Sun News August 8, 2012

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2428

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Lagos gives commercial vehicle operators 90-day ultimatum to re-register

London 2012 Olympics

Chukwumerije, Nigeria’s last hope ...To fight Robeli on Saturday

Page 53

Massacre in Kogi

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16 killed, 9 injured as gunmen attack church Beggars yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos House, Ikeja against raid and harassment by the Lagos State Environmental Task Force.

PHOTO: FESTUS ODOFIN

$75,000 robbery

Banker nabbed for aiding robbers •Gives information on customer to gang Page 5

N150

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2428

Ogun admits fraud in internal revenue service Page 9

London 2012 Olympics

Chukwumerije, Nigeria’s last hope ...To fight Robeli on Saturday

Page 53

Massacre in Kogi

Page 12

16 killed, 9 injured as gunmen attack church L-R: Managing Director, UTC Nigeria Plc, Mrs Foluso Olaniyan; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and Chairman, Master Bakers, Ekiti State, Mr. Bosun Osaloni, at the official launch/demonstration of Cassava Bread Initiative in Ekiti State, in Ado-Ekiti.... yesterday.

$75,000 robbery Page 5

Banker nabbed for aiding robbers •Gives information on customer to gang

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Tuesday August 7, 2012

Tuesday, August 7, 2012, DAILY SUN

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SUNG GIRL

Gunmen set police station ablaze in Sokoto From TUNDE OMOLEHIN, Sokoto

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unmen yesterday invaded a police outpost in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State and set ablaze part of the building, a resident has said.

An eyewitness said the perpetrators, who were youths, came with motorcycles and torched the building, and fled the scene.

However, another account said the attackers, numbering six, came on motorbikes and tossed dynamites at the station. They also fired at the policemen on duty. Nobody died in the attack.

Shagari is the headquarters of Shagari Local Government Council and hometown of the Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

However, the police spokesman, DSP Salisu Sani, could not get give details of the attack and insisted that the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Aliyu Musa, would address the Press on the incident today.

“Please, the commissioner would brief you,” he said.

Last week, an attack was launched in Sokoto city that targeted Zone ‘10’ police Headquarters and another divisional station that left two people dead and several injured.

Beggars protest over harassment in Lagos

By OLUWOLE FAROTIMI

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group of beggars in Lagos State yesterday besieged the state secretariat, Alausa and the state House of Assembly, Ikeja to protest what they called undue harassment and plans to ban their activities by the state government.

Brandishing placards that explained their ordeals, they chanted Islamic songs and blocked the main entrance to the government secretariat causing traffic gridlock.

The beggars, who dared any motor to enter the secretariat later moved to the state House of Assembly where they converged and sang series of solidarity songs.

The leaders of the beggars, Zakariwa Hassan, who spoke on the reason for the protest, said government officials had been arresting them and put them in congested detention, saying that they slept, urinated and excreted in the same place.

He said many of their members had been detained at the Lagos State Rehabilitation Centre, Majidun in Ikorodu and treated inhumanly, saying that the place was not a rehabilitation centre but a detention centre by the government.

Hassan disclosed that he was once locked up in the cell and that his family members had o pay N45, 500 before he was released, saying that the money was paid to a Zenith Bank account belonging to the government.

“They call it centre for rehabilitation but it is a prison yard.

About 63 to 65 people are put in one room. We are telling the government to take us as human beings and they should consider our problem. We need good treatment,” he stated.

The beggars also expressed displeasure and unhappiness about the action taken by the government in the past and the proposed ban on begging in the state entrenched in the new Lagos State Traffic Law. The aggrieved beggars said: “Our movement within Lagos State metropolis has been restricted; such that anyone caught roaming on the road will be taken to Majidun prison. At the prison, all our belongings will be seized from us and also maltreated by the management.

“The condition of the prison is appalling and devastating that it causes more harm to our health. No religion freedom, privacy and convenience as the case may be. It has come to our notice that very soon, anybody found giving alms to us will be apprehended and jail for two years.”

The Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babatunde Fashola, Major Tunde Panox (retd), who addressed the beggars, said the entire allegation made by Zakariyau would be investigated, saying he would table their grievances before the governor.

He said: “I assure you that these allegations will be table before the governor later today. As at now, the governor cannot come and meet you because the State Executive Council meeting is on and it will not end until in the evening.”

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Tuesday August 7, 2012

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

DAILY SUN

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L-R: Former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Ologun Apena of Lagos, Chief Raufu Salami, and Ogboni Iduntafa of Lagos, Chief Sulaiman Jinadu, at a session on the 1861 Annexation of Lagos as a British crown colony in Lagos, Monday.

Photo: NAN

L-R: Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Ltd., Mr. Tony Onyima, presenting a portrait to his predecessor, Mr. Mike Awoyinfa, who celebrated his 60th birthday in Lagos last Sunday. With them is Bukola, Mr. Awoyinfa’s wife L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Taye Haruna, the Minister, Hajiya Hadiza Mailafia, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati at a Press briefing after Mailafia presented the ministry’s 2012 Budget implementation to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, Monday.

Photo: NAN

COVER $75, 000 robbery

Banker nabbed for aiding bandits

By PHILIP NWOSU, CHRISTOPHER OJI, MATTHEW DIKE and MARIAM BELLO, and EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, Lokoja

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marketer with a new generation bank and two other suspects were yesterday paraded by the police in Lagos for alleged armed robbery.

Oyediran (first name withheld) supplied the information that led to the snatching of $75, 000 000 (about N12 million) from a customer at the Alausa, Ikeja branch of the bank, by Ogunbiyi and Imoh (first names also withheld) The trio were among the 11 robbery suspects paraded by Police Commissioner Umar Manko, even as a soldier yesterday risked his life to disarm a suspected robber in Lagos.

Parading the suspects before journalists yesterday, Manko said his command also recovered three locally-made pistols, ammunitions and five vehicles from the various gangs.

Policemen attached to the State AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) Ikeja, arrested Ogunbiyi and Imoh, who assisted the police in arresting Oyediran.

Oyediran, who worked as a marketer attached to the Alausa branch, allegedly confessed to have given out information to the gang that dispossessed a woman of her $ 75, 000. The victim was robbed at gun-point along Marina Road, Lagos Island, after she left the bank.

While Oyediran was arrested on July 26 in his office, his gang members were nabbed on July 17.

Two local pistols and two live cartridges were recovered from the trio.

CP Manko warned robbers to leave Lagos or face dire consequencies.

One of the gangs specialised in snatching vehicles. The members are Unachukwu, Uchennaa and Shadrack. Two other suspects, Abidakun who was arrested in Delta State and Idowu, also nabbed in Kogi State.

Policemen recovered three Toyota Coaster buses belonging to schools, one Toyota Hiace and one locally-made gun from another gang.

•Gives information on customer

•Another group smashed in Kogi ...Soldier disarms robber on Lagos bridge Police said the gang allegedly led by Unachukwu, robbed a woman identified as Nneka on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, on May 23.

His arrest and interrogation led to the apprehension of five more suspects. The command said they have confessed to numerous robberies in the state.

On how they were arrested, the Commander of SARS, Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police, said that he was tipped off that suspected robbers were at Iddo Park, Ebute-Metta. He led his team to the scene and arrested Ernest and Charles. One Opel Safira car was recovered from them.

Upon interrogation, the suspects alleged that they operated along Ijebu-Ode-Ore Expressway. The police later discovered that the car was snatched at gun-point in Ogun State.

Meanwhile, Lance Corporal Musa Adamu, attached to the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army in Lagos yesterday saved two residents, who were attacked by a suspected robber.

Adamu single-handedly disarmed the robber that had tried to operate on the Alaka Bridge.

The soldier arrested the gunman who had attempted to rob staff of an insurance company.

The suspect was caught using a locally-made pistol to snatch a Toyota Corolla car from two employees of the insurance firm.

Adamu said he accosted the suspect on the Alaka Bridge, trying to rob one Isioma Mashie and disarmed him.

Army spokesman in Lagos, Lt-Colonel Kayode Ogunsanya, said the soldier in his rare display of bravery and patriotism, has further

demonstrated the immense contributions of 81 Division towards aiding the civil authorities in safeguarding lives and properties of law-abiding citizens.

Ogunsanya said the authorities of 81 Division have since handed over the suspect and the pistol to the Bar Beach Police Station, Victoria Island for further investigation.

Also yesterday, the police in Kogi State recorded a breakthrough by smashing a gang that specialized in using explosives to break into banks. Four suspects were arrested The gang was said to have been responsible for the series of bank robberies and bombings of police stations in recent times.

Briefing newsmen yesterday, the Police Commissioner, Mohammed Katsina, said his men also impounded a mobile armoury where arms and ammunition including 19 anti- personnel and locally-made bombs were discovered.

He said the robbers were on their way to rob a commercial bank in Akure, Ondo State when his men, acting on a tip-off, intercepted them along Okene- Ogori highway. He said that on interrogation, the suspects confessed killing two policemen when they robbed an old generation bank in Iyara , in Ijumu Local Government Area of the state.

Also arrested was one Ogunporisa, who claimed to be a medical doctor and the medical director in Okene He was said to be using his medical facility to treat injured robbers without reporting to the police.

•The suspect...yesterday

6 DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

NEWS N300bn diverted overseas since 1960 –ICPC From FRED ITUA, Abuja

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t least, N300 billion has been diverted overseas through corruption since 1960 when Nigeria had her independence.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other-Related Offences Commission (ICPC) made the damning revelation yesterday in Abuja over the increase in graft despite the concerted efforts mounted against the practice by the Federal Government.

The Chief Legal Officer of ICPC, Mr. Ebenezer Shogunle dropped the bombshell at a sensitization workshop organised by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) for its management staff and zonal coordinators on the significance of systems review.

In his paper presentation entitled: The rudiments of the ICPC Act 2000, he drew his instances from the World Bank.

Mr. Ebenezer said, “The exact cost in Naira of corruption to Nigeria is still uncertain, but our fear is that it will continue to cause under-development and create wider gaps between rich and poor.” According to him, the World Bank estimates that more than N300billion has been diverted since 1960 till date.

He regretted the trend and expressed worry over the placement of Nigeria as the 40th most-corrupt country in the world according to last year’s report.

Demolition rocks Maza -Maza

• Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation’s bulldozers demolishing marked buildings at Maza-maza to give way for the ongoing expansion work on Lagos-Badagry Expressway, yesterday. Photo: WALE OLUFADE.

By JIMOH RASAKI and HENRY UTSALO

Lagos commercial vehicle operators get 90-day ultimatum to re-register

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fficials of Lagos State Ministry of Environment, yesterday stormed Mazamaza, in the of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, to begin demolition buikdings to pave way for the onging expansion of the LagosBadagry Expressway.

As at presstime, store owners were moving their belongings in so that they would not lose their property. Some of the residents described the demolition as a welcome development.

Speaking to Daily Sun, a staffer of the Physical Planning and Urban Development Unit of the State’s Ministry of Environment, (PPUDME) who preferred anonymity said the intention of government was to expand the road for free flow of traffic. He said the demolition started from Orile and it is going to Badagry and the right of way given to them is 120 metres. That is from the centre line to the other side.”

He said the demolition exercise began in 2008 and the areas involved were served quit notice to remove the structures before the demolition. He said that those whose houses or structures affected would receive compensation from the government as those of them at Orile who submitted their documents have already been compensated.

“The government is compensating those whose structures have been demolished. Those that were demolished in Orile side have been compensated based on the documents they had.” People have been asked to submit their documents which they have done, so if you have submitted yours, definitely, the government is not owing anybody,” he said.

C’ River spends N300m on road maintenance, says Imoke’s aide

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ross River State Government says it has spent N300 million on road maintenance across the state so far.

The Director-General of Road maintenance Agency, Mr Tom Agi, who disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen in Calabar yesterday, said the amount was spent between January and August, 2012.

According to him, the agency pays N50 million to Zenith Construction Company every month for maintenance of roads across the state.

“We have a term contract with Zenith Contractors which work for N100 million, but we can only pay N50 million at the end of every month,” he stated.

Agi said that the State Government had approved the procurement processes for the agency to begin maintenance of roads in the Northern clusters.

“We mobilise contractors and try to procure contractors that have the competence and capacity to complete our jobs for us to pay them,” he said.

The former House of Assembly memberfurther said that the non passage of the Road Maintenance Agency Law has hindered the maintenance and sustenance of roads in the state.

According to him; “the levy would authorise the agency to collect money from commuters for the maintenance of roads.

“It will make the agency more sustaining so that we will not have to rely on Federal Allocation Account to maintain our roads, we will be self sustaining.”

He said the agency was proposing to work on 40kms of roads across the six Urban Development Authorities, adding “Contractors have been mobilised to site in the central cluster.

By OLUWOLE FAROTIMI

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he Lagos State Government yesterday slammed a 90-day ultimatum on commercial transport operators in the state to re-register their vehicles, thereby dashing the hope of transporters to get the state government to reverse some of its recent decisions.

The state Commissioner for Transport, Kayode Opeifa, who gave the directive at a meeting attended by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Association in Nigeria (RTEAN), Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS) and All Nigerian Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association (ANACOWA) pointed out that the move was to ensure safety and security of residents.

The commissioner

explained that a new database would be created by the government under the new development to identify the owner of a vehicle, driver and conductor, adding that hackney permit would be issued as one of the vehicle particulars that commercial bus operators would henceforth have in the state.

Harping on the new transport regime, Opeifa said the hackney permit would be within and outside the vehicle, for passengers to easily identify when the need arose.

Opeifa who spoke on the newly signed traffic law and

released white paper, said though the government recognised the need for operators to organise themselves into a union, it was illegal for its members to collect money from operators on the highways.

He said, “we recognise the right to organise yourselves into union. Whatever obligation in terms of due union members owe should be collected but the way it is collected is what should not continue.”

He charged them on the need to be orderly in their operations rather than con-

Ambassador Ajuru’s killers shot dead From TONY JOHN, Port The suspects, were killed, Harcourt weekend, by policemen, in Aluu Local Government Area olice in Rivers State of Obio/Akpor, during an have smashed a three- escape bid from police arrest. man notorious gang that According to the Police specialized on murder, kid- source, one of the suspects, napping and armed robbery was former second-in-comin the state. mand to late notorious Abia

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PHCN sale: ‘Request for deadline extension ridiculous’ Nigerians.

By FAITH OMORUYI

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member of the Presidential Task Force on Power has criticized firms who were requesting for extension of deadline of bids submission for sale of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

In a statement yesterday, Azu Obiaya described the request for more time by some bidding firms in their August 1 letter to the director general of Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) as ridiculous. According to him, “I have to wonder about the competence and ability of these firms to operate the DisCos that are up for sale, if they are unable to meet the

verting bus stops into motor parks thereby constituting traffic gridlock on the roads.

He said the state needed effective public transportation system, adding that the state government would work with local governments in rebuilding the parks.

Delving on Okada restriction, he urged the union leaders to direct members to comply with the law, adding that their members could come together and operate commercial buses in areas where they were restricted, to remain in business.

simple requirement of complying with a deadline.

Particularly so, given that the associated Request for Proposal (RFP) were issued early in the fourth quarter of 2011, the various extensions to the bid submission dates and the amendments, that universally applied to the 54 bidders that submitted timely bids. The 54 timely bidders were also subject to the ‘same onerous tasks of adjustments and re-strategizing’, purportedly associated with these amendments,” Obiaya said.

Noting that he was not speaking for the government, Obiaya said such firms should not be trusted with an asset such as the power sector, which was of enormous economic importance to

“The firms with the untimely bid submissions also state that the government’s seriousness about getting electricity to the people should be measured by its ability to ‘allow credible Nigerian companies with pedigree to participate and not cut them off on a flimsy excuse of 10 minutes lateness.’

“I cannot speak for the government. However, I would suggest that any firm that is unable to submit a response to an RFP effort that has been outstanding for approximately 10 months, must not only have questionable pedigree, but should not be trusted with an asset of significant economic importance to the Nigerian populace.”

State kidnap kingpin, Osisikankwu. The gang was said to have been involved in series of heinous crimes in the days of late Osisikankwu.

Among their operation as alleged were the alleged murder of one Ambassador Ignatius Ajuru and his police escort, murder of Mr. Hycinth Azu Nwangolo, former Rivers State Deputy Director and Head of EcoService Department, and death of the traditional ruler of Nihi Etche Local Government Area of the state, HRH Ben Nwaogu.

Also, the gang was said to be responsible for the abduction of five female members of the National Youths Service Corps in Eberi Omuma; kidnap of a 120year-old man, Pa Nwosu and Hon. Kelechi also in Eberi Omuma, near Port Harcourt.

Similarly, the suspects have been reportedly involved in alleged bullion van and bank robberies along Aba/Port Harcourt express way in the state.

Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Mr. Benjamin Ugwuegbulam, who confirmed the incident.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012, 7

NEWS

Eminent Nigerians revisit 1861 Lagos treaty ...Commend Oba Dosunmu’s heroic role

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minent Nigerians have revisited history and unanimously faulted historical claims that the role played by late Oba Dosunmu of Lagos in the 1861 annexation of Lagos was against the interest of the city, saying Dosunmu was heroic in his dealings with the British.

They also described the annexation as a commercial adventure, noting that it was not driven by human interest as being claimed by Britain.

This was disclosed yesterday in Lagos during a forum convened by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), entitled ‘11th Brainstorming Session On The 1861Annexation of Lagos: Matters Arising.’

Those at the event which attracted notable people from the academia, diplomatic corp, legislature, traditional institutions among others, were; former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, Ambassador George Obiozor, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Mr. Sam Amuka, Dr. Walter Ofonagoro, Ambassador Robert Clark.

Others were; Prof Rafiu Akindle, Prof Tekena Tamuno, Prof Margaret Vogts, Prof Bola Akinterinwa, Ambassador Dapo Fafowora, Prof Alaba Ogunsanwo among others.

