cabal in the local government areas that want to feed fat on public revenue.

People must learn to work. If I as governor or anybody in my government want to do anything, want to be a business person, you will have to resign, to go and be a businessman. The government is to address the problems of the people.

Government’s resources are to be channeled to solving the problems of the state and transparency is the right of every people to expect and it is the duty of every government to offer.

What is your advice to the youths of Bayelsa State and the N I have told them that I am not the governor because I am the best among them in Bayelsa. Probably, even the least. Going by my background and how it has pleased God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, to elevate me, with the support of the people of this state to the position of governor, I have always said that if I, who started from the humble beginning as a recruit constable, could get to this level and occupy the other offices, I do not think God is through yet with me.

The young people of Bayelsa State, the young people of Niger Delta and the young people of Nigeria should take a cue, to know that if they work hard and play by the rules, have confidence in themimprovement and respect constituted authorities, respect the laws and the norms of our society and work hard to educate themselves, empower themselves and dream big dreams and the sky is their limit.

President Goodluck Jonathan has also told the story of how he started.

The son of a canoe carver, but today he is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He started by going to school without shoes.

It is not just my personal story or the story of the President. The important thing is that the young people in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta and Nigeria should learn that the idea of having to have everything overnight does not pay. Cultism, getting involved in drug abuse and getting involved in other forms of criminality do not pay.

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A day with nature at Ikogosi warm spring

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N the last one decade, I have always stayed indoors sleeping most of the time on Christmas Day. I did the same thing during last year’s Christmas season. As I was dozing off, my two sons, four and two years respectively, sauntered into the room excitedly. They shouted, Daddy! Daddy!! Mummy said we are going to Ikogosi tomorrow!

I just told them I have heard so that they would allow me to enjoy my sleep. When I woke up, I asked their mother when they decided to go to Ikogosi. She told me that it was the decision of the children; including my younger brother, his wife and children.

She told me we should go and see the place the government has spent so much on. So, I agreed.

I have gone there a couple of times officially to see the level of work done but not as a tourist.

The following day, December 26 was Boxing Day. We set out around 12 noon in a convoy of three vehicles (one of them a space bus) with some of our cousins and some family friends who visited. We took off from AdoEkiti; passing through Ilawe Road to Erijiyan and finally to Ikogosi. The journey, which took us about 30 minutes, was smooth because the roads have been resurfaced by the Fayemi administration. Another route that leads to Ikogosi is the Efon-Ipole-IloroIkogosi Road which has also been resurfaced.

We were astounded by the crowd we met at Ikogosi. There was no packing space left at the expansive newly constructed parking lot. There were many tourists from far and near and this included foreigners who have come to see the newly transformed Ikogosi Warm Springs Resorts on which much has been written about in the media; especially on the social media.

It is a wonderful and unique site because hot and cold water co-exist side by side and flow on separate paths even though both met at a point. Also, a palm tree and an ordinary tree shared the same root and grew together. The folklore of the town has it that the warm and cold water were wives of a man. The hot water is the troublesome wife while the cold water is the gentle and peace-loving wife.

The hot water is believed to have healing powers and its efficacy is attested to by the natives of the Ikogosi Community. The water is reputed to be a good cure for hypertension, arthritis and

•Tourists moving into the canopy of trees at the Ikogosi warm spring

I believe there is nowhere in the world where cold and warm water meets, except at the Ikogosi Spring. Any other one would be man-made, which is artificial. Ikogosi is a miracle of nature and a sacred place where God exhibited his power of creativity

By Hakeem Jamiu

barrenness. The water has been bottled for commercial purposes

by United African Company (UAC) in conjunction with the state government under the brand name of ‘Gossy Water.’

The word Gossy is an acronym from the town Ikogosi. The hot water is piped directly from the source to the company located about 1 km to the site.

There were two entrances to the spring area. The first was the main gate which is the traditional entrance before the transformation while the second is the natural pathway made of strong wood constructed right from the new chalets straight into the warm spring area.

The chalets are almost ready and this contains about 100 rooms. There is a large field in the newly designed and reconstructed resort centre which is also a playground for children.

A lift for rural women •Continued from Page 17

ter now. We will equally take care of the person. We cannot remain in perpetual darkness. Education is the key to success.

“Some of the people, who we helped to establish small businesses in October, 2012 are doing well. Let us, at least, stop for now from relying on government or our husbands. Let us tell the

world that we are capable of standing on our own.

“I believe in the biblical injunction that we should love our neighbour as ourselves. That is one of the motivating factors in realising the dream I had.

“God does not hate anybody.

We are the architects of our problems in life. This programme will be a continuous exercise,” Chukwuogor said.

•Approaching Ikogosi warm spring

There are 30 and 60-seater halls for meetings and functions; a newly-constructed adult swimming pool and another for children with a modern changing room.

The warm water in the swimming pools was piped directly

from the source of the warm spring. There is restaurant and bar to cater for the needs of those who came for camping. There is arts and craft centre. It is a beautiful sight to behold because of its unusual location.

Sandwiched between undulat-

ing hills and valleys, the warm and cold spring resort centre is a sight that one sees only in dreams with its picturesque scenery.

Close circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed as •Continued on Page 46

Community, PHCN at daggers drawn •Continued from Page 17 officials of PHCN confessed to leaders of the community that they were working on instructions from above. They also said that Logo1 Community proved recalcitrant and therefore should be punished.

They decided that the community should not enjoy any basic amenity,” he said.

The community leader wondered why a transformer that is less than seven months old could be declared damaged beyond repairs by PHCN that took over in less than 24 hours.

He said the community had concluded arrangement to drag the Makurdi Business District, the Head of Technical and Jos Distribution zone to court to seek redress. The community calls on the Federal Government to hasten the process of privatising PHCN for efficient management.

He further explained that with the present crop of PHCN staff, any effort by government towards im-

proved power supply would be a waste of resources; as the bulk of PHCN officials constitute stumbling block to steady power supply.

“What is the responsibility of PHCN? We got our transformer, poles, cables, insulators and feeder pillars. Yet, they have frustrated our efforts. At the end of the day, they will come with their bills,” said Omole.

When contacted, the Public Affairs Manager of PHCN, Makurdi Business District Mr. Uche Oranye said he was not aware of the matter. He also said he would get clarification from Jos Distribution zone before commenting on the matter.

Logo 1 Community may continue to remain in darkness unless government intervenes and quickly too.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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A day with nature at Ikogosi warm spring •Continued from Page 45

well as the construction of a perimeter fence to ensure security.

Farther into the hills around the resort centre is the site of the first plane crash in Nigeria which happened in 1942. This will also be developed as another tourist site in due course.

We were 21 in number. The number of fun seekers inside the main centre is estimated to be about 3, 000. I was shocked! This included women, children and foreigners. Many of them were taking turns in touching the warm and the cold water at the point where the two meet. Those who were there for the first time were amazed at the unexplainable wonder of nature.

Both warm and cold water flows side by side and yet each maintained its path and this has been so for centuries. Some of the fun seekers were at the source of the warm water which is high up and they wondered how the water could spring from such a small source and yet it gushes out non-stop all seasons. The source of the water has been redesigned with artistic images which give an impression of a treasured heritage.

Some of the tourists came with 4-litre kegs to fetch the warm water directly from its source. This is because of their belief in its efficacy as an elixir of hypertension, arthritis and infertility.

The uniqueness of Ikogosi is

underscored by Richard Burke, an Irish Bishop when he visited the place and said: “I believe there is nowhere in the world where cold and warm water meets, except at the Ikogosi Spring. Any other one would be man-made, which is artificial.

Ikogosi is a miracle of nature and a sacred place where God exhibited his power of creativity.”

Different types of music was blaring from many directions of the centre and many people; especially children, were dancing while the newly-constructed thatched roof huts were all occupied by families who were enjoying themselves.

