Sun News -October 12, 2012 by The Sun News

DAILY SUN

Friday, October 12, 2012

H’S BOMBSHELL!

ry if I wish

had a charismatic leader with these kinds of persons. But that is what I call the richness of my life and I am really eternally grateful to God for that. So, if you ask me if anything has changed, I don’t know. I am still struggling, in the same way that 90 per cent of Nigerians that called me, still call me Father Kukah. They still find it difficult to call you Bishop Kukah? Yes. And it includes bishops. I mean, sometimes, I am having a long conversation with Archbishop Onaiyekan and a few others and they still call me Father Kukah until I try to say look, I am a bishop now. And if I say I am a bishop now, people just laugh. But I think a lot of people still believe that I’d rather be Father Kukah, which is a wonderful feeling because in this business, you need to have your feet on the ground. Talking about the papacy, would you say the seat is politicised? In what sense? It cannot be politicised because nobody campaigns to become a pope. To politicise anything at all presupposes that you have got platforms for competition. None of those kinds of things exists. In that case, do you foresee a Nigerian, becoming pope soon like we expected in the case of Cardinal Arinze? I don’t know why people were expecting. People were saying an African pope and I said no, there is nothing like an African pope. There can never be a Nigerian pope. There may be a pope, who is from Nigeria but it doesn’t make him a Nigerian pope. There may be a pope from Africa but it doesn’t make him an African pope. We have only pope of the Catholic Church, who may happen to be from Brazil or he could be from Poland or he could be from Nigeria or he could be from Ghana. To narrow it down, do you foresee a Nigerian becoming pope soon? My dear, except becoming God, there is nothing that is not possible. With God all things are possible. And, in any case, this country has produced some of the most excellent, international servants whether they are serving politically, economically or spiritually. We’ve always excelled wherever we find ourselves. How do you feel that after the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa panel, the result was aborted? I don’t know what you mean by the result was aborted. Maybe if you come to the event I have tomorrow and the book is launched and you grab a copy of my book and you read it, you will know that there was no abortion because a child was born. What do you think would have been the benefit of Nigeria’s unity if the panel’s recommendations were implemented? Nothing would have changed for the simple rea-

more churches had been n Nigeria. All the churches Nigeria in the last 20 or so has done is not up to what e in Nigeria by forces that ko Haram. So, my argument ell, look, if we need peace in the

ose things. If you need peace in the ountry where I have freedom to pracchurch that takes me ten years to try estroys the church and somehow, the eem to know what to do. ‘

son that Nigerians don’t use information. And people like you can go to the Internet and download the entire Oputa panel report but no Nigerian journalist has done that. If you had produced that report and put it out on the streets, nobody would read it. Why is the situation like that? Because this is Nigeria. People are good at talking. People are good at talking but action is not there. Elsewhere, in more serious countries, even parts of the Oputa Report that came out should have been part of political science debate and discussion across the country and you don’t need the president to release that report for you to get the information. In any case, like I told people, I just flew this afternoon with somebody from Sokoto. He held me by the hand as usual and greeted me very warmly. And he said to me, look, I have got almost every tape of Oputa panel because I listened to everything. Now, the first thing about Oputa panel is that everything is out there in the open in the sense that most of the debates, everybody has them. The critical question is to say what were the recommendations and the recommendations are there. Even if government didn’t release them, Nigerians had access to what the recommendations were. And serious people in a most serious country: journalists, civil society groups, should appropriate some of those recommendations and use them to confront government. I give you a simple example. When Obasanjo appointed me to serve as a mediator to end the conflict between Shell and Ogoni, it was more or less following through some of the recommendations of Oputa panel, although he may not have been direct in that way. And it is also important for Nigerians to understand. When you talk about releasing a report, you see, if, let’s say for example, something is wrong with The Sun Newspapers, staff go on strike or whatever or staff are complaining or there is a hemorrhaging of staff, your Managing Director, Tony Onyima, would probably say ok, look, let’s hire a consultant to find out what has happened, why people are leaving us. They may come back and say look, the reason your staff are leaving you is because the pay is l o w,

morale is low, other newspapers have cars for their staff, and so on and so forth. If your chairman collects that report, he doesn’t have to call a meeting of all the journalists to say this is the report I have received. If he decides on his own, he doesn’t have to say now gentlemen, I have decided to raise your salary because a commission of enquiry recommended so so so and so. If you see better changes in your condition of service, he doesn’t have to tell you what the motivation is. So, similarly, if Nigerians see a change in their lives, and I am not defending government. But when government gets these reports and wants to implement, sometimes, the government doesn’t necessarily have to go out, saying this is what we are going to do. But my feeling is that civil society groups, especially the media, need to be a little bit more proactive because like the late Dele Giwa used to say, it is the business of Nigeria to hide its information and it is our business as journalists to find that information. Not minding that the government clamped down on the Oputa panel recommendation, you still published a book on it. Why? This book is the first I am publishing. There are two more coming. I am going to publish a book on Political Reform Conference and I am also going to publish a book on my experience in Ogoni land. There wasn’t much excitement in the Justice Uwais Committee that I served in. I didn’t throw up a lot of excitement. It didn’t have enough intrigues to create excitement. So, I am not likely to do any book on that. But for me as a public intellectual, releasing that book is one way of continuing the work of Oputa panel and I am proud to say that through my own initiative, I have encouraged people; one student in Oxford, another student in Ibadan, to work on the findings of Oputa panel. For me, that is why I said I am really saddened by the fact that the Nigerian universities communities have been a great disappointment really in terms of how the universities have reacted to matters of this nature because this is raw material for even a course in political science. I mean, traditional justice is now a course on its own. People are earning degrees in traditional justice. Do you actually think, deep in your mind, in spite of your populist position, that Nigeria’s disunity can be

cured? What do you mean by disunity? That people have been discussing the possible disintegration of Nigeria…My dear, let me tell you. Please, this country, nothing is going to happen to its unity. The people, who are talking about disintegration of Nigeria are just a few cowboys in the media. They don’t represent anybody. They represent themselves and they probably are on the wrong end of the fence. But the fact of the matter is, don’t let anybody deceive you. This country is going nowhere. This country will grow stronger and stronger. I do not take it that 99 per cent of ordinary Igbo people feel the way that those who claim to represent them talk about. Or that 95 per cent of Yoruba feel the way that people want to make us believe or that 99 per cent of ordinary people in Northern Nigeria feel the way that some cowboys want to make everybody believe. I think we have had our difficulties but let me tell you that, perhaps, the saddest thing with Nigeria is that we have not been able to have the leadership that can inspire confidence and literally mesmerise us because every country requires a leadership that has charisma. When you have a charismatic leader, even your hunger goes away. When you have a charismatic leader, you can make sacrifice. You won’t see all these things. It is not because they are not there. When I went to Ghana after Rawlings came to power, you needed to queue up for about three, four or five hours to buy a loaf of bread. People were queuing up for almost a whole day to get a litre of fuel. But you could see the confidence and the courage of Ghanaians. So, these things are not about infrastructure and so on and so forth. It is that, unfortunately for us, Nigerians have not been lucky to have the kind of charismatic leader that can rouse the populace. Including Jonathan? ell, it is a point I am making. We can’t talk of a Nigerian leader that has created what you might call theatre and drama. Take a simple example of somebody like Mandela. Have you ever seen a Nigerian leader dancing for example? Something as simple as that. Mandela is not a good dancer but every time he did all those things, why do you think, for example, that Bafana Bafana have never won African Cup of Nations again? But when Mandela became president, he was able to rouse up these people from nowhere. The rugby team that won the world cup, it was because of the Mandela persona. You go and watch. I keep making reference to it. There is a film called invictus. Go and watch it. So, it is possible when you have a leadership that can choreograph change by making people feel that this is our country, we believe in it, things will be better. When you see the passion that Nigerians express in football or whatever, you know. So, every human being has passion. Some people deploy the passion for sex, others for drugs and so on. But you have to find out what to do with your passion. And if your nation does not seize that moment, then you deplore it to something else. You were selected recently as one of those to put an end to the Boko Haram insurgency in the North. What has your committee done so far? We weren’t to deal with Boko Haram as such. But you are to restore peace in the North…Yeah. We are still working. I have been terribly busy with other things but we have identified some of the issues. I have also my own feelings about what I think we need to deal with in terms of seeking healing in the North. I mean, the injuries started before Boko Haram. Before Boko Haram, more churches had been destroyed in the Northern Nigeria. All the churches destroyed in the Northern Nigeria in the last 20 or so years, what Boko Haram has done is not up to what has been done in one state in Nigeria by forces that have nothing to do with Boko Haram. So, my argument, as a Christian, is to say well, look, if we need peace in the North, you need to address all those things. If you need peace in the North, for me, we cannot live in a country where I have freedom to practice my religion and then, I build a church that takes me ten years to try and find the resources, somebody destroys the church and somehow, the state government doesn’t seem to know

Turn to page 47

DAILY SUN Friday, October 12, 2012

Help Henrietta to work and walk again By GILBERT EKEZIE, gilbertekezie17@yahoo.com

ife is always sweet and enjoyable when one is in good state of health and comfortable. But with poverty, ill health and other ugly circumstances, no human being enjoys life as expected. The case of a 32 yearold, Miss Henrietta Chioma Ezenwegbu, a native of Adazi –Ani in Anaocha Lcal Government Area of Anambra State is one that calls for attention. She planned well for herself by striving to acquire a University education as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Having completed her education at University of Nigeria Nsukka, she proceeded for her Post Graduate programme at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Choba. On completion in 2008, she had the zeal to storm the labour market for a good job opportunity. But, unfortunately in early 2009, her dream was dashed, as she fell a victim of fatal auto accident while traveling home from Lagos on January3, 2009. She sustained serious injuries on her left femur, which landed her at the Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu for treatment. After three months at the hospital, the implanted plate in her leg broke and as a result, another surgery was carried out to remove the broken plate. “Having done

that, the bone refused to heal and continued to break. For over three years now, I have never been myself. I can neither walk nor work due to my predicament. All my proposals were shattered. In fact, I am not happy to see myself in this condition.” Recently, a digital X-ray was carried out on Henrietta’s leg at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and it was found out that there is a transverse fracture of the proximal left femur occurring through an old callous formation, non –union femur features of ‘bone within bone’, indicating sub-acute chronic Osteomyelitis. This therefore calls for another surgical treatment by a more experienced surgeon to avoid amputation. “My Medical Consultant at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr Enweluzor said that the femur fracture surgery has to undergo two phases to get rid of the infection that caused the non –union femur to achieve union. According to him, the first phase is debridement of the wound, excision of sinus treat and sequstrectomy with continuous antibiotic irrigation to control the infections. The second phase of the surgery is internal fixation with bone grafting and antibiotic irrigation and the total estimated cost of the surgical treatment and other expenses is N1.2million (One million, two hundred thousand Naira).”

Obviously, a lot of money had been spent for her treatment since 2009. Her father died in 2006 and her widowed mother and younger siblings had been bearing the burden of her medical bills and upkeep. “My mother and younger ones have been taking care of the whole expenses made on the treatment of my leg and they have spent a huge amount of money to ensure that I walk normal as before. Yet, yet my state of health refused to improve.” Presently, pains and sleepless nights become order of the day. At 32, she is supposed to be talking about being a working class lady as well as having her own family. Therefore, she appealing to government, corporate bodies, religious bodies and individuals to help her raise the said amount, so that she would be able to undergo the surgery in order to be fit again. “I am sincerely asking and pleading to my fellow beings to help me out of this critical condition that I had been into since 2008 I graduated as a medical laboratory scientist because as a young lady with focus and vision, I will not be happy to see myself wasting. I want to work and walk again.” All financial assistance should be made to Ezenwegbu Henrietta Chioma with Access Bank Account Number: 0022862682 Phone or call 07034395395, 08055001934.

•Henriatta

DAILY SUN Friday, October 12, 2012

NEWS DAILY SUN Friday, October 12, 2012 45

SUN SPORTS EXTRA

NEWS

Eagles need presidential boost ...As NFF invites Jonathan to Calabar By ROMANUS Abuja

UGWU,

igeria Football Federation (NFF) has said that it would be a gladdening news and motivation to have President Goodluck Jonathan at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar when the Super Eagles tackle visiting Lone Star of Liberia in an important Nations Cup qualifier tomorrow. The General Secretary of the federation, Barrister Musa Amadu, who dropped the hint while fielding questions from the media at the Glass House Abuja, said though he could not confirm the presence of the number one citizen of the country, it would be gladdening if he takes Nigerians unaware by storming the venue. His words: “It would be very difficult for me to confirm whether Mr President will be at the UJ Esuene Stadium to cheer the Super Eagles or not. If he were able to come despite his very tight schedule, it would be a wonderful motivation to the players. “We would be glad to have him in Calabar. It will not be out of place for him to do that because before the first leg against Liberia, we were all pleasantly surprise to receive Mr President at the Abuja National Stadium during the Super Eagles training,” Barrister Amadu said. He also disclosed that the Liberian Ambassador to Nigeria has assured him of storming Calabar for the encounter, assuring that the atmosphere would be really charged to favour Nigeria. “I have spoken to the Liberian ambassador to Nigeria and he has assured me he would be in Calabar

live. Everything is in the perfect place and I can tell you that we are expecting a turbocharged atmosphere. I'm praying fervently that things would work out in our favour on Saturday by the grace of God,” he remarked. Pleading for support to the Golden Eaglets, Barrister Amadu said: “I want to appeal to the supporters to give all necessary support to the Eaglets. I watched the Under-

20 boys play against South Africa last weekend, but I have been told about the very skilful set of players we have in the Under-17. “I'm happy all of them scaled the MRI and are within the age limit. These are the future players that we will use for the Olympic Games in 2016. I believe we will have the same number of spectators during the Golden Eaglets tie after the Super Eagles on Saturday,” he appealed.

NUJ Games

Sun Strikers romp into soccer final •Charvet throws weight behind team

t was another glorious day for Team Sun yesterday at the on going NUJ Games as its soccer team romped into the final of the soccer event after beating Voice of Nigeria (VON) by a lone goal in the first semi final. Just as the soccer team was busy thrilling fans to champagne soccer, the athletes from The Sun stable burned the tracks at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Lagos, winning two medals-a silver and a bronze. The Sun's medals in athletics came in the 100m male and 4x 100m male. The quartet of Femmy Erinjogunola, Ikenna Okafor, Bunmi Ogunyale and Henry Utsalo returned a time of 40.10 seconds to win silver. In fact, but for the injury that hit the team just before the race, The Sun team had its eyes on gold and was set to break the world record set by Usain Bolt led Jamaica at London 2012. After doing well on the tracks The Sun's soccer team that wore a

brand new jersey imported from Brazil sent VON to the cleaners to book a place in today's soccer final. Sun Strikers only goal of the thrilling semi-final match came in the 12th minute via a half volley fired by attacking pearl, Ikenna Okafor, who reports for Daily Sun's sister publication Soccer Star. The Sun's Head Coach, Joe Apu, was full of praises for his wards, insisting that the soccer trophy is landing at the Kirikiri, Apapa head office of The Sun, even as he thanked Charvet Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of Power Horse and Kissmix for energising his players with their products. The Sun Strikers will face its Apapa neighbours, Thisday in today's final. Thisday defeated Lagos Information in the second semi-final to reach the final. It would be noted that Thisday had on Tuesday bowed to The Sun Strikers in a Group B clash by a lone goal. Everything points to the Nduka Obaigbena’s boys falling again to The Sun Strikers.

Festival teams gear up for Lagos City League By JOE APU

ost of the 18th National Sports Festival, Lagos State, has declared that she was set to give Rivers State a run for her money in the basketball event of the fiesta as the Lagos State Basketball Association is doing its best to get their male and female teams ready ahead of the event. Chairman of the Lagos State Basketball Association, Babs Ogunade, speaking on Wednesday at the Lagos SWAN Secretariat on the on going Lagos City League, said this year's edition was meant to give the festival team representing Lagos State a good opposition to put it in proper shape for the festival and take the gold medals in this edition. At the conference which had John Faniran Abimbola, Gbade Olatona and Niyi Adekoya, the association noted that the participation of some Premier League

teams had added value to the league as it would help boost the confidence of the younger players such that they can face any opponent at the festival. Meanwhile, the Lagos City Basketball League is gathering momentum as the teams continue to chunk out surprise results weekly with four games decided last week in the men and women fixtures at the sports hall of the national stadium Surulere, Lagos. In the men's fixtures, the Police Baton Basketball Club bowed to the tactical and technical approach of fellow DStv Premier Basketball Club side, Union Bank Basketball Club by 65-69 points in a keenly contested game. The Police Baton team that was in the DStv Premier League final8 of last season began the game on a good note but Union Bank that was determined to redeem its stand in Nigeria basketball after missing the playoff cut rallied back in the second half to halt the

Baton's desire to secure victory with good team work, while relegated DStv premier league side, Chariots, provided the biggest surprise results of the week with a 7969 points win over Islanders basketball club. Chariots tutored by Coach Charles Ibeziako halted Islanders road to victory in the fourth quarter after trailing the Emmanuel Okolo boys. The women fixtures which featured Mobolaji Akiode's team, Hope '4' Girls basketball team lost to Police Rookies by 25-24 points in a low scoring game with Hope '4' Girls parading some of the youngest players in the league, while Team Lagos defeated Sea Rovers Academy 42 - 24 points. Action resume Tuesday, October 16, 2012 with Warriors Academy taking on Flame Basketball Club, while Team Lagos will confront a rejuvenated Nigerian Air Force (NAF) basketball team, the Air Warriors.

NFF’s President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, laying the foundation stone for Delta Football house, while Mr. Arugba Charles; Chairman Delta Sports Commission, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, Delta Football Association Board member, Mr. Fide Okoh and Group Sport Editor Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Onochie Anibeze watch.

Encomia as NFF’s president lays Delta Football House’s foundation

esterday marked a watershed in the nation's football history as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Mohammed Maigari, laid the foundation of Delta Football House in Asaba, the state capital. Delta State Football Association, arguably the best FA in the county, raised the stakes in private sector participation, as it sets to build a befitting N100m edifice equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. In a ceremony well attended by top government functionaries, proprietors of football clubs, states FA Chairmen, business moguls and captains of industries, the NFF President, Alhaji Maigari, praised the dynamism, vision and sagacity of the Delta FA under Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick. Alhaji Maigari expressed optimism that in the coming days, the Delta Football House when fully completed, would attract attention of members of the CAF and FIFA families. Also speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of

the Delta FA, who also doubles as the Executive Chairman of the State Sports Commission, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, informed the audience that traditional sponsors of the Delta FA had shown interest in and commitment to the realisation of the football house project. Mr. Pinnick also revealed that the Delta Football Secretariat had been christened: “Patrick Okpomo House” to immortalise the late Secretary General of the then Nigeria Football Association. High point of the ceremony was the laying of the foundation/the unveiling of the prototype of the Football House by Alhaji Maigari and technical presentation by one of the site engineers of the Crystalix consortium, the contracting firm handling the project, Mr. Charles Arugba. "I hope that other states will emulate the good work Amaju and his team are doing in Delta," Maigari said, assuring that FIFA and CAF members will attend the commissioning of the project which he also said would serve football tremendously.

African U-17 qualifier: Eaglets, Guinea match kicks-off 2pm

igeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that the much awaited second round- first leg 2003 African Under-17 qualifier match between the Golden Eaglets and their Guinean counterparts on Sunday will kick off at 2:00pm prompt at the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium in Calabar. The match was shifted from the usual 4:00pm kick off to 2:00pm at the instance of the Guinean delegation who want to return to Lagos immediately after the match on Sunday to connect their early Monday morning's flight back to Conakry. The NFF granted their Guinean counterparts’request as they will have to wait till next Friday if they miss their already scheduled arrangement. Meanwhile, Golden Eaglets' Head Coach, Manu Garba(MFR), said that he's not disturbed over changes in kick-off time of the match , adding that he has prepared his team in case of any eventuality. “Even if they say we should play on Friday, we are ready for the match,” Manu confidently said. “We are not worried about when this match is going to be played. Manu

Glo to Eagles: It’s 90 minutes to glory

s the Super Eagles face the Lone Star of Liberia tomorrow in Calabar, leading telecommunications company, Globacom, has called on the team to book the ticket to the 2013 African Cup of Nations by defeating the Liberians. According to a press statement released by the company yesterday, the Eagles need to win the match to return to reckoning in Africa after missing the last Nations Cup tournament jointly staged by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in 2011. “The Eagles should outclass the Liberians and secure victory. This is the only way football loving Nigerians can be appeased now that our football has not been recording successes,” the com-

pany said. Globacom, therefore, advised the Stephen Keshi-led technical crew to go for the fittest and most experienced players who could withstand the pressure associated with a match of this magnitude. Meanwhile, the team has intensified preparation for the match with the Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, assuring Nigerians of victory in the encounter. “By the grace of God, come Saturday, we will give the nation a sweet victory and qualify for the Nations Cup in South Africa,” Keshi said. Globacom is the major partner of the Nigeria Football Federation and official sponsor of Nigerian national teams.