In her remarks, Erelu Dosunmu, regretted that Oba Dosunmu’s role in the annexation of Lagos as a British colony, had been wrongly placed on the wrong side of history.

According to her, “while it is tempting to want to join the argument on the different and sometimes distorted accounts on the role of Oba Dosunmu in signing the treaty ceding Lagos to the United Kingdom, I simply would like to use this opportunity to welcome you to the celebrations which started a year ago.

Nigeria spends N635bn on wheat importation annually –Minister From CHARLES ADEGBITE, Ado-Ekiti

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he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has said Nigerians spent nearly N635 billion to import wheat for bread production every year, describing it as wasteful and a misplaced priority.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti yesterday during the flag-off of the Cassava Bread Initiative, the minister urged the Federal Government to opt for cassava bread rather than spending heavily on importation of wheat for bread production.

The minister disclosed that Nigerians also spent N10 billion to import food items annually, which he described as inimical to the growth of local agricultural products.

Adesina noted that the country must increase its productive capacity in agriculture and rely heavily on ‘made in Nigeria products’ for the Federal Government to be able to hit its proposed 20 million jobs for Nigerians in 2015.

He disclosed that countries like United States and Britain were making enormous progress in economic development because they were exporting more of their finished products more than importation of primary products.

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who promised adequate funding for cassava growers in the state, said about 20,000 jobs would be generated under the commercial agriculture before 2014, with special bias for the growth of cassava.

Fayemi said the government was going to encourage cassava revolution by funding cassava production to sustain the cassava bread initiative and ignite industrial growth in the state.

A’Ibom introduces promotion tests for civil servants From JOE EFFIONG & EKOM UMOH,

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he abysmal decline of civil servant’s productivity in Akwa Ibom State has been attributed to the hitherto tenure promotion enjoyed by workers irrespective of their output within the period.

Consequently, the state government, through the Civil Sservice Commission has introduced mandatory promotion examination for all civil servants. The Head of Civil Service of the state, Mrs Cecilia Udoessien, however, said writing examination before promotion was in line with the ongoing reforms in the civil service.

Udoessien, who said this at the opening of the pre-examination seminar, conducted by the state civil service commission for officers in the civil service, in Uyo, yesterday, disclosed that before the examinations were introduced, no civil servant was challenged to read and none was interested in what they could offer the system.

“The introduction of this policy, though initially resisted, has today, won popular acceptance. It is indeed a transparent means of ensuring that equity, justice and fair play is done to all and sundry.”

•L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Danladi Kifasi, his Transport counterpart, Mr Nebolisa Emodi and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Capt Adamu Biu, at a sub-regional workshop on Single Window in Abuja yesterday.

APGA crisis: Umeh leadership petitions IGP From IHEANACHO Shinkafi.

INEC, however, turned NWOSU, Abuja down the request insisting he leadership of the All that Umeh and Shinkafi Progressives Grand remained the recognised Alliance (APGA) yes- chairman and secretary of the terday petitioned the party. The leadership of the Inspector General of Police party, a forth night ago (IGP), Mohammed accused the group of forging Abubakar, seeking investiga- signatures of NWC members tion into the alleged forgery in a desperate bid to get of signatures of 11 members INEC to back it.

The party, in a letter to IGP of the party’s National Working Committed (NWC). through its counsel, Patrick It declared that a probe of Ikwueto (SAN), called on the alleged signature forgery IGP to investigate the signawas needful to bring to book tures sent to INEC by the those it said were bent on riding on the back of criminality to achieve unpopular project, cautioning against sweeping ormer Abia State goverthe matter under the carpet. nor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, The group, comprising six has taken his pains on the members recently wrote the Independent National state of the Nigerian nation to Electoral Commission the United States, even as he (INEC) with some signatures laments the seeming endless attached, seeking the bloodletting on the nation’s approval of the commission roads.

Kalu believes that more for suspension of Umeh and the party’s National lives are lost on ill-mainSecretary, Alhaji Sani tained roads across the coun-

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group and apprehend the culprits.

The petition further urged the IGP to, “cause an investigation to begin with a view to prosecuting the said culprits as provided by the law. We hope that action would be taken along the lines above suggested within 14 days from the date of this letter. We shall be pleased to be advised on our client’s behalf regarding steps being taken to address the subject under reference.”

According to the letter, “

we write on behalf of and as solicitors to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) whom we herein after refer to as our client. It is our instruction that the signatures of some members of the NWC of our client were forged on a letter purportedly written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by some dissident members of our client’s National Working Committee (NWC), contrary to Section 362 of the penal code.

Bad roads worse than civil war –Kalu

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try than what many countries suffer in terms of casualty in war situation.

Lamenting the astronomical figure, Kalu said, “Nigerian roads have become deathtraps. There is just a thin line between road users and suicide bombers. I must be clear on this. On a particular day, more compatriots died as

Dana Crash: Smoke aborts coroner inquest’s proceedings

By AKEEB ALARAPE

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Lagos coroner making inquest into the June 3 Dana plane crash was forced to adjourn its sitting yesterday as a result of an electrical fault in the courtroom.

A Dana plane, MD 83 had crashed at Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos State on the fateful day, killing all the 153 passengers on board, including the crew members and 10 people on ground.

The coroner, Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe had to adjourn sitting when smoke and smell of burning electrical wire sent panic into the courtroom.

With the development, the coroner announced his decision to adjourn sitting for the

safety of the people and to enable technical crew of the court rectify the fault.

Earlier, during the inquest, the coroner had requested the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) to tender an extract of the technical log book of the ill-fated air craft.

At the resumed sitting of the coroner court, a Director of Engineering at the AIB, Mr. Emmanuel Dialla told the coroner that the technical log book of the aircraft was already in the custody of the bureau.

On the condition of the plane’s black box, Dialla said there were two black boxes, which were the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), saying, the two items were located at the tail of the

aircraft.

Although he said the flight data recorder could not be recovered due to over-heating, he said the CVR was, however, recovered.

“The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) had temperature burning but we were able to download all the necessary information needed for the investigation,” Dialla said.

He also explained to the court that the captain of the air craft had made distress calls about the two engines that failed. When asked if investigation was conducted on the aviation fuel supplied

by MRS to the airline, part of which was used for the aircraft, the AIB official said that an extensive investigation of the fuel supplied was undertaken.

a result of traffic accidents than was recorded at Abagana Sector during the civil war.

Truck crushing people in Asaba, Luxury bus burning to ashes near Ore, fuel tanker setting houses ablaze in Ibadan or a high profile death on the Kaduna-Abuja Highway. These stories are real.”

The ex-governor, who had ackowledged the strides of Works Minister, Mike Onolememen on the Shagamu-Benin Expressway last yuletide, expressed disappointment that the cheer mood vanished after the New Year.

“I do not know what goes on in the ministry. A new minister arrives, settles down to work, then things begin to enter reverse gear. If I had my way, no minister of works should travel by air. I respect General Mamman Kontangora for that.

“When he served under General Ibrahim Babangida, there was no flight for him. I even would like to see President Goodluck Jonathan take a trip from Abuja to Lagos by road. What his eyes will see could turn the visit to the site of the Dana crash to child’s play,” Kalu added.

8, DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

NEWS N1.7m theft: Defence counsel stalls trial of ex-staff of The Sun

By FAITH OMORUYI

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he trial of a former employee of The Sun Publishing Company, Samuel Unegbu for alleged N1.7 million theft was on Monday stalled by his lawyer.

Unegbu, 37, had been arraigned before Magistrate Fadahunsi Adefioye of the Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Kirikiri on a one-count charge of misappropriation. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

During proceedings yesterday, the prosecuting counsel told the court that it was ready for trial as its witnesses were already in court. But the defence counsel H.U Anyanwu told the court that he was not yet ready for trial, as he had just got the court processes from the prosecution yesterday. Anyanwu, therefore, asked the court to give a further date of adjournment so he could prepare for the trial.

He told the court that though he had been to court twice for the proof of evidence which would contain the names of the prosecution witnesses, the police prosecutor, Superintendent Pascal Maduka did not give them to him.

He also asked that in giving a date, the court should consider that the defendant resided in the East.

Consequently, the court adjourned the matter till September 24, 2012 The police had arraigned the former sales executive with The Sun Newspapers in a Lagos Magistrate Court over an alleged theft of N1.7million belonging to the company.

According to the charge preferred against him, the defendant allegedly misappropriated the said sum between October 9 and November 1, 2011 while being an employee of the company.

The prosecution stated that the alleged stolen money were proceeds from newspaper sales.

Security: Court restrains fuji musician, others from organising show

By FAITH OMORUYI

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Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, yesterday, restrained a fuji musician, Alhaji Saheed Osupa, a.k.a.

Saridon P and four others from organising any form of carnival, show or programme entitled “1st Ever Ijeshatedo Day (One Love Carnival).”

The court gave the order while ruling on an application in a suit instituted by Oba Lateef Abayomi Dauda, Chief Tajudeen Odubiyi, Chief Buari Oloto and Chief Yahaya Idris on behalf of the Onitire Chieftaincy Family of Itire, Lagos.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Ibironke Harrison held that the order became necessary to prevent the breakdown of law and order in the Itire community.

Others restrained by the court include Chief Adio Mustapher, Akeem Bangbola, the commissioner for Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Lagos State and Prince Ade Oshin (respondents) respectively.

The applicants had, through their lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) in a motion ex-parte brought under Order 39, Rule 3 of the Lagos High Court (Civil Procedure), Rules 2004, prayed the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from organising, hosting or commencing any form of carnival, show or gathering pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The alleged event was to hold on August 26, 2012 at Imam Shuaib Street by Ogunlana Bus-Stop, Ijeshatedo, Lagos.

Insecurity: Nigeria in a state of confusion –EDAN boss

By SIMEON MPAMUGOH

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he Executive Chairman, Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (EDAN), Alaba International Market Ojo, Lagos, Chijioke Okenwa, an engineer, has described Nigeria and other nations as being in a state of confusion owing to insecurity that has been the order of the day.

Okenwa said last Friday at a day seminar on Disaster prevention, Grassroots security and Information network organized by the association at its headquarters in Ojo. He added that various leaders in Nigeria had made efforts to make peace prevail in the country, but this had been illusive and a mirage.

According to him: “Insecurity is like a virus that kills if not checked. The level of security the citizens enjoy can measure the success of any government.”

He explained that the purpose of the seminar was to enable stakeholders brainstorm on various factors that had contributed to insecurity and possibly proffer solutions to them for a better society.

He added that the word security was derived from the word secure, which meant untroubled by danger or apprehension, pointing out that insecurity was giving government a great concern and threatening the unity of the nation.

•Cross-section of graduating Assistant Commissioners of Police during their passing out from the force officers training in Jos. Photo: MARYAM ALESHINLOYE-AGBOOLA

Attack on police stations: IGP charges police chiefs on intelligence gathering From MARIAM ALESHINLOYE AGBOOLA, Jos

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he Inspector General of Police, Mohammad D. Abubakar, has charged police officers to revamp their intelligence gathering machinery to checkmate the activities of criminals, particularly terrorists. He said the police force would no longer tolerate attacks on police stations and killing of policemen in the line of duty.

He made the statement at the passing out of newly promoted officers from superintendent of police to assistant commissioners of police held at the Police Staff College in Jos. He urged the senior officers to ensure there was adequate security to avert attacks on police stations, barracks and policemen working under them. Represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Training, Marvel Akpoyibo, the IG said the role of intelligence gathering could not be over emphasised as it was the platform on which effectiveness and proactiveness would be anchored.

Abubakar said, “we are tired of policemen being killed in line of duty. So as a matter of urgency you must ensure that you make it impossible, wherever you are deployed, for hoodlums to just run over your divisions, maim, kill and slaughter your men even before you.

“It is a terrible thing to find men under you being slaughtered and you go there, you pack them leaving their widows and children in misery. It is a terrible thing. The consequences of such are better imagined than experienced.”

The IG stated that it had been made mandatory that before senior officers could detail men to protect others,

they must ensure they had more than 20 armed men on duty day and night within their divisions, saying they had no business protecting others if they could not protect themselves.

He also warned officers not to be carried away with their ranks by going about with small weapons but to always be well equipped wherever they went, stressing that they should exhibit leadership by example. “If you are a cowardly officer, you cannot expect your men to be bold and courageous. You have added responsibility that your men borrow good examples from you. As seasoned officers who have been retrained, reformed, re-fired and recharged to be more diligent, henceforth you must apply the knowledge and skill you have acquired to effectively police

Nigeria. The protection of lives and property must not be compromised.”

Speaking on the eight-week intensive promotion course for the officers, the IG said it was in fulfillment of the force’s policy and the recommendation of the police reform programme that promotion in the force must henceforth be based on having passed prescribed examination before moving to the next rank and also in line with the transformation agenda of the present administration.

He said the change in the national democratic processes imposed huge challenges on the Nigeria police force to embark on capacity building which could be anchored on the training and retraining of officers and men.

He noted that the police was in the front burner when it

came to the maintenance of law and order while other security agencies were there to collaborate with the police, saying the force bore the statutory responsibility of ensuring a secured society. Speaking on welfare, he said the new management of the police force came on board after the budget had been passed and issues on equipping the training institutions were not incorporated in the budget but assured that the hardship being experienced in the college would soon be a thing of the past. He said the police force was working hand in hand with the Police Service Commission (PSC) to ensure they were well trained and promoted when due.

Abubakar assured that hard work, honesty, efficiency and merit would continue to be rewarded.

ACN yet to decide on Jonathan impeachment –Lawmaker From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Osogbo

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he Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and InterGovernmental Affairs, Babajide Omoworare, has said his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), has not taken any official decision on whether or not to support the impeachment move against President Goodluck Jonathan by the House of Representatives.

He said members of the ACN in the National Assembly would not hesitate to support the impeachment move if the leadership of the party gave them the go ahead on the matter.

President Jonathan was currently facing impeachment threat by the lower chamber of the National Assembly

over the non-implementation of the 2012 budget.

Omoworare, while fielding questions from newsmen yesterday in Ile-Ife shortly after he addressed no fewer than 5,000 summer students and teachers sponsored by him, said the main opposition party in the senate would take a position on the issue as soon as the Senate reconvened from the recess.

He said: “I have always been of the opinion that the move to support Mr. President impeachment or not depends on my party leaning. My party has not taken any decision in respect of this, if my party decision is that we support the House of Representatives to impeach Mr. President we will surely do it, I am a party loyalties to the core.”

The senator, representing

Osun East Senatorial District, however, chastised the president for not doing enough for the country since assumption office, stressing that the president rather than sitting down at home to tackle the mirage of problem was only junketing from one country to another.

His words: “The Senate is on recess, whatever plan the Senate have will show when we resume. However, I have always been of the impression that Mr. President is not doing enough, and I have always doubted his capacity to rule this country.

“Between all of us, the budget is not fully implemented, that is the truth of the matter. At the juncture that we are now in Nigeria we cannot afford not to fully implement the budget especially the capital vote in the budget.”

DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012, 9

NEWS

NCC organises enlightenment programme on telecom masts

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he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has organized a day enlightenment programme for members of the public on telecom masts.

In a statement issued yesterday, NCC said the programme with the theme: Telecoms Masts and Towers: A Necessity Or Nuisance, is aimed at educating and protecting consumers about the telecommunications industry.

“It is directed at protecting, informing and educating the consumers on their rights, so no service provider and indeed, no one takes advantage of them.

“It seeks to soothe the minds of telecoms users, who have hitherto raised serious concerns about the safety of masts and towers spread around the country and its populace,” it stated.

According to the statement, the programme would be held at the Winners Guest House, Bolanle Gbonigi Hall, 17, Henry Fajemirokun Street, Ijapo Estate, Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday, August 9 by 1:00 pm.

It added that another advantage of the programme was that all service providers including MTN, GLO, Etisala, Airtel, and STARCOMMS would be in attendance.

Group commends Fashola on traffic law

By RAZAQ BAMIDELE

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pro-democracy pressure group, Agenda for New Nigeria (ANN), has commended Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), on the new traffic law he endorsed last week.

The group said it was a route towards sanitizing the chaotic traffic situation in the state.

The National Coordinator of the group, Razaq Oloko-Oba, during a telephone chat with Daily Sun from Saudi Arabia where he was performing the lesser hajj (Humrah), said: “Fashola is really fulfilling his electioneering promises that Lagos people would live as human beings that deserve comfort.”

The law, according to the human right activist, “as far as I am concerned the traffic law is not to punish anybody but to sanitise the hitherto chaotic traffic situation in the state that usually results in avoidable deaths as well as waste of manpower hours.”

According to him, what Fashola was doing was in conformity with the standard norms across the globe, saying, “I have travelled far and wide, and I have gone through the new law and discover that it is in tandem with international standard of doing things on any highways in the country.”

While urging the residents of the state to cooperate with Fashola administration to allow the law to work, Oloko-Oba said: “For any country or society to develop, grow and progress, people of such a country must be law-abiding by obeying the law of that land.”

No going back on demolition of illegal structures, says FCT Minister From FRED ITUA, Abuja

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inister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, has said his administration will not rescind its decision to destroy illegal shanties in the territory.

Mohammed made this revelation yesterday during the monthly FCT operations briefing session in Abuja.

The minister, who appealed to the residents to cooperate with the government, revealed that demolitions were carried out in the interest of the people since it was not intended to inflict hardship on the residents.

He said the sustained health and security of the collective populace were of paramount concern.

Senator Mohammed stated that apart from safeguarding the Abuja Master Plan, demolitions were usually carried out for sanitary and security reasons because threats in these realms had to be nipped in the bud.

The minister further revealed that apart from the over 500 shanties removed from the Gwagwalada Motor Park, the FCT administration in the last one month had removed about 398 illegal structures, sealed 10 properties violating the master plan-designated land uses and cleaned up posters under overhead bridges and other locations in and around the FCT. He added that the FCT administration had intensified sensitization and consultation with village chiefs and residents as 10, 288 illegal structures had been marked in Mpape for demolition.