When I looked around, I saw our kids dancing Azonto and D’Banj’s Top of the World with other children under one of the thatched huts. Many of the tourists were posing for pictures while the foreigners there were asking questions about the warm and cold spring; especially at the meeting point.

I saw a group of students from a private University in Ogun State on excursion and it was obvious that they had fun. Like other tourists, we also came with loads of food which we ate under a tree on the open field. We became another centre of attraction to other tourists when I brought out a toy helicopter which I bought for my kids and operated it.

The helicopter is powered by remote control which lifts it from the ground to space and it can

•Ikogosi Swiming pool

fly as high as 10 meters above sea level and could be brought down by the remote but once it is out of the sensor of the remote control, it will crash land which happened several times.

Many tourists came to the open field with their camera phones to take pictures and record the wonderful toy helicopter and the kids were especially thrilled as they took turns to fly it. We left the resort centre after about five hours of uninterrupted fun.

The volume of tourists that the warm and cold spring recorded

•Wife of the Chairman, Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area, Mrs Ganiyat Oluwatoyin Bolaji and the award recipients

Group urges chastity among youths

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OUTHS in Ijanikin area of Lagos State have been advised to show genuine love for their fellow mankind. Miss Olajumoke Bolaji of Jummy Edu Tainment Concept gave the advice as the organisation hosted youths in the area at a banquet during the Valentine’s Day celebration.

Speaking at the Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area Town Hall in Ijanikin, Miss Olajumoke Bolaji who is in charge of the organisation explained that commemoration of Valentine’s Day is meant to make the youth imbibe the virtue of love and fellow-feeling; thereby bringing about true reformation process.

She said: “We actually want to show them love so that they can replicate it anywhere they find

By Emmanuel Udodinma

themselves.

Clad in white, pink, purple and red coloured outfits, the youth displayed talents in dancing and drama. There was a question and answer session during which the youth dazzled.

Jummy Edu Tainment Concept presented some awards to some youths who were adjudged to be best dancer, best ushers, best outstanding colour combination, best loving mother, and best outstanding performance.

A lecture delivered by Dr M.A. Dauda of Adeniran Ogunsaya College of Education Ijiankin Lagos dwelt on Purity and Pre-marital Sex.

Dr Dauda lamented the rate at which youths lose their virginity, even as he warned that the consequences of pre-marital sex are enormous. He challenged youths to jealously preserve their virginity until they get married. He further said that the benefits of chastity are farreaching.

He called on singles to strive to keep their virginity as enduring legacy. “Virginity remains the highest gift a woman can give to the husband.’’

He also commended the organisation for its efforts in promoting purity among youths.

One of the beneficiaries of the award, Miss Chidinma Agbugba said she was excited. “I’m happy,” she said.

shows that the place has been a hidden but untapped gold mine all these years. The centre hosted daily an average of 4, 000 visitors during festive period in 2012 when it opened for test running.

This means the place is capable of generating unprecedented revenue for the state government if its potential are properly har-

nessed. The Ikogosi experience on Boxing Day lingers on such that my two-year-old boy told me on the eve of his resumption to school that, Daddy, “I am not going to school tomorrow. I am going to Ikogosi with my helicopter.”

•Jamiu writes from Ado-Ekiti

Council chief advises residents

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HAIRMAN, Ikeja Local Government Area, Hon Wale Odunlami has enjoined the residents to continue to support and cooperate with the council by paying their levies, dues and rates which, he said, will help in moving the council forward. He stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the council’s secretariat.

He said: “It is only by paying our taxes, rates and dues that the council would have funds to provide necessary basic amenities.”

He implored the residents to endeavour to maintain the amenities provided for them in order to prevent government from spending money unnecessarily on repairs of the facilities.

The council boss also used the opportunity to appeal to the residents to maintain peace and understanding, as no government would be able to achieve any meaningful development in an atmosphere of chaos and rancour.

He opined that most fire incidents are as a result of human error and carelessness. He, therefore, urged the residents to be more safety conscious and proactive in order to save the society from unnecessary outbreak of fire that could wreak havoc on lives and property.

He also advised that fire extinguishers should be provided in homes, offices and vehicles for safety purposes.

Continuing he said: “More efforts will be made towards reducing the wide gap between the rich and the poor.”

The council distributed food stuff

•Hon Odunlami

By Duro Babayemi

such as garri to over 1,000 residents from the six wards of the local government. This is one of the ways the council tackles poverty.

“It is only gestures like this that would truly narrow down the gap between the rich and the poor,” he said.

Priorities were given to widows, the aged, women, youths and other less-privileged individuals.

On waste disposal, the council boss urged the residents to desist from dumping wastes in drains to allow free flow of water to prevent any incidence of flooding and contamination in the area.

He stressed that the council’s sanitation department is adequately prepared to monitor and protect the environment and to equally prosecute residents who flouted environmental laws.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

The state government had procured additional state-of-the-art plant and equipment to make the task of road rehabilitation, manhole cover replacement and drain construction easier and faster. We are even expecting more before the end of this year

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AGOS State government has expressed its determination to make residents’ movement hitch-free. It has therefore set a target of rehabilitating about 1,000 roads; a proposal that has been captured in the 2013 budget.

Chairman of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), Mr. Gbenga Akintola revealed this while addressing journalists at his office in Ojodu Berger, Lagos.

Akintola, who addressed the conference along with top officials of the corporation, expressed the determination of the state government to improve and strengthen synergy with the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in order to achieve its goal of potholefree Lagos.

He, however, complained about the increasing vandalisation of manhole covers and gratings across the state, saying that the state is losing a whopping sum of taxpayers’ money annually.

On the corporation’s achievement in the 2012 fiscal regime, he said about 705 roads were effectively maintained just as 241 roads “have been maintained between January and now.”

He further said the government also plans to fix 250 gratings; replace 100 manhole covers; and construct drains in about 17 locations in nine local government and local council development areas.

He noted that the state government had procured additional state-of-the-art plant and equipment “to make the task of road re-

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OUTHS, under the aegis of Nigerian Youths Organisation (NYO) have met in Anambra State to deliberate on their future.

The youth converged on Emmaus House in Awka, the Anambra State capital to chart a way forward for themselves and the country.

Led by its National President, Alhaji Ahmed B. Musa (Dan Iyan Zamfara), the youth also took time off to reward those they felt had championed the cause of youth in

•From left: Head, Mechanical, Engr. Olamide Daniju; Chairman, Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Gbenga Akintola and Director, Engr.

Rasheed Teslim-Balogun during a press briefing on the corporation’s 2013 road maintenance strategy held at the agency’s Banquet Hall, OjoduBerger, Lagos.

Lagos to rehabilitate 1,000 roads

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

habilitation, manhole cover replacement and drain construction easier and faster. We are even expecting more before the end of this year.”

Mr Akintola, however, lamented the continual removal and vandalisation of manhole covers by some members of the public, who

sell them for monetary gains in the scrap metal markets.

He further explained that, apart from series of communication channels “used in enlightening them on the dire consequence of the act, we realised that the removal of manhole continued across the state.

“We therefore came up with a new product made of recycled plastic (composite resin fibre,

which has zero market value unlike the previous one made of cast iron.) We, however, realised that even the recycled plastic products are also being vandalised or stolen,” Akintola said.

He also explained that the state government’s collaboration with FERMA would be strengthened “to effectively maintain and rehabilitate federal roads across all the local councils in the state.

Youths rise against social ills From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

the country. Such people included Governor Peter Obi, a philanthropist and oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze, who received different categories of awards.

Others honoured were Sir Jonah Eze, Chief Vincent Obianodu (Young Shall Grow Motors); Chief Ugochukwu Okeke; Chief Pat

Obianwu; Chief Obi Okoli; Chief Tony Offia and Don Umealor.

Chairman of Anambra State chapter of Nigeria Youths Organisation Comrade Ozoemena Unegbu told Newsextra that the group has the zeal to re-orient and refocus the Nigeria youths by inculcating in them refined lifestyles and values that would enable them to shun all forms of vices and

violence.