NEWS NEWS

Friday, October 12, 2012 DAILY SUN

SUN SPORTS EXTRA YSFON lauds Ola, Ezeoba’s appointments

igeria’s foremost youth sports organization, the Youth sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), has hailed the appointment of Navy’s ex-chief, Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim, as the new Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria Armed Forces. In a statement signed by Ben Ekpo, the Public Relations Officer, YSFON, expressed delight over the elevation of Rear Admiral Ezeoba as the new Chief of Naval Staff of the Nigeria Navy. Dr. Nasiru Gawuna-led YSFON urged the two gallant naval officers to discharge their duties without fear or favour to the glory of their fatherland, adding that “ we are proud to be associated with the Nigerian Navy over the sponsorship of the yearly national Under-17 boys and Under-18 girls soccer since 1999.

12th Lagos Governor’s Cup serves off

he 12th edition of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship serves off at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan today. The FCMB Plc. and Etisalat Nigeria sponsored ITF championship, which will parade top tennis stars across 55 countries. It will end on Saturday, 27 October. The tournament starts with sign-in of players with a deadline of 18.00 hrs local time set by the International Tennis Federation, ITF, after which the draws for the qualifying matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday will be done by the referee from Britain. The main draw of Features 1 will begin on Monday and ends on Saturday 20 October with players fighting for the $15,000 and $25,000 prize monies of Features 1 Men and Women’s Singles respectively. The second leg begins immediately where the players are expected to win the same amount of prize monies as that of the first leg. Tournament Director, Prince Wale Oladunjoye, said all was set for the commencement of another exciting tennis classic in Lagos, adding that the Local Organising Committee, LOC, Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF, major sponsors and other co sponsors as well as the host, the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, were ready. This year Governor’s Cup promises to be tough with the calibre of world stars featuring. The competition will be parading, for the first time, a player ranked within Top 100 in the world in the women’s singles. Russia Nina Bratchikova (93), who reach the second round of the Australian Open this year is leading the pack of foreign players to this tournament, which has been adjudged as leading African tennis tournament. Other women players include: Chanel Simmonds of South Africa (183) and Slovak Republic’s Dalila Jakupovic (298), while the men’s event has the likes of Slovak Republic’s Kamil Capkovic (255), Japanese Kento Takeuchi (478) and South Africa’s Ruan Roelofse (489). Shehu Lawal will be leading the home players to the tournament, while the NTF, through its secretary, Mrs. Nkana Mbora, said the federation would release the names of the wild card players in both the men and women’s events by the weekend ahead of the Monday’s main draw matches.

Muamba eyes FIFA job

olton’s former midfielder, Fabrice Muamba, is hoping to get a job at FIFA when he meets President Sepp Blatter next week. The 24-year-old was forced to retire from football after suffering a cardiac arrest during a match at Tottenham in March and is still yet to decide where his future lies. He says he is too impatient to become a manager and also claimed watching football can lead to him getting ‘very frustrated’. But a job with the sport’s governing body could be on the cards after Muamba revealed he has been offered a chance to speak to Blatter next week. He said: ‘Funnily enough, I have a meeting with Sepp Blatter this time next week. Hopefully, he can get a job for me. ‘I’ve been told he’s invited me to Zurich and hopefully we can sort something out. I don’t know (what), I have to go and see what happens. I will go and see him. Some time next week, I have to fly to Zurich.’ One role that Muamba will definitely be undertaking is an ambassadorial position with the Trotters as he fulfils the length of his original contact at the Reebok Stadium. ‘I’ve been told that in the last year of my contract, which is next season, I will be working as an ambassador of the club,’he said.

Rose beats Woods to set up final with Westwood

ose beat 14-times major champion, Tiger Woods, in the semi-finals yesterday to set up a title showdown with fellow Englishman, Lee Westwood, at the World Golf Final exhibition event. World number five, Rose (69), carded two birdies and an eagle in the last six holes to defeat world number two, Woods, by one shot. Westwood blitzed his way past 2011 U.S. Masters Champion, Charl Schwartzel, by six shots, the world number four firing two eagles and eight birdies in a 10-under 61. Earlier, Woods beat world number one Rory McIlroy by six shots in their much-anticipated Group One tussle.

Eagles living in past glory – Liberia’s coach L

iberia’s Head Coach, Kaetu Smith, says Nigeria’s Super Eagles are still basking in past glory. Nigeria plays host to Liberia tomorrow in Calabar in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match as Smith has no fear for the illustrious Super Eagles. The LPRC Oilers’ former coach said that his Lone Star could replicate Guinea’s feat of last year by eliminating Nigeria from the 2013 AFCON in South Africa. Smith is also unperturbed whether Nigeria will parade an all-overseas team or home-grown side tomorrow at the UJ Esuene Stadium, as he and his men aim to upset the Super Eagles. “Personally, I am not afraid of the Nigerian team whether it is home-based or (overseas) professionals. “Super Eagles aren’t like before, because they are living in the past. If Togo can qualify for the World Cup (in 2006) and Guinea could qualify at their expense in the last AFCON qualifier, Liberia can do same too,” said Smith. The Lone Staris expected to arrive in Nigeria on a chartered flight from Monrovia. on Thursday with a 125-man delegation.

Kalu Uche, Ahmed Musa and Ik Uche celebrating

...Spends N2m to ferry supporters to Calabar

eadship of the Kolakeh Dance Troupe, dubbed “The Children of Ellen Dance Troupe” has expressed satisfaction for the inclusion of the group in its debut to “cheer” the Lone Star to victory on Saturday in Calabar. Kolakeh, is a Mano vernacular, which means: “We will do it.” Its members are dominantly of the Kru ethnic group and comprises three artists: drummers, singers and dancers. The group’s Deputy Director, Joseph Tarplah, told our reporter in an exclusive interview yesterday via mobile, that the Liberian football chief, Musa Bility, has guaranteed their inclusion. He said the best three drummers and four dancers, who are also singers, were selected from their membership, and had vowed to perform their duty- to cheer, chant, sing and dance during the football game to excite the crowd. The group, based in New Kru Town, on Bushrod Island in Monrovia, also vowed to raise the players’ spirit for victory. “We thank the football house, for the privilege given us and we

are confident to excite the crowd, most especially our Liberian Lone Star…We perfect all the Lone Star songs and we are going to cheer them up,” Tarplah said, excited. When contacted the LFA’s President, Musa Bility, confirmed the inclusion of seven members of the Kolakeh Dance Troupe for Nigeria. He said the LFA is responsible for the airfare, local trans-

portation, game tickets, hotel accommodation as well as per diem for the dance group at the cost of about US$12,000. “We expect the troupe to offer offensive, defensive, and general cheers and chants to raise the crowd’s spirits during the Liberia and Nigeria’s football match,” he said. Meanwhile, Cellcom has announced details of the travel plans for the Lone Star versus

Garba Lawal: It’s a must win game

igerian former international, Garba Lawal, who is now a member of the NFF Technical Committee, has shared his thoughts and impressions on Fenerbahce defender, Joseph Yobo’s injury . ‘’Whether the players like it or not, it is a must win game...That is football for you. We have other players who can play, if he (Yobo) is injured. The technical crew knows better than you and I,’’says Garba Lawal. It would be recalled that Joseph Yobo was unavailable for the Eagles’ quickfire games in June

against Namibia, Malawi and Rwanda owing to injury. All the invited players except

round match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Thursday Oct. 11, 2012. Tsonga won 6-2, 7-6 (2). (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)View Photo Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus return a shot against JoWilfried Tsonga of France during their third round match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournamen. With another win at the Shanghai Masters, Roger Federer guaranteed himself the No. 1

Yobo have arrived the Metropolitan Hotel camp of the National Team.

Prime FC shuts down Osogbo LG

NL side, Prime FC, on Wednesday padlocked the gate of Osogbo Local Government to press home for the payment of its players’ signing-on fees for three seasons and match bonuses. The peaceful protest which lasted for hours and prevented staff of the local government

Djokovic, Federer advance at Shanghai Masters eliciano Lopez of Spain reacted after losing a point to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their third round men’s singles match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Thursday Oct. 11, 2012. Novak Djokovic won 6-3, 6-3. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)View Photo. Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus return a shot against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during their third

Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ match scheduled tomorrow in Calabar, Nigeria. The national team’s sponsor said it had chartered a 125-seater plane (Boeing 737) which will take the Liberian delegation, including the national team and LFA technical support staff, lucky winners of the Cellcom “Win-A-Trip” raffle and Cellcom employees, and other supporters, to the game in Nigeria.

ranking for the 300th week of his career. The top-ranked Federer beat Davis Cup teammate, Stanislas Wawrinka, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-0 on Thursday in the third round. Federer struggled to string points together early, with his backhand looking shaky through much of the first two sets, but he recovered late and advanced to the quarterfinals. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray also reached the quarters. Djokovic defeated Feliciano Lopez of Spain 6-3, 6-3.

from gaining access to their offices was called off after assurances from the local government boss, Hon Isiaka Faramade, that the debt to the players would be offset once they lay hands on the next fund. Uneasiness has been a recurring feature at the camp of the 2012 Federation Cup giantkillers and bronze winners over neglect caused by non-payment of players’ entitlements. The Osogbo-based side, that will campaign at the subregional competition, WAFU Cup, caused a stir as it saw off the challenges of NPL sides, Wikki Tourists, Enugu Rangers, Enyimba and Kano Pillars among others during the 2012 Cup title race. It was learnt that the players will repeat the protest if the local government chairman reneged on his promise to pay their entitlements. “We used the peaceful strike to send a strong signal to the chairman that he can’t use and dump us.

Friday, October 12, 2012 Continued from page 41 what to do. And then, I am supposed to go back again and start another round of building. If you live in the Northern Nigeria, I am sure I can say without fear of contradiction that almost every central mosque in Northern Nigeria was built with government’s money. Most churches in Nigeria are not state projects. So, you cannot talk about healing until you deal with some of these things. There are also other issues that people have, whether they are Christians or Moslems. Very basic issues that have been with us. And they are also about the quality of human rights, respect and protection that is available to ordinary citizens. All these things have been with us and they may be with us after Boko Haram has gone. When are you releasing the blueprint? For what? The committee has three months. We have only done about four weeks or so. You are from Kaduna State where the state has been polarised along religious lines. Do you subscribe to the division of the state along religious lines? gain, this is what the media are doing to further confuse the situation. Some crack heads say, for example, I want all Moslems to leave this part or I want all Fulanis to leave and you go ahead and carry that story. You don’t even bother to find out where is this guy coming from. Is he drunk? Is he educated? And then, you now say Moslems say Christians should leave or Igbos say Yorubas should leave. You can’t talk like that. Nobody has said Kaduna State should be divided along religious lines. You will start the religious lines from where? And it is our inability to appreciate how complex the web of our relationship is. Where are you going to start from? And this is why I say to my Moslem brothers, part of the reason the North is still having this whole problem is because Northern Islam has almost refused to move with speed in areas of intermarriages and so on because marriage is, perhaps, sociological. There is hardly any institution that builds and bonds communities together like marriage does. These are the things that help our prejudices to diminish. But clearly in Nigeria, there is no part of Nigeria that you can say this is for Igbos even in the heartland of Igbo, even in our own heartlands. So, we are frustrated quite all right but let us think. People who are married get frustrated. Occasionally, in my village, I used to watch men pack their wives’ things and throw them outside and say no more marriage again. But tomorrow, the wife and the husband are sitting down and you are asking: Was this not the man who said no more marriage? These things happen. The important thing is for us to develop the capacity to manage our differences. Talking about Boko Haram, how long will Christians keep taking Boko Haram terror without retaliation? We Christians have no timetable because revenge is not in our vocabulary and we offer no apology. We are a religion of love. We are a religion that preaches love. We are a religion that has remained unpopular because of the kind of gospel that we preach. Nobody, who tells you not to revenge is popular and we are unequivocal to our commitment to non-violence. It is something we abhor, it is not something we are prepared to learn. We are prepared to condemn even those of our members, who under any provocation at all, decide that they want to take the law into their hands. However, that is not to say that we are prepared to be walked over. There are other methods of revenge, let me put it that way, and as you can see, the Moslems themselves should be more worried than we are about the negative advertisement that is given to their religion because increasingly, it is these people, who are giving Islam a bad name and also diminishing the possibility of people, converting to the religion because young people are going to grow up, thinking that this religion is just about violence and so on. And that is why we Christians must insist on what we have come into the world to do. Jesus Christ said the light came into the world. Light has come into the world but the world is not interested in light. But we also know that darkness cannot overcome that light. So, even if it is only one Christian that is left in Nigeria, he or she must continue to hold that flag. We are not talking about numbers, we are not talking about how many churches that have been destroyed before we revenge. When Peter asked Jesus that question, what

Nigeria can’t break up did Jesus say? Seventy times seven. How many times must somebody slap me before I retaliate? Some texts say seventy-seven. They slap you one day, you go and write it down, they slap you another day, you go and write it down until you get seventy-seven? Do you think Northern Islamic leaders support Boko Haram? Frankly, it would be strange. For me, anybody, who has any support for Boko Haram does not qualify to be called a leader in any shape or form unless a leader of terror. But I also don’t believe that this is something we should ascribe to particular individuals and we should not resort to the question of Moslems. For me, like I keep saying, you are dealing with an evil force that is in our society, who dies as a result of Boko Haram, has got nothing to do. Just whoever happens to be passing around. So, you are even crediting them with so much knowledge if you say that they have targeted Christians. The fact that they are going to churches, they may have their own ideas. But again, what all these say in a long term for Islam in Northern Nigeria in particular, is the quality of education that the non-English speaking teachers, who are teaching these young people impact on them. What names are they calling Christians because there must be something in the way these children are taught that is contemptuous of Christianity and contemptuous of you to make a young person believe that as it is in Nigeria, if your father slaps your mother, the next way to show your disagreement is to go and burn a church. And it is accepted. Young people in Northern Nigeria just come to believe that whatever happens to you, if you just feel angry, just go and burn a church. But again, it is not something that you will ascribe to something that is orchestrated. And, as I see, we just prayerfully hope that soon, it will be a thing of the past. The Muslim North always accuses the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of inflammatory position over Boko Haram. Do you believe it is true? I am not the CAN President, I am not the spokesman. The CAN President has a spokesman, he can ably defend himself. Bakassi: what is your take on the issue? really don’t know. I don’t know much about Bakassi but I was listening to somebody on Channels and he was extraordinarily eloquent because he went back to the last 100 years in talking about Bakassi and in the short period of time that I listened to him, what he

said was quite striking. So, it does seem to me that even we ordinary Nigerians don’t seem to know what the real issues are and what the real history is. But that we should be foaming in the mouth now just a few days to the end of the deadline. I am not sure I know what to say frankly. President Goodluck Jonathan recently said he would shock Nigerians in 2013. Do you believe the president’s promise? It is possible. Yep. Why shouldn’t I believe him? You have confidence in him? I have confidence in him. I have confidence first of all in the fact that God did not bring us here by mistake and that God has demonstrated very clearly that He uses some of the instruments that are humanly uninspiring. And that His choices are not our choices because his ways are not our ways. I don’t think that Jonathan, whether he has the eloquence or doesn’t have eloquence, and that if it is in God’s plans that somehow, within this period of time, this is what is going to happen, I don’t have a problem. I mean, like Hausa man says if a blind man threatens to stone you, he must be standing on a stone. I think that Jonathan must have a reason to be confident. And if he can make that statement, I think it is a measure of his own commitment. But also, I think it is something that I think I will admire and I also say well, if you don’t deliver in 2013, then we tell you to pack your bags and go. So, if a man has given you that promise, I think he is putting himself up for something that is quite risky. If he has made that commitment, I think we can only hold him by his promise. Taking a cursory look at the president’s speech on independence day that he can’t rule Nigeria alone, how do you feel that such statement was coming from the president? You can read whatever you want to read. I think what the man said, of course, is true. Nigerians have a mindset. And perhaps, after 30 years of the military, destroying our collective psyche and the dictators, taking decisions about what will happen in Bayelsa, what will happen in Calabar, what will happen in Kano, what will happen in Sokoto and that all it required was for a dictator to wake up whether he has had one or two glasses of Brandy, and he says the man in Calabar, you are now governor, please, come and it happens, go and he goes, it is understandable. Now, after over twenty-something years,

DAILY SUN

Nigerians have gotten used to everything. We still believe President Jonathan or a president in a democracy is an imperial president, who is running this country on his own. If we have light, it is because of Jonathan. If we have no road, it is because of Jonathan. If children are not in school, it is because of Jonathan. If people have been killed somewhere, it is because of Jonathan. And Jonathan is not a policeman, Jonathan is not a governor, Jonathan is not a legislator. So, clearly, when he made the point, I can understand what he is saying but I think Nigerians are taking it as if the man is saying look, please don’t blame me. Of course, the truth of the matter is that the president, in the final analysis, he doesn’t have a checkbook. If the president says there is going to be road from here to Kano or that there will be 500 airports in Nigeria, the president cannot make that happen. He has to use the instrumentality of the public service, the bureaucracy, the ministries and it depends on the character and calibre of bureaucrats that you have. And that is why part of the biggest problem we face in Nigeria, is the quality and calibre of the bureaucracy that is running this country. So, when Jonathan made that point, I think I can see the point he is making. But it is also important that he takes full responsibility because he is the one that has assembled his team. No minister was selected. He is the one, who has chosen the people and if he has chosen a team, it is like Stephen Keshi. Stephen Keshi boasts that he is going to win the World Cup and chooses a team. He has to have an idea about the kind of team he is taking to the World Cup before he makes the promise. That is why if the guy makes a promise and fails, just like what they did with the other guy before Stephen Keshi, you fail to deliver, you go. In the same way, I think we can come to a point in which politicians fail to deliver and they go whether it is mid-term or even before the end of the term because if nobody forced you to make a commitment, if you make a commitment, then you live by that commitment. If you were to advise the president on three issues, what would they be? I am not a presidential adviser. Supposing President Goodluck Jonathan calls you and says, Bishop Kukah, advise me on three issues, what would be your advice? irst of all, I would like to have light 24 hours a day. Two, I want to see a massive layout of railway lines across this country. Three, I have forgotten the third. But even those two are enough because if we had railways in this country, we will not have Boko Haram. If we have electricity in this country, we will not have Boko Haram. Seriously! Because all the conversation we are having about education, everybody doesn’t have to go to the university. It is only in this country that everybody believes that they have to go to the university. A lot of people, if you are in America, your pride is that you have a check at the end of the week or at the end of the month. The president takes a check, you as a cleaner takes a check. So, what is your yanga? Your check is bigger than my own? That is your business. If you are drinking Champagne and I am drinking Coca Cola, I am happy, you are happy. But I have a check, you have a check. So, that is why it is the lack of these two critical things that are responsible for why Nigeria is boiling. And most of all these fighting you are seeing on the streets, whether it is domestic fight, whether it is communal fight, whether it is Boko Haram, are all the accumulation of frustration that Nigerians don’t know where to throw their frustration. The man who goes back and beats up his wife, it is not because he doesn’t like his wife. They have refused to pay him his salary and he doesn’t know where to take the anger. They have threatened to terminate his job, he doesn’t know where to take his anger. So, for me, if you talk about fixing three things, I will even want only two. As you clock 60, what is your wish for Nigeria? I really do love this country and my wish is, first of all, that Nigerians will gradually begin to appreciate the great country that they have; that Nigerians will begin to appreciate the great people that we are and that we will overcome this cynicism and really and truly take our rightful place because it doesn’t make sense that outside this country, people are praising Nigeria for a lot of things but it is only when you enter Nigeria that you wonder.

