Sun News -N0vember 19, 2012

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2498

Anambra North to produce next gov –Obi Page 10

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Odi massacre: How FG murdered old men and women –Jonathan •Says no militant was killed •To declare stand on second term in 2014 •No plan to hike fuel price

Baby kidnapped from labour room Gunmen snatch newborn immediately after birth Now, see what they have done to me. My breasts are heavy with milk; it is a burden I have refused to bear. They should please bring back my baby to suck my breasts. I refuse to believe that my baby has gone; the God who put it in my womb for nine months before its delivery will fish out the perpetrators and my baby will be brought back to me. Peace will continue to elude those who have taken it until they bring it back to me –Aggrieved mum Page 16 Gov. Peter Obi (middle), explaining a point to Sr. Mary Claude Oguh (right), Superior General of Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Christ and Sr. mary Endalene Mozie after the Sunday mass at the Governor’s Lodge Chapel, Amawbia, yesterday

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar being received by HRH Eze Chukwunyere Ugochukwu (Akajiofor of Okigwe Town) and other monarchs during the reception by the Okigwe Council of Traditional Rulers at the Eze’s Palace in Okigwe, Imo State on Saturday

PPA flays selective demolition of shops in Aba Page 10

We won’t bury Harriman in Lagos –Family Page 9

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2498

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We won’t bury Hope Harriman in Lagos –Family

•Kinsmen fault speculation, say body yet to arrive Nigeria

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Odi massacre: How FG murdered old men and women –Jonathan •Says no militant was killed •To declare stand on second term in 2014 •No plan to hike fuel price

Baby kidnapped from labour room Page 16

Gunmen snatch newborn immediately after birth Now, see what they have done to me. My breasts are heavy with milk; it is a burden I have refused to bear. They should please bring back my baby to suck my breasts. I refuse to believe that my baby has gone; the God who put it in my womb for nine months before its delivery will fish out the perpetrators and my baby will be brought back to me. Peace will continue to elude those who have taken it until they bring it back to me –Aggrieved mum

Boko Haram: Army faults controversial video

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NIGHT OF INFLUENCE L-R: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman, Airtel Nigeria, Oba Otudeko, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, Guest Speaker, Dr. Fareed Zakaria of CNN, CEO/MD Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Rajan Swaroop and Dr Oby Ezekwesili at the Airtel Night of Influence at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos

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111-yr-old blind woman burnt to death

...As man sets village ablaze over alleged witchcraft

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2498

2015: ACN, CPC alliance ’ll fail –PDP

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Odi massacre: How FG murdered old men and women –Jonathan

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•Says no militant was killed •To declare stand on second term in 2014 •No plan to hike fuel price

Baby kidnapped from labour room Gunmen snatch newborn immediately after birth Now, see what they have done to me. My breasts are heavy with milk; it is a burden I have refused to bear. They should please bring back my baby to suck my breasts. I refuse to believe that my baby has gone; the God who put it in my womb for nine months before its delivery will fish out the perpetrators and my baby will be brought back to me. Peace will continue to elude those who have taken it until they bring it back to me –Aggrieved mum Page 16 FIDAU FOR OLUSOLA SARAKI L-R: Vice President Namadi Sambo, Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed and Sen. Bukola Saraki at the Fidau prayers for Dr. Olusola Saraki, at the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin, yesterday

FIDAU FOR LAM ADESINA

Aregbesola appoints acting Chief Judge

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National Chairman ACN Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Ogun State Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Chief Oba Otudeko and Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao at the 8th day Fidau prayers for former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, yesterday.

Photo: DADA OSASONA

We won’t bury Hope Page 9 Harriman in Lagos –Family

2 DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

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FAAN to buy 30 planes ahead national carrier’s take-off •Why we are transforming airports –Director From CHRIS ANUCHA, Port Harcourt

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he aviation sector will soon witness a significant boom , going by the plans by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to acquire 30 new aircraft that will operate as national carrier.

This was disclosed in Port Harcourt by the Director, Airport Operations, Captain Henry Omeogu, during interaction with newsmen at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State recently. According to him, plans had reached advance stage to acquire the planes for the smooth take-off of the national carrier, which he disclosed, was private sector-driven. Though, he didn’t give full details about the planned national carrier, he said individuals(investors) are entitled to pull their resources and purchase new planes, adding that, that would become their equities .

“Not even two years old plane will be allowed,” he said. Captain Omeogu explained that in the past, Nigerians failed to pull their resources together to have a national carrier, pointing out that FAAN decided to adopt a different method to achieve the purpose. We want to put up a system, a carrier that will ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians,” he said.

He explained that Nigeria lost capacity after the DANA plane crash, and was left with only Arik Airline, adding that there was the need for citizens to have unhindered air travels , from one part of the country to the other.” The need for national carrier cannot be over-emphasized,” he insisted.

He disclosed that some Chinese had already invested towards making the dream a reality. On the reconstruction going on at airports across the country, Omeogu explained that it was part of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, which the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, wants to bring to fruition. He said the transformation was expected to be completed in 2014 to be able to place the aviation sector in a position to compete favourably with others in the world.

He said that part of the plans was to transform the five international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kano, to aerotropolis, a situation where people fly into an airport, transact their businesses within the vicinity, without bothering to enter into the town.

“This is the first time we are taking a bold step to make the difference. This is because, we have a minister that is totally committed to the transformation of the industry.” He said the minister wants to put in place, a world class airport that is safe, secure and comfortable, airports that will create wealth and drive the economy, and that is second to none in Africa. According to him, that was the driving force for reforming and changing the structures in the sector, to make airports in the country effective and more practical. He said FAAN intends to use the improved infrastructure to increase its financial base, by trying to increase the percentage of non-nautical revenue. “Right now, we are depending on landing and parking , we want to depart from that, that is traditional.

The airports would also have world class car parks, that would generate revenue for the sector.

Omeogu also stressed the need for training and re-training of staff to enable them catch up with the mission and vision of •Oduah the minister.

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Monday, November 19, 2012

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L-R: Group Managing Director, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti; and Head of Media, , Mr. Jonathan Croan at the award presentation for the Best Oil and Gas Investment Company in Africa by World Finance magazine to the bank at the London Stock Exchange recently.

R-L: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Imo State Governor Rochas Anayo Okorocha during the former’s visit to the governor at the Government House, Owerri, on Saturday.

L-R: Wife of former Oyo State governor, Mrs. Kemi AlaoAkala, Health Minister Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, Chief Anthony, Prof (Mrs) Dora Akinyili and Prof. Alonge unveiling the plaque at the commissioning of Chief Tony Anenih Geriatric Centre, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, weekend.

Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Zulu Gambari and others at the Fidau prayers for Senator Olusola Saraki at the Metopolitan Square, Ilorin, Sunday. Saraki, Second Republic Senate Leader, died in Lagos last Wednesday.

COVER Odi massacre: How FG killed old men, women –Jonathan

By RAZAQ BAMIDELE, NDUBUISI ORJI, CHINELO OBOGO, SAM OTTI (Lagos) and JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE (Abuja)

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everal years after the bombardment of Odi Community in Bayelsa State by the military, President Goodluck Jonathan said it did not succeed in curbing militancy in Niger Delta. He said rather, it worsened militancy in the region and attracted international outcry against the Federal Government.

Jonathan , who disclosed this yesterday during a presidential media chat in Abuja, also said it was too early for him to declare whether or not he will contest the 2015 election.

He said if the military action in Odi had stopped militancy, there would have not been any need for the amnesty programme for militants in the Niger Delta initiated by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

He said the bombardment of Odi in retaliation for the killing of 12 policemen in the community only succeeded in killing old men and women, pointing out that no single militant was shot dead in the action.

His words : “After the invasion,I and the governor entered Odi. Ordinarily, the governor and his subordinates would not have moved in at the same time. We entered houses and we saw some dead people. Most of the dead were old men and women, but none of the militants was killed. None. Bombarding Odi was meant to solve the problem, but it never did. If the attack in Odi had solved the problem of militancy in Niger Delta, then the late President Yar’Adua’s government of whom I was privileged to be his deputy, would not come up with the amnesty programme. That is to tell you that an attack on Odi never solved the problem of militancy, rather it attracted international outcry and many people began to say things rather than the attack on Odi.” On the issue of his second term, the President said he will declare his stand in 2014.

… Says no militant died in the military action He said this is because making his stand public at this time would heighten tension in the polity and affect the running of the government. According to him, if he says at this time that he would run in 2015, the activities of government will be affected. And if he says he would not run, some members of his cabinet might even resign for the purpose of contesting the election. However, he said that four years is too small for any government to really make an impact.

His words :“You are asking whether I will contest in 2015. It is too early to ask a sitting president whether he will re-contest. If a president says I am contesting, it will generate tension. If I said I am not, it will generate tension. If I say I am not contesting, some of my cabinet members may even resign. All of them are qualified to contest the position.

Four years is small for a person to make an impact. Before you ask if the president will contest, wait until 2014”.

•Jonathan

On the issue of fuel subsidy, Jonathan denied ever saying that the palliative would be removed next year. He said already the subsidy is provided for in the 2013 budget, asking rhetorically, why should he put it in the budget in the first place if he had plan to remove it?

He explained that the issue came up when a group of students from National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru presented a research work to him.

“In the research work, Canada was said to have 16 refineries while Nigeria has only four.

I then asked my Economic Adviser to find out who owns the refineries in Canada and he said they are privately-owned,” the President stated, lamenting that “we also issued licences to private people to build refineries, but they are not building.”

And to reach the level of Canada, Jonathan insisted, “then, a policy which operates in Canada should be adopted here in Nigeria,” enthusing, if that policy is in operation in the country and the private sector also build refineries, the issue of subsidy would be resolved.”

In addition to that, the President informed that part of efforts to address the issue of scarcity of fuel was the on-going process to sanitize the oil industry, assuring that “when we conclude the process to sanitize the oil sector, the issue of queues in filling stations will be put behind us.”

While explaining that there is no need for a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) beyond what the National Assembly is currently doing, Jonathan explained that “the feelings of Nigerians are that this Constitution was written by the military and that it is not the Nigerians’ Constitution and they are clamouring for Nigerians to write a Constitution for themselves.”

According to him, the process embraces all Nigerians, “where individual groups, social groups, religious groups, socio-cultural groups, ethnic groups, youth groups or all

other interest groups, would have an opportunity to have input in the process.”

His words: “The issue of Sovereign National Conference (SNC), when you mention the word, sovereign, people get frightened. But if there is anything I believe as President, I swore to an oath to defend the Constitution, that whatever we do, we should keep in line with the Constitution. Anything that Nigerians have, they can communicate to the National Assembly. But if today we jettison the position of the Constitution, we will run into another anarchy.”

On the issue of referendum, the President said that “what the National Assembly is doing now has satisfied referendum.”

On the recent governorship election in Edo and Ondo states, where his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost to the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria and the Labour Party (LP) respectively, Jonathan said the party gave a very good account of itself, resulting in it coming second in the two elections. However, he said the PDP will win the two states after the tenure of the incumbent governor expires. President Jonathan urged the PDP chapters in the respective states to put their houses in order.

He said out that it is not in the interest of the country’s democracy for the PDP or any other political parties to control the entire states in the country.

‘PDP is doing wonderfully well. In any country where you have presidential system and you practise true democracy, you don’t expect the ruling party to win all the states.

The ruling party will not win all the states. It will be dangerous for the country if the PDP for example, controls all the states.

“In Edo and Ondo states, you mentioned we contested against incumbents. If you contest against an incumbent governor, everyday he is campaigning because his activities speak for him. We believe that in the next election, the PDP family will come together and win the state. We will win naturally’, he said

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NEWS

Gunmen kill retired pastor in Borno From TIMOTHY OLA, Maiduguri

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retired pastor was yesterday shot dead in Maiduguri, Borno State by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram.

The gunmen were said to have stormed the residence of the retired pastor of the COCIN church at Polo Ward, one Reverend Ilaisha Kabura in the early hours of yesterday. “They opened fire on him in his house while preparing for the Sunday church service,” a source claimed.

The source who also attended the same local assembly of the church with the retired pastor said Reverend Kabura, 70, must have been trailed by his assailants before succeeding in getting into his house yesterday morning.

He said the Joint Task Force (JTF) troops later arrived the scene of the incident and then evacuated the body of the slain pastor. Neither the JTF nor the police confirmed the incident as at press time.

Soyinka pays tribute to Justice Eso

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obel Laurate, Professor Wole Soyinka yesterday paid a glowing tribute to Justice Kayode Eso who died last weekend. In the tribute titled: The mystery judge, Soyinka said that wherever a table is set for judges of stellar integrity, Eso would be seated in a high place of honour.

The tribute reads: He titled the narrative of his life on the bench: “The Mystery Gunman.” For me, he has remained The Mystery Judge.

It is endlessly fascinating to consider that he may have changed the probable course of my existence, but this is not why I mourn him, or pay him tribute. We bonded. That bond began without his knowledge, months before I actually stood trial in his court. It began as we monitored his phone calls among others’ - during the Western Region crisis, and heard him resist pressure from the apex of Power, urging him to dent the shield of justice. He resisted with grace, with a disarming sense of humour. Who was this judge? I wondered.

At the feast of after-life, or wherever a table is set aside for judges of stellar integrity, there will Kayode Eso be seated, in a high place of honour.”

...Judiciary has lost an icon Senate leader From ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, Abuja

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enate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba has expressed sadness over the demise of eminent jurist, Justice Kayode Eso. In a condolence message to the Eso family, Ndoma-Egba said that Eso’s death has left a yawning gap in the annals of the nation’s judiciary.

Ndoma-Egba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) noted that Nigeria’s judiciary has not only lost an icon, it has been denied the wisdom of a gem, whose illustrious service to the bar and the bench took the judiciary to glowing heights.

“Anyone who has had contacts with the Judiciary will sorely miss this rare breed of a judge. We will all take solace in the indelible marks he has left behind. In his lifetime, he was and remained a shining star of the nation’s judiciary and he lived an exemplary life.”

He further stated that it was painful that the jurist died when the country would have benefited more from his experience, wisdom and calmness.

“We, the younger generation will remain grateful to God for the benefit of tapping from the wisdom of the legendary jurist.

With his death, our judiciary will no longer remain the same,” Ndoma-Egba said.

NLC, NUP to lead mass protest over plight of pensioners From FRED ITUA, Abuja

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s part of its solidarity support with the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has concluded plans to embark on a mass protest against the increasing hardship pensioners in the country face daily.

The planned mass protest slated for December 11, 2012 being Pensioners Day is to bring together scores of pensioners who have been short-changed in one way or the other to share their experiences in Abuja.

According to a statement jointly signed by NUP President, Comrade Ali Abatch and the General Secretary, Comrade Actor Zal they said that rather than facing the challenges of Pension Task Team which has proved incapable and incompetent, the union has to resolve to self help.

“As an affiliate of NLC, we shall call the congress to mobilise all its affiliates to join the NUP in its planned mass protest, as injury to one is injury to all,” NUP said.

•Former president Olusegun Obasanjo (left) exchanging pleasantries with Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, Oba of Lagos (extreme right). Watching with interest is Chief Oba Otudeko (3rd left), Chairman, Airtel Nigeria, Prince Ajibola Afonja, Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria (1st left), Chief Chambers Oyibo, former Group Managing Director, NNPC (sitting) and Ayo Gbeleyi Special Adviser/DG, Office of Public Private Partnerships, Lagos at the Airtel Night of Influence featuring CNN’s Fareed Zakaria at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

Boko Haram: Controversial video shows soldiers shooting in Borno •Army denies killings, says it was stage-managed

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video obtained by Reuters has allegedly exposed Nigerian troops shooting unarmed captives in broad daylight by the roadside in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, the bastion of an Islamist insurgency.

Nigeria’s military had long been accused of human rights abuses, including summary executions, in the troubled north but there had been no video proof since the first crackdown on the Islamist sect, Boko Haram in 2009. A spokesman for the Army said it was “impossible” for Nigerian troops to do such a thing.

Boko Haram is fighting to carve an Islamic state out of Nigeria, and its fighters had killed hundreds in bomb and gun attacks, many of them from the security forces, since beginning, the uprising three years ago.

The video was taken by a soldier who said he was present while the shootings took place two weeks ago. The soldier, who requested anonymity, passed it to Reuters yesterday.

In the grainy footage, a man sits down next to three or four corpses piled together on the roadside. He pleads for his life while soldiers shout at him and a crowd looks on a few meters away. “Please don’t fire,”the man says in pidgin English.

He tries to stand up and get onto the back of a pick up truck to the left. A Nigerian soldier shouts “come out”, and drags him off it, shoving him on the ground. One of them kicks him in the head. Then he and another soldier aimed assault rifles at him. Four gunshots were heard and the man

lay still next to the others.

Nigerian army spokesman Colonel Mohammed Yerima said he had not seen the video but that the events must have been staged. “How can they do that? It is not possible. This is the Boko Haram tactics,” he said. “They will do the killing and say it’s the military and then Amnesty International and so on will blame us. It’s not possible for Nigerian troops to act in this way.”

Nigerian Army Forces had repeatedly denied accusations of such abuses, saying the only time they killed suspected militants was during combat. Those captured were questioned or freed, they said.

Such alleged abuses usually occur shortly after members of the security forces had been killed or wounded in an attack by the sect. The killings in this

video happened after a bomb attack on a military patrol further up the road, the soldier who provided the footage said.

Another video from the same source, which he said was taken after the executions, showed soldiers piling up about two dozen bodies in two bloody heaps on the ground from the back of a military truck. The videos could spur renewed calls for Nigeria’s security forces to change their approach to the insurgency, which critics said was prompting desperate, angry youths to join Boko Haram and encouraging the northern population to shelter them.

That uprising was sparked by a military crackdown on the sect, in which hundreds were killed, including its founder and spiritual leader Mohammed Yusuf, who died

in police custody. President Goodluck Jonathan had been accused of treating the conflict as a security problem that could be solved with force alone, rather than addressing the root causes of the insurgency.

Amnesty International issued a report this month in which it said human rights abuses committed by security forces were fuelling the conflict they were meant to end.

The report said a “significant number” of people accused of links with Boko Haram had been executed after arrest without due process, while hundreds were detained without charge or trial and many of those arrested disappeared or were later found dead. The Nigerian military rejected that report, including accusations that they execute suspects, as “biased and mischievous.”

Beware of whirlwind, NEMA warns Nigerians From EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, lokoja

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he National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), has said that the coming of the black floods (effects of US whirlwind) into the country is imminent and warned people to take precautionary efforts to minimize its effects.

The coordinator, NEMA, Abuja operations office, Mr. Ishaya Isah Chonoko,gave the warning over the weekend, during a workshop on disaster management, organized by the agency for local government officials and other stakeholders in disaster management, He said although the impact of the black floods might not

be as high as that of the white floods, it was neccessary for people not to treat the warning with levity.

Chinoko who delivered a paper on disaster management, stressed that everybody was directly or indirectly concerned when the issue of how to manage a disaster arose He specifically called local governments in the country to design an effective management strategy that would curb disaster of any kind.

He said as the third tier of government that was closer to the people at the grassroots, the councils needed to be more proactive and put in place adequate strategy, geared towards management of natural disasters in their

council areas.

He said the roles played by some council officials in the last flood in the country fell short of NEMA expectations and enjoined them to be more alive to their responsibilities.

“Taking a look at the roles played by various local governments in the recent flood disaster in most states of the federation, one could see that it was short of expectations generally,” the NEMA boss said.

According to Chonoko, the essence of the workshop was to enlighten and empower the local governments in the management of disasters at the local levels and to create synergy between SEMA and LEMCs.

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012, 7

NEWS PHCN pre-paid meter is free –Minister

By PHILIP NWOSU

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uthorities of the power ministry at the weekend warned Nigerians against falling into the hands of some fraudulent officials of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, who may want to demand money before supplying the new pre-paid meter.

The Minister of Power, Hajia Zanaib Ibrahim Kuchi, said pre-paid meters would be distributed free to every Nigerian, adding that the cost for purchase and installation had been built into the pre-paid card the customer would purchase before use.

She gave the warning while touring PHCN facilities in Lagos insisting that the cost of the pre-paid metre had been made in such a way that persons acquiring the meter would have to spread the payment over a period of time.

She declined to say the specific period the payment would last but every Nigerian who had the meter had already paid for it.

“So no one will charge you for meters anymore and I want to ensure that the entire distribution group has a period of 18 months from June 1, 2012 to ensure that every Nigerian gets a pre-paid meter so that you can have accurate billing free of charge.”

Fashola blames PDP govt for fuel scarcity

By OLUWOLE FAROTIMI

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he Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola yesterday put the blame of the lingering fuel scarcity in the country at the doorsteps of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government.

Fashola said the government had failed to live above board in its responsibility to the people.

Fashola, who made the statement during the commemoration of his 2, 000 days in office in Ikeja, urged Nigerians to keep an eye on the party, which, he said, may soon “come to you to tell the people what good governance is, as if the people do not know.”

He said: “I hope their Lagos chapter will remind them that you are queuing to buy fuel, that you cannot complete telephone conversations on your phones anymore and that Apapa-Oshodi Road requires urgent attention.

“But please remember to thank them for maintaining the 3rd Mainland Bridge.

“In spite of their party’s failure, we have continued to make progress with our developmental initiatives.

Fashola, who justified the proposed introduction of Chinese language in public schools, said one of the advantages was to boost the state economy, arguing that the state government needed to move fast in line with the global challenge and more importantly, China being an economic world power.

According to him, “Chinese are in our homes more than we care to admit. Chinese has become our largest economic partner.’’

The Sun wins award on health, fitness

By AZOMA CHIKWE, ONYEKACHI JET and CHRISTY ANYANWU

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he Sun Publishing Limited once again received an award at the weekend during the 4th Indulge Wellness Award dinner.

The award was for promoting health, confidence and wellness. The Sun Health and Fitness column won the award in the Health and Fitness category.

Presenting the award, Dr. Bisi Abiola, managing director and chief executive officer, Indulge said: “The Sun column on health and fitness, which commenced at the newspaper’s inception is a good initiative, aimed at disseminating information to its teaming readers on how to live a healthy lifestyle.”

Speaking on what informed her choice of extending the recognition to the media in this year’s awards ceremonies, the CEO said the gesture was to appreciate the media for its contributions to health and lifestyle.

Her words: “I remember two years ago during one of the media conferences, a journalist practically felt aggrieved that the media is not appreciated considering that the media has contributed immensely to the dissemination of information on how to inculcate a healthy lifestyle habit.

“We promised to address this. And it is my pleasure that today; you are celebrating the contributions of the media to healthy living of Nigerians through health and fitness columns and programmes, both in the print and electronic.”

Receiving the award on behalf of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Azoma Chikwe gave gratitude to God, thanked Indulge for the honour. He saiod: “On behalf of my Managing Director, Mr. Tony Onyima, I receive this award and want to thank the Almighty God for what is happening here today.”

• L-R: Founder and President, Dominion Church, U.S.; Dr. Jerry Wolcson; Rev. Chichi Bismark, founder, Jabula New Life Ministries, Harare; Dr. Mike Okonkwo, presiding bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) and Mr. Drene Bismark during the opening ceremony of the 23rd edition of the Kingdom Life World Conference organised by TREM in Lagos.

Photo: OLUFEMI KAYODE

2015: ACN, CPC alliance ’ll fail –PDP From TAIWO AMODU, and the unrepentant posturing Fashakin whom Bola Tinubu of General Buhari, the owner also donated to the CPC. Abuja of the party as again captured “It is either they are attackhe Peoples Democratic in his parable of the bloody ing and insulting the presiParty (PDP) has again baboon and monkey earlier dent, the National Assembly dismissed the alliance this year in Kaduna is a recipe or other institutions of talks between the two opposi- for a road to Somalia. That is democracy or losing sleep tion parties, Congress for not the preference Nigerians and get more rabid when their shortcomings are pointed out Progressive Change (CPC) will ever imagine.

“At the bottom line, or are engaged in the illusion and the Action Congress of Nigerians are faced with the of an all powerful merger that Nigeria (ACN).

This was even as it denied worst form of indecent propa- will take over Nigeria.”

Metuh further asserted that that it was apprehensive over ganda from the duo of Lai the alliance talks between the Mohammed and Rotimi no amount of attack on two parties.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh in a statement made available to journalists yester- … Says state chapter can’t stop ex-gov day restated his party’s claim that the CPC and ACN were From TAIWO AMODU, would be coming to join.’’

But reacting to their posiunder the firm grip of two Abuja tion, the PDP deputy national individuals. eputy National secretary told journalists that According to the PDP, “the Secretary of the neither the state chapter nor ACN is entirely owned by Peoples Democratic zonal executive of the party Bola Tinubu and brooks no Party (PDP), Mr. Solomon could block the former goveropposition to his dictates.

“It is no secret that the gov- Onwe, has said nobody can nor, if he was willing to return ernors of Lagos, Osun and prevent the former governor to the party.

Onwe noted that the PDP Ekiti states, as well as the of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor national working committee Kalu from returning to the candidate of the party in the recent Ondo governorship PDP if it was his intention to did not outline any condition that must be met by anyone election were Tinubu’s direct rejoin his former party.

Onwe made the declara- willing to return to the party, imposition. It is also a fact that Tinubu unilaterally tion at the weekend while in line with its reconciliation chased out Ope Bamidele speaking with journalists in drive.

“We are serious about recwho won the primaries for Abuja. “Certain members of Ekiti Central Senatorial the party who claimed to be onciliation but we passed a District and imposed his pre- stakeholders of the party in resolution stating a time limit ferred candidate. Nigerians Bende Local Government for any serious member willcan still remember how Area of Abia State had met ing to come back to signify Tinubu’s wife made her way last Wednesday and passed a his intention and return to his resolution that the former ward. If Orji Kalu wants to to the Senate.”

The PDP added that the Abia State governor speculat- come back, there is no way comments of the cross-sec- ed return was not only dis- the state chapter of the party tion of Yoruba leaders on the tasteful and disagreeable but can prevent him from coming recent victory of the Labour totally unacceptable to all back. If your state refuses, Party in Ondo State against PDP members in the local you can register at the zone; if the zone refuses, you can regan earlier call by the ACN for government.’’

They further submitted in ister with the national secreregional integration as the pivot of its campaign was an the purported resolution “that tariat. So, I believe the field is unmasked rejection of the in the spirit of party disci- still open to Orji Kalu. The ambition of one man to lord pline, internal democracy and time limit given in our notice hierarchical decorum, any was one month, but we can over an entire region.”

The statement further said: plan to readmit Chief Orji extend it.’’

Onwe expressed confi“The fact of the merger is that Kalu into PDP not only of a double jeopardy as the requires consultations with dence that the party would case of the CPC is worse. Igbere Ward A and Bende return Anambra and Imo Apart from the collywobbles Local Government Area but states to PDP, as he identified of one man dictatorship, the the opinion of the party lead- internal dissension within its party’s violent antecedent, ers and members, who he ranks as responsible for its

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President Goodluck Jonathan or the PDP would distract the party from delivering on its constitutional mandate and submitted that “2015 will not be decided by personal insults on those in elected offices nor won in the pages of newspapers. It lies in the province of the Nigerian people. No matter their Shenanigans, the PDP remains the party to beat.”

Kalu free to return to PDP –Party’s scribe

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loss of the two states to APGA in the South-East.

“We lost Anambra because of two reasons: One, was the support given to APGA by the late Ikemba, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu. In the politics of South-East, nobody can underrate the late Ikemba. The second factor was the circumstances surrounding Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s emergence. There was no party primary. Prince Vincent Ogbulafor-led NWC just handpicked the candidate. So, instead of working for Soludo, some of our people just worked underground against Soludo.

“As for Imo state, you all know that it is a PDP state. It was the mistake that Ikedi Ohakim made that made Rochas Okorocha to leave PDP. We know that Okorocha is a big stakeholder in Nigeria politics, having been a presidential aspirant. By the time we achieve success with our reconciliation moves in Anambra, PDP will win the state; we are confident of taking the state from APGA. “We aren’t celebrating the death of Chief Ojukwu, but there is no Nigerian who would disclaim our claim that Ojukwu was a serious factor in South-East and Nigeria politics. So, his support for APGA ensured Peter Obi’s victory.’’

8 DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

NEWS UNILAG honours Adenuga

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lobacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga jnr. (GCON) has been decorated with the Major Donor/Partner Award by the University of Lagos.

The Award was bestowed on him by the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Rahamon Bello at the special presentation of awards to donors and partners at the weekend and the formal launch of the UNILAG Donors’ Forum to mark the institution’s 50 Founders’ Anniversary. Dr Adenuga was recognised in the Gold category of the awards.

In his citation read at the presentation, Dr. Adenuga was commended for his contributions and commitment to promoting scholarship and academic excellence in the institution through the endowment of a professorial chair of entrepreneurial studies.

“Your contributions have no doubt made a remarkable difference towards achieving our goal of being one of the world’s leading universities,” said Professor Rahamon Bello.

Professor Bello saluted Dr. Adenuga’s generosity in giving freely of his wealth and time toward the sustenance of UNILAG as a centre of excellence. He noted that his contributions had stimulated great support for the university’s development efforts, calling on other public-spirited individuals to emulate the awardees.

Receiving the award on behalf of Dr. Adenuga, Globacom’s Executive Director, Legal Services, Mrs. Gladys Talabi thanked the university for the honour, adding that the business mogul is proud to identify with the goals and aspirations of UNILAG, especially given the critical needs of the institution.

“The provision of quality education is central to the rapid development of our nation; but government alone cannot do it.

That is why we must all get involved,” she said.

She added that Dr. Adenuga would continue to give of his resources and time to the development of the country and the well being of the people.

Saraki not buried in coffin –Cleric From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin

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he controversies surrounding the burial of the second Republic Senate leader, Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki were yesterday laid to rest.

An Islamic cleric and friend of the Sarakis, Sheikh Sulaiman Faruk Onikijipa, debunked the rumour that Saraki was buried in a casket last Wednesday in his Ilorin GRA residence.

Sheikh Onikijipa made the clarification in his lecture at the fidau prayer for the repose of the soul of the late politician held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Onikijipa who said he took part in the last bath for the late politician’s corpse and subsequent burial alongside other clerics said Saraki was buried without the casket which the corpse was brought from Lagos to Ilorin.

He also explained that it was permissible in Islam to do the janazah prayer with the corpse in the coffin, so long the corpse in the coffin faces the direction of qiblah.

The cleric explained that the large crowd at Yidi Praying Ground necessitated the need not to bring out Saraki’s corpse from the casket before the janazah prayer was conducted on it.

He said this was done to forestall possible recording of casualties from the surging crowd.

Speaking at the fidau, Senator Bukola Saraki assured people of Kwara State that family of the late politician would continue from where his late father left off in the spheres of philanthropy and people-oriented politics.

Ogundokun condoles with Bukola Saraki

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he publisher and Editor-In-Chief of Conscience International Magazine, Alhaji Abiola Ogundokun has condoled with the family of former Senate leader and strong man of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki on the death of their patriarch.

In a condolence letter addressed to the first son of the deceased, Senator Bukola Saraki, Ogundokun said the news of former Senate leader’s death came to him as shock.

He described the late Saraki as a colossus and legend who impacted positively on the lives of millions of Nigerians in his lifetime. According to him, the deceased had wisdom, love and patriotism and left behind rich legacy.

The publisher who was the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) urged the family to take solace in the fact that ‘the great man lived an exemplary and fulfilled life, with complete devotion to the development of his people and the Nigerian nation.’

While praying for the repose of the soul of the late elder statesman, Ogundokun expressed confidence that Bukola and his siblings would sustain the legacy of their late father.

•Executive Director, Globacom, Gladys Talabi receiving the Major Donor Award from Professor Rahamon Bello, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos on behalf of Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. on the occasion of the institution’s 50th anniversary celebrations and the formal launch of the Unilag Donors’ Forum. With them (left) is the University’s Director, Office of Advancement, Mrs. Ibironke Salaam.

VP, Obasanjo, govs, others grace Saraki’s fidau From LAYI OLANREWAJU and BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Ilorin

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lorin, the Kwara State capital yesterday hosted cremede-la-creme in Nigeria gathered for the fidau (prayer) in honour of late leader of Kwara politics, Dr. Abubakar Ôlusola Saraki.

Saraki, adjudged as the father of modern politics in Kwara State died last Wednesday at his Ikoyi, Lagos residence and was interred same day at his Ilofa, Ilorin residence according to Islamic rites.

The fidau attracted Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman Northern States Governors Forum and Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu.

Other dignitaries at the event include former minister of works, Chief Tony Anenih, Kaduna State Governor, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Kebbi State Governor Saidu Dakingari, his Kogi counterpart, Captain Idris Wada (retd), Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, Senator Danjuma Goje, Farouk Lawal, Chief Omolade Okoya Thomas and Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Speaking on the occasion held at the Metropolitan Square, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Imam Mohammed Bashir described late Saraki as a great leader.

He said death was a necessary end and that who ever was born must be ready and get prepared for death, He explained that Sardauna of Sokoto was a great politician during his lifetime, but he died at his own time, adding that all leaders and followers must surely die when their time

comes.

Mohammed said Saraki lived a life of love for the common man, as he always assist the people without getting tired.

He urged members of the Saraki family to ensure what their father stood for was not allowed to die.

The Chief Imam noted that the family must come together as one to enable them to succeed.

He also called on his associates not to distance themselves from the family and also advise them properly.

Imam Mohammed Bashir said the kind of politics Saraki played was not that of killing people, but the one that developed his people and community.

In their separate sermons at the Fidau, Sheikh Sulyman Danbarno, Sheikh Habeebullah

El-Ilory, Sheikh Muideen Hussein and Sheik Sulyman Almiskin Onikijipa prayed Allah to help late Saraki to keep the family he left behind.