The organisation, according to him, was established in 1980 and aims at building a virile and more united Nigeria. Its motto is “commitment to excellence and patriotism.”

Unegbu said: “It is a fact that the Nigerian youth cannot hold his head high and beat his chest and say that he has achieved a lot like his counterparts in other parts of the world.

“This is because the socio-economic and political factors prevalent in the society have succeeded in pushing him to the background; the society views him as a drug addict, a drunk, a cheat, a prostitute, a thug, and a rapist. All these we want to correct.”

The National President of the group, Alhaji Musa revealed that the group is not under the influence of any individual or group, adding that it is also non-tribal, non-religious, non-sectional and non-political.

He said:”Take note that the destiny of this country is in our hands.

It is time to come together

“With the directive of Governor Babatunde Fashola, LSPWC recently commenced sales of asphalts at discount rate to FERMA so as to enable it to respond more promptly and effectively to road maintenance needs. If this synergy continues, it will be one major way of bringing relief to Lagosians, especially as regards federal roads,” the corporation explained. and move the country forward by shunning thuggery, arm robbery, kidnapping and prostitution, among others.

“I therefore call on our youths in Igbo land that these things are not your portion and not in your characters. You are known to be hard working men and women and that is why those representing you at the state and National Assembly are among the best.”

Though Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha who was the guest key speaker was absent, he sent a representative. Over 1,000 youths from all the South-east states and the entire country were in Anambra for the event.

Unegbu further called on state governments to involve youths in their programmes and policies.

However, they solicited for help from public-spirited individuals, patrons and governments at all levels to enable them to reach to the Promised Land.

Others who spoke at the event included the chairman of the planning committee, Comrade Henry Okoro, secretary (NYO) in the state, Comrade Azuka Nwobu and Comrade Onyedika Eweh, social and welfare secretary of the group, among others.

Take note that the destiny of this country is in over hands. It is time to come together and move the country forward by shunning thuggery, arm robbery, kidnapping and prostitution, among others •From left: Alhaja Sarata Ajasa; Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government Area, Hon Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni and Taoreed Jinadu during the second edition of Social Security Programme for the elderly in Lagos Island

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

Equities regain bullish run as Nestle hits N910

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 19-2-13

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HE Nigerian stock market resumed its upswing yesterday as Nestle Nigeria Plc led other large manufacturing stocks to break a five-day downtrend that had moderated the strong bullish start for the year.

Nestle Nigeria, the highest-priced stock on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), rallied to a new all-time high with a gain of N50 to close at N910 per share.

Though there were more losers than gainers, substantial gains by highly capitalised stocks bolstered the overall market position, pushing up aggregate market value of equities and average return by 0.25 per cent each.

The All Share Index (ASI), the value-based common index that tracks prices of all equities, heaved up to 33,335.11 points from its

By Taofik Salako

opening index of 33,251.50 points.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities also inched up to N10.667 trillion as against its opening value of N10.641 trillion.

Investors staked about N3.65 billion on 528.21 million shares in 6,827 deals. Investors continued to show preference for low-priced stocks.

Total Nigeria placed second on the gainers’ list with addition of N2.99 to close at N140. Cadbury Nigeria followed with a gain of N1.69 to close at N39.21. Ashaka Cement rallied N1.25 to close at N25.25. Dangote Cement rose by N1.20 to close at N145. UAC of Nigeria gathered 50 kobo to close at N50.50. BOC Gases chalked up 34 kobo to close at N7.21 while Union Bank of Nige-

ria gained 28 kobo to close at N9.90.

On the other hand, Guinness Nigeria led the losers with a drop of N9 to close at N280. Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria lost N2.90 to close at N66.10. Presco dropped by N2.68 to close at N24.25. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria slipped by N2.61 to close at N49.73. Nigerian Breweries lost N2 to close at N162. Julius Berger Nigeria dropped by N1.01 to close at N59.99. Stanbic IBTC Holdings lost 72 kobo to close at N14.28. Forte Oil declined by 71 kobo to close at N13.55, while Okomu Oil Palm and Cement Company of Northern Nigeria lost 64 kobo and 59 kobo to close at N60.99 and N11.27 respectively.

Further analysis showed that Courteville was the most active stock with a turnover of 75.03 million valued at N37.51 million in six deals.

Unity Bank ranked second on the activity chart with a turnover of 46.90 million shares worth N39.73 million in 258 deals. United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc occupied the third position with a turnover of 39.1 million shares worth N303.65 million in 354 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 19-2-13

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MONEY LINK

CBN raises states’, LGAs’, MDAs’ credit risk to 200%

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HE risk weight assigned to direct lending to Local Governments, States, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Governments (MDAs) has been raised from 100 per cent to 200 per cent by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

CBN Director, Banking Supervision, Mrs Tokunbo Martins disclosed this in a letter to banks and discount houses published on its website yesterday.

She said investments in Federal Government of Nigeria Bonds will continue to attract zero per cent risk weight. However, State Government Bonds, that meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Guidelines for Granting Liquidity Status for State Government Bonds would continue to be risk weighted at 20 per cent.

Mrs Martins however said: “Where the exposure to any industry economic sector (as de-

•’Banks’ liquidity, returns improved’

By Collins Nweze

fined by the International Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Sector as issued by the CBN) is in excess of 20 per cent of the total credit facilities of a bank, the risk weight of the entire portfolio shall be 150 per cent. Total exposure to a particular industry would include off-balance sheet engagements in which the bank takes the credit risk,” she said.

The CBN Director said the review of risk weights assigned to some identified exposures was without prejudice to the risk management control functions put in place by banks and discount houses to mitigate credit concentration risks. It is also in line with its risk-based supervisory

agenda of the banking watchdog.

She noted that the recent crisis in the Nigerian banking industry highlighted several weaknesses in the system, key of which was the excessive concentration of credit in the asset portfolios of banks.

“Past experience revealed concentrations across products, business lines, and legal entities. The management of concentrations, or pools of exposures, whose collective performance may potentially affect a bank negatively, needs to be properly managed through the establishment of sound risk management processes,” she said.

“Without prejudice to the risk management control functions put in place by banks and

discount houses to mitigate credit concentration risks, the Central Bank of Nigeria, in line with its risk-based supervisory review process has reviewed the risk weights assigned to some identified exposures. The risk weight assigned to direct lending to Local Governments, States, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Governments (MDAs) is increased from 100 per cent to 200 per cent,” she said.

Mrs Martins said that all breaches of single obligor limits without the prior approval of the CBN will be regarded as impairment to capital. Besides, she said that for the purposes of credit transactions, banks’ related parties within a holding company structure will include, among others, the

financial holding company (FHC), and other subsidiaries within the group.

She said that credit transactions by the bank within the group would be treated as FHC lending to a bank within its group. Also, the bank should treat the loan as a liability but credit by a bank to its FHC would be regarded as a return of capital and deducted from the capital of the bank in computing its capital adequacy.

However, bank lending to subsidiaries within its group especially where the credit is fully secured, (CRR), would be assigned a risk weight of 100 per cent, otherwise it would be deducted from the capital when computing capital adequacy.

Meanwhile, CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Kingsley Moghalu said yesterday that Nigerian banks have improved significantly in liquidity and returns

•CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

on equity, making them stronger and resilient.

Speaking at the 2013 Standard Bank West Africa Investors’ Conference held in Lagos, Martins who represented Moghalu said the CBN has adjusted the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), which assisted the sector to achieve price stability. Moghalu said the banking watchdog is committed to achieving financial system stability.

N13.5b debt: Babalakin, AMCON in out-of-court settlement

R

OYGATE Properties Limited - owned by businessman-lawyer, Wale Babalakin and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) have initiated discussions aimed at settling out- of-court, The Nation learnt yesterday.