L-R Chief Executive Officer, Verity Associates, Deacon Clem Baiye, former general overseer Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev (Dr)Wilson Badejo, Captain Y.O Okatahi of Cedio Rural Outreach, and Mr. Sunday Albert Jeje of Ihima D.C Ventures during the 28th anniversary of Ebira Divine Christian Association of Nigeria (EDCA) in Lagos Photo: WALE OLUFADE

FRSC backs Lagos traffic law ...Goes tough on issuance of license

By OLUWOLE FAROTIMI

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he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has thrown its weight behind the Lagos Road Traffic Law, saying the new law, apart from enhancing traffic management, will also return sanity to Lagos roads.

Sector Commander, Lagos Command of the FRSC, Charles Akpabio, who said this yesterday when he led other top officers of the Corps on a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola at his Alausa Office, said the FRSC was 100 per cent behind the implementation of the new law.

The commander, who assured the governor that they would contribute their quota to ensure full implementation of the law to the letter, added that the command had already begun sensitisation campaign to educate motorists.

Akpabio charged motorists to comply with the new law rather than waiting for law enforcement officials to apprehend them.

“It was not meant to punish anybody, but to bring back sanity to the roads. Lagos is very important to Nigeria and is home to a lot of tourists and the new law has come at the right time and we are prepared to partner with the state in that regard he assured.”

He said Lagos Command would henceforth ensure that only certified drivers were issued drivers’ license, stressing that it would no longer be business as usual for those without any driving experience getting license from the comfort of their homes.

According to him, “a lot of people are coming into Lagos to do their drivers’license and we will make sure that they

go through the processes of getting to the VIO first to let us know if they can drive or not. People who sit down at home to get license, that era is gone. Lagos should lead by example and once we can get it right in Lagos all neighbouring states will follow suit.”

In his response, Governor Fashola commended the FRSC sector commander for the move to streamline the issuance of licenses, adding that it would help reduce frequent accidents and save lives and avoid needless deaths.

The governor reiterated

that he signed the traffic law for the safety and benefit of Lagosians rather than send offenders to jail.

The governor explained that the three-year-jail term recommended by the law to traffic offenders could be prescribed, as sentence at the discretion of the judge would fall on regular traffic offenders, while first offenders would be made to undergo community service and visit the state’s drivers’ institute.

Fashola added that, “unlike the old law where you could pay fine after violating the

law, this time around, you will not pay a fine, you will either do community service where you would go and do compulsory training or you go and manage traffic, in addition, part of the sentence if you are found guilty will be to go to the drivers’ institute for compulsory training.

“Sentencing anybody to jail will be the very extreme and it will have to be at the discretion of the judge or magistrate where he sees that the person is either a very habitual offender or somebody who has done something grievous.”

Ogun confirms fraud in internal revenue service tigation.

...Exonerates Amosun’s aide

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gun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, yesterday confirmed that there were cases of fraud and sharp practices in Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS).

The commissioner, who made this known in a statement signed by him and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, however, denied the alleged involvement of Mr Femi Allen in the scam.

He said that Allen, who is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Gov. Ibikunle Amosun on taxation, was never involved in the alleged fraud as reported in some newspapers on Monday. ``Chief Allen was the person who actually blew the whistle on the individuals who have been defrauding the state by colluding with some companies to underestimate their taxes. ``As a result of his role in

uncovering the scam, which is believed to have gone undiscovered for years, the SSA has been given the task to supervise audit and head count of various companies in the state.’’

He said that OGIRS had informed security agencies of a case of alleged fraudulent activities involving some top members of the service as reported by a company based in the state. ``Four persons were invited for interrogation and they have been released on bail pending conclusion of inves-

``Also, in line with civil service regulation, the officers concerned have been suspended,’’ he said.

He said that a re-organisation of the state revenue collection machinery accounted for the recent disengagement of some personnel of the service and also expected to lead a thorough overhaul of the OGIRS. The commissioner said that the exercise was a demonstration of the administration’s zero tolerance for corruption and sharp practices.

Lagos State calls for registration of hotels,hospitality outlets

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he Lagos State Hotel Licensing Authority has called on hoteliers and owners of hospitality establishments operating in the state to immediately register and obtain a licence to operate, stressing that operators who failed to comply would be liable to be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of the law.

In a statement by the Secretary, Lagos State Hotel Licensing Authority, Ms Aduke Gomez, the Lagos State Hotel licensing law (Amended) 2003 has empowered the state Licencing Authority to regulate hotels in the state.

10 DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

SOUTH SOUTH Reforms ’ll guarantee affordable water –Rivers commissioner From CHRIS ANUCHA, Port Harcourt

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he Rivers State Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Ms Patricia Simon-Hart, has said the ongoing Rivers State Water Sector Reforms were aimed at ensuring provision of sustainable and affordable water.

Simon-Hart stated this in Port Harcourt recently, while receiving officials of the Water and Sanitation Programme (WSP), who were in the state to seek ways the body could assist in the area of provision of potable water.

The commissioner explained that the reforms were designed to restructure and strengthen the institutions in Rivers State’s Water sector, with a view to achieving efficiency and sustainable water delivery.

According to her, the need for reforms arose because of the challenges encountered in achieving sustainable water supply and the need for a strategy to ensure permanent solution to the problems facing the sector.

She disclosed that the ministry had driven the reform to the point where future investment in infrastructure would be secured.

The commissioner also listed the ministry’s achievements to include; stipulating clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all the players in the sector, the development and adoption of the Rivers State’s Water Policy by the state executive council.

Others are to ensure the passage of the Rivers State Water Sector Development Law by the state House of Assembly and signing it into law, completion of the design for the Port Harcourt Urban Water Scheme master plan for water development in the local government areas and training programmes for the staff.

Edo guber: PDP dissociates self from election petition From TONY OSAUZO, Benin

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday made a U-turn and withdrew a petition it filed at the state Election Petition Tribunal challenging the election of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the July 14 governorship election.

In a statement entitled: “Edo State Governorship Election2012: Let God be the Judge” and signed by the state Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih said though the party worked hard to ensure the victory of its candidate, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, the results that were declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were in favour of the ACN candidate, Adams Oshiomhole.

The statement alleged that while the PDP worked and abided by the principle of one man, one vote, its main opponent engaged the instrumentality of intimidation, adding that they obstructed the voters’ re-registration exercise, thereby preventing eligible voters from registering and voting during the election.

Besides, the PDP alleged that its main opponent manipulated existing voters’ registers as well as the results of the election to their advantage, claiming that the results of the election were not only ridiculous but also completely at variance with rational reasoning and human expectations.

Referring to Oshiomhole’s protest against INEC handling of the conduct of the election, Orbih said the results of the same election was now being hailed by all because it was PDP that has lost, adding that, “it has now become a tradition that when the PDP loses an election, the election is free and fair.”

1,000 Akwa Ibom youths to benefit from Diaspora training

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ver 1,000 youths from Akwa Ibom State have been earmarked by the state government to benefit from the first batch of training and economic empowerment programme designed by a group of Akwa Ibom professional under the auspices of the Ibom Diaspora Trust.

The training was to help in inculcating the culture of entrepreneurship in the youths in the state.

Governor Godswill Akpabio, who disclosed this while addressing the first Akwa Ibom Economic Summit and Investment Expo in Houston, United States of America at the weekend said the programme was a major step in the partnership between the State Government and Akwa Ibom Diaspora in developing skills and man power that would drive Small and Medium Scale businesses and in the overall economic advancement of the state The governor commended the Akwa Ibom Diaspora Network for using the summit to discuss the economic fortunes of the state and explore ways and means of attracting Foreign Direct Investments to the state. He said the summit was most auspicious especially since the state government had laid the requisite infrastructural foundation for the industrialisation and economic growth.

•R-L: Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr Umana Okon Umana, Senator Ita Ennang, Bishop Cletus Bassey, Georgia State Senator, Donzila James, Chief Senas Ukpanah at Akwa Ibom Economic Summit on Houston, Texas, USA last weekend

Ijaw youths protest against oil firm From TONY JOHN, Port Nigerians should no longer be treated as second class citHarcourt izens in their country.

Emmanuel accused securijaw youths yesterday went on the rampage at the ty agencies and leadership of premises of Total this country of preferring Company in Trans-Amadi expatriates to their citizens.

The CSO frowned at a axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, protesting what they recent incident in Port described as “man’s inhu- Harcourt where a team of mobile policemen escorting manity to man.”

The protesters, under the foreigners caused accident, aegis of Ijaw Youths Council which involved three vehicles (IYC) said they had had and abandoned the victims. enough of brutality by multi“We have to express our national oil companies oper- dissatisfaction on the attitude ating in the country in gener- of Total company. This is al and the Niger Delta region quite unfortunate that in our in particular.

Members of the group, who were quite early to arrive the company’s premises in their placards, said they From FEMI FOLARANMI, would not tolerate any longer, Yenagoa being “bruised, battered and abandoned by Total E&P overnor Henry Escort team because of their Seriake Dickson has effected a minor cabiexpatriates.”

Addressing journalists at net change in the State the premises, National Executive Council (SEC) Director for Mobilization and with the appointment of Mrs. Planning and Chief Security Didi Walson-Jack, as the Officer (CSO) of IYC commissioner for Science Technology and Worldwide, Mr Bristol and Emmanuel, warned that Manpower Development.

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own country, we are treated as second class citizens. It is not the same in other countries.

“On June 11, 2012, a team of mobile policemen escorting some expatriates going to Intel Camp along Eastern Bypass caused an accident.

“The accident involved three vehicles which collided at about 8p.m. The security men abandoned the victims and even used gun in frightening them. Eight persons were involved in the incident.”

He said since the incident occurred, Total E&P, which

was alleged to have been responsible for the accident had not responded to the plight of the victims.

The CSO warned that IYC could not be intimidated by the security agencies, demanding that the company should produce the mobile policemen that caused the accident and even the expatriates.

The group also demanded for the treatment and adequate compensation for their brothers involved in the accident as well as replacement of their damaged vehicles and property.

Gov Dickson effects minor cabinet change in Bayelsa

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Mrs. Walson-Jack, who, before her new appointment was the deputy chief of staff of the Government House, takes charge in the new ministry merged with the Ministry of Employment and Manpower Development.

Mr. Alfred Ambrose, who was the commissioner for Employment Generation and Manpower Development is now the commissioner for

Ogoni: Fuel subsidy protests delayed implementation of UNEP –MInister Jonathan, the ministry’s poli- affirmed that self-governFrom JULIANA TAIWOcy thrust for Budget 2013 and OBALONYE, Abuja the priority for Budget 2012, he Minister of however, gave the assurance Environment, Hadiza while briefing State House Mailafia, yesterday correspondents, that governblamed the January protests ment had already begun of the fuel subsidy removal implementing the report.

This is coming on the heels for the delayed implementation of the United Nations of the declaration of stateEnvironment Programme hood by the Movement for (UNEP) on the cleaning up of the Survival of Ogoni People the environment of (MOSOP) for the region.

In a live broadcast on a Ogoniland damaged by years newly established radio staof oil exploration.

Mailafia, who led a team of tion, Voice of Ogoni, O S O P Ministry of Environment and M her agencies to present to President/Spokesman, Dr. Diigbo had President Goodluck Goodluck

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ment within Nigeria would secure for the Ogoni people their indigenous rights, enable them to meet their needs and interests and end internal colonialism.

Diigbo said self-government became urgent recognising the need to arrive at a consensus to collectively review the disputed UNEP Ogoniland Oil Assessment Report, because any dialogue must be with the genuinely elected representatives of the people expected to enforce indigenous rights without dictation.

Budget and Economic Planning.

Dickson, who announced this during the inauguration ceremony of the new commissioner, three new special advisers, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), Bayelsa Independent Electoral Commission and the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Service Commission, stated that his government was on course to transform the state.

According to him, with the inauguration of the SUBEB headed by Mrs. Flora Ebi William, the administration could now roll out its policies in line with the state of emergency declared in the education sector.

He said in addition to the school uniforms which the state government had concluded plans to make available to all students in Bayelsa schools, it had also completed the arrangement of printing note books for all the schools in the state.

He pointed out that education remained the first priority of his administration.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012, 11

SOUTH EAST

Woman, 45, commits suicide in Enugu

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he Enugu State Police Command has commenced investigation into the circumstances that led to the alleged suicide of a 45-year-old woman.

This was contained in a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Ebere Amarizu, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Enugu.

The statement said the deceased, identified as Angelina Ezenta, committed the act on August 3 at Umuawalagu, Nara in Nkanu East Local Government.

It said the deceased hanged herself on a short tree not too far from the main road, adding that the husband had been looking for her.

According to the statement, the husband said the woman left home to an unknown destination until report about the incident reached him, adding that she had been having some mental problems.

Meanwhile, the body of the deceased had been taken to Agbani General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.

We’re set to achieve vision 20-20 -FMC boss From VAL OKARA, Owerri

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he Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, has reiterated its resolution to assist in the realisation of health for all by the year 2020.

To this end, the Medical Director of the centre, Dr. Mrs. Angela Uwakwem, has charged staffers of the institution to redouble their efforts for enhanced qualitative health care delivery to the people.

She said the management of the centre had fashioned out a number of incentives for staffers who distinguished themselves in the discharge of their duties to spur them to greater productivity. Uwakwem stated this at an award ceremony organised by the management of the establishment who excelled in the performance of their duties.

Relying on the theme of the ceremony, “Hard Work Deserves to be Rewarded,” the medical director explained that the measure became necessary to appreciate and encourage hard work, diligence, commitment to duty, increased productivity and sustainable effective service delivery.

She admitted that some deserving members of staff of the centre might have been inadvertently omitted in the exercise and enjoined such staffers not to be despondent and demoralised but to wait for another batch coming up shortly, assuring that the gesture would become a regular routine.

Speaking, the head of the Clinical Services of the center, Dr. Ethelbert Chukwuma Osuagwu, commended the management for its visionary approach to issues affecting the institution, noting that the award would not only boost productivity and efficiency of the beneficiaries but equally arouse the consciousness of others to their responsibilities.

Osuagwu therefore advised the staffers to be guided by the Federal Government commitment to increased and affordable result-oriented healthcare delivery to the people.

Cleric decries Western culture influence From VAL OKARA, Owerri

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atholic Priest, Monsignor Felix Ojimba, has decried the unbridled assimilation and consumption of western cultures by the developing nations, saying the practice has only produced dysfunctional effects on the lives of the people.

Ojimba attributed the increasing cases of broken marriages arising from frequent divorce and separation by couples to non-adherence to the biblical injunction of for better or for worse in sickness or in health and till death separates us.

The clsric, who is in charge of the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish Orsu Ihite-Ukwa, Imo State, stated this at the solemnization of the holy matrimony between the daughter of a former secretary to the Imo State Government, Adaugo Cynthia Ibenye and son of a former electoral commissioner in Delta State, Prince Somkwe Jude John Nwosu, held at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, Aladimma, Owerri.

He said the rate of marriage dissolution in the United States of America (USA) had gone beyond 62.2 per cent due to non-acceptance of marriage as an indivisible and inseparable holy union by couples.

He, therefore, enjoined the couple to always tolerate and love each other, and to anchor their marriage on prayer, adding that a family that prayed together stayed together. He also urged them to demonstrate the kind of love God had for the church by exhibiting kindness, humility, meekness and patience and to learn to forgive each other when offended, instead of bearing grudges.

•Governor Peter Obi (middle) with Michael Ehumadu (right), the Divisional Director of Glo, South-East and Ike Oraekwuotu (left), the Commercial Director of Glo, when the Glo team visited the governor at the Governor’s Lodge yesterday.

Anambra auto crash: Death toll rises to 9 From DOM EKPUNOBI Onitsha

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eath toll in the fatal accident which occurred last Saturday at Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State has risen to nine.

Five people died on the spot while four others died in the hospital between Saturday and Sunday evening.

Daily Sun gathered that 10 other victims, who sustained injuries, were still receiving treatment.

The accident occurred at the Tarzan junction, Nkpor, along Onitsha /Awka Highway when a trailer carrying a container reportedly lost control and rammed into commuter buses loading passengers in the area.

The trailer was said to have lost control while

descending the AforNkpor by- pass and rammed into the fleet of buses waiting to load their vehicles to Onitsha.

When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Ogidi Police Station, Mr. Kanayo Uzuegbu confirmed the incident. He however, said

that only two people were confirmed dead in the accident A relation to one of the deceased, Mr. Livinus Asogwa told Daily Sun that nine corpses were taken to the Iyienu hospital mortuary when he called at the hospital yes-

...Meningitis kills 3 in old people’s home From DAVID ONWUCHEKWA, Nnewi

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hree inmates were reported dead at the Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled, Old and Tramps (RECDOT) in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, following the outbreak of meningitis and cholera at the home.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday, Director of the home, Mrs. Rosemary Nkiruka Odunkwe said the

diseases had continued to threaten the lives of the remaining 101 inmates whom, she said, might be on danger list if adequate medical attention was not given to them.

Odunkwe said that the home established since 1986 had not received adequate attention it deserved despite the individual and group efforts it received occasionally.

Apart from the current epidemics, she said, some of the inmates suffer other diseases like cerebral pulsy, asthma and

NUC lifts suspension on Anambra private varsity From EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha

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he National Universities Commission (NUC) has lifted the suspension earlier handed to one of the Anambra State-based private universities, Tansian University, Umunya in Anambra State.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Nduka Uriah, noted that the commission was satisfied with actions taken by the university to comply with regulations and guidelines of the NUC in all aspects of the university’s operation.

Uriah disclosed that the university was determined to con-

terday.

Daily Sun further gathered that the scene of the accident had been prone to multiple accidents and that construction works going on in the area had made it more dangerous to road users.

tinue to offer relevant academic programmes designed to produce qualified graduates in line with global best practices without compromising on morals.