The host Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed described the late politician as a rare gem who developed human beings during sojourn on earth, saying the entire Kwara State would always remember his good deeds.

Cleric lauds Aregbesola on Hijrah holiday

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sun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola has been commended for his exemplary demonstration of true democrat with the declaration of a public holiday by his administration for the observation of the beginning of Islamic new year-Hijrah.

The commendation was given by the Chief Imam of AlHabibiyyah Mosque, Imam Fuad Ademola Adeyemi at a special event to mark the beginning of the new Islamic year in Abuja.

Speaking during the event, which witnessed the distribution of working tools bought with Zakat funds for the poor and the unemployed, he said the governor since his assumption of office has been giving to all segments of the society, what belonged to them.

According to him, the governor, as a pro-active thinker and administrator had not allowed any genuine agitation from any segment or part of the state for equality to go unaddressed, citing the agitation of Muslims in the state, which past administration had ignored as an instance.

Imam Adeyemi noted that Governor Aregbesola through people oriented programme of his administration had been able to create religious harmony in the state and call on the people to support the government in its effort to develop the state.

While calling on the Federal Government to emulate states in the country that observed Hijrah public holiday by making it a national holiday, the Imam called on Muslims not to forget the historical lessons inherent in Hijrah, as they face the challenges of the present day.

Addressing the recipients of the working tools, which included sewing machines,

generating sets, deep freezers and mechanic tools, Imam Adeyemi advised them to be prayerful and hardworking in their various trades and professions.

He said it was the belief of the Mosque that it was when everybody is employed that crime and criminality could be reduced to the barest minimum and it is only then that the poor and the rich could enjoy life to the maximum.

Obanikoro alleges threat to life

By ZIKA BOBBY

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area in the October 22 2011 council election in Lagos State, Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro has said that threats to his life had increased in recent times.

He said the police and other security agencies had been alerted, while he continuously got countless phone calls, telling him that he was being watched, and unmarked cars trailing him wherever he went.

Obanikoro also decried the indefinite adjournment of the Appeal Court Tribunal sitting on the case filled by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its candidate in the election, Mr. Wale Adeniji, against the judgment of the election petition tribunal, which

declared him the winner of the election on October 4, 2012.

Speaking at a press conference at the weekend in Lagos, Obanokoro urged the Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Ayotunde Philips, to urgently “wade into the matter to defend and protect the image of the judiciary in Lagos State.”

The statement reads in parts: “Two weeks ago, the court adjourned to 15th of November for final argument and to announce date of judgment. We arrived in court and to our surprise though not unexpected, the secretary of the court announced an adjournment of the case sine die without reason. In the Nigerian history of election appeal court, this situation will be precedent. There has never been a situation where the court adjourns sine die on an election appeal before hearing the case.”

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012, 9

SOUTH SOUTH Bayelsa govt defends closure of relief camps From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa

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he Bayelsa State Government has defended its decision to close down all the relief camps for flood victims in the state.

The state government, through the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mr. Markson Fefegha had recently announced that the camps were being closed down to enable the government to renovate the schools and because their continued opening would pose a threat to the security of the state as some nocturnal meetings were being held there.

The flood victims especially those at the BDGS camp had complained of how they were forcefully evicted from the camps, accusing the state government of insensitivity.

Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso Markson, in a statement said the decision was reached after the government was sure it was safe to return to their various communities.

According to the statement, the demand by the flood victims to be paid N300, 000 each before they leave the camps was condemnable, saying the government would not give in to such demands.

It said the concern of the government was to see how flood victims especially those who lost farmland were able to bounce back.

While urging the victims to help the government in its quest to assist them as they return to their homes, it stated that government was working round the clock to provide more relief materials for them to alleviate their sufferings.

... Tackles pensioners over N3.5bn From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa

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he row between the Bayelsa State Government and the National Union of Pensioners (NUP), Bayelsa state chapter has deepened with the state government condemning the veil threats issued by the pensioners demanding for the payment of their N3.5 billion gratuity.

The pensioners, while accusing Governor Henry Seriake Dickson-led government of insensitivity, gave it a two-week ultimatum to pay the money or face a peaceful protest and a legal action.

Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Daniel IworisoMarkson in a statement said the government took exception to NUP threats while making its demands.

According to him, the non-payment of gratuities to pensioners predated the Dickson administration and records indicated that the last time pensioners were paid was in 2005.

Iworiso-Markson noted that it was unfair on the part of the pensioners to pin the problem on the Dickson administration even when they were aware that the government was making spirited efforts to ensure the payment of the gratuities.

The statement explained that the committee set up to verify the N3.5 billion claims by the pensioners indicated that the claims were cooked up figures and most of the names on the list were fictitious.

It said it would not be stampeded to take actions inimical to the progress of the state, as it was ready to tackle those perpetrating fraud in the financial system of the state.

Delta LG to provide free medical services to flood victims From KOFA KINGS, Ughelli

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he Caretaker Committee Chairman of Patani Local Government Area of Delta State, Dr. Chris Ekiyor at the weekend, said free healthcare services would be provided to flood victims returning from relief camps.

Ekiyor, who was speaking with newsmen shortly after he inaugurated other members of the committee, disclosed that he had directed all Primary Healthcare centres in the area to commence free medical services to returnees. He also said he had directed the health department to partner properly with all NGOs in the council area that are willing to provide healthcare services.

The council boss assured that the council would be able to provide drugs for the victims. Continuing, he restated that his administration would be able to intervene in the lives of the people because the state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan had said he would release funds to them to achieve that.

Reiterating the determination of his administration to bridge the gap between the local people and the government at the centre, he noted that Uduaghan had worked out his policy thrust. According to him, “government is very clear that our major concerns are security, sanitation and environment but we are adding development and transformation of the local government.”

He said his caretaker committee would correct anomalies that existed by way of omission or commission by those who were there before.

• L-R: Acting Executive Secretary of UBEC, Prof. Charles Onocha; Minister of State for Education, Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and Representative of Learn Africa Publishers, Abeen Emmanuel during a meeting with publishers of free textbooks to Nigeria children by the minister at the weekend.

Akpabio denies shunning lawmakers on 2013 budget From JOE EFFIONG, Uyo

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kwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has denied the allegation that he shunned the state House of Assembly by refusing to present the 2013 appropriation.

There have been speculations that Akpabio would not present the 2013 appropriation bill to the House because the Speaker, Mr. Sam Ikon was a strong ally of the former deputy governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere who resigned last month. It was alleged that Akpabio had advised Ikon to resign alongside Ekere but he refused.

The speculations tended to gather momentum when the governor presented the budget to the state executive council in a meeting last Thursday, which also gave approval for the budget proposal of N459, 305, 166, 710 billion.

But Akpabio, speaking through his Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, refuted the allegation, saying he had to first of all present the budget to the state executive council for approval as usual before taking it to the House of

Assembly.

Umanah said the governor would still go to the floor of the house to present the estimate and would only work on what the House would approve at the appropriation for 2013.

The state’s Commissioner

Navy bares fang in N ’Delta • Interrogates 17 oil ships, arrests 2

By PHILIP NWOSU

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he Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba has warned sea pirates, crude oil thieves and persons or groups carrying out illegalities within the Nigerian territorial waters to desist from such act or be ready to confront the fire power of the Navy.

According to Ezeoba, the force would no longer watch crude oil thieves carry out

their illegal activities, especially with the conclusion of its fleet evaluation exercise, code name ‘Exercise Farauta’.

Ezeoba, who spoke shortly after the conclusion of the naval maneuver, said 17 ships were interrogated, while two were caught during the illegal transportation of the country’s crude oil.

Admiral Ezeoba said some of the vessels were unable to

Harriman ’ll be buried in Warri –Family From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba

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he family of the late renowned surveyor and estate valuer, Chief Hope Harriman at the weekend said his remains would be interred at his residence in Warri, Delta Sate.

This was against speculations in some quarters that the late Harriman who died earlier this month would be laid to rest in Lagos where he spent most of his life.

Spokesman for the family, Sandys Omadeli Uvwoh told Daily Sun in Warri that though no date had been fixed for the final burial ceremonies, the body would be interred in Warri, the ancestral home of the deceased.

of Finance, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan while addressing journalists after the executive council meeting, said the capital expenditure of the budget would gulp N340.51 billion or 82 per cent while recurrent expenditure was put at N118.79 billion representing 18 per cent.

He said the corpse was still in the United States of America (USA) where he died, adding that the deceased’s eldest son was presently making arrangements on how to convey the remains back home.

“He would be buried here, his mother was buried, his elder brother, the ambassador was buried here in Warri. His case would not be exception.

“But we cannot give a date for his interment until the son returns from USA and then we will have a meeting to decide when the interment would take place.

“However, we are making preparations. When we spoke with the son, he gave us every

assurance that the corpse would be brought to Warri for interment, hence people are working here to put the environment in order,” he said.

Uvwoh said the death of Harriman was a big loss to the family, saying that he was a pillar to the family.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan had commiserated with the bereaved family, describing his death as a great loss.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sunny Ogefere, described the deceased as a nationalist, a consummate industrialist, an iconic estate surveyor, a front line politician and a philanthropist.

give proper account of the quantity of crude they were carrying, while some had no documentations for their product.

The naval chief warned crude oil thieves and illegal bunkerers that it would no longer be business as usual, adding that through the exercise a message had been sent to the crude oil thieves that things would no longer be the same.

He said efforts were on to ensure a proper refit of some of the vessels within the Nigerian Navy’s inventory, such as the flag ship NNS Aradu and some of the Mine Counter Measure vessels.

He said: “We have a lot of ships in our inventory which were acquired between 1970s and early 80s, some of them for the purposes of inaction by appropriate authorities to do the needful as it were when they were due for addition, alteration and major refit to bring them back to life.

“What we have decided to do is to look at these vessels, particularly the Aradu and the Mine Counter Measure vessels and do maintenance support evaluation at the end of which we have a report from the manufacturers that will guide us on the feasibility of possible action that help us to get them back into the fleet.”

10, DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

SOUTH EAST Police smash cop-led vehicle snatching syndicate From OKEY SAMPSON, Aba

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he police in Aba, Abia State have smashed a car snatching syndicate led by a serving mobile policeman.

The gang, which had its tentacles in all the states of the SouthEast, was said to be responsible for the vehicle thefts in the zone.

Daily Sun gathered that the syndicate was smashed when they snatched two tipper lorries with registration numbers ENUGU: AH 636 ENU and ENUGU: AH 275 ENU belonging to Augustine Okeke of Ebonyi State, Anayo Anozie, at MIC- DERI filling station in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

It was learnt that after the operation, two members of the gang, Ogbonna of Abakpa Nike in Enugu State and Godwin of Umuihu village in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, returned to their base in Aba after sharing their booty.

However, based on information, the anti robbery squad of the Aba area command of the Nigeria police led by Anari Anari arrested the two members of the gang in the commercial city.

A source hinted that on interrogation, both Ogbonna and Godwin confessed to the crime and named the mobile policeman whose name was given simply as Eric, attached to Omuma Divisional police headquarters in Imo State as their leader.

Atiku donates N20m to FGC Okigwe ...Says education essential vehicle for dev

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ormer vice president, Atiku Abubakar has said no society aspiring for advancement could afford to relegate the role of education in its affairs.

He also endowed N20 million for infrastructural development and provision of teaching aids at the Federal Government College, Okigwe, Imo State where he was invested as grand patron of the school’s alumni association shortly before delivering a lecture last saturday.

Atiku, who was speaking at a public lecture of the Federal Government College Okigwe Old Students Association, noted that education was a necessary ingredient not only for developing human resources, but also a major tool for the exercise of freedom in modern societies.

Speaking on the theme of mentoring, the former vice president noted that in the modern world, countries that led in education were also ahead in other areas of development, including technological advancement, research, innovation and higher income levels.

According to the former vice president, countries leading in education were also far ahead in life expectancy, maternal health and lower infant mortality.

He warned that countries that either rejected or paid less attention to education found themselves far behind in all aspects of human development and improvements.

The Turaki Adamawa, who is also the founder of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) Yola, advised former students of the Federal Government College, Okigwe to give back to society through investment in education.

He said they should help their former school irrespective of government’s investments in education, saying their own initiative through scholarships, provision of books, laboratories, classrooms, infrastructure and other facilities could go a long way in boosting education.

Describing education as a collective responsibility, he reminded members of the Old Boys Association that as beneficiaries of public funded education, they had a duty in return to help the growth of this critical sector of national development.

Atiku said they should also act as interest groups or pressure groups to add their voices to the efforts to reform and increase public investment in education.

•L-R:Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke and Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Dr Tahir Mamman at the 4th alumni re-union meeting of the Nigerian Law School Class of 1988 at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.

Anambra North to produce next gov –Obi From EMMANUEL UZOR, government areas of the zoneOyi, Anambra East and West, Onitsha Ayamelum, Onitsha North overnor Peter Obi has and South and Ogbaruassured Anambra according to him, was a rouNorth Senatorial Zone tine visit designed to allow of his support for them to pro- him interact directly with the duce the next governor of the people of the state.”I always state despite seeming opposi- feel fulfilled each time I am with you and talk directly to tion.

He said this yesterday dur- you and get feedback from ing his tour of the senatorial you. This is one of the ways zone adding that his commit- through which I am opporment to support them was tuned to let you know that in because of the promise he made while he was contesting.

“Beyond the promise, it is fair and equitable that you produce the next governor going by the fact that since Anambra State was created, over 20 years From GEORGE ONYEJIUWA, ago, the zone is yet to produce Owerri the governor as if they are not he Speaker of the Imo State part of the state,” Obi submitHouse of Assembly, ted.

Benjamin Uwajumogu has Speaking further, he charged them to bring out their dismissed plans by members of best for the Job. Those, the state House of Assembly to according to him, who had impeach him as mere speculaenviable pedigree and requi- tion, saying he was still in site character to deliver quality charge of the Assembly.

The rumour of the impeachservice to the people of the ment proceedings against the state.

The visit, which took the leadership of the House became governor to the seven local widespread last week when it was reported that the lawmak-

spite of the office, that I am still one of you, care for you and want the best for you,” Obi said.

Obi, who flagged off four roads in the state at the weekend took the opportunity of the visit to re-assure the people that he would double his efforts at execution of projects contrary to the widely held views that a governor preparing to leave office did less job.

He said he had the financial

From PETRUS OBI, Enugu

provision of potable water.

He remarked that his mission in politics was because of his resolve to touch lives and uplift the living standard of his people, adding that the road was part of the fulfillment of his vision for his people.

He thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for approving the construction of the road and assured him of the unalloyed support of his constituents.

In a welcome address, the President General of Nenwe Improvement Union, Edeafia Clement a lawyer noted that the people of his community were happy to witness the flag off of the road.

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Impeachment threat: I’m still in charge –Imo speaker

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ers, allegedly boycotted last Tuesday’s plenary session in protest against the leadership of the House. They allegedly cited maladministration and collusion with the state governor to deny them of their welfare package, and held marathon meetings to perfect plans to effect a leadership change in the state Assembly.

However, the Speaker, who spoke with journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said there was no iota of truth in the story.

PPA condemns selective demolition Ekweremadu flags off N12bn rural of shops in Abia he Chairman of the Abia State chapter of the Progressive road project in Enugu

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Peoples Alliance (PPA), Prince Emeka Okafor, has condemned in strong terms the recent demolition of shops in the Umuahia Timber Market, popularly known as Timber Shade Market, by the state government, saying it was inequitable.

Okafor said the demolition in the timber market, owned by independent marketers of building and allied materials was unjust, unfair and quite unfriendly.

He stated that the government or its agents displayed preferential treatment, favouring those believed to be allies of the government or those in government circles to the detriment of others.

He also said the property should not in the first instance have been destroyed, considering the staggering amount used in putting them up and the present economic situation of the country.

The PPA boss also faulted the alleged allocation of the land acquired by the government from the demolition exercise to some its favourites instead of the original owners of the land.

Okafor called on the Abia State Government to retrace its steps and concentrate on measures that would impact positively on the welfare of all Abians and save the citizens from further hardship and untold harassment.

war chest to execute all the projects lined up by his government, some of which are roads, Onitsha Hotel and Convention Centre as well as similar facility at Awka and Nnewi, shopping malls for Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi , Anambra’s Three Arms zone comprising Government House, State Assembly Complex and High Court, among many other projects.

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atives of Nenwe and Uduma communities in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State heaved a sigh of relief at the weekend as Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu flagged off the abandoned Nenwe/ Uduma road in the state.

The contract for the construction of the 26 kilometre agrarian road was awarded to SETRACO construction company at the cost of N12 billion.

Speaking during the ceremony, Senator Ekweremadu, who represents Enugu West assured the people that the road would be completed in

30 months.

Ekweremadu, who attracted the road to his constituency recalled his promise to the people of Uduma and Nenwe communities during his electioneering campaign that the road would be constructed before the end of 2012.

He told the crowd gathered on the occasion that he was happy that they voted for him before he attracted the road.

In what appeared an account of his stewardship to his people, the deputy senate president expressed happiness that he helped to fight the guinea worm scourge which had ravaged some communities in his constituency before he assumed office through the

“There is no plan to impeach me or the state governor and I am still in charge of affairs in the House, I have the support of my colleagues and we are focused on moving the state forward because this current Assembly operates as one regardless of party affiliation.

This is what usually happens when members want their welfare package increased and something is being done in that direction.”

According to him, the lawmakers did not boycott the last session of the House but were engaged in oversight functions of their various committees, “we are a 27-member House, 11 members were on a monitoring tour of government projects in local government areas, another seven who are members of the flood disaster committee, were also away on official duty and we had only nine members left and could not form a quorum, so it was not true that members boycotted the plenary.”

He maintained that the lawmakers had cordial relationship with Governor, Rochas Okorocha, “we have made great sacrifices as a House to allow for accelerated development of the state in line with the vision of the state governor, at a time like this people should learn to make sacrifices to develop the state, that is what is going on in Imo State today.”

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012, 11

SOUTH WEST Ekiti varsity certificates to carry photograph, security features –Fayemi

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ertificates to be issued by Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, would henceforth carry the photographs of their recipients, as well as other security features.

The state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi made this known in Ado Ekiti at the weekend during an interactive session hosted for students of tertiary institutions in the state, as part of the activities marking the maiden edition of the International Students’ Day organised by the Ekiti axis of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The governor said the introduction of the special security features became imperative in the bid to curb cases of certificate forgery and impersonation that have been on the increase in recent times.

Dr. Fayemi said no fewer than 200 names were sent to the University for authentication of certificate by the government of Ogun State during the Biometric data capture carried out by the state. He said if the certificates had carried the photographs of the recipients, it would have made the authentication easier for Ogun State.

While stressing that education remains the shortest route to poverty eradication, Governor Fayemi stated that his administration was committed to providing functional education by introducing life skills in schools.

Fayemi asserted that idle young people pose a threat to the society, hence the introduction of the Volunteer programme and Youth Empowerment/Entrepreneurial Scheme in the state.

Lawson advocates vocational-based tertiary education From MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta

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renowned educationist in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Chief Alaba Lawson has advocatedvocational-based tertiary education in the country, saying it would stop the high rate of unemployment in the country.

Lawson, the proprietress of Lawson Group of Schools, Abeokuta, and the Iyalode of Yorubaland spoke on Saturday during a press conference to commemorate the 35th anniversary of her group of schools.

According to her, vocational-based university in the country would assist many graduates to be self-sufficient and self-sustaining.

Her words: “We are also working on the idea of establishing a private university, but it is going to be a different one entirely from the lots that we have in the country. If Jehovah says it’s a university, so be it. If He says it’s a polytechnic, or college of education, so be it.”

She adds: “Whatever it pleases God to allow us embark upon of the three tertiary educations, we are interested in the vocational training aspect that would make our graduates the hot-cakes in employment market, as well as make them selfreliant and employers of labour, rather than being employees.”

Lawson lamented the influx of unregistered and illegal schools in the country, commended the state government for the establishment of model schools, which he said would keep private schools in the state on their toes.

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (left), first military governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (right), the former military governor of Lagos State, Navy Commodore Ndubuisi Kanu (2nd left) and his wife, Mrs. Gladys Kanu (2nd right) during the rendering of account of stewardship by Governor Fashola to commemorate his 2,000 days in office at the Blue Roof, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday.

Oyo moves to relocate displaced traders, begins construction of new markets T relocated had closed and that the contractors that would handle the projects would be picked this week.

The governor’s spokesman, said work on the new markets and stalls would commence immediately, adding that they would be completed within the next six months.

He said the markets, which are ultra-modern, would be equipped with facilities like toilet and would make commerce an enjoyable one for the displaced marketers.

According to him, the markets would be located at both sides of the old toll gate at the Ibadan end of Lagos-Ibadan Express Road; Temidire

From MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta

he Oyo State Government has begun a move at relocating traders affected by the recent demolition of illegal structures within the Ibadan metropolis.

A statement issued in Ibadan yesterday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said government officials had been dispatched to the affected traders to collate their names so that they could be taken care of in the ultra-modern markets being embarked upon by the state government.

Adedayo said government’s move was aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the traders and availing them the opportunity of getting back to their trade.

He added that the bid for the construction of the new markets and stalls where the displaced traders would be

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I’m prepared to work with stakeholders –Mimiko

Osoba, Okupe, Olowu, others for NIJ convention in Abeokuta ld students of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos would converge on Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital for their maiden national convention on December 1, 2012.

NIJ, a citadel of journalism training was established in October 1971 and has trained more than 60 percent of journalism practitioners in the country, both in the print, electronic media, public relations, as well as in advertising.

Veteran journalist and former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba would lead other Nigerian dignitaries to the convention, which holds at the MOKLAND Hotels, GRA, Ibara, Abeokuta as chief guest of honour.

The main lecture of the convention entitled: “Government Management of Public Opinion for National Development,” would be delivered by Dr. Doyin Okupe, the Senior Special Adviser (Public Affairs) to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Also, Professor Lai Oso of the Lagos State University, would deliver a roundtable lecture entitled: ‘Between Iwe Irohin and Emergence of the Social Media: An Assessment of the Credibility of Information’on Friday November 30, beginning by 6.00p.m.

The royal fathers of the day are the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu, Amororo II and Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, Towulade of Akinale, while the mother of the day is Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson.

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ndo State Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has stated his preparedness to work with stakeholders in the state to move it forward.

Dr. Mimiko stated this yesterday during a special thanksgiving service for his re-election held at the Cathedral Church of St Stephen Ikare-Akoko.

According to him, the time has come for all stakeholders in the state to come together and work for the betterment of the state and secure a good future for it, irrespective of their differences, declaring that there could be no victory without

Market, New Ife Road; Scout Camp, Challenge; Samonda, adjacent to Oyo State Trade Fair Complex; Oke-Bola Area; additional stalls at Ibadan South West Local Government Area, as well as rehabilitation of the popular Adamasingba Shopping Complex, all within the Ibadan metropolis.

Amosun harps on people-oriented constitution

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gun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has regretted the absence of a people-oriented Constitution in Nigeria, noting that: “The growing agitation for a review of the 1999 Constitution only lends credence to the fact that the Constitution is not a true reflection of the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian citizenry.”

He described constitution

opposition. He remarked that, “now that the election has come and gone, there is the need for all stakeholders to work together.”

The governor, who reiterated his plan to continue to work for the progress of the state, added that he would continue, “to match forward like soldiers,” assuring that all ongoing projects in the state would be completed and new ones awarded.

He lauded traditional rulers of Akokoland for standing firm in their belief for the continuation of his government, promising not to disappoint them. His words: “When the going was tough, all Akoko Obas stood

as the supreme law, from which all other laws must derive their legitimacy and observed that: “A document of such importance must be carefully authored and must of necessity evolve from the people and entities whose relationship it seeks to regulate.”

The governor disclosed this in Abeokuta at the weekend during the ongoing debate on review of the 1999

by us. Our Kabiyesis passed the test of integrity. Our plan is to continue to work assiduously for the people of this state. All the projects will be complete and new ones begin.”

Insisting that: “There can be no victory without opposition” Mimiko stressed that: “Now that there is victory, we must come together to work for the sake of our state.”

In his sermon, the Bishop of the Diocese of Akoko, Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd. Gabriel Akinbiyi called on public office holders to shun corruption and focus on the development of the country.

Constitution.

Amosun regretted that after five decades of attaining independence, the country could not boast of a constitution that truly emerged from the people.

“With the exception of the 1963 Republican Constitution, all other constitutions that we have had in this nation were products of either the colonial rulers or the military,” he said.

The governor said a people-oriented Constitution that truly expresses the wishes and aspirations of the citizenry “is a condition precedent to an enduring democracy.”

He therefore called on Nigerians to collectively right the wrongs of the past and produce a Constitution that would assure the sustainability of the Nigerian enterprise.

He commended the National Assembly for putting in place, a viable platform, which would allow the people of Nigeria to have input in the constitution review exercise.

He called on Nigerians to remain focused and undaunted and “resolve within us that no matter the obstacle on the road that we will not stop until we arrive safely at our destination.”

12, DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

AREWA Gunmen kill Police Inspector in Bauchi From PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi

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unmen yesterday killed a Police Inspector in Bauchi, the sate capital.The police Inspector was shot dead yesterday by gunmen around Nasarawa Road, in Bauchi metropolis.

It was gathered that the inspector, identified as Babangida Dambaba was killed at about 5.40 a.m. on his way home after praying in a mosque in the area.

A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said “Babangida went to a nearby mosque to observe the early morning prayer and after the prayer, he left and was going back home when he was shot by the gunmen.”

The source stated that the gunmen escaped immediately after the incident.

It was learnt that the late Inspector was one of the police men attached to Government House, Bauchi. He has been buried according to Islamic rite.

When contacted, Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Ladan confirmed the incident in telephone interview.

Benue PDP election: Member petitions BSIEC, party

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member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Benue State, Mr Johnson Otache Silas, has urged the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) to reinstate him as the rightful winner of the PDP ward primary election held on August 14, 2012.

A petition by his lawyer noted that Silas defeated other opponents in the election and was declared winner of Ikobi councillorship ward. But two weeks later, Silas’ name was missing on the INEC list and was replaced by one of the loser’s name as the standing candidate: “ Mr Silas’ name was forwarded to the State Verification Committee on October 12, for screening by the party and subsequently, he submitted his biometric data and all other information concerning him for the verification.

“Silas was rightly cleared by the state Verification Committee as candidate for councillorship representing Ikobi Council Ward, Apa Local Government area of Benue State. “ Surprisingly, at the release of the names forwarded to INEC registrar, Silas’ name was omitted and the name of one of the losers, who later defected to another party was recalled by the PDP for the said substitution instead.”

A human rights group, Do It Right Organisation, also challenged the irregularity and petitioned PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Inspector General of Police, INEC and the state government.

Its national vice president, Mr J.M Barggie, stated that “there is the need for Nigeria to learn from the just concluded USA election where the defeated candidate accepted defeat and congratulated the winner, thus displaying a good and exemplary leadership.”

Kalu salutes Bello, hails Shuwa

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ormer Abia State governor, Dr.Orji Uzor Kalu literally triggered cannon shots as he wished one time Kano State governor, Col.Sani Bello who clocked 70 recently, more fruitful years ahead, from the United States.

He also paid tribute to the late General Mohammed Shuwa.

Kalu, explaining the eulogies said: “Col. Bello and Gen.Shuwa were professional soldiers who obeyed the rules of engagement all through service to the nation. And the good thing is that when they left the Army, they distanced themselves from controversy,” Kalu said.

Accordind to him, “not many remember that Bello, as a young Lieutenant, was Army Aide-De-Camp [ADC] to Gen.Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. And we should all remember him for saving the life of Ironsi’s Airforce ADC, Lt.Andrew Nwankwo during the July 29,1966 coup.”

He said: “Troops led by Lts.Garba Dada Paiko and William Walbe had pushed Ironsi, Col.Adekunle Fajuyi,Nwankwo and Bello into a Land Rover. Among those soldiers were Useni Fagge, Tijanni Maiduguri, Clement Dabang and Ibrahim Rabo.

Instead of taking their ‘captives’ to Mokwa Guest House as ordered by Major Yakubu Danjuma, they were driven to Olodo village near Ibadan. As they were marched down, Nwankwo managed to escape miraculously. His saving grace was Bello, who also risked his own life.”

On Gen.Shuwa, the ex-governor said,”having taken over command of the 5th Battalion, Kano from Col.Emeka Ojukwu, Shuwa curtailed the pogrom in the North. At a time, Shuwa was willing to shoot those killing and maiming Igbos in Kano. Infact, he ordered his troops to fire bullets into the air to control the bloody situation.

Shuwa, Murtala Mohammed, Ibrahim Haruna and Iliya Bisalla joined the Army same day. From Teshie,Ghana in 1958,the quartet moved to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Britain as part of Intake 27,1959-1961.All four were General Officers Commanding [GOC] during the Civil War. They also attained the position of minister.

•L-R: Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, Senator Bukola Saraki and Adamawa State Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako (retd) during a condolence visit by Adamawa State governor to Senator Saraki in Ilorin at the weekend.

111-yr-old blind woman burnt to death ...As man sets village ablaze over witchcraft From ROSE Makurdi

EJEMBI, ists that his mother, Mama Mezaga Chafa, aged 75, tried to help the 111-year-old 35-year-old man, Mr. woman out of one of the Tyoakaa Ijoho has thatched houses but could not allegedly set 10 due to her age.

He explained further that thatched houses ablaze, killing a 111-year-old blind his mother, who was not too woman, Mama Martha strong, had to abandon the old Gyuse Bonko in Adambge woman who was eventually Village in Vandeikiya Local burnt to death by the fire, Government Area of Benue State .

According to eyewitnesses, Ijoho, who lost his father to a snake bite recently was bitter and had gone to consult lder statesman, Alhaji an oracle to ascertain the Shettima Ali Monguno at cause of the death of his the weekend flayed former father. president, Chief Olusegun It was gathered that the Obasanjo over his recent comnative doctor whom Ijoho ments on President Goodluck consulted allegedly told him Jonathan’s response to corrupthat some of his family mem- tion and the Boko Haram bers had a hand in the death threat. of his father, a development Monguno contended that the which prompted him to leave former Nigerian leader was his place of abode in wide off the mark.

Konshisha Local Obasanjo had during an Government Area of the state occasion to mark the 40th and headed straight for his anniversary on the pulpit of village where he set the hous- Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor crities on fire. cized President Jonathan’s hanOne of the villagers, dling of government’s response Abraham Chafa told journal-

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which Ijoho had set, adding that Ijoho, had left the community 18 years ago only to reappear that fateful day to set the village on fire.

He disclosed further that through the help of able-bodied youths and vigilante men, Ijoho was arrested and handed over to the police in Vandeikya while the body of Mama Martha Gyuse Bonko

had been deposited at a private hospital in Tsar Mbaduku.

When contacted the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Daniel Ezeala said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

It was in Adamgbe Village that a church building collapsed during a stormy rainfall on Easter eve killing 22 parishioners in the process.

Monguno flays Obasanjo over comments on corruption, Boko Haram

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to corruption and the murderous activities of the Boko Haram.

The former president also faulted government’s approach in arresting the threat, insinuating that President Jonathan was weak.

Obasanjo added that the present government missed an opportunity to solve the problem by not going tough on the insurgents at the early stage, comparing the present approach of President Jonathan to his response to the killing of 19 soldiers in Odi in Rivers State.

Alhaji Monguno, speaking

Woman gives birth to triplets in Faskari

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40-year-old housewife, Malama Sa’adatu Rabi’u, has given birth to a set of triplets in Faskari, headquarters of Faskari Local Government Area in Katsina state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Sa’adatu gave birth to the triplets last Thursday, barely two weeks after a similar delivery in the area.

On October 27, Malama Delu Alhaji-Ali of Unguwar Namanda village in the same Faskari Local Government Area, gave birth to a set of triplets, all boys.

A NAN correspondent, who visited the area, reported that Sa’adatu was delivered

of the babies at the Comprehensive Health Care Centre in Faskari.

Hajia Binta Suleiman, the nursing officer in charge of the centre’s maternity ward, told NAN yesterday that the mother and her baby girls were in stable condition.

She said Sa’adatu was delivered of the three babies unassisted.

“Sa’adatu, who is a resident of Faskari town, attended regular antenatal clinics, she was advised to go for an ultra-scan and we then discovered that she was expecting a set of triplets,’’ she said.

Suleiman said the current set of triplets was the second recorded in the hospital this

year, adding, however, that the triplets were baby girls, all premature births.

Meanwhile, Hajia Sa’adatu Faskari-Ahmad, the wife of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Faskari Local Government Council, has donated some cash, clothes and food items to the woman and her triplets.

Faskari-Ahmad congratulated the woman, saying the triplets were a rare and extraordinary blessing from Allah.

Responding, Sa’adatu and her husband, Rabi’u, expressed appreciation for the gifts and the support they had received from the hospital workers.

to journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State, faulted former President Obasanjo, noting that he had no moral right to criticize his successors.

He said: “Somebody who wanted to extend beyond the constitutional term, tried his very best to extend but was rejected is now advising government to do the wrong thing.” The former minister of Petroleum vehemently disagreed with the former president, noting that his prescription of military action, the type of which he unleashed on the Odi community would only compound the problem.

“I do not agree with our former president that the President should use force, use the military to crush what they always call the Boko Haram,” Alhaji Monguno added that though he did not believe what he saw, heard or read in the media, describing the President as weak did not even arise.

He said even in the military, soldiers did not go to war unless it was absolutely necessary.

He noted that even the world body, the United Nations did not believe in using force in situations like these and advised former president Obasanjo to look back on his military and political way of life.

Alhaji Monguno said that rather than use force, President Jonathan should explore peaceful means of resolving the Boko Haram threat.

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012, 13

NEWS Oyo to immortalise Lam Adesina

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overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State yesterday said his government would immortalize the former governor of the state, Alhaji Lam Adesina.