The row between the duo stemmed from the alleged N13.5billion debt owed by Roygate. In execution of an order by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, officials of the Federal High Court, Lagos had, sealed

By Eric Ikhale

off a property located on 43A, Afribank Street, Victoria Island on February 8. The asset was said to have been pledged by the company in tripartite legal mortgage registered on October 14, 2010 between Roygate (the borower) , Stabilini Visioni Limited (surety/mortgagor) and Guaranty Trust Bank (the lender).

The corporation later acquired the loan.

The Justice in the order

made ex-parte on February 5, restrained Roygate, its directors, subsidiaries and sister companies from transferring or dealing with any of its funds in 20 banks listed in the application, or anywhere else up to the N13.5billion allegedly owed by the company.

He also restrained the banks from allowing Roygate “operate any bank accounts” held by it in the banks and fixed yesterday as the return date.

Yesterday, when parties and the affected banks re-

turned to court, lawyers to Roygate and AMCON, Olawale Akoni (SAN) and Adebola Sobowale told the court that talks were on to ensure amicable settlement of the dispute.

Akoni told the court that he received a call from his client, before entering the court, to the effect that “talk is going on between parties.” He said he had told AMCON’s lawyer about the development and sought an adjournment.

Sobowale confirmed the

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

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 19-2-13

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

DNMEYER PRESTIGE NESTLE ASHAKACEM BOCGAS WAPIC CUTIX JOHNHOLT CADBURY EVANSMED

1.63 0.95 860.00 24.00 6.87 1.48 1.73 1.33 37.52 1.34

1.79 1.01 910.00 25.25 7.21 1.55 1.81 1.39 39.21 1.40

0.16 0.06 50.00 1.25 0.34 0.07 0.08 0.06 1.69 0.06

PRESCO CUSTODYINS FIDSON ABCTRANS GLAXOSMITH FO CCNN BETAGLAS MANSARD UBCAP

O/PRICE 26.93 2.30 1.70 0.60 52.34 14.26 11.86 9.51 2.47 1.45

C/PRICE 24.25 2.10 1.59 0.57 49.73 13.55 11.27 9.04 2.35 1.38

Rate (N)

Date

350m

150m

150m

155.2

2-7-12

350m

138m

138m

155.8

27-6-12

350m

113m

113m

155.7

22-6-12

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N) Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N)

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

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%

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

CHANGE 2.68 0.20 0.11 0.03 2.61 0.71 0.59 0.47 0.12 0.07

Exchange

Sold ($)

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 19-2-13

SYMBOL

Amount

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

lowed to go.

But AMCON’s Head, Corporate Communication, Kayode Lambo, said Roygate may have approached the corporation, indicating its willingness to commence settlement negotiation. He however, said negotiations are yet to commence. Justice Aneke has nonetheless, adjourned to February 28 for parties to either report settlement or argue on which of the pending applications should be heard first.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

development. He told the court that he has also confirmed that information about the on-going talks by the parties from his client. He agreed to a short adjournment. The court however, refused request by lawyers representing the banks to be excused from further proceedings. They had sought to be excused on the ground that having filed reruns, as ordered by the court, those without banking relationship with Roygate should be al-

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 137.30 149.46 0.80 1.13 1.02 100.00 1,000.00 1,752.64 14.66 1.39 1.87 10,616.45

9.08 1.00 136.89 149.19 0.78 1.13 1.00 100.00 1,000.00 1,750.44 13.95 1.33 1.80 10,305.95

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2012

07, Aug, 2012

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

57

NEWS Mama Awolowo to host Yoruba Unity Forum

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•Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (fourth left) with Permanent Secretaries after their swearing-in in Asaba...yesterday.

I won’t finance tour, says Oshiomhole

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HE Edo State Government has said it will not finance the Good Governance Tour programme of the Federal Ministry of Information.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole said this at an interactive session with the public on taxation.

The governor said the Minister of Information,

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Labaran Maku, who asked him to provide accommodation and feeding for over 120 delegates on the tour.

He added that the government was also asked to rent a hall and organise a stakeholders meeting for the tour.

Oshiomhole insisted that

he would not spend the state’s money on the tour.

The governor said he kicked against the suggestion that states should sponsor the tour when the matter was raised at the Governors’ Forum meeting.

He said members of the tour would be well received in the state but that he would not spend the state resources

to show projects executed by the government, which according to him, the people have seen.

Oshiomhole said it was inappropriate for the state to finance any Federal Government programme because any official trip he made to Abuja was not financed by the Federal Government.

Tukur visits PDP chieftain Oru

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HE National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur, yesterday led party leaders to visit Deputy National Chairman (Southsouth) Steve Oru, who was attacked by robbers on the Ughelli-Warri road.

Tukur urged security agencies to live up to their

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

expectations.

The PDP Chairman, who met Oru at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), said the party was grateful to God for the survival of the deputy chairman.

He praised the hospital’s

management for responding promptly when Oru was brought to the hospital.

The deputy chairman thanked the PDP leaders for the visit.

The Chief Medical Director, who was represented by Prof. Abraham Ogbemudia, assured that Oru would be discharged soon.

T

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ment and counter argument by counsel to the petitioners, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) and that of the first respondent (Governor Olusegun Mimiko), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), the tribunal granted the prayer of ACN and Akeredolu to

bring in inspected materials used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the election.

The documents, which were brought into the court room in 18 “Ghana must Go” bags, were admitted and recorded by the tribunal chairman, Justice Andovar

T

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

permit from the state government. Olabintan was arraigned for murder.

Mr. Adebiyi Ogundeyi, counsel to Babalola and Adeyemi, urged the court to grant his clients bail.

Magistrate Idowu Olayinka granted them N500,000 bail each with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must have landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and evidence of tax payment in the last three years.

The magistrate advised the counsel to the third respondent, Kayode Akinsola, to file a bail application at the High Court.

He said Olabintan was charged with murder and the case can only be adjudicated upon by the High Court.

The case was adjourned till May 14.

T

charge of Zone 5, Hashimu Saliu Argungu, yesterday presented cheques worth N3.4million to families of police officers, who died or were injured on the job.

Ten persons from Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states benefitted from the scheme, which was done under the Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (GPA).

•Tukur

Kaka’n, as exhibits.

The documents contain voter’s register validation, experts’ analysis on the voter’s register and the experts’ statements on oath.

As at press time, the materials were still being counted by one of ACN’s lawyers, Alhaji Lasun Sanusi (SAN).

Those who collected cheques included Oghenekaro Ekpe, Abumere Godday, Onefe Ekpe, Ozegun Kennedy, Sunday Olatunji, Friday Olatunji, Precious Pinakeme, Saviuor Ofem, Wilson Caroline and Emmanuel Okolo.

AIG Argungu said the gesture was part of efforts of the police administration to improve the welfare of personnel.

‘Why we need ancient Benin art works’

T

HE Federal Government yesterday said it is pushing for the return of ancient Benin bronze works from European countries.

It said the art of ancient Benin Kingdom would occupy a place of pride and showcase Nigeria’s rich history.

Minister of Culture, Tourism and the National Orientation Edem Duke said this in

The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied matter, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1) MR. AZUBIKE TOBIAH AMADI -Chairman.

2) HON. BRAVE WOBO - Vice chairman. 3) MR. ALERUCHI AMADI - Secretary.

4) MR. ENYINDA CHIKE - Trustee Member.

5) EMMA BOMS - Trustee Member.

6) MR. FELIX ANOKURU - Trustee Member.

7) FINEFACE WOBO - Trustee Member.

8) ABELE WOBO - Trustee member.

AIMS AND OBJECTIONS 1. To protect the interests of the members of the Association.

2. To cater for the welfare of the members.

3. To bring Community Liaison Officers of Elekahia Origin under one Umbrella and to ward of external interferences against our members.

Signed: BARR. I.C AZUBUIKE Reliefs Law Chambers No. 300 Aba/Portharcourt Express Road, Artillary Junction, Rivers State.