According to the visibly elated vice chancellor, the institution was more than ever before, poised to sustain the tradition of excellent education practices that make, “our graduates most competitive for the world of graduate and professional education and work.

The NUC has seen our readiness to comply with all its directives and our history of excellence and best practices and we are not going to compromise on the extant laws of the commission.

“The Tansian University has

much good to celebrate despite the current challenges.

Foremost is the staff and administration’s commitment to the students and their education,” he stated.

Some of the students who could not hide their joy, told newsmen that the news of the earlier suspension of the license of the university by the NUC was shocking and unbelievable, adding, “we have been learning under one of the most conducive atmosphere in the country and the school management has never failed to instill high degree of morals in the students so it was shocking to read on the pages of newspapers that we were suspended but today we are happy and we commend NUC for lifting the suspension.”

other deadly diseases that needed immediate medical attention.

She said that the spread of the diseases might have been worsened by choky accommodation, as the inmates were jam packed in tiny rooms pending the completion of homes dotting the home. One of the projects initiated, according to her, by the immediate past National Assembly member who represented Anambra South Senatorial District.

She said that despite the accommodation problem, home was still admitting more inmates.

“We are crying for help as a result of these diseases. The major cause of the spread is that there is no enough ventilation and the population of the inmates is too much in one room,” adding, “people secretly brought physically-challenged persons and drop them at the home’s gate even when they were told that there was no more accommodation. Just yesterday, there was a child packaged in Ghana-must-go and kept at our gate. And when we woke up in the morning we saw the physically challenged put in the bag and we had no other option than to pick him even though we did not ask for that. So these are the problems we encounter and we find it difficult to cope with them,” she said.

12 DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

NEWS Osun govt not indebted to any institution –Aregbesola From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Osogbo

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sun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has said his government did not borrow money to finance any of the capital projects it has embarked upon since assumption of office about two years ago.

Speaking on Sunday with journalists in Osogbo after a programme tagged, “Iftar (breaking fast) with Ogbeni”, the governor stated that the government reached agreement with contractors handling its projects across the state to pay them as work progressed.

He denied the claim that his administration had been borrowing to execute all its projects since coming to office, saying the state government had not taken any loan to finance its projects.

He stressed that the N25 billion loan facility it got from First Bank of Nigeria Plc. was spent to buy back the controversial N18.3 billion loan taken by the immediate past government of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola at the twilight of his tenure.

He described the magic behind his administration’s prudent management of the meager resources of the state as financial engineering, adding that it was the same system that was adopted in Lagos State when he was the commissioner for works and infrastructure.

Aregbesola said, “what we are doing in Osun State is called creative financing. This is a system that when we agree to give you a job, we will tell the contractor we are going to extend the payment period to accommodate what we can pay from our little income.”

Aregbesola said the bond his administration was seeking was to allow the state have more money for its projects and that the state preferred the bond to commercial bank loans because interest paid on bond was minimal compared to interest on bank loans.

...Reads riot act to criminals •Inaugurates Swift Action Squad

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he State of Osun is no longer a safe place for crimes and criminal activities. This declaration was made yesterday by the Governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, during the inauguration of a Joint Security Outfit called the Swift Action Squad (SAS) in Osogbo.

In a speech entitled: “The Security of Our people is Nonnegotiable,” Aregbesola said the primary responsibility of a responsible government as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution is the security and welfare of the people.

Following this, he noted that the security of lives and properties of the people of the state was not negotiable, vowing that the state was now a ‘no-go area’ for criminal-minded people either within the state or across other states.

He said the language of criminals have always been violence as they leave blood and sorrow behind anywhere they visited and as such, the government could not afford to expose its people to the daredevils, hence would have to meet them with superior language of force.

He said there was need to impose peace and security in the state so that people would have freedom to go about their honest businesses without fear, let or hindrance.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the raison d’etre of any government is the protection of life, liberty and property.

This is the essence of human civilization and what separates humans from animals.”

Group urges Ondo ACN to resolve internal ranglings From TUNDE RAHEEM Akure

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political group within the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, tagged “The Stakeholders” has thrown its weight behind the candidature of former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu as the standard bearer of the party in the forthcoming Gubernatorial election in the state.

The Stakeholders’ group comprises of ACN State House of Assembly candidates between 2010 and 2011.

In a congratulatory message sent to Akeredolu by the group in Akure, the Ondo State capital, over the weekend, and signed by its Coordinator-General and Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya (OkitipupaI) and, Ad’eyitayo Ogunleye (Ifedore), respectively the group described the lawyer as the right candidate for the party in the forthcoming Governorship Election in the state.

The group promised the ACN standard bearer to do everything within its members reach to see that the party win the governorship election in the state, reiterating its readiness to join the Akeredolu campaign team and put machineries in motion to ensure total victory for the party in the election.

• Governor Rauf Aregbesola test-driving one of the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC bought for the Osun State’s security outfit ‘Swift Action Squad, yesterday. With him is the GOC 2nd Mechanised Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major- General Mujammad Abubakar during the commissioning at the State House, Osogbo.

16 killed, 9 injured …As gunmen attack church in Kogi

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o fewer than 16 people lost their lives when gunmen opened fire on worshippers in a Deeper Life Bible Church in Okene, Kogi State, yesterday evening.

The gunmen had stormed the church opposite the Federal College of Education (FCE) in the town with sophisticated weapons and shot sporadically. When the dust settled, 15 people had their lives cut short instantly, while one died later in the hospital. Several others who suffered injuries were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

It was gathered that the worshippers were ambushed as the assailants blocked all exits to prevent them from escaping.

Eyewitnesses said 15 bodies of victims were recovered from the scene, while the injured were rushed to hospital for treatment.

A witness said on phone: “As I am calling you now we have just counted 15 dead

bodies, while nine people have been rushed to the General Hospital, Okene.”

The Commander of Army headquarters Task Force, Lt Colonel Gabriel Olorunyomi, confirmed the incident.

Olorunyomi also confirmed that 15 people died instantly while the sixteenth person died in the hospital.

Also commenting on the incident, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Simon Ile, said information at his disposal was sketchy, adding that the command was still awaiting further report from the divisional police officer in charge of the area.

The PPRO said the police would fish out the perpetrators of the criminal act and

Why second term is certain for Mimiko –Commissioner

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overnor Olusegun Mimiko’s demonstration of the fear of God in handling his mandate to rule Ondo State has been cited as one of the reasons why he will be re-elected for another four years.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade while speaking in Akure yesterday said nothing would stop the re-election of Mimiko because he had been able to handle the mandate given to him with the fear of God and hence earned the peo-

ple’s confidence and trust .

Akinmade said because Governor Mimiko had the fear of God, he ensured that he fulfilled his electoral promises which had earned him the confidence of the people.

“That Governor Mimiko will triumph at the October 20th gubernatorial election is not in doubt because he had handled the mandate given to him by the people with the fear of God. “It is obvious that the state had never had it this good under any previous govern-

Igbo community backs Amosun on IGR From MOSHOOD Ibikunle Amosun-led administration in his quest for better ADEBAYO, Abeokuta governance, Nkeze said the gbo community in Ogun group would also encourage State under the aegis of others to do same.

Nkeze who spoke with Ohanaeze Ndigbo has commended the state govern- journalists shortly after taking ment’s drive to boost the the Oath of office as the new state’s Internally Generated President of the body said: ‘’”We will pay tax, it is our Revenue (IGR).

The President-General of civil responsibilities to make the group in the state, Chief sure we pay tax. Most of us Austin Azuka Nkeze who have complied and we are spoke with journalists yester- going to ask others to comply.

He adds: ‘’There is nothing day in Abeokuta, the state capital charged residents to bad in paying tax, without tax pay their taxes and levies government will not execute most of their responsibilities, promptly.

While expressing readiness but at the same time, we are to support the Senator asking that our members

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bring them to justice.

Only two weeks ago an accounts officer with FCE, Okene was kidnapped from his home and murdered in cold blood.

Some suicide bombers had also attempted to attack the Living Faith Church on Lagos Road, in Okene Local Government Area last month but were prevented by the heavy presence of security agents.

which have to do with the Igbo Community should be empowered, government knows that we are the commercial engine of Ogun state.

According to the Marketing specialist, the state government needs a body like Ohanaeze to help disseminate information on government’s actions and policies to the Igbo residents in the state.

The ethnic group charged the administration of Governor Amosun to empower their members particularly, in the areas of Micro, Small and Medium scale Enterprises (MSMEs), with credit facilities.

ment in the state. He told the people he was going to work for them and even the blind can see the enormous work he has done, that is why we are confident that the people would not betray him because he did not betray them.”

Akinmade said the government had been able to touch every family in the state one way or the other especially in the areas of health, education, tourism, and the provision of employment. “This is the only government that has done something for the people of the state in the area of provision of shelter in the last 28 years.

“The rate of unemployment of the youths has reduced drastically with the creation of Ore Agricultural farm village which has taken a good number of our unemployed youths off the street.

He spoke further: “The government’s Abiye programme has fetched the state a place on the world scene with the World bank making its health initiative a benchmark for Africa” The Information commissioner who described Ondo State as the most peaceful in the country further informed that for the first time in the history of the state, school pupils and secondary school students go to school and return home at no cost.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012, 13

AREWA Text messages by phone detrimental to art of letter writing –Mrs Suswam From ROSE EJEMBI, Makurdi

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ife of Benue State Governor, Mrs. Dooshima Suswam, has described as detrimental, the constant use of text messages on hand sets among individuals, stressing that such act has relegated the art of letter writing among the present generation.

Mrs. Suswam, who said this last weekend, while commissioning the renovated General Post Office, Makurdi and its branch office, said the agency had tremendously served Nigerians in the past and expressed optimism in the determination of the new Nigeria Postal Agency (NIPOST) to render improved services to the people. She called on the management of NIPOST to continue rendering quality and reliable services to the nation.

Mrs. Suswam who is chairperson, Wives of Northern Governors’ Forum also urged Nigerians to develop confidence in the new NIPOST, pointing out that, “NIPOST still remains the most reliable and cheapest means of communication.”

In his address, Postmaster General, Mallam Ibrahim Mori Baba said the renovation of the Makurdi General Post Office was part of the NIPOST management’s policy to continue to win public confidence and patronage of its services and products.

His Royal Highness, Ter Makurdi, Chief Sule Abenga, in a goodwill message attributed the developments that took place in the country from the nation’s independence to date to the establishment of post office and urged members of the public to continue with the culture of using post office services.

Alert govt to security breaches, Kwara SSG tasks liaison officers From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin

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overnor’s Liaison Officers (LOs) in the 16 local government areas of Kwara State have been charged to always alert government to noticeable security breaches and failed projects in their localities for prompt action.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alh. Isiaka Gold, gave the charge while speaking during a one-day sensitisation programme organised for the LOs in Ilorin, the state capital. Gold, who noted that the role of stakeholders in sustaining the prevailing peace and harmony in the state could not be overemphasised, identified proper monitoring and evaluation as one of the cardinal ways of ensuring costeffectiveness in execution of government projects.

The SSG described unemployment, socio-economic lopsidedness and poverty as major causes of insecurity, thus urging government representatives (LOs) to ensure that good governance was felt at the local government level.

He emphasised the need for the LOs to ensure that projects sited in their councils were well monitored and executed, stressing that they should avail themselves of project details for proper evaluation and quality report to government.

He said the programme was important as it would keep the participants abreast of contemporary challenges in the area of good governance.

JUTI gives Almakura 21-day ultimatum From ABDULLAHI SHUAIBU, Lafia

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he Joint Unions of Tertiary Institutions (JUTI) in Nasarawa State has given 21-day ultimatum to the state Governor, Umaru Tanko Almakura, to meet their demands or they would embark on an indefinite strike.

According to a press statement by Umaru Ibrahim Bako and Danlami Rabiu Yaro, chairman and secretary respectively, the unions wanted the governor to, among other things, address the issue of 18 months arrears of the consolidated polytechnics and colleges of education Academic Staff Salary Structure which came up on January 1, 2009 but implemented in Nasarawa State in January 2011.

The statement further stated that the JUTI member unions met with their respective unions and agreed to accept 12 months arrears, while six months would be forfeited for the development of the state, pointing out that up to date the unions had not received any reply from the government.

Daily Sun further gathered that some of the problems the unions wanted government to tackle include the attempt to withhold the balance of the personnel cost for the month of July 2012 and its resultant effects on some services on the institutions.

It was also observed that Ministry of Education issued a circular to all secondary schools requesting their staffers to submit their credentials for recruitment into College of Agriculture, Lafia, saying, “the development came as a surprise because this institution is established by an edict which provides for the employment, promotion and discipline of staffers.”

•A view of demolished shanties at the Railway terminus market in Jos, Plateau yesterday.

Kaduna ACN decries 2-yr tenure law for state LGs From NOAH EBIJE, Kaduna

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aduna State Chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described as callous and dishonourable, the passage of the Kaduna State Local Government Election Bill by the State House of Assembly.

The Assembly recently amended and passed a bill on the local government election by spelling out a two-year tenure for elected officials as against three years.

However, a statement issued by the state Chairman of the ACN, Mohammed Musa Soba, condemned the bill, saying: “ With the combination of a biased electoral umpire, the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and a compromised legislature, the Kaduna State local government election is doomed.”

The statement also noted that the the argument of the legislators that the two-year tenure was a transitional arrangement was not in tandem with the integrity expected of the lawmakers.

“We condemn the two-year tenure spelt out in the passed Bill as it falls short of the estab-

lished democratic practice envisaged by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We view the unilateral amendment of the Executive Bill relating to the tenure of local government elected officials to two years term as an abuse of legislative powers and the privileges by the Kaduna State Legislators.

“The argument by the legislators that the two- year tenure is a arrangement is a legislative jargon that is not in tandem with the minimum stan-

dard of the sincerity and the integrity expected of the legislators.

“Our position is strengthened by the fact that when the stakeholders were invited by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to one day public hearing on the said Bill on the June 11, 2012, nothing was said about reducing the tenure of the elected officials of local government from three-year term.

“The Kaduna State Legislators should know that the issue of tenure of elected

FG plans to resettle displaced persons in Jos From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja

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ollowing continued clashes between Fulani herdsmen and the natives of Jos, the Plateau State capital, Federal Government said yesterday that it has developed a resettlement plan for people who were displaced as a result of the crisis and flood.

Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mallam Sani Sidi, who disclosed this when the

Regional Humanitarian Corordinator for Sahel, Mr David Gressly paid him a courtesy call, said NEMA would visit Plateau and other states of the federation for public compliance to development regulations to avoid building along flood plains.

Sidi also pleaded with the regional co-ordinator to designate Nigeria as the hub of all UN humanitarian activities within the West African Sub-region in general and Sahel in particular.

“This request is anchored

Be good ambassadors, Ahmed urges Muslim pilgrims From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin

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wara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has advised Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj to be good ambassadors and pray fervently for Nigeria to overcome the prevailing security and other challenges.

Ahmed made the call in Ilorin yesterday in a message to Muslim faithful in the state

government officials is not one that could be decided in the chambers by the few greedy and misguided representatives acting the script of a desperate political party without recourse to the electorate.

“We reject the two-year tenure and call on Governor Patrick Yakowa to come out clean on this legislative fraud by refusing to assent to the suspicious Bill that has all the potentials to enslave the good people of Kaduna State and rubbish the local government administration system.

on the eve of their departure .

The governor noted that it was only in a peaceful atmosphere that the potentials of Nigeria could be achieved, emphasizing, “we need peace for the ultimate transformation of our dear country from a potentially great one to a pride of the black race, anywhere in the world.”

He also called on the good people of the state to remain ceaseless in their support and prayers for the realization of

his administration’s shared prosperity programme designed to transform the state from a core civil servant state to an economic hub of the nation.

Governor Ahmed urged Muslims and Nigerians at large to use the remaining period of Ramadan to benchmark the spirit of good neighbourliness and good practices in their individual and national lives.

on the premise that Nigeria has the population, the size, resources and infrastructure to enhance the quick deployment of humanitarian services within the subregion,” he said.

According to him, apart from climate change which is a threat to meeting the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Sahel region was also grappling with political instability, marginalization and radicalization of some segments of the population of the region.

“It is also faced with crossboundary pandemics, spread of diseases and epidemics as well as insecurity associated with the activities of the Alqueda in the Magreb and Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria .

“Following recurrent drought of the 1970’s and 1980’s with massive loss of agricultural production and livestocks; loss of human lives to hunger, malnutrition and diseases, Sahel is also faced with lower than average rainfall in the 21st century.”

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DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Foreign Affairs UK ruling coalition in crisis

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• Activists of the National Akali Dal shout anti-US slogans during a protest in New Delhi yeserday after a gunman in the United States shot worshippers at a suburban Sikh temple in Wisconsin. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh voiced shock yesterday at the killing of worshippers at a Sikh temple in the US, while Sikh leaders suggested American Muslims may have been the intended target. AFP

Syrian PM abandons Assad •Says president heads terrorist regime

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yria’s prime minister defected to the opposition seeking to overthrow what fleeing premier Riyad Hijab called the “terrorist regime” of President Bashar al-Assad, marking one of the highest profile desertions from Damascus.

Hijab, who like much of the opposition comes from Syria’s Sunni Muslim majority, is not part of Assad’s inner circle, but as the most senior serving civilian official to defect his departure dealt a heavy symbolic blow to an

• Riyad Hijab

establishment rooted in the president’s minority Alawite sect.

His departure is unlikely to have repercussions for Assad’s grip on power. That is rooted in the army and a security apparatus dominated by Alawites, which was rocked by a bomb last month that killed four senior officials, including his brother-in-law.

Syrian state television said Hijab had been fired, but an official source in the Jordanian capital Amman said he had been dismissed only after he fled across the border with his family.

“I announce today my defection from the killing and terrorist regime and I announce that I have joined the ranks of the freedom and dignity revolution,” Hijab said in a statement read in his name by a spokesman and broadcast by Al Jazeera.