The governor disclosed this while speaking at the fidau prayer held for the former governor and national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) who died at a Lagos hospital on November 11, 2012, after a protracted sickness.

The Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, venue of the fidau prayer was thronged by friends, family members, political associates and other eminent personalities including former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande; Governors Babatunde Fashola, Rauf Aregbesola, Ibikunle Amosun, Kayode Fayemi and Adam Oshiomhole of Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Edo states respectively; former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; former governors Rashidi Ladoja and Omololu Olunloyo; the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Badejoko Adeniji and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu.

Others included wives of Oyo and Ekiti State governors, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi and Bisi Fayemi; Senators Ayo Adeseun and Olufemi Lanlehin; former governors Olusegun Osoba and Niyi Adebayo; Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao; Mr. Oba Otudeko; Alhaji Adesina’s deputy, Chief Iyiola Oladokun among others.

Governor Ajimobi, who said no honour done to Alhaji Adesina was too much in view of his contribution to the growth and development of the state, pointed out that government would do a lot to immortalize the late former governor.

…Lam, an uncommon leader – Ibori

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ormer Delta State governor, Chief james Ibori has described the late Oyo Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina as an uncommon leader.

Chief Ibori has said that it was with terrible sense of loss that he received the news of the death of Adesina.

Ibori said in a press statement that the late Adesina was an uncommon leader in that his commitment to Oyo State, while he was in office, was complete, total and selfless.

Ibori said that he could still remember the early days of this present Republic when he came to know Lam Adesina closely, as a fellow state governor. He said that the late Mr. Adesina was energetic even for his age, and was consumed by a single passion; to give service to the people, and regretted that the man did not have the opportunity of serving for a second term – if only to complete the good works he had started in Oyo State.

Ibori prayed that the Almighty God would give eternal rest to Lam Adesina’s soul, and comfort his family and the entire people of Oyo State for this great loss.

Aregbesola appoints new acting CJ From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Osogbo

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sun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has approved the appointment of Justice Gloria Oladoke as the new acting Chief Judge for the state.

According to a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesman, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, Mrs Oladoke will be sworn in today (Monday) at the Governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo in the morning.

Okanlawon said the governor’s action was in pursuant to section 271(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) The statement stressed that Mrs. Oladoke was appointed based on the fact that she was the most senior judge of the High Court in the state.

Justice Oladoke was appointed a judge of the High Court of Osun state on December 21, 2000 and seconded to the Customary Court of Appeal as President in July 2010.

Realnews Magazine debuts

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ealnews, an online weekly general interest newsmagazine, goes live today. A publication of Realnews Magazine and Publications Limited, Realnews, is the first online weekly newsmagazine in Nigeria.

Realnews will thrive on investigative journalism and aims to unearth exclusive stories about people and the challenges they face in their day-to-day activities. It will do this bearing in mind that governments can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their plight. Hence, its objective is to use its reporters’ investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors it focuses on and produce unbiased reports which will actually influence government policies and decisions that will make the society better.

The vision of Realnews is to build a reputable and world class media institution whose watchword is professionalism and integrity. Its mission is to become the cornerstone of investigative journalism in Nigeria and Africa. Realnews will focus on oil and gas, environment, vulnerable groups - youth, women and children, and give voice to the voiceless.

•L–R: Secretary to the Board of Fellows, Pastor Kenny Adenugba, Registrar/CEO, Mr. Yemi Mapaderun, Ist Vice President, Mr. Gbenga Oluniyi and Ogun State Chapter Chairman/Council member, Pastor Sijuwade Otegbeye during the press conference on the forthcoming 2012 Strategists Dinner/Award by the Institute of Strategic Management Nigeria (ISMA) held at Ladi Lawal Press Centre, Ikeja, Lagos at the weekend. Photo: FESTUS ODOFIN.

Lagos CP directs Area Commanders, DPOs to enforce Okada restriction

By MATTHEW DIKE

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agos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko has warned all the Area Commanders and divisional police officers in the state to ensure proper enforcement of the restrictive law slammed on motorcycle riders in the metropolis.

Manko told Daily Sun the restrictive laws had been made and he did not make them. The police boss said all the crime fighters had to do was to enforce the law. The police boss said some states promulgated laws that banned motorcycle riding outright, but Lagos State House of Assembly only restricted the motorcycles to particular areas.

He told police officers to ensure that the restriction on motorcycles anywhere was complied with and any motorcycle rider found wanting should bear the consequence.

In another development, the Royal Seaview Estate Residents Association, Lekki, in Lagos has demanded for more protection from the State Police Command, after bandits attacked the residents.

In a letter dated November 13, 2012 and entitled: ‘Letter of appreciation and request for more police protection’, the association thanked Lagos State Government and the state Police Command for the swift response its residents received during an attack at the estate by men of the underworld.

The residents wrote that they were marvelled by the response of policemen attached to Area ‘J’ Elemoro Command, Rapid Respond Squad (RRS), Ajah Police Station, Maroko Police Division and other police sta-

tions within and outside Lekki axis.

The association said it believed response like this would send a note of warning to perpetrators of crime. The members promised to assist the police in intelligence gathering, so that criminals could be arrested easily even before embarking on their operation. The residents also sought for support from Lagos State Government to increase crime detection and prevention.

The residents described

the recent attack by armed robbers on the estate as a gruesome experience. On that fateful day a guard was shot in the chest by the robbers, but police intervention stopped them from operating successfully. In the process, the bandits damaged one Armoured Personal Carrier (APC) and also expended over 300 ammunition.

The residents who now live in fear, are demanding for four armed policemen per shift so that the residents could sleep with their two

eyes closed.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent, told Daily Sun that the guard the armed robbers shot was recuperating in a hospital in Lagos.

Braide commended the swift response of the police during the attack at the estate. Braide also said the bandits expended over 350 bullets. She said the hoodlums were prepared but police spoilt the fun for them.

Leaders of political parties, NPA condemn closure of Capital Oil

By SAM OTTI

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ational leaders of political parties in the country have jointly condemned the recent closure of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Ltd, following an ex parte order by a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided by Justice A. AbduKafarati.

The group said the closure of the company, which has about 35 per cent daily supply of petroleum products in the country, was fraught with irregularities and based on selective victimization.

While expressing their dissatisfaction with the decision during a joint press conference in Lagos, the leaders said: “We believe that the entire process is fraught with irregularities and based on selective victimization. We are amazed that a Federal Hugh Court in Abuja could give order to freeze the assets of Capital Oil on a matter that is being adjudicated by a court of parallel jurisdiction

in Federal High Court in Lagos.”

The leaders questioned the Federal Government and Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) whether Capital Oil was under any threat of bankruptcy that ‘warranted this naked display of federal might.”

“It is our view that the other parties in the suit instituted by Capital Oil and Mr Ifeanyi Ubah in Lagos have abdicated their appearance in court and are using a Federal Government agency to obtain what they could not get in the Federal High Court in Lagos.”

The political leaders said the decision would have negative implication on the economy, considering the acute and perennial fuel scarcity in the country. They further urged the federal government to retrace its steps in the attempt to misuse AMCON to settle a personal and business score between Capital Oil and his business associates.

“It is therefore unacceptable for any agency or the federal government to initiate any action(s) that may inflict sharper and greater pains on our people, all in the guise of making an escape goat of a major oil supplier,” the group warned.

Also speaking, the National Publicity Secretary of the National Progressive Alliance (NPA), Chief Sam Eke, said the adverse economic effect of closing a major oil company in the face of unprecedented unemployment, scarcity of fuel and federal government’s foreign investment drive cannot be quantified in monetary terms.

“NPA is of the firm view that the AMCON should have waited for determination of the cases in the court before taking this awkward, obnoxious action. We call for the immediate re-opening of Capital Oil, which will save thousands of jobs and breathe fresh air to our battered economy.”

14,

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

Foreign Affairs ODD WORLD

Weighty problem: Losing 31 stone lands woman in £30,000 debt A

hugely obese British woman who lost 31 stone now has a £30,000 debt as a result.

Nicky Etherington tipped the scales at an astonishing 42 stone while waiting for a gastric bypass operation on the National Health Ssheme.

When she heard she had been pushed down the waiting list she and her husband David decided the only way to save her life was to pay for private treatment... so they remortgaged their home. The weight-loss operation itself

cost £15,000, but complications, a later similar operation and yet more surgery to remove her excess skin eventually doubled the cost.

But despite their enormous debt, mum-of-three Nicky, 48, and David, 57, insist every penny spent was worthwhile. Nicky said: “When I was overweight I wasn’t a mother, I was a mess. My kids never said they were ashamed of me but I was ashamed of myself. David took on most of the parenting duties. I was like an onlooker

watching them live their lives as I got bigger and bigger.”

At her heaviest Nicky spent her time pinned to the sofa, able to breathe only with the help of an oxygen mask.

She feared she would die without seeing her children, Sarah, now 27, Nick, 26, and Ruth, 16, grow up. Doctors warned her that her only hope of a normal life was to have a gastric bypass but she had only a 50/50 chance of surviving the operation. “Of course I was terrified, but what option did I have?” she

said.

She went ahead with the treatment in 2003 and rapidly lost 14st, but needed followup surgery in 2006. After that her weight plunged to 11 stone. She’s now stabilised at 15st and last year proudly saw son Nick graduate, a sight she never thought she’d live to see.

Looking back on the dark days, she says her over-eating was a vicious cycle. “The bigger I got the more depressed I got and the more I stayed in and ate,” she explains. “I just

loved my food and eating gave me enormous comfort.”

Nicky’s obesity was so severe that David had to take over the running of the house, and became her carer as well as looking after the children.

By 2001 she was on the NHS waiting list at St James Hospital in Leeds for a gastric by-pass. But she said: “After two years of waiting I got a letter saying there was possibly a wait of –another 12-18 months. David and I made the –decision to take out a loan and go private.”

The only British woman bigger than Nicky was –Sharon Mevsimler, who died in 2010 aged just 41.

Thankfully Nicky was much luckier. She and David, who both work in finance, are still chipping away at the debt, but Nicky said: “Instead of lying on the sofa all the time, I am a proper member of the family at last.”

Father, son daughter arrested in bank robberies

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• Nicky before the sugery

Boy sentenced to go to church after manslaughter conviction

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n Oklahoma teen convicted of manslaughter has sentenced to 10 years of probation, with requirements that include regularly attending church.

Tyler Alred, now 17, had been drinking when he crashed a pickup truck at around 4 a.m. on Dec. 3, 2011, Tulsa World reports. The accident killed Alred’s friend, 16year-old John Luke Dum, who was a passenger in the vehicle.

Alred was not legally drunk, but because he was below the legal drinking age, he was still considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol. The high school student pleaded guilty in August to a charge of manslaughter as

a youthful offender.

“I did not want to do what I did,” Alred told the court prior to his sentencing. “I want to change my life.” Members of Dum’s family did not want to see Alred behind bars, the Muskogee Phoenix reported.

“We don’t need to see two lives wasted for a mistake,” Dum’s sister, Caitlin, wrote in a statement.

Instead of sentencing the teen to prison time, Judge Mike Norman gave him a 10year deferred sentence. In order to stay out of prison, Alred must graduate from high school; graduate from welding school; take drug, alcohol and nicotine tests for a year; wear a drug and alcohol

bracelet, take part in victim’s impact panels, and attend church for the next 10 years.

• Nicky after the sugery This last requirement “raises legal issues because of (the separation of) church and state,” University of Oklahoma law professor • After injecting it with olive oil Randall Coyne told the Tulsa with olive oil. The man’s genWorld. man had to have his itals were working “just fine” penis amputated after until he contracted an infecinjecting it with olive tion from an untreated wound oil to make it bigger. six months ago, the Bangkok The 50-year-old man was Post reported. admitted to hospital in Police Capt Dr Surat Thailand after his genitalia Kittisup-porn of the Police reportedly swelled to the size General Hospital told of a coconut. reporters: “He was ashamed The unnamed man under- to visit a doctor, but the pain went the illegal penis enlarge- and the infection grew so he ment procedure five years had no choice.” ago, where he was injected •Tyler Alred The man was admitted to a

father, son and daughter may be responsible for robbing as many as seven banks in two states, according to authorities.

Ronald Scott Catt, 50, and his two children, 20-year-old Hayden and 18-year-old Abby were arrested last week on charges they robbed a credit union in Katy, Texas.

Deputies with the Fort Bend Sheriff’s Office in Texas say the family, which recently moved to the area, could also be responsible for several other robberies in Texas and their native Oregon.

During the Oct. 1 robbery in Texas, two figures, who appear to be Ronald and Hayden Catt, entered the bank in disguises and toting guns before leaving with money and jumping into a getaway car driven by Abby Catt.

The break in the case came when authorities were able to track down the distinctive orange vests the men wore to a local Home Depot. A review of the surveillance tape showed the family purchasing the disguises at the store.

Eric Lundeen told ABC News he knows the Catt family and said they seemed like “really solid community members”. “He was a single dad. I think he lost his wife and he had the responsibility to take care of his kids and I got to tell you, he was there for them,” Lundeen said.

Man forced to amputate manhood

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private hospital where doctors discovered he was suffering from penis cancer, which had spread to his abdomen and testicles.

Medics were left with no choice but to remove his penis. Discussing the controversial olive oil procedure, hospital spokeswoman, Sirikul Jiaranaikhajorn, said: “It only brings bad results, people misunderstand (that it works). A woman will love a man not because of the size.”

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012,

15

Foreign Affairs Spanish police protest over salary cuts

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ome 5,000 police officers marched through the centre of Madrid to protest salary cuts and a reduction of the force.

The officers, who had travelled from across Spain, rallied three days after the nation was gripped by a general strike over the austerity cuts. Health and education workers have already taken part in similar marches.

“Citizens! Forgive us for not arresting those truly responsible for this crisis: bankers and politicians,” read one banner held by a line of officers as they marched to the interior ministry. The rally had been called by the main policing union SUP. “Each year, between 1,500 and 2,000 police officers retire and 125 are recruited, which means in three or four years, there will be more insecurity and crime in Spain,” warned SUP general secretary Jose Maria Sanchez Fornet.

Anxos Lores Tome, a 36-year-old police officer from Galicia in northern Spain, said her days off had been whittled and with cuts of about 300 euros (£241) a month, she is today earning 1,450 euros (£1,163) a month less than the 1,500 euros (£1,203) she got when she joined up a decade ago.

Juan Manuel Aguado Torres, an officer from Grenada in the south, blamed Spain’s leaders for the ongoing woes. “If the country is functioning badly, it’s only because of the politicians,” the 60-year-old said. For 33-year-old Antonio Perez, “the problem is they take from us to give to others, like the autonomous regions and the banks”.

Asia-Pacific, key region for US future –Obama

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arack Obama has stressed the “critical” importance of the Asia-Pacific region to the future of the US during his first foreign trip since his re-election.

The US President flew into Bangkok for the first stop of a three-country tour which will include Cambodia and Burma. Speaking at a news conference with the Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Mr Obama stressed the important role the region will play in shaping US interests over the coming century.

“Asia is my first foreign trip since our election in the United States, and Thailand is my first stop,” Mr Obama said. “This is no accident. As I’ve said many times, the United States is and always will be a Pacific nation.

“As the fastest growing region in the world, the Asia-

Syrian rebels capture airport

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yrian rebels said they have captured an airport near the border with

Iraq.

The airport of Hamdan in Deir al-Zour province, near the town of Albu Kamal, had been converted by government forces for military use.

The Syrian Observatory of Human Rights, an activist network, said rebels now controlled “large swathes of land”.

Meanwhile, Israel’s army said it had fired shells at Syrian fighters in the Golan Heights after Syrian gunfire hit an Israeli vehicle early yesterday. “Soldiers responded with artillery fire towards the source of the shooting... A direct hit was identified,” an Israeli army spokeswoman told AFP, of the latest in a spate of exchanges during the past week.

Pacific will shape so much of our security and prosperity in the century ahead, and it is critical to creating jobs and opportunity for the American people.

“That’s why I’ve made restoring American engagement in this region a top priority as president.” Mr Obama also met the Thai King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is in hospital where he has been recovering from an illness since September 2009.

Mr Obama calls himself the “Pacific President” and has pledged to focus significant attention on the Asia-Pacific region. It is therefore no surprise that his first foreign trip is here. The US is seeking to counter China’s increasing clout in the region.

•The bodies of four children from the al-Dallu family lay in a hospital after an Israeli missile struck a family home killing at least seven members of the same family in Gaza City yesterday. Photo:AFP

Gaza: We’re ready to expand offensive – Israeli PM • Fighting rages on

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sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the country is ready to “significantly expand” its Gaza offensive.

“We are extracting a heavy price from Hamas and the terror organisations,” Mr Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting on

the fifth day of the conflict.

“The soldiers are ready for any activity that could take place.”

On Friday, ministers doubled the current reserve troop quota set for the offensive to 75,000 in preparation for a possible ground invasion.

Some 30,000 soldiers have

already been called up.

Meanwhile, Israel bombed Palestinian militant targets in the Gaza Strip from air and sea for a fifth straight day yesterday, preparing for a possible ground invasion while also spelling out its conditions for a truce.

Palestinians launched dozens of rockets into Israel and targeted its commercial

Boko Haram: US urges FG to bring to justice perpetrators of terrorism • Condemns human rights violation

By EMMA EMEOZOR

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nited States has urged Nigeria to bring to justice those responsible for terrorism, and those who support them for their criminal acts.

It also expressed concern about killings by Boko Haram across the North of the country even as it urged security agents to respect human rights in combating the sect’s extremist violence.

The Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Mr Michael H. Posner voiced the concern of Washington after a fact-finding visit to the country. It will be recalled that recently Amnesty International raised alarm, accusing State security agents of arrest without trial and extra-judicial killing of suspected members of the sect.

Addressing journalists in Lagos, Posner noted that the

violence in the North “has resulted in thousands of deaths of innocent people.”

While saying that Washington was very concerned about the worsening security situation in the North, the envoy was emphatic when he said: “We strongly condemn the brutal actions of Boko Haram, and its targeted attacks against Nigerian people.”

He noted that Boko Haram has attacked churches, schools, mosques, and communities as well as those who speak out against its actions.

“Boko Haram’s targeted attacks have also killed hundreds of police and other security forces,” he stressed.

Posner was however quick to query the ‘excesses’ of security agents in combating Boko Haram’s violence. “We are also seriously concerned about abuses by members of the Nigerian security forces in combating Boko Haram’s

extremist violence,” he explained.

Posner explained that the concern of his government is informed by numerous reports of “mass arrests, extra-judicial killings, torture, and prolonged detention without due process of law “While officials have initiated investigations in some of these cases, all too often those responsible have not been held accountable.” Posner said that the violation of the human rights of innocent Nigerians and suspected Boko Haram members by government security agents is fueling support for the sect.

“Many Nigerians believe that the excessive use of force by security forces, often operating through Joint Task Force patrols, has alienated local populations and fueled support for Boko Haram, he stressed.

On the expectations of Washington, Posner said, “in recent years we have seen that governments that adopt a

multi-faceted response to terrorism and violent extremism are most successful in combating it.

“Such strategies include the disciplines use of force, in which security forces abide by clear rules of engagement and distinguish criminal insurgents from sympathizers and innocent bystanders.”

Posner wants the Federal Government to include in its strategies “sustained and inclusive efforts to reach out to local communities and address their basic needs.”

According to him, “The Nigerian government’s commitment and ability to meet these legitimate aspirations will be critical to the country’s future stability and security.” He assured that “ the United States stands ready to help” Nigeria in its bid to “leverage its abundant human and natural resources to become a model for other democracies in Africa and a source of great pride for its citizens.”

capital, Tel Aviv, for a fourth day. The “Iron Dome” missile shield shot down two of the rockets fired toward Israel’s biggest city but falling debris from the interception hit a car, which caught fire. Its driver was not hurt.

In scenes recalling Israel’s 2008-2009 winter invasion of the Gaza Strip, tanks, artillery and infantry massed in field encampments along the sandy border. Military convoys moved on roads in the area newly closed to civilian traffic.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was ready to widen its offensive.

“We are exacting a heavy price from Hamas and the terrorist organizations and the Israel Defence Forces are prepared for a significant expansion of the operation,” Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting, giving no further details.

Palestinian officials said 56 Palestinians, most of them civilians, including 16 children, have been killed in small, densely populated Gaza since the Israeli offensive began, with hundreds wounded.

• Benjamin Netanyahu

16 DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

NewsPlus

Baby kidnapped from labour room From CHUKS ONUOHA, Umuahia. his sounds like a fairy tale but it is true. Gunmen have invaded the labour room of a maternity home in Nkwoegwu, Ohuhu, in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State and took away a baby delivered a few minutes back, while nurses were battling to save the mother from bleeding to death.

The baby, a boy was still dripping with blood when the evil men seized and folded it with the bed sheet in which it was lying.

The mother, Mrs. Eberechi Ihezukwu, says she still thinks that she is in one deep dream, which she will wake up from. “I only heard the cry of my baby and I asked the nurse its sex and she told me that it was a baby boy. I have had three girls for my husband and this is the first male child. My heart was joyful as I felt that I have got an identity in my husband’s house. With the joy, I was happy that if the nurses stopped the bleeding, its arrival would be a consolation for my travails.

“Now see what they have done to me. My breasts are heavy with milk; it is a burden I have refused to bear. They should please bring back my baby to suck my breasts. I refuse to believe that my baby has gone; the God who put it in my womb for nine months before its delivery will fish out the perpetrators and my baby will be brought back to me.

Peace will continue to elude those who have taken it until they bring it back to me,” Mrs. Ihezukwu prayed.

Her husband, Clifford Ihezukwu, a radio/television repairer, said what was too much for him to understand was how the police, who he reported the incident to. turned him into a suspect and locked him up in a cell for two days (Tuesday to Thursday) until he allegedly bailed himself with N15, 000.

“On Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at about 2pm, my wife who was already heavy with a baby told me she was going to hospital (Our Lady of Apostles, Nkwoegwu, Ohuhu, Umuahia North LGA of Abia State) where she normally puts to bed. Later, she phoned me, seeking for my consent as the nurses wanted to give her hot drip to help her deliver of the baby since during her three previous pregnancies, there was no time she was given such hot drip before she put to bed. Instantly, I gave my consent if that would be the solution to the problem. I learnt that the drip was at about 6pm. By 7pm, I went there to see her since it is within a short distance from my home. When I got to the maternity, I saw my wife’s sister rejoicing; she told me that my wife had just put to bed. I thanked God and told her to take charge while I went back to check what I was cooking. I was there when she rushed back to the house and was shouting: “My stomach! My stomach!” I asked her what was amiss and she told me that gunmen invaded the maternity, kicked her in the stomach after overpowering the security man and collected everybody’s cell phones, including that of my wife who was still inside the labour room where the nurses were battling to stop the bleeding after the delivery. They dashed into the labour room, grabbed the baby who was still dripping with blood and dashed off.

My wife was not yet conscious of what was going on as she battled for survival after the nurses had administered her with some injection to stop the bleeding. So, I rushed to the maternity. When I got there, the whole place was locked; I went round knocking at the windows until someone opened. When they narrated how gunmen carried out their operation and took my baby away, I took my wife and went straight home.

“When I later came back to the maternity, soldiers had besieged the arena. After asking questions, the soldiers picked the five nurses

‘The baby, a

T

boy, was still dripping with blood when the evil men seized and folded it with the bed sheet in which it was lying.

Mr. and Mrs.Ihezukwu at their house

’

Gunmen snatch newborn immediately after birth

Our Lady of Apostles Maternity where the incident happened and I told them that my wife was still bleeding and appealed to them to allow one nurse to attend to her and they obliged me.

After some time, policemen came and asked us what happened and I told them what transpired. Then, they asked me to come to the station in the morning and report the matter officially. They asked me and I directed them to the home of the owner of the maternity and they left. In the morning, I was attending to my wife and children when they came and asked me why I had not come to the station as they directed me. Then, I told them that I was still attending to my wife and children and would soon be with them. Shortly after, I went to Afugiri Police Station to make an entry. On getting there, the policemen who came to my house earlier were not present so I waited for about four hours before they came back as I was told that they went to Umuosu, the home of the owner of the maternity. I told

the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) what I knew about the matter. When he asked why I left the maternity I told him that I went to feed my children and look after my wife who was still down. After another two hours, I told them that I was going to eat and see how my wife and children were doing. As I was speaking with him, he ordered that I should be kept behind the counter. My brother who came with me had to go and buy malt and snacks for me to eat because I was already famished.

“Then the owner of the maternity, Mrs. Dan Mbakwe and her husband came with my Sister- in-Law. About 4pm, I asked them what my offence was and why I should not be allowed to go home and see my family, but the policemen kept mute. After some time, they started intimidating and telling me that I was the number one suspect in the case and that I would soon be taken to see the Commissioner of Police and I said ok.

“At about 5 pm, they brought out a Hilux van, put me, my sister in-law, Mrs. Mbakwe and her husband and the securityman at the hospital in it and took us to the State CID headquarters. At the State CID, I told them my story and they told me that it was late for me to be released and that I would be locked up till the next day. They asked me to pull off my dress and then hauled my sister and me in-law into cell. But they kept Mrs. Mbakwe, her husband and the securityman at the counter.

Then they all left and handed over to another set of policemen on duty.

“In the morning, just before people started coming to work, they put us (the trio) into cell for about an hour to look as if all of us had been inside the cell all night. I then asked the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) what my offence was and he told me that no one had come for me. He said that he had asked them to bring N20, 000 for my bail. ‘Are you asking that amount of money from some one who had been passing through such a trauma?’ I asked the man who came for me later - Chief Ukaobasi. I told him to look into my trouser pocket at the counter, maintaining that I had N8, 000 inside it. He found the money intact, added N2, 000 to it and paid the police with a promise to bring a balance of N5, 000 if they released me. On Thursday, they released me to go home. I then borrowed N5, 000 from a neigbour and sent to them to bring the total sum to N15, 000. But by I pm on that Thursday, the owner of the hospital and the security man were released. That is what I’m passing through.

“I wonder why I should be made to go through this after my baby had been kidnapped and my wife left at a point of death.

“The name of the lady who signed my bail bond is Chioma. I ran to the police to help me because I had nobody and the police threw me into cell and turned me into a suspect instead of helping me to look for my stolen child. I am calling on the relevant authorities to come to my rescue. I have no one to fight for me,” he lamented.

When contacted on phone, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ambrose Aisabor, who was shocked said he was not aware of the matter. “Where did this happen; I’m not aware of this incident; I have to find out,” the CP replied.

When Daily Sun visited the maternity along Nkwoegwu road in Ohuhu. It was under lock and key. Daily Sun also visited the home of the Mbakwes, owners of the maternity at Umuosu, Okauga and did not find any body at home for comments.

Monday, November 19, 2012

DAILY SUN

17

NewsPlus

By SAM OTTI

P

rovidence recently visited the family of a certain Mr. John Aroh with a handful of babies. His wife, Patricia, was delivered of a set of triplets (two boys and one girl) on June 23, 2012 at the Lagos State General Hospital, Badagry. But sadly, the triplets: Emmanuel, Nathaniel and Precious, are presently battling for survival in a family, where both parents are jobless and counting on the generosity of neighbours for their daily bread.

The father of the triplets, a 28-year-old man from Ugwuaji, Awkananaw, Enugu State, told our reporter that his family had been living on the bread of hope.

Speaking in his home on No 3, Oko-Afo Street, B-Close, along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, he explained that providing babies’ food, clothes, toiletries and other basic needs had left him exhausted. And to compound his misery, few weeks after the birth of the triplets, his landlord slammed the family with three-month eviction order for failing to pay his house rent for 12 months.

As many families look forward to Christmas with excitement, Aroh, his wife and the triplets dread the approaching festive season like a doomsday. They sleep with their eyes open because the eviction order would expire on December 15. More worrisome is the fact that the family presently lacks basic essentials, such that the triplets fight for space on a single children’s bed donated to the family by a kind neighbour.

Looking dejected and fatigued, the gift of three babies to a jobless young man, fighting for survival on a menial job that rewards him with a beggar’s wage, has undoubtedly taken the shine off his face.

Aroh, who wedded his heartthrob on November 20, 2010, said his tale of woes started with the loss of his shop during the last demolition exercise at Coker, Orile to pave way for the construction of the Lagos/Badagry 10-lane expressway by the Lagos State government. Since then, efforts to get another shop had failed and he had to watch helplessly as family expenditure gulped his capital. For his daily bread, he stooped to a menial job of a carrier, popularly called kaya in local parlance, in the market.

Although he tediously earned his bread carrying people’s loads for a pittance, he was unable to shoulder the blessed burden laid gently on his shoulders by providence.

Rather than count it all joy, the bundle of joy had left him fretting on the hot seat. He told our reporter that he contemplated running away when the doctors at the Lagos State General Hospital, Badagry informed his wife that she had triplets, two days to the date of delivery.

Recalling his initial reaction he said: “I was scared when the report came out. I wanted to run away during that time. But the spirit of God told me I should not do that, reminding me that God is still in heaven. I was mad because I was thinking ‘who will help me out?’ Immediately my wife was delivered of the babies, they called me on phone. I was contemplating ‘how I will go back to the hospital without even N10 in my pocket?’ There was no money at all in my pocket. Nothing, nothing!”

Aroh said the news was a killjoy because his account was in red. Above all, he was unable to reconcile that previous scan revealed that his wife was to have a single baby. But to heighten his fears, two days to the actual date of delivery, the last scan conducted said she had multiple babies, he said.

“The report of the last scan left me con-

Mr. and Mrs. Aroh with the triplets

Agony of family blessed with triplets •How jobless father nearly ran away after wife’s caesarian session •Insists ‘I have nothing, nothing’

•Risks eviction as landlord’s quit notice expires Dec. 15 fused and worried. There was no savings anywhere. It is from the daily job I do in the market that we eat. My wife doesn’t have any job. On the day the babies came, I didn’t have a dime anywhere. When I took my wife to the hospital, the doctors were asking for money for blood. I couldn’t make any monetary deposit. Rather, I left the hospital to see if I could borrow money from friends. I almost ran mad, as I went from one person to another, yet, I came back to the hospital empty handed.

By then, the doctors had successfully carried out the caesarean section,” he recounted.

His wife, Patricia, aged 28, said the doctors couldn’t wait for her husband to return, so they decided to carry on with the operation. According to her, the doctors needed eight pints of blood; each pint costs N14, 000.

Patricia said her husband was nowhere to be found when she was wheeled into the theatre for the operation. But her faith in God remained unwavering. Further recounting how God retrieved her from the precipice of hell she said: “As I was being wheeled into the theatre, I was telling myself that I would come out alive and with my triplets. The doctors and the nurses were so good to me. They treated me with love. During the delivery, the doctors in the state were on strike but they

called off the strike on that day to attend to me. One doctor called others on phone and they all came. They said they couldn’t allow me to go into labour because one of the babies was not positioned properly.

“After the delivery, I was feeling much pains. I didn’t know I had triplets. I was wondering why the pain was so much. I didn’t have any house help. When it became difficult for me, my husband did most of the house work”.

Although the lucky woman was discharged from the hospital on compassionate grounds by the hospital management, the family has been living on the fruits of charity. According to Aroh, it was a good neighbour who donated a fairly used children’s couch for the three babies. And now, the triplets have been fighting for space in their poorly spaced bed. He also said another kind woman in their neighbourhood bought a Nokia phone for his wife to help her communicate with people.

However, help came the way of the triplets recently when the governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), gave the family the sum of N150, 000. Mrs. Aroh who thanked the governor for his gesture said the entire sum had almost gone into feeding the triplets who drink three to four tins of baby milk every week. She said the biggest pack of baby diapers, which contains 94 pieces lasts for

just few days due to regular use. With the bigger problem solved, the Arohs are still wondering where money to pay their 12month house rent would come from before they could be allowed to remain in their apartment.

“It is too difficult to raise a baby nowadays let alone three. Unfortunately, my husband is not sure of regular income. So we depend on people and God has been so kind to us,” she recalled.

When our reporter asked Mr. Aroh if he still prayed for more children, he had a good laugh saying: “When I got married, I prayed God for one or two children. I never expected triplets. But God did it. I was very happy but you know the situation in the country now. I didn’t have plans for multiple babies. You can see my hands are full already.”

Overwhelmed by the cost of raising the children, Aroh and his wife are pleading with the government, compassionate individuals for assistance. Payments to this effect could be made into any of these two bank accounts owned by the family: Fidelity Bank: Account name Emmanuel Aroh, 6040355804 or UBA account, Patricia Njideka Ede could be reached on: 05340520013063. And both could be reached on their mobile phones: 07035206298 and 08098457148.

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DAILY SUN Monday November 19, 2012

Discordant tunes over state creation

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enator Ike Ekweremadu’s latest declarations on the vexed issue of state creation in Nigeria point to one undeniable fact: the National Assembly is singing discordant tunes over the issue.

Ekweremadu who is the Deputy President of the Senate and chairman, Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, was quoted as saying that the on-going processes for constitutional amendment would not lead to creation of more states. According to him, state creation involves a rigorous process that is not easy to accomplish. He has therefore advised those agitating for new states to be less hopeful about it as the hands of the National Assembly are tied.

We understand and appreciate Ekwenemadu’s stand on this matter.

State creation is a cumbersome enterprise.

Anybody who is conversant with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, must be aware of this. In fact, we take it for granted that most literate Nigerians are not ignorant of this constitutional provision. It was therefore somewhat odd to see Ekweremadu educating those who already know on this matter.

Ekwerenmadu also laboured to explain the fact that the on-going constitutional amendment and state creation are different things. Again, Nigerians know this much. The problem instead is that the National Assembly, particularly its leadership, has been giving Nigerians the impression that they can create new states without much effort. There is therefore the tendency for people to think that one can lead to the other.