Friday, October 12, 2012

DAILY SUN

POLITICS...&Polity

As peace returns to Kano By CHINELO OBOGO

he ancient city of Kano is crawling back to life. The Southerners and other nationals, who fled the city in the wake of series of attacks by the Boko Haram sect in the wake of several senseless attacks that claimed numerous lives have returned to the state to commence their businesses. This is even as residents in Kano are excited over the gradual return of peace to the state capital, particularly as commercial activities continue to pick up. Most panic-stricken Southerners, especially those from the Igbo-speaking South-East, who fled Kano, following the exodus that characterised the attacks, are back in their shops for their normal businesses.

Business is now in top gear as most shops shut by their owners in the SabonGari area of the city, inhabited predominantly by non-Muslims and non-natives with an estimated two million Igbos, have now reopened. This development has been attributed to improved security lately. Chukwuemeka Ibeh and Ben Okoro, both spare part dealers, were among nonnatives, who fled the city for safety. They said they were back for good. They left the town in response to pressure from their relatives at home, who feared for their safety. “You don’t leave your place of business for home without making adequate arrangement for such movement; it has been a hell of the sort during the period I was home, doing nothing tangible,” Ibeh said, even as he admitted that most of the media reports on the conflict did not reflect the true situation on ground. “The reports had generated fear in the minds of people outside Kano and the North generally,” he added. In like manner, Okoro says, “we are happy that there is peace in the state now and we hope that the security agencies will sustain it. The people’s confidence is gradually being restored. Don’t forget also that Kano is most of us first home.” Security agents in Kano have intensified efforts of late aimed at reassuring residents of their resolve to nip any form of threat from those who specialise in trouble making in the bud. This is what security sources described as “adjustment and readjustment” of strategy by security personnel, which have unhindered access to strategic areas, particularly in the state capital that has, for long, become the den of extremists and other intruders. Incidentally, the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Ransom Bello, has openly acknowledged the relative peace in the state. This was followed by the improved turnout of Christian worshipers in Churches during Sunday services. It was a clear departure of the situation some months back when Christian worshipers boycotted their traditional Sunday Mass for fear of possible attack. The Bishop com-

•Kwankwaso mended the Police and members of the Joint Task Force for their effort. As part of measures to keep Kano in constant check, the Police have also beefed up security in alliance with military authorities as more of their men have been deployed to the city from their formations. The combatants have been arriving Bukavu barracks, Headquarters of 3 Bridge of Nigerian Army Kano as part of the renewed efforts to deal with the insurgency and in keeping with the promise of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Azubuike Ihejirika, to move more men to the city as part of the efforts to strengthen the campaign against Boko Haram activities. The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, says his command has doubled its efforts as security keeps improving

by the day. This, according to him, could be attributed to the support and co-operation his men are receiving from members of the public, the traditional rulers and the state government. “But, of course, we cannot rule out the gallantry, professionalism and commitment of officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force. The continued synergy between members of the various security agencies as reflected in the joint operation of the Joint Task Force, including quasi state security outfits such as Hisbah and Neigbourhood Watch Vigilante Group, is paying off. This joint effort had led to drastic reduction of crime in the state; evidence is the return of economic and social activities. Kano State has now resumed its number one position as the economic nerve cen-

“Business is now in top gear, as most shops shut by their owners in the SabonGari area of the city, inhabited

predominantly by non-Muslims and non-natives with an estimated two million Igbos, have now reopened.”

tre of northern Nigeria and West African sub-region,” Idris said. The commissioner did not stop there, but said, “we have continue to adopt our strategies of combating crimes, which includes visibility policing and raids on criminal hideouts. It has been very successful leading to the arrest of hundreds of criminals of different shades. Apart from the raids that are carried out as a routine operation, we have improved vehicular patrol, especially around the city as well as stop and search; they all have proved to be successful in this campaign. We also have our plain clothes personnel deployed in flash points for intelligence gathering and they have lived up to expectation in the circumstance. In the last six months in the state, our bomb experts have been nosing around for abandoned explosives and we have been able to mop up no fewer than 964 assorted high caliber explosives, which were either detonated or defused. The exercise is ongoing and we have taken time to explain to the public that whenever they hear the sound of explosives it should not be interpreted that the state is under attack because, most times we are the one that carried out the detonation in the event that we could not guarantee the safety of the officers involved if they have to defused the bombs because they are remote controlled,” he said. As part of the measures to improve security in Kano, the state government has donated 55 new vans to security agencies in the state. Nigeria Police got 44 of the double cabin vans while the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, State Security Service (SSS), Civil Defence and Road Safety Corps got one each. Governor Kwankwaso stated that the donation is only a tip of the iceberg, assuring that his administration would continue to equip the security agencies in Kano to make sure that lives and property of the citizens are protected. The governor promised to continue to work with the security outfits to facilitate security and development of the state. The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of zone 1, Abubakar Muhammad, who spoke on behalf of the benefitting organisations was full of praise for the governor, promising that the vehicles would be used for the purpose they were provided. During a short presentation ceremony at the government house in Kano, the state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso said. “Although it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to cater for the logistics needs of the security agencies, my government decided to assist so that they can cope with the challenge of protecting our people. Handling security is mainly the responsibility of the Federal government but the state sees it as a responsibility to support the Federal government,” Kwankwaso said.

DAILY SUN Friday, October 12, 2012

POLITICS...&Polity Mr. Emeka Etiaba is a Lagos-based lawyer and son of the immediate past deputy governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba. In the 2010 governorship election in Anambra State, he sought to unseat his mother’s former boss and incumbent governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi, but lost out in the governorship primaries of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). In this interview with NDUBUISI ORJI, he speaks on the state of the nation, the 2014 Anambra governorship poll and other issues. Excerpts: Nigerians need to talk igeria is an ongoing project. I don’t belong to the group that says Nigeria has failed. I don’t believe that Nigeria has failed. We have not gotten to the destination yet. A lot of things need to be amended in Nigeria. Last week, the president promised that somehow, there would be an avenue for the people to talk about this nation. That was very welcome, coming from a man, who should know and who should give a platform for such national discourse. He said it and I believe him. It must not be a sovereign national conference, if people are afraid of that coinage. The Bakassi people need to talk. The Igbo people need to talk. The Hausa people need to talk. Where and where have our leaders taken our money to? There is so much poverty in the North. Is it that they are not getting the Abuja money? Where is the money going to? Same thing with other sections of the country. A lot of questions need to be asked. Somebody was saying the other day, that before, we had more local government areas in the South than in the North. It is truth. And some people want to know what happened. The North wants to know why the government have just woken up to start nomadic education and all that. Why was it not happening before? How can it be institutionalised? Is it a one off thing? Is it a flash in the pan? People need to talk. Me, politics and Anambra 2014 I am in touch with my structure. I am in touch with my supporters. My supporters

Power shift to Anambra North, unworkable –Etiaba “So, if God decides to anoint somebody from Anambra North, we don’t have a choice. But the academic exercise, going on that power has to shift to Anambra North, it cannot be justified. It is not doable. It has never been done.”

know whether I will contest or not. I believe that it is premature to talk about it (2014 governorship election). Maybe, by the beginning of next year, people can begin to make positive statements about their interest or their intention. But I must assure you that my structure is alive and well. Nothing much has be heard about me in the political terrain (after 2010), yes. The reason is because I have something I am doing for a living. You are interviewing me in my office. I am not a professional politician. The problem we have is that people are professional politicians. All they do is politics. They just own three or more handsets. They have their babariga, safari and suits. And all they talk about is power and positions. When those people get that opportunity, they show the stuff they are made of. But for people who are gainfully employed, who have created wealth, who know what their profession is all about, they don’t call themselves full time politicians. Even among the ones, serving today, the ones who are making progress are the ones who are not full-time politicians. They are people who have vocations, who have something they were doing before they came into power and something they will do

•Etiaba when they leave power. Really, it is about whether you have something that occupies your mind or you are just an idle mind, who feeds fat on some government patronage. So, nothing will be heard of me now, until we get to a point where I will know whether I will contest or not. My failed governorship project The party decided to kill itself. I didn’t go to PPA. PPA came for me. And eventually when they made that volte face, I felt pity for

‘Blame Mbadinuju for Anambra PDP crises’ As the crises in the Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continue to fester, a former chairman of Aguata Local government Area of the state, Goddy Osele, has called on all feuding parties to sheath their swords in the overall interest of the party. The former council boss, who blamed the unending squabbles in the party on the former governor of the state, Chief Chinwoke Mbadinuju, told Daily Sun in an interview that what mattered most now was for the party to come together in the interest of the people of the state. NDUBUISI ORJI brings the excerpts: How C.C Mbadinuju started PDP crises n 1998, if you recall, the first election that was held in this country was that of the council chairmen on December 5, 1998. In most states, it was the assemblage of those

•Osele

council chairmen that assisted in getting any governor on seat. Any state governor that came on board and thereafter started fighting the council chairmen, who were the main foundation of the democracy in 1998 would have a problem like in Anambra State. The council chairmen were the people that formed the core of those that produced the governor of Anambra State. Now within six months to one year of their tenure, the governor started having problems with those council chairmen. In short, Chuma Nzeribe, the chief security adviser, went around, harassing the entire council chairmen. It happened in Anambra East, Onitsha South, Onistha North, Idemili North, Nnewi South, Nnewi North and ended with me as the council chairman of Aguata. When they started having problem with the council chairmen, it rocked the bottom of the whole political system. We had council chairmen, who decided to work for their people; so they became popular. Politically, he (Mbadinuju) was misled to start thinking that those council chairmen with their popularity would support another candidate in 2003. He never believed that those council chairmen would assist him come back for second term. So, it was this disagreement between those people who were working with the governor and the council chairmen and harassment of the council chairmen that made the council chairmen form the Anambra Peoples Forum(APF). The crisis started in 2001. If the governor had been in harmony with the council chairmen and councillors that

worked for his emergency, he wouldn’t have had any problem. There would have been no single individual that would have had the enormous force to fight the 21 council chairmen and the councillors, if they were working harmoniously with the governor. Who is that person? The feuding parties must sheath the sword As far as PDP is concerned in Anambra State now, my view is that the gladiators are yet to sincerely tell themselves the truth. And that truth is that there is need for people to sheath their sword and come to a roundtable conference and discuss in the interest of the masses. The masses I mean here, apart from the PDP members are the Anambra people as a whole. It is only when we have peace in PDP that we will be to attract a lot of good things to the state. Whether people like it or not, in Nigeria today, the federal government still have more than fifty per cent of whatever that is that is happening in the country and it can only get to us if we are well organised. My own prayer is that the main gladiators should be futuristic in whatsoever they are doing. Court orders, court injunctions, infighting within the whole party structure will not help anybody. We should know that the political party that owns Anambra State is PDP. All the big politicians they belong in spirit to the PDP. If you see them talk of APGA, it is just because of the little bit of confusion in the PDP. As soon as they come to a round table conference and resolve their misunderstanding, you will see PDP come out stronger.

them. Yes, my ambition was not met. But a party didn’t need to kill itself, just to scuttle my own interest. That was the way I saw that day. I didn’t feel that bad. I was offered to run with the person they preferred. But I declined. And I am happy that I declined. Tomorrow if it happens again, I will decline. It is an issue of a party deciding to commit suicide. Do you still hear of the party? The party was buried somewhere in Anambra on that day. Agitation for power shift to Anambra north Where has it worked, that a given people will begin to say we have not held power, it is our turn? You don’t queue up to chase power, you go for power . You take it. You are asking me whether I will vie in the next governorship election. I can only become the governor of Anambra State if I contest. Nobody will wish it unto me. The people who are sitting in the comfort of their sitting rooms and saying that power should shift to Anambra North, that is a very good academic discourse. But I can assure you that it will not amount to anything. There is no place in Anambra politics where any arrangement was put in place that after Central, it will be South and after South, it will be North. Anambra North should bring out their best eleven, if their best eleven is able to make it, they will produce the governor. If it pleases God that the next governor of Anambra State will be from the North and he anoints the person, good. We have seen it happen. Goodluck Jonathan, who is our president today, never for one day said I will be governor or I will be president, it was thrusted on him by God. So, if God decides to anoint somebody from Anambra North, we don’t have a choice. But the academic exercise, going on that power has to shift to Anambra North, it cannot be justified. It is not doable. It has never been done. As I talk to you today more people are coming out from the Central wanting to take over from the present governor, who is also from the Central. Are you going to blame them? It is an issue of democracy. Whoever is interested should come out. So, it is a pity if they feel they have not been there and they want to be there. But they have to do alot of work. It is a struggle Parties zoning their governorship ticket to Anambra north I cannot subscribe to it. Because just like they are saying they need the power. Some of us are also saying that we need the power in our own zones. It is undemocratic for all the political parties to say that Anambra North will produce the candidate. But if they have the influence and clout to attract such patronage, who am I to quarrel? Elections ending in the Courts We are evolving. The INEC of yesterday is not the INEC of today. Remember that INEC just finished the conduct of governorship election in Edo State. The PDP came second and the PDP said we are not going to contest the outcome of that election, because we are convinced that Oshiomhole won. We are evolving. From a point where elections are pre-determined to a point it was rigged, to a point where now we see some semblance of sanity. So, even the PDP candidate who is at the election tribunal knows that he is alone. It never used to be so. We are evolving. We are getting there. Because political power is the easiest way to make money, a lot of people can never give up an opportunity to force themselves into political offices. Even when you win them, fair and square, they will still insist on going to court, because they have seen one technicality or the other that will favour them.

DAILY SUN

Friday, October 12, 2012

South-West Report From GBENGA ADESUYI, Ibadan

“L

et there be light; and there was light.” That Bible quotation seems to motivated Prophet Moses Muideen Kasali, founder of Hours of Mercy Prayer Ministry, (aka OriOke Alaseyori), Ojedeji 11, Ibadan, Oyo State, as he is set to illuminate 80 communities in Akinyele Local Government Area of the state. For the people of Jarija, Ladele, Loogun, Bamidele, Idi-Ayun, Odunewu, Lasidi, Asipa, Onikeku, Ojedeji 11 and many others in that local government, their prayer has been finaly been answered. The communities, all in Ward Nine in the LG, have never felt any government presence. “They (politicians) will come here during campaign but they never returned after they are elected,” a community leader told Daily Sun. Kasali is blind, having lost his sight when he was barely three years old. He became very popular in his community (Ojedeji II) for selling firewood to villagers for him to make a living. Today, the story has changed. He has become a rallyingpoint for over 80 communities in the area. Since his calling as a minister of God six years ago, Kasali has been making positive impact in the lives of the villagers. He singled handedly purchased a 300KVA transformer for the community. Before then, he had been supplying the community with electricity through his generating set. He was advised to purchase the transformer when the cost became unbearable: “We used about 500 litres of diesel on daily basis, and that is if we did not use the generator from morning. I felt purchasing the transformer wold be the best for us.” A sum of N5.7 million was spent on the transformer. Aside, Kasali had dug a borehole for the community. When armed robbery cases were rampant in the communities few years ago, Kasali constructed a police post in Ojedeji 11. He also

Kasali commissioning one of the transformers

Let there be light… As blind prophet electrifies 80 communities purchased a patrol van for the policemen posted to the village: “The villagers were under serious armed robbery attack. Many were disposed of their goods. Farmers and market women were not spared. Okada riders were also losing their motorcycles constantly while the petty traders among the women were subjected to serious agony. The situation was so pathetic and I felt the only solution was to have a police post. After approval of the government, a police post was constructed and handed over to the Nigeria Police about two years ago. It was equipped with best facilities while patrol van was also provided. Since that time, the

villagers have been having rest of mind. “I want my people to feel my presence. God has used me in a way. So, my message is that we should all allow God to use us in different ways and in tune with the financial resources, He has endowed us with. “The country is presently facing some problems because of the attitude of an average Nigerian that government can do everything. We all have a role to play to move the country forward. If we all realize it and take up the challenge, we will see that the country will be better for all of us. We, the servants of God are praying. We cannot subject everything to spiritual-

ity.” Kasali is worried that politicians pay little or no attention to their constituencies and constituents. He said despite the fact that people troop out every time to perform their civic responsibility of casting their votes during the elections, successive administrations, both at the state and local governments have continued to abandon them: “There is nothing the people can point at as dividend of democracy here.”` On corruption, the man of God noted that the current fuel scarcity in the state was not necessary if not for corruption. He wondered why petroleum pipe vandals in Ogun State

should hold the entire country into ransom despite the Federal Government having security agencies at its disposal. He described as very worrisome, situation where people are being killed in mosques and churches by suicide bombers: “The fear of God has been totally eroded in the minds of the people, and this is very dangerous for the nation. “Despite the magnitude of human problem, God is always ready and available to help out if He is called upon. An interdenominational is being organized as a way of finding lasting solution to the various problems confronting the country.”

Accord Party, best for Oyo–Olagunju, lawmaker

oshua Kolade Olagunju, is chairman, Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Information and Orientation. He represents Akinyele Constituency 1 in the House. He spoke on why the assembly is devoid of crisis since inception among other sundry issues. Excerpts: Accord Party in Oyo State Accord Party today is the toast of all the people in Oyo State. The party is that of the masses. All the elected representatives of the party are working in the mould of its leader, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, whose major concern is the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people. That is what Ladoja stands for. This is justifiable when you look at the quality representations from Accord Party lawmakers both at the state and National Assembly. We always respond to the needs and yearnings of the masses and this is why things have positively improved in all constituents any Accord Party won in the last election. Accord

Party (AP) is the peoples’ party. Accord Party is waxing stronger day by day. Our people have realized that they have made a great mistake in the last election, especially the governorship. More people are coming to Accord. The electorates through the laudable achievements of Accord parliamentarians now know better and their focus is in the direction of Accord Party. I know the end would justify the means in 2015 for Accord Party. Performance of the state assembly The assembly is expected to be the watchdog of the executives for it to meet the expectations of the masses. The assembly is expected to be a house of commotion because of its composition. This is not so because we have assemblymen who are working for the state and not myopic. They are interested in seeing to the development of the people and ensure that the government serves the masses. To us, party is not the issue, but the welfare of the people.

For instance, during the mass sack of the workers, the assembly set up a committee to pacify workers and we investigated the matter. The executives would soon consider the report. Our basic concern is to promulgate laws for the good governance of the state. Proposed new council areas It is the duty of the executives to create new council but this cannot be done without the consent of the state assembly. If the executive comes upwith the new councils, the house would organize a public hearing. as this would affect the livesof the people directly. So, if the people rejected it, we would aceede to them and if they give their blessing, we won’t stop it. In essence, the state house of assembly is the peoples parliament and we won’t renege on our contract with our people. Local government election The House absolutely lacks the power to conduct the council poll. We can only screen members of OYSIEC which is part of our statutory role. We can only advise.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi has not run foul of the law. He understands the roles of the assembly and we do not have any course to clash. However, I know quite well that the people are eagerly looking for the opportunities to elect their chairmen and councilors. I can asure them that the state assembly would definitely not disappoint them. His achievements I constructed a link bridge at Okuside destroyed by rainstorm. I also constructed three blocks of classrooms for St. Andrew

Primary School, IDC Ojemo. I have constructed six motorist boreholes in Balogun, Moniya, Akingbile and Ajo in Ward 4. I also provided loan for petty traders to the tune of N500,000 and a transformer is being installed in Abiola community. I registered over 30 students for the GCE examination. I liased with the state government to facilitate the construction of Akinyele-Apete Road. Also, the Akingbile Community Grammar School is being given a facelift.

St. Victoria Catholic Church holds harvest

pecial apostolic blessings from the Catholic Bishop of osogbo, Osun State, Most Rev. (Dr.) Gabriel Leke Abegunrin would be part of activities marking this year’s harvest ceremony of St. Victoria Catholic Church, Ijebu-Ijesa Road, Ilesa. The ceremony takes place on Sunday, October 14, 2012 and would be chaired by Sir Olu Abiola, supported by eminent personalities. It would begin at 9am and conducted by the Associate Priest, Rev. Father Anthony Olagoke and parish priest, Rev. Fr. Paul Awowole, assisted by other priests.