“I announce that I am from today a soldier in this blessed revolution.”

Khaled al Hbous, a senior figure in the rebel Free Syrian Army for the area around the capital, said that his fighters had helped Hijab flee the country: “Between 5:30 and 7:30 this morning we did it,” he told Reuters by telephone.

“We secured his entry to Jordan and the Jordanian

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national theater reopened.

New beachside restaurants opened, offering seafood.

Al-Shabab “enslaved our people and exhumed our ancestors’ bones from graves. I give thanks to the army for their ouster,” said Halimo Sheikh Ali, one of the residents at Monday’s rally.

“Without them, our city is reclaiming its lost reputation, our people are relieved and the good life is back.”

Obama’s aide under fire over MTN Nigeria’s $100,000 speaking fee

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ne of United States President Barack Obama’s closest aides was paid $100,000 by a company doing business with Iran just before joining the White House staff, the Washington Post reported yesterday, raising awkward election-year questions for

NASA lands robot rover on Mars

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he United States space agency has landed a huge new robot rover on Mars.

The one-tonne vehicle, known as Curiosity, was reported to have landed in a deep crater near the planet’s equator at 06:32 BST (05:32 GMT). It will now embark on a mission of at least two years to look for evidence that Mars may once have supported life.

A signal confirming the rover was on the ground safely was relayed to Earth via Nasa’s Odyssey satellite, which is in orbit around the Red Planet. The success was

Somalis celebrate 1 year of al-Shabab’s exit from Mogadishu housands of Somalis gathered in a Mogadishu sports stadium yesterday to celebrate the one-year mark since African Union and Somali soldiers forced militants out of the capital, a military victory that ushered in a year of relative peace and progress.

The ouster of al-Shabab allowed residents in a wartorn seaside city to live a much more normal life.

Sports leagues began. The

army took him from us.”

He gave no details.

Damascus lies 100 km (60 miles) from the border but said more high-level defections would follow. The opposition Syrian National Council said a further two ministers and three army generals had defected with Hijab.

Women in bright yellow and red robes sat in the stadium stands as bright blue Somali flags were waved and the national anthem was sung.

“It’s a big day. It’s the day our enemy was ousted and it’s the peace day of Somalia,” President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said at the sun-baked rally inside Konis stadium, which militants once used as a base.

greeted with a roar of approval here at mission control at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California.

Within minutes, the robot was returning its first low-resolution images showing us its wheels and views to the horizon. A first colour image of Curiosity’s surroundings should be returned in the next couple of days. Engineers and scientists who have worked on this project for the best part of 10 years punched the air and hugged each other.

The rover’s Twitter feed announced: “I’m safely on the surface of Mars. GALE CRATER I AM IN YOU!!!”

ritain’s ruling coalition suffered its worst crisis yesterday as David Cameron’s Conservatives and their junior Liberal Democrat partners blocked key parts of each other’s electoral reform plans.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the coalition formed two years ago after an inconclusive national election had entered new territory after the Conservatives refused to back his plans to modernize the upper chamber of parliament, the House of Lords.

Lords reform had been a key plank of the coalition agreement between Cameron’s Conservatives and the Lib Dems, who in turn have now vowed to oppose Conservative plans to reform parliamentary constituency boundaries.

The boundary changes, which broadly favor the Conservatives, were also part of the coalition deal.

The descent through the atmosphere after a 570-million-km journey from Earth had been billed as the “seven minutes of terror”, the time it would take to complete a series of high-risk, automated manoeuvres that would slow the rover from an entry speed of 20,000km/h to allow its wheels to set down softly.

The day I watched Curiosity being built in a clean room at Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena last year, the rover’s six wheels were lying on one work bench while the chassis stood on another and it was hard to believe the white-suited engineers could make sense of the maze of tubes and cabling.

But what they’ve created now stands on the red soil of Mars - and it’s in one piece. In the hallway of a JPL building we were shown a full-size replica. Walking around it made me realise something difficult to grasp from the pictures and video: this is a beast of a machine, a kind of cosmic Humvee with instruments instead of weapons.

Sometimes Nasa public relations can appear bragging.

the Democrat trying to get tough with Tehran.

White House senior adviser David Plouffe received the speaking fee from Africa’s biggest wireless phone operator, MTN Group, for two speeches he made in Nigeria in December 2010, the company and administration officials confirmed.

Plouffe listed it with many others on his official financial disclosures after he joined the White House in January 2011. An MTN subsidiary is a major shareholder in Irancell, a major governmentconnected telecommunications operator in Iran.

While there has been no suggestion that Plouffe violated any law or regulation, the appearance has already exposed the White House to attack from Republican opponents.

Plouffe managed Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and has been an important behind-the-scenes player in the 2012 race, where White House efforts to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon have been under fire

by Republican contender Mitt Romney.

It is typical for Washington insiders to collect lucrative speaking fees between and after their government assignments. But Republicans said MTN’s work in Iran through Irancell made the Nigeria speeches bad choices.

“Today’s story raises serious questions,” said Kirsten Kukowski, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee. “David Plouffe may be the biggest loophole in the international community’s sanctions against Iran.”

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DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

NewsPlus Enugu monarch opens up on murdered police boss

Those after my throne lied that I killed DPO From PETRUS OBI, Enugu

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or some time, all has not been well in Egwu Achi kingdom, Oji-River Local Government area of Enugu State.

The traditional ruler of the town, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Victor Ezekwesili Meniru, the Dunu 11 of Egwu Achi, was fingered alongside five of his subjects in the murder of Mr Okey Ofoedu, a Superintendent of Police and Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Oji River police Division.

The DPO was killed by yet unknown persons at Ojinator, along Awka/Oji River old road by Roi filling station at about 6:30 pm on April 28, while he was returning from an engagement.

While his subjects were arraigned and remanded for murder and conspiracy by an Enugu magistrate court, the traditional ruler could not appear in court for the arraignment on health grounds.

Presiding magistrate, A. N Edeani (Mrs.) later dismissed the charges and acquitted the royal father and other accused persons. She relied on a letter from the office of the Attorney General and signed by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). The letter informed the court that, “record of proofs of evidence does not, in the opinion of the Hon Attorney-General, disclose sufficient evidence to sustain the charge of conspiracy and murder against the accused persons, Igwe Victor Meniru and others.”

Igwe Meniru, who before now refused to speak to the media on the murder allegation, spoke with our reporter even as he praised God on the outcome of the case.

His words: “In my last interview with Daily Sun, I made it clear that since I won the traditional stool of my community on March 12, 2011, some enemies have been ganging up against me, especially those who were opposed to my ascendancy to the throne.

They ganged up with one senior police officer in the Enugu Police command that does not like my face and alleged that I was involved in the killing of the DPO of OjiRiver Police Division, Mr. Okey Ofoedu.

“I don’t have any reason to kill the DPO because he is not from Achi. He is not even from Oji-River Local Government area. The person I contested the throne with was Sir Joseph Azu. So I don’t have any reason to kill the man. I was thus surprised when the senior police officer told me I was wanted in connection with the murder of the DPO. I had to report myself to the police. I flew in from Abuja and went straight to the State CID, even though I knew that I had no hand in the death of the DPO. “There are people who have drawn a battle line, vowing to dethrone me. So, if I was a killer, they are the people I should ordinarily target and not an innocent DPO. But I am not a killer. I can’t even kill a fly. Some of

these people were people who even collected money from me during the election for the traditional stool, yet they did not vote for me and even fought me openly.

“Like one of them who lost his Mercedes car in an accident during the period of the election, he came to me and I gave him N100, 000. Few days later, he called me to loan him more money. I said I didn’t have money and from there he vowed to work against me. At the end of the day I won and he is still fighting to dethrone me. There are many of them, including a woman politician from Achi, a retired engineer from my place as well as a priest from Achi who is based in the western part of the country.

“Five of my subjects were arrested, and we were all charged to court and our files referred to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice, and I am happy today that after investigations the DPP found out that our hands are clean. We have therefore been discharged and acquitted by the court; I had no doubt that I would come out clean because definitely I had no hand in the DPO’s death.

“There were celebrations in my community when the other five accused persons returned home after they were released from prison. Our people rolled out the drums because they were convinced that our hands are clean. It was a conspiracy between a police officer in the state who collaborated with some people that fought me in the Igweship tussle.

“On my part, the day I returned after the court acquitted us of the charge, I was well received by my people. The crowd was tumultuous, similar to what happened when late Igbo leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu returned from exile in 1983. Before I knew what was happening, over 1000 indigenes had besieged my house to welcome me and thank God for the triumph of truth over evil.

“I defeated my opponent in the election to the traditional stool of my community, and they took me to court. The case is still in court, yet my enemies have not rested as they have vowed to dethrone me and that is why they tried linking me with the killing of the DPO in which I have no hand. May God forbid that I should have a hand in shedding human blood; I will never take part in such a conspiracy.”

The royal father recalled that the only issue he had with the late DPO was official.

“I was in London when the government said they were set to give me the staff of office on the April 5. Then the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs wrote the DPO informing him of their visit. This can be verified from the ministry. But the DPO went to the ministry, saying he would not provide security.

“When I went to him to find out why, he could not give any useful answer, and I had to report him to the Inspector-General of

•Igwe Meniru Police who then directed that security should be provided for the occasion. On the day of the occasion, he led a team of policemen to my community, and after the presentation of the staff of office, we all went to my house for entertainment. And as he was leaving, I gave him money for petrol and he was very happy and expressed appreciation.”

He expressed shock when, two weeks later, he learnt that the same DPO was shot to death by unknown gunmen.

“The Assistant Commissioner of Police, CID, Mr. Philip, is a God fearing person. But his hands were tied. And that was why he had to charge the matter to court because I met him personally and heard his side of the story.

“But there is this senior police officer in the Enugu command that hates my face. He connived with some people from my community who felt that the only way they could dethrone me was to hang a murder case on my head so that if I was convicted, the com-

munity will have no choice than look for another traditional ruler.

“That was their game plan and you can see that God has vindicated me because I have no hand in it. I am still expecting more frivolous allegations from them because I know they are not done with their mischief. They want to put fear into my supporters and that’s why they were saying we had a hand in the killing of the DPO. “I will urge the police authorities to look the other way round in this case. At the appropriate time I will petition the InspectorGeneral of Police to look into this matter.

“This is a community where I have been a philanthropist for so many years, doing so many good things for my people. As I am talking to you now, I have used my contacts to attract an erosion control project for the area which is due to commence by the end of July. So the only thing I am begging the minority to do is to embrace peace so we can move the community forward.”

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

DAILY SUN

17

NewsPlus Gradually, Lagos port I city regains lost glory

By TOPE ADEBOBOYE

t is one of the most strategic communities in the country. Apapa, a sprawling upscale Lagos neighbourhood, hosts two of Nigeria’s most significant and busiest sea ports – Apapa Wharf and Tin Can ports. Besides, it is home to many industries and commercial ventures. But all these did not immune Apapa from the rot afflicting many parts of Lagos.

Until recently, several parts of Apapa wore a repugnant garb. The major artery to the area, the OshodiApapa Expressway was in a very bad shape. Many sections of the highway had failed, with potholes dotting several parts. On both sides, trailer and tankers parked indiscriminately, virtually taken over the entire road and leaving a narrow stretch for other vehicles. Businesses quickly sought alternative locations and moved out of the area.

Crime soared in Apapa and its environs, as hoodlums mounted shanties in the area. Robbers, rapists and other criminals made the place their abode. And since oil companies and manufacturing concerns also operated in Apapa, articulated vehicles degraded the roads.

Angered by the destruction of the area’s initial master plan, Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and his team moved in last May to bring back Apapa’s old, glorious days. Supported by the federal government, bulldozers were rolled into the area, accompanied by fiercefaced, gun-toting security personnel.

Trucks and tankers were cleared off the roads, shanties demolished and criminals routed from their dens.

Since then, traffic in Apapa has improved considerably.

But many Lagos residents were hardly impressed. They doubted that government would be able to sustain the momentum. Like the proverbial dog that returned to its vomit, they insisted that Apapa would soon go back to its old, iniquitous ways.

The state government has, however, assured Nigerians that never again would Apapa be allowed to degenerate. Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello insisted that the government would ensure the sustenance of the intervention policy in that part of Lagos.

Bello recently led some top officials of the state government to inspect the Marine Beach and Ijora Causeway, which the federal government had promised to restore a few months ago. The team discovered, quite sadly, that many promises made by the federal government were yet to be fulfilled.

Indeed, many things remained wrong with the state of the roads in the area. From Sapara Street, the road leading to Apapa Central Business District (CBD) was inundated with petroleum products, causing much damage to the road. The water channels in the area were blocked with plastic materials, preventing a free flow of water. Hills of filth and human excreta stood at specific parts of the road leading to NNS Beecroft, and cows as well as white egrets fed on the wastes.

Several young men, looking rough and tough, idled around. It was learnt that they belonged to the group of hoodlums sacked from Apapa when shanties, where they dwelled, were demolished by the government. But the mobile policemen stationed in

...But govt says FG hinders development

•The road to Apapa after it was cleared the area kept an eagle eye on the men.

In spite of the federal government’s inaction, however, the state government said it would continue to address the problems of Apapa even as it unveiled the Apapa regeneration plan recently.

Bello said the government would soon turn the land reclaimed from Ijora Causeway to Marine Beach into a landscaped splendour. Hear him: “We will be landscaping the space we reclaimed in Marine Beach and create a recreation centre for residents of Ijora and Ajegunle. Some of the facilities that will be available at the recreation centre are a basket ball court and a football pitch, among others. Gardens and parks will be created around the area. We have done the design for the project.

The street light from Ijora to Apapa has been designed and the estimate has been made.”

There would also be a basket ball court and boxing rings at Ijora Olopa where residents of Oyingbo, EbuteMeta, Iganmu and Alaka can come and recreate at their leisure, according to the commissioner.

At Marine Beach, Bello said the government would build a standard football pitch and create outdoor advert boards at strategic areas which would serve as a revenue source for the state.

Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Dr. Taofeek Folami said the state government had also restored the glory to some other neighbourhoods in the area. He cited the beautified Costain Loop, the Abebe Village and Nigeria Breweries Plc Complex as examples.

His words: “The Costain Loop is now an exhilarating sight to behold.

But in the actual sense, it used to be

•Bello (2nd left), and other officials inspecting the area a ram market and indeed an eyesore.

The story has changed, and the loop is gradually emerging a tourist centre.”

Bello said the governor had set up an inter-ministerial committee to ensure the full implementation of the plan. Ministries and agencies to be involved in the project, according to him, were Environment, Agriculture, Works & Infrastructure and Lagos State Advertising Agency (LASAA), among others.

Explaining that the cost might be huge, Bello said the road from Marine Beach to Apapa alone would cost the state government over N6 billion to reconstruct, besides other costs. “By our last calculation, the regeneration project will cost over N12 billion. This is due to a lot of damage that have been done to the environment. For instance, we have to do remediation before we commence road construction. This is as a result of the diesel, petrol and petrochemical products spilt on the roads by those who turned the roads to

their workshop. This has caused major degradation to the environment, thereby making Apapa and its environs almost inhabitable for its residents and unenabling for business.”

The state government is certainly not happy with the federal government over what Bello termed its many failed promises on Apapa.

Governor Fashola also wondered why the federal government has continued to keep mum over the Apapa regeneration project.

Fashola said the project was discussed with the federal government from inception and expressed surprise that the central government had failed to keep its own side of the bargain. “The state government has been the only government involved in the sustainability of Apapa since we completed the removal of the shanties. So far, the federal government has not contributed their quota.

We cannot bear the burden alone because this port is the number one port. The traffic gridlock along

Wharf Road was created by the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority,” the governor lamented.

Bello said the state government spent a lot of money to clear the Marine Beach and Ijora Causeway, saying the project cost N100 million to clear all the shanties and remove abandoned vehicles and others from the axis. “We have completely cleared the place, and today, it is very easy for one to drive through Apapa. Yet, the state is yet to receive the federal government’s response in different areas it pledged to make intervention.”

The commissioner regretted that the federal government promised to address the ocean surge persistently ravaging the Alpha Beach, saying the incident has almost wiped out the Okun Alfa community which borders the Atlantic Ocean in the eastern part of the state. According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan had inspected the place alongside Fashola but noted that the federal government has since kept mum on its plans for the area.

The commissioner said no provision was made for the Apapa regeneration plan in the 2012 budget, but expressed hope that a structural appropriation might be made for the state government to achieve its plans for the neighbourhood.

Governor Fashola isn’t too pleased with the federal government over its inability to redeem its pledges concerning Lagos.

“It is always a problem to work with the federal government,” lamented the governor. “The federal government does not compensate Lagos State Government for all the damages it did to infrastructure in the state. All the money they are making from the ports, we get nothing from it. Now, I would expect a federal government with conscience to take a decision that since we are running our tankers through your roads, this is what you get every year to repair the roads. Instead, they are carving out our land. But we have started reclamation of our territory with or without them. There ministers were here and agreed on certain things. I hope they will come through. Regenerating the blighted areas would cost over N12 billion.

“But I plan to send a representation to the federal government to come and see the damage they have done to our land, to our assets and to our people in the name of operating oil transportation. All that oil is going underground and it will pollute the underground water. From this, ultimately, the residents will extract water for use and tomorrow we will be talking of cancer and other related diseases. The people must understand this and this must stop. We will transform this place. I am confident that we will. We have done it at Oshodi. We have also done it in Obalende and succeeded.”

18

DAILY SUN Tuesday August 7, 2012

The grazing reserves bill A bill that seeks to establish a National Grazing Reserves Commission, which will have power to acquire land in any part of the country for Fulani herdsmen to graze their cattle, has been generating ripples in the Senate. The proposed Commission, amongst others, will acquire and designate “dedicated routes” for herdsmen, in just about the same way as the Federal Government acquires land anywhere in the country for roads and other public projects.