That is the basis of the confusion which Ekweremadu appears to be worried about now.

Even the President of the Senate, David Mark, has had cause to give Nigerians the impression that the National Assembly would create new states without much rigour. This is usually exemplified in the promises and assurances that state creation agitators get whenever they take their case to him.

Our expectation is that a National Assembly that knows its limitations and handicaps on an issue such as state creation ought to have been a bit more guarded in its declarations. The truth is that the

pronouncements of the National Assembly leadership have led to the belief in a number of quarters that the national legislature is set to bring about constitutional changes that will eventuate in state creation.

Indeed, the explanations being offered now by Ekweremadu are belated. They would have been timely enough if he had advanced them by the time he was being accused by the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, of scheming to create a new state out of his Enugu State.

Kwankwaso was worried by the posturing of the National Assembly leadership on this matter and he said that much. If Ekweremadu had cleared the air then, Nigerians would have been very much at home with his interjection. The way it is now, his clarification sounds like an afterthought.

We then wonder what could be responsible for the cold feet that Ekweremadu has suddenly developed over an issue he was once passionate about. Has the reality finally dawned on him? Or is there something that he has left unsaid?

Whatever the case may be, we would like to remind Ekweremadu and the entire federal legislature that state creation is one of the things Nigerians desire most now. Apart from the clear and understandable case of the South East which is seeking equity in the distribution of states among the geopolitical zones, this National Assembly will be making history if it does what no Nigerian legislature had done before by ensuring that new states are created.

We recognize the cumbersome process that goes with it. But the National Assembly can deal with that now by amending that section of the constitution that makes it so. That will be the first step. The on-going constitutional amendment should take care of that. They next would then be to begin the process of bringing about more states. The National Assembly can approach the issue this way.

The howl and discordant tunes over state creation are unhelpful.

COMMENT

LETTER Bode Alalade: Mourning and celebrating!

WHEN Bode Alalade died on October 9, 2012 at 75, there followed a mixed reaction that brought forth two schools. One grieved over the amiable broadcaster’s departure, saying it marked one more phase in the staggered extinction of excellence in electronic journalism. These mourners referred to the death of two other distinguished performers, the affable Ikenna Ndaguba and the matronly Stella Bassey, to push the view that finally the apocalypse had come for the profession.

The second school of thought has been in tears too. But they are tears of joy, very much like the one who would speak of a half full cup of water rather than one which is half empty! This class is celebrating Bode Alalade because by their reckoning he died not leaving behind an industry of orphans. He didn’t take his prime trade mark of mentorship, passion, thoroughness, professional discipline and news room conviviality to the grave.

Indeed Alalade had all these and most likely more. He exhibited them where he worked.

However the broadcaster went the extra mile: he conducted “formal” and “informal” training for younger and serious journalists so they could be of

use to themselves, the profession, the society and the generations to come.

You may refer to his post-Nigerian Television Authority Network News and Radio Nigerian days as the period of “informal” training. He was later at some private broadcast stations where through “formal “ training programs he tried to restore the dying virtues of passion, precision and perfection to a profession that had been taken over by uncommitted lucre-minded men and women. Bode Alalade was alleged to have been humiliated in some of these places. For, what he taught was gibberish to an age that worshipped wealth as an end and held selfless service in contempt. Bode Alalade made little sense if he taught that the TV newscaster owed it a duty to his / her teeming viewers and the information seekers to report in the newsroom and take part in packaging the news of the day . it was anathema if he insisted that the newsreader should subject himself to the news editor and consult all the variants of the dictionary – Thesaurus, pronunciation, language etc - during production while rehearsing for the news and proofreading.

Now if today’s “professionals” and their nouveaux

THE DIRECTORATE TONY ONYIMA Managing Director /Editor-in-Chief FEMI ADESINA Deputy MD/Deputy Editor-in-Chief ETHEL NMEZI Executive Director, Finance/Admin ALAN JONES Executive Director, Technical PAUL ONYIA Executive Director Marketing ERIC OSAGIE Executive Director, Special Services EDITORIAL STEVE NWOSU Editor, Daily ONUOHA UKEH Editor, Saturday FUNKE EGBEMODE Editor, Sunday SHOLA OSHUNKEYE, Editor, Magazines ABDULFATAH OLADEINDE Deputy Editor, Daily FEMI ADEOTI Deputy Editor, Daily IKENNA EMEWU Deputy Editor, Nation’s Capital BRUCE MALOGO, Deputy Editor, Saturday BEIFOH OSEWELE, Deputy Editor, Magazines EMEKA OKOROANYANWU Group Business Editor CHIDI OBINECHE Political Editor CHRIS ANUCHA Acting Bureau Chief, ( South-South) CHIDI NNADI Bureau Chief, (South-East) YINKA FABOWALE Bureau Chief (South-West) ISMAIL OMIPIDAN Bureau Chief (North-west) EDITORIAL BOARD AMANZE OBI Chairman, Editorial Board CORPORATE SERVICES NETA NWOSU A.G.M. Corporate Services ADVERTISING/MARKETING DEMOLA ABIOYE Business Development Manager NNENA SHUAIB Asst. Manager Business Dev. (Abuja) SALES & OPERATIONS DAMOLA LAJUMOKE AGM, Sales & Operations NWOKOCHA OBI Sales & Distribution Manager REMI QUADRI Manager, Copy Sales FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION OBIOMA OGUKWE Accountant JOHNSON OGWUMIKE Internal Audit Manager PATRICK ENILAMA Principal Human Resource Manager IFY ANYALECHI Procurement & General Services Manager

MISSION ‘To practise journalism in the classical newspaper tradition of presenting the news and features in an exciting style, with impact, objectivity and appeathat generate returns to all stakeholders: the society, the investors and the practitioners’

riches employers didn’t allow Alalade a fulfilling stay, it didn’t matter .

Because back then at Radio Nigeria and in the glorious days of NTA Network News ( God be blessed for that era!) he had made an indelible mark through exquisite and humble service as a trainer, news manager, news reader and agreeable colleague.

We watched Bode Alalade at close quarters during our time with him at the then NTA headquarters on Victoria Island, Lagos in the late 70s and 80s. He had a carriage that reminded you of the equally unforgettable Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense in the cinema industry. But in oga Alalade there lurked no element of suspense.

If it was possible to rehearse 24 hours ahead for the delivery on air Bode Alalade would do it! There was no one, no matter how junior, he wouldn’t consult in order to give the viewer the best the situation demanded. If an Urhobo name cropped up you wouldn’t catch Alalade napping. He had an Emakpore to corner for an accurate pronunciation so “I don’t offend that corner of the viewing public and smear the reputation of NTA”. For a Ghanaian tongue he had an Ojewale , his junior.

Once, the name of Helmut Schmidt, then West German Chancellor, was in the news. Trust Alalade! He went for Atobatele who had studied and stayed in Germany for years .Was it so he wouldn’t offend the diplomatic corps, who in those days never left the TV in order to watch NTA’s Network News?

Alalade matched his professional consumma-

tion with a spotless sartorial and facial outlook as if nature had decreed a rhyming policy for everything on earth. He was clean – shaven even as he went on air in flawless flowing agbada that seemed to be a celebration of his Ibadan culture. He had hesitant side boards that hardly threatened the hairless childlike face.

Alalade never gave gratuitous gesticulation or false drama in newscast as we see today. But you would observe natural smiles run over his rotund Hitchcock – visage. You’d also notice a near speckfree face that, as the years wore on, still refused to acquire warts. He appeared, on account of his avuncular nature, openness and good looks, to enjoy more than a fair share of the company of the fair sex .it was decent relationship forced upon him by the joviality of the news room .

We can mourn Chief Bode Alalade because he’s no longer with us physically. This is only human.

In the long run however, our grief is lessened by his life of eminence in broadcasting and by what he offered in turn to society. He taught us to be humble, diligent and studious in our profession. He warned against sloppy approach as we process our findings to inform, educate and entertain the public.

Bode Alalade has given his younger and junior colleagues the baton to continue the race, empowered by the rubric that sustained him.

May the legacy endure to build society!

Emakpore, Atobatele and Ojewale were Alalade’s younger colleagues at NTA Network News.

CMYK

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

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This woman must be protected!

A Life and Issues s at Wednesday last week, the executive chairman of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Ethel Nebo - Ezeabasili, was in a bunker of sorts, somewhere in the State. She had to leave her home to secure refuge, in an effort to avoid falling prey to assassination attempts.

About 24 hours before her “sms”(save my soul) message, the Enugu Government had made known its decision to dissolve the board of ENSUBEB via a letter from the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Amaechi Okolo, and securitymen had reportedly prevented even the board’s workers from gaining access to the offices, at least for some time.

What is interesting, as a reputable national newspaper reported, is the following: “During the distress call, which she made from her hideout, Ezeabasili said she fled her residence and office after two attempts were made on her life in the past two weeks because she insisted that due process must be followed in awarding contracts for projects in schools, estimated at about N3.6 billion ……”

Having out-smarted those pursuing her while driving to work on November I, another set of hostile intruders went to her home in the night and “fired gunshots at intervals.” Some security men and thugs had also been detailed to catch her dead or alive, she alleged.

For a long time now, not a few Nigerians and observers of social and political developments in the country have been expressing deep concerns over extra-judicial killings as well as the infringements of fundamental human rights of citizens by representatives of authority in different parts of the country. This development in Enugu State confirms, rather sadly, that those who want to serve their communities and the entire State faithfully by assuring adherence to the set rules especially those governing the awards of contracts, do not get the protection they deserve at all from some of the governments that appointed them, as Ezeabasili’s present predicament proves.

The Economic and Financial Crimes

with Tunde Thompson

tunsthompson@yahoo.com

Commission (EFCC), which had before now faced some frustration in previous attempts to prosecute former executive arm functionaries in the same state (before the 2011 elections), has again been called upon by affected entrepreneurs who do business with ENSUBEB, “to investigate the sleaze” there.

There are questions to which the Enugu State Government House ought to provide answers as soon as possible. Why was there such a hurry in dissolving the board of ENSUBEB? What decision did it take (or refuse to take), that was considered to be against the public interest?

While it may be unfair to come to any conclusion which disfavors the government, the facts already made available from Ezeabasili (who has now put her matter in the “bar of public opinion”), indicate some unwholesome actions which run foul of the principles of accountability and transparency, which are indispensable elements of sound democratic systems.

Although the State’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Ugwoke, chose not to speak on the threat to the Chairman’s life “since it falls within the purview of the police and other relevant security agencies”, one believes his office is important enough to enable him inform the government against the consequences of any attempts to drag the State and its topmost leaders into disrepute, through condoning behavior that so brazenly shows disregard for those principles.

People often talk about “good news” and “bad news”. Do the Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, and the said commissioner, think it will be good news for hired assassins to kill someone who was carrying out the responsi-

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bility given to her as Chairman of ENSUBEB without fear or favor? How much of a good image can the State earn from such an unenviable eventuality, when the government is currently collaborating with partners in the private and public sectors to promote the State’s cultural tourism programme ?

A newspaper is not a court of law, neither is it an establishment for apportioning blames to figures, public or private.

However, it can be involved in helping to disseminate facts and figures and helping officials to take more rational decisions. In this case, if there were already procedures for handling contracts and contractors within the Board (as is done in other States of the federation which have working relationships with their Headquarters in Abuja), should those procedures not have been followed? Was the Enugu State House of Assembly taken into confidence?

It is certain that the members will never welcome being regarded or treated as “rubber-stamp legislators” regarding the dissolution of the ENSUBEB, in which the appropriate committee(s) ought to have been involved, and not a unilateral action taken by the Governor’s Office.

In view of the availability of 583 contracts for execution, did the entire government, comprising the Executive, Legislature and judiciary (which does not get involved in such deals),decide to set up a pre-qualification committee, which then decided that only the four hired contractors “would execute the 583 slots contrary to the ESUBEB law and procurement act”?

If the government deemed Ethel compe-

tent enough to be Chairman, why was it necessary for Government House to be sent to her office to take away her files after the prebid meeting she reportedly held at the Board on October 31? Who are the directors of the four contracting companies - New Techno Nig. Ltd; J and J. Techno Nig Ltd, Raycon Nigeria Ltd. and Alciota Works Ltd. – favored for executing the 583 available contracts? Were they registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and when?

It is not enough for leading government officials to have derived their powers legitimately through the ballot boxes; what matters in the end, as stated by the then UN Secretary – General, Dr. Kofi A. Annan, on May 19, 2006, in his message titled “Governance for the future: Democracy and development in the least developed countries”, is that, “Without the rule of law and respect for human rights; without transparency and accountability, …….. the path to prosperity is likely to be more difficult, and gains could remain fragile and reversible….” That comment remains valid, even tomorrow.

When a few persons look at the funds provided for advancing the public good and decide to disregard all subsisting arrangements in place for getting things done with impunity, you can be sure that quality will become a casualty in the long run. That is if the jobs are executed at all. What have we not seen here?

One believes that people like Ethel NeboEzeabasili must be protected from the desperate and unprincipled enemies of due process – if not by her State, but through the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan, since she now appears like an ancient Roman citizen who sought justice by exclaiming: “I appeal to Caesar!!”

Ethel must not die or be subjected to unwarranted humiliation by official terrorists. Those who value human life, truth and accountability, need to be proactive on this life-and –death matter, before it gets too late.

Let them understand in Enugu and everywhere, that a person’s life is not the same as that of a fowl, which can be killed any time!!!

Reinventing Christ School, Ado Ekiti

BY OLAWALE ADELUGBA

T

he history of Christ School in Ado – Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital was that of pride and jubilation when it was founded. Founded in 1935, the school was purposely established to predate Nigerian Independence. It was one of those well – structured elitist schools established by the missionaries to prepare future Nigerian leaders to wrestle power from colonial rulers at the appropriate time. And the dream soon became clear.

Named after Christ, the saviour of mankind, Christ School was founded in that mould, with the intention to train new crop of leaders whose ideas and beliefs were to make the society a better place in future.

By then there were just a few of such schools in Nigeria, scattered here and there for the same purpose of re-engineering the society.

In the East, were Christ the King College, Onitsha, Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu, Hope Waddell College, Calabar. In the West, were St. Patrick College, Asaba, Loyola College, Ibadan and many more, put in place by missionaries of different Christian denominations to spread the gospel of knowledge in Nigeria.

True to type, Christ School, Ado, lived up to its billing. Within a long spell of time, the school trained lots and lots of elites and opinion molders not only in Ekiti State, but in the whole Western Region and beyond.

During its glorious days, Christ School turned out the best brains in the society.

Parents scrambled for space in the school, for they knew that an admission into the school, guaranteed the future of their children and wards.

From 1935, till recently, Christ School was in the forefront of setting standards in both West African School Certificate Exam (WASC) and other related exams. In every exam the students would record 100% result which invariably became an envy among other schools. WAEC always pointed the

school out as an ideal one and was often proud to point it out to other teachers to take a cue from it. Indeed Christ School became the height of success and academic laurels in all ramifications such that a lot of people could not fathom why it remained unbeatable.

But what touched Dr. Kayode Fayemi beyond compare was the reason why the fortunes of the school have been dwindling in recent times. Apart from the clustering of fake and semi-qualified teachers within the corridor of the school, the half-baked students they graduate these days have further put the school in a more precarious situation. In a state widely known for its caliber of highly educated individuals who are often in the forefront of promoting knowledge in the country to have fallen bellow expectations with poorly trained teachers, something drastic needs to be done to arrest the situation.

Governor Fayemi was more piqued by the poor results recorded by the school last year. When the WAEC results were released Christ School scored a paltry 9%. How come the school has fallen so low from its former glorious level? That was the question the governor and other

well-meaning people of Ekiti State asked themselves. This and more are indeed some of the very pressing reasons why the governor has insisted that teachers in the state must undergo this test to determine those duly qualified to remain as character molders.

In the first place, you can’t claim to be a character molder when your own character and place in life is in doubt. You have to be seen to be of good cheer, with near impeccable bearing to be a good teacher.

That poor result of last year and other uncouth mannerisms of Ekiti teachers have set the governor on edge.

So, this test must hold. Why wouldn’t it hold in the first place? After all, teachers too give their students tests. At times, they even give them impromptu and unannounced tests to determine their brilliance and academic acumen. Now, it is their turn to have a taste of it and they are protesting. What is happening in Christ School and elsewhere in Nigeria, is indeed unfortunate and all right – thinking Nigerians should rise now to condemn it in its totality.

With the Operation Renovate All Schools now in place in the state, the governor is hell-bent on ensuring that the state

The test for school teachers proposed by the state government is not a punitive measure. It is rather corrective and exemplary. It is to set the required standard and ensure that the best qualified personnel are allowed to teach in schools. This type of situation, beyond the awful way the teachers perceive it, will equally help to prepare their own kids for tomorrow. It is targeted to make a better Ekiti State

of schools and the academic standard of the students are lifted higher than they are presently. This is the dream of a leader committed to the well-fair of his people.

You can’t claim to be a leader when the future of your people is in doubt; when no one knows the sort of future leaders we will have tomorrow.

The test for school teachers proposed by the state government is not a punitive measure. It is rather corrective and exemplary.

It is to set the required standard and ensure that the best qualified personnel are allowed to teach in schools. This type of situation, beyond the awful way the teachers perceive it, will equally help to prepare their own kids for tomorrow. It is targeted to make a better Ekiti state.

The teachers should even be grateful to their stars that they now have a true lover of education at the helm of affairs. And here is one man who is not afraid to take the plunge, to go the whole hug in righting the wrongs of the past.

As the renovation of schools are going on, so should be the retraining and the assessment of the teachers. Or how will it sound if the schools are wearing new looks while the teachers are still rusty, cranky and behind modern times. This is what Fayemi intends to avoid, to have an old wine in a new wine-skin. Things have to be done correctly so as to ensure a clean and positive society. Ekiti has to set that example and be in the lead to give Nigeria the best crop of school teachers.

It is now in the interest of all stakeholders in the state to have a sound education sector, fully poised to train leaders in tune with the realities of the moment. Let the teachers not continue to impugn the system and castigate the governor for being on the right track. Time for empty promises and hallow leadership style has passed. Ekiti people need to recapture themselves and be on the move once more. This is the time for all that.

Adelugba writes from Ado - Ekiti CMYK

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DAILY SUN Monday November 19, 201212

The new Employment Tax Reliefs: Matters arising

BY SURAJ OYEWALE

T

he Federal Government of Nigeria, through the apex tax administrative body, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), recently published what it called 'Companies Income Tax Exemption Order 2012', through which it introduced three new tax exemptions, namely, the Employment Tax Relief, the Work Experience Acquisition Programme Relief, and the Infrastructure Tax Relief. This fits into the sweeping reforms in Nigeria's tax system that started during the Olusegun Obasanjo era and sustained by subsequent administrations.

Until recently, taxation was hardly an issue of serious concern to both the governments and taxpayers in Nigeria. This is an issue that makes or mars governments in advanced climes. Enormous attention is paid to proposed tax policy in the campaign manifestoes of presidential aspirants. Every John and Joe looks at the tax implication of everything.

However, the situation has been changing for better in Nigeria in the last one decade, credit to the erstwhile boss of the FIRS, Ifueko Omoigui, who spearheaded the reforms and sensitization. The various tax laws have been undergoing amendments in the light of changing realities of our society. The Personal Income Tax (Amendment) Act (PITAM) 2011, the self-assessment regulation, even if it leaves a couple of loopholes, the robust attention given to fiscal framework in the Petroleum Industry Bill, and now the introduction of new tax reliefs, all sit well into the bigger picture of improved tax regulation and administration in

Nigeria.

The result of all these activities has been improved revenue to the government as evidenced in the doubling of the government revenue from taxation year on year, never mind the fact that there has not been commensurate improvement in the welfare of citizenry. The growing consciousness in taxation in Nigeria has nonetheless been a win-win phenomenon to a reasonable extent. Just as government's net now captures more revenue in taxation, jobs have also been created for professionals.

Many organizations now have dedicated tax desks and units unlike before, many consultants now have their hands full with jobs, just as the tax authorities have needed to absorb more people to cope with the rising tax activities in the country.

By the newly released Companies Income Tax (Exemption of profits) Order 2012, the government obviously seeks to encourage absorption of Nigerian graduates into companies' workforce as well as promote job security and retention.

Paragraph 1 sub-paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Order created the 'Employment Tax Relief' thus: As from the commencement of this Order, any company, with a minimum net employment of ten employees of which sixty percent are employees without any form of previous work experience within three years of graduating from school or any vocation within the assessment period, shall enjoy an exemption of five percent of assessable profits (subject to a maximum of gross salaries paid to the qualifying employees) in the assessment period in which the profits were generated The Tax Relief granted under paragraph 1 of this paragraph shall be known as Employment Tax

Relief The Order further defines 'employee' as 'only Nigerians actively employed in Nigeria by the company on a full time basis, who do not hold any other employment and whose employment duties are primarily discharged in Nigeria' and 'net employment' as ' the difference between incoming and outgoing employees of the company within the assessment period'.

This means that an organization with, say, fifteen joiners and five leavers in an assessment period (usually twelve months except in case of commencement or winding up), is ordinarily qualified for this relief, provided sixty percent of the 'net employment' have no previous work or vocation experience within three years of leaving school.

Good intent, but there are a couple of questions that arise here.

There is a possible question of what constitutes 'graduating from school'. If a new recruit finishes his first degree three years ago but enrolls for Masters immediately, finishes Masters programme last year and a company employs him this year, for the purpose of qualification for this relief, which of the 'graduations' is applicable? First degree? Second degree?

Although many Nigerian companies are reactive, rather than proactive, to tax planning activities, the ones that consciously seek to benefit from this relief may have its recruitment behavior affected.

Nevertheless the intent of this provision is noble. I see banks as the biggest losers in this new tax saving window. Except for a couple of them, most Nigerian banks have had negative net

employment in the last three to four years. Maybe this may mitigate the trend.

Sub-paragraph 3, which created the 'Work Experience Acquisition Programme Relief', seeks to achieve job security thus: Any company with a minimum net employment of five new employees and retains such employees for a minimum of two years from the year of assessment in which the employees were first employed shall enjoy an exemption of five per cent of its assessable profits in the assessment period in which the company qualifies New employee, according to the Order, refers to 'any full time employee (as defined earlier) who is being offered employment by the company for the first time in any capacity'.

This encourages retention of employees and gives the company a reason to recruit more wisely, ensuring only applicants who have very high likelihood of not only being confirmed after six to twelve months but also retained in the medium to long term. I know companies that many Nigerian graduates use only as stepping stones and quit after a couple of years or less.

This Order coming under the framework of the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA) means it is not applicable to companies engaged in 'petroleum operations' (upstream companies) who are taxed under the Petroleum Profits Tax Act (PPTA). But with the all but finalized Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) seeking to repeal the PPTAand subject companies engaged in petroleum exploration and production to CITA too, the passing of PIB may see them also reaping the benefit.

Oyewale writes from Lagos.

Decentralization of power in Nigeria

BY OKONKWO NDUAGUWA

I

n some of my articiles published in the need for Nigeria to decentralize power, lamenting on the very serious threat to quash the first attempt, in May 1999, to decentralize power down to Local Government level, when the National and the State Governments fought for and even went as far as to the Supreme Court to determine which of them should control the Local Government system. The State Governments that won after the tussle began to starve the Local Governments of the money, constitutionally provided for them. (b) For a good plan of our rural areas that would look ahead far beyond the NOW to the NOT YET bearing in mind that thatch houses and mud walls are fast yielding grounds to more permanent concrete walls and costly high-rise buildings. (c) Check the menace of flood water, usually caused by us human beings by our senseless interference with the course of nature – the ecosystem. Those scripts were aired by some local print media houses, the Weekly Flame and the State-Government owned June 10, 2009. Radio Nigeria Enugu Zonal Station, under their programme, Focus, also aired the script Monday August 31st 2009. I am only trying to repeat myself now that our country is considering reviewing our constitution and

this repeat I am doing on my 70th birthday anniversary by trying current terminologies and phraseologies and restricting myself to the crying need for Decentralization of Power in Nigeria.

From the brutish British imperialistic imperialism to their parliamentary democracy, we switched to the US presidential democracy.

The US, the UK and also Nigeria all lay claim to the practice of democracy defined by Abraham Lincoln as “government of (all) the people, by (all) the people for (all) the people” and which emphasizes the value of the individual. The principles of this form of governance, democracy, which has almost attained the level of a world religion come alive when individuals participate in government.

Both the US and the UK enjoy a reasonable level of stable government and we have been trying to copy them. While they practise democracy slightly differently, the very important common thread that runs through their governments and which I consider the secret of their stability is decentralization of power. Both the US and the UK have their National Government and thousands of other sub-national governments controlled through the Unitary System by the UK and a combination of Unitary and Federal system by the US. Since we are adopting the Presidential (US) System let us compare and contrast both levels of decentralization – see table for the number of Government Units in US and Nigeria.

We all know that a good number of our 36 states have not yet embraced the constitutional provision of Local Government System – they are making use of caretaker committees, others merely give this system a semblance or cloak of existence. The Local Government system is characterized by indolence and outright truancy, with their headquarter premises always overgrown with weeds and occupied by rodents and reptiles. For now they merely serve as centres for sharing, among the elected officers, the huge amounts of money allocated to them monthly, all with impunity.

Neither the state nor the National Government cares to control the Local Governments as should be.

Truly, Nigeria, for now, has only two levels of Government, the National and the State with only 37 Units of Government compared to the US with some eight levels with 80,000 units of Government. Here lies our problem.

One would expect that Nigeria with half the population of the US should have at least four levels of government with at least 30,000 units of government. Nigeria has far less than 1,000 units of government.

Even our colonial masters, the British, recognised the need for decentralization of power through the District Officers (DOs) and the innumerable paramount chiefs for whom they erected ever-lasting storey buildings each. These similar structures with their bullet-proof brick work, fire-and-termite resistant

wood work, survived the onslaught and assault of the civil war air bombardments, cannon fires and rocket attacks. I still see up to thirty of them standing indestructible in my area alone. You can then imagine the number of such buildings they erected in the whole of Nigeria. So much was the importance they attached to Decentralization of Power.

Why then are we still paying lip service to decentralization of power? We shout “power to the people”, “power to the grassroots”, “power to the door step of every individual” only during the elections and electioneering campaigns. We should now recognise decentralization of power as the soul of democratic practice. Let us pluck a leaf from Mother Nature`s own way of doing things.

The trees we see around us, strike out numerous roots, big, medium, small and the smallest, in various directions for them to survive.

Consider the big, medium, small and the smallest channels through which the food you swallow passes to get to the tiny body cells where the action takes place, the oxidation and consequent liberation of energy that powers you. The awesome airbuses are designed after the shape and anatomy of the bird. We must imitate nature. Note and note carefully that it is in the small or tiny cells of your body that action takes place.

Nduaguwa is the traditional ruler of Umuaji Mgbagbu Owa, Ezeagu Enugu State.

What next after the floods?

BY ABUBAKAR JIMOH

A

s flood disaster continues to wreak havoc in some communities across Nigeria, many questions have cumulated in the minds of emergency stakeholders both within and outside the country on the subsequent disasters that may likely emerge after the flood. Is more news that in the last three months, Nigerians have experienced unprecedented heavy rain that has resulted in flooding, claiming dozens of lives and rendered thousands of people homeless in some states such as Jigawa, Adamawa, Kogi, Anambra, Benue, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, among others. The accelerating rate of the disaster has called for anxieties on the health and other socio-economic damages the affected communities may suffer after the flood.

Although no fewer than over 140 people have been reportedly killed so far, while about 10,000 others were rendered homeless, National Emergency management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society have confirmed that an estimated 130,000 people across the federation have been affected. Yet, the Federal Ministry of Environment has predicted that 16 more states will suffer more torrential flooding,

warning people living in such vulnerable states to evacuate their homes before they are taken unawares.

Meanwhile, in an effort to ensure safety of lives and property, NEMA under the leadership of the Director General, Alhaji Muhammed Sani-Sidi, has counseled individuals and governments across the states to prepare ahead of various dangers that may occur after the flood.

Giving the increase in the statistics of outbreak of diseases that may transpire from flood, it was noted that in recent times, many Nigerian communities have become conversant with several diseases such as cholera, meningitis, malarial and polio making it urgent for the governments at various levels to step up their quest towards ensuring vivacious healthcare system in the country.

Among the deadly epidemics that should be expected is Cholera which may be experienced in some flood-affected zones like the North, South and Eastern parts of the country. Cholera has been described as acute enteric infection caused by the ingestion of bacterium Vibrio cholerae present in faecally contaminated water or food, known to have spread across the Northern part Nigeria like a hurricane.

It is an extremely virulent disease that affects both children and adults. Unlike other diarrhoeal

diseases, it can kill healthy adults within hours.

The epidemic is characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps.

Through these, an infected person, rapidly loses body fluids which leads to dehydration and shock; and in absence of treatment or early awareness, death can occur within hours.

So far, Cholera outbreak has claimed thousands of lives and rendered hundreds hospitalized. For instance, about 150 lives were lost and over 1,300 others hospitalized in August, 2010 in Bauchi state; this was followed by another loss of 67 lives and 1,742 hospitalised in the same state in 2011. Similarly, over 47 lives were reportedly lost while about 735 others were hospitalised in Gombe state in 2010 with more than 190 other cases reported in the state in the same year; and generally no fewer than 4,600 lives were reportedly lost to cholera outbreaks between 2008 and 2010 in Nigeria.

Also, a study conducted by the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (2010) revealed that influenza spreads around the world resulting in seasonal epidemics and eventual death of between 250,000 and 500,000 people every year, while on the average, 41,400 people died each year in the United States between 1979 and 2001 from influenza.

To gain instant control of epidemic outbreaks

in Nigerian NEMA in collaboration with other stakeholders, must conduct adequate sensitisation programmes across the six geo-political zones in the country purposely to educate and immune the public, especially those in the rural areas against avoidable deaths from outbreak of a disease such as Cholera.

While government at all levels must institute a regular, reliable and accurate surveillance data to monitor the trend and evolution of the outbreaks and enhance adequate preventive measures as it was successfully exploited in United States Cholera Outbreaks in the 1800s.

Regular environmental sanitation is the key to effective control of Cholera. It has been argued that human beings are surrounded by thousands of harmful organisms. In five- year investigation using four different communities carried out by World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2011, it was obtained that the provision of sanitary facilities for human waste disposal can reduce the incidence of Cholera by as much as 68%.

Effective effort must be made by the governments to properly fumigate the flood-affected environments. while water from all sources Jimoh writes from Abuja via abujimoh01@yahoo.com

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

Memories

Philip Nwosu 08176449110

21

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Today in History

Reagan, Gorbachev hold first summit meeting For the first time in eight years in November 1985, the leaders of the Soviet Union and the United States held a summit conference.

Meeting in Geneva, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev produced no earth-shattering agreements.

However, the meeting boded well for the future, as the two men engaged in long, personal talks and seemed to develop a sincere and close relationship.

The meeting came as somewhat of a surprise to some in the United States, considering Reagan’s often incendiary rhetoric concerning communism and the Soviet Union, but it was in keeping with the president’s often stated desire to bring the nuclear arms race under control. For Gorbachev, the meeting was another clear signal of his desire to obtain better relations with the United States so that he could better pursue his domestic reforms.

Little of substance was accomplished. Six agreements were reached, ranging from cultural and scientific exchanges to environmental issues. Both Reagan and Gorbachev, however, expressed satisfaction with the summit, which ended on November 21. The next summit was held in October 1986 in Reykjavik and ended somewhat disastrously, with Reagan’s commitment to the Strategic Defense Initiative (the so-called “Star Wars” missile defense system) providing a major obstacle to progress on arms control talks.

However, by the time of their third summit in Washington, D.C. in 1987, both sides made concessions in order to achieve agreement on a wide range of arms control issues.

1985

Oba Adenji Adele ll , the Oba of Lagos and his wife being welcomed by the Duke of Devonshire at the Commonwealth Relations Office in the 50s.

Teachers get deadline to register Teachers yet to register with the Teachers Registration Council were on this in November 2003 handed down a 2006 deadline by the council through the National Council on Education (NCE), to upgrade their academic qualification with the TRC or be shown the way out.

In a statement made available to journalists,

2003

Registrar and Chief Executive of TRC, Mr. Anjikwi Musa Ciwar called on all the state governments to assist the Council in halting further recruitment of unqualified teachers in both private and public schools.

Ciwar stressed the need for state governments to encourage unqualified teachers already in the system to obtain the minimum teaching qualification, the Nigerian

Certificate of Education while graduate teachers without teaching qualification should acquire Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) if they must remain in the system.

Sadat’s historic trip to Israel The president of Egypt, Anwar

1977 Sadat, on this day in November 1977 began his trip to Israel - the first Arab leader ever to visit the Jewish state.

President Sadat’s plane landed at Ben Gurion airport at the start of his 36-hour visit.

He was greeted by Israel’s Prime Minister Menachim Begin and Israeli President Ephraim Katzir and a 21-gun salute was fired in his honour.

After the ceremony at the airport President Sadat was driven to Jerusalem for an hourlong meeting with Mr Begin.

Tomorrow he will address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, with his speech broadcast live to hundreds of millions of people all over the world.

The Egyptian president will deliver his speech in Arabic - one of the Knesset’s official languages.

Mr Begin will respond in Hebrew with a simultaneous translation provided for President Sadat.

His trip to Israel has stunned the international community.

Israel and Egypt have fought four wars and Israel still occupies the Sinai Peninsula, part of Egypt that it captured in the 1967 war.

The Egyptian leader’s offer, in a speech to his parliament on 9 November, to travel to Israel was widely regarded as no more than a literary flourish.