08034326004

Three masquerade worshippers N3.4m for police officers’ families HE Assistant Inspector From Osagie Otabor, Benin arraigned in Ogun for murder General of Police in HREE masquerade worshippers were yesterday arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, for the killing of an Islamic cleric, Mr. Lateef Amusa, during their Egungun festival.

The suspects are Shittu Adeyemi (61), Waidi Babalola (64) and Ajani Olabintan.

The late Amusa boarded a commercial motorcycle and was on his way to see a fellow cleric when they ran into a procession of masquerade worshippers. It was learnt that they were told to turn back and take another route, but the late Amusa refused.

An argument ensued and it was gathered that one of the masquerade worshippers shot the cleric.

The suspects were arrested.

Babalola and Adeyemi were charged with conducting a masquerade procession without a

PUBLIC NOTICE ELEKAHIA COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICERS(CLOs) ASSOCIATION

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded within twenty-eight days to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Cresent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Ondo Tribunal begins hearing HE Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital, yesterday began hearing of the petitions filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its candidate in last October’s poll, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

After a protracted argu-

ATRIARCH of the Awolowo family, Mama H.I.D. Awolowo, will tomorrow preside over the Yoruba Unity Forum’s meeting at Ikenne, Ogun State.

The meeting, which is slated for 11am at the home of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, will, among other things, discuss the report of the group’s media briefing on the marginalisation of the Yoruba by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

In a statement, the forum’s Secretary General, Senator Anthony Adefuye, said the report of the just concluded Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly Conference of Elders and Leaders, held at the Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, will also be highlighted.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Benin City at an international conference on return of Benin Objects attended by representatives of European Museums on Benin Bronzes.

The minister urged the European representatives to seek ways of discovering and recording antiquities in private hands in Europe, which remained unrecorded.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

58

NEWS Dankwambo decries anti-party HEAD of the local activities government election

A

scheduled for Saturday, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State has decried the anti-party activities of some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts.

He spoke at Bambam in Balanga Local Government where he launched the Gombe South Senatorial District campaign.

Governor Dankwambo said: “Don’t look up to the people who will come to your house at night and give you N250,000 as support for your campaigns only to give the opposition N10 million.

If they truly love you and PROBATE PUBLIC NOTICE I, DELE ABORISADE, C/O our/his/her Solicitor J. A. Adeboye Esq of No 4 Olowotokode Street, Ikire, Osun State have applied to the Probate Registry of Customary Court of Appeal for Letters of Administration to administer the estate of Late Ezekiel Aborisade of Fatimo area, Ikire who died intestate on 4/7/2012. Any objection to this application is to be forwarded to the Probate Registry of the Customary Court of Appeal, Osogbo within 14 days of this notice.

PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT MAGNIFICENT RESCUE MINISTRIES INT’L. (A.K.A GRACE ARENA) GENERAL OVERSEER: APOSTLE (DR) CHRISTIAN C. AMAJUOYI 08032652362

PUBLIC NOTICE STREET NAMING I, Casmir Nsomemchukwu Emenine, wish to inform the general public that I have applied to Isolo Local Council Development Area, that the street situated off Best Time Avenue, water side area, via palace way okota, be named CASMIR EMENINE STREET, in my favour. This is for the information of Isolo L.C.D.A and the general public.

From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

support your cause, why are they not here now?”

He expressed confidence in PDP’s ability to sweep Saturday’s election, urging the electorate to come out en masse and vote.

Dankwambo enjoined the chairmanship and councillorship candidates to justify the confidence reposed in them by observing the principles of fairness, equity and justice.

While assuring of the senatorial district’s loyalty to the party’s cause, the former Deputy Governor, John Lia’zarus Yoriyo and the zone’s PDP Chairman, Shuaibu Sabulu, advised the governor to address the neglect of Gombe South in appointments into plum offices.

Sultan felicitates with CAN on Lent

T

HE Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has on behalf of Muslims, felicitated with Christians on the Lenten season.

In a letter addressed to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Sultan congratulated Christians on witnessing another Lent.

He said: “I wish Your Grace and our Christian brothers and sisters in the country a fulfilling spiritual experience during the period and beyond. I pray that God Almighty will increase us in faith, love and peace to achieve our destiny as a nation committed to His will.

“It is remarkable that the blessing of this important period coincides with the high spirit and joy among Nigerians occasioned by the victory of the senior national football team, the Super Eagles, in the 2013 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

“As Lent offers an opportunity for spiritual rebirth and rejuvenation, just as the football victory is indicative of promise and hope for the nation, God will support Nigeria and its citizens to attain higher levels.”

PDP chieftain, two robbers killed

T

HE police in Niger State are to unravel the circumstances that led to the killing of Alhaji Azi Magama-Daji, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Magama Local Government by armed robbers, who invaded his home at Magama Daji village on Sunday night.

They are also to investigate the death of two members of the armed gang, who were believed to have been shot in the attack.

The Nation learnt that the

B

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

robbers stormed Azi's home late on Sunday and forced their way into his bedroom.

A member of the deceased's family, who spoke in confidence, said as soon as the bandits entered his room, an argument ensued.

Our source said the argument took a new turn when the robbers threatened to kill Azi. According to him, "after the initial argument be-

tween Azi and his attackers, the next we heard were gunshots and we hid in our rooms for fear of being killed. It was after the shootout that we saw Azi in a pool of his blood. We later discovered two bodies of the members of the gang."

It was further gathered that other members of the gang fled as villagers mobilised for a counter attack.

The incident took another dimension when the villagers discovered that members of the gang were from

the village. This led to a revenge on the wife and children of the head of the gang, who are seeking refuge at the village's police post.

Confirming the incident, police spokesman Pius Edobor said investigation into the matter has begun.

"A PDP chieftain was killed and two of his attackers were also suspected to have been killed."

He also confirmed that the family of the leader of the alleged leader of the bandits is in police custody to prevent a reprisal.

CNPP urges Aliyu to contest in 2015 Governor to emulate under APC State other PDP governors, who

ARELY 72 hours after Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, dropped a bombshell of the signed agreement in which President Goodluck Jonathan pledged not to contest for another term in 2015, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has urged him to declare his presidential ambition for the 2015 election on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The state chapter of the CNPP enjoined Aliyu to de-

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

fect to the new party to achieve his presidential ambition, as the merger of opposition parties would overwhelm PDP in 2015.

The motion, which was moved by Alhaji Alfa Mohammed, the state Chairman of the Social Democratic Movement Party (SDMP) and adopted by the leaders of CNPP, persuaded the Niger

have joined the APC. The political group, made up of 15 functional parties in the state, said a powerful delegation would soon be sent to the governor to invite him to join APC. According to the parties, “Governor Aliyu is a progressive. If he agrees to contest for the presidential election, CNPP will support him in actualising his dream in the mega party.”

•Aliyu

Killing of health workers condemned

T

HE national leadership of the Medical and Health Workers' Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has demanded justice for the killing of 10 health workers.

It decried the murder of 10 women in Kano State during the national programme on immunisation against polio. Nine women died immediately in the attacks in different locations, while the last victim, who was seriously injured, died yesterday morning.

The victims were Sadi Mohammed, Jamila Yusuf, Naja'atu Salisu, Hadiza Ibrahim and Ramatu Abdullahi, all members of MHWUN. Others were Hauwa Abdulrazaq, Binta Salisu, Rabi Abubakar and Hadiza Ibrahim, all health volunteers.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja and Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

According to a statement signed by the National President of the union, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the incident is a pointer to the need for the Federal Government to stop insurgency.

The union enjoined the Federal Government to end insurgency.

It said: "This tragic incident has exposed the need for the Federal Government to stop insurgency.

"We demand that justice should be done. The perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted.

"We make bold to say that this is not about religion, but about the lives of Nigerians and its continuity as a united entity. Health workers in the country stand for a unit-

ed Nigeria.

"We will try our best to ameliorate the pains of the victims' families.

"The women were killed in their prime while serving their fatherland as part of the national immunisation programme aimed at kicking out polio."

MHWUN commiserated with the families of the deceased and the Kano State council of the union.