Expectedly, this bill which reportedly came up for consideration in the Senate on July 3, sharply divided the senators along regional lines. While senators from the South-West reportedly kicked against the idea of government acquisition and dedication of land in Southern Nigeria for Northern Fulani herdsmen and their cattle, those from the Northern region heartily welcomed the idea of dedicated grazing.

Socio-political groups across the country are also divided along regional lines on the idea. While the Afenifere Group from the South-West, the Izumunna Cultural Association from the South-East, the Ijaw National Congress from the South-South and the Federation of Middle Belt People have spoken against the bill, the Arewa Consultative Council in Northern Nigeria, from where the Fulani herdsmen hail, welcomed it.

Proponents of the bill argue that it would reduce clashes between nomadic Fulani herdsmen and host farmers, while its opponents say it is against the Land Use Act and the spirit of Federalism and the Nigerian Constitution. Senate President, David Mark, referred the bill to a Joint Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, and Agriculture and Rural Development for advice.

A dispassionate consideration of the two sides to this controversy calls for impartial juxtaposition of the rights of crop farmers and other landowners in all parts of the country, especially Southern Nigeria, with those of Northern Fulani cattle rearers, who want grazing land for their cattle in any part of the country they desire.

Our careful examination of this controversy, however, did not throw up any justification for the attempt by the proponents of this bill to establish and empower a government agency to forcefully acquire privately owned land in any part of the country to further the business interests of cattle rearers. As a matter of fact, there is no reason at all for the government to acquire land for any private business concern of whatever nature.

This is because land is a finite and very valuable

resource that is critical to economic well being of people in every part of the country, especially farmers. The plan to acquire grazing land for Fulani herdsmen will deprive farmers and other landowners both in Northern and Southern Nigeria of their rightful possessions. It will also put in place a time bomb which will surely explode when the land so allocated to cattle rearers can no longer meet their needs.

The increased population of Fulani cattle rearers in Plateau State, the resultant quest for more and more land for grazing, and the subsequent Fulani elites’bid for political power in the state is at the root of unrelenting violence in that part of the country. It is also a source of problems in Idoma land in Benue State and some parts of Southern Nigeria, where cattle rearers, without any compunctions or remorse, run their cattle over critical farmland, destroying crops.

It is this penchant of Fulani cattle herdsman for illegally appropriating farmland wherever they choose that this bill is seeking to legalise with the proposed Grazing Rights Commission. This is wrong and we condemn the idea in its entirety.

But, since herdsmen from whatever part of the county must graze their cattle, it behoves them and the authorities of their respective states and Northern regional zones to develop grazing reserves for their cattle. Nigeria is not the only country where cattle is reared. Cattle farmers in developed countries such as Argentina and the United States do not appropriate land that does not belong to them to rear cattle. Governments of those countries do not forcefully acquire private lands of crop farmers and other citizens for use by cattle rearers.

What cattle rearers in serious nations do is to develop ranches where they graze and produce animal feed. They are not nomads who earn their living by encroaching on, or getting the government to acquire lands of others for their use.

We see the bill as lacking in civility. It assails property rights of the owners of land targeted for acquisition. It also does not take into cognizance crop farmers’ right to the sustenance of their own businesses. Nigerians need to be wary of this inciting bill especially at this time that farmers are never compensated for losses they suffer whenever herdsmen forcefully graze their cattle on their farmlands.

This bill is vexatious. It is not deserving of consideration by any serious legislative house in this 21st century. We advise that it be thrown out.

COMMENT

Send your short and crisp letters to: letters@sunnewsonline. com.

LETTER A ticking time bomb RECENTLY, the Registrar/CEO of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Professor Anthony Emeribe raised the alarm over the number of quack medical laboratory scientists audaciously plying their horrible trade across the country. Indeed, it is estimated that as many as 2500 medical laboratory facilities in the country are manned by quacks. Such statistics should boggle the mind. Worse still, the statistics have not factored in the copious amount of fake reagents and chemicals finding their way through the country's porous borders into the market. Invariably, they end up in medical laboratories as apparatus on which the lives of unsuspecting patients depend.

According to Prof. Emeribe, a combination of quacks and fake laboratory products has posed a great challenge to quality diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases across the country. “Such a combination,” he said recently, “continues to erode public confidence in the laboratory care systems, and unless something is done urgently to arrest the situation, the health of the citizens would

be the worse for it.”

And talking about the brazen manner quacks are putting everybody's life at risk, this writer recalls his experience. In the early 1990s, huge signboards used to “decorate” the firmament of the boisterous city of Onitsha. The inscriptions were mostly in red colours but on white canvas; and they proudly announced, “Computerised Medical Laboratory”.

And so this writer, who was feeling poorly at the time, and believing in the magical powers of a “Computerised Medical Laboratory”, went into a facility for diagnosis.

The “consultant” whose two subordinates loudly and repeatedly called “Doctor” was dark, talk, and dragged along a protruding belly. He also doubled as the nurse, the phlebotomist and, of course, the medical laboratory scientist. Within a few minutes, the process of card purchase, sample collection and actual (mis) diagnosis was over. But a peep into the room where the “lab scientist” was supposed to be using the computer and other diagnostic equipment showed nothing other than a bare cupboard; there

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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’

was no computer gadget all. Yet he came out quickly and announced: “You have Typhoid Fever!” He had the sort of demeanour that would make one think he had found a cure for HIV/AIDS. Yet he handed over a bottle of what resembled liquid medicine and collected his fee directly. But ultimately, the content of the bottle was no more than a cocktail of ogogoro mildly diluted with coke and whatever else caught the man's fancy. Wrong diagnosis, or no diagnosis at all, and dangerous prescription!

There might be some humour in the experience.

But there is absolutely nothing humorous in the indication that, two decades later, Nigerians are still at the mercy of some quack lab scientists. Clearly, these are serious issues, which should stir not only the MLSCN being the agency empowered to regulate medical laboratory services in the country, but also law enforcement agencies into proactive collaborations to confront the forces of darkness hellbent on ruining other lives for their selfish ends. At any rate, it is doubtful whether Prof Emeribe would like to be credited with being “a lonely voice in the wilderness” while so many lives are being lost and medical diagnosis suffers tremendous crisis of confidence.

Perhaps, pursuant to its statutory mandate (Act 11 of 2003) the MLSCN stretches its resources in an attempt to fight quackery. For example, its expensive embarking on public enlightenment programmes aimed at alerting citizens to the machinations of the quacks, whose incurable narcissistic ten-

dency lead them to perpetually seek personal material gratification at the expense of the fellow citizens. However, through such enlightenment programmes, the public is advised to visit only registered and accredited laboratories whether located in government, private or faith-based facilities.

Besides, they are advised to watch out for the Perspex signs around the lab, which indicate whether such a lab is registered and accredited. The absence of both should trigger the alarm bells in the head of any patient.

If it is true, that agents of the MLSCN have been conducting impromptu field inspections on the over 5000 medical laboratories located across the country notwithstanding the logistic nightmare this poses, then the seriousness of the matter cannot still be in doubt. Moreover, the public enlightenment programmes of the regulatory agency should, by now, be educating citizens that, indeed, “all lab no be lab” and that they are within their rights to ask questions as to whether a facility is registered by MLSCN, talk more of being accredited. But curiously, some people continue to patronise the quacks. One can only wonder why! A word, they say, is enough for the wise.

As the recent MLSCN jingle advises, they should just be smart, avoid unregistered laboratories and stay alive!

Raxy Ekwebelam Abuja

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

19

Why the impeachment threat is good P

resident Goodluck Jonathan must be having a firestorm in his plate right now. Almost on every side, he is troubled. Whether he admits it not, his fingernails are well bitten to his skin.

Gradually, we are witnessing an amazing shrinking President. He is the one on whom so much is expected but has delivered so very little. Some of his old pals and even his benefactor, a former president, are deserting him to forge new alliance, excoriating his style of administration. The president’s wife has not helped matters. She has caused quite a tempest of her own. Currently, she is locked in a battle royal with her immediate predecessor, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua over a prized plot of land in a choice area of Abuja, the seat of power.

All of that, and in particular, the president’s perceived flip-flops, are causing national apprehension that may set in motion, a tragic series of events that may place his fate, and presidency, in the hands of the National Assembly.

The testy development of the past weeks is that when an elected president begins to gallop from one bad news to another, he stakes his credibility squanders public trust that sustains every elected official. That’s minified where President stands now. He’s been questioned on one of the simplest of government’s responsibilities – the implementation of the budget. When a President is besieged and harassed this way, the wisdom is for him to better watch his back. That, in fact, is what the president and his aides may not know or pretend that the danger is not real. The truth is that the corridors of both chambers of the National Assembly are buzzing with anger that the President needs to sit up. If threats of impeachment will rouse him from his perceived insouciance, all well and good. The current theatre of intrigues over the non-implementation of the 2012 budget is a key part of that stratagem.

If the present hard-line position persists and no compromise is reached, goodluck may desert Jonathan. The president and his handlers may not be terrified at this prospect, and continue to draw lines in the sand and stonewall on the accusation leveled against him, the President public acceptability could be gravely damaged, in particular, when both chambers of the legislature are on the same page regarding the contentious budget.

Considering the shrill of anger from both the senate and the House of Representatives in the last one week , the President may find out that “a bad deal is better than no deal at all”. Not doing so, and quickly too, he may realized rather too late that he, and no one else, not even the Finance Minister,Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was at the receiving

Tuesday with Dan Onwukwe 08023022170 dan_onwukwe@yahoo.com end of the lawmakers last week, is the sole author of his self-inflicted wounds on the non-implementation of the 2012 Appropriation Act. The lawmakers have a good case. There was to much that the public did not know about until now, on why so much is always budgeted yet nothing to show for it.

This much is not in doubt: The 2012 budget was passed by the National Assembly since march 15.And records show that government has not implemented the budget beyond 20 percent, contrary to earlier claims by the Finance Minister that 56 percent implementation had been achieved by last month. She has now adjusted that figure to about 41 percent, blaming Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)for the slow rate of implementation. The House of Representatives was the first to raise the alarm. It went on the offensive against the President. It followed it up with an ultimatum to implement the budget 100 percent or face its wrath. The president was given a deadline, September, to do so. The House resumes sitting September 18. Until the Senate joined the fray with a summon to the Finance Minister to appear before it to explain government’s side of the argument, she probably thought that the legislators were grandstanding, or seeking a deal with the Executive to cover its own failings. As it turned out she found out it was no joke. She begged and saved herself from “arrest” had she called the Lawmakers’blushes. This standoff may turn out to be the president’s toughest time yet, with so much lessons for the future.

Earlier when the crisis began, the Finance Minister, a respected voice on the economy (and I don’t think this controversy has diminished her profile) had claimed that constituency projects inserted into the original Appropriation bill by the lawmakers had hampered any meaningful implementation of the budget. That “inclusion”, she claimed, would need a fresh procurement procedure that require the force of law. The lawmakers were infuriated by that, which was one of the reasons the senate wanted her to come forward and justify her claims. Beside that, Okonjo-Iweala had

said then, matter-of-factly, that not only was a 100% budget implementation unrealistic by the September deadline given by the House, she did insist that no where in the world, not even in advanced countries can such target be met.

Perhaps she is right. May be, her audacity was what riled the senators. If the senate wouldnt give a listening ear to one of its old colleagues and current Secretary to Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, that was a demonstrable evidence of how serious the firestorm in the plate was.

The explanation by the Finance Minister that government has released N404 bn out of the N4.9 trn budget, about N300 bn of it cash-backed, hasn’t, in my view, calmed the storm yet. The days ahead will decide the shape of things to come, with the President, the actual target of this face off, now back from his foreign trip. We need to remind ourselves that that this is not the first time that members of NASS have accused a sitting president of such infraction.A flash back may be necessary.

Less than two years into his presidency, the House of Representatives accused Obasanjo, among other things, of non-implementation of the budget. It all began with a motion moved by Hon. Mohammed Kumalia. Other allegations included a worsening of the nation’s economy allegedly due to non-implementation of the budget. The House also pointed non-payment of salaries and the grounding of social and economic activities and the “emasculation of the Judiciary”as other infractions committed by the Obasanjo. Like a re-play of what is going on now, the senate under Dr. Chuba Okadigbo as President joined. Senator Arthur Nzeribe was the arrow-head. He lamented what he called Obasanjo’s tendencies to violate the constitution with impunity. Ironically, the same Nzeribe less than a year later, became the advocate of Obasanjo?’s second term bid.Is history repeating itself or is the same script used ten years ago now at work? I raise these questions because in Nigeria’s pork barrel politics, anything is possible.

Few fight for good causes. All the same, the impeachment threat is good in many respects.

There is merit in the accusations leveled against the president. Failure to implement the budget is an offence against the people, though it falls short of the requirements for removing a president from office.But it serves as rod for reproof. The point is this: for any budget to deliver on its promise(s),the targets in the Appropriation Act must reasonably be implemented.Sadly, we are yet to see that in any of our budgets, past and present. None has gone pass 30 per cent implementation.What we have had is a half-hearted and selective implementation.In the present matter, President Jonathan is a victim of his own sermon. When he presented the 2012 Appropriation Bill to the Senate last December, he decried the lack of full implementation of budgets in the country and urged his ministers and heads of MDAs to ensure full implementation of the 2012 budget.

Could it be that his advice fell on deaf ears or that the ministers simply ignored him? The truth of the matter is that, while a political figure depends on friends or a sorry pack of cronies to succeed in politics, a President succeeds or fails as a result of his own mistakes. It could be mistakes of judgment, ignorance, bad advice or even, sometimes, recklessness. Whichever one, the president goes down alone.

The fact remains that this president has been an apology of some sorts. He lacks firmness of character, real belief in himself and in the power of the office he occupies. President Jonathan may be faithful and mean well, but he appears faithless in the use of presidential power to achieve collective good. This is the perception of most Nigerians about him,and it is hurting our national image. The real issue before the NASS should be to find why government has failed to implement budgets, year after year and device mechanism to check the drift. Is it an indirect way to admit that the country is broke which the Dr Okonjo-Iweala has denied.

Whatever it is, the economy is always the worst for it. Currently, our economy is growing at less than 1.5 per cent annually. Experts say that when an economy grows below 2 per cent per annum, recovery becomes a big problem. Indeed, this government has no reason not to implement the budget 100 percent the key benchmarks on which the budget was formulated had long been met. For instance, oil prices have since this year been hovering between $98 and $106 per barrel. The budget was formulated on oil benchmark of $70 per barrel. So what’s the problem? Is there something government and is hiding from the Nigerians? If the impeachment threat will unravel this, let the process begin.

* You can reach me on twitter@ebukadan

A rudderless government in Imo O

BY ARTHUR NZERIBE

ne thing nobody can take away from Imo State is the fact that it boasts of quality democrats in the South-East geo-political zone. When one talks of professionals, intellectuals of repute, accomplished politicians, Imo State ranks high in supply of men and women in these cadres.

Happenings in the State today appear to suggest the dearth of quality human capital; otherwise, it may be concluded that they are choking under apparent intimidation.

With the coming on board of young democrats/politicians in the state, one had expected a better and vibrant Imo where older democrats like me will be proud of, but what appears to be going on is simply democratic apathy in the face of rudderless leadership, with its dire consequences to the wellbeing of the state.

It could be enough for some modern day leaders in Imo State to grumble about the governor’s predatory leadership style in their closets; but it is surely not acceptable for them to maintain cowardice silence in the open - they must speak up.

In the last one year or so, hardly will a day pass without Imo State featuring on national news for wrong reasons. Today, can the young democrats boost that Imo State is on the right track in terms of peace and stability?

Who is speaking out on the danger of being led by a rudderless government in the state right now? These questions become apparent in view of the current near break down of law and order in the state, though not visible to the unwary masses.

Our modern day democrats may want to pretend as if nothing is wrong in the state in terms of governance, but it will amount to fairytale because Nigerians are beginning to ask questions about happenings in Imo. In view of the current flagrant disregard to constitutional provisions in Imo State, certain vital questions come to mind, hence the urgent need for democrats to speak up.

In democracy, the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, serves as the only working document open to any president and the state governors. It must be upheld at any point in time no matter who is involved. It is okay for the Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to embark on road construction and expansion without design, duediligence and settling of legal issues arising from the project; but it is certainly unpalatable for a sitting governor to flout the very constitution he swore to defend; particularly at this period the people of South-East are clamouring to have a shot at the presidency.

Out of the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, only Imo State has a fourth tier of government. In which Constitution was this aberration derived from? Again, what is the position of our modern day democrats on this shenanigan?

Must it take the order of the Attorney General of the Federation for the 27 local government chairmen to be reinstated? The answer to this question is of course, no. Must the response from Imo State to order of the Supreme Court for the immediate reinstatement of the 27 LGA Chairmen, be that “since federal government refused to reinstate suspended Justice Salami as allegedly ordered by the National Judicial Commission [NJC]; Imo State is at liberty not to obey court order”? How can the Imo State government

equate administrative order to court order?

Arising from these two instances, what can our new democrats say of the perception of governance in Imo State by Nigerians?

At this point, what our young democrats must bear in mind is Franz Fanon’s quote that: “Each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it, in relative opacity”.

Perhaps it is pertinent to ask our new and young democrats like the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, how he is providing leadership in Imo State, as leadership baton has effectively fallen on his shoulder. The failure of our new democrats in the National Assembly to fashion out modalities for putting Imo State on the path of peace and stability is both worrying, and it could be viewed as a direct indictment of their ability to act as pathfinders in the state.

In retrospect, Imo State in the last four years under Ikedi Ohakim, immediate past governor of the state, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, Achike Udenwa, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, just to mention but few, as old democrats, witnessed relative peace and stability; but same cannot be said of the state today. One begins to wonder if the young democrats in the entire South East zone, beyond Imo, have been overwhelmed by the expectation of leadership or are they still learning the ropes?

Must it take the order of the Attorney General of the Federation for the 27 local government chairmen to be reinstated? The answer to this question is of course, no.