When Prime Minister Begin responded by issuing an official invitation nobody believed Mr Sadat would accept.

22

DAILY SUN

Monday, November 19, 2012

It’s a thing of the mind to think that books are expensive –President, CBAN

By WALE BANJO

M

rs Modupe Ehirim is the president, Christian Booksellers Association Nigeria (CBAN). The association, which has about 100 financial members, recently had its annual book fair in Lagos.

Ehirim told Daily Sun what the association set out to achieve with the book fair.

Excerpts: What do you intend to achieve with this book fair?

Piracy is very much rife in the country and we discovered that many people are buying pirated books ignorantly. One of the things we intend to achieve with this book fair is to show people in Lagos that there are bookstores that have original materials. Our aim is to help the people to identify the booksellers who deal in original books in Lagos.

We have also discovered that many people are shying away from reading and our intention in this regard is to encourage reading culture among the people. It is important to know that many people are constantly looking for information because of the urge to better their lives. And of course that information in available in the books. For instance, if you want to make your marriage better, there are books, you want to be a better community member, there are books, to improve your career, there are books. And as people pick up these books to read with the intension to improve their lives, no doubt, literacy level is enhanced in the country.

How would you rate the reading habit/culture of an average Nigeria?

I have to make a clarification; I reckon that it is the reading habit of Nigerians that is poor. So, invariably, the reading culture is also poor. I remember that we have access to mobile library provided by the British Council which are brought to the public libraries every week and because we had access to books, it was therefore natural for us

L-R: Mrs. Ify Nwosu, Pastor Segun Asaba, Mrs. Esther Aworinde and Mrs. Modupe Ehirin that we would want to read. Now, we do not have libraries any more.

What do you think can be done to change this trend?

With the existence of booksellers such as members of CBAN, that trend is now changing.

Children now have places they can go to read and be comfortable around books. Adult too are beginning to read. As you know, reading culture is creating an enabling environment and this is what we are providing. For instance, in our own bookstore in Enugu, we invited children from different secondary schools to come on an excursion and this excited many of the children.

The Federal Government has also started a project tagged: Bring back the book initiative.

Rivers State is trying to provide reading culture by organizing a reading festival. For your information, Port Harcourt has been appointed the book capital for 2014. All of these put together are beginning to create again an enabling environment to make it easy for people to improve their reading habit.

What would you say informed the theme for this year’s book fair, Tell The News; What news are you telling?

The theme is taking from the scriptures, while Tell The News in the translation we are using it means to tell the world the good news of Jesus Christ. Note that in the good news of Jesus Christ, there is also the good news of a good life. Today, in our nation, people are very discouraged. This year in particular has been a very bad year, beginning with fuel price increase in January and the recent flood incident in some parts of the country.

It is obvious that we have not had it so bad like this before now. But if people have access to books, they will be able to share the experience of people from other parts of the world. With this experi-

ence, they will be able to appreciate that people from other places are also going through difficult times and despite the hard times, people are surviving. That is the news we want to broadcast.

What are the challenges confronting your association?

The major challenge that we face as booksellers is the economic situation of the country. Because people don’t have enough of disposable income, they tend to think that books are expensive. But I believe that this is a thing of the mind. Take women for example, they put on weavon which is more expensive than an average book. This is why I said it is in the mind of the people.

Another challenge is that of piracy. Pirated books are easily available and affordable, which provide a competition for us. When people see them, they do not understand that pirated books are cheap because the pirate did not incure so much cost.

What do you think is the solution to piracy?

First and foremost, the enforcement of the law and fortunately, NCC has begun to cooperate with us. This year alone about 15 container loads of pirated books were seized by Customs and handed over to NCC, which I believe it is a step in the right direction.

We are also encouraging our members who have publishing rights, that is, licenses to reprint books, to report to NCC when they discovered any book they have license to reprint are being pirated. I think the most important thing to do is for the law to be enforced. When pirates are arrested, they should be dealt with to serve as a deterrent to others.

Skomit Club holds dinner, recaptures old moments

By VIVIAN ONYEBUKWA

I

not been coming up as we had expected, and the feed back we are getting from the university is that the young ones in the university don’t seem to remember what Skomit club is all about. So those of us who have graduated from the club thought that we should come together and plan how to reinvigurate the club, know how the club has been about all these years, plan how to move the club forward, and ensure that the discipline that we all stand for remains important to them”.

He described the achievment of the club so far as tremendously. “The turn out today has been impressive. As regards the socials we have, it’s quite encouraging. Members have renewed their commitment to the club and their intention is that after tonite we will be able to reach out to more Skomits all over the world, and the university community will hear about us, the country in general will soon be hearing about Skomite club because we have a lot of plans for the university community and Nigeria in general”.

The club is however faced with some challenges which include discipline. “The challenge is particular the indiscipline that pervades the country today. The young ones we have in the university are challenged by the environment. People around them are not as disciplined as we would want Skomites to be. So put side by side their fears, we just understand why they should make the extra sacrifice to be disciplined. We faced the challenge in our time and we want to share some of the secrets that enabled us to deal with these challenges. That is what we are trying to do today, bring them to Lagos and share these ideals with them”.

The club is not stooping at this. Their next major step will be to take the campaign back to the university to let community know how things can be done.

t was a gathering of men and women of excellence at a dinner organised by Social Club of The Midwest Institutue of Technology 1970 (Skomit). The event which took place in Lagos was a reunion of the members, both graduate and undergraduate members from the University of Benin (1975).

It was a reminicient of old school days.

Members of the club used the opportunity to recapture those happy moments they spent together in the university of Benin. The event also provided a platform for the members to encourage young undergraduate members of the club and share the ideals of the club which has made a major impact in their lives: “The purpose of this gathering is to encourage the young ones who are still in the University to share the ideals of the club which has really made us what we are today, and that is, talking about excellence in our daily lives, discipline in all that we do, and to aspire to great things in life. When you see our symbol it shows Skomit excellent.

Skomit Club and excellence are synonymous.

Excellence has always been our watch word. We try to aspire to excellence in everything we do ”, says the President, Mr. Tony Ibekwe.

The forum equally adressed the isssue of unergraduate Skomites. They identified indiscipline as one of the reasons the club is no longer doing well, and tried to adress it.

As a social philanthropic club, the gathering provided a platform for them to come together and strategise on how to reach out to their members all over the world to come together and plan for how to make society a better place. “The club is not all about Skomite, we also want to impact positively on the society. We will soon be coming up with some project that will impact positively on the society”.

Skomite means Social Club of the Midwest Institutue of Technology. It is a premier club in the Midwest Institutue of Technology, which was what University of Benin is called in those days.

However, the members continued with that name as a re sult of their passion with the name Skomite On how long the club has come up with such a programme, the President said, “This reunion is the first attempt outside of the university community as L-R Chairman Mr. Tony Ibekwe , his wife Obinazo , with we usually have yearly convention but Mr. Charles Odiase and Mr. Nobert Ehiazor during the because for sometime the activities have Skomit Club Re-union dinner held in Lagos.

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012 23

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DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012 41

42 DAILY SUN

Monday, November 19, 2012

Wenger, deaf to wise counsel

By CHIDINELU OKERAFOR

T

he way things are going, Arsenal Football Club might pan through the 2012-2013 soccer season without a trophy of any kind. It’s infuriating that after sixteen years on the job of club manager, and following seven consecutive fruitless seasons, that Coach Asen Wenger does not seem to read the handwriting on the wall.

On Saturday, November 10, his boys almost lost to Fullham, in a game that would have been massively unjust had the dubious penalty kick awarded to the gunners gone in.

One of the lads that shone like a million stars in that three-all encounter was the Bulgarian international and ex-Manchester United attacker, Dimita Bebetov.

It’s been a conspicuous rarity for the Red Devils and the Gunners to swap or sell players to each other. As such, some would ordinarily have thought it obscene when, during the post-match press conference at the Emirates, a reporter asked Mr. Wenger why he had not made any move to sign onbebetov during the Summer Transfer Season, following Alex Ferguson’s decision to offload the Slav.

So obvious has been the “animosity” between Wenger and Ferguson that you hardly saw anyone moving from Old Trafford to the Emirates, or the other way round, until Dutchman Robin Van Persi, Arsenal’s immediate-past captain, was sold to United for 24 million Dollars. Wenger’s response to the reporters question was ridiculous. He had not known that Bebetov was available, he’d claimed.

Well, everyone, including Wenger himself, knew that R.V.P. was going to desert the Emirates, despite emerging as last season’s Premiership top scorer. As Arsenal’s chances of winning any silverware last season slowly evaporated, Van Persi’s body language on the pitch did speak for him. In one Premiership match, last season, the former Gunners captain and top point-man did openly protest during one of Monsieur Wenger’s numerous acts of incorrigibility, as the Frenchman substituted a young vibrant and enterprising midfielder called Alex Oxley Chamberlain for an ageing, off-form Andre Ashavan.

Van Persi was seen gesticulating in the direction of his boss, as nearby loudspeakers captured the disillusioned striker screaming at the top of his voice, “no! No! No!” Of course, Arsenal lost that home game two-one.

Over the last three sea-

sons, a number of key players have left the Emirates, and the impression Mr. Wenger has managed to sell to the Arsenal faithful is that most of them left for higher pay elsewhere. But, we all know that Wenger’s stubbornness has been the major problem.

Like Ferguson, he’s turned himself into a cult figure at the Emirates. But, unlike the Scotsman, he’s never stopped rebuilding and has failed to exploit the potentials and tradition that Arsenal possesses.

For instance, a certain Cesc Fabregas had been team captain before R.V.P. took over the job. For eight straight seasons, the Spanish international had labored, hoping to win a major trophy. His exasperation did eventually come to the fore two seasons ago, when a row erupted between Spanish giants, Barcelona, his boyhood club, and Arsen Wenger, over the latter’s reluctance to allow the then twenty-three-yearold return to the Noun Camp.

What was Fabregas’s main reason for wanting to leave the Emirates? The team lacked the winning mentality, he told reporters in London.

The truth is: it’s Mr. Wenger who has lacked the winning mentality. He’s become so arrogant, to the point that the Arsenal Board almost appear scared to push him out or at least force him to do the right thing. The Frenchman is not in touch with reality. Yet, there seems to be this trepidation, or is it wariness, on the Board that there won’t be any Arsenal without a Wenger, whom we know has done little else outside balancing their books for them, season after season.

Otherwise, why hasn’t anyone called him to explain what the millions earned from Van Persi’s sale was used for? For how long shall Arsenal remain a breeding ground for future super-stars, only for such players to be frustrated out of the club because of Wenger’s real lack of ambition or his unwillingness to spend good money to buy or keep quality players?

For how much longer shall the club and the Gunners faithful worldwide await a trophy, even if it

were the Capital Cup? Since 2009, a succession of real quality stuff has left the Emirates: the Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayo, William Galasse, Samier Nazry, Gayle Clichy and Alex Song and of course Mr. Fabregas and Mr. R.V.P. Yes! Players come and go.

That happens everywhere.

But, how on earth can one intransigent man of a manager believe that he can always make do with the departure of his most experienced and inspirational lads, not least in a league that has been adjudged as one of the most grueling and gruesome worldwide? What is wrong with buying quality players from anywhere, spending real good money, if they will win you laurels? What’s the sin if you sign improved deals with your best players, if only to prevent them from leaving? Wenger owes it to the Arsenal faithful to use his tongue to count his teeth.

Equally, it’s incumbent on the Arsenal Board to call their unambitious, insipid manager to order, or sack him outright, as yet another trophiless season stares the club in the face.

If no-one really influential intervenes to stop the Frenchman in his tracks, Arsenal might be losing yet another very important member of the squad, come the January Transfer Window. Theodore Walcot should be, must be, enticed into signing a new, improved contract. Wenger has said that may happen before January; but, we all know the circumstances under which previous pledges regarding former Arsenal players did stall or vanish, all of them under the over-confident watch of a certain Asen Wenger.

In agony and circumspection, the Arsenal faithful are watching. In frustration, they have watched their team win just one out of the last six games. But, while some of Wenger’s new signings do seem to be inspiring some confidence for the future, the exasperation and uncertainty over the team’s perennial lapses in the central defence department will linger, so long as the manager persists in not seeing what every other person has observed for several seasons.

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DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

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BUSINESS EXTRA NUBIFIE threatens to shut down banks over sack of 1, 000 members From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin

M

embers of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, (NUBIFIE) have threatened to embark on total showdown in the sector to protect their jobs.

President of NUBIFIE, Danjuma Musa who disclosed this during an interview with newsmen at the weekend in Ilorin, Kwara State, said that over 1,000 members of the union have lost their jobs in just two banks.

He alleged that their colleagues in those two banks lost their jobs to an unfair process.

Musa disclosed that NUBIFIEt was only awaiting the intervention of the Presidency on the issue before "taking all the lawful means including calling out members on strike actions," to redress

"the wrongful sack."

He argued that Union Bank Nigeria Limited and the Mainstream Bank were most guilty of the development.

Musa, who was in Ilorin along with members of the national executive council of the union to attend a workshop on "Strategic Roles of Trade Unions Leadership in a Changing Environment" organised by Michael Imoudu National Institutes for Labour Studies (MINILS), alleged that 820 of his members were sacked nationwide by the management of Mainstream Bank and another 420 by the Union Bank Nigeria Limited.

The NUBIFIE leader alleged that the workers were sacked in violation of due process including consultation L-R, Felix Eze, Divisional Head, Products and Channels, Unity Bank Plc; Rosemary Ijeoma Ekpo, mother of the winner of Unity Bank with the NUBIFIE leaders "as N1 million Kids Scholarship; Aminu Baffa, Regional Manager, Unity Bank Plc, and Ahmed Yusuf, Executive Director, IT Operations, specified in our agreement Unity Bank Plc, during the grand finale of Unity Bank’s Aim and Win promo in Abuja at the weekend. with the banks' management" or strict compliance with relevant sections of the labour law.

UBA restructures into monoline commercial bank on SEC approval

By KELECHI MGBOJI

U

nited Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has secured the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to operate as a monoline commercial bank.

Under the restructuring, all non-commercial banking businesses of the Group will be divested and held separately from UBA Plc by the bank’s shareholders.

The divested non-commercial banking businesses (except Africa Prudential Registrars and Afriland Properties that will be held directly by shareholders) will be consolidated within UBA Capital Plc, which today is one of the Bank’s subsidiaries.

To this end, a court ordered meeting has been scheduled to hold on December 13, 2012 to obtain the approval of shareholders for the restructuring.

A release by the bank at the weekend explained that the restructuring will therefore result in the emergence of three separate standalone companies namely, UBA Capital Plc, African Prudential Registrars Plc and Afriland Properties Plc. Specifically, the Board has proposed that the capital of the bank be reorganized by the reduction of the Bank’s Accumulated Reserves by an amount equal to the aggregate value of the Bank’s investment in the non-commercial banking subsidiaries and the excess realty to be transferred to Afriland Properties Plc. Explaining the rationale behind the restructuring, GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza said the restructuring will result in greater value and provide each entity with easier access to long term capital to finance growth thus protecting shareholders' value.

Why real sector is critical to our operation — Ihejiahi

By AMECHI OGBONNA

M

anaging Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr Reginald Ihejiahi Thursday explained that the bank’s continued financing of critical sectors of the economy was borne out of its commitment to support government’s economic transformation agenda.

Ihejiahi who spoke through the bank’s head of Marketing Communication, Mr Emma Esina at the unveiling of a new Television Commercial titled Always Always in Lagos said the essence of the commercial was to show where the bank is at the moment and where it intends to go in the next few years with respect to financing of critical sectors of the nation’s economy.

He said the bank believes strongly in the axiom that

what distinguishes an organization was not the size of profit it makes in a given year but by the services it is providing to the society and the economy at large.

In line with its commitment to boosting private sector economic initiatives, the Fidelity Bank boss pointed that over the past three years, it has invested enormous resources towards supporting the Small and Medium Enterprises as well as the Micro and Small and Medium Enterprises across the country.

He specifically noted that in line with the federal government aspiration of achieving food self sufficiency, the bank has funded three rice mill projects in Kano, Ebonyi and Enugu states, while several other projects are in the pipeline in various parts of the country.

Inflation went down to 11.7% in August, says NBS From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja

N

ational Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently disclosed that the inflation rate has dipped to 11.7 per cent year-on-year in August from its level of 12.8 per cent in the previous quarters.

The bureau attributed the moderation in the index partly to relative slower rises in both the ‘Food’ and “Core” indices as a result of aggres-

sive monetary policy initiatives by the CBN, base effects and a much lower rise in several food prices such as yams, tubers and vegetables due to the prevailing harvest season.

It said that despite the fact that most classes under the food index increased during the month, the implications of the increase on the CPI was moderated due to the fact that the food index exhibited a sharp increase in August 2011.

The report disclosed that

on a monthly basis, the composite Consumer Price Index(CPI) which measures the inflation rate was higher by 0.67 per cent when compared the preceding month.

Concerning the urban and rural indices, the report indicated that in the month under review, the urban inflation rate stood at 14.4 per cent year-on-year compared with rural index which showed a 9.7 per cent year-on-year increase adding that the ‘Urban All Items’ index

NIMASA ignored requests to submit 4 yrs account – FRC

By STEVE AGBOTA

T

he Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has said that the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration (NIMASA) has refused to render its audited accounts from 2007 to 2011.

To address this impropriety

by NIMASA, officials of the FRC, led by its Chairman, Aliyu Yelwa, met with the maritime agency officials, led by the Director-General of the agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi, yesterday in Abuja.

In his remarks before the meeting went into a closeddoor session, the Director, Policy and Standards of the FRC, Sylvanus Mordi, said NIMASA ignored requests to submit its audited account from 2007 to 2011.

According to him, the agency’s financial statement for the periods indicated had not been prepared and published was a clear violation of Section 23 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.

On budgetary planning, Mordi noted that NIMASA is listed among the 31 corporations, commissions and agencies owned by the Federal Government expected to submit their Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, for three years.

He said the agencies were also expected to prepare their

annual budget based on the MTEF and make allowances for the payment of 80 per cent of their operating surpluses into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

However, he expressed dismay that the agency ignored requests from the commission to submit its MTEF for 2009-2011, 20102012, 2011-2013 and 20122015 and also failed to pay its operating surpluses.

He added: “When we came

on board in 2009, we wrote to the corporations, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, requesting them to comply.

Since 2009, we have written so many letters to NIMASA in particular, that we have lost count, and there was no response. The commissioner noted that at a point the commission was compelled to refer the issue to the Directorate of Legal Investigation and Enforcement to investigate.

increased by 0.69 per cent month-on-month, while the corresponding rural index increased by 0.66 per cent, when compared with July’s trend.

“The percentage change in the average composite CPI for the twelve-month period ending in August 2012 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve-month period was 11.8 per cent. The corresponding 12-month yearon-year average percentage change for urban and rural indices was 12.4 and 11.4 respectively. The composite Food Index increased yearon-year by 9.9 percent to 135.9 points in August 2012, down from 12.1 percent in July 2012. On a year-on-year basis, the relative moderation of food prices over the month of August could be attributable to a significant base effect. During the same period last year, the food index increased sharply by 2.7 per cent partially as a result of higher fish, and tuber prices, as well as fruits due to the fasting period.

Nigeria agric value chain projected to grow to $256bn

By BLAISE UDUNZE

W

ith the ongoing plans to unlock the value chain of the agriculture sector by the federal government, value of the sector is expected to grow to $256billion by 2030 as against the $99billion it worth in 2010.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina who disclosed this at the 2012 annual lecture delivered at the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, said the growth is expected to come from yield expansion (44per cent), area expansion (33per cent) and diversification into high value crops (23per cent).

According to him, in the last few years, food prices have been soaring, stimulated

largely by an increase in worldwide demand. Nigeria’s population which is expected to double in 10years with growing demand for agricultural feedback for bio-fuels, all this will contribute to higher prices of agricultural commodities and larger expected returns.

He stated that the market largely represents a high and fast growing demand for agricultural goods and service, but with a total of 84million hectares of arable land of which only 40 per cent is under cultivation while South Africa currently cultivates only of arable land (14.5million ha), yet they are one of the leading producers in Africa, saying that there is absolutely no reason why

Nigeria should not be a food production powerhouse.

Adesina affirmed that the demand pressures indicate that the value of the Nigerian agricultural sector is set to increase tremendously over the next 20years as the sector is already accounting for 75per cent of non-oil exports.

The Minister further explained, “We do not have to wait 20years before we witness the growth in the sector.

Significant growth has already been recorded in the non-oil exports, from N136billion in 2006 to N400billion in 2010 with agriculture accounting for 75per cent of all non-oil exports. Today, agricultural stocks are outperforming the market.”

44 DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

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BUSINESS EXTRA TUC charges Union Bank on ex-workers’ N103bn severance package

By BIMBOLA OYEAOLA

T

rade Union Congress (TUC) has charged the new management of Union Bank to re-visit the contextual issue of N103billion allegedly approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for payment of severance allowance for the exworkers of the bank.

The Secretary General of TUC, Comrade John Kolawole, at the weekend said there was need for the new management to consider the plight of the ex-workers who served the banks faithfully but were not paid their entitlements when the bank retrenched them.

According to the TUC scribe, the issue has been on before the exit of the former Group Managing Director, Mrs Funke Osibodu, noting that as the bank is a legal entity, the new management has

to take-over all the assets and liabilities, which the ex-workers settlement is also inclusive.

Comrade Kolawole said that the Congress had thought that the outgone Group Managing Director would have been able to resolve the crisis which has lingered for several years and caused so much misery for the retirees.

Investigation revealed that about 2000 ex-workers are now demanding for the report of what became of a sum of N103 billion allegedly approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for payment of severance allowance to them.

The issue has just been represented to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity by the National L-R: Principal Partner, Ayoolusanwo and Associate Solicitors, Mr Ayo Olusanwo; Chief Executive Officer, Delta Kitchen, Mrs Martha Okhifo President of the Association Oghenerhume; Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mr. Jide Ologun and Chief Executive Officer, Public Relations Impacts of Senior Staff of Banks Limited, Mr Marce O. Anyanwu during the Official Commissioning of Delta Kitchen at Victoria Isaland, Lagos.

Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI).

ICAN boss tasks district societies on capacity building

By CHINENYE ANUFORO

A

s a result of the complexities in the adoption of the new International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi, has tasked district societies on the need to build capacity of its members.

The president while speaking at a members’ forum, organised

by ICAN Lagos and District Society, called on serving chairpersons of their district society to further improve on the intellectual capacity of their members specifically with the recent adoption of the IFRS model in the accounting system, which had become mandatory in the profession.

He explained that ICAN had attained enormous heights because local districts and societies that developed on its members, adding that past presidents have come from the various units.

“Today our parent body in England & Wales is working closely together because we have held our own together and this is what I want from you. IFRS ensures a single set of high quality globally converged financial reporting standards, 'Further, it presents consistent, comparable, unbiased, transparent and relevant information wherever the location of the reporting entity.

“The speed, with which IFRS had emerged as the leading financial reporting framework, is to say the least, telegraphic and wonderful. It is now the language of accounting in major capital markets. ”Owolabi stated.

He advised members of the accounting profession to educate themselves on IFRS if they wish to remain relevant in the scheme of things in the profession and in the business community.

ABM Global moves corporate headquarters to Lagos

L

eading oil and gas servicing company , ABM Global Services limited has moved its corporate headquarters from the Garden city of Port Harcourt to Lagos.

The company in a release signed by its chairman, Prince Alex Mbata stated that the company would now operate from its new corporate headquarters located in the high brow Lekki area of Lagos, while still maintaining a strong presence in Port Harcourt.

“ABM Global now has its corporate head office in Lagos, while Port Harcourt will remain our operational base. The decision to move our corporate headquarters to Lagos was for strategic reasons,” the release stated in parts.

Mbata a young entrepreneur further stated that ABM Global is also diversifying its

business interest to other areas such as manufacturing .

He disclosed that the company would early next year go into the production of a wide range of products when its ultra modern multi billion naira factory located at Naze, near Owerri , Imo state is commissioned.

“ABM Global as part of our expansion is going into manufacturing and that will take off effectively when the factory we are building in Naze near Owerri becomes operational early next year.

Our mission is to change the industrial face of Imo state and create job for the youths in the state.”

It would be noted that ABM Global early this year won an award as the best tubular and casing company in West Africa an award which was bestowed on the company in Ghana.

Nigeria to spend $150bn yearly on rice importation – Experts

By BLAISE UDUNZE

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xperts have decried the huge expenditures of over N1trillion spent on the importations of agricultural products, as this has fingered Nigeria as one of the largest importers of food in the world.

The Ministry of Agriculture’s data indicated that in 2010, the country spent N635billion to import wheat, N356 billion to import rice or about N1billion per

day, N217billion to import sugar and N97 billion to import fish.

Speaking at the 2012 annual lecture delivered at the Chartered Institute of bankers of Nigeria, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said Nigeria is now the largest importer of rice in the world and unless it begins an aggressive import substitution programme for rice, it will spend $150billion annually importing rice by 2050.

According to him, as the nation’s population rises, demand for rice is projected to rise from the current level of 5million MT to 36million MT by 2050.

The minister lamented, “The nation will broke.

Worse, a lot of the rice imported into Nigeria, especially from Thailand and India, is 10-15 year old rice coming out of their strategic grain reserves. It is being dumped on our market and that is why it is so cheap. But

Delta blames N3.4b drop in IGR on new tax law From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba July was N1.8 billion.”

The chairman, who elta State govern- spoke in Asaba, stated that ment at the weekend the reforms embarked upon said it had observed led to the increase of the a 63 percent drop in its state IGR from N14 billion internally generated rev- in 2009 to N34.75 billion as enue (IDR), attributing it to at December 2011 with a the Personal Income Tax monthly average of N2.9 Amendment Act signed billion.

According to him, into law in 2011 by President Goodluck despite the shortfall, IGR collection in the state will Jonathan.

Implementation of the close at N48 billion within amended act is having grave implications for revenue collection states, according IHEANACHO NWOSU, to the state chairman of Abuja Delta Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR), Joel rainees under the Onovuwakpo-Thomas who Presidential Amnesty said the state tax revenue Programme for Niger projection of N69 billion Delta youths, last weekend suffered the sharp decline recorded a feat in Ghana as they designed an electrical due to tax refunds.

Thomas said while the equipment that regulates personal income tax law power voltage.

Known as the Magnetic was signed in June 2011 the law was made public in Box, it regulates low and high voltage with a built-in timer.

December 2011.

Head, Meda and He explained that “the Communication Presidential average IGR collection for Amnesty Office, Daniel us between January and Alabrah in a statement said the June was N4.1 billion. The equipment was among several collections for June was other products displayed by N4.2 billion and for July N3 the trainees at a mini-exhibibillion. Analysis revealed tion during their graduation that revenue loss as a result from the National Vocational of PITAM 2011 for June Training Institute (NVTI) in was N1.6 billion and for Accra.

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the IGR budget for 2012.

He said the board, since its inauguration in 2009 had pursued tax reforms and plugged leakages in the tax system as well as ensured that many tax payers were brought into the tax net.

Thomas said the board had fully automated the BIR activities while the process of collection and legal enforcement processes had be strengthened.

as that happens, Nigerian rice farmers are being run out business.”

Former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan who spoke on “The New Agricultural Transformation in Nigeria: opportunities for Banks and other Stakeholders in Economic Diversification,” condemned the reliance on oil as he lamented that the discovery of crude oil and its ascendancy over agriculture led to the decline of agricultural production.

According to him, over time, food insecurity set in and today, Nigeria which used to be one of the largest exporters of agricultural products is being stared in the face by food insecurity and is one of the largest importers of food in the world.

He however, decried that due to the setbacks experience in the sector,” the country now spends well over N1trillion per annum to import basic food items which can be produced at home.”

Amnesty trainees design voltage regulator

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One hundred and ninety eight (198) delegates underwent training in Welding and Fabrication, Electrical Installation, Auto Mechanic, and Plumbing/Pipe Fitting at five centres across the country.

Speaking at the event, an elated Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Ademola Onafowokan, said the feat achieved by the trainees was “another milestone in Nigeria’s endeavor to create a pool of skilled individuals.”

The envoy, who paid glowing tributes to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua for the amnesty initiative, said the graduates are living testimonies to the laudable vision of the Nigerian government.

“President Goodluck Jonathan and other Nigerians

are very proud of these youths who have demonstrated resilience and hard work,” the High Commissioner said.

He advised them to synergise and work together to become self-reliant entrepreneurs and employers of labour with the skills they have acquired.

Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta/Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, in his remarks, equally commended the trainees for their invention and innovativeness.

His words: “Many youths in the Niger Delta did not believe in the amnesty offer but you did. Today, some of your former colleagues are also in various institutions in Nigeria and overseas.

46 DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012 47

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DAILY SUN

Monday, November 19, 2012

Bimbola Oyesola bimbeechampion@yahoo.com 08033246177

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Workforce

LABOUR LABOUR ISSUES JOB JOB POLITICS

NUHPSW identifies internal democracy as panacea for stability

nternal democracy has been identified as the only panacea that will enhance coherence and stability of the nation at all. This was part of the resolutions reached at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the National Union of Hotels and Personal Services Workers (NUHPSW) held recently in Owerri, Imo State.

The leadership of the union in the resolutions signed by the National President, Comrade Leke Success said that leaders both in the Industrial unions and all political parties need to encourage internal democracy through constant consultation as well as embark on policies and programmes that will be beneficial to all.

The union who claimed that the determination of the present leadership of the union to promote internal democracy through members broad participation in the decision making process has ensured that all union organs function democratically, enjoined leaders in the trade union movement and other spectrum of the society to ensure mass participation in decision process.

Expressing fear on the state of the economy which has been acclaimed to be growing but without development, the union said the problem was largely due to the poor state of the country’s infrastructure.

“The present infrastructure deficiency has compelled a number of manufacturing companies and small scale enterpris- Gov. Okorocha of Imo State addressing the NUHPSW NEC in Owerri. es to close shop permanently thereby called for the amendment of the electoral and the consequence of appearance of growing the army of unemployed hands act to accommodate proportional repre- long queues at filing stations, stating that in the country,” the union said. sentation which will avail all segments of such phenomenon was a national disgrace It argued that for the transformation the society the opportunity to be adequate- which requires holistic and patriotic attenagenda of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan ly represented in governance at all levels. tion. to translate to life more abundant for On preparation for the 2015 general elecAs such it challenged government to greater number of Nigerians, the needed tion, the union noted: “NEC-in-session stop paying lip service to the revival of the political goodwill must be displayed by critically appraised the political process oil refineries, while the leaders should do the political class, while people must and opined that “to the politically naïve, things right without minding stepping on be re-empowered with the requisite 2015 looks a long while away, but to the toes. quality skills and qualitative knowledge politically discerning minds, 2015 is just The union at the meeting also called on that will make the nation’s graduates around the corner.” the political class to develop the courage employable.

“In the build up to these elections, to meet the tough questions and hard While commending the Independent NEC-in-session noted that the different choices facing Nigeria and act accordingNational Electoral Commission ethnic nationalities and regional powers ly.

(INEC)for its continued progress in the are already plotting and strategizing to While commiserating with all conduct of election in the country, make the most of the 2015 general elec- Nigerians, especially those affected by the NUHPSW posited that the electoral tions to their advantage, particularly the ravaging flood that swept across many body could consolidate these gains if presidential election. states of the federation including INEC and the federal government could “Thus, it was unanimously resolved by Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Benue, Kogi, accept the recommendations of the NEC-in-session that, “politicians and the Anambra, Rivers, Bayelsa, Plateau etc.and Justice Mohammadu Uwais Committee political class should stop propagating thus destroyed valuable property, washed Report on Electoral Reforms. ethnic, sectional or sectarian ideas” but away farmlands and food crops, it rea“Most especially as it affects the method nationalist ideas that will make Nigeria a soned that, the disaster could have been of appointing the chairperson of the united entity.” averted if the leaders had been proactive.

Electoral Umpire,” it said.

The union equally expressed displeas- “At least reduced, if we have adhered to Furthermore, the NEC-in-session ure on the re-emergence of fuel scarcity

town planning regulations, eliminate dumping of refuse on water ways and the relevant government agencies and ministry have liaised with their Cameroonian authority on the management of excess water from Lagdo Dam”, it said.

The union then advised, “To avert future disaster, there is need for effective collaboration among emergency response institutions across the country to ensure swift response thereby reducing the number of casualties, and that collaboration between Nigeria and Cameroon is highly needed to mitigate the flooding impacts on the people.”

The Hotel union likewise condemned government disregard for the Nigerian worker by her refusal to accord the Registrar of Trade Unions the much expected respect with a conducive office.

Calling on the Federal Government through the Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity, NUHPSW said federal government should urgently resolve the accommodation challenges of the Registrar’s office.

ASSBIFI charges govts on agricultural co-operatives

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ssociation of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has called on governments to provide enabling environment for Nigerians to go into mechanized farming through supporting agricultural cooperatives.

The National President of the union, Comrade Sunday Salako in a chat with Workforce noted that such support which would transform the farmers from subsistence to commercial, would enhance the nation’s natural resources and enhance food security.

He said “We call on government to provide enabling environment for Nigerians to manage natural resources and enhance food security in Nigeria because experience around the world shows that farmers, foresters and herders have used cooperative organization to increase food production, gain market access, obtain better prices on agricultural inputs, participate more effectively in global value chains and also to manage natural resources and enhance food security.”

Salako said that the three tiers of gov-

ernment, the Federal, State and Local Government can support cooperative organizations in the country to increase food production, gain market access, obtain better prices on agricultural inputs, participate more effectively in global value chains and also to manage natural resources and enhance food security through their agricultural policies.