Friday, October 12, 2012

DAILY SUN

South-West Report From BAMIGBOLA GUNTE, Osogbo

GBOLA-

unday, October 7, 2012, was indeed a tragic day for residents of Ayekale, Osogbo, Osun State, as a train crushed a seven-year-old boy identified as Wale to death, after a church service. The incident which threw the people of Osogbo into mourning was said to have happened at about 12.30 pm. Wale was attending church service at a pentecostal church located close to the rail line linking Osogbo to Ibadan, Oyo State, and Offa in Kwara State. A good number of the children of the church trouped out to catch a glimpse of the train.

How train crushed NGO advocates secured future for youths boy, 7, to death From TUNDE RAHEEM, Akure

Mr Abiola Odeyinka, a member of the church explained that Wale was playing with his younger brothers on the rail line and got carried away till the train crushed him: “We were about to close the Sunday service when we heard the voice of the train which we believed was coming from Offa in Kwara State. Many of the children who were at the children’s church trouped out to catch a glimpse of it as many of them had never seen one

before. It was during this time that Wale who was playing on the rail got crushed by the train.” However, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), said it was not aware of the accident as it has not been reported at the Osogbo office of the corporation. A senior officer of the corporation who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the accident has not been reported at the Osogbo office of the corporation.

Cholera: LG commissions 78 public toilets From IBRAHIM Ibadan.

AKANBI,

The residents of Abebi, Oopo and Idi-Ikan in the Ibadan North West Local Government area had cause to jubilate recently as the Council Caretaker Committee commissioned 78 public toilets in their communities. The intervention is in response to the cholera epidemic, which ravaged the communities in which dozens of people including children were killed. The council authorities had earlier embarked on the chlorinisation of wells as well as public enlightenment campaign on safe hygienic habits to stem the scourge.

Council chairman, Mr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, said the projects had been assisted by the World Bank through one of its initiatives, Community for Social Development Agency (CSDA). It was a bottom-to-top development scheme as the benefiting communities were consulted on their needs before the project was designed and executed: “We can see that Ibadan was one of the dirtiest cities in West Africa, but now the story is starting to change. We will after this commissioning send out officials, who will go about the communities to inspect the environment so as to curb all acts of indiscipline as well as to arrest offenders, who will later be charged to court.”

A community leader, Dr. Adebisi Busari, said this was the first time the World Bank would be assisting in a grassroots’ project, and saluted the council chairman for securing the partnership. Acting General Manager of CSDA, Mr. Babatunde, urged the communities to maintain the facilities and not misuse or allow them destroyed. Another community leader heading a committee supervising the projects, Mr. Adewunmi, said: “The chairman had been monitoring the project ever since we started, making sure there was no room for embezzlement. We have never seen anyone as accountable and reliable as him.”

non-governmental organization has observed that the future of the Nigerian youths is not secured and appealed to government at all levels and philanthropists to rise up to the challenge of changing things for better. Executive director of Kids and Teens, Akure, Ondo State, MartinMary Falana, chided wealthy personalities in Nigeria for their refusal to assist in the development of the youths and less priviledged ones which has led to the rise in the cases of kidnapping, terrorism and other social vices in the country. Falana noted that, “there are several of them in the country that can assist in offering corporate and social responsibilities but they are not forthcoming. There are a number of them that can do more than what donor agencies are doing in Nigeria; just for them to assist in the reduction in the number of youths that are becoming hooligans and involving in other social vices. “Assisting the youths in their educational pursuits as well as the vulnerable children is not a misplaced priority; when they are educated, it will make the society free from all sorts of criminal tendency and social vices.” He explained that his NGO has involved in the construction of school buildings in 15 communities in the state, poverty eradication through various empowerment programmes for

the youths, disaster and conflict resolution, child’s rights, education and governance. Falana pointed out that although, the organization does not involve in the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients, it has assisted in counseling youths through seminars and health shows on how to avoid contacting the dreaded killer disease thereby controlling its spread. He stated that the organization adopted various strategies to reach out to the youths including community mobilization, creation of awareness and sensitization, capacity building and training, study and exchange tours, participatory monitoring and evaluation as well as networking and partnership building. The mission and vision of the organization, he said are to create a secured future where young people are empowered to contribute to the sustainable development of their communities and creating an enabling environment for equipping young people with knowledge and skills needed for self actualization and development: “Those children are left unguided are the hooligans of tomorrow; they are the ones that will give their communities and even government unrest in future; no matter how much millions we made, if we don’t take care of the needs of our children, they will go out of hand and be the ones vandalizing the resources of the country in future.”

Mr. Sunday Idowu (left), CEO, Jojein Hotels, Akure, congratulating Gov. Akpabio, on his confernment of Doctor of Sciences (honoris causa), by Wesley University. L-R: Aladeokun of Idanre, Oba Frederick Aroloye, Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan, Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, at the second convocation ceremony of Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo, Ondo State.

Genius holds merit awards

enius magazine has concluded arrangements to give awards of excellence to some eminent Nigerians who have contributed posively to the development of the country. The ceremony billed to hold in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State on Sunday, October 21, 21012, will draw top political functionaries, civil ser-

vants and other dignitaries from all walks of life. The awardees are Mr. Simeon Adebayo, Dr. Ade Abolurin, Mr. Koko Ademola, Ambassador Folake Marcaus, Messrs Femi Osibamowo, Segun Idowu, Isreal Jolaosho, Bukola Buraimoh, Bowale Solaja and Giwa Moruf Adebayo Adesegun.

RCCG School of Disciples holds fire confab

s part of end of last quater of the year programmes, the Redeemed Christian Church of God School of Disciples, Lagos Province 21, is set to hold a two-day Fire Conference from today with the theme, “God’s Battle Axe.” Anthony Foursquare Gospel Church holds concert L-R: Pastor Oyeniyi Omonijo, President, NAPPS, Osun State chapter, Mrs. Titit Laoye-Tomori, Deputy Foursquare Gospel Church City Gov, Mrs. Ibukun Tinuola, a school proprietress and Olori Titi Laminisa, at the conferment of of Refuge, Anthony, Lagos, is to “Ambassador of Educational Repositioning” on the deputy gov in Osogbo, yesterday. hold a weeklong activities to cele-

brate this year’s Concert, Revival and Anniversary, starting on Sunday. It will feature word exposition, intercession for revival, pure praise, worship, musical concert, prayer focus, etc. Joseph Faulkner, head planning committee, on behalf chief host, Rev. Adegbenga Adekoya, said the “concert is going to be a time for worship. It is when people are expected to come out in connection with God in an atmosphere of worship.”

DAILY SUN Friday, October 12, 2012

By BISI OLALEYE

he six hours flight which commenced from the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos that cool Friday (September 7) night was so smooth that by the time we touched down at the O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa it seemed to me as if we had hardly left Lagos. I could not help but acknowledge the tremendous ease and comfort air travel had brought to mankind. Inside a car or bus, I could have as well spent those six hours in a traffic jam between my office in Apapa and Oshodi – or even more hours. But that is a story for another day. At Oliver Reginald (O.R) Tambo Airport, I had a first- hand experience of what an Airport in modern age should look; simple, outstandingly clean, functional cooling systems, well organized, the Customs and Immigration processes are so smooth that by the time you exit the airport you can’t but wish for the day a Nigerian airport would wear such ambiance or come close to the ones you pass through in Western countries. This was not my first visit to South Africa; the first visit saw me in Johannesburg. But this time, the final destination would be Rhodes University, Grahamstown, the Eastern Cape, where the 16th annual Highway Africa and 3rd Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), was holding. The conference was sponsored by MTN Group. A connecting flight which took off two hours later, landed at Port Elizabeth, it was a one hour and forty minutes flight and from there, we travelled another two tiring hours to Grahamstown where the Rhodes University is located. Mostly described as the smallest university in South Africa, Rhodes University prides itself with the motto ‘Where leaders learn.’ Indeed I was very impressed by its beauty. Established about 108 years ago with a current population of 7,390 students., this university reminds you about so many things: one of them is the virtues of preserving the present for the future. The students hostel was another thing that baffled me, well kept, neat and smelling good with extra soft pillow and single bed that looked inviting with its duvet. Take the hostel I lodged in as a case study, it’s all bricks and is considered more safe in case of fire outbreak. And I don’t want to talk about the constant water and electricity supply. By the time I got to Ellen Kuzwayo, the hostel: by 7 PM , South African time, I was tired, hungry and sleepy but I managed to go to the Great Hall for Cocktail, where I consumed more red wine coupled with seven bottles of 50ml of Amarula earlier taken in the plane . It wasn’t my fault actually but the cold defiled every windcheater and sweater that I took along,though it was summer, according to Captain Tobiloba Femi-Adesina, who informed us well ahead of time at Joburg. Sunday, September 9th, first day of the conference quickly came and we: I, Mrs. Mimideke Ucheagwu of Xlr8 , others like Declan Okpalaeke the three time CNN award winner, Damilola Oyedele,This Day and Onche Odeh who were sponsored by other companies went to have breakfast at the Desmond Tutu dining hall, a walking distance to the hostel. I ate what I knew was close to Nigerian bread, omelete and a strong cup of black coffee to start the day with. Dinner at the Settlers monument was another breathtaking experience that encompasses the mountain view and architectural masterpiece. Speaking in a parallel session on ‘How media innovation is reshaping our field’, Executive for Corporate Affairs at MTN Group, Mr. Rich Mkhondo disclosed that this year makes it the 10th time that MTN was sponsoring the renowned media conference. “MTN is once again demonstrating its leadership in developing Africa’s media through its sponsorship of the Highway Africa conference. “Sponsoring the conference gives MTN the opportunity to promote dialogue amongst media on the continent and provide valuable insights on how the media is continually striving to assert the use of ICT to benefit some of our most disadvantaged communities on the continent”. According to Director of Highway Africa,

•Ellen Kuzwayo hostel entrance view

Yes, Nigeria can overtake South Africa

L-R: Bisi, Tobi, Mimideke and Funso

•L-R: Funso, Bisi, Mkhondo and Mimi

•L-R: Leratho Seleri, MTN executive, South Africa, Bisi and a friend Chris Kabwato, this year, the response has been overwhelming. Over 459 delegates from 50 countries are in attendance with 87 speakers, 8 parallel panels, 20 parallel sessions, 5 workshops, 55 media workers, 6 plenaries, 110 employers, 80 percent of whom are students. “This is the highest number we have had in the past 16 years. It is through the support of

sponsors like MTN that the conference has grown by leaps and bounds. There is no doubt that MTN is taking a leadership role in promoting media development in the continent,” he said. And the theme: ‘Africa Rising? How the media frame the continent’s geopolitics, trade and economic growth. Earlier, Acting Mayor of Grahamstown, Mr. Piryawaden Ranchhod pledged his con-

tinued support to the Makana Municipality for future Highway Africa conferences and encouraged journalists to enjoy their stay. The conference, which anchors on data journalism, social media, brown envelopes syndrome in Africa, challenges of freedom of expression, broadband Africa- opportunities for innovation and transformation of a continent towards an African knowledge economy. Others include using twitter in journalism practice, Mobile technology and Digital life, made in Africa software, Why media really matters and new models for journalism training. Some of these workshops were held at the Africa Media Matrix (AMM), also known as Rhodes school of journalism. Talking about the AMM, it is one of the best ICT centric centre that leveraged on wires and wireless technology. It has the first complete copper ten cable installation in Africa. These blue cables carry all the computer network, telephone, access control, video and audio signals throughout the building. However, during my almost one week stay access to internet was poor despite the existence of the various telecommunications companies. At least 75 percent of journalists at the workshops had problems sending stories to their various countries. Even the call tariff was far too exorbitant compared to that of Nigeria. That is another story. One of the workshops on corruption, which had Damilola Oyedele speaking about corruption in the media workplace anchored on the fact that graft are driven by greed and need. And that media owners should be encouraged to raise the bar in terms of emoluments. Other speakers from other African countries noted that brown envelope syndrome is prevalent in almost every continent. According to President, Federation of African journalists, Somalia, Omar Faruk Osman, brown envelop in Malawi is known as Kusolola, Maloji, kudzigani, Sharool in Somalia, Murocca in Tunis and Gbalamu, pepper or communiqué in Nigeria. In spite of my busy schedule and various SA’s food, I still missed my Nigerian delicacies, which to me cannot be replaced by any good infrastructure in SA. It might have been one of the reasons that I fell ill on the second day, but thank God for Funso,Mimideke and Damilola Oyedele who became overnight prayer warriors and paramedics while I enjoyed the undiluted attention. Nigeria, can overtake SA in terms of infrastructure and restructuring if only our government is sincere about setting records straight.

DAILY SUN Friday, October 12, 2012,

Light of Islam

Abdulfatah Oladeinde 08023078685

MarryMuslim

•Gombe State intending pilgrims at the hajj camp listening to a farewell address by Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo on Tuesday.

Prophet Muhammad’s treatment of the people during hajj Continued from last week 4. Unifying Muslims and warning them against trials and disunity Despite all the feelings and emotions it represents for Muslims, the Hajj is a unique opportunity to unify and to warn the nation against trials and afflictions. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, gave great attention to this point. For instance: He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, declared that all Muslims are equal, and that Taqwa (fear of Allaah) is the only basis for discrimination among them. “Your Lord is One,” the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said, “Your father is one. No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, and no black person is superior to a red person, or a red person to a black person except in the way of fearing Allaah.” (Muslim) He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, ordered complete obedience to the righteous ruler who adheres to the Book of Allaah and to the Muslim congregation. In one of his sermons, he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, exhorted the nation “If a black slave were made your ruler,” he said, “you should owe him allegiance and obedience provided that he adheres to the rulings of Allaah’s Book.”

(Muslim) At the same time, he warned against the intrigues of Satan saying “Satan has despaired of being worshipped by those who offer the prayer in the Arabian Peninsula, but not of scheming against them.” (Ibn Maajah) He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, also warned against introducing heresies into the religion. He said: “I am going to save people, and will be called upon to save people; I will say, ‘O Lord how about my companions?’ and He (Almighty) will reply: ‘You have no knowledge of what they introduced after your death.’” (Al-Bukhaari) Further, he warned against all that may cause trials and dissention in Muslim society, such as fighting among Muslims. Having asked pilgrims to keep quiet, the Prophet said: “Never revert to disbelief after my death, killing each other.” (AlBukhaari) He warned people against indifference for Muslim’s blood, possessions and other sanctities. In his sermons on the days of ‘Arafah, Nahr (slaughter) and on the second day of Tashreeq, the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, warned: “Your blood, your possessions and your sanctities are all as sacred

as this day of yours, as this month of yours, and as this land of yours.” (Ahmad) 5. Preaching submission to Allaah and unifying the sources Islam means total submission and humility to Allaah Alone on the one hand, and observance of the teachings of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, on the other. Being a true Muslim requires undisputed submission to the divine revelation. The Hajj represents submission par excellence. It is a school of surrender to the will of Allaah. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, told his companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, to unite in following his example and emphasized the necessity for adhering to his teachings. “The Prophet is with us,” Jaabir, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported, “and the divine inspiration is being revealed to him. He knows best how to interpret it, and whatever he does, we will follow in his foot-steps.” (Muslim) The outcome of this excellent education was enormously successful and blessed by Allaah, Almighty. On many occasions, the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, ordered his companions to follow his

example when he mentioned that it might well be the last time he performed Hajj. “Learn your rituals from me,” he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “ I’m not sure that I will perform Hajj again.” (Muslim) In his sermon delivered on the Day of ‘Arafah, the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, urged the pilgrims to hold on to the Quran and its teachings as the only way to deliverance from sins. “I have left you with the Quran,” he said: “you will never go astray if you adhere to it.” (Ibn Maajah The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, warned against following personal whims and introducing heresies into the religion. Addressing the pilgrims from the back of his shecamel at ‘Arafah, he said: “I will beat you to the Hawdh (water fountain), and with your numbers I will compete with other nations. Do not let me down; I will be saving people, and will be called upon to save people. I will say ‘O Lord, what about my companions?’ Allaah (Almighty) will reply, 'You have no knowledge of what they introduced after your death.” (Mukhtasar AsSeerah) Source: AlJumuah

Are you a Muslim male or female searching for a suitable life partner? Or does your family want a spouse for a son or daughter of marriage age. Well, we can be of help to you. It has been observed lately that many matured female and male Muslims are getting agitated and confused due to their inability to find appropriate partners. Some of those affected, particularly the females end up marrying out of the fold of Islam, against the ruling of Sharia. With this column, MarryMuslim, we seek to redress the growing practices in which Muslim youths get abused or frustrated in the bid to have life partners.You are invited to send your profile just as Muslim families are invited to send profiles of their sons or daughters seeking life partners to the email address: fatakola@yahoo.com. The profiles are to include: name, age, height, ethnic group, town, marital status, number of children (if any), qualifications, occupation and current position, telephone number for easy contact, any other useful details, qualities desired in prospective spouses and email address. Please ensure that profiles sent for publication are written as seen published to save time wasted on re-writing. And note that names and e-mail addresses provided will be treated as confidential and will not be included when the profiles are published on this page. Owing to space constraint the profiles will be featured on this page for two weeks before being deleted to accommodate others. Prospective suitors interested in any of the published profiles are to contact the Coordinator, The Sun Light of Islam through the above email address, giving adequate information about themselves and if deemed to have satisfied the requirements will be linked up with the profiled person. Always read The Sun Light of Islam. Profile 1752: Single riage. Profile 1757: 29-year-old Muslim male, 30 years old, 6 feet tall, Yoruba from Epe, Muslim male, single, Yoruba, Lagos, varsity graduate, gain- graduate of Economics, tall fully employed, wants for and dark in complexion, from marriage a God-fearing Osun State, seeking to marry a Muslim female who is from loving and caring Muslim South-West, aged between 22 female. Profile 1758: Muslim male, and 26, holder of at least OND, 29, average height, graduate of chocolate-complexioned. Profile 1753: Muslim Institute of Technology, female, 27 years old, graduate Hausa/Fulani, self employed, from Kwara State, chocolate- wants to marry a Muslim complexioned, desires to be female from any part of the married to a Muslim male who country. Profile 1759: Muslim male, is God-fearing, gainfully employed, hardworking and 29 years old, banking and finance graduate, gentle, very caring. Profile 1754: Muslim tall, fair and handsome and female, 28, single, 1.5 feet tall, also comfortably employed, Yoruba from Ikare Akoko, seeking for marriage a Muslim Ondo State, HND holder, just female from Kano, Katsina or completed NYSC scheme, Kaduna who has attained desires to be married to a tall, above secondary school edudark complexioned, God-fear- cation, aged between 19 and ing, devout, caring, loving, sin- 24, GÚd-fearing, religious, gle Muslim male who is gain- reserved, romantic, hard workfully employed, preferably ing and neat. She must not be necesarily too beautiful but from South-west not be ugly. Profile 1755: 34 years old should Muslim male, single, an Igala Complexion not a barrier, but from Kogi State, tall choco- she must be also very tall and late-complexioned, educated, willing to settle down soon. Profile 1760: Muslim male, understanding, working in Lagos, wants a devoted 26, holder of national diploma, Muslim female from Kogi for gainfully employed, seeking to marriage. She must be aged marry a Muslim female, aged between 18 and 23, working, between 20 and 25. Profile 1756: Single God-fearing and caring. Profile 1761: Single Muslim male, 26, 1.70 metres tall, dark, chubby, Yoruba from Muslim male, 35 years old, Kwara State, holder of B.Sc Hausa from Twon-Abuja, (Ed) Physics, working, desires medical doctor (consultant surfor marriage, a pretty, young, geon), seeking to marry a virile, practising Muslim Muslim female who has the female who is caring, hard- fear of Allah, tall, slim, and working, kind-hearted, work- fair, holder of HND or NCE, ing/self-employed, aged Yoruba, Igala, or Nupe, aged between 22 and 25years, between 27 and 32. She must preferably a Yoruba from the be very very ready for marsouth-west, ready for marriage.