The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) has also decried the killing of health workers in Kano State. It described the act as inhuman and barbaric.

In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Prof. Adebiyi Olowu and National Secretary, Prof. Jerome Eluyan, the association condoled with the families of the affected health workers and enjoined the Kano State Government to compensate their relations.

They noted that as an association, whose primary goal is to care for and promote the health of every Ni-

gerian child, "we condemn this barbaric and inhuman act of these evil-minded people. The majority of the childhood diseases and deaths in our country are vaccine-preventable. Immunisation of children remains pivotal to the attainment of the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly MDG 4.

"Nigeria is one of the few countries where the wild polio virus is still ravaging our children. It is disturbing that health workers that should be motivated to do this sacred job are attacked and killed with reckless abandon."

The statement said government should bring the perpetrators to book.

It added: "Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. Security should be provided for health workers performing their legitimate duties and government at all levels should remain undaunted, resolute and committed to the immunisation of the Nigerian child."

Boy, 15, arraigned for ‘rape’

A

15-YEAR-OLD boy was yesterday arraigned for ‘defiling’ a 13-year-old girl.

He allegedly committed the offence last week Monday at Omisanjana in AdoEkiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The accused, a secondary school pupil, said he did not rape the victim. He said she was his girlfriend and the sex was consensual.

He said: “She had been coming to our house before.

That day, she came and we had sex for the first time. I did not see any blood when we finished.

“I recall we had sex on Monday and they arrested me up on Tuesday. God knows I did not force the girl.

She is my girl friend.”

Defence counsel Samuel Injoku pleaded bail for his client on grounds of his age and that he did not have a

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

criminal history.

The prosecutor, Monica Ikebuilo, opposed the bail application on the ground that it would not be fair on the victim, who was still in the hospital.

Ikebuilo said the offence, on conviction, carried life imprisonment, noting that “rape cases were on the increase” and “releasing the accused would encourage his peers to commit the crime”.

She applied for a date to allow the police compile a case file and send a duplicate copy to the Director of Public Prosecution.

Magistrate Bayode 0woeye granted the accused N100,000 bail and a surety in like sum, who must be a civil servant.

He adjourned the case till March 8.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

59

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

60

FOREIGN NEWS Daring multi-million diamond heist at Brussels airport

Pistorius says no intention to kill girlfriend

P

O

SCAR Pistorius told a packed courtroom Tuesday that he shot his girlfriend to death by mistake, thinking she was a robber. The prosecutor called it premeditated murder.

The double amputee said in an affidavit read by his lawyer at his bail hearing that he felt vulnerable because he did not have on his prosthetic legs when he pumped bullets into the locked bathroom door. Then, Pistorius said in the sworn statement, he realized that model Reeva Steenkamp was not in his bed.

“It filled me with horror and fear,” he said.

He put on his prosthetic legs, tried to kick down the door, then bashed it in with a cricket bat to find Steenkamp, 29, shot inside. He said he ran downstairs with her, but “She died in my arms.”

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel on Tuesday charged the 26-year-old athlete and Olympian with premeditated murder, alleging he took the time to put on his legs and walk some seven meters (yards) from the bed to the bathroom door before opening fire. A conviction of premeditated murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in jail.

The Valentine’s Day shooting death has shocked South Africans and many around the world who idolized Pistorius for overcoming adversity to become a sports champion, competing in the London Olympics last year in track besides being a Paralympian.

Steenkamp was a model and law graduate who made her debut on a South African reality TV program that was broadcast on Saturday, two days after her death.

The magistrate ruled that Pistorius faces the harshest bail requirements available in South African law.

Nel told the court that Pistorius fired into the door of a small bathroom where Steenkamp was cowering after a shouting match. He fired four times and three bullets hit Steenkamp, the prosecutor said.

“She couldn’t go anywhere. You can run nowhere,” prosecutor Nel argued.

“It must have been horrific.”

Pistorius sobbed softly as his lawyer, Barry Roux, insisted the shooting was an accident and that there was no evidence to substantiate a murder charge.

“Was it to kill her, or was it to get her out?” he asked about the brokendown door. “We submit it is not even murder. There is no concession this is a murder.”

He said the state had provided no evidence that the couple quarreled nor offered a motive.

Nel rebutted: “The motive is `I want to kill.’”

There were affadavits from friends of Pistorius and Steenkamp read out by defense lawyer Roux in the bail

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•Oscar Pistorius in court ...yesterday

•The Reeva Steenkamp’s family outside the courthouse...yesterday

hearing.

The statements described a charming, happy couple. The night before the killing, they said, Pistorius and Steenkamp had canceled separate plans to spend the night before Valentine’s Day together at his home.

As details emerged at the dramatic court hearing in the capital, Steenkamp’s body was being cremated Tuesday at a memorial service in the south-coast port city of Port Elizabeth.

The family said members had arrived from around the world. Six pallbearers carried her coffin, draped with a white cloth and covered in white flowers, into the church for the private service.

June Steenkamp, the mother, said the family wants answers.

“Why? Why my little girl? Why did this happen? Why did he do this?” she said in an interview published Monday in The Times newspaper.

Outside the court, several dozen singing women protested against domestic violence and waved placards

urging Pistorius be refused bail.

“Pistorius must rot in jail,” one placard said.

South Africa has some of the world’s worst rates of violence against females and the highest rate in the world of women killed by an intimate partner, according to a study by the Medical Research Council. Another council study estimates a child or woman is raped every four minutes.

While homicide rates have dropped, the number of women killed by current or former partners has increased, said the council’s Professor Rachel Jewkes. At least three women are killed by a partner every day in the country of 50 million, she said.

Steenkamp campaigned actively against domestic violence and had tweeted on Twitter that she planned to join a “Black Friday” protest by wearing black in honor of a 17-yearold girl who was gang-raped and mutilated two weeks ago.

What “she stood for, and the abuse against women, unfortunately it’s

gone right around and I think the Lord knows that statement is more powerful now,” her uncle and the family spokesman Mike Steenkamp said after her memorial.

He said the family had planned a big get-together at Christmas but that had not been possible. “But we are here today as a family and the only one who’s missing is Reeva,” he said, breaking down and weeping.

Pistorius was born without fibula bones and had them amputated when he was 11 months.

The man known as the Blade Runner because of his running prostheses has lost several valuable sponsorships estimated to be worth more than $1 million a year.

On Tuesday, the athlete was ousted from a pro-gay campaign being launched in Cape Town, organizers said. In a video axed from the campaign, Pistorius says “You don’t have to worry. You don’t have to change.

Take a deep breath and remember, `It will get better.’”

Syrian rocket kills 20 in Aleppo attack

SYRIAN army rocket attack on a rebel-held district in the city of Aleppo killed at least 20 people and another 25 were missing, opposition activists said on Tuesday.

The missile was identified from its remains as a Scud-type rocket that government forces have increasingly used in areas under opposition control in the province of Aleppo and in the province of Deir a-Zor to the east, they said.

“The rocket brought down three adjacent buildings in Jabal Badro district. The bodies are being dug up gradually. Some, including children, have died in hospitals,” Mohammad Nour said by phone from Aleppo. He said testimony from survivors indicated that 25 people were still under the rubble.

Video footage showed dozens of people scouring the site for missing victims and inspecting the damage.

•25 missing A body was being pulled from under a collapsed concrete structure. At a nearby hospital, a baby said to have been dug out from under the wreckage was shown dying in the hands of doctors.

Abdeljabbar al-Akeidi, head of the rebel Aleppo Military Council in Syria’s largest city and erstwhile commercial hub, was shown in video footage inspecting the scene.

Syrian opposition fighters have captured several army bases in Aleppo in the last two months, depriving the army of secure sites from which troops have been firing artillery at rebel-held districts of the city and surrounding rural areas.

Rocket salvoes over the last week have hit the towns of Tel Rifaat and Dar Izza in rural Aleppo, as well the

eastern towns of Albu Kamal and Mou Hassan near the border with Iraq.