The Labour leaders said the value of the cooperative model and of agricultural cooperatives in particular , in ensuring that all can enjoy the right to food as

vehicles for decent lives, decent work and sustainable development cannot be over emphasized He added, “Cooperatives have also helped open up access to financial services and social protection coverage.

“We call on the nation’s leaders to let their actions reinforce the cooperative movement and enable cooperatives to go from strength to strength, capable of generating decent jobs and supporting vibrant and resilient agricultural communities as they produce to feed families, communities and the world”.

Monday, November 19, 2012

INTERVIEW

DAILY SUN

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Workforce

We will ensure that no worker in PHCN is short-changed The workers in the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have come to term that the privatisation of their darling company is inevitable. But as much as they are ready to cooperate with the government, the leadership of the workers have vowed that the privatisation of the Power sector must not be done at the detriment of the workers’ welfare and interest.

National President of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), Comrade Bede Opara in this interview expressed the union’s unflinching support for the workers in their quest to get their entitlements from the government, workers fear on the activities of the BPE and othersundry issues. Excerpts:

– Opara, SSAEAC President

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osition on the face-off between the Federal Government and Labour over payment of severance allowance of PHCN workers.

After 14 months of negotiation between the unions and the government, some issues bordering on conditions of service were agreed upon. But the other area, that deals with the total emolument in the condition of service, government so far is not favourably disposed to its implementation, and that is where we had a deadlock. That also explains the reason why the Secretary to the Federal Government and the two labour centres, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) waded into the matter.

We are presently talking to secretary and the chairman of the panel set up but we have not had a consensus. The period of silence is getting too long and is uncomfortable. We are still waiting for the panel to resolve the issue but government is proceeding with selling of the PHCN properties but not settling the workers. Let them do what they want to do but they must pay us before anybody will take over the sector.

Fear of sell out by leaders There is no way 50,000 workers can lose their benefits. No union leader in the power sector would take bribe, or sell his conscience to allow over 50,000 workers to lose their benefits and go home.

It is not possible for union leaders in the power sector to sell their conscience for the workers to suffer and destroy what they have worked for years.

Views on the acquisition of PHCN facilities carried out by the BPE? Well, the recent bidding results announced for the acquisition of PHCN facilities carried out by the Bureau of Public Enterprise ( BPE) was largely criticized by Nigerians to confirm what our Association had largely predicted that the whole essence of privatization of the power sector is an exercise to transfer PHCN to the favoured rich amongst Nigerians. It was a plan, well executed to share among the rich capitalists, PHCN facilities that we collectively owned as Nigerians.

This is because there is no place in the world where bidding is done the way BPE did, putting technical and financial evaluations as secondary, using seeming absolute evaluation concepts.

We are yet to know whether or not other bidders are not technically satisfactory to BPE as some of them had invited very sound, competent and experienced technical experts as partners. BPE only gave to those it favoured eliminating these other ones.

We fear that this sharing of PHCN assets may go the way Nigeria Airways, Ajaokuta Steels, Daily Times, News

•Opara watch, Steel Rolling Mills, where the successful bidders turned these National resources moribund, where their assets were either vandalized or stripped off, for the Government, at tax-payers expense, to pick up the pieces again where no one is sanctioned.

For instance in the case of EMCON, the metre manufactured company in Zaria was sold for 450m when the goods on transit, cash at hand and value of finished goods, ready for sale was totality N2.87b. Yet, our BPE sold it at a give-away price of N450m and since then no meter has been produced from there.

Complains by some investors that selection for the bidding was allegedly carried out in secret by the BPE. Laugh! We also ask the question on

where are the over 300 investors both local and foreign that showed interest in PHCN at the inception of bidding? How suddenly have they evaporated for only grossly in-experienced Nigerian registered fronts to pass the bidding?

These are serious questions that demand urgent answers from the authority Are you saying all is not well in the exercise carried out by the Government?

Yes. We demand from Government to urgently pay workers of PHCN our legitimate benefits. This demand becomes apt now that Government is selling off PHCN facilities at grossly undervalued rates.

We note that the refusal of Government, to accede to the legitimate demands of the unions was due to the fact that BPE had

already earmarked to sell PHCN at low prices, as the returns from the sales will not be adequate to pay workers entitlements thereby allowing workers to suffer.

We shall not allow that to happen, as our business is to ensure that no worker is short-changed.

We therefore insist that without payment of workers entitlements/ benefits, nobody will be allowed to take over these facilities. Any attempt to forcefully do so, will be adequately resisted by our members.

In addition to this, we also demand that any additional investments made by Government on these facilities should be paid for separately by the so called investors.

We hold on to our opinion that BPE is deliberately applying the wrong method as it did in all its failed and attempted sales just to satisfy the desire of its cohorts and interested parties in Government and the largeer business community.

Electricity tariff was increased in anticipation of these sales, so that the beneficiaries of BPE’s ‘gift’ will immediately begin to smile to the Banks as soon as they take over. Nigerians should expect more increase in due course. This will be the price of moving from public monopoly to private capitalist dictation.

Casualization of workers in the country.

I want to say that the labour law is against using casual labour. There is a limited period the casual workers can be casual and when we see that casual workers are staying more than necessary in PHCN, we started fighting against it. Though they are not our members, but they are human beings. Now, by the grace of God over 11,000 casual workers have been regularized in the sector. When their salary was not paid on time,we protested, and today, they have implemented their salary.

It may not have gone fully round, but majority has been paid. Outside our sector, we totally condemn any injustice meted to casual workers. It is because of the labour situation in the country and we are not happy about it. We will team up with our labour centre to fight the organizations that are not paying their casual workers well or maltreating casuals.

Wamakko must apologise –NLC

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he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has insisted that Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko must apologise publicly for the alleged gross human right violation inflicted on a worker of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, (PHCN) or face the wrath of the workers.

The NLC President, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar warned that the organised labour would unleash series of actions to protect the integrity of not just workers in Sokoto State, but that of the generality of Nigerian workers, should the governor fails to apologise.

“We will invoke our collective slogan of “An Injury to One Is an Injury to All”, he said.

Subsequently, Omar said, “the Congress is therefore putting every worker in both the public and private sectors in Sokoto State on notice by directing all unions to commence mobilization towards a solidarity action by the entire workers of the state against this barbaric act by the governor, if he does not accede to the demand of the union to apologise”.

The NLC President who stated that the

action of the governor was a violation of the fundamental human rights of the PHCN worker and also exposes the limit of the governor’s exposure to democratic ideals, charged the state House of Assembly to call him to order as he has negatively exposed the state’s political leadership to ridicule by exhibiting a personal lack of decency and good manners.

“We are reliably informed that lights were taken off in the Governor’s village (possibly while some ceremony was to take place). The next thing was for the governor to summon the officer in charge of PHCN in the area and publicly flogged him to a state of comma”, he recalled.

Omar noted that the governor’s refusal to heed the call of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, to apologise.sparked of arrogance and was unacceptable in any decent society.

He added,”The last time we had a case of abuse of office similar to this was when a journalist was brutalized by a serving Military Administrator in River State.

“This embarrassed an unelected military Government so much that the military Administrator had to be removed from office almost instantly.

This is why the Sokoto State House of Assembly must take steps to save the citizens from suffering the consequences of the governor’s hollow understanding of the responsibilities of the Office of Governor.”

The Labour leader insisted that what the governor did was not just barbaric, irresponsible but coming from a man of his political standing it also sends a disturbing signal to ordinary citizens who may decide to follow the governor’s example by opting for jungle justice rather than follow legal and constitutional procedures.

“A governor should behave differently from a tout. A street fighter is not fit enough for any public office in any decent country”, he said.

The NLC boss said the Governor perhaps was taking advantage of the immunity clause to remain adamant owing to the fact that he is shielded from litigation as the chief executive of the State.

“But the state House of Assembly can take steps to call him to order as he has negatively exposed the state’s political leadership to ridicule by exhibiting a personal lack of decency and good manners”, he stressed.

50, DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

CONSTITUTION REVIEW

Ohaneze insists on additional state for S’East From DAVID ONWUCHEKWA, Nnewi

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s the constitution review takes centerstage in the nation’s discourse, the immediate past President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Dozie Ikedife yesterday insisted that additional one state would be “morally necessary” for the South East geo-political zone or alternatively collapse the nation’s 36 states into six states, representing the six geo-political zones.

Dr Ikedife said turning the six geo-political zones into six states of the federation and renaming the existing 36 states provinces would be the ideal thing if the people of the South East would not be given an additional one state which he said had been canvassed for so long.

He said: “The statement of the Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Ike Ekweremadu came to me as a surprise. I know by the present constitution that the process of state creation is rigorous and that may be what had persuaded him to make the statement to the effect that state creation is not in the hands of the legislators.

We shall not despair, because I still strongly believe that a sixth state in the South East geo-political zone is morally necessary because it has been canvassed for so long. But as for creating more states universally, I don’t think it is necessary.”

He said that when the six geo-political zones became states and the existing states declared provinces for administrative convenience, the local government system has to be scraped which he said amounted to unnecessary duplication of administration and creation of bureaucratic bottleneck in governance.

Kebbi central rejects power for women From AYO AJOGE, Brinin Kebbi

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he participants yesterday at the public session on the 1999 constitution review organized by the senator representing Kebbi Central Senatorial district of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu have rejected the proposal to empower women by giving them 30 percent slots across the country.

The session which was held at the Presidential Hall Birnin Kebbi by stakeholders from across the state had participants demonstrated that no woman should be allowed to hold any political appointment because of their behavior and attitude towards the position of leadership.

Also a memorandum on the amendments to the provision of the 1999 Constitution by the Kebbi State Government presented to the Senate committee says that the power arrangement between the federal, state and local governments in the 1999 Constitution makes the Federal Government extremely strong to the detriment of the states and the local governments.

According to the memorandum, there is need to devolve the powers to states by providing more powers and responsibilities to the states through amendment of the constitution to reflect the principles of true federalism.

The paper also rejected the creation of more states and condemned the local government joint account.

Constituents urge massive changes From TOYESE OLADEJO, Ibadan

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onstituents of Surulere/Ogo Oluwa Federal Constituency of Oyo State have emphasized the need for radical changes in the constitution of the country even as they praised Segun Adebunmi for his superlative performance at the National Assembly.

The constituents who gathered at the Otunba Dokun Odebunmi multipurpose hall of the Iresadu headquarters of Surulere Local Government resolved that the National Assembly should remove the immunity clause and allow the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct Local Government elections instead of the State Independent election commission. They also voted against the creation of state police, agreed on zoning for political parties and urged for the retention of four tenure for elective politicians.

The forum further voted against allowing Nigerians in Diaspora to vote during elections, while they voted for presidential system of government and called for state creation while supporting that only the federal government should create local governments.

The people further supported the retention of age requirement of 40 and 35 years for presidential and governorship aspirants as well as the retention of public complaints commission, financial autonomy for local governments and the retention of the NLC be at the federal level.

•The chairperson, House Committee on Foreign Affairs Hon Nnena Elendu Ukeje (right) going through some documents with colleagues during a meeting between the committee and Foreign Affairs Committee and Foreign Affairs Minister at the National Assembly recently.

Photo: MUDASHIRU ATANDA

We’ll not go outside what Nigerians want –House Deputy leader Although he praised the The lawmaker reiterated From IHEANACHO cise.

Reliving his experience that the leadership of the outcome of the public sesNWOSU and CHUKS during the public session, he House and the Adhoc sion, the Deputy Leader AKUNNA, Abuja

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eputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor has dispelled fears that the ongoing constitution review might be hijacked by some interests, assuring that only the will of Nigerians would prevail.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, Ogo who represents Isoko Federal Constituency in Delta State said the holding of public sessions in 360 federal constituencies in the country was in line with the decision of the House to carry Nigerians along in the constitution amendment.

“Our focus is to give Nigerians what they want and we will carry everybody along in the process of the constitution amendment”, he said.

He implored Nigerians to continue to support the excer-

said the kind of enthusiasm shown by Nigerians during the excercise was an indication that the House of Representatives was right in taking the constitution review process to the grassroots.

Committee on Constitution Review will do everything possible to preserve the sanctity of the process and ensure that the will of the people prevaile at the end of the day.

Divergent views at S’South forum

From JUDEX OKORO, police.

The first presentation that Calabar was booed was that of Cross here was mild drama at River State which dwelled the South-South extensively on the need for Constitutional Forum maintaining a joint account as stakeholders disagreed on between states and local major issues affecting the government councils.

The State Deputy zone while some speakers were booed for sticking to Governor, Efiok Cobham who represented the the status quo.

Some of the issues they Governor. Sen. Liyel Imoke could not reach a consensus had stated that the joint on include state creation, account currently held by autonomy of local govern- states and local government ment, revenue allocation councils was necessary to and formation of state ensure speedy and all round

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Indigeneship clause causes uproar at public hearing

By RAZAQ BAMIDELE

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t the Oshodi-Isolo F e d e r a l Constituency in Lagos state, the clause on indigeneship caused an uproar at the public hearing on the constitution amendment at the weekend. The House was sharply divided over the issue. The public hearing had 38 items for discussion and was coordinated by the member of the House of Representatives, Hakeem Abiodun Muniru who represents the constituency in line with the directive of the National Assembly leader-

lamented that the town hall meetings have also become platforms for political detractors to launch unnecessary campaigns of calumny against legislators including himself.

ship. The clause, which was item five on the programme sought to know whether a non-indigene, who had resided in an area for a long period was entitled to accruing rights, duties and privileges.

Expectedly, while indigenes like the Royal father of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka were opposed to it, other perceived non-indigenes like the Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Shamsudeen Olaleye were in agreement with the clause. Oba Agbabiaka hinged his opposition on the fact that no Yoruba

man can contest governorship election in either the north or south-east of the country.

But the council boss, Olaleye countered that “once it becomes a constitutional provision, it would be binding on all the political zones in the country. “At the end of the sitting which was anchored by the Chairman, Ikeja branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, Monday Ubani, the people voted for items like definite tenure for Local Councils, states funding of councils, retention of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), and state police among others.

development at the grassroots.

Also, Mr. Sony Jackson Udoh, Managing Director of Jackson Devos Ltd, Calabar, who presented Akwa Ibom’s position, kicked against the creation of State Police, but canvassed for autonomy for local government councils as against the maintaining of joint account between the states and councils administrations.

Rivers State canvassed for true federalism, stating that the basis for equity and efficient administration of the country rests on true federation.

The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Tere Ikuru who made his state’s presentation contended that for Nigeria to move forward, there was need to advance the course of the various segments of the polity adding that true federalism guarantees the advancement of such course.

The people of Delta State in their submission canvassed for the creation of Anioma state notwithstanding the recent comment by Deputy Senate President that the review exercise was not to champion states creation.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Again, storm wreaks havoc in Ibadan …Hundreds rendered homeless

•Students mending the blown off roof of their schools From GBENGA ADESUYI, Ibadan

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t gave no signal to alert the residents of a looming danger, save for the sudden clouds that appeared in the sky. Many were not even aware of the change in weather until it began to rain.

But within some minutes, the storm that accompanied the rain had wreaked havoc in many parts of Ibadan, Oyo State, especially in the suburbs. Building roofs were blown-off and trees uprooted. Also affected were worship centers, filling stations, schools and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) poles were pulled down.

About 200 houses were reportedly destroyed after the recent downpour. The rain started around 6.30pm that Monday, and lasted for two hours. At the end, it rendered many homeless.

Many residents are still lamenting the damage to property estimated at millions of Naira.

Worst hit areas included: Akinyemi, Oke-Ayo, Apata, Elere, Odo-Ona, Bembo, Oloruntumo, NNPC, Owode, New Garage, Iyaganku quarters, Wire and Cable.

At New Garage area, some people who took refuge in a house around the area narrowly escaped death after the storm removed a big tree and threw it on the house.

The principal Public Relations Manager of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Mr Jide Oyenuga, confirmed that PHCN equipment were affected by the storm. He said officials of PHCN had started work to restore the damaged installations. Besides, he said management was still awaiting the final survey report carried on its property to know the extent of the damage.

A victim of the storm, Mr Tunde Adedeji,

•Damaged buildings.

said: “We are grateful to God that no life was lost to the terrible storm. The only problem is our damaged house. That is not the only damaged house, other parts of the city are affected.’

The state Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Wasiu Dauda Oladimeji, dismissed the claim that the state government was not acting fast in alleviating the sufferings of those affected by the storm. He said the government was unaware of the destruction, as no report had been made by members of the public on the incident: “Nobody has brought any report of storm in any parts of the city, that I am sure of.”

Oladimeji, just been transferred to the ministry in the recent cabinet reshuffle announced

by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, added that the state government had dredged about 43 rivers before the commencement of the rain this year, to pave way for free flow of water and forestall any occurrence of flood: “This ministry is not in charge of storm. We are responsible for flood, SEMA is the body in charge of storm. I am sure they are not aware, but if they are aware, they must have commenced work immediately on how to alleviate the sufferings of those rendered homeless.”

Telephone line of the state Director of State Emergency Management Authority (SEMA), was not reachable as at press time.

Photos: DADA OSASONA

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DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

POLITICS...&Polity Constitution Review:

LG creation, desert control, dominate discourse in Borno

•Jonathan

•Tambuwal

•Mark

•Shettima

From TIMOTHY OLA, Maiduguri

da on the exercise, he cautioned presenters not to dwell much on their written documents.

Many at the occasion had expected the issue of state creation to dominate discussions and the presentation especially following the persistent agitation for the creation of Savannah State and/or New Borno from the present Borno State. Ironically, local government creation, establishment of desert control commission like the Niger Delta Development Commission, role of traditional institution in democracy, revenue allocation system, oil and solid mineral exploration and state electoral commission took the centre stage of presentation in Borno unlike other states in country.

In the end, a total of 29 memoranda were presented to the Borno State High Powered Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution led by the leader of the State Caucus in the House of Representatives, Hon Mohammed Monguno represented by his colleague, Hon Lawan Kangra.

The first memorandum was presented by Bama Development Foundation, BDF. The foundation was asking for the creation of five local governments out of the present Bama Local Government, one of the oldest council areas in the state created in 1976.

The present Bama, according to the BDF, has 12 districts with population of over 270, 000 people (2006 National Population Census) and a total of 153, 305 registered voters.

Other memoranda include calls for inclusion of definite roles for the traditional institution in the amended constitution.

Secretary of Borno Elders Forum, Bulama Mali Gubio urged the National Assembly

to assign constitutional roles to the traditional rulers. Some of the roles recommended by Bulama Gubio are maintenance of security and order, implementation of government policies and programmes, documentation of historical archives and monuments among others. He also called for the removal of geo-political zones and strengthening of states and local government administration.

The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Ibn Garbai Elkanemi also recommended the introduction of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria to act as advisory body to the National Council of State.

On his part, Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima in his presentation called for the review of the revenue allocation system in the 1999 constitution, arguing that the current constitutional provision on revenue sharing “does not address the contemporary realities in Nigeria.”

“Our principal reason for the current agitation for a review of the 1999 Constitution is the system of revenue allocation as contained in Section 162-163, items (a) and (b), Part II of the Second Schedule and Section 313 of the constitution,” Shettima stated, calling for the amendment of section 162 and review of revenue formula in favour of states and local governments.

On agitation for state creation, Governor Shettima said such agitation was “natural and legitimate” but maintained that the amended constitution should rather ensure how good governance that would deepen democracy in the country would be guaranteed, instead of increasing the number states of the federation.

Hear him : “I’m somehow indifferent to

agitation for state creation because it doesn’t actually address our problem of endemic poverty, unemployment and near collapse or absence in some instances of infrastructure. Our concern should be how the constitution will compel us to provide good road, water, and education and health facilities to our people.”

He also recommended that the provision for the State Electoral Commission should not be scrapped, adding that the commission has been carrying out its duties on the conduct of the local government election and advising the national electoral body on the compilation and registration of voters.

Shettima also called for inclusion of a provision for the establishment of the Desert Control Commission like the NDDC to tackle desert encroachment and other natural disaster in the northern part of the country. He equally wants establishment of oil and solid mineral exploration commission to handle various mineral deposits in the northeast and the oil prospect in the state.

Secretary to the Borno State Government (SSG), Ambassador Baba Ahmad Jidda lauded the House of Representatives for its decision to conduct the public hearing across the country.

However, there was no recommendation for tackling the insurgency that has almost brought the state and neighbouring Yobe to their very knees. Perhaps, participants believe their agitation for the creation of a state police may substantially address such security challenge in the future should the state overcome the current problem. But then, the fate of such recommendation like others is left to the National Assembly.

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he early arrival of participants at the 2, 000-capacity Conference Hall of the Musa Usman State Secretariat located at the heart of Maiduguri, Borno State capital for the Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution last Saturday underscores the enormous interest of the people in the ongoing exercise by the Nigerian National Assembly to amend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The participants drawn from the bar, bench, traditional institution, religious and social groups, civil society organizations and the three tiers of governments among others, had defied the worsening security situation occasioned by the Boko Haram attacks in the state and thronged the conference hall hours before the 10 am kick off time of the exercise.

Chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Ahmed Gazali, a former Nigerian ambassador to Iran and Saudi Arabia and exChairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission said he was amazed that people of Borno could turn out for the public hearing.

“Anybody who has been reading about happenings in Borno or who understands the security challenge here would not have expected this huge crowd today. I’m really surprised to see many people here because I must confess, I never expected such a large turnout due to situation in the city but the crowd here shows that the proposed review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a general aspiration of Nigerians,” he declared.

While calling for submission of memoran-

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

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POLITICS...&Polity Former governor of old Kano State, Kabiru Gaya is stridently opposed to proposals granting one indigenous airline national flag carrier status; to the detriment of other competent airlines in the country. The two-term Senator is angry that the country is sliding further into debt, some of which are clearly unavoidable.

In this interview with ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, Gaya, who also chairs the Senate Committee on States and Local Governments Administration addresses ‘rumours’ concerning the ‘refusal’ of the Aviation Ministry to allow some foreign airlines fly into the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

Why the opposition to Arik Air as the national flag carrier? ou see, we said it clearly on the floor of the Senate that we don’t have anything against Arik Air and I raised a clear point that where the CBN was able to trim down Nigerian banks for efficiency, thereby making smaller banks to become bigger banks with less risk and which became more profit-oriented. (Same should be done to airlines) All I’m saying is that the government should bring in all the stakeholders in the aviation sector together and take a fixed, major share and invest in a national carrier. If there are many stakeholders and all of them are familiar with the airline industry, it would be difficult for them to be cheated and if any shareholder would not allow himself to be cheated, then, it means the government would not be cheated.

But when you decide to just give it to IRS Airline, or any other airline, singlehandedly, it would be the sole partner of government, then it means there would be collision between that airline and government and they would, in that process, siphon our money. What happened to Nigerian Airways? When Nigerian Airways started operations, Saudi Arabia Airline wanted us to start at the same time and they all started with few air craft, maybe two or three. As at now, Saudi Arabia Airline has thousands of fleet of airlines! And if you take Dubai, which started Emirates Air recently, that also started late and they are successful. Take also Qatar, which is just a new airline and its government put in $30 billion into it and it is now a five-star airline in the air.

So, all we are saying is that the problem with us in Nigeria is really corruption. We had the Nigerian Airways and we killed it and even after killing it, we sold its properties to another airline operator; which means they have actually broken the backbone of Nigeria Airways!

So, all we are saying is that we should put all the airlines together and let them be partners. If I have, let’s say, Arik, has a large fleet of aircrafts, they may have a larger share than let’s say IRS which has only two or three aircraft.

So, all I’m saying is that let these airlines have shares in proportion with their capacity as they are existing now. Kabo Air has fleet of 747’s, same with Max Air. Let them join as a team and form a national carrier.

So, can you address the ‘rumour’ that the Aviation Ministry is preventing Emirates, Egypt Air, Qatar from coming into Kano Airport?

We are worried as to how the Minister of Aviation is operating. We got information that Qatar Air applied to stay in Kano and they even went ahead to rent an office and had been contacted by some of the staff, but what we were told that the airline shouldn’t go through Kano but should rather fly through Enugu! Why make things sectional? It’s unfortunate.

Princess Stella Oduah is a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not a minister of a section of this country. You can see how we operate in the Senate. We are one family; the Senate President is from the North central, the Deputy Senate President, who is my very good friend, is from the South east, the Senate Leader is from the South south and so on like that.We are one family in the Senate. Why should the minister behave as a sectional minister? That was why we said that in the future, we really have to have professionals to man these ministries. What I’m saying is that whenever the president is bringing the list of ministers, he should also attach their portfolios.

Now, secondly, there is this issue of Emirates

Executive has no respect for NASS –Sen Gaya

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•Gaya Air. Emirates Air wanted to come to Kano but they complained about the services at Kano Airport; the conveyor belt is so bad, that it would take hours for any aircraft to stay and take off and that means losing money. It’s a lot of money coupled with a lot of problems at the Kano Airport which they ought to intervene. I remember that the only terminal they started to construct, eight years ago, it was during the tenure of (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo, when I came in to the Senate, we pushed for the project to be completed but the conveyor belts are bad, the procedures there and the way airlines and passengers are treated is also bad. I believe that the Minister of Aviation should look into solving these problems. Let me remind you of one fact; Kano Airport is the first airport that was built in this country and the concept of our forefathers who built it is that let Lagos Airport take care of the Lagos Port so that ships coming in through there, including Lagos and Port Harcourt and any other area that can be able to have ships along the sea and then, from the air, let Kano be the centre. So, when airlines come, they land in Kano. Even today, when you are landing in Lagos, you have to use the Kano Airport base as the communication centre. So, why do you have to kill our airport and start springing smaller airports? Because the Kano Airport is bad, that is why even Jigawa and some other states are now trying to build airports! I don’t know why somebody has a plan to simply kill our airport in Kano because it is our number

one airport. So, even if for instance, you have a mother and you don’t want to treat your mother well just because she’s old, then, it means you would also be treated badly when you grow old too. In essence, what I’m saying is that I am not happy with the way Aviation Minister is treating our state and how they do not want the airlines to come into Kano and I don’t know for what reason.

But reports indicate that rehabilitation at the airport was done well. Again, some reports say that some of the airlines you want included as national carriers only operate during hajj All I’m saying is that they should be encouraged. What I’m actually saying is that all the airline operators should team up and form one solid, strong company and now partner with the Nigerian government. If you take only one company, let’s say, Airk Air or any other airline, it means it’s just that individual plus the government and you know how corrupt our government is. But if it is a group of people, it would be difficult, I believe, for that corruption to happen because I believe every company would protect his interest. Take for instance, Kabo Air has about four or six 747 aircrafts.

That is an asset. Max Air has about six or seven 747b jumbo aircraft as well. So, if this is a huge investment and they only use them during hajj, if government can now co-opt, bring all of them together, it means government will have in its fleet, about 12 747 aircrafts. That’s something good. Maybe, they could, at the end of

“I’m not happy the way resolutions in the National Assembly are not being respected by the Executive. Resolutions are passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives but most are not being respected by the President or by the government.”

the day decide to either rehabilitate them or refurbish them or sell them to buy newer aircrafts. All I’m saying is this; let the airline operators come together and be in partnership with the federal government and I’m sure it would be better than selling to one organization.

You seem to be averse to foreign loans being requested by President Jonathan. Can you elucidate?

I mentioned some areas where first of all, how some banks are charging higher rates than others and government accepted those banks with higher rates. For example, the World Bank is giving us almost $3 billion to the Government of Nigeria at an interest rate of 1.25 percent. The African Development Bank is giving $730 million and is also charging 1.25 percent; French Development Bank is giving only $56 million and is also charging 1.25 percent. Islamic Bank is giving us the loan with virtually 0percent interest; they are only charging for their services but surprisingly, EXIM Bank of China, which is giving almost similar amount with World Bank is charging 3.2 percent while World Bank with almost the same amount is charging 1.25 percent. So, I said the committee should now investigate why should the Nigerian government agree on 1.25 percent with one international bank and agree on 3.2 percent with another bank? There must be something fishy or something must be explained on this. Why should we agree on 3.2 percent interest with the China Bank while other international banks are only asking for 1.25 per cent? There is something worrysome about it. I was also worried that whatever loan they are taking, there should be definitive programmes attached to it; what is it meant for?

For instance, I’m very happy that we are getting money for youth employment. I know we have over 20 million youths currently unemployed and government is borrowing about N1.2 trillion to spend on youths. If it is going to be used judiciously, I believe Nigerian youths would be very happy and this government would give us a better Nigeria. But the way they couch the purpose for some of the loans, it’s not definitive; like they said they are creating jobs in Hides and Skin, Leatherworks, Entertainment. What do you do with leatherworks when even the animals we are trying to kill or to slaughter and use their skins are coming mostly from Lake Chad or from Maiduguri? So, why don’t you develop an area whereby we can make it a place where animals can graze, feed, more like a grazing reserve and then, we can expand in that aspect. I’m worried about that issue. I also saw an area where we are going to spend N2.4 billion only to use it as literacy campaign in only three states and this is only campaign, I mean money for literacy education; spending about N800 million for literacy campaign? And we are voting N2.4 billion on that and there is no definitive programme? I think all these should be more looked into. We are taking loans that would be repaid in 40 years. Very few of us would survive 40 years; I don’t know about you, maybe you would survive 40 years but some of us may not survive 40 years so, why are we giving a burden to our grand, grand children? If we are laying that burden on them, we should be able to bequeath better facilities to them so that they would thank their forebears for thinking in that direction. I don’t want them to insult us when we are in our graves.

The FG appropriated N50 billion for employment. Now, the same government wants another lump sum for employment generation. Have you asked how that N50 billion was utilized in the first place?

Our problem in Nigeria is this; even if some people mess up in implementation of the fund, they would not be punished; Government won’t do anything about it. I’m not happy the way resolutions in the National Assembly are not being respected by the Executive.

Resolutions are passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives but most are not being respected by the President or by the government. I believe the President should also understand, he’s a friend of mine, I like him but the problem sometimes, are the people around him.

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DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

POLITICS...&Polity ‘S’East deserves more states’ Chief Joseph Ifedobi, is a politician, who has seen it all right from the era of the great Zik of Africa. He started playing politics as far back as 1959 when Dr. Alex Ekwueme contested election into the House of Representatives in the old Eastern Region. He was part of the NCNC Committee for the Federal Election in the North in 1964 and part of NCNC that later became (United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) in the West election of 1965 before the military interregnum.

In this interview with MADUKA NWEKE, Ifedobi explained why the South-East should have an additional state or even more.

Excerpts Politics of crisis in Nigeria here is tension everywhere in Nigeria due to turbulent polity but I can assure you, Nigeria will come out stronger at the end. What you see now is like a plane taking off in which case everybody has to fasten his belt securely and when the plane is airborne, you can now loosen your belt.

Jonathan is trying to change certain unchangeables, certain situations that does not allow the country to move forward. In view of that, there is internal resistance here and there and it is normal. But I can tell you, you can get the level of togetherness of Nigerian when there is football competition between Nigeria and another country. If there is a football match, all Nigerians become one. But when it is politics that is when you hear discordant tunes. However, that does not indicate that Nigeria is on the fence to fall out. No, the fact is that every Nigerian loves Nigeria but only certain elites who arrogated themselves to be more Nigerian that are causing the confusions everywhere. I know that at the end, every thing will come to normalcy and by then, Nigeria will become the envy of other nations.

New state for the South East zone State creation has come to stand in Nigeria. It started far back in 1967 with the creation of 12 states. Ever before then, there was something like Ogoja-River state.

There was that agitation; there was also agitation in the old western region for midwestern region. There were so many agitations then until 1967 when Gowon in order to control the indices of war, created the 12 states. Since then a lot has been happening in state creation. When the military came into state creation, they carved out the south east and even though the war ended with a declaration of no victor no vanquished, the policy of the three Rs (Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction) were not applied in state creation. I wonder how the North West zone alone has seven states, South East five states, the rest of the zones six states and you come to creation of local government; the entire South East has 97 local governments whereas Kano alone has 44 local governments. There has been that structural imbalance and therefore state creation is necessary. The South East wants it to balance with others. This justifies state creation as agitated by the South East.

Antagonists’ view Such opinion is always subjective and it always comes from the North. Ever before President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari granted amnesty to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in 1982, late Gen. Joseph Garba said in 1979 before the military handed over to the civilian that if Ojukwu dares to set his foot on Nigerian soil, he would be tried for treason for waging war against his father land. Ojukwu came back and nothing happened and Shagari in his wisdom and com-

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mitment to peace decided to hearken to the yearnings of the three Rs and granted Ojukwu amnesty. The recent utterances from Governor Kwankwaso of Kano state, a sitting governor making such reckless utterances is only unfortunate and very deplorable.

Who said South East is not ripe for another state? In fact we are ripe for more than two states. His argument about land mass and population is a farce because we have not been able to go into census in it’s real terms to determine who is more.

But I am not joining issues on that because very soon, these anomalies will be normalized and corrected. By that time Kwankwaso will know that the South East is more populated than is being pictured. It is not my intension to reveal somebody’s genealogy but people should mind their business. Let him not throw that kind of jab again in his interest. We deserve more than two states.

Advice to Ndigbo in that direction I think Ndigbo are going about it the way it should be done. The only thing is that they

should be united and be ready to sacrifice to achieve the aim. The fact that there is a consensus to giving South East one additional state should not create opportunity for everybody to clamour for any part of them to become state. It should be created from an area that is viable to give it credibility.

They should revisit the Arthur Mbanefor Committee and see what could be extracted from it. It is the only Committee responsible for state creation that made indepth study of the country and be able to report actually what they saw. The document should be revisited to find out why such states will be created. Nonetheless, the agitation is supposed to be like that in Igbo land. It is left to those who are responsible to say this agitation is viable. For instance, Anambra and Imo have never been touched in all the past exercises. In this regards, any creation of state should touch them. In this wise nobody should raise any opposition instead there will be further state creation that will touch them. Whether you have the President, the Senate President, the Speaker, everybody must tow same line towards achieving the

•Ifedobi aim. We should revisit the Arthur Mbanefor report on state creation and advise ourselves properly. Ndigbo are one in the request and we must continue to be one for us to achieve it.