Friday, October 12 , 2012 DAILY SUN

People & Events Methodist Church Nigeria, Lagos West celebrates

Eke for burial tomorrow

he stage is now set for the third edition of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos West’s Festival of Hymns and Songs. The one day event comes up at Methodist Church Nigeria, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday 14 October , 2012 by 4.00pm. According to the Chief Host, the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Revd. Isaac Ayo Olawuyi, “As Methodist, one of the greatest and renowned composer of hymns that have ever lived remains Charles Wesley, the brother of John Wesley (Founder of Methodist

T Church). This Festival of Hymns is to identify with one of the most valued elements of Methodist as a Church of God; whereby we communicate the gospel through glorious hymns to all and sundry”

Foursquare Gospel Church Cement Zone

oursquare Gospel Church Cement Zone holds its annual revival summit, from Sunday Oct. 14 to 16. The revival comes up yearly. This years revival is tagged MEGA BLESSING. The senior Pastor Rev. Adewale Elais in his brief declared that the revival conference promises to be great as God is set to visit the church with mega blessings.

Recently, the family of ;late alhaji Lasisi Omipidan gave out their daughter, Halimat Taiwo Omipidan, the last of the family of eight, in marriage to Mr. Tajudeen Olaniyan. Both the Nikkah and the wedding receptiontook place in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. ...the couple during the ceremony. General Ovearseer of Winners Life Ministries, Achapo, Ajegunle, Lagos, Pastor Kingsley Nwangwu, and wife, Pastor (Mrs) Joy Nwangwu, cutting the cake as part of the church’s 10th anniversary celebration recently.

Speaking from Genesis 12:1-3, the Lord visited Abraham and called him out of his father’s house which resulted in mega blessings and God made his name very great. He urged Christians to be obedient to the call of God, which will always result in mega blessings. Ministering during the 3days programme which starts on the 14-16 October is Rev. Tony Akinyemi a seasoned preacher of the word and highly anoint-

Maryway Old Students meet

ur Lady of Apostle, Maryway, Ibadan Old Students Association meets at St. Agness Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos on Sunday, October 28, 2012. The Spokesman of the association, Mrs. Ekundayo Theresa Sotade urged all members to attend as crucial issues concerning the group will be discussed.

Superior Evangelist Idowu dies at 81

he death has occurred in Benin City of Superior Evangelist Fidelis Babatunde Idowu, aged 81 years.

The late Sup. Evangelist Idowu was until his death a devoted Christian and an active member of the Celestial Church of Christ where he functioned in various capacities. He is survived by children, grand and great grand children, brothers and sisters amongst whom is Sabina Idowu-Osehobo General Manager, Lift Above Poverty Organisation(LAPO). Born on April 14th 1931, the late Sup. Evangelist Idowu had his primary education at Eme-Ora and secondary education at St. John Bosco College, Ubiaja, all in present day Edo state. Burial arrangement released by the family indicates that the body of the Late Superior Evangelist would depart the Anatomy Department of the University of Benin in a motorcade on Thursday, October 11, 2012, for his home town, Eme-Ora, followed by commendation service and interment in his compound at NO 1, Idowu Street, Off Orere Street, Eme-Ora, Edo State. Thanksgiving service for the Late Superior Evangelist Idowu would hold on Sunday, October 14, 2012 at the Celestial Church of Christ, Ofunre Street, Eme-Ora.

Pastor (Mrs) Sola Osinowo passes on

he death has been announced of Pastor Sola Osinowo. She died on October 6, 2012 at age 57 years, and will be buried on October 19 at Ijako-Ota, Ogun State after a church service at RCCG Provincial Headquarters, Ogun Province III Ewupe Road, Ojuare, Ota at 10.a.m. Entertainment of guests follows immediate at the same venue. She’s survived by husband, children and grandchildren.

mortuary for funeral church service after a brief stop over at Ndi Okowu compound and thereafter interment. Eke, 49, an alumnus of University of Lagos and Fellow Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), died on August 18, after a brief illness. He is survived by wife, three children, aged mother and siblings among other relations.

Primate Okoh’s mother burial gets a new date

ama Sarah Okoh, mother of the Primate of the Anglican Church Communion in Nigeria, His Grace, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh will be buried on October 12, 2012. In a statement released by her family, new dates have been fixed. Obsequies commenced with the service of songs on Thursday October 11, 2012 at St. Micheal’s Anglican Church,

Owa-Alero, Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State at 4.pm. Funeral service will be held at the same venue on Friday October 12, 2012 at 10.am while interment will follow at her family residence. Thanksgiving service will also hold on Saturday October 2012 at St. Micheal’s Anglican Church, Owa-Alero by 9.am. Mama Ezinne Sarah Okoh was 90 years of age when she passed on to glory.

Pa Omokhoa for burial Nov. 10

Okoronkwo to be honoured he CEO, Ifo Standard Trust, Chief Innocent Okoronkwo, will be awarded the diamond harvester by St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State on October14, 2012 for his humanitarian services. This will take place at the church premises.

he remains of Mr. Ukariwe Eke will be interred on Saturday, October 13 at his country home, Arochukwu road, Amaekpu Ohafia, Abia State after a funeral church service at Presbyterian Church, Ugwu parish, Amaekpu. According to funeral programme released by his elder brother, Mr. Emma Eke, a service of songs/wake keep holds on Friday, October 6, from 7pm till dawn at his Iba Estate residence, Zone A car park, Iba Estate, Lagos. There shall also be a service of songs /wake keep at home town, Arochukwu Road, Amaekpu Ohafia today Friday October 12, from 8pm till dawn. By 10am tomorrow Saturday, October 13, corpse leaves Ohafia General Hospital

he remains of Pa John Idialu Omokhoa, who died in Lagos on April 29, aged 81, will be buried on November 10 this year, by 11am . He worked at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as an engineer for years, retiring in 1989. A statement by the family, signed by Mr Patrick Omokhoa, said service of songs will be held on October 23 at the Aganju-Aka Primary School , Okokomaiko, Lagos , by 5pm . There will be a wake keep on November 9 at late Pa Omokhoa’s Woodland Hills High School, Jaiye Oba Shasha, Lagos celeresidence, Ihumudumu Quarters, Ekpoma, Esan West LGA, Edo brated Nigeria 52nd Independence in grand style State , by 6pm . The burial service on November 10 will be followed by interment. A thanksgiving service will hold on November 11 at the Living Faith Church , Ihumudumu Road , Ekpoma, by 10am . Pa Omokhoa is survived by wife, Mrs Janeth Omokhoa, eight children, among them Mrs Mabel Ifijeh, wife of Managing Director of The Nation, Mr Victor Ifijeh and many grand children.

DPO, snr. lecturer lose father His son, the DPO of he Divisional Police Shagamu Road, Benard said he Officer (DPO) of would be buried on October Shagamu Road Police Station, Lagos, Benard 12, 2012. Benard said their Beneficiaries receiving various medical checks during a recent Ediagbonya, a father was a retired civil serMedical Mission organized for people of Lagos Island East and Superintendent, and a vant, community leader and West communities at the Lafiaji Community Hall by the Chike Senior Lecturer at Ekiti strict disciplinarian who loved Okoli Foundation to mark the 2012 world Heart Day. State University, Michael education. According to have lose their father, Pa Benard, Raji was also a philanJohn Ediagbonya Raji, 83. thropist and a devoted Pa Raji died in his house Christian of the Catholic faith. h e along Upper Eweka Road, chai Raji is survived by two Benin City, on July 11, 2012, wives, 13 children and many rma after a protracted illness. n of Tasygrandchildren. Yact Ltd., Deacon Stephen he death has occurred of Lady Catherine Ihedilionye, Y . T . (nee Anuruoha) which sad event occurred on Sunday, Ampey celSeptember 30, 2012 after a brief illness. She was aged 54 ebrated his years. golden She was a devoted Christian and an astute business woman. A jubilee Christian wake keep will take place at her residence, No. 58 recently Udemezue Street, Abakaliki. Ebonyi State from October 15 – 17. with family Funeral mass takes place at the All Saints Catholic Church, members Okwuabala, Orlu, on October 19, and interment afterwards at her and well country, home Ihedilionye compound,Okwuabala, Orlu. She is wishers survived by her husband, Sir Francis Ihedilionye, grand children congratuand numerous relations. lations

Deacon Y.T. Ampey marks golden year

Lady Catherine Ihedilionye is dead

DAILY SUN Friday, October 12, 2012 Continued from Back page and cockroaches to inhabit while Nigerians sleep under the bridges! The day of reckoning is already here but our leaders keep pretending as if they are oblivious of the unfolding catastrophe. The future will spell doom for all looters and their children. •Duru Ugbor, keugbor@yahoo.com Very frustrating Thanks once more being our SAM (meaning senior advocate of the masses). If our leaders will have the time to go through your piece, there is the possibility of some to have a rethink. There is this ocean of gap between our leaders and people they lead, and the system is so corrupt that when one gets to leadership position with intention to take care of the yearnings of the people, the person will be definitely frustrated. •hookoninteragency@yahoo.com

Re: Tale of a thousand shoes relegating the virtues of the being in them to the background. But everything that has a beginning must have an end, so the Marcos family, like many of their ilk, had to come down from their beastly fiefdom to humiliation. I hope our leaders will borrow a leaf from your piece. I made it a prayer point with an Amen. •Lai Ashadele, Lagos

Nigerians, liberate yourselves When Buhari tried to instil selfless public service discipline among Nigerians, did IBB, Abacha and Obasanjo and their spouses not go the Ferdinand/Imelda Marcos way? It is for Nigerians to decide to liberate themselves and no longer be deceived with wayo of fresh air and ‘no shoes.’ •Barrister F.O.A. Nwanosike, President, She may even become president Movement for the Survival of Nigeria If Imelda Marcos eventually returned to (MOSON) Philippines from exile and was elected a lawmaker, what is the guarantee that she would not God save us end up as the president? If her country could elect If only many people in the world can halve her into that legislative position in spite of her his- their greed, many others would have what they tory, what stops them making her president so need. Maybe the shoes and clothings should be that she could continue where her late husband given out to the less privileged. God save the stopped? By the way, why not return the infa- world from vain men and women. mous 1, 220 pairs of shoes to her so that she •Sammie Boat, Ondo State could wear them to make laws for Philippines instead of allowing them to rot away and then Just like Nigeria forcing her to acquire new sets of shoes (about 2, Philippines is just like Nigeria, and that was 000 pairs) this time round? Which option is why the shoes were not sold and the money cheaper for Philippines? given to the poor, while the woman was allowed •Christopher Ogbunugafor, ccog- to be a lawmaker. I wonder the kind of law she bunugafor@yahoo.com will be making. •Victor Chigor, President, Congress for Igbo Disease without diagnosis Agenda Tale of a thousand shoes is a shock reminder of the vanity of primitive acquisition. At a stage Big lesson in life, your massive possessions become a Your write-up is a lesson to every earthbound, source of deep negative pressure. The day of the greedy and materialistic being, not for those in Imelda Marcus disease is coming and no doctor power alone. has yet been trained to diagnose and cure. •Victor, Port Harcourt •Owhor Nathan, onatt2000@yahoo.com Age will catch up Truth will catch up Even if Imelda Marcos made her money legitZebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo of TV New imately, age will catch up with her. From my six Masquerade fame would have exclaimed inches in the 1960s, I scarcely put on two inches “TOLD THEM.” Let them continue to wallow shoes now. in their vanity, truth will eventually catch up with •Morountodun them. Johnny – Abia Mark my words It won’t last forever Your piece is a lesson to our greedy and avariNigeria is one of the largest exporters of crude cious leaders. They have turned Nigeria to oil, yet we do not see any meaningful develop- Agbaya (good for nothing elder) at 52. But there ment, and people are hungry. But our leaders will be a day when Nigeria will become wise at spend millions of naira for shopping. It will not its age, and they will become the Agbayas. Mark last forever. my words. •Alhaji Danladi Yaro, Sabo, Ibadan •Valentine, Asaba, 07030854976 Judgment Day at hand Who will help? Your article is timely and prophetic, warning This country is approaching retirement age, our leaders to remember that Judgment Day is at with nothing to show for it. Who will help us hand, when all worldly and fleshly desires shall out? become vanity. •Noah Sule •Chief J. J. Ibeka, Festac, Lagos False lady Power madness You used the greed exhibited by the (False) Every good leader must have a psychologist in First Lady to remind Nigerian leaders that greed his employ, else power madness will be is a sin, and anybody delighting in this corrupt inevitable. Our leaders enrich themselves and tendency is a son or daughter of Lucifer. Hellfire impoverish the country. Today, we have mass is their everlasting abode. unemployment and poverty. They should Dee Nich, Lagos beware of the revenge of the poor. Nigeria will overcome one day. All is vanity •Rev Monye J. Gold, Mass Movement for I wish you were a preacher. Many will make Responsible Leadership heaven. Vanity of vanity, our leaders should know all is vanity. Nigeria is an oil producing Culture of waste country, but poverty is crying aloud. The cartons of clothes and shoes have been •Sunny P, Kano distributed to the needy. I liken what happened to when the Customs burn seized goods. When They never learn Jesus fed thousands, the remnants were packed, Another leader of Philippines, Joseph Estrada, so that nothing was wasted. God save us in this never learnt from the fall of Marcos. Have our highly endowed but man-depleted country. public officers learnt from the Abacha disgrace? •Pastor Livy Onyenegecha, Observers of Thanks for your good work. Good Governance and Performance Initiative, •Onyekachi Njoku, Abuja Mbaise Shocking Prayer point If truly the Filipinos were bitter about Lady Most of our leaders are in the beastly bracket, Marcos, what is she doing in the House of

speaker for the poor in Nigeria. Weep not, my brother. God is still God. If He did not spare King David, a man after His heart, I don’t know whom He will spare of evildoing. •Kanu Moore Bravo You have talked to all Nigerians. I hope and pray that our leaders will read the article, and come off greed, and embrace selfless service. Bravo. •Ifeanyi Arthur Edeh, Enugu

Grief in my heart I read your piece with grief in my heart because ours is a land flowing with milk and honey, but impoverished by greedy leaders. Many of them have accumulated more than 1,220 shoes, and stockpiled them in foreign accounts, but they shall be put to shame at the end. •Ayo Moses, Ibadan

There’s hope Read your piece on the back page of Daily Sun Newspaper. It’s so prophetic. It’s true that days of reckoning will come but I guess many lives would have been wasted to feed the greed of just a few. There’s hope if only this generation pays the price for a brighter future. •Tunde Arulogun, tundeweb@yahoo.com

They make me sick Sound expose on the place of shoes in our leaders’ lives. They all make me sick. •Barr. Saba Nze, Owerri

Imelda Marcos Representatives? It seems the past can be so easily forgotten. •Beni Kay, Apapa, Lagos

Posterity will judge What a waste. Posterity will judge Imelda with others who are in the habit of acquiring wealth that the masses will not benefit from. •Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State

Those who have ears Thanks for the wonderful piece. Let those who have ears hear. Aday of reckoning will defNot enough for our greed initely come. If they like, let them take your God will bless you for always speaking the prophecy seriously. truth. Yes, there’s enough to go round in this •Johnson Nwoke country, but not enough for our greedy leaders. •Barrister Ebong Yet they go to churches and mosques Nicolae Caecescu of Romania was not saved It’s killing either. Our leaders (rulers) walk into churches Food for thought. Indeed, there is enough for and mosques to pray, and leave God inside the our need, but not enough for our greed. The building, while they walk out. Thank you for the greed is killing us in Nigeria. scriptures. Bless you. •Mike Agbabiaka, Abule Egba, Lagos •Sarki, Okokomaiko, Lagos, 08081021522 The day is knocking Please remind Nigerian leaders that all bad things have an expiry date, just like Marcos. The day of reckoning is knocking, the door will open soon. •Osuman Samson

You and Jonathan What problem do you have with Jonathan? Your piece was intelligently and satirically presented, but is Jonathan as avaricious as Marcos? You never liked Jonathan, but you have no choice. •Barrister Nelson Imoh

I’m annoyed How can people like Imelda Marcos still crawl How can crime stop? back to governance despite their atrocious deeds? Tale of a thousand shoes and injustice in I’m annoyed. Anyway, I enjoyed the kulikuli. Nigeria. How do you want crime to stop when Thanks a lot. our graduates roam the streets without jobs? •Kenneth Ozuogbo May God help us. •Vitus Obiukwu, Onitsha You spoilt it Good piece, but you spoilt it by ending on Heart-touching Jonathan. Is it Jonathan who had no shoes in This is a hear-touching piece. Only if our leadinfancy that plundered the wealth of the nation? ers will heed to it. The Bible says everything •W. Page Esq. under the sun is vanity. •Optimist, Calabar Learnt nothing It’s disgusting that our leaders have refused to We need it learn nothing from the blunders of greedy felImelda had thousands of shoes, while our lows like Abacha and Imelda Marcos. But then, leaders have fleet of flashy cars, more costly then you quote the Bible with the precision of a pas- the shoes. In fact, we need a revolution. tor. Are you one? •Adibe Peter, Orumba South, Anambra State •Sunny Coco, Isuochi If not madness Fast approaching What is one doing with 1,200 shoes, if not Surly, the day of reckoning is fat beckoning on madness. How many can she wear at a time? I the primitive accumulators. When our own Arab made a vow after reading your piece that if God Spring comes, we’ll be free from the shackles of makes me big, I will not only produce shoes for our captors. They day is almost here with us. the needy, but also see to it that children of the •Jones, Festac, Lagos poor in my environment have access to quality education. The whole truth •Julius Chukwu, Kaduna, 07067883555 You told our leaders (or rather, our iron rulers) the home and whole truth. If President Jonathan Just typical likes, let him use the good opportunity given to Why did they allow Imelda to come back and him by God for the betterment of the lives of the be a lawmaker? Just typical, like Nigeria. We masses, or use it to acquire shoes. After all, he anxiously await the day of reckoning for our own was once a shoeless boy. Marcoses. God, hasten the day. Amen. •Deacon Nwisu Agu Uche •Prince, Enugu

They won’t end well If it were shoes only Greedy leaders had never, and will never end If our so-called leaders limit their own greed to well. Those leaders whose stock in trade is to shoes, it would have been better. But they are the make the masses suffer will account for it soon. ones who have best of cars and the best mansions Emeka H, Jos in Banana Island. •Akinloye, Ipetumodu, Osun State My greatest pain Will our leaders ever change? That is my Where to, Nigeria? greatest pain. If Imelda can be in parliament after her brazen •Dr C.A.C Emeniru shoemania, then our own female elected and appointed officials could see a model in her. Quo Let them continue vadis, Nigeria? Your piece is prophetic exposition to all our •Chris Udenta, Obosi dictators. Let them keep on sapping the country dry, until when God throws the gate open for Sermon of the year them to go. Your piece is the sermon of the year. Greed is •Aso Bee, Orlu, Imo State the second name of our leaders, and if nothing is done urgently to checkmate them, Nigeria will be God is still God swallowed by corruption. Your piece of October 5, 2012, makes you the •Engineer Alpho Nwaru N.