Must the response from Imo State to order of the Supreme Court for the immediate reinstatement of the 27 LGA Chairmen, be that “since federal government refused to reinstate suspended Justice Salami as allegedly ordered by the National Judicial Commission [NJC]; Imo State is at liberty not to obey court order”? How can the Imo State government equate administrative order to court order?

Apart from few exceptions, the general development has not been commendable.

Every observer of activities in the National Assembly will admit a rare instance of the difference and that is in the leadership example of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

He has distinguished himself creditably, has been an able leader in and outside the Senate. His speakership of the ECOWAS parliament is eloquent testimony of his prowess.

But I ask again, could the helplessness of our new democrats at confronting the slide of Imo State into anarchy be attributed to lack of cohesion in its midst? Could it as well be that they do not have the interest of the state at heart individually and collectively?

Undoubtedly, Imo State will slump deeper into instability if democrats continue to behave as if nothing is amiss. They must discover their mission and fulfill it. That is the mission of providing purposeful leadership.

The unpalatable alternative is for them to betray this mission by remaining docile and apparently intimidated.

This is a wake up call because the leadership of the PDP in the state must step forward and demonstrate real capacity to manage opposition.

The present structure of the party, digital in outlook and more sophisticated than previous analogue structure does not necessarily have to be dismantled even though there is the need for tinkering here and there.

The present leadership at the national and state levels must pluck up the courage to do that which it knows should be done. It must be known to all that the problem with the party in the state is the activities of friendly enemies within. If they put their house in order, they will be in the right position to check the government’s excesses and also call the decline back into normal direction.

We should not let Imo die while we watch in silence.

Nzeribe writes in from Oguta, Imo State.

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DAILY SUN Tuesday August 7, 2012

Fuel supply: The imperative of Osisioma depot

BY UCHE NWOSU

T

hirty three years ago, when the Aba depot of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) was established at Osisioma near Aba, little did the inhabitants of the Enyimba city know that the outfit will add to the boisterousness of Aba and enhance its social and economic activities. But as years rolled by and the city served as the economic and social hub of towns in the south east and south south states, like Umuahia, Abia, Portharcourt, Rivers State, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Calabar, Cross Rivers, Yenagoa, Bayelsa States, respectively, the Aba (Osisioma) depot became a commercial nerve of monumental accomplishments. However, not only were petroleum products such as PMS, HHK and AGO dispensed to major and independent petroleum marketers for onward distribution to consumers from there, the depot turned out to be a rallying point for other businesses linked with oil and gas. Other none oil businesses also benefited from this once sprawling depot.

After serving that purpose for near 26 years, the Osisioma depot was shut down in 2005 by the PPMC and the NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation). They had cited incessant vandalisation of the pipelines that run from Port Harcourt to northern states, crisscrossing towns like Aba, Enugu, Makurdi, Yola, as well as the theft of products in the pipes, etc as reasons for closing down the oil Depot. It is on record that this depot which has 12 storage tanks and a combined capacity to hold 103,241,000 litres of petroleum products has the elastic capacity to provide jobs to over 200,000 people.

This is because, apart from the staffs of NNPC and PPMC that work in the depot, there are thousands of others who earn their living from the outfit. Need one mention the numerous tanker drivers and their conductors, the major and independent marketers, the auxiliary personnel who hang around the depot and serve as “link-men” between the marketers and the depot officials? Or would anyone talk

about other side attractions like commercial banking, insurance, hotel and telecommunication businesses etc that are attracted to the place by the depot?

Gladly, after lying fallow for seven years with all the benefits derivable from its full operation in comatose, the Chief T A Orji administration decided to galvanize its re-commissioning. As testified by both NNPC Group Managing Director, Engr Andrew Yakubu and the PPMC Managing Director, Mr Haruna Momoh, the Abia chief executive single-handedly fired the zeal towards reopening of the depot by not only committing resources towards its recommissioning but remained steadfast and supportive to its resuscitation by the federal government through the NNPC and PPMC. The question people often ask is: why would a chief executive of a state bother so much about completing a project or reopening a facility that does not belong to his state? Actually, it takes a good leader to do so. As unemployment rise astronomically in Nigeria, (Abia state inclusive) with its attendant crimes, a good leader will always look inward and search for strategies of creating employment. Society is always calm and serene when jobs are available as it has been proven that unemployment leads to restiveness. And why is the Aba Depot so important in the economic transformation of some states in the south east and south south geo-political zones?

Aba Depot in particular according to PPMC, represents one of the best case studies of the multiplier effect that such facilities have on their catchments areas. It has been modernized with the state of the art system like the installations of the latest Accuload digital metering system. Its TDZ spreads from Abia, Imo and Anambra as well as some parts of Akwa Ibom state to other areas. The Depot serves as a link for products evacuation from PHRC (through a 12 inch 54km pipeline) to Enugu, Markudi and Yola. And apart from reducing incessant cases of petroleum scarcity which has become the periodic occurrence of this part of the country, Osisioma Depot would help in boosting the economy as the beneficiaries of the facility are likely

to pay their taxes and rates to not only Abia but all tiers of government.

The numerous jobs it is now creating are adding to the drastic reduction in violent and dastardly crimes such as kidnapping which some few years ago the youths in the Osisioma axis and their neighbouring LGAs were associated with. It will be recalled that before 2005 when the depot was burgeoning, with economic and social activities there on their peak, youths in that area were not making headlines in crimes involvement. This deadly crime which later overwhelmed the area and which also put both the government and security agencies in gratuitous pressure, were the least anybody can think of occurring there. Today, everybody in that vicinity is back to business: the hotelier, pure water seller, recharge card vendor and other none oil petty and big-time traders.

Consequently, to make the place more business-like and conducive for economic activities line with international best practices in the oil and gas sector, the state government, few days before the recommissioning on Monday July 9, 2012, rehabilitated the OsisiomaEkeakpara road, a connecting route to the depot from Enugu-AbaPort Harcourt expressway. This road, it should be noted, is a federal government road. This, Governor TA Orji maintained, was to accelerate business activities and to ensure that the trucks and other vehicles coming in and out of the depot enjoy smooth ride as they fleet in and out of the oil storehouse.

However, the place was a beehive during the re-commissioning ceremony that Monday as people from far and wide, including Senators, the army high command, captains of industries, top government functionaries; royal fathers, major and independent marketers, petroleum tanker drivers and many personalities in the oil and gas industry in the country took their seats to pay solidarity to the man of the moment, T A Orji and to give honour to whom it is due.

Nwosu writes from Umuahia, Abia State.

Stemming the tide of lawlessness

BY LATEEF IBIROGBA ne major challenge facing our country today is our wanton disregard for Law and Order. Everywhere, people behave selfishly and take laws into their hands as if there are no rules guiding us, thus gradually turning our society into a banana republic. A lawless society is a depressing place to live because it’s a place completely without decorum.

Unfortunately, in Nigeria there is law only that there are more law breakers than the law. For any society to attain required socio-political advancement there must be strict adherence to law and order. No one can possibly fail to see the lawlessness that pervades our society from the highest levels of government to the lowliest slum-dwellers in the great cities. Lawlessness screams out at us in every news report. The recent scenario in which Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) apprehended Colonel K. Yusuf and a Sergeant, both of the Nigerian Army, while driving on the dedicated BRT lane at the outer Marina, Lagos, epitomizes the typical Nigerian’s disdain for law and order.

Lack of civic sense is prevalent across all sections of our society. People urinate and defecate in public places with reckless abandon. They vandalize and steal public property with impunity. They have unbelievable negative traffic sense. They damage road medians as if to show that it is not needed. Blockage of drainage system with refuse when it rains is another thing that binds many people together. Excavation is done indiscriminately and carelessly. The list of anti-social and unpatriotic attitude of our people is endless. In fact, there is general disregard for the law of the land. Yet, at every given opportunity, we blame government for

O

virtually every problem in the land.

What is intriguing in all these is that the same people that perpetrate or keep silent when public property is vandalized or stolen are the same that condemn government whenever the effect of their conduct bounces back at them. Shouldn’t it be clear to everybody when PHCN cables are vandalized that long days of power outage has been courted?

What do we expect when in contravention of environmental law we build structures on drainage channels and indiscriminately dump refuse inside street drains if not flood? It is perhaps a tragedy that we allow our lack of civic sense to harm ourselves.

What about our sanitary habit? Many people seem not to understand that the quality of our lives as human beings is substantially a reflection of the quality of the environment which we inhabit. Many still seem not to comprehend that the environment which we inhabit, like kola in Igbo culture, is life.

Or how else can we explain the attitude of our people who persistently make their living abodes unhygienic and inhospitable environment? It is still common to see people throwing things out on the highways from their cars. Travelling in commercial buses even gives one a more panoramic view of things. On our streets, stagnant gutters still occupy pride of place next to conveniently-located food hawkers – all the easier for garbage disposal. Even some of the fanciest areas are not exempted from this culture of disregard for the environment– “pure water” sachets, bottles and unofficial garbage dumps circle the gated walls of posh homes and well-manicured lawns. Despite the availability of civilized options for waste disposing as provided

by Lagos Waste Management Authority and its other PSP partners, Lagosians still turn canals; streams and drainages into refuse dumping sites. It is so bad that while it is raining, people come out to toss their refuse into the flowing water body.

This dirty habit is not justifiable in a state where the government is doing so much on environmental sanitation. It is detrimental to our common good. It is certain no one has ever died from walking around with a banana peel or pure water sachet in their pocket or car until it could conveniently be disposed of!

Despite efforts being put in place to sanitise the environment, some still prefer to continue to live in the past as they still get involved in actions capable of frustrating government’s investment in the sector. For instance, many houses in areas like Ajegunle in Ikorodu (where there were cases of cholera recently), Amukoko, Orile Iganmu, Ijora Badia, Ajegunle in Ajeromi and Idi Araba in Mushin are lacking toilet facilities. In some houses, septics are channeled directly into the drain! The question is, if cleanliness is next to Godliness as the saying goes, where does that leave us? Ultimately, the responsibility for making Lagos livable rests on the state government and the people.

In almost every sector of the state, there are clear cut manifestations of tendencies by the people to bend rules and break laws. For instance, the state government’s stance on the issue of noise pollution level permitted in the state is clear and has been communicated to all stakeholders in the state. The level of noise allowed in the state is between 55 decibel during the day and 42 to 45 decibel at night.

But, it is sad that worship places, music vendors, and other individuals and organisations flout the state’s noise pollution law at will.

On its part, the state government has demonstrated sufficient proof to drive home its zero tolerance for noise pollution in the state. Indeed, it is on record that the present administration has pointed the way forward in this regard by discouraging the use of siren among all political office holders. The governor of the state, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola

(SAN) does not make use of siren and neither does his convoy drives against traffic nor beat traffic light as okada riders and some motorists still do with reckless abandon.

As a government that is passionate about strict adherence to law and order, the Lagos state government is persuaded, beyond reasonable doubt, that no concrete development could take place in a lawless and chaotic environment. Economic prosperity and social development cannot take place where rights and wrongs are not determined in a fair, transparent and efficient manner. There can be no real socio-economic advancement where lawlessness and disorderliness reign supreme. It is in view of this that the administration has been in the vanguard of moral and ethic re-engineering in the country.

However, for the effort of the state government, in terms of the preservation of law and order in the society to be effective, all stakeholders in the polity must contribute their own quota. Maintenance of law and order becomes tedious and complicated when the people are notorious for breaking laws.

It is now time for us to move from being a people who do not take law and order seriously. There is no point in passing the buck. We should stop the blaming game. If we are to fulfill our potentials as a nation, we have to collectively change our orientation.

It doesn’t mater where we are, we can get to where we ought to be if we are determined to build a new nation that will be the toast of coming generations. As Governor Fashola has demonstrated by apprehending the erring soldiers, all we need is a strong resolve to shun evil and embrace goodness.

God bless Nigeria.

Ibirogba is Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State

Keep an eye on Festac

BY ABUBAKAR MUSA

F

estac Town, is fast becoming synonymous with a fast growing commercial centre in Nigeria. But historically the town is known for its magnificent feat in the hosting of a splendid cultural festival tagged FESTAC “77” which brought fame to the Country in view of the large turnout of cultural troops from the African continent and from the Caribbean Islands.

Festac Town has since then grown into a vast residential area spotting some commercial buildings and houses which includes banks, schools, and other business concerns. Crimes and Criminality are bound to occur in such a sprawling town and the existence of a security outfit such as a Police station to check-mate and prevent all forms of crimes is very necessary. Festac Town has not only a Police Divisional Headquarters but also an Area Command Supervised by an Assistant Commissioner

of Police (ACP). Recent happenings in Festac Town in terms of Crimes committed by local hoodlums or others from neighbouring West African Countries calls for a well juvinated and intelligent anti-crime squad to tackle the menace.

FESTAC which also serves as gate-way into Lagos by traders, vehicle dealers, and other business tycoons who transact business between Nigeria and neighbouring Benin Republic also harbors hoodlums who try as much to rob and burgle either lock-up shops or residents and banks during nocturnal hours. Recently a Local Government Chairman in the Area called for a total evacuation of shanties and other motor mechanic workshops from Festac as he (chairman) believes that the shanties and workshops harbor criminals who attack residents at night and rob them of their valuables. The Local Government Chairman called for collaboration between the police and the Festac Community to tackle and fight crime in the area.

In less than three (3) months after his posting to Head the Police Area Command in Festac, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Okoro Damian and his officers are giving a good fight against criminals within the Area Command. Sometime in June this year a commercial bank in the area was besieged at dawn by high caliber armed robbery gang. The hoodlums did not only attempt to rob the bank with their illegally acquired arms but also carried along with them gas-cylinders and other tools to enable them break into the bank. But a vigilant Area Commander Okoro and his crack antirobbery team dashed to the scene. The bandits had almost gained entry into the bank before the arrival of the police having cut the anti-burglary irons at the bank. Some of the hoodlums were gunned down by the Police while others escaped but with gunshot wounds.

At dawn of Wednesday July 25th 2012 a landlady living in one of the Close’ in Festac Town had sent a distress call to the

Area Commander that some hoodlums had scaled the fence of her building and were making efforts to cut the burglar – proof to gain entry into her living room. This was about 2:00am of the penultimate Wednesday. ACP Okoro Damian promptly responded to the distress call and dispatched his anti-robbery crack squad to the close.

The bandits sensing a water-loo escaped seconds before the arrival of the Police.

Blood stains could be noticed on the fence which indicated that the hoodlums must have sustained injuries in their bid to scale the wall to escape. For ACP Okoro Damian policing is a serious business and one has to be vigilant at all times to be able to nib crimes in the bud before they are hatched.

The Area Commander believes that the IGP’s directive that every Police Officer must be vigilant at all times to tackle all forms of criminality will be adhered to by the Area Command under his control.

Musa writes from Lagos.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Memories

Philip Nwosu 08176449110

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R YOU S U SEND HOTOS P OLD wosu@yahoo.co.uk phillipn e-mail:

Today in History

Nigeria, Cameroun adopt road map for resolution Nigeria and Cameroun on this day in August 2003 adopted a road map for the implementation of the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the disputed Bakassi Peninsula.

The road map would see the commencement of withdrawal of troops and handover of civil authority on December 8 in the Lake Chad area. The withdrawal is expected to be completed by December 31.

A communiqué issued at the end of the fifth session of the Nigeria-Cameroun Mixed Commission in Younde, the Camerounian capital stated that the commission “discussed and adopted its programme of work subject to necessary adjustment that may be made at its subsequent meetings.”

Also the meeting resolved to undertake a tripartite visit to the Lake Chad area in

2003

the second week of September, while it approved the reports of the Sub-Commissions, however agreed that “matter raised in paragraph 9” of the report on the sub-commission on affected populations be deferred for further consideration at its next meeting slated for October in Abuja.

•Nigeria’s Prime Minister in the First Republic, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, seen here relaxing with his children in his farm house near Bauchi during his annual leave in 1963.

Marilyn Monroe is found dead On August 5, 1962, movie actress Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her home in Los Angeles.

She was discovered lying nude on her

1962

bed, face down, with a telephone in one hand. Empty bottles of pills, prescribed to treat her depression, were littered around the room.

After a brief investigation, Los Angeles police concluded that her death was “caused by a self-administered overdose of sedative drugs and that the mode of death is probable suicide.”

Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Mortenson in Los Angeles on June 1, 1926.

Her mother was emotionally unstable and

frequently confined to an asylum, so Norma Jean was reared by a succession of foster parents and in an orphanage.

At the age of 16, she married a fellow worker in an aircraft factory, but they divorced a few years later. She took up modeling in 1944 and in 1946 signed a shortterm contract with 20th Century Fox, taking as her screen name Marilyn Monroe.

She had a few bit parts and then returned to modeling, famously posing nude for a calendar in 1949.

US embassies in Africa bombed At least 200 people were killed on this day in August 1998 and more than 1,000 injured following explosions at United States embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

The bombings took place within minutes of each other at around 1030 local time.

No-one has claimed responsibility but US officials suspect the attacks were the work of Osama bin Laden, an Islamic fundamentalist.

The first blast happened in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam and the second, just five minutes later, in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city.

The Nairobi explosion demolished a five-story office block sending it crashing onto the embassy next door.

The US Ambassador Prudence Bushnell was meeting Kenyan Trade Minister Joseph Kamotho at the nearby Ufundi Cooperative Bank at the time but was only slightly injured.

The blast could be heard 10 miles (16km) away and caused total chaos in the city centre.

R u f u s Drabble, from the British H i g h Commission, said there was a cloud of thick smoke over the city and helicopters hovered overhead.

The US embassy was extensively damaged and its bomb-proof doors were ripped off. Two passing buses were also wrecked.

1998

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DAILY SUN

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

DANA: NLI to assist bereaved families with info

By DAMIETE BRAIDE

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non governmental organization, Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI), has launched NLI Safer Sky Initiative in Lagos to assist families and dependants of victims of DANA plane crash have more information about the accident.