‘Military, root cause of Nigeria’s problem’

•Abbah The Ebonyi State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Emma Abbah, has blamed the military for corruption and other social vices, pervading the country.

In an interview with GOODY OSUJI, he said it was the military that changed the psyche of Nigerians by teaching them how to destroy things and shoot gun.

Excerpts: What exactly does your agency do? ational Orientation Agency (NOA) is a Federal Government Agency. We work for the Federal Government, the state and the local government. We are intermediaries between the governors and the governed, between the leaders and the led.

Our work is to bring the services of the government to the people at their door steps. We bring all government programmes and policies to the people and then deliver it at their doorsteps. And at the end we bring the feelings and the reactions of the people back to the government. This makes them reshape such policies when they get these local inputs. The reaction of the people can redirect their programme and this is the only way they can galvanize the citizenry to make sure that the people are carried along especially the people we call the grassroots, the voiceless majority who feel that government does not get to them. Government reaches the people through us and then they make their input and the input are served in the system. We ask questions like, what do they want? What is it that they want government to accommodate?

This Is why we call ourselves the intermedi-

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aries between the governors and the governed.

People have a negative impression about government. How does your Agency change this perception?

Well, our job is in two fold. We give orientation at the lower level, those growing up we give them the core values of Nigeria, like patriotism, honesty, hard work, loyalty, selfless service to fatherland. We give them these core values to shun corruption. But to the grown-ups those who are already losing grip of this core values we give them core value reorientation. We now redirect their conscience like those who are already smoking Indian hemp, we tell them, you were good before but why have you gone bad like this and this is what you did and these are the likely implications. Yes, on the issue of government policy and programme; yes the military changed the psyche of the people. They thought them how they can destroy things, how to shoot gun; and that you can do without the people. Therefore the people got alienated and when they got alienated from governance, when they see anything they treat as government property. That is why you will now come to make them to understand that power belongs to the people. Now democracy has come, we have to tell them to participate in governance through voting for people that will rule them. If they don’t do it well, you can use the power of recall to bring them back but actually you have the power to give people popular mandate. You will also make them understand that government is owned by the people; your tax money is used in building these infrastructure. This is exactly what we call bottom- top approach. We generate ideas about government to people to own community ownership of programme, immunization programme, fight against polio; we make them to understand that it is for their benefit to domesticate the programmes, and then implement them for your their good. Government will only come out as an adviser or as an assistant.

How does NOA tackle the issue of corruption in the country?

We have discovered that something went wrong somewhere. At one time in the history of this country we deviated from the norms and from our cultural values. Nigerians were very good, people come to Nigeria to trade, to invest in Nigeria and I begin to wonder at what point in time did we deviate from that good attitude and we discovered that it was

immediately after the war. The women saw poverty and thought that it was only through prostitution that they can earn money. The children also, the kid soldiers, also saw that if they pull the trigger, possibly get something.

After that phase in this country and the maltreatment of the war losers created poverty even in the rural areas that people resort to, look for means of survival and corruption came in. Now Army did not help matters when they came into administration, no more auditing of account, people loot without trial nobody goes to court, nobody talks, if you talk they kill you, so corruption became the order of the day. Now that military mentality has gone and we are into democracy the problem we have is that for those who worked with the military, the military mentality is still there with them stealing from the public treasury no accountability or transparency. Accountability means if you are voted into power you come to give account of stewardship to people who voted you at a town hall meeting. It is the people’s parliament where you come to give account: I was given N20 million to build culvert look at how I used it. This is how corruption came in and now to stop it became a problem. But when we are tackling it from the people’s angle we are telling people look if a member of the National Assembly loots whose money is he looting? Your money; these people are given money to come and dig boreholes for you, build roads for you maybe N100 billion but they take 80perecent and dash you N1000 and the job is not done who suffers, you suffer; he will be living in overseas, therefore if you refuse this paltry amount to pacify you not to talk while they loot, the treasury suffers in the end.

Election rigging and the Agency’s role to curb it You will see that there was a radical departure from 2003, 2007, and 2011 elections. At least through our sensitization programme, voter education programme, we are having better electorate. One thing we have achieved is that people are beginning now to see the relationship between their participation in election and emergence of credible government and good governance. What we have done is to make them understand that if they rig to bring in a bad person he will call you a fool because you don’t know that you have mortgaged your conscience.

Monday, November 19, 2012

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Oshiomhole: Looking beyond second term

By JOHN MAYAKI

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e is a mentor by all standard. He stands out like a meteor among the lots. He has a gift of the garb. An articulated strategist and team player, there is no need adumbrating all these because, by any means, his superlative performances have earned tremendous admirations in his first term.

He may look frail in stature but a giant upstairs. He is not given to lamentations despite human frailties at any given time. No doubt, Edo people need more of these qualities in deciding who should govern the state between Action Congress of Nigeria’s (ACN) Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole and Charles Airhiavbere of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Despite all these, one could safely be rest assured of Oshiomhole’s victory in the July 14, 2012 gubernatorial election not because he hasn’t performed to our expectations, but because of the Nigerian factors, namely, godfatherism, money and corruption. And as such, we doubled the tempo of our campaigns and reach-out knowing fully well that if multi-giant Coca Cola would not stop advertising Coke despite its huge success over the past decades, then the power of repetition must be employed and deployed even at the last moment to continue to drum up support and extol the virtues of the diligent governor.

Our opposing party had cooked up series of lies to undermine the fortunes of the Comrade, but he was unrelenting in his campaigns. The truth of the matter was that performance was counting for Oshiomhole and he needed to harp more on it because, when you are exposed to a particular notion for a sustained period of time, there is every tendency to absorb and internalize it into your system more also if it could be verifiable and can stand the test of time.

It was a tough time, moreso that my bossom friend, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde was murdered during the time under review.

What about the accidents targeted at the governor and the subsequent killing of my brother, Olatunji Jacobs of ITV? A camera man with AIT, Comrade Fidelis Ohani, who had toiled with Oshiomhole when in 2007/2008 we were in the trenches. Who was it, that was not afraid of his life, not even those who pretended they had duplicates or photocopies of their lives kept at home.

So, with this balancing act, it put this writer in a good stead to make a panoply of the sterling leadership qualities of Oshiomhole who sought a renewal of his ticket especially in the electioneering period where all sorts of calumnies and misrepresentations occupied the space but, the derision of honey would not deprive us of its sweetness; invariably if one’s child is good let us acknowledge it. Edo people know this and they demonstrated •Oshiomhole it.

Moving away from the above, I think it is Though, its never been easy with Oshiomhole, all the political struggles he only wise and logical to allow the governor embarked upon and won. His first tenure to continue with his good work at least to came uneasy just as the second. During the give a follow-up on numerous projects that former, not only did Oshiomhole suffer had already passed the drawing board onto humiliations and deprivations, his followers field project and the lofty ones that are still in benefited from the vinegar. I was declared the pipe line before handing over the mantle wanted. Advertorials were placed against of continuity to the next person.

We must take the right stride in the right me. I was denied Jerusalem ticket, protests were organized against me owing to my direction. Continuity of positive ideals in reports in the newspapers in support of the relation to governance must be encouraged, Comrade’s ambition and above all, threats to promoted, supported and practically demonstrated and translated into positive vote for life both at home and in Benin City.

the right person.

At this point in time, it is imperative to look beyond Oshiomhole’s second tenure and see how we can sustain the developmental projects he has initiated. A would-be Oshiomhole’s successor has a big task on his hands. How to get that personality to continue from where Oshiomhole stops by the end of his tenure is an issue discerning minds must begin to ponder upon.

One thing we lack in Nigerian governance is continuity hence, the reason why we often witness policy summersault which can manifest in the form of: abandon or total cancellation of projects, duplications of policies and many other profligacy in time and resources which ultimately impact negatively on the populace. That is why the electorate needs to look closely, devoid of sentiments in weighing the options before them.

To start with, discerning electorate must be resolute to vote for another action personality on the scores of what they have seen themselves. It would be counterproductive, if an unproductive, unprogressive, and visionless politician is allowed to come and essentially waste our rare opportunity.

Oshiomhole has set out a benchmark for value, quality leadership and positive governance. His name would proudly be adorned in Nigeria’s hall of fame of great and resourceful mind that can build institutions and move Nigeria out of the woods. He is an asset that must be actively engaged at a higher level after completing his second tenure, because, Nigerians needs him at a higher level. There is no other time to say this than now as we look beyond his second term as his valuable contributions to nation building would continue to resonate and reverberate around and across Nigeria.

Prince Mayaki sent in this piece from Igarra, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

Surulere/Ogo Oluwa constituents urge massive changes in Constitution Stories from TOYESE OLADEJO, Ibadan

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onstituents of Surulere/Ogo Oluwa federal constituency have emphasized the need for radical changes in the Constitution even as they praised Rep. Segun Adebunmi for his superlative performance at the National Assembly.

The constituents who gathered at the over 10,000-seater Otunba Dokun Odebunmi Multipurpose Hall of the Iresadu headquarters resolved that the National Assembly should go remove the immunity clause, allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct local government election instead of the Independent Election Commission, voted against the creation of state police, agreed on zoning for political parties and urged for the retention of four tenures for elective politicians.

The discourse further voted against allowing the Nigerians in Diaspora to vote during elections, voted for presidential system of government, call for state creation while supporting that only the Federal Government should create local governments.

The people further supported the retention of age requirement of 40 and 35 years for presidential and governorship aspirants as well as the retention of public complaints commission, financial autonomy for local governments and the retention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) be at the federal level.

The people’s public session which was chaired by Chief Folarin Popoola, voted against setting aside certain political offices for women and scrapping of the House of Representatives, asserting that the two houses are necessary for checks and balances on the Federal Government.

The people, however, praised Otunba Segun Odebunmi for bringing the dividends of democracy to the grassroots

session was to afford Nigerians the unique opportunity to contribute to the review since sovereignty belongs to the electorate.

The federal lawmaker urged the people to continue their support for President Goodluck Jonathan in his quest to reposition and transform the country even as he pledged to do his utmost best in promoting the wellbeing of the people through incisive legislations.

The ceremony was attended by political leaders, student union •Speaker Aminu Tambuwal leaders, activists, labour •Senate President David Mark unions, civil society through his various welfarist and populist- randa had been received by the National groups, market men and women, farmers, Assembly calling for a review of the journalists and traditional rulers from both oriented programmes.

Ogo Oluwa and Surulere federal conIn his welcome speech, Otunba Constitution.

Otunba Odebunmi stated that the public stituency.

Odebunmi revealed that over 200 memo-

...Rep restates N’Assembly’s commitment

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ember representing Ibadan North East/South East federal constituency, Dr. Adebukola Abiola Ajaja, has saluted the people in her constituency for displaying unparalled patriotism by trooping out en masse to participate in the public session on the review of the 1999 Constitution.

Dr. Ajaja, who gave the commendation in a chat in Ibadan, said that the people of the federal constituency have shown themselves as patriotic Nigerians.

According to her, she was awed by their level of discourse and the quality of presentations by the people.

She maintained that the National Assembly is irrevocably committed to the enthronement of good democracy as well as the provision of social services to the people.

“We at the seventh National Assembly are committed to the promotion of the wellbeing of our people. We won’t renege on our social contract with Nigerians to provide a workable constitution for all and sundry’, she added.

Dr. Ajaja stated that the report of the public session would be provided for the Constitution Review Committee, adding that the Federal Government would accede to the yearnings of the populace.

The federal lawmaker added that her tenure would continue to witness quality representation as well as provide social infrastructures for the constituency.

Ajaja expressed her happiness and commitment to the creation of Ibadan State, lamenting that it is the only regional capital that is yet to get its own state.

“I want to express my joy and happiness to my people in Ibadan North East/South East federal constituency for their support and attendance at the people’s public session. I want to assure them that the national assembly would not disappoint them”, she said.

56

DAILY SUN

Monday, November 19, 2012

Nigeria’s database confusion A

t the seminar for financial journalists at Dutse, the Jigawa State capital last week, the managing director of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim announced that Nigerian banks, under the auspices of the Bankers Committee, will soon embark on building of a centralized biometric databank for all the customers of Nigerian banks. This translates into the fact that very soon, bank customers would be invited to submit themselves to debilitating biometric data capture sessions, just like the ones they underwent for GSM sims and INEC voter’s cards. Most media people there were not surprised because they had been aware of an advert placement, two months ago, by the Central Bank of Nigeria to the effect.

In the advert of September 28, 2012, in one of the papers captioned “Request for Interest to Bid For Supply and Implementation of Biometric Solution for Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria”, the CBN, on behalf of Bankers’ Committee, had requested for “reputable solution providers/systems integrators to supply and implement a suitable biometric solution across all Deposit Money Banks…” The announcement at Jigawa last week convinced me that the programme was well on its way.

For some time, Nigeria-based agencies and corporate bodies had recognized the dire need to own databases on people with whom they interact and to whom they render services, both for practical and security reasons, and most of those individual organizations had embarked on efforts to build their own databases, always without much relationships with other agencies which might need those data. For instance, during my study of the activities of the Federal Road Service Corps (FRSC) prelude to the implement of its novel, but controversial, vehicle number plates and drivers licence scheme, it started building a powerful database of vehicle owners and users that had a lot of innovative advantages. I was really impressed when it was demonstrated to me, how by merely capturing my new plate number, almost every information on my driving history would become available to the Commission and from there to other cooperating agencies which might require it.

I might have been impressed, but other agencies, like the Police which should have found the FRSC database not only useful but invaluable did not seem interested. When a hearing on the new licences and number plates was taking place at the National Assembly earlier this year, it was found out that the Police was embarking on the buildup of its own database on vehicles and drivers, at a hounding inconvenience to the public, and clearly out of their legal empowerment. Of course, the Police was scolded by the NASS to abandon such unnecessary and wasteful duplication.

It was obvious that the staccato way the different agencies are bothering the people with biometric data collection was becoming unnerving, unproductive and sometimes completely incompetent. I was upset when one morning, a polite, if apologetic, voice called me to enquire why I had not registered my MTN sim. Of course, I had done that several weeks earlier and I told him so. When he enquired whether I had registered with NCC or MTN, I was lost, as I asked him how he expected me to have those details, when I had just approached a duly accredited registration platform to perform what I saw as a civic duty.

That question was very revealing to me, as it made me appreciate that even within the simple issue of registration of sims, there was internal confusion. It made me to start wondering how much confusion would ensue with the staccato manner every organization in the country was currently embarking on its biometric database build-up. I had even shuddered at what use a foreign country would put such data collected by a foreign company like MTN. It is obvious that this worry is not new and

UCHE EZECHUKWU

CAPITAL MATTERS

0803 622 3337

onukwubel@yahoo.com as far back as in 2007, the National Assembly had foreseen the emergent confusion and had enacted the National Identity Management Commission Act to take care of this emergent confusion and to enact into existence a body that would be charged with building a central database for the country from where other agencies would share. The May 2007 NIMC Act, which empowered NIMC to set up, manage and operate the National Identity Database (NID), automatically made the Commission the sole operator and manager of an all-embracing database.

The ramifications of the tasks of the Commission and the direct relationship it would have with the activities of the other end-user organizations, had compelled the NASS to make those bodies to sit on the NIMC governing board. Specifically, agencies like the National Population Commission (NPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with obvious linkages were sucked in, not as competitors, but rather as enhancers and facilitators as end-user organizations of the central identity database that would be generated by NIMC. That made clear and obvious sense, so as to erase the confusion that would be created when every Tom, Dick and Harry started building a central database.

The NIMC Act 2007 which repealed the law that had set-up the Department for National Civic Registration (DNCR) enabled NIMC to inherit the assets and operation of the DNCR and to more holistically embark on the implementation of the National identity Management System, which it developed to embrace all aspects of central data management modalities and platforms. Under its mandate, it started with the task of establishing its offices across the 36 states of the country from where it would carry out its mandated tasks on a permanent basis as opposed to the knee-jerk method of other agencies which periodically embark on staccato data collection activities.

A very innovative feature of the NIMC mandate is the plan to provide every adult Nigerian or legal resident in Nigeria, with a unique National Identity Number (NIN) which would, apart from providing a secure means of accessing the National Identity Database so that an individual can irrefutably assert his or her identity, it would become an omnibus reference number which would open a secure window to the holder’s identification modules. Furthermore, NIMC activities would safely harmonize and integrate identity databases in government and other corporate agencies to achieve optimization of resource and service sharing.

From all indications, NIMC was at the very advanced stages of rolling out the enrolment of these very important services nationwide when the federal government struck in a manner that is confirming that the current administration had gained an unparalleled expertise in the flip flop of policies. My findings indicate that a September 18th letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to the NIMC Management conveyed the set up of a presidential committee to examine the various issues relating to the establishment of a central identification database for the country.

•Jonathan The committee would “determine the agency which had the constitutional responsibility to host the centralized database and streamlining the efforts being made currently by different agencies, in order to synergize those efforts in a proposed centralized system.”

It was learnt that the presidential committee was raised in response to a proposal which the newly constituted board of the National Population Commission (NPC) had presented to the federal government asking to be vested with the responsibility of hosting such a central biometric system. Needless to say that most legal and constitutional experts that I have spoken to, regard the proposal to be clearly outside both the constitutional provisions and outside the Act that set up the NPC. From the presentation of the NPC, it claimed that on the inauguration of its current board headed by Chief Festus Odimegwu, it was mandated by the president to deliver 100% vital registration by 2014, ID card to every Nigerian by 2014, a credible census by 2016 and an innovative population policy. If indeed the president had added the issue of identification amongst the new mandates of the NPC, he acted ultra vires, because he should not have given the Commission responsibilities which are outside those provided by the law that set it up, without first getting that law amended. One does not need to be a lawyer to know that.

To that extent, therefore, the NPC, being aware of its legal responsibilities, did not need to apply to host a central biometric database, when it knows that there is another federal agency that had been properly and legally empowered to do just that. And that NPC even sits on the governing body of that body. The NPC must, therefore, have strange reasons why it wants to be saddled with such an extra responsibility, in addition to the huge mandate of a national census which it had always found difficult to handle in the past.

Every adult Nigerian knows that the NPC had never conducted a credible national census that came out without blemish and more often than not, those blemishes had been construed to be politically motivated. One would have thought that the Odimegwu-led NPC would have, just as Professor Atahiru Jega had done at INEC, tried to reposition

the NPC to deliver without blemish on the 2016 national census and by so doing, leave his name on marble in the annals of the country.

There are many Nigerians who fear that the current NPC board is being used in this current clamour to take on more than it can chew and in the process, bungle both the national enumeration exercise as well as the central biometric management that it is proposing to appropriate from the legal agency that is empowered to handle it and is currently working on it. It is equally baffling why the vice president should even have anything to do with a committee that is working towards an underhand grabbing of an important responsibility that is already been handled by a legally authorized agency. Or does somebody from the top want to muddle up the central data project, just in the same way the previous census figures had been bungled and made bogus?

Whatever happened to the constitutional requirements which permit the NPC to set up a national information databank and/or to embark on those functions that the Constitution says it could perform to enhance its own operations? For instance, if it finds it necessary to set up a data bank for its own personnel and other operational needs, why should it not go ahead to set it up instead of seeking to go above and outside its responsibilities, under the guise of operating on mandates that were given off-the-cuff to it and definitely outside its legal responsibilities.

Even if some authorities, in error or for any other reasons, had given the NPC mandates that were not legally provided for it, a provision of the NIMC Act 2007 states that in case of such a conflict in the responsibilities that had been spelt out for the NIMC and such as this attempt by the NPC to usurp them, such a conflict should be resolved in favour of the NIMC. Specifically speaking, Section 32, paragraph 6 of the NIMC Act states unambiguously that, “Notwithstanding the provisions of any other Act or enactment, the provisions of this Act shall prevail and apply in cases of conflict between this act and such other Act or enactment to the extent of this conflict…”

The need of Nigeria for a centralized database cannot be over-emphasized and setting up one should be a matter of national expediency and should never be allowed to suffer the fate of many other national endeavours that are choked by the weeds of dirty politics and underhand motives. There are even people who claim that the jostling to acquire the rights to operate and manage the central biometric system outside the agency that had been mandated to do it and which has put in a lot resources and time in the build-up of the operations that are taking off even as we read this, might have a lot to do with the considerations of the huge funds which it will attract. However, there are other people who smell a dirtier rat in the whole confusion and fear that the NPC meddlesomeness might have been programmed to scuttle the entire national identification programme which might provide the type of data information that could be a redeeming grace to the routinely bungled demographic figures, which could hurt certain interests.

Let the Presidency get serious and stop being led by nose, stop taking away with the left what it had given with the right hand. Let the National Population Commission get on with the preparation for the next head count – and Nigerians hope that this time around, it will come with such important demographic variables as the state of origin, religions and other statistical attributes that make more sense to Nigerians than the raw figures which mean next to nothing. At the same time, let the Presidency allow the task of compiling, integrating and managing the central biometric database system to remain with an agency which has been set up through an Act of Parliament since 2007 to do so.

Unless there is somebody or some interests somewhere who have things to benefit from the bungling of proper data on our lives and circumstances.

DAILY SUN

W

orld's Most Valuable Football Club, Manchester United, has approved two UEFA Grade A coaches for the Glo Soccer Academy as 33 talented African footballers moved into the academy house last weekend.

The coaches will arrive Nigeria next week to join the technical team of Glo Soccer Academy in Lagos for the training of the players participating in the biggest football reality TV show in Africa.

Monday, November 19, 2012

57

Man U okays 2 UEFA Grade A coaches for Glo Soccer Academy The coaches from Manchester are: Andrew Smith and Adam Temple.

Smith is Man United's Hub Development Manager/ Academy Coach. He has been with the club since 1995, during which time he developed himself in the coaching departments from grassroots to elite level.

He has a UEFA 'A licence

and has worked for the club all around the world both in teaching and coaching capacity.

On his part, Temple is Man United's Education Co-ordinator.

He has been with the club since 1998 and also has the highest UEFA coaching 'A qualification.

Smith and Temple will be accompanied by Manchester United's relationship Manager in

DAILY SUN

charge of Telecommunications, Mike Higham, and they will partner with other top coaches from West Africa to train the selected players at the Glo Soccer Academy. The screening of talented players for Glo Soccer Academy started in Ghana in October, covering three cities of Tamale, Kumasi and Accra before moving to Nigerian cities of

Sports

Benin, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos. The exercise was concluded in Cotonou and Port Novo in Benin Republic last week.

The selected players from all the screening centres in Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic have been pruned to 33 who entered the Academy in Lagos last weekend.

Out of the 33 talented boys in

the Academy, 16 finalists will emerge and go on a training tour of the Manchester United Soccer Schools in Carrington, England as well as enjoy the GBam Scholarship of N750,000 each as part of the prizes. In addition, one of them who will emerge as the Most Valuable Player will earn N5 million, while the other 15 will go home with N1 million each.

Danny Jordaan, others for Eko 2012 international seminar

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o add a new dimension to the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) is organising a one-day seminar that will be graced by international sports administrators.

Chief Executive Officer of the 2012 South Africa FIFAWorld Cup Director, Danny Jordaan, as well as Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Development, International Olympic Committee (IOC), Ganda Sithole, will be among the speakers expected to deliver papers at the event scheduled to hold Thursday, November 22, at Muson Centre at Onikan, Lagos.

E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E ...Fergie says Ronaldo ‘unbuyable’

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ir Alex Ferguson would always welcome Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United but admitted the forward is now "unbuyable".

The Portuguese spent six years at Old Trafford before moving to Real Madrid in 2009 where he has continued to enjoy success both individually and as part of the team that last year wrested the Primera Division title away from Barcelona.

Were it not for the brilliance of Barca's Lionel Messi, Ronaldo would surely wear the mantle of the world's greatest footballer.

The 27-year-old became the most expensive footballer in history when he moved to the Bernabeu for £80million and Ferguson, while acknowledging he would welcome Ronaldo back with open arms, knows he is beyond United's reach.

Asked if the door is always open for the player, Ferguson told a number of national newspapers: "I'd like to think it would be, but I don't think it will happen.

"You're talking about incredible amounts of money now.

"What would you think his value would be? He's definitely unbuyable.

"Who could afford to buy him?

"There's talk of the Russians, perhaps.

But do you think he would go to Russia?

"He complained about the weather here, let alone the middle of winter in Russia.

Fergie and Ronaldo: when the going was good "He was definitely good value for

Eko 2012: Edo’s coaches, athletes under pressure to deliver

By OJIEVA EHIOSUN

D

espite the resolution of crisis that has almost torn Edo State Sports Council apart which led to the termination of some coaches’ appointments, the state contingent to the 18th edition of the National Sports Festival NSF Eko 2012, is under intense pressure to deliver.

Why other states have been in camp since July, Edo State athletes just entered camp a few days ago. Some of the athletes and officials who spoke on the issue during a visit to Beni on grounds of anonymity, blame politicians of the state as being solely responsible the set backs the state had suffered in sports development in recent times.

“I thank God that we have finally been called to camp when it is barely a few

days to the event. We have been in a serious mess for more than six months, nothing has been done. There has been crisis in the Sports Council following the misunderstanding between the Ministry and Sports Council, they just resolved the crisis a few weeks ago, hence we are in camp.

But to be sincere with you, non of the coaches can boast of winning two medals for the state, any athlete that do well, will do that on a personal effort, because this is our worst preparation ever since we started to participate in National Sports Festival. As coaches, we can reject offer to take our athletes to the games, because it is our duty to do our job, very soon we will enter into December, as parents, we have to be alive to our responsibilities, so if I say that we are going there to collect our xmas bonuses, I might not be wrong from the truth. If we occupy the first tent position we should thank our God,” he said.

Madrid but he always wanted to play for them, it was his boyhood dream."

Odemwingie praises Shane's professionalism

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eter Osaze Odemwingie has revealed that Shane Long's passed away last week, but he was full of praise for his commitment during the Chelsea’s game.

Long revealed a shirt saying: 'Rest in Peace Nan' as he opened the scoring, and then set up Odemwingie for the second, but Peter didn't realise what had happened until they returned to the dressing room celebrating.

Speaking to wba.co.uk following the game, Odemwingie explained.

'I didn't know when I was playing but I saw that he was a bit sad when everyone was celebrating in the dressing room afterwards. I noticed there was something wrong with him, but I didn't know what had really happened. He deserves much respect as he came to help us when we needed him even in this situation and he deserved his man of the match. We must say thank you to him for staying strong because we needed him today and without him the result could have been different, so well done to him. I hope he is able to get over his loss and he is happy and smiling again soon.'

As for the game itself, Odemwingie added.

'It felt great to be in the top five and today was an opportunity to climb a little bit more up the table. We believe in ourselves and we've proved that so far.

The gaffer told us that we shouldn't be disappointed being 1-1 with Chelsea, that lifted us and I think we deserved the victory.'

Fair play Shane, I'm sure many fans' thoughts are with you.

58 DAILY SUN

Monday, November 19, 2012

SUN SPORTS

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igh-performing Golden Eaglets of Nigeria were N1 million richer yesterday evening following an accustomed show of magnanimity by the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

Maigari gave the players and officials the amount in the dressing room of the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar following a battling 2-0 win over the 'much more matured' Mali Under-17 side in their final 2013 African Under-17 Championship qualifying fixture, first leg. “I am delighted by your performance today, just as I was

NEWS

Maigari blesses Eaglets with N1m when I watched you against Guinea in the second round some weeks ago. Certainly, you are the future of Nigeria football. But, I want you to be level headed and continue to improve as you abide by the instructions of your coaches. “I am giving you this sum of money as an appreciation of your toil and enterprise against a Malian team that looked much older, and also to motivate you ahead of the return leg in Bamako

in two weeks,” Maigari said.

Defender Wilfred Ndidi and midfielder Alhassan Ibrahim got the goals for Nigeria in an entertaining game that was marked by whistle-happy Ivorian referee, Kouame Ndri. Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Barrister Efiok Cobham, represented Governor Liyel Imoke (CON), while Maigari and 1st Vice President, Mike

Umeh, led the NFF crew. NFF chieftains were full of praises for the invention of the Eaglets and the wisdom of their technical crew, consisting of Manu Garba (Head Coach), Emmanuel Amuneke (1st Assistant), Nduka Ugbade (2nd Assistant) and Emeka Amadi (Goalkeepers' Trainer) - all exinternational players. But they cast doubts over the authenticity of the declared ages of the Malian players.

“We are going to protest to CAF concerning this Malian team. Physiologically, it is not possible that the players are under the age of 17,” observed Barrister Chris Green, chairman of the NFF Technical Committee.

Martins fires 5th La Liga goal

O

bafemi Martins returned from a disappointing Super Eagles’ outing to net his fifth goal for Levante in the Spanish La Liga yesterday.

'Obagoal' opened scoring at host’s Deportivo La Coruna after 40 minutes to restate his case for a place on Nigeria's squad for next year's Africa Cup of Nations.

The Nigerian international striker was replaced in the 81st minute.

Levante won 2-0 to move to fourth place on the table with 20 points from 12 matches.

Martins, who moved to the La Liga side during the winter transfer window from Rubin Kazan in Russia, has now scored five goals thus Martins far.

On duty: Super Eagles’ head coach, Stephen Keshi (r) with Assistant, Daniel Amokachi giving instructions

NFF vows to break bank for Eagles E

ach Super Eagle star could earn as much as $100,000 if the team wins the AFCON in South Africa.

“Incentives will not be the Super Eagles’ problem at the Nations Cup,” a top official simply informed MTNFootball.com last weekend.

“If they go all the way and win the competition, each of them will take away about $95,000 and when you add that to their daily allowances of around $5,000, you will have about $100,000.

“And the chief coach (Stephen Keshi) will get double the amount.”

In the proposed budget for next year's Africa Cup of Nations, each Super Eagle player will earn $10,000 for a win in the first round, where they are drawn against defending champion, Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.

This would translate to

... Promises to pay each player $100,000 after Nations Cup victory $30,000 each if they win all three first round matches, the same amount they also received when they qualified for the quarterfinal of the 2010 tournament in Angola.

However in Angola, the bonus was a winner-take-all one in the sense that the players were paid $30,000 each for going past the

first round rather than being paid per game. The team's win bonus will then be reviewed upwards as they move up in the knockout stage of the biennial competition.

Victory in the quarterfinal will fetch each player $15,000, while victory in the semi-final will make each of them $20,000 richer.

FG ‘ll release Nations Cup’s budget December – NFF By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

N

igeria Football Federation (NFF), has reassured Super Eagles players, technical crew and every Nigerian that arrangements have been concluded to get the budgetary allocation for the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup from the Federal Government latest next month.

The federation's General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, who gave the assurance while speaking with the media after watching a friendly match between the Sports Writers Association (SWAN) FCT chapter as a guest of honour, promised that the board had secured the consent of the concerned body for the release of fund before the team leaves for Portugal in December.

The federation's chief scribe,

Police constable wins FRSC Shell marathon race

By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

P

olice constable, Denis Brutus, at the weekend emerged winner of the Federal Road Safety Corps marathon race competition in Abuja finishing more than 10 minutes ahead of the first runners-up, Adeyogu Busuyi, of the Federal Fire Services.

The cop, commenting on his victory in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of

And should the Eagles clinch Nigeria's third Nations Cup trophy inside the magnificent Soccer City in Johannesburg on February 10, each player will pocket a win bonus of $30,000.

Each player to the Nations Cup in Angola two years ago earned about $80,000 when they placed third.

Nigeria-sponsored annual tournament, said the victory marked a special day in his life, adding that it was his first marathon race competition.

His words: “I feel happy finishing first in the competition and the victory is a new day for my life. Finishing an overall winner was very special to me because this is my first marathon race competition. I have not actually been involved in marathon race competition. The secret of my success today was just constant training.

“With this victory, I can conveniently say that it will be a springboard to participate and win in other marathon competitions.

This victory was a confirmation that a marathoner needs extra training. Essentially, coming out from track competitions to win this will propel me,” he noted.

Shell's head of Health Safety, Environment and Corporate Affairs, Tony Attah, commenting on the partnership, said it was part of the company's corporate social responsibility.

reacting on the readiness of the federation and Nigeria for AFCON, said: “We are on the right track as I said earlier, the encounter against Venezuela will be the last friendly game for the year before the team goes into camping in December 17.”

“From the programme, the home-based will be training here for two weeks before the team heads to Portugal at the very last end of the year. We expect all the professionals to be in camp before January 4 to enable us gets two weeks of intense training in the Portugal camp. The training will enable the technical crew select the players who will make the final squad. I'm confident that we are on the right track and we will do well in South Africa.

“As for the financial aspect of the preparation and tournament proper, I was to say that every effort is made to ensure that we get money to leave as early as possible. I know that the Federal Government is concerned and committed to successfully carrying out this project.

Ahmed Musa can't stop scoring

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SKA Moscow’s striker, Ahmed Musa, scored his eighth goal in the Russian league in Sunday's 3-0 spanking of Amkar Perm.

Eight-goal Musa is now two goals behind league leading scorer, Aleksandr Kerzhakov of champions Zenit Saint Petersburg.

The Nigerian international, who is now played as a centre forward by his Russian army club and not as a winger, scored the second goal of the match in the 73rd minute.

He also assisted Cauna for the third goal in the 90th minute.

An elated Musa said he was delighted to again be among the goals, but would still not set a personal goals target for himself this season.

Musa "I am happy to score again but what matters most is the victory which keeps us on top of the table. I will keep doing my best to score as many goals as I can, but don't have a target number of goals," declared Musa, who has also scored a goal in the Russian cup.