DAILY SUN

Friday, October 12, 2012

ONUOHA UKEH

PUBLIC SPHERE

ooukeh@yahoo.com

08056180077

aris, the capital city of France, sure has a place in history, especially when World War 11 is talked about. This was the city that charmed Adolf Hitler, the overambitious dictator who ruled Germany at that time. After beholding the beauty and elegance of Paris from the air, he had sent his troops to march on the city. History has it that he wanted to take over Paris, without the destruction of the city. He, therefore, charged his soldiers: See Paris and die. Today, I am impressed to make the same declaration about Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom, as Hitler did of Paris. I have no qualms saying: See Uyo and die. I say this not because I am decreeing death to people who would go to Uyo. It’s simply because having been charmed by the development of this Akwa Ibom city, I have no problem recognising the achievement of Governor Godswill Akpabio, the state governor, in the last five and half years. As one of those who attended the last All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in Uyo, I would say that I saw the Akwa Ibom wonder. And I dare say that what I saw in Uyo has reinforced my belief that Nigeria could not only be transformed but also work. I have always said that it takes vision, drive, focus, courage and determination to make a difference and cause a change for the better, in Nigeria, as a country or any state, as a component unit. I have seen the “uncommon transformation,” as Akwa Ibom people call it and I believe. I must say that right from 2007, I have always seen Akpabio as an interesting personality. Against political calculation, he had emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom. He was not the anointed candidate of the then governor of the state, who he served as commissioner for local government affairs. However, perhaps, out of providence, luck or political masterstroke, he found favour with members of the PDP, at the federal and state levels. And he clinched the political party’s nomination and went ahead to win the election. Such feat or luck does not come every day. It could have happened for a purpose. As governor, I have also found Akpabio interesting. When he talks, he makes his audience to laugh. However, in the midst of what you may see an amusement, he makes valid points that sink in the membrane of those he’s addressing. I remember when he spoke while receiving the 2011 The Sun Man of the Year award last February. He talked about how he came to government “with anger.” According to him, the anger propelled him to work, in order to change the face of Akwa Ibom. He was proud to say that the anger brought about an international airport, massive road construction/reconstruction of both state and federal roads, Elibrary, Ibom Tropicana, a five-star hotel, flyover bridges and many others. To conclude his speech, he did put what I would call his stamp: Amusement. Akpabio had said, amusingly, addressing his wife: “My darling, on a day like this, I think you should sing for them.” And his wife sang a song underlining the miracle of Akwa Ibom. To say the least, I have always been fascinated when Akpabio talks. He may pretend that he’s making a joke, but he talks with candour, articulation and courage. I will not forget the impression Akpabio made during this year’s Silverbird awards, in which he was one of the recipients. On a day the Nigeria Civil War was a topic of discourse, following the presentation of video clips of the war and when former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari and former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma, received lifetime achievement awards, Akpabio wowed discerning minds. He had told the audience that while watching the civil war video clips he saw one kid, with swollen head, sunken eyes, protruded belly and emaciated trunk, who he suspected was himself as a little boy who suffered over war. And he flatly discredited the proverbial 3Rs programme of the federal Government then (reconstruction, rehabilitation and reintegration). He had said: “I do not want to ask questions about the civil war. If I were to ask a question, I would have asked the General why rehabilitation started in the West, where there was no war. If I were to ask a question, I would have asked why reconstruction did not start in Aba, Uyo and other eastern cities, where the war was fought?” As he spoke that night, I could see Gowon and Buhari quickly conferring. From their reaction, it was obvious the Akpabio’s point shook them. It would take only a courageous man to look Gowon, Buhari and Danjuma, who participated actively in the civil war, in the face and told them that they, figuratively, had questions to answer about the war and its aftermath. It was vintage Akpabio. Call my observation about Akpabio praise-singing or whatever, but the truth is that this young man, who is yet to attain the golden year, has made a mark in government. He had boasted that he would, through his free education, take out the “Okons and Ekaettes,” who, hitherto served as house boys and house girls, out of the homes of rich people in Lagos. Now, many Akwa Ibom kids have returned to school to get quality education. And, no doubt, many of them have had their lives transformed, just as the film, Uduakobong, which the DSTV sometimes airs, highlighted the rise to stardom of a hitherto illiterate girl, Uduak, who bene-

See Uyo and die

Akpabio fited from the state’s free education and became a celebrity motivational speaker. He may have built a small arrival and departure halls for the Akwa Ibom International Airport, but he has ended, for his people, the practice of travelling from Akwa Ibom to Calabar, in Cross Rivers State, to catch flights. In any case, when he completes the ultra-modern terminal of the airport, which he said must be before his departure from office in 2015, the airport would be among the best in the country. In Uyo, I saw good road network, with the capital city and in other parts of the state. And I heard that federal roads have also got the attention of Akpabio, whenever the need arises. I saw more than three flyover bridges, all constructed in the last five and

half years. I saw the E-library. I saw the Ibom Tropicana. I saw a clean state capital. I saw completed power plants and the ongoing gas pipeline project. I saw work on the ultra-modern specialist hospital. I saw ongoing massive work on a stadium. I saw housing estates. I saw a new government house. I saw new courtrooms and judges offices. I saw a city that has modern amenities bigger than its current status. Indeed, my friend and colleague, Steve Nwosu, editor, Daily Sun, did not exaggerate when he wrote that he left Uyo with anger. It was anger borne out of admiration for a performing governor and dislike for other governors who have not made any impact in office. There’s nobody who would visit Uyo and not be angry with other governors, who have been in office for the number of years Akpabio has been but have nothing tangible to show. Some governors may say that Akpabio has enormous resources, as governor of one of the riches oil state and therefore, could to do whatever he wants. This is true, but we have seen in Nigeria governors who had all the resources and did not do much to change the lives of their people or the face of cities in their states. Money is not everything. Vision and excellent programme do matter. That’s why governors, who say that they should be judged by the resources accruing to their states, as excuse for nonperformance, are talking balderdash. Many of such governors do not have any plan for their states. Some of them, especially those whose elections were driven and financed by others, came to government without a vision and programme. And their non-performance shows their lack of preparation for the job and also lack of desire to leave a footprint in the sands of times of their states. It’s really a shame. With two and half years or thereabouts to go, Akpabio has shown, with his achievement, that it’s not how long someone stays in office that determines what he would achieve. He has proved that the will to perform and forthrightness in execution are the key ingredients to performance in government. I, therefore, join the Prof Wole Soyinkas to say that Akpabio has done well. I will say that the governor is a pride for our generation. People like him have proved that there’s hope for this nation when miracle workers are on the throne.

FEEDBACK Re: Between reality and fantasy in Ondo guber You disappointed me This time, you disappointed me, but I will forgive you. How can you insult Awo’s memory by comparing him with an inept Mimiko? This article does sound like Onuoha Ukeh I know. Ade, Ilesa, 08056127600 ACN position is faux pas I have high regards for the ACN, especially for their hard earned status, as a credible political party. But with their behaviour in Ondo State, I have seen what they are. The argument that Mimiko sought and obtained their help to reclaim his mandate is faux pas. It is crass solecism. Politics should be the issue-based. In places barren of noble ideas and issues, some parties deploy propaganda. I suspect that this is what ACN is doing now. This weapon is used to kidnap the peace of opponents. However, propaganda is not completely abhorred. It should be applied rightly. Iyke Austin Mbodo, Owerri, 08134784212 Let better side win As Ondo State governorship election comes on October 20, let the voices of the people decide who they want. The masses will like to have a governor who can put smiles on their faces. INEC should work with conscience rather than compromise. They should use Ondo election to test run what will happen in 2015. Prof Attahiru Jega should know that all eyes are on him. All the security agencies that would be involved n the election should work on level playing ground than compromise their position with candidates. Let the better side win. Gordon, 08062887535 ACN, PDP beware Well done. ACN and PDP should beware of those who lately resigned from Governor Mimiko’s cabinet. They are political jobbers and traitors. They served in Mimiko’s government for three and half years and now saying that it was a bad government. 08028135466 Tribal leaders should fail Bola Tinubu wants to replicate the dreams of Awolowo in his new South West. Tribalism made Awo to talk Gowon into

using the Niger Delta wealth to develop Lagos. The North also used the same wealth to develop Abuja. If Nigeria must continue as one country, tribal and greedy leaders must not be given a foothold. The Federal Government should send troops to Ondo to ensure due process. All votes must count. No mob should be allowed to dethrone a performing governor, like Mimiko. Chief Iheanacho, 08054927027 Tinubu’s politics should be condemned Thanks for your article on the coming Ondo election. You were so candid, true and unbiased. Tinubu is trying to be what he is not and cannot. His brand of politics should be condemned by right-thinking people. Ufot Toby Umana, Badagry, Lagos, 08035879634 Mimiko’s record will help him Your article was instructive and incisive, as it states the true position in Ondo State. My colleague in the Tinubu-directed ACN maybe a good person but with what Mimiko has done in Ondo, ACN may have to wait for another time. ACN campaign in Ondo is all about putting Tinubu as a demigod in Yoruba politics. Performance certainly will win the election for the Iroko. Barrister Nelson Imoh, 08023418936 ACN knows only propaganda Thanks for dismissing the ranting of ACN in Ondo. All they know is propaganda. 08037242308 Mimiko will win I agree with you that Mimiko will win if there is free and fair election. However, the question is: What is free and fair election in a country where the majority lacks class-consciousness? It’s ridiculous to say that the exploited and the exploiters are members of the same political party. Amos Ejimonye, Isuikwuato, 08039727512 Ondo gov has performed Your article is a must read for all. Save a few, like Fashola and Oshiomhole, how many of The ACN people have performed the way Mimiko has in Ondo? 08073869769

Friday, October 12, 2012

Moses Akaigwe mosesaki@hotmail.com 08072100049

he dealership franchise for the SsangYong brand in Nigeria now resides with one of the country’s front-running auto companies, Stallion Motors, following the appointment of the conglomerate by the Korean auto maker as the official marketer of its full range of vehicles, including SUVs and sedans. Stallion Motors will by virtue of this recognition also be responsible for after sales activities of SsangYong brand in Nigeria. SsangYong adapted Mercedes-Benz technology in 1991 after the company brokered skill partnership acquisition with Daimler-Benz to develop SUV using Mercedes-Benz know-how. SsangYong leveraged on this influence to build its infrastructure while utilizing the existing Mercedes-Benz network to raise the profile of its evolving presence in the competitive SUV market. Marketing Director, SsangYong Nigeria, Mr. Jatin Nadkarni, told automobile media at the unveiling of the product line-up in Lagos, that Stallion Motors is committed to creating a niche for the brand in Nigeria, taking advantage of the worldwide appeal the brand holds. He said Stallion Motors is working towards generating consistent demand for the vehicles in Nigeria and that it plans to impel clientele with the powerful technological affiliation SsangYong enjoys with Mercedes Benz. Stallion Motors is to this end offering fresh

Motoring SsangYong: Stallion Motors takes over, flaunts Rexton, Kyron, Korando

•SsangYong Actyon incentives that include free maintenance package of two years / 60,000 kilometres (whichever comes earlier) to all customers that purchase SsangYong vehicle from now till December 31, 2012. The dealership is in addition offering three years / 100,000 kms warranty on its models. Stallion Motors has already taken delivery of the entire SsangYong range in preparation for the formal launch that would come up at a later date. The models include Rexton, Kyron and Actyon Sports, all of which are available in Stallion Motors branches nationwide. The Korando is expected to be available in Nigeria

•Front view of SsangYong Rexton early next year, assured the marketing director. A notable highlight among the models from SsangYong is the Actyon Sports Pick-up 4WD, expected to interest clientele seeking solutions for haulage and other commercial uses.

Why Genevieve is Range Rover Evoque Ambassador for Nigeria –Jaguar Land Rover boss

bout four months after popular actress, Genevieve Nnaji, was unveiled as Range Rover Evoque Ambassador in Nigeria, Jaguar Land Rover Sub-Sahara Africa head office has given more insight into the choice of the Nollywood idol as the face of the wavemaking car. The 2.0 litre Evoque entered Nigeria characterised as the smallest, lightest, most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever produced, and is being officially promoted in the country by Genevieve in a rare partnership with Coscharis Motors (Jaguar and Land Rover franchise owner in Nigeria). The deal followed a similar relationship between the premium luxury SUV and Victoria Beckam, ex-Spice Girl wife of the glamorous English football star, David Beckam. But, what where the factors that attracted the South Africa-based Jaguar Land Rover SubSahara Africa (and, of course, Coscharis Motors Limited) to Genevieve? This was a question Daily Sun Motoring asked the Operations Director, Nigel Clarke, on the eve of an international press event dedicated to the Evoque in Johannesburg, South Africa, recently. “Genevieve is a top Nollywood actress who is highly respected, not just in Nigeria and Africa, but globally, and it was not difficult arriving at the choice of such a popular figure for the role she is playing”, Clarke explained. The Operations Director described the actress as a beautiful and very successful role model whom the company is proud to have as the face of the equally attractive, all-new Range Rover Evoque.

DAILY SUN

Though the entire package going with Genevieve’s role was not announced by Coscharis Motors Limited at the unveiling ceremony of both the compact SUV and herself last June, she was presented one black Evoque gratis. Uniquely in the compact SUV segment, the

Range Rover Evoque allows customers to specify a lavishly appointed cabin, with soft, premium •Range Rover Evoque leather and beautifully tailored, twin-needle stitching providing a luxurious finish to almost every surface of the instrument panel, doors and seats. Rather than using a traditional trim hierarchy, the Range Rover Evoque gives customers the choice of two design themes: the luxurious ‘Prestige’, and the bold and sporting ‘Dynamic’. Customers can further tailor these themes with different designer interiors, option packs, standalone and accessory items, providing even more freedom to specify the car of their choice. The Evoque has won over 100 international awards in about one year.

The new Actyon Sports Pick-up is available in three variants - 4WD Manual Transmission, MT), 4WD MT with ABS+ABG and 2WD Manual Transmission. A veritable pioneer automaker, SsangYong initiated the era of four-wheel drive vehicles in the 1980s when it independently developed Musso and Korando - Korea’s most enduring SUV brands in the global market. SsangYong has established itself as leader of SUVs by building a full line-up of products consisting of Rexton, Kyron, Actyon, and Actyon Sports. The icing on the cake for the evolving automaker is SsangYong’s Chairman W luxury sedan which is currently rated as Korea’s new sensation in the luxury segment. ‘Chairman W’ is Korea’s first luxury vehicle with V8 5000cc engine and a 7-speed automatic transmission which compares with other leading luxury cars around the world. SsangYong Motors is also committed to the advancement of eco-friendly diesel technology through the development of a sophisticated, world-class common rail engine to strengthen its global competitive edge by producing environment-friendly, small eXDi200 engines that conform to the EURO5 standards. This is in addition to the company’s recent efforts to develop EURO6 compliant engines. SsangYong SUVs is sold through 1,250 sales networks in over 96 countries and is actively entering the global market by establishing strong and viable local bases in major markets including Nigeria.

Paris Motor Show welcomes all-new Skoda Rapid

ODA appearance at the 2012 Paris Automobile Salon (which which ended recently) was dominated by the Rapid. This new compact saloon made its world debut in Paris. This car, the first to feature ?koda’s wholly new design, underscores the brand’s growth ambitions. The Rapid will be introduced in Europe from the end of October, continuing ?koda’s international model offensive. In 2012, the brand has been growing rapidly, raising deliveries to customers by 8.5 per cent to a new record of more than 633,300 from January through August. As in the past years, ?koda also proved very successful in the 2012 motorsport season, securing two of three titles several weeks ahead of season’s end. In launching the Rapid, ?koda ignites the next stage of its model offensive. No surprise, then, that the brand’s new compact saloon is at the core of its appearance at the Mondial in Paris. “The Rapid is Skoda’’s new class and it has a central importance for our 2018 growth strategy. We think that in the years ahead, the Rapid will become our largest volume model after the Octavia,” says ?koda CEO Winfried Vahland. “Our new model line sets standards among compact saloons and it is

a ?KODA in the best sense: roomy, elegant and affordable at the same time, a car for the whole family, with clever solutions, modern technology, high efficiency and the best price-value ratio,” . The Rapid complements ?koda’s model palette between the smaller Fabia and the larger Octavia. The car’s extremely generous space offering is the benchmark in the segment. No other car in the segment offers as much knee and headroom and as large a boot volume (550 litres) as the new ?KODA Rapid. “This is an extremely flexible saloon, and its boot has estate-car qualities,” says Vahland. As in

every ?koda, the subject of practicality has a special emphasis in the new ?KODA •Skoda Rapid. The new model features no less than 19 “simply clever” solutions. One example of a solution that is especially ingenious, is the ice scraper integrated in the fuel filler flap, pro-

viding the ice scraper with a fixed space in the car. No more cumbersome searches in winter. Other practical solutions include the reversible floor covering in the boot or practical holder underneath the driver’s seat for the warning vest that is mandatory in many places. The Rapid is the brand’s first series car to feature ?koda’s new design: attractive, modern, clear, precise and timelessly elegant. At the centre of the car’s front is the new Skoda logo: a precisely executed winged arrow in chrome set on a black matte base and framed by a fine chrome line. The positioning of the car’s fog-lamps and headlights is reminiscent of a cloverleaf. The Rapid’s elegant side aspect impresses with a coupé-like silhouette and a clear division of surfaces and lines. The car’s rear end again stands for clarity, freshness and precision: the taillights show the ?koda-typical C design in its new shape with a fine crystalline grind. In the field of safety, the Rapid impresses with a comprehensive active and passive safety equipment. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard in many EU countries. The engine line-up in Europe includes four petrol and two diesel aggregates, with five especially efficient Green tec variants also available from launch.

DAILY SUN

Friday, October 12, 2012

TRANSPORT Aviation, Maritime

Appoint domestic airlines board, NCAA urged

s bad management has been blamed largely for the domestic airlines’ woes, various aviation professionals advised the presidency to allow the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to appoint or clear those who sit on the board of airlines just as the Central Bank does to the commercial banks. The advice became amplified recently after it was discovered that the N86.7 billion already accessed by the operators out of the N300 billion intervention fund have been largely misappropriated. Two airlines, Air Nigeria and Chanchangi Airlines that got N35.5 billion and N3.4 billion respectively from the pool have closed shops without paying back the loan. Already staff of Air Nigeria has dragged its Chairman, Jimoh Ibrahim to court over the alleged diversion N35.5 billion and other issues bordering on poor management. Apart from all these, aviation professionals also allege that most of the board members of the domestic airlines are mere moneybags without the prerequisite experience in the fragile aviation business, a development they make the managers of airlines take unprofessional decisions that plunge them into perpetual crisis that eventually consume them. According to an Aviation Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Omni Air, Akin Olateru, the regulatory functions of the NCAA are not complete if it does not determine the competence of those who manage the domestic airlines. “This part of the regulation is what I put squarely on the door of NCAA. They need to do a lot more in the management positions in our airlines in this country; just like the Central Bank that regulates, monitors, vets, approves any appointment from Assistant General Manager, right to the CEO of the commercial banks. The CBN even determines the boards of the banks. This is just money. How much more something that has to do with life. Are we saying aviation is not that important? This is something that has to do with life, we should have the right people in charge. Some airlines in Nigeria today don’t even understand the importance of commercial department. That’s the brain box. So, because when you have people who don’t understand air transport economics, they don’t understand what makes airline fly and stay in profit; they don’t understand what load factor is; they don’t understand cost per seat analysis; he doesn’t understand his operational cost analysis and management; how on earth can you then make money? So the NCAA needs to do a little more in that regard of manpower placement. They need to have a format/standard which stipulates that before you can be this, you must to have this. It’s not just about the accountable manager. They can tell you yes we vet the accountable manager, we vet the director of flight operations etc. We need a little bit more than that. Who is really the accountable manager? Is he just accountable manager for the fun of it on paper that cannot write N1 cheque? Or that cannot release N10 to support anything? We need to redefine that. That needs to be looked into”, Olateru said.