Abu Mujahed of the Sham News

Network opposition group in Aleppo said that although rebels were present in Jabal Badro, the area on the city’s eastern edge had little strategic value.

North Korea threatens South with ‘final destruction’

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ORTH Korea threatened South Korea with “final destruction” during a debate at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament on Tuesday, saying it could take further steps after a nuclear test last week, according to agency reports.

“As the saying goes, a new-born puppy knows no fear of a tiger. South Korea’s erratic behavior would only herald its final destruction,” North Korean diplomat Jon Yong Ryong told the meeting.

Jon’s comments drew quick criticism from other nations, including South Korea, France, Germany and Britain, whose ambassador Joanne Adamson said such language was “completely inappropriate” and the discussion with North Korea was heading in the wrong direction.

“It cannot be allowed that we have expressions which refer to the possible destruction of U.N. member states,” she said.

Spanish Ambassador Javier Gil Catalina said the comment left him stupefied and appeared to be a breach of international law.

OLICE on Tuesday were looking for eight men who made a hole in a security fence of Brussels’ international airport, drove onto the tarmac and robbed tens of millions of dollars worth of diamonds from the hold of a Swiss-bound plane.

Brussels prosecutor’s spokeswoman Anja Bijnens said Tuesday the armed and masked men used two vehicles in their daring Monday raid and within minutes made their way to the plane, took the cache of stones and drove off into the darkness.

Police found a burnt-out vehicle close to the airport later Monday night but said it was still looking for clues.

The heist was estimated at some 50 million dollars in diamonds, said Caroline De Wolf of the Antwerp World diamond Centre. ‘’What we are talking about is obviously a gigantic sum,” De Wolf told VRT network.

An airport spokesman says the robbers made a hole in the perimeter fence, and drove right up to the Swiss passenger plane that was ready to leave. The robbers got out of the car, flashed their arms and took the loot from the hold, airport spokesman Jan Van Der Crujsse said. Without firing a shot they drove off through the same hole in the fence, completing the spectacular theft within minutes, he said.

Van Der Crujsse could not explain how the area could be so vulnerable to theft. ‘’We abide by the most stringent rules,” he said.

The Swiss flight, operated by Helvetic Airways, was canceled after the robbery. Swiss, an affiliate of Germany’s Deutsche Lufthansa AG, declined to comment on the heist, citing the ongoing judicial investigation.

The insurance for air transport handled sometimes by airlines themselves or external insurance companies - is usually relatively cheap because it’s considered to be the safest way of transporting small high value items, logistics experts say.

LENTEN TALK Rev. Henry O. Adelegan

Theme: The voice of the Holy Spirit Text: Acts 27:7-13 A LIFE devoid of the Holy Spirit’s leading and direction is a dangerous, tortuous and wasted life. That was the experience of Paul when he was being taken to Rome. Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band, ignored Paul’s counsel but believed the owner of the ship as well as the master.

In view of flagrant disregard of the voice of the Holy Spirit, they were troubled, embarked on a long fast, were compelled to jettison some items to lighten the ship and wasted lots of avoidable time and materials.

Jesus Christ is not limited to yesterday alone but also has His power on today and of course the unknown tomorrow ( Hebrew 13:8).

Therefore, his leading, even when it is seemingly stupid is a key to celebration. ( Is. 1:19; John 2:5).

During this period that our nation is passing through pervasive economic, social and security challenges, we need to turn to God for direction. A word from Him will turn things around for us as a nation , as families and individuals. There is assurance in Him that nothing is impossible.

As you open your heart to hear Him and obey, your life will not be wasted and your progress shall be accelerated in Jesus’ name Prayers: Oh Lord, open the ears of our leaders and people in position of influence and authority in this nation to enable them have clear-cut direction and free us from the shackles of poverty, fear and lack in Jesus’ name.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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SPORT EXTRA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Bayern spanks Arsenal 3-1

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RSENAL face an enormous task to

qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals after being comfortably beaten by Bayern Munich.

The hosts had a nightmare start as Toni Kroos fired in from 18 yards and Thomas Mueller followed in on Kroos's corner to make it 2-0 after 21 minutes.

Lukas Podolski led the recovery when he nodded in Jack Wilshere's corner before Olivier Giroud had a shot saved.

But Mario Mandzukic restored the two-goal cushion by tucking in late on.

Podolski's goal 10 minutes into the second half was

fortunate as the referee awarded a corner to the home side despite Santi Cazorla's shot coming off the German's back.

Otherwise, it was another miserable match for Arsene Wenger's team, just three days after they were knocked out of

the FA Cup by Championship side Blackburn.

Bayern's passing and movement was, at times, far superior, and Arsenal face an uphill struggle in the second leg with the German side losing just once at home this season.

5th annual Rainoil tennis tourney serves off at Lagos Country Club

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HE fifth edition of the annual Rainoil tennis tournament served off at the tennis section of Lagos Country Club. The section, better known for its well maintained clay courts facilities in the country, held the draws on saturday the 16th of February, 2013, witnessed by

•Thomas Muller taps home Bayern Munich's second goal from a corner

by Kayode Williams

the president of the club, barister Adewale Osomo and the chairman of the section, barrister Ayo Olanrewaju. The captain of the section Mr Akinrimisi Akinyele, conducted the draws in company of the members of the tournament committee which included SL Ajala, John Nwosu and Jide Feso.

The draws saw Mr Bimbo Okubena, who is the defending champion in the men’s category, emerge the top seed with the quandrugular games champion capt Ndubisi Ekwempku, the 2nd seed, while the other categories of events to be held are the mens’ doubles and the veteran doubles.

The sponsor and managing director of Rainoil Nig Ltd, Mr Gabriel Ogbeche promised to continue to partner with the section in sponsoring the twoweek of tennis in the club. The Grand finale will hold on Saturday the 2nd of March 2013.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

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TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.8 NO.2,406

‘Nigerians need to be sated with landmark judgments that will show that the judiciary is not caught up in the power politics of the executive and legislature’ DELE AGEKAMEH

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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INALLY, this year’s dialogue. The reader will recall that in the second part of my review of Trust’s annual dialogue last week, I concluded with a couple of examples of how the Nigerian media often allowed partisan politics to get the better of its professionalism. This was in illustration of the consensus of last year’s dialogue which was on “Politics and the Media.”

The chair was former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida. The panellists were Senate President David Mark, represented by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the minister of Information, Labaran Maku, represented by his Special Assistant on Media, Dr Kingsley Osadolor, and Dr. Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, the radical scholar and one-time head of Ahmadu Bello University’s Political Science department.

In his opening remarks the chair, it seemed, could not resist having dig at the minister who, as a student union leader, led violent demonstrations against the general’s increase of petrol price in the eighties. Wasn’t it ironical, the general observed with a knowing grin on his face, that several years on the minister would transform into one of strongest defenders of President Goodluck Jonathan’s unwanted New Year “gift” to Nigerians on January 1, 2012 of more than double the hitherto subsisting price of the commodity?

The reader will recall that I quoted Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Edo State governor and one of the most regular participants of the dialogue, of accusing the media of often writing fiction. On that occasion the comrade governor was angry with the media for publishing a story that five mosques had been burnt down in Benin, his state capital. This was at the peak of the sectarian violence that had engulfed the country. He said when he confronted the reporter of one of the newspapers that published the story, the reporter disowned it and said it was his editors in Lagos who rewrote it based on information they got from a foreign news agency.

All three panellists shared Oshiomhole’s concern about the integrity and professionalism of the Nigerian media. And all four barely stopped short of accusing the media of lack of patriotism. Among the four, Dr Mohammed’s criticism was strongest. Over time, he said, the media “have subjected this country to a sustained barrage of attacks like no other country in the world that is not at war.”