CSKA remain top of the table with 39 points from 16 matches.

Chelsea will fight back – Mikel

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ikel Obi has said that his team would overcome a recent poor run in the EPL after it lost 2-1 at West Brom on Saturday.

Chelsea has not won a league game since its controversial 3-2 home loss to Manchester United last month.

It remains third on the table with 20 points behind United and new leader, Manchester City.

Mikel admitted that Chelsea was not good enough against West Brom, but it would not dwell in the past as it hopes to get back on Mikel track.

DAILY SUN

Monday, November 19, 2012

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

Emenike returns to Spartak

Hughes clings to QPR job as owners consider options

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igerian international forward, Emmanuel Emenike, returned to Spartak Moscow's line-up after shaking off the back injury that put him out of action for a few weeks.

Emenike suffered a back injury in Spartak's 5-0 away win over Krylya Sevetov two weeks ago, and consequently missed his team's 2-0 loss to Benfica in the UEFA Champions League.

But the 25-year-old walked straight back into the starting line-up and featured for the entire duration of Spartak's 1-1 draw away at Volga on Saturday in the Russian Premier League, but however had a muted performance.

Emenike

59

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Winner of the second leg of the Glo Golf Tour West Africa 2012, Andrew Oche Odoh, receives his cheque from Globacom’s Head of Post Paid Business World, Mr. Kamaldeen Shonibare (left), while the Director, Professional Golfers Association (PGA), Mr. Festus Makelemi (right), watches with interest at the Elephant Cement Golf Club, Sagamu on Saturday.

ark Hughes remains the manager of rock-bottom QPR ahead of crunch talks with chairman, Tony Fernandes, in the coming days.

The Welshman is clinging to the position by his fingertips after Rangers produced their worst performance of the season in the 3-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Southampton.

QPR is the only team in England's top four divisions without a win and Hughes is uncertain whether or not he will be given the chance to right that wrong when the side travel to Old Trafford next week.

Fernandes, who has previously been forthright in his public backing of Hughes, took to Twitter to lament another home defeat, and his words will do little to assure the manager of his future.

'I feel gutted,' he wrote. 'I have put my heart and soul into this with my other shareholders. And done all we can to give support to players and all management. I can only apologise to the QPR fans. we keep fighting.'

He later added: 'Let me tell you Fans come first.

Everyone including me let the fans down. Many of us need a hard look at themselves. QPR has amazing fans. They deserve better.'

Fernandes enjoys a good personal relationship with the manager and is desperate for the man he bought to the club to succeed.

However, the limp showing at Loftus Road shocked the club's hierarchy and could prove to be the final straw, especially after fans vented their own frustrations at the situation.

Sports out with Sports Ahead of ACC: Eaglets take goals Hally Business, Media Awards advantage to Bamako H

G

olden Eaglets of Nigeria defeated their Malian counterparts in an Under17 African Championship by 2-0 at the UJ Esuene in Calabar on Sunday.

They played the first leg of the the final round of the qualifying match protesting that the Malians looked too old for Under-17s.

The Eaglets, for the first time, found a tough opponent in the Malians who kept possession well.

The hosts found it difficult to settle down in the early period of the match as the Malians used their physique to advantage.

Mali's Under-17s resorted to aerial balls and for the first time in more than 360 minutes, Nigeria's goalkeeper, Adeyinka Adewale was made to work.

But it was the impressive Wilfred Ndidi, who put Nigeria

… Protests over Mali players in front on 24 minutes with a headed goal from a corner kick.

Kelechi Iheanacho then came close to making it two for Nigeria just past the half hour mark, but his attempt went wide.

In the restart, Bernard Bulbwa was guilty of missing twice from

goalscoring positions in quick succession as Nigeria continued to press for a second goal.

The Nigerians finally cracked open Mali's defence with seven minutes left in the business of the game for their second goal through Alhassan Ibrahim, who

33 boys move into Glo Soccer Academy lo Soccer Academy, ... As TV Reality show kicks off

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Africa's biggest football TV reality show, took off officially at the weekend as the final 33 players moved to camp in Lagos yesterday.

This was preceded by the semi-finals in Lagos where 18 players were eliminated from the 51 who were selected from the screening exercises conducted in Ghana, Nigeria and Benin Republic.

The final 33 players will be

trained by coaches from West Africa and supported by a technical team from Manchester United in England.

Out of the 33 players in the Academy, 16 finalists will emerge and go on a training tour of the Manchester United Soccer Schools in Carrington, England, as well as enjoy the G-Bam Scholarship of N750, 000 each as part of the prizes.

In addition, one of the boys

Nkwocha testimonial set for March

T

he testimonial match for Africa's most decorated woman footballer, Perpetua Nkwocha, has been postponed to March, next year.

The encounter earlier scheduled for the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar on November 18 was put off at the instance of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to allow for more planning and befitting farewell game.

NFF wants to key the testimonial match into Super Eagles' home 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Harambee Stars of Kenya at a venue yet to be decided next March.

Dr Rafiu Ladipo, who heads the Main Organising Committee

benefited from a rebound after a good work from Success Isaac.

It was the first time that the Nigerians will score fewer than three goals in a match in the CAN Under-17 qualifying match after defeating Guinea 70 and Niger Republic 10-1, both on aggregate, in previous rounds.

for the tie, said the shift in date would allow the committee to overcome the initial hiccups especially with fund.

"We urge all those who have been approached for fund to keep faith with us, while we still expect the fulfilment of promises already made to us to ensure we give honour to this worthy Nigerian who helped her country win many trophies. "Perpetua Nkwocha must be supported by every Nigerian.

The shift in date shouldn't be an excuse for a let down. Let big corporate bodies doing business in Nigeria rise up and be counted," said the President-General of the Nigeria Football and Other Sports Supporters Association.

The four-time African Women's Footballer of the Year

campaigned with the Super Falcons at the 8th AWC in Equatorial Guinea finishing a distance fourth position.

The Imo State-born goal merchant set a 15-goal pre-tournament personal target but managed a dismal two goals at the biennial football showpiece which Nigeria has won a record six times.

Nkwocha

who emerges as the Most Valuable Player will earn N5 million, while the other 15 will go home with N1 million each.

A statement from Globacom on Friday said that television viewers across Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic will be treated to fantastic football artistry displayed by promising African youths who demonstrated incredible amount of skills and dexterity during the screening exercises.

The leading telecoms company said sports fans in Nigeria should tune to NTA Network on Saturdays at 1.30pm-2.30pm, with a 30-minute highlight on Wednesdays, between 5.30pm and 6.30pm to view activities at the Academy. It can also be viewed on AIT network on Saturdays from 4.30pm5.30pm, with the highlight on Sundays from at 5.30pm-6pm.

Viewers in Ghana will also enjoy the programme on GTV on Saturdays from 10am to 11am with the highlight on Wednesdays at 5.30pm-6pm.

Similarly, lovers of youth football in Benin Republic have the opportunity to watch it on ORTB on Sundays from 5pm to 6pm with the highlight the following day at 11am to 11.30am.

ally Sports International has almost concluded plans for the maiden Sports Business and Media Awards billed for December 1st at Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Ikeja, Lagos.

CEO Hally Sports International Limited, Godwin Spiff Sagbama, speaking at a media briefing on the event last Thursday, said the Awards were introduced to fill the gap that existed between Sports and in Business arena. He also said it's an opportunity to honour those who have shown enough commitment in sports reporting and editing.

The awards ceremony which promises to attract dignitaries from far and near, is expected to honour, at least, 30 distinguished personalities in Sports Business and Media in particular.

The Awards at stake 1. Sports Administrator of the year 2. Sports Personality of the year 3. Sports Governor of the year 4. Sports Developing State of the year 5. Sports TV of the year 6. Sports TV Programme of the year 7. Sports TV Presenter of the year 8. Sports TV Producer of the year 9. Sports Radio of the year, Regular radio 10. Sports Radio of the year, Sports-based station 11. Sports Radio Presenter of the year, Regular radio 12. Sports Radio Presenter of the year, Sports based 13. Sports Radio Programme of the year, Regular radio 14. Sports Radio Programme of the year, Sports based 15. Sports Radio Producer of the year, Regular radio 16. Sports Radio Producer of the year, Sports based 17. Sports newspaper of the year, Regular newspaper 18. Sports newspaper of the year, Sports based 19. Sports editor of the year, Regular newspaper 20. Sports editor of the year, Sports based 21. Sports writer of the year, Regular newspaper 22. Sports writer of the year, Sports based 23. Sports brand of the year, Finance 24. Sports brand of the year, Telecommunications 25. Sports brand of the year FMCG (i) Alcoholic drinks.

26. Sports brand of the year FMCG (ii). Non alcoholic drink 27. Sports brand of the year FMCG (iii) Confectionery.

28. Sports photo journalist of the year 29. Football Academy of the year 30. Sports Driven Advert of the year

Aluko awaits Nigeria’s call

H

ull City attacking winger, Sone Aluko, has declared that he is ready to answer Nigeria's call for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Aluko has been used upfront at Hull City by manager, Steve Bruce, who has seen him netted eight times this term and his performance is being monitored by the Nigerian selectors.

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60 DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

SUN SPORTS

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Glo Golf Tour moves to Abuja as Nigeria's Odoh walks tall in Sagamu

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Obafemi Martins with a Venezuelan during the recent friendly duel in Miami, USA

Nations Cup: My fears for Eagles -Siasia

By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

S

uper Eagles’ former chief coach, Samson Siasia, has said that his greatest fears for the Stephen Keshi-led Eagles putting up a commendable performance in the South Africa 2013 Cup of Nations would the insufficient for the players to blend as a team.

The Flying Eagles’ former gaffer, fielding questions from the media in Abuja at the weekend, equally expressed concern over the possibility of the head coach executing his game plan before the continental tournament kicks-off early next year, stressing that the players may not be well blended.

Asked his greatest fear over Nigeria's participation, Siasia replied: “My biggest fear would be if the team would have enough time to play together as a team and understand one another . They have everything but the next thing is how well they can understand themselves and what kind of tactics they will play.

“We have good players, but the biggest issue would be the time to blend. If Keshi picks those he thinks that can help him, another problem would be how they are going to play as a team because of the limited number of time, they have to play friendly games and correct noticeable lapses,” he charged.

Does he envisage Keshi facing selection problem between the players at home and those in the Diaspora fighting for attention, the Nigerian former international said: “I think Keshi is going to have problem in selection of players.”

“However, he played with many new players and he has to pick from those ones and join them with the ones he had already to see how well they can

play together. If he manages the situation very well, I don't think he will have much problem though,” he noted.

On his concern over the possibility of the home-based players getting a chance to break into the team, Siasia responded: “I don't know why the media have kept calling them homebased players.

They are all professional players even though they are playing

Australian Ambassador hails Obudu’s organisers …As East Africans emerge winners of Mountain Race

By JUDEX OKORO,CALABAR

A

n Ethiopian athlete, Abebe Dinkesa, has emerged the winner of the 8th edition of the Obudu Mountain International Race.

He emerged winner after running a race track course of 12.3 kilometers in one hour three minutes.

Dinkesa, who is also the 2008 and 2010 winner of the race, carted home the star prize of $50, 000 while his compatriot, Etenesh Diaro Neda, emerged the new track champion for the women`s 8. 2 kilometres race in one hour and 3 seconds.

Macdonald Ondara from Kenya came second in the 2012 men’s race, while the third position was taken by Robert

Thomasen also from Kenya as Ugandans, Philip Kupkow and Martins Moses came 4th and 5th respectively.

Running behind Etenesh Diaro Neda in the women’s race which has never produced a two-time winner since 2005, was Rita Jepto from Ethiopia, the 2010 winner, while Pacharia Kiproch came third and Wungari Muriki came 4th in the mid morning race. The first Nigerian male runner to brace the tape was Emmanuel Giang from Plateau State closely followed by another athlete from Plateau State, Gideon Goye and another Giang, Danjuma Giang came third. The 4th position was taken by Robert Zankudan and Otiba Edwin and John Bulus were 5th and 6th respectively.

Deborah Pam, also from

Nwogu calls for more Taekwondo matches

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inner of the just concluded Chika Chukwumerije S p o r t s Foundation International Taekwondo Championship in the girls 10-11 category, Sophia Nwogo Chigozie, has called for more taekwondo action in the country.

The 11-year-old scholar of Eaglets international school Owerri, Imo state, speaking soon

in our domestic league.

“If they have the chance to play, why would we differentiate the home-based from the ones coming from abroad?

The players have to prove themselves that they are good enough to play in that position irrespective of where they are plying their trade. Everybody must work hard to make the final list and or be in the starting list,” he noted.

after sending all other contenders to the cleaners to win the title, thanked Chika Chukwumerije for organising such championship which was the first of its kind in the country and pleaded with other well meaning Nigerians to emulate the Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist by organising similar competitions for Nigerian youths.

Despite fighting with injury to win her fourth taekwondo title, Nwogo hinted that her exploits in

the game had just begun, having drawn inspiration from her parents, Inpector Peter Obi Chigozie and Mrs Chinasa Obi Chigozie, both of the Nigeria Police, who are taekwondo pratitioners too.

Little Nwogo Chigozie said that more Chika Chukwumerije could still be discovered in Nigeria taekwondo scene with more competitions like the just concluded CCSF tournament

Plateau State, joined her compatriot to brace the tape first among the Nigerian female athletes, followed by Deborah Dung and Jacenta Matu from Obanliku in Cross River State attracted loud ovation from the villagers when she came third in the Nigerian position and 10th in the women’s race, while Dorcas Akawe came 4th.The last female runner to win a prize is Ivon Ngowaya from Cameroon, who came twelfth in the race.

The 47-year-old Australian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ian Mcnoville, who came 35th said he was happy to participate in the race and commended the organisers for the impressive organisation and beautiful race course.

“I am not as well prepared for the race as the winners, but in the last one year, I have been keeping fit”.

Mcnoville, who said he was icipating in the race for the first time said he would like to participate in the 2013 race.

He said he would ensure there was close collaboration between Cross River State and Australia in the development of sports in the state.

The race which was low-key did not feature notable sponsors as Coca cola, Eva Water and Chivita which have in the past been the sponsors of the race.

igeria’s former number one golfer, Oche Odoh, on Saturday bounced back to winning ways as he won the second leg of the Glo Golf Tour West Africa 2012 at the Sagamu Golf Club, Ogun State as golfers moved to Abuja for the third leg of the event.

Odoh, who was in sixth place after Round 3 and far behind leaders, Gboyega Oyebanji: 4 under 209 and Gift Willie: 3 under 210, after 54 holes, fired back with purpose and determination to win the giant slice of the N10 million prize for the pros in Sagamu after 72 holes.

Odoh, who has represented Nigeria at international tournaments, shot an impressive 69 on the day it mattered most to finish the final Round at 3 under 281.

While Odoh did enough to win, Oyebanji threw away a 5-shot lead on count back at the beautiful Sagamu Golf Course, acclaimed for its landscaping and topography.

Going into hole 11, Oyebanji had built a solid lead but all that fizzled out when he recorded a double boggle at holes 12 and 13, cutting down his lead to half.

While the IBB Golf Club-based Odoh held his nerve to keep his 3 under onto hole 18 where he maintained par, his club mate, Oyebanji, further dropped more shots to finish 1 under 283 in the second place.

First runner-up of the Asaba leg of Glo Golf Tour West Africa, Nigeria-based Ghanaian golfer, Emos Korblah, was also affected by the extremely hot weather and undulating course to finish third with 284 par.

His country mate, Vincent Torgah, winner of the first leg in Asaba, could only manage the joint fourth with Air Assault Port Harcourt star, Gift Willy. Both shot 285 one over.

Shortly after, Odoh was officially declared winner. He noted that he tried to play safe, knowing that the course could be tough.

“I played cautiously because the course here is tricky and tough.

I did all I had to do to keep my par and not to be too ambitious, knowing that it is easy to underrate this course and l am glad it worked out fine for me,” he said.

He also praised Globacom for setting up the Glo Golf Tour which he said has motivated West Africa's golfers to improve their game.

Glo is offering N62.5m as prize money for West African golfers in a four-city tour.

Allardyce rekindles interest in Anelka

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est Ham’s manager, Sam Allardyce, has said he is keen on re-signing Shanghai Shenhua striker Nicolas Anelka. Allardyce, 58, bought the player for Bolton for a then-club record fee in 2006 and could move to work with the 33-year-old again in January.

"It could interest me, of course, it could," he said. "It would be of interest if that is a possibility financially and he wanted to come.

"I have had no conversations with Nicolas's agent at this time."

West Ham has enjoyed an impressive return to the Premier League this season and currently sits in seventh spot, in front of sides such as Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle, ahead of today's game at home to Stoke at Upton Park.

The team already boasts England international centre forward, Andy Carroll, in attack, although he has yet to score for the London side following his loan move from Liverpool.

Anelka, who scored 123 top flight goals during spells at Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bolton and Chelsea, joined the Chinese Super League outfit in January.

The France former international is thought to have signed a £250,000-aweek, two-year contract with Shenhua where he is a team-mate of Chelsea’s former star, Didier Drogba - and that could prove an obstacle to any deal.

Anelka B u t Allardyce hoped his former charge would be prepared to take a wage-cut to be near to his family home.

61

DAILY SUN

Monday, November 19, 2012

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

By AYO ADEMOKOYA

I

n a gathering that could be described as the largest and richest assemblage of the Shooting Stars’ ex-players and administrators in recent times, the 3rd Best Ogedegbe Memorial Lecture organised by the family and friends of one of the most charismatic goalkeepers ever in the Nigerian national team (Green Eagles and IICC Shooting Stars, the Late Best Ogedegbe(MON) in Ibadan recently was, indeed, revealing, life changing and memorable.

In a lecture entitled: Life After Football- The road roughly travelled, delivered by Chief Segun Odegbami(MON), which he described as a message from his friend, Best Ogedegbe from beyond and a voice representing several generations of footballers and athletes, forgotten heroes who have departed this world, whose families are confined to face the agony of living through the realisation that our country has no place for dead football heroes.

With an emotion-laden voices, Odegbami, a nominee for the prestigious African footballer of the year in 1976, where he came second, said if 'Best' had the opportunity to come back and tell us how life had been for his family since he departed, he would described the life of a footballer as one unappreciated in this part of the globe.

'Mathematical' has he is fondly called further divided the life of a footballer into three phases namely the 'good, the bad and the Ugly'.

With ecstasy, Chief Odegbami described his playing days and that of his colleagues as “good” .

“Best Ogedegbe and I met sometimes in 1973 even though our path must have crossed between 1971 and 1972 when I played for several club here in Ibadan in those day. I still remember vividly some of my colleagues in Housing Corporation such as Muda Lawals of this world, who later came to join us before I was recruited to play for IICC Shooting Stars in 1973.

How time flies, I can't believe it is almost 40 years.

We painted the City of Ibadan “red', owing to the fame and fortune football and playing for the darling team of the Yoruba's, IICC Shooting Stars, brought us.

“So good and beautiful were those days, even if we were not making money from our football playing enterprise, that not even death which cheated and crept my friend (Ogedegbe) silently like a thief in the night some three years ago, and stole his life can take away the beautiful memories of the good times we had as very young men in Ibadan. God gave us the opportunities to excel and to become heroes in our country, celebrated in every nook and cranny even till now, the good news is that the wonderful journey still has not ended.

“I could remember that we were so loved, cherished and worship that we enjoyed our life to the fullest. Infact, all of us were kings after all a colleague of mine (name withheld) had an accident killed somebody and nothing happened. Alhaji Olootu and co went to pacify the family and that was end of it “Life as a footballer still in active service could be that wonderful. We drank all the beer and chased all the fine girls in town.

Life was good.

But the next phase after active

Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi,Ayo Ademokoya,Chief Adegboye Onigbinde and Toyin Akintunde, Chairman , Shooting Stars service is simply 'bad'.

“Honestly, the bad side of football is what footballers did not really prepare for. The sign of bad times begin to set in when he completes his assignment and retires as a player from the game.

Footballers enter another phase of their journey completely different from the first. There is little or no provision in the system to adequately accommodate them, so they end up in the jail of neglect, sickness, joblessness depression and premature death. The system not only forgets them, but also forgets the family they leave behind. Our list of victims is endless. So bad is the situation that many of us pass away and even the memories of us disappear like a plume of smoke in the air, like vanishing act of a magician. It is as if we never passed this way.

The road we travel after football is very rough and tough littered with sad stories”, Segun Odegbami , a prolific scorer for club and country now a prolific writer continued by using Ibadan as a metaphor for the whole country saying: “I am using Ibadan as a metaphor of what is obtainable in very club and every city in Nigeria and also because we are here today, the same situation applies to every club, city and state in Nigeria.

Ibadan has produced finest and foremost footballers but what has Ibadan done to remember its greatest heroes in football? What has the city done to keep them in remembrance or to occasionally celebrate them as an inspiration for the next generation? What has Ibadan done to support the families of those that have died or even alleviate the hardship of those that are still alive? Let me announce to all Nigerian that the life of footballers after football is a condemnation to a life of regret, very painful old age, and abject poverty. That is the reality!

“Mentioning names of players will only bring back the bile in everyone here. So, this is the bad aspect of the journey of footballers through life. Society forgets them and when they die, it gets worse. They abandoned their families.

“Describing the ugly side of life after football nearly brought tears out of the eyes of the audience, with sobriety, Segun Odegbami said of football it is a tale of the living dead.

It is a painful life we live at old age. I have spoken about the good side of our playing careers and the bad side when we retired

Best Ogedegbe Memorial Lecture fallout

Why footballers die mysteriously and abandoned, but the ugly side is when we begin to grow old and see the consequences of our youths without any provision for us from any quarters.

Let us look back and take stock of the life of our soccer living legends of football like Suara Adeniran, whom I learnt is going blind, so also or is senior Dejo Fayemi, Bayo Alli Senior also is senior Olu Onagoruwa negelected, Or have you seen Adokie Amesimaka, Emmanuel Okala, Khadiri Ikhana, Rafiu Salami, Joe Erico, George Omakaro, Mike Okotie, Morton Owolo ?

All these great heroes are still alive but are physically challenged.

He beckoned on Moses Otolorin and Ademola Adesina to walk to the podium for audience to see. They both limped out out of their seats, while the audience was sober and their eyes filled with tears.

“Look at these two, every single one of us, great football heroes has become physically challenged crippled by debilitating arthritis with crooked knees and waist, bad eyesight as a result of various injuries sustained during our active football playing days.

“In some cases, it is even terrible; Peter Fregene has been laying on his bed for over 8years.He can no longer walk!' Segun continued.

These are the ugly scenes that behold the journey of footballers “ you need to see me climb steps these days, I climb up and descend the stair case, for the past two years like crab that is for the one you can see. There are

– Odegbami other physical damages you cannot see under these fine clothes.

My thigh muscles once strong and toned like that of racing horse is now thin and drooping with wrinkles like the withered breasts of an old woman!

“For over ten years now, I have been having palpitation, my cholesterol level was high, I have been on daily dose of pills I must take for the rest of my life, so that I do not go blind, there is pain in my back and waistline, I suffer more, yet I count myself as one of the lucky ones among our generation.

These are ugly scenes to behold. All of these, whether we like it or not, are the direct consequences of the stresses and the strains we put on our bodies through during the good days of our playing careers, when the likes Alan Hawkes, Jossy Lad and Coach Onigbinde would ask us to run 50 laps round the field or climb staircase more than hundred times. Nobody told us the consequences perhaps, they (coaches) do not know.

“This is the price we have to pay for serving our clubs, states and the country, for serving the Yoruba nation for Shooting Stars International Football club is a movement of Yoruba nation.

“Now in our old age, we are neglected, there are no jobs to go round, we are devastated by health challenges as we get older and we die from these challenges. or don't you know that even most of the deaths we prematurely suffered have mostly been the con-

sequences of the stresses we went through in our youth. High performance sports persons often die earlier than their ordinary counterparts? Otherwise, look at the long list of those in our generations, most of them die of heart- related diseases. we have the list”.

Segun Odegbami said he was among those invited from Mozambique, Canada, Kenya and, of course, Nigeria by the Jomo Kenyata University to be a member of a research team to design a funding proposal for a research study in Nairobi, Kenya not as a university don, but based on his experience in various aspects of sport, three weeks before the particular programme organised in memory of Best .

Chief Odegbami said as they sat down for the meal after the usual introduction of participants for the research in Kenya, a certain Professor Antonio from University of Mozambique made statement that shocked him to the marrows.

“You looked good for a high performance that has retired from the game of football. Do you know that high-performing athlete do not live very long or die earlier than their ordinary counterparts?”, Professor Antonio asked.

“I was stupefied because he was not asking a question; he was only making a categorical statement as a renowned sports scientist by further telling me that most high-performance sports person either do not live long or end up with debilitating illnesses as they grow older.

“Otherwise look at the long list

of footballers that have passed on from our generation, what did they die of? Most of them die of heart- related disease, most of them died and are dying before they get to 70 years of age!

“Segun, Do you know that most high-performing players, especially football, if they do not died prematurely, they will suffer from one ailment or the other after their active days in sport. he observed “I am not condemning sport” he said, I am a former athlete myself and, in fact, I would give anything to be a world-class performer in sport like you because the benefits are numerous. You are famous, rich and all of that, but so also is the long term implication and consequences.

“Prices high performing athletes, especially football, pays is so high and that it must be taken seriously by sports administrators and government in every country especially Africa. Then he started reeling out the global data and statics.

“I was dumbfounded knowing full well that this is a scientific fact. Looking at our generation, at least, five have gone this year alone, Sam Ojebobde. Joseph Appiah, Dauda Adepoju, Mumuni Lawal and Rasidi Yekini. There may even be others I don't know about.

“Before then we have had a long history of passages to the beyond, Folorunsho Gambari(Gamble) Sunday Akande , a fantastic left footer, who came with Kunle Awesu from Housing Corporation with me, Kunle Awesu,Yomi Bamiro,Adeleye Mumini Lawal, Tunde Bamidele, Akintola Abiodun and Best Ogedegbe.

62 DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012

DAILY SUN Monday, November 19, 2012 63

UCHE EZECHUKWU

CAPITAL MATTERS

0803 622 3337

onukwubel@yahoo.com

Writes:

‘Nigeria’s database confusion’ MONDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2012 *VOL.7 NO. 2498

I

don’t know what former head of state as well as, ex-civilian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, was thinking when he recently rebutted statements credited to him in the newspapers.

He had been quoted by the Daily Trust newspaper in its November 12, 2012, edition as saying that when a revolution berths in our land, it would be quite potent and devastating, given the level of youth unemployment ravaging our country.

“I’m afraid, and you know I am a General.

When a General says he is afraid, that means the danger ahead is real and potent. There is absence of serious, concrete, realistic, short and long term solution to youth unemployment, ” Obasanjo reportedly declared at the West African regional conference on youth employment in Dakar, Senegal.

The Trust newspaper thought it was news worthy and made a banner headline of it: “Revolution Coming, Obasanjo says.” It also had the direct quote of the former head of state.

Few days later, the chicken farmer chickened out of what I thought was an altruistic and patriotic submission. He claimed he was misquoted. He didn’t use the word ‘revolution.’ He couldn’t have also called for or warned against an impending revolution.

He had harsh words for Daily Trust and its reporter, Aliu Akoshile who filed the report from Dakar.

“The person saying I talked about revolution taking place in Nigeria is talking nonsense; he doesn’t understand. What I said was that as long as we do not pay adequate attention to solving the problem of unemployment, we are all sitting on a keg of gun powder. And it is a ticking time bomb.”

I read OBJ’s denial and had a hearty chuckle. I am still trying to find the discrepancy between what the paper published and what he claimed to have said. It is the difference between six and half a dozen.

We can forgive Obasanjo. Not being a journalist or an editor, he would not understand what goes into the process of headlining. He may not understand that a headline is not strictly speaking ‘an act of journalism, but of marketing.’

He may not have used the word ‘revolution’, but ‘time bomb,’ ‘keg of gun powder’ are not less frightening than ‘revolution.’ He hasn’t denied that he said that even as a General, he was scared of an implosion from the army of unemployed youths.

Was he pressured to recant? Was he afraid of the effect of a revolution sweeping across Africa’s most populous and most problematic nation?

But, even at that, this would not be the first time the retired general would be warning against an impending revolution if things remained the way they are.

At the International Labour Organisation’s conference last year, he had issued the same warning.

Also, at a workshop organised by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission in Abeokuta last year, on the topic, “Economic Diversification and Revenue Generation,” he said, “There’s the possibility of having an Arab Spring in Nigeria if similar conditions, hardships and unemployment which gave birth to it are not addressed.”

So, what then is the difference between

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Who’s afraid of revolution?

what he said at the ILO conference in Geneva, RMAFC in Abeokuta and the statement in Lusaka?

When he spoke at the ILO event, I had praised him for having the courage and foresight to warn the visionless leaders in Africa against an impending rage over ineptitude, especially in tackling the unemployment scourge.

I had noted then: “For a man who is part and parcel of the ‘oppressor class,’who has certainly empowered more of his class to the detriment of the toiling masses of his country, I found OBJ’s thesis of an impending revolution interesting and intriguing. Whatever his motives were for his ‘revolution thesis’, he hit the bull’s eyes in his postulation.

At the 100th session of the International Labour Conference, ILO, in Geneva, Switzerland, June 2011, Obasanjo who was one of the discussants alongside his former Ghanaian counterpart, John Kuffour, said he feared that there may be no hiding place for people like him and others in privileged positions who did nothing to alleviate the growing unemployment and poverty, especially amongst the youth population, if the kind of revolution sweeping across the Arab nations berthed in West Africa, including Nigeria and Ghana. His words: “I give example of my own country, Nigeria. We now have 120 universities. When I was growing up and I had to go to university, there was only one university.

With polytechnics and other tertiary institutions, we have more than 200. We have over 600,000 graduates every year and we are not creating 100,000 jobs for the graduates. The youths can be ignited at anytime. We have a population of about 165million people, we must be talking of jobs, jobs, jobs. If we don’t, the youth will be ignited and we will all be consumed. Our situation of lack of employment is predictable of what will happen. If it happens in our countries in Africa, none of us will be spared. I know that I will be a victim. Kufour too will have no place to run. If the unemployment situation in African countries is allowed to continue and not checked and addressed, the revolution that would take place will be more severe than what is being witnessed in the Middle-East.”

Obasanjo was not done. He took a swipe at his successors(the late President Yar’Adua and Good luck Jonathan) for lacking the political will to tackle corruption which he said militates against the development of the country.

Of course, it doesn’t matter whether you love or hate the ex-president: Nigeria is surely heading towards a people’s revolution, except urgent steps are taken to address the plight of the angry deprived citizens. I agree with Obasanjo that when a revolution takes place in this clime, it would be worse than what happened in the Arab nations. I also agree that the first casualties will be leaders like him who had the exceptional privileges to wipe away the tears of the people by building enduring infrastructure and a people-oriented economy but instead foisted on us inept leadership that virtually retarded our march to progress. Today, we lack focused leadership that shows us no light at the end of the tunnel. To those who hold the cynical view that a revolution is impossible to achieve because ‘Nigerians are docile, merrygo-happy people,’ they underestimate the capacity of the slave to break his chains of bondage. As I also once noted in this column, I believe strongly that we are sitting on a time bomb which could explode sooner than we think. We may soon be faced with the revolt of the poor, the proverbial hewers of wood and drawers of water; the people who are experiencing the worst form of existence in a land that ordinarily should have no business with poverty if not for the larceny of the elite

•Obasanjo

ruling class. They will not only demand for their share of bread but commandeer it. It will be sudden and involuntary. There will be no leader of the rebellion or anyone directing them to act. Hunger and the survival instinct will be the propelling force.

And by then, the so-called affluent in the society will either be compelled to examine the plight of the poor or flee from their wrath.

The reality today, if we must call a spade by its name, is that more Nigerians are going to bed on empty stomachs; many have no roofs over their heads; health care needs recovery, while hopelessness rules the land.

Many Nigerians live below 65cents a day.

There are Nigerians who haven’t held N500[five hundred naira] for a long time now. And this is no exaggeration. Many don’t know where and when the next meal will come.

Amidst this hellish living, a few powerful Nigerians are erecting breath-taking mansions and gliding in eye-popping wonderson-wheel.

They flaunt their wealth everywhere in the face of the majority haves-not, daring them to go to hell and stay there. Since no one willingly wants to go to hell or make it a permanent abode, a few depraved poor are taking their destinies in their hands and making it impossible for the wealthy to live in peace or sleep at night.

What do we have? Fortresses everywhere in the name of residences. Alsatian dogs and hitech security gadgets enveloping homes of the super-rich who have become unwilling prisoners. Even that doesn’t make them safe. They still have to drive their exotic cars on the roads and risk the attack of dare-devil robbers who are themselves victims of a dysfunctional system.

The way to abort any upheaval or revolt of the poor is for the rich amongst us to turn a new leaf and begin to spare a thought for the less privileged. When you throw a champagne party and hurl excess food in the garbage, remember there are many who haven’t had a meal in a long while; when you insist on spending every weekend in London, Paris or America, remember that many of your compatriots are right now under the bridges with no place to call home.

If this is not inhumanity, I wonder what else is. It is the protest against this bestiality or inhumanity of man to his fellow man that is called revolution. And Nigeria may truly not be far from it. Unless the right things are done at the right time.

LAST LINE The way to go is for our leaders not to be deceived by the seeming docility of the people. Unemployment is growing at an alarming rate. Many graduates are roaming the streets. Not every jobless PhD holder has been lucky to grab a truck driver’s job(as ridiculous as it is) with Dangote Group. We don’t need Obasanjo to tell us that a revolution is not too far from us if things remain the way they are.

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Website: www.sunnewsonline.com •Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Aba & Abuja EDITOR: STEVE NWOSU

CMYK