Arik Airplane at Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Nigeria Aviation sector:

52 years of turbulence By UCHE USIM

ith 1634 killed in 16 crashes and over 1.2 million job losses, Nigerians believe there is nothing to cheer about the nation’s aviation sector in the 52 years of her nationhood. For about five decades, the industry has been and is still buffeted by various challenges including incessant policy summersault, inadequate funding, ignorance, unabated corruption, poor regulation, lack of blueprint and many more. Though no accurate figure exists, analysts estimate that the Federal Government has spent about N1trillion on major intervention programmes in the last five decades, which has led to some improvement in the airspace. Such improvements are seen in the multi-billion naira Total Radar Coverage and Total VHF Coverage of Nigeria packaged by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). These two projects have led to safer skies and efficient airspace management. However, one development that has gladdened the heart of the nation’s aviation community perhaps is the current expansion and remodelling of airports across the country evolved by the Aviation Ministry. Plans of building fresh terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Knao have also been commended by stakeholders as it is seen as a radical departure from the past. For over 30 years, the airports have been starved of maintenance despite a sharp increase in passenger and aircraft traffic. Another landmark achievement for the country is the United States Federal Aviation Administration Category One status (US-FAA Cat 1), which Nigeria clinched in 2010, meaning that she complies with International Air Safety Standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations' Technical Agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance. Still on the merits of the industry, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) acquired various weather

Oduah instruments like Low Level Windshear Alert Systems (LLWAS), the Doppler Weather Radars, among other improvements. The aforementioned notwithstanding, the worry for stakeholders is that the domestic carriers, which are the lifeline of the industry and also the users of the improved services are dying rapidly, thereby blighting efforts by government to make things better. Nigeria today has only four Nigerian registered scheduled operators namely: Arik, Aero, IRS and Overland Airways; whilst about four other have since vacated the scene temporarily or permanently, in the last 12 months. They are: Dana, Chanchangi, Air Nigeria and FirstNation. Various aviation experts have predicted that the four surviving airlines, already neck-deep deep in debts and insolvency, may also pack up before December; if there are deliberate efforts by the government to buoy them. From independence till date, the country has recorded over 20 failed airlines and still counting. The life cycle of any Nigerian carrier hardly

exceeds a decade. Nigeria Airways, Harco, Harca, Okada Air, Oriental, Triax Airline ADC and Albarka Airlines and a host of others are airlines whose aircraft’s carcasses litter various airports across the country. Regrettably, industry watchers say the dead airlines have robbed the Nigerian economy about 1.2 million direct and indirect jobs worth trillions of naira. In 43 out of the 52 years the country gained independence, 1,634 people have been killed in 16 air crashes, a frightening record analysts say does not befit a nation boasting to be the giant of Africa. For the parastatal agencies that rely on the 5 percent revenue from airlines Ticket Sales/Cargo Charges (TSC) for their operations, the failed airlines and poorly surviving ones have made them lose billions of naira annually. The worst hit is the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority that relies strongly on the TSC. Each time an airline packs up, its revenue diminishes. Other losers are the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and the Nigerian

Meteorological Agency (NIMET). The constant demise of the local airlines has also reduced aviation sector’s contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while also slowing down local and regional trade. A seasoned aviation analyst and Head, Research Desk, Zenith Travels, Olumide Ohunayo had this to say about Nigeria at 52: “We cannot celebrate yet in the industry. The bloodstream of the industry is the airlines. We’re gradually losing our carriers to the financial and ownership ill wind. Policy reversal is another locust eating us up in the industry. Directorates are merged and separated at the whims of the person in the Ministry. The recent reorganization is at variance with the government policy of agency and personnel rationalization. We’ve done well in improving our navigation, regulation and oversight functions. Also our ambitious airport project is a good one. If it can be more transparent and maintained using private funds”, he said. For Sam Akerele, a former Airspace and Airport Manager, the government is not sincere with its promises of revamping the ailing aviation sector. He said the problem of perennial fraud and gross mismanagement of resources without anyone or group made to face the music means the sector has a long way to go. “The government is not sincere. The politicians appointed to manage the aviation sector just come to satisfy themselves and that is why in 52 years, no maintenance facility. In 52 years, no strong carrier. We have one and a half airlines today and from the way things are going, we may not have any carrier by December this year. If that happens, it’ll be too bad for Nigeria. If the government is really serious, there should be an urgent stakeholders meeting where issues will be thrashed out. The country is just going round in circle and no serious country moves like that”, he said. However, hopes are high that with the current strides taken by the present administration of President Jonathan anchored on a transformation agenda, the industry will be march successfully on progress path.

DAILY SUN Friday, October 12, 2012

Maritime TRANSPORT NPA to implement one-stop window at ports

he Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority Mallam Habib Abdulahi, has said that the organisation is ready to implement the Single Window Operational System as soon as the federal government grants the approval for its take off. Speaking in his office in Lagos when he received members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Abdulahi assured the visitors that as Nigerians ANLCA was an association made up of Nigerians driven by national and patriotic interests within the maritime community. He noted that both the Custom Agents and the management have the same objective of improving the industry. Mallam Abdulahi, declared that government was already working on bringing the port community system into a reality and that the effort is supported by the American Government. Earlier in his address, the Chairman of ANCLA, Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, called for regular meetings between his association and the management of NPA, pointing out that it would not be out of place if they are invited to meetings that involve shipping companies and other stakeholders. He pledged that the association under his leadership will work with the managing director to improve the maritime sector of the economy with a view to making Nigerian the hub of maritime business in the sub-region. Shittu also solicited the support of NPA management for the training programme of ANCLA members.

Maritime body advocates merger of Apapa, Lilypond Customs Commands By ALEX AKAO

he Nigerian Importers Advocacy and Support Group (NIASG), has called for the merger of the Lilypond Customs Command and the Apapa Area One Command with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Executives of the nascent body who visited the office of Ships & Ports Daily in Lagos at during the week, said the call was to ensure seamless transactions at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa. ”If you look at Lilypond now, you see that containers are not going there again because people now prefer to receive their containers from the main terminal but the main problem for us importers is that when you make any payment at Apapa Port and your container is transferred to Lilypond, it becomes almost impossible to clear your consignment from Lilypond because until that payment is received there, you won’t be able to clear your container. “We believe that if Lilypond is under Apapa Command, then this kind of problem will not arise”, Adebayo Famoroti, Executive Secretary of NIASG stated.?He recalled that the various Bonded Terminals under Tin Can Island Port do not have separate Customs Command but are all under the Tin Can Customs Command, a situation which has made it possible for seamless transactions at the bonded terminals and has helped them in attracting patronage. ”Bonded terminals are an extension of the main port facilities and the Customs at the main ports should supervise their operation”. He said the low level of activities at Lilypond is attributable to the lack of a unified Customs Comma

Nigerian Ports records growth in Q2 gross tonnage Stories by FOSTER OBI

he Nigerian Ports Authority said it witnessed increased gross tonnage of ocean going vessels as against the same period in 2011. Available statistics show the total gross tonnage of ocean going vessels stood at 10,862,625 which represents an increase of 1 per cent over the figures period of July 2011. Out of this figure in the month

under review, General Cargo was 1,125,176 metric tonnes, a growth of 1.6 per cent over July 2011, while Laden Container throughput was 82,197TEUs, a rise of 28.1 per cent over July 2011 figure of 64,188, while Empty Container throughput recorded 65,694TEUs, an increase of 57.6 per cent over July 2011 figure. On the other hand, vehicle traffic stood at 24,884 Units, a growth of 29 per cent over July 2011 figure of 19,292 units.

A statement by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) signed by Michael Ajayi, General Manager Public Affairs, said that “the ever increasing result being posted in this regard could be attributed to continuous regular capital and maintenance dredging and the 100 per cent completion of removal of the 24 numbers discovered critical wrecks in our channels.” NPA Managing Director, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, said that with the support of the federal gov-

PTML Customs CAC, Zakari Jibrin (3rd from left) flanked by Senior Customs officers as he reads riot act on fraudulent importers recently.

Customs hands over NIPP equipment to FG

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has formally handed over to the federal government the controversial National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) equipment initially auctioned by it but later retrieved after the Senate gave a matching order for its recovery last year. The 22 containers of equipment were valued at about $5.3billion US dollars. Customs Controller, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja – Lagos, Comptroller Dan Ugo, recently on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Abdullahi Dikko Inde, handed over the instruments of possession of the equipment which had been in the custody of the NCS as overtime cargo to the Minister of State for power, Arc. Dairus Ishaku. While handing over the documents to the minister, the Controller remarked that the “Nigeria Customs Service under the present CGC will continue to partner with the Federal Government in its efforts to revive the power sector. He applauded the federal government for demonstrating capacity to deal with the power situation in the country through the various programmes and policies which has resulted into significant improvement in power generation. Receiving the documents, the minister thanked the CGC for the safe custody of the equipment and promised to ensure that the equipment would be distributed to the three areas of generation, transmission and distribution to boost electricity supply.

The minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the minister, Dr. (Mrs.) Deere Awosika and other top officials. The handover lays to rest the controversy surrounding the auctioning of equipments belonging to the NIPP and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN by the NCS. The face-off over this issue started when the Minister of Power told the power committee how the Nigerian Customs Service auctioned several NIPP equipment to

private electrical operators. Arc. Ishaku said the equipment were found in the open market forcing the police to arrest dealers who had them in their warehouses. It was after their arrests that it was discovered that the parts were auctioned by the NCS. But the CGC at a resumed session with the Committee however insisted that he did not act alone but that the Service had at the expiration of the first 15 day for such container to be cleared notified the relevant authorities on the need to act.

ernment, the authority will remain focused in constantly upgrading and improving port infrastructures in order to attract higher cargo volume and ship traffic. Abdullahi said that the Organisation holds Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) in high esteem and will therefore do everything within its power to encourage and sustain the existing relationship between them. Malam Habib Abdullahi, who spoke while receiving members of the Seaport Terminal Operators of Nigeria, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Lagos, noted that the present new management appreciates the support and cooperation the Association gave past Management of NPA and urged it to extend same to his administration. According to him, the Federal Government attaches great importance to the maritime industry which he said was demonstrated at the recent maritime industry retreat at the Presidential Villa which was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan and members of his Economic Management team. He stressed the need for continuous dialogue between STOAN and NPA with a view to solving operational problems instead of talking on the pages of newspapers. Speaking on the occasion the Chairman of Association, Dr. Vicky Haastrup, congratulated the managing director and the executive directors on their recent appointments, saying that the association will give the new management maximum cooperation in order to move the sector forward. Dr. Haastrup who is also the Executive Vice Chairman of ENL Consortium, remarked that the NPA management has started on a good note, pointing out that Malam Abdulahi is the first Managing Director of NPA that deemed it appropriate to invite her association for a visit on assumption of office.

NSC boss assures on viability of Onitsha port By ALEX AKAO

he Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has assured that the newly commissioned Onitsha River port provides the expected succor to Nigerian shippers, particularly those in the South East zone. The NSC Executive Secretary, Capt. Adamu Biu, who gave the assurance recently while speaking on the river port, said he was particularly glad that the Onitsha River Port would also assist in further reducing the cost of cargo clearing in the area. “For a start, I made the shippers’ associations in Anambra State and the South east to be all present at the commissioning” he highlighted, pointing out that the operation of the port’s facility would tinker favorably, with the cost of cargo clearing in the South-east. “As this port takes off and people clear their goods there, it would automatically translate into a significant reduction of ports system’s

clearing process”, he noted, explaining that the facility would ensure that most traders in the South east, especially those without the capacity to go to Lagos, Port Harcourt, or Warri could henceforth operate from Onitsha, even at cheaper cost. “The market is there and the government of Anambra State has also reminded us of what we know: that the port of Onitsha is the commercial hub in the sub region of West Africa. “In fact, this also brings in the issue of Inland Container Depots to focus, because from here, they will now transport hundreds of containers to the ICDs and it is just adding value to the transport industry. With all hands on deck, and full dedication, the river port would effectively consummate the dreams of the Federal Government to create a platform for boosting the economy and employment of the people in the area. He praised the federal government for the will to dredge and

commission the port there, adding that what was only needed to consummate the dream was for the barges to be provided. “It is the commercial users that will have to provide barges, because barges must be provided for transportation of hundreds of containers of goods to the bonded terminals. People must see the value of providing barges. And when you do that, you are creating jobs. You are creating jobs because people must man these barges”, he said, asking the Nigerian media to assist the economy, by providing the desired awareness. “The media must assist in creating awareness and assist to sensitize the general public and there is avenue for investment in this project and that government is creating investment avenues. “If I have the money, personally, I would have gone into barge business, because I know this facility is for opening of opportunity for investments… that is what we must not lose sight of.

DAILY SUN

Friday, October 12, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS Inflation may drop to 11.03% – Report By STEVE AGBOTA

head the release of September inflation figures, analysts have predicted a further decline in inflation rate to 11.03 per cent from 11.70 per cent and 12.8 per cent in August and July respectively. According to FSDH Securities Limited, it arrived at the forecast based on the report that the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Price Index (FFPI) for September 2012 which was released on October 04, showed that the Index averaged 216 points in September, up by 1.4 per cent from August figure on account of a spike in the global prices of dairy products, meat and cereals products, but drop in the international prices of sugar and oils tempered the level of the rise in the Index for the month of September. The firm explained the value of the Naira appreciated marginally against the US Dollar in August by 0.01 per cent, in addition to the appreciation of 0.03 per cent in July. “Consequently, the appreciation in the value of the Naira in September lowered the passthrough effects of the prices of imported consumer goods in Nigeria between the two months under review,” it added. However, analysis of the consumer prices it monitored across the country in September showed the prices of beans soared by about 100 percent while prices of rice increased marginally by about 0.25 per

cent. “The drastic rise in the prices of beans was due to the security challenges in Maiduguri, Borno state, where beans is majorly grown in the country. Prices of tubers declined marginally while the prices of vegetables remained fairly stable. Also, prices of educational materials increased on account of the beginning of the new academic session. Moving forward, the recent flood disaster in Kogi, Benue, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Edo and Imo states which destroyed a lot of farmlands may lead to food shortage and cause prices of food to increase drastically to end the year, except the Federal Government releases food from its strategic reserves. The affected items are: rice, maize, yam, cassava, fish, cattle and vegetables.” “FSDH Research is of the opinion that inflation rate (yearon-year) in the month of September 2012 should moderate downward due to the effect of positive factors mentioned above. “Our estimate points to an increase of 80 basis points in CCPI to 137.7points in September, which will produce an inflation rate of, 11.03 per cent, 67 basis points lower than 11.70 per cent recorded in the month of August. The Composite Consumer Price Index (CCPI) would have to increase by 1.42 per cent between August and September to produce an inflation rate higher than 11.70 per cent.”

Ikomi, Keystone Bank MD resigns From ISMAIL OMIPIDAN, urged them to keep the team spirit. Kaduna The letter reads in part: “Dear fter two days of stormy all, I am glad with the achieveBoard meeting by ments of the last one year since directors of Keystone Aug 5, 2011. “We have made progress, our Bank, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer business is stable and we are MD/CEO, of the bank, Oti focused to get market share and Ikomi, has resigned his be a Top 5 bank by 2015. “I enjoin all to continue to set appointment in the bank, which was bailed out last the pace and be proud Keystones. year by regulators. “Due to urgent personal reaHe is resigning barely one year after taking up the appoint- sons, I have today resigned my ment as the bank’s helmsman position as MD/CEO of following its acquisition by Keystone Bank. Do continue to Assets Management build and never say, never.” It would be recalled that the Corporation of Nigeria through Assets Management the bridged bank option. of Nigeria Ikomi was said to have Corporation stormed out of the office yester- (AMCON) appointed new day evening after a shouting managements and boards for session with a top member of Mainstreet Bank Ltd, Keystone the board, from where he was Bank Ltd and Enterprise Bank said to have gone into his Ltd, the three bridge banks set office, moved out his personal up by the Nigeria Deposit belongings and sent out a terse Insurance Corporation (NDIC) resignation letter to all staffers to take over the assets and liabilof the bank a copy of which was ities of AfribankPlc, Bank PHB exclusively obtained by Daily Plc and Spring Bank Plc. Mr. Ikomi was among the Sun. He later left the headquarnew hands that took over the ters of the bank in Lagos. Although, he said that he was bridged banks. A statement by resigning for “personal rea- AMCON last year stated that sons” Daily Sun gathered that by the appointments which his resignation may not be were approved by CBN, Mr. unconnected with the irrecon- Jacobs MoyoAjekigbe, former cilable difference he has been chief executive of First Bank of having with a particular mem- Nigeria, became the Chairman ber of the board, a development of Keystone Bank, while Mr. the board could not resolve Oti Ikomi was appointed before last Tuesday, when the Managing Director. Other offiboard meeting kicked off in cials of the bank appointed at the same period are Shehu Lagos. In the letter, while acknowl- Abubarkar, Demola Adewale, edging the feat he had recorded Mrs. Yvonne Isichei, Dr. Shehu since assuming duty last year, Mohammed, and Mr. Raphael Ikomi thanked the staff of the Ereyi, of whom were appointed bank for their cooperation and Executive Directors.

General Manager, Retail Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc., Mr. Emeka Obiagwu and Mrs. Janet Nnabuko, Senior Manager, retail and E-banking at the flag off of the bank’s Cars and Cash Savings Splash held in Lagos yesterday.

1.5bn people living in poverty – World Bank

he World Bank has put the number of people languishing in abject poverty at 1.54 billion. According to its president, Jim Yong Kim, the latest troubles roiling the global economy risk devastating many developing countries and hitting its poorest people. Kim said that about 22 per cent of the world’s seven billion people live in absolute poverty, measured as people making $1.25 a day or less. He revealed that plans are on track to drop the figure by one percentage point a year because it would take more than two

decades to end poverty. “Our major concern is making sure all the gains that we’ve seen from the growth over the last five to 10 years are not wiped out by the crisis,” Dr. Kim said in an interview Thursday here ahead of his first meeting of the bank’s shareholders. “We need to protect the developing countries from the impact of a recession.” Dr. Kim, a physician and anthropologist, took his post in July as the bank’s first president without a background in finance or politics. Many of his predecessors waded into the intricacies of international

finance, becoming heavyweights in the economic concerns of even the world’s richest countries. Dr. Kim is shaping up more as a poverty-fighting evangelist, aiming to draw attention to concerns often cast aside early in a downturn. In just two days in Japan, he has recounted his own long history of development work in Siberian prisons, Peruvian settlements and on the ground in poverty-stricken Haiti. His task now: persuading the world to worry about developing countries as other crises erupt from Europe to the

Nigeria to save N1.95trn from power supply – Manufacturers By ADEWALE SANYAOLU

f all impediments stalling the privatization of the power sector are removed, the nation would have saved a whopping N1.95 trillion yearly, an amount that representing two percent of her Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This was the position of the Chairman of Paints Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMA), a membergroup of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr.Sulaiman Tella, at its Annual General Meeting in Lagos. Besides, the association advised government to sort out once and for all, outstanding labour (gratuity/pension) matters with electricity workers in order to have a hitch-free privatization exercise. PMA bemoaned that the World Bank’s estimate that Nigerians spend a whopping $13 billion annually to fuel personal electricity generators as a result of the inefficiency of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Essentially, he said boosting electricity supply, apart from the multiplier effects, will save the country a lot as part of the $13 billion would be used to address the challenges in other sectors. He said the rehabilitation of existing power generation stations and search for other sources of power like coal will go a long way in solving the power problem, noting that only immediate and transparent pri-

vatization will guaranty efficient and uninterrupted electricity supply to Nigerians. The association commended government’s effort through its new intervention scheme aimed at growing and sustaining existing generation, transmission and distribution capacity of the power sector while hoping that the scheme will contribute towards the expected improvement in the power supply situation. On adulteration, PMA lamented that faking and merchandizing of paints with high nuisance value is still a challenge to the operators in the industry, saying that the efforts of the Standard Organization of

Nigeria (SON) to rid the industry of fake and substandard products via monitoring and enforcement of standards has not yielded the expected results. “The issue of duty on imported inputs continued to come up during the year. The council met with our sister association, the Resin Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (REMAN), to iron out grey areas that were causing conflicts between the two groups. The two groups of course and other interest groups whose operations impact on the well being of our members will continue to discuss with a view to agreeing on areas of disagreement,” he said.

Middle East to Asia. Focusing on poverty in times of crisis, particularly by spurring private-sector investment, helps lay the groundwork for economic development decades from now, he said. “This is not about charity. This is a commitment to the global economy of the future.” Just over 100 days into the job, the bank chief is trying to reorient what is widely seen as a deeply bureaucratic institution. The World Bank, best known for making loans and providing guidance to developing nations, has been partly supplanted by easier access to finance in developing economies. Some of its biggest clients for decades, such as Brazil and China, have emerged as economic powerhouses that need the expertise of the bank’s development experts far more than its money. Approvals for projects can be byzantine, stymied by internal procedures and external barriers in governments that need help. Among his key goals, he plans to tell the bank’s shareholders in a speech here Friday, is to orient the institution as a “solutions bank” that focuses on gathering the world’s insight about development and sharing the approaches more broadly. Dr. Kim said the World Bank is even having “informal conversations” with some eurozone nations about providing guidance about improving their economies. He wouldn’t disclose the countries.

Ecobank grows deposits, assets after merger By BLAISE UDUNZE

ollowing its successful merger with Oceanic Bank, Ecobank a boost in assets, loans, deposits and branches. According to the Head of Domestic Bank Products, Mr. Funwa Akinmade, who disclosed this at the 1st draw of the bank’s Win Big Promo, in Lagos, the bank has successfully harmonized customers’ accounts, thereby offering seamless Internet service that enables easier withdraw or deposit of cash. Meanwhile, the bank rewarded seven customers in the ongoing Win Big Promo that saw Alhaji Musa Bashi of Hotoru Branch Kano winning a grand prize of CRV car, while George

Ekakite and Nazal Ahmed won 32 inch LCD TV each. Mrs. Abene Stella and Okpala Celestina won 2.5KVA generator and, Olajide Oluwakemi and Kareem Adeleke carted away Blackberry phones each. Explaining the operation of the promo, Mr Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo, the bank’s ED, Domestic Bank, stated that both existing and prospective customers could be eligible for the draw only depositing and maintaining at least sum of N20, 000 monthly, while multiple deposits increases customer’s chances of winning. Aigbokhaevbo, wgo was represented at the occasion by Akinmade, noted that the promo would better position the financial institution, as the

enlarged Ecobank Nigeria have a network of over 600 branches and seven million customers making the enlarged bank one of the banks with widest branch networks in Nigeria. “We have continued to expand our product portfolio which currently includes current, savings accounts, cards, remittances, consumer finance, loans and advances, investment banking, asset management and regional and international trade support amongst others. “This is our little way of saying thank you to Nigerians. For us in Ecobank our mission is to contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy by providing our customers with convenient, accessible and reliable financial products and services,” Aigbokhaevbo said.