The Nigerian media, it seems, is a paradox of sorts; most Nigerians acknowledge that it’s been a bulwark against tyranny and misrule in the country, going all the way back to our colonial past, but at the same time it has been widely accused of being too negative about the country. It’s difficult to deny the

People and Politics By MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Ten years of Trust’s dialogues (III)

•Bishop Kukah existence of both virtue and vice in the character of our country’s media.

For me, however, Nigerians themselves are more to blame than their media. The media may often malign people and distort events in society. They may often even fabricate events. But if our media appear to harp more on the vices of our country than its virtues it is simply because our vices outweigh our virtues. In other words, the fault is less in our media than in our selves.

So if Nigeria is yet to become a nation that its entire citizens can be proud of almost a century after its amalgamation in 1914, we should blame ourselves more than we blame our media - all its shortcomings notwithstanding.

For its dialogue this year Trust could not

have chosen a more appropriate topic than that of the challenges of nation building.

Likewise it was hard to pick a more formidable panel than that of Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, Mr. Femi Falana, Ms Ann KioBriggs and Dr Sule Bello, all of them accomplished figures in their various fields of religion, law, human rights and academia.

All four expressed unhappiness with the state of the nation but Ms Briggs stood out of the lot for her pessimism about the country’s future. “There is nothing to celebrate (about the country’s centenary),” she said, and in effect added that it may yet break up if the part of the country she comes from which produces oil as the main source of public revenue is not allowed to continue to lead this country after 2015 even though she admitted that President Goodluck Jonathan has been a big letdown as leader from her neck of wood.

If Ms Briggs stood out of the panel for her pessimism, Bishop Kukah stood out for his optimism. All the widespread talk about revolution coming to Nigeria, he said, were just that – talk. “No revolution,” he said, “will take place in Nigeria.” He also did not believe the country will break up.

I do not share Bishop Kukah optimism about this country’s future, even though I pray all the time that it never breaks up but neither do I share Ms. Briggs pessimism. To say, as she did, that there is nothing to celebrate about Nigeria is certainly untenable.

If nothing else there is something to celebrate about the country’s unity. Several countries like the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, and closer to home, Sudan and Somalia, which seemed more united and more stable than Nigeria at the time of our independence 50 years ago, have since collapsed.

We also have a lot to celebrate about our

HARDBALL

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S far as orders go, President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive to the security forces to locate and rescue the seven foreigners abducted by the Ansaru Islamist sect on Sunday in Bauchi State is an indication of concern and eagerness for a quick resolution of the hostage crisis. Ansaru, otherwise called Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis- Sudan (JAMBS), a splinter group of the more well-known Boko Haram sect, has carried out a few abductions and terrorist attacks that ended badly for security agencies. The sect, whose name is translated as “the Group that dedicates itself to helping Muslims in Africa,” had in January claimed responsibility for the attack on a convoy of Mali-bound Nigerian soldiers near Okene in Kogi State. It also proudly claimed responsibility for the attack on the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) office near Abuja in November 2012. In May 2011, the group, still in metamorphosis at the time, was believed to be responsible for the abduction of Messrs Chris McManus, a Briton, and Franco Lamolinara, an Italian.

Both hostages, who worked for a foreign construction company in Northern Nigeria, were killed in a botched rescue carried out by a combined team of Nigerian and British forces in March 2012 near Sokoto.

Presidential order on hostage rescue Two months later in Kano, an attempt by Nigerian Special Forces team to free a German engineer, Edgar Fritz Raupach, also went horribly wrong, leading to the killing of the expatriate and some of his abductors.

It was also believed that the same Ansaru group was responsible for that abduction, especially as Boko Haram had disavowed kidnapping as a terror weapon. Perhaps, the Kano debacle was at the back of the minds of Ansaru leaders when they darkly hinted to Nigerian security agents that any attempt to carry out a rescue operation in the recent abductions was likely to end in failure.

The botched rescue in Sokoto and Kano led Hardball to ask the Nigerian forces to declare a unilateral moratorium on hostage rescue. In the June 4, 2012 piece, Hardball had declared: “It is apparent that Nigerian security forces have not yet acquired the know-how of rescuing hostages. The spectacular failure of the Sokoto rescue effort, which involved British Special Forces, should have informed Nigeria of the need to exercise restraint in the Kano hostage case. That restraint was not observed. In both

the Sokoto and Kano rescue efforts, security forces attacked the terrorists with all they had when what would have guaranteed success were stealthy methods and surprise.

The Kano effort, for instance, lasted for 30 minutes, and like Sokoto, involved the deployment of armoured tanks and overt troop movements. It is hoped this would be the last time attempts would be made to free hostages when the possibility of success is less than assured. Indeed, it is time Nigeria declared a moratorium on hostage rescue rather than continue to risk the murder of hostages by their captors.

From evidence provided by security forces, the hostages in Sokoto and Kano were killed by their captors when it seemed the chances of escaping with the hostages were lost.”

It is in consideration of the foregoing that this column views with apprehension the order by Jonathan that the hostages be located and rescued. It is possible that the Nigerian forces had learnt a thing or two from the failures of the past, and have probably acquired better equipment and

resilience and liberty. Few countries in the world, including Britain the oldest democracy, enjoy the kind of freedom that we do. That we take such freedom for granted is itself a cause for celebration.

However, for Nigeria to become truly a nation-state its citizens can be proud of we need more than the unity and the freedom that we enjoy and the resilience that is so much part of our character. Of all the other we need, for me the most important is individual introspection about our responsibilities to our communities and to society at large. And the time for that introspection is now, as we begin a year-long celebration of our centenary.

All too often we blame our leaders for the mess we are in. We are, of course, right to do so. In doing so, however, most of us hardly stop to ask ourselves how much of our own bit we have contributed to help our leaders do what is right by our society and by our country.

The reader will pardon me if I get rather preachy at this point. But in my own reflections about the ills of our society, I have never found a better solution than the words of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) about the concept of shepherd-hood which has its Christian equivalent.

“Everyone of you,” he is quoted to have said by some of the greatest narrators of his tradition, including Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawud, “is a shepherd, and everyone of you is responsible for his flock. The Imam is a shepherd, and he is responsible for his congregation. A man is a shepherd among his family and he is responsible for his flock (his family). A woman is a shepherd in her husband’s home and children, and she is responsible for them. A servant is a shepherd over the wealth of his owner and he is responsible for it. Lo! Everyone is a shepherd and everyone is responsible for his flock.”

Each time we blame our leaders for the mess in our society, have we ever stopped to ask ourselves if we have done our own little bit in our own little world we control? When we jump queues in traffic, for example, are we not violating the time honoured principle of first come, first served? When we dump refuse in our gutters instead of properly disposing it are we not violating our responsibilities as shepherds over our environment? And so on and so on.

We cannot hope to transform our country into a land of peace and prosperity that we will all be proud to identify with if we do not think seriously about the saying that a country gets the leaders it deserves. This is staple food for our thoughts as we celebrate our centenary which comes up next year.

•For comments, send SMS to 08023211188

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above skills. However, as Hardball warned last year, if the chances of a successful rescue are not high, it would indeed by unwise and politically costly to embark on uncalculated heroism. Unlike the Sokoto case where two foreign hostages were involved, and Kano where one foreign hostage was involved, the Bauchi case involves seven hostages. And unlike the Sokoto debacle where Italy was kept in the dark as British and Nigerian forces stormed the terrorists’ hideout, this time, Italy will take more than a passing interest in what happens to its abducted citizen. And with France intervening in Mali, hostage-taking may have just begun.

In the end, the responsibility of taking action on the hostages lies with Nigeria. We must hope that the Algerian example of January 19 does not hold more than a fleeting fascination for the Nigerian government. In the Algerian case, where terrorists held more than 150 foreign workers hostage at a desert gas plant, Algerian Special Forces carried out a brutal counterattack to send a message that it would neither negotiate with terrorists nor allow a drawn-out siege. Consequently, 69 people died, including at least 39 hostages and 29 Islamist kidnappers in the effort to retake the plant. It was a heavy price to pay for a simple message.

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