DAILY SUN Friday, October 12, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS By CHINENYE ANUFORO

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) AllShare Index yesterday advanced further for the fourth day of the week gaining 364.53 points to close at 27,371.30 points. Consequently, the market year-to-date (YtD) return stood at 32.03 per cent. Similarly, the market capitalization appreciated by N122.68 billion to close at N8.72 trillion from N8.59 trillion in which it opened the day’s business. Also, five NSE sectoral indices closed positive as NSE 30 which basically measures the performance of blue chips maintained gained by 1.61 per cent, NSE Food closed with 0.89 per cent gain while NSE Banking went up by

Market index soars by 360pts 3.19 per cent, NSE Insurance records 0.48 per cent gain while NSE Oil & Gas slipped again by 0.16 per cent. The New NSE LII gained by 0.26 per cent. As usual, the financial sector led on the performance chart with 452.51 million units valued at N3.62 billion exchanged in 3,245 deals as against 379.23 million units valued at N2.72 billion exchanged in 3,625 deals recorded in previous session. The volume recorded in the sector was driven by transaction in the shares of Access Bank, Zenith, Diamond Bank, Unity Bank and UBA

Plc. The total volume of 305.84 million shares valued at 2.90 billion traded in the stocks accounted for 55.36 per cent of the entire market volume and their value represented 59.74 per cent of the market’s value. However, more stocks joined the gainers table yesterday. Specifically, out of 51 stocks that featured on the price movement table, 37 recorded price gain while the 14 others traded at losses. On top of the gainers table were Diamond Bank, Fidson, Academy, DN Meyer and Dangote Sugar. Each gained 44 kobo, 11

kobo, 25 kobo, 16 kobo and 54 kobo per share to close at N4.91, N1.24, N2.82, N1.83 and N6.75 from N4.47, N1.13, N2.57, N1.67 and N6.21in that order. Conversely, Royalex, Pharma Deko, UAC property and AIICO led the losers. Each lost 3 kobo, 15 kobo, 20 kobo, 45 kobo and 3 kobo per share to close at 57 kobo, N2.87, N3.91, N11.00 and 80 kobo respectively. After the trading session yesterday, market turnover moved up by 14.81 per cent to close at 552.42 million shares valued at N4.86 billion exchanged in 5,372 deals as against 481.17 million shares worth N4.02 billion exchanged by investors in 6,299 deals the previous session.

THE DAILY STOCK SUMMARY AS AT 11/10/2012 1st Tier Securities Sector Company name

1st Tier Securities No of Deals

Main Board AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Sub Sector Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PL C U A C N PLC. Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. Sub Sector Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Sub Sector Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Sub Sector Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Sub Sector Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC U T C NIG. PLC. Sub Sector Totals Main Board CONSUMER GOODS Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Sub Sector Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Sub Sector Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIG. PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. U B A PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH BANK PLC Sub Sector Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STACO INSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sub Sector Totals Other Financial Institutions ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. Main Board FINANCIAL SERVICES

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

12 27 39

35.70 15.00

476,686 519,150 995,836

17,011,919.30 7,771,601.75 24,784,000

14 14 53

1.49

5,637,529 5,637,529 6,633,365

7,676,349.85 7,676,000 32,459,870.90

9 116 38 163 163

1.51 1.19 40.52

163,300 12,215,843 2,364,464 14,743,607 14,743,607

256,942.16 14,772,416.77 95,566,408.93 110,596,000 110,595,767.86

11 3 14

31.00 10.07

90,262 20,910 111,172

2,805,436.00 200,108.70 3,006,000

14 14 28

11.00

135,000 135,000 246,172

1,505,747.90 1,506,000 4,511,292.60

4 4

0.50

173,463 173,463

86,731.50 87,000

56 38 194 288

280.00 13.69 141.00

139,282 308,090 3,508,344 3,955,716

39,063,081.17 3,997,519.00 486,575,316.79 529,636,000

8 8

39.00

20,778 20,778

822,415.41 822,000

122 197 32 66 6 29 22 474

8.20 6.75 65.30 2.64 20.41 6.20 0.74

3,402,162 15,204,292 164,446 12,997,748 65,739 372,300 400,481 32,607,168

28,477,299.80 103,666,328.55 10,737,694.80 32,545,642.68 1,341,732.99 2,292,508.40 291,727.45 179,353,000

112 40 152

30.00 625.00

886,366 32,329 918,695

26,721,576.90 19,987,273.76 46,709,000

22 22

3.51

1,022,163 1,022,163

3,594,702.05 3,595,000

63 62 125 1,073

25.02 43.00

803,375 2,676,488 3,479,863 42,177,846

20,118,063.89 114,212,452.70 134,331,000 894,532,067.84

250 264 74 312 469 219 323 67 26 119 350 83 141 78 229 3,004

9.08 4.91 11.92 2.43 16.95 3.82 20.65 3.86 7.67 1.98 5.42 8.50 0.52 0.52 18.40

99,873,759 47,829,958 1,162,753 33,270,168 17,836,610 25,113,362 6,592,458 8,404,075 475,991 10,826,881 34,941,987 969,335 36,848,661 3,954,822 86,350,483 414,451,303

908,819,329.95 234,493,569.41 13,460,314.69 80,762,607.07 301,705,372.52 92,929,647.47 134,687,878.91 32,439,729.50 3,642,089.60 21,132,049.87 188,741,230.74 8,138,164.77 18,627,492.46 2,002,430.40 1,554,363,895.12 3,595,946,000

85 3 2 34 5 1 5 4 74 6 1 2 1 3 226

0.80 0.88 0.50 1.55 0.50 0.50 1.85 0.50 0.56 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.60

5,290,304 305,000 510,000 4,299,635 303,550 15,000 802,000 2,800 24,960,250 225,000 40,000 80,000 89,621 63,843 36,987,003

4,302,358.74 268,400.00 255,000.00 6,690,634.12 151,775.00 7,500.00 1,484,033.40 1,400.00 13,435,290.00 112,500.00 20,800.00 40,000.00 44,810.50 38,305.80 26,853,000

0.57

1,081,617

616,521.69

Sector Company name

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded

Sub Sector Totals 15 Sector Totals 3,245 HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 1 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 78 GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. 9 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 26 NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC 7 NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. 1 PHARMA-DEKO PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 123 Sector Totals 124 ICT IT Services NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. 6 Sub Sector Totals 6 Processing Systems CHAMS PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Sector Totals 7 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC 93 BERGER PAINTS PLC 9 CAP PLC 7 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 15 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 8 DN MEYER PLC. 3 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 39 PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC 1 PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 176 Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. 38 Sub Sector Totals 38 Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. 6 NIGERIAN BAGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC 58 Sub Sector Totals 64 Sector Totals 278 NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. 1 Main Board NATURAL RESOURCES Sub Sector Totals 1 Non-Metallic Mineral Mining MULTIVERSE PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Sector Totals 2 OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC 55 Sub Sector Totals 55 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC 156 Sub Sector Totals 156 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC 8 ETERNA PLC. 15 FORTE OIL PLC. 24 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 11 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. 11 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 13 Sub Sector Totals 82 Sector Totals 293 SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. 8 Sub Sector Totals 8 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 15 Sub Sector Totals 15 Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 2 Sub Sector Totals 2 Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC 20 Sub Sector Totals 20 Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. 4 LEARN AFRICA PLC 2 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 9 Sub Sector Totals 15 Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 1 44 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sub Sector Totals 45 Sector Totals 106 Type Totals 5,372 Grand Totals 5,372

Value of Shares(N)

1,081,617 452,519,923

617,000 3,623,415,131.73

0.50

5,400 5,400

2,700.00 3,000

1.30 1.24 38.05 1.75 1.43 8.59 2.87

1,000 14,625,341 39,968 1,065,672 381,338 400 50,000 16,163,719 16,169,119

1,300.00 17,593,473.93 1,542,292.58 1,853,627.76 534,313.06 3,268.00 143,500.00 21,672,000 21,674,475.33

13.77

25,332 25,332

366,047.40 366,000

0.50

800 800 26,132

400.00 0 366,447.40

19.62 8.01 27.55 6.24 118.50 1.83 58.00 1.98 3.29

2,352,236 27,075 71,506 256,450 14,332 53,505 1,010,054 20,000 39,000 3,844,158

46,149,291.56 221,296.30 1,912,339.60 1,600,248.00 1,709,546.53 97,914.15 58,306,851.80 37,800.00 122,070.00 110,157,000

2.19

868,904 868,904

1,843,329.40 1,843,000

9.53 1.79

72,572 2,936,635 3,009,207 7,722,269

657,502.32 5,286,964.40 5,944,000 117,945,154.06

5.69

2,000

10,820.00

2,000

11,000

0.50

5,000 5,000 7,000

2,500.00 3,000 13,320.00

0.60

5,258,928 5,258,928

3,160,860.80 3,161,000

12.80

2,247,795 2,247,795

28,891,097.19 28,891,000

20.79 2.28 10.20 115.00 30.68 130.00

8,615 795,200 87,084 14,309 81,619 29,447 1,016,274 8,522,997

180,429.10 1,755,590.00 879,385.27 1,685,640.85 2,379,193.85 3,823,580.00 10,704,000 42,755,777.06

0.50

1,000 1,000

500.00 1,000

1.77

281,750 281,750

496,447.50 496,000

3.07

394,000 394,000

1,211,775.00 1,212,000

0.50

20,000 20,000

10,000.00 10,000

1.13

949,500 949,500

1,035,465.00 1,035,000

2.82 2.11 3.91

103,191 7,411 150,419 261,021

290,897.19 15,637.21 591,348.89 898,000

2.37 6.00

1,000 1,753,285 1,754,285 3,661,556 552,429,986 552,429,986

2,370.00 10,575,443.29 10,578,000 14,229,884.08 4,862,499,188.86 4,862,499,188.86

DAILY SUN Friday, October 12, 2012

Kidnappers target churches •Kids, elderly relations of rich men are prey • Armed robbers dump stealing for abduction •The hot spots

Job syndicate on the prowl •Charges N500,000 for Customs, N250,000 for Immigrations, Prisons •Agencies cry foul as Customs sacks 5 colluding officers

NIGERIA’S MAP CHANGES •With Bakassi finally lost to Cameroon, the nation’s map gets new shape •Fury in ceded territory

Book your copy with your vendor

DAILY SUN Friday, October 12, 2012

ONUOHA UKEH Writes on:

“ See Uyo and die” N150

Page 55

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012 VOL.7 NO. 2472

Only God can cut this Iroko L

et me start with a confession. I like Gov Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State. Why? I’ll tell you. The man has courage of conviction. He was federal minister in the run up to the 2007 general elections, and had sought the permission of the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to quit the cabinet and slug it out with the incumbent governor, Olusegun Agagu, for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State. Obasanjo told him to shut up, and let Agagu be. That he should wait till Agagu completed a second term in office. Many times Mimiko entreated Obasanjo, many times the latter told him to behave himself, or get lost. But as they say, there’s nothing as compelling as an idea whose time has come. Like the biblical sons of Isaachar, Mimiko could read the times, and knew it was his time to be governor, or lose the chance forever. So he dumped Obasanjo’s ministerial job, and equally left the PDP. By political savvy, sheer force of personality, and the massive support of Ondo State people, Mimiko jumped aboard an unlikely train. The Labour Party. What is that? In Ondo State? Would it not be labour loss? But steadily, gradually and persistently, Mimiko worked and grew the Labour Party, so much so that few weeks before the 2007 gubernatorial election, the party had become like wildfire in the state. You know the rest of the story. He licked Agagu real good at the polls, but the PDP in cahoots with Obasanjo and Maurice Iwu, who headed the country’s electoral body then, stole the election. They gave victory to Agagu, and the usurper stayed in power for about two years, before he was given a kick in the butt by the courts. And Mimiko got his due. Should Mimiko then have abandoned the Labour Party for any reason that is not fundamental? No. He found succour in the party when he needed it most, and it would have been quite mercenary of him, venal and dishonourable, to leave for another party without good reason. Yes, he had left the Alliance for Democracy (AD) before. He also left the PDP. But for good reasons. He wanted to run for governor, but the two parties, contrary to democratic tenets, closed the door against him. It was justifiable to leave. Just like Mimiko, I equally like Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State for his fidelity to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), despite being a lone ranger governor on the party’s platform for a long time. I also like Gov Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, for keeping faith with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), despite being the only governor on the party’s platform. And with the same intensity I like Mimiko, Obi and Al-Makura, I hold some other serving and former governors in contempt and derision. Men of straw, who have no convictions, whose resolutions fluctuate on the wild and changeful billows of human opinion. Men who are like the reed, tossed to and fro by every little wind of political doctrine, inconstant as the wave of the sea. They include Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, former governor of Zamfara, Ikedi Ohakim, former governor of Imo, Isa Yuguda, governor of Bauchi, and T. A. Orji, governor of Abia. Like the quislings and renegades they are, they dumped one political party for another, without being decent enough to submit the mandate they

FEMI ADESINA 08055001928 kulikulii@yahoo.com

held at the behest of their former parties. Please note. I did not say they had no right to leave one party for another, but the immorality of it, the debauchery and turpitude, is in the fact that they were not decent enough to surrender the mandate they got on the platform of their former parties. Such men are dangerous. And that is my position on whether Mimiko should have dumped Labour Party for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), as requested by the National Leader of the latter party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. No, Mimiko doesn’t have to

•Gov Mimiko leave the party through which Ondo State people massively voted for him. What would be his excuse? Would he not be an ingrate, a sneaky so and so? For staying faithful to Labour Party, I like Mimiko. That is the stuff true leaders are made of. But what of the economic integration policy of the South-West, as being espoused by the ACN. Fine idea. But who says you have to be in one single party before economic integration is possible? Is the European Union not working today? Did the member countries all have to dissolve into one country, as Muamar Gadaffi wanted Africa to do in the African Union (AU), with himself as the president? No, the fact that all governors of the South-West are not in the same political party should not preclude integration. They can collaborate and cooperate to achieve the same goals, particularly as they are of the same progressive tendencies. For Mimiko to have left the Labour Party would have cast him in the mould of the Shakespearian ingrate: “But ‘tis common proof that lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, whereto the climber-upward turns his face, but when he once attains the upmost round, he then unto the ladder turns his back, looks in the clouds, scorning the base degree by which he did ascend.” Now, to the battle of October 20. The ACN has unleashed an armada on Ondo State, which it wants to win very badly, so that the entire SouthWest can be in its kitty. It’s a legitimate quest in

politics. If Mimiko would not join us, at least we have a right to run him out of town, get the seat from him in a political contest. Very, very legit. Logical. Reasonable. Rightful. It is acceptable in a true democracy. But will Mimiko be a sitting duck and allow himself to be flushed out of Alagbaka House, as the Government House in Ondo State is called? Very doubtful. It will be the mother of all contests, and if you ask me, I see Mimiko winning – except God has not ordained him to be governor twice. Humanly speaking, Mimiko and the Labour Party have served Ondo State well. Is it in the area of urban renewal? See Paris and die, they say, but see Akure and live. Akure is now a true state capital, a befitting modern city. Is it also in healthcare? Mimiko has served well, particularly with the much-acclaimed Abiye project. Is it in education? The mega schools are the best things ever to happen to Ondo State people. Agriculture? See the farm project in Ore and exclaim in wonderment. Preserving the environment? Improving the quality of lives of the people? Job creation? Mimiko has done all these, and more, and I don’t see him losing on October 20, except he has not been divinely ordained to have a second term. But by all that man can see, this Iroko cannot be felled, no storm can uproot it. It stands steady and sturdy. No shaking. The policies and projects of new ACN governors are emerging in their respective states. I can talk confidently of Gov Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti, (and you will read more of it on this page soon) but in Ondo, the works of Mimiko are already in full bloom. He can only do better if he gets the desired second term in office. And Ondo State people can only be happier. I like what two commentators have written about the Ondo battle of October 20. My colleague, Onuoha Ukeh, writing in Daily Sun, last Friday submitted: “Mimiko has become a force in Yoruba politics. His Irokoism could be likened to the Awoism of old… the victory of Mimiko is guaranteed. This is so because the governorship election is a battle between reality and fantasy.” Very well said. And Niyi Akinnaso, writing in The Punch of Tuesday, this week, posited: “I, as a citizen of Ondo State, who have visited over 250 of Mimiko’s projects in education, health, urban renewal, agriculture, and community development, hereby endorse him for a second term. In all my voluntary professional services to Ondo State democratically elected governments since that of Pa Adekunle Ajasin, no governor has attained the range and quality of Mimiko’s achievements… One cannot but appreciate his humanity, his faith, his steadfastness and his passion for developing Ondo State.” Need one say more? Only to add that I don’t see Mimiko losing on October 20, except if God and Ondo people desert him. It will not likely happen.

Re: Tale of a thousand shoes Tomorrow will always come his simple write up would have been a great sermon from the pulpit, with the topic, The Foolish Leader. But the successor should have distributed the 1220 pairs of shoes acquired by Imelda Marcos to the poor, who are in majority in the country. This is a country where the major revenue comes from the nationals doing housekeeping work all over the world. Lesson for our leaders who think tomorrow will never come. Let’s remember that over 300 culprits were jailed in Turkey recently for having participated in coup plotting one time or the other, it did not matter how many years had elapsed •Dr Olayinka Oladosu, yinkalola85@yahoo.com

My heart bled I felt so sad reading tale of a thousand shoes. My heart bled for Nigerians with flabby biceps. I am optimistic that Nigeria’s own reforms will eventually come when the leaders’ collective sins of iniquity, impunity, tyranny, avarice, greed and primitive accumulation would be judged, thereby ushering us into our long awaited “promised land” and jubilee with completely new conditions of better life. •Ben Obika, 08033749167, obikaben@yahoo.com Too many Imelda here There are too many Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos in Nigeria. They abound at every level of government. At the federal level, at the state level with governors and their super Jezebel wives; and at the local government level with demigods council chairmen, and of course even at government ministries, departments, agencies, dealing with our common resources with impunity. True, compassionate, patriotic, altruistic, visionary, selfless and exemplary leadership, as Jesus Christ showed, is not by mere word/talk but by good deed and practical life. Our present and past National Assembly members, governors, ministers, etc are happy owners of big businesses (come to Enugu and see), while 99.9% population of Nigeria wallow in abject poverty, ravaged by natural and human-made disasters, and living very deep below world benchmark. So, cry for me Nigeria. •Abuchi Anueyiagu, Enugu, buchisbuchis@yahoo.com, 08033205799, 08080242128. Their ears are blocked The piece no doubt is a product of deep reflection emanating from your sadness and “dolefulness” about the state of our country. Far from mere artistic composition though with the usual literary flavor, your ‘outburst’ is indeed a sermon. But it seems the ears of our leaders are blocked and their heart hardened in the way of Pharaoh. The ball is therefore in our court. Nigerians will one day stand up against this madness. •omo_kola@yahoo.com Doom ahead You summed up this delightful piece with “all is vanity”. Our leaders build mansions in choice areas of our cities only for reptiles, rats

•Continued on Page 55

Published by THE SUN PUBLISHING LIMITED, 2, Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Layout, Apapa, P.M.B. 21776, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Telephone: 01-8980932, 6211239, Fax: 5895396 Advert Hotline: 01-7900632, 6211236, ABUJA OFFICE: 2nd Floor, Gouba Plaza, Utako District, Phone: 09-8700273-6. ISSN 0795-7475. All Correspondence to the above mail addresses. Website: www.sunnewsonline.com •Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Aba & Abuja EDITOR: STEVE NWOSU

CMYK