Chief Executive Officer of NLI, Mr. Yinka Oyinlola, said the forum will show sympathy and honour to those who lost their loved ones and the memory of the departed by seeking ways to protect the living against a repeat of the June 3, 2012 tragedy.”

According to Oyinlola, “the Safer Sky Initiative will enhance awareness of issues with Nigerian air transport, place maximum pressure on airline authorities/operators, improve overall air safety and ensure that the families’

rights are fully enforced following the tragedy.” He said.

The forum was moderated

by Prof Oba Nsugbe (SAN) even as experts spoke on many issues.

For example, Dr. Femi Olugbile, a consultant Psychiatrist, spoke on the differences between grief, bereavement and healing; identifying the meaning and impact of each, and identifying clear strategies for the ways in which people might deal with each stage. Dr Olugbile urged Nigerians to strengthen its institutional structures and be able to cope with large-scale disaster and its attendant human consequences.

Mr Jim Morris, a pilot and aviation Law expert, analyzed the preliminary report by the Nigerian AIB, that had been reported in newspapers the day before the forum, and the international aviation law aspects of the case.

According to him, “the ability to improve flight safety, provide answers to families and to identify those who should be held to account in relation to the families’ legal rights flows from the effectiveness of the accident investigation and the identification of the full chain of events that resulted in the tragedy.”

Mrs Bridget Itsueli, a social psychologist and NLI Senior Fellow, spoke about the importance of social counseling and rebuilding lives which had been shattered by the tragedy of the loss of loved ones.

Mr Jibola Dalley, a lawyer gave a summary of the Nigerian legislation that applies to the accident. He explained that the rights of the families of passengers were governed by the Civil Aviation Act 2006 and that for damages proven up to the value of $100,000 the airline

could not exclude or limit its liability – this is the strict liability of the airline.

NLI provides a platform for highly accomplished Nigerian leaders to enhance or develop their values-based leadership skills and to drive positive change in the devel- •Oba Nsugbe, Oyinlola, Itsueli, Olugbile, Dalley and opment of Nigeria.

Morris

We are fighting a hot war with Jonathan, says Rep

By REMI ADEFULU

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member of the House of Representatives representing Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, Hon Segun Williams has described the ‘war’ between the lower chamber and President Goodluck as been bar from a cold war over the 2012 budget.

In an interview with Daily Sun, said the House was dead serious about fighting perceived wrongs regarding the matter.

Specifically, he disclosed that members were united that the time to ensure compliance with the 2012 appropriation was now.

According to him, the lawmakers and lots of Nigerians were particularly piqued by the refusal of the presidency to direct the release of funds to appropriate government institutions to carry out constituency projects.

He stressed that this was the major reason the House decided to include the idea of impeaching Jonathan should the budget not be implemented before the end of September.

Justifying the proposition, the ACN chieftain maintained that it was the last option left tfor the lawmaker should President fail to budget .

Continuing, Williams also defended the recent decision

of the House to invite Jonathan over the security situation in the country.

According to him, the lawmakers were acting within the powers granted them by the constitution and nothing more.

He reasoned that instead of crying wolf over the invitation, the Presidency had the options on how to go about the matter to achieve results.

The lawmaker equally frowned at the recurring late submission of the appropriation bill by the Federal Government.

He said despite over ten years of democracy, the PDP led-Federal Government has continued to rule with impunity, day in day out.

Williams wondered when the 2013 appropriation bill would get to the National Assembly when the Federal Government has refused to implement the 2012 budget.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

DAILY SUN

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SOUTH-SOUTH Report A

group, under the aegis of Concerned Agitators, has raised an alarm over the faith of some ex-militants currently languishing in prison custody, pleading with President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene.

The Ex-Agitators are worried that in spite of the Amnesty granted all who took part in the emancipation of the Niger Delta Region, some of their colleagues are still being subjected to all sorts of inhuman dignities and deprivations which negate the principle behind the postAmnesty programme.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government in October 2009 granted Amnesty to militants in the Niger Delta region and was totally embraced by ex-repentant militants. The decision was seen as one of the ways of bringing peace to the region and re-integrating the restive youths into the society.

And in fulfillment of the Federal government’s Post-Amnesty promise, over 22, 000 youths were trained at Obubra, Cross River State on non-violence and transformational programme by the Niger Delta Ministry in collaboration with a Lagos-based NGO, the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN).

But barely, two years after the Amnesty was granted, some youths said to have been involved in the struggle are still languishing in prison custody under trumped up charges leveled against them by political god-fathers.

DAILY SUN investigations revealed that the youths are currently being tried at High Court No. 3 and 10 in Port Harcourt under River State offences.

The affected ex-militants said to have been detained at various prisons across the SouthSouth since December 19, 2009 and facing trial include former Generals George Adumu with Amnesty identity card No. 031; Loveday Luke, Amnesty card No. 0225; Sunday Loveday card No. 223 and Isaiah wellborn card No. 224 all from Andoni in Rivers State.

Addressing newsmen in Calabar, Cross River State capital, over the plight of their colleagues, the Coordinator of the group, exGeneral Simeon Dick, said it has become imperative for President Jonathan to look critically into the cases of these youths who have been subjected to different forms of deprivations even after they had embraced Amnesty.

Ex-General Dick disclosed that there is a clause in the federal Government Amnesty gazette protecting former Niger Delta agitators from being arraigned for offences committed during the period in question.

Narrating how they ex-militants got into their

Help! Our colleagues are dying gradually in prison custody, –Ex-militants cry out

•Adumu predicament, he said problem started during one of the PDP meetings in Port Harcourt in which the quartet where framed up by one of the chieftains as being anti-one of the incumbent Governors in south-South zone.

“Consequently, they were arrested and charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, murder and cultism, an offence alleged to have been committed against the government in 2008 and since then they been in prisons custody,” he stated.

In an emotion-laden tone, he said “these ExGenerals are being missed by their families and the rest of us; they are disconnected from the society as the government adopted a transfer tactics of moved them from one prison to another including Port Harcourt, Umuahia, Ikot Ekpene, Uyo and Calabar,” adding “currently they are in Aba prison as they have missed the presidential Amnesty package and the on-going

•Luke training having spent about 16 years of their lives in the creeks and bush.”

The Coordinator, who claimed to be on exile in Calabar for fear of being haunted again by some of their sponsors, said it is quite unfortunate that in spite of repeated appeals by relevant authourities to ensure that the detained youths are released, they are rather moves to jail them for life using all sorts of legal instrument by those behind their woes.

According to him, “available records have proved that the then Deputy Police Commissioner, James Onyekwe, in Zone 6 Calabar, and River State Presidential Amnesty Coordinator’s office, Major M B Shehu, had investigated the matter and recommended that the above-named ex-militants have been granted Presidential Amnesty on August 14-15, 2009 respectively.

“Even the former Special Adviser to

President Goodluck Jonathen on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Timi Alaibe, had written to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General on the matter, urging him to wade into it with a view to discontinuing the cases against them and directed they be promptly released yet to no avail,” he said.

Dick further said “while the accused where in detention in Calabar, we had written to PDP leadership, Barr. Bassey Okim, then Special Adviser to Imoke on Security, and Barrister Attah Ochinke, former Imoke Adviser on Legal Matters as well as Chairman, South-South governors forum, Sen. Liyel Imoke to wade into the trial.”

The former General is of the view that the release of the detained ex-agitators will go a long way in dousing the any further restiveness that may be brewing among the ranks of ex-militants and facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the laudable programme.

Blaming the current Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathen on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, on his silence on the state of the detained “boys,” the group, however, called on President Jonathan to use his good offices to ensure that justice is done to the ex-militants who have willingly laid down their arms for peace to reign in our region but are still suffering.

But reacting in a telephone interview, the Head of Media and Communications of the Amnesty Office, Mr. Dan Alabrah, said “the matter as it is isn’t a purely amnesty issue alone and his Boss should not be held responsible for the plight of the detained ex-militants.”

“I think is a court matter and should be looked into at least to restore in our region especially now that the programme is gaining momentum and international recognition. But I do hope the Special Adviser I know is not resting on its oars.”

Poverty turns 13 patients forced prisoners at UBTH From TONY OSAUZO, Benin

A

t the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), several former patients of the hospital who have been treated and are now in good health, have become forced prisoners of the hospital for several months on account of their inability to settle their outstanding medical bills.

The situation, apart from causing the patients psychological trauma, has also restricted bed-space of the hospital, as the everincreasing number of patients in need of admission at the hospital find it difficult to find space.

At the moment, 13 of such patients who were admitted at the hospital at various times, are in a fix because the Hospital Management is demanding payment of their accumulated medical bills before they could be allowed to go home.

Among the patients are chukwu Emmanuel who is owing N1,235,420, Okoro Ikem; 415,670; Robert Peter, N451,290; Onyenye Chinedu, N560,045; Aweneyero Anthony, N517,000; Boniface Aliye, N56,790 and Kolade Mufudat, N281,030.

Others are Ekene Onyebuchi, N373,460; David Bukky; Oviasu Bridget, N131,330;

Ojukwu Chukwudi, N105,635; Moses Francis, N225,410 and Yesufu Shehu who is currently at the Accident and Emergency ward of the hospital.

Some family members and relations of the patients narrate their experiences below.

Charity, wife of Ojukwu Chukwudi who was treated for traumatic fracture of the right fore arm long bone, said the detention of her husband has become traumatic for her and her children.

She related their ordeal at the hospital. “My husband, who was the only survivor of an accident, was rescued to this hospital where he has remained for a considerable time, and we spent so much money to keep him alive.”

When Mr. Chukwudi was certified fit to go home by his doctors, he still had to cough out about N70, 000 before he could be released from the hospital ward. Unfortunately for him, he no longer have more money to offset the bill, for which he has remained in the detention of the hospital. The bill has now accumulated to N105, 635.

According to the mother of three from Delta State, any monetary assistance would be a welcome relieve to her family.

“I am calling on all spirited Nigerians and the government of Delta State to come to our aid. We cannot remain here forever. Our indi-

vidual businesses have parked up since we came here and we have children to feed,” she cried out.

Mr. Kolade Mufaidat along with his son were victims of adulterated kerosene explosion sometime early this year in Warri from where they were referred by a private hospital in Warri to UBTH where they were treated for severe burnt. He also underwent split thickness skin graft.

According to Esther, wife of Mr. Mufaidat, they have so far spent over a million Naira, after which the son was discharged. But before the husband would be released from the custody of UBTH, he still has to pay additional N281, 030.00 for which they have been detained at the hospital till now after several months as they could not afford to pay.

David, brother of Kate, another victim of adulterated kerosene explosion from Warri, Delta State, who, with her son, were both referred to the hospital since January this year explained that they both suffered severe burnt.

According to David, the family has spent almost all their resources on the treatment of Kate and her son.

At the point of discharge, they still had to pay additional N20, 000 before they could go home. According to him the money has now acumulated from N20, 000.00 when dis-

charged to more than N200, 000.00 as at today, because they have remained in the detention of UBTH. “We are appealing to government of Edo and Delta states and those whom God has blessed to come to our aid by contributing money for the payment of our accumulated bills,” David lamented.

As result of the plight of the patients, Coordinator-General of Save Accident Victims Association of Nigeria (SAVAN), Dr. Eddy Ehikhamenor has made a passionate appeal to Governments and individuals in the country to come to their aid by assisting them to offset their medical bills so that they could be allowed to go home.

“For some time now, some accident victims and others were brought to UBTH, and the management in its magnanimity of the hospital, accepted them, treated them. Some even went to the intensive care unit. While some were able to meet up with their financial obligations, but unfortunately others could not sustain to the payment to the extent that even when the people were well and discharged, they are now being held at the hospital because they are unable to pay their bills, and that is the bone of contention here.

Continue on Page 24

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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

SOUTH-SOUTH Report This papa put has been in the business for 35 years From JOE EFFIONG, Uyo

M

ost people in Uyo, especially around Barracks Road axis, do not know his real name; and they don’t care to know. So if you go to the newspaper distribution centre along Udo Street and ask for Mr Eyo Udoh, everybody would swear by the grave of their grandfathers’ that they don’t know such a person.

But tell them that you are looking for “Take Life Easy” and your search would become very easy.

For the past 25 years, Udoh has been pulling his small cart around the area serving people hot rice, garnished with beans, spiced with stew and decorated with one or two pieces of meat depending on the buyer’s financial ability or choice.

Our correspondent had started observing Udoh in 1993 when he had stopped by at the then Concord Newspaper office, along Udo Street to sell food to some students who had stormed the office to declare their support for Chief M. K. O. Abiola, the then presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), some weeks before the popular June 12, election. But he had been circulating there many years before then. And 19 years after that encounter, Udoh is still pushing his small cart around the area: no retreat; no surrender; no expansion; no decline.

When our correspondent accosted Udoh, sorry, Take Life Easy, or Easy Life on Thursday to explain the secret behind his one-man business and to know why the business has refused to grow beyond some few cups of rice, few cups of beans, some pieces of beef and some ounce of stew, it was surprising to learn that “keeping it small and mobile” is a deliberate policy Udoh has adopted to beat competition and opposition.

“I don’t want a restaurant to avoid problem. I had it before but one woman wanted to harm me

but I escaped. I prefer walking to sitting in a particular place before people will start envying or saying I’m using charm, and they will start nursing evil in their heart against me. So, I decided to use this medium in selling after selling I pack my things home and avoid having problems with people.”

And It doesn’t equally cost much to conjure mouth-watering menus for his numerous customers who cut across all segments of the society. With as little as N7,000, a business day is complete.

“I use about N7,000 in starting the market in a day because the meat they are selling now is one pound weight for N500.00. If you buy four pound weights that will cost you N2,000; you’ll buy rice, beans which cost N6,000 a cup now; groundnut oil N400.00; tomatoes N250.00.

Calculate everything then the total will be about N6,500, and I will gain at least N2,000.00 a day and then I pay my ay home.”

Strangely, Udoh would not allow his wife to cook the food he serves the public. Not that the wife is not a good cook; but he doesn’t want to mix business with home front food pleasure.

“No, I do the cooking myself. How can my wife come from the village to Uyo to cook?

“I prepare the food myself, when I come down here in the morning, I cook, I buy firewood, water and I go to the slaughter to buy meat, I’ll cook the meat, after that I cook the plantain then the beans before making the stew.

Before it’s 10.30 am, the food is done then I move to the market to sell the food.”

Though Easy Life says he doesn’t have any problem with his business and is not in any haste to expand it beyond its sole proprietorship level, debt is the only problem he wishes was not part of any business.

“Yes owing? They do. You know no matter what you sell people must owe you even if you sell groundnut they must owe you. Someone can eat your food, after eating the person can

•Udoh on the move say please I don’t have money; I’ll pay you tomorrow. What will you do? You will leave; there’s nothing you can do.

For about 30 years that Udoh has been pulling and pushing trucks and serving people, it is surprising that it was only nine years ago that he became independent. All other times, he was a boy-boy, even up 2003. Thus the “Take Life Easy” food truck he was pushing in the 90s belonged to his master.

“I was selling for somebody then; the person paid me N250.00 in a month. I stayed with the person for seven years after some time I left Akwa Ibom for two years and I came back and started my own business. I constructed a container and started my business. I gave the container back to the owner because I left the person I stayed with, and started my own business.

This is my own.

“So God has blessed me. I have nine children now, and have trained them to become something in the society. I am a big man; I have my house and grand children they are all in school up to tertiary level. I come from my house every day; I come in the morning and then close by three o’clock in the afternoon. When I’m done for the day, I pack my things home.”

Tears as Bayelsa govt demolishes Market From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa

W

hen she woke up on July Tuesday July 24, and headed for her shop at Bob Tell Market along Shell Ramp, Swali, Yenagoa, nothing told Uforma P. John, that by the end of the day her joy would have evaporated.

Bob Tell Market is the hub of cheap secondhand clothes, shoes, books and food stuff and it takes care of over 500 traders that do business there. By nightfall on Tuesday, Bob Tell Market no longer exists, Bayelsa state government bulldozers had pulled down the market.

A day before the demolition, the Capital City Development Authority (CCDA) had issued an announcement on the state owned Radio, Bayelsa Broadcasting Corporation advising those who have properties along places earmarked as right of way for roads to remove them or risk demolition.

Many of the traders who witnessed as the bulldozers pulled down shops and buildings are still counting their losses over the demolition of the market.

According to Uforma the announcement was too sudden and the demolition has caused sorrow for many homes whose livelihood depends on the things they sell at Bob Tell.

She spoke the minds of many: “”To be honest, where to go is a problem now. I have a family that has to cater for. I know how much I have lost since my shop was demolished.

I am frustrated. I don’t have any other place to stay. I have been here for two years. My family is

hungry. My children school fees which I need money to offset their bills are at stake. I am still confused about where to pitch my tent again” Another trader Chinedu also lamented: “What the government has done with this demolition is insensitivity. We were not informed over given any quit notice I have three children and a wife.

It has been very hard for me because to eat is a problem now. We had hoped that the government will give notice, but we got a shocker as the shops and stalls in the market were demolished by government bulldozers” Investigations revealed that when some traders and landlords learnt of moves to demolish, they made frantic attempts to plead for time so that they could find a way out to prevent the destruction of their property but, they failed.

Two land lords, Mr. Innocent Fefegha and Bethel Fefegha whose block buildings and Batchers were destroyed beyond recognition lamented that the government’s action without prior notice was uncalled for because in a normal

•Demolished market

society, those that may be affected as a result of the demolition exercise be informed to enable traders put their goods in place or be relocated before any action is taken.

Samuel Alabo who is one of the affected traders said many of the traders cannot just think of an alternative now because many of them are confused.

“You can see we are all sitting here now with no clue as to what step to take next. If we have another source of livelihood we would not be here right now. This is our lives and this is all we know. We have families, but how do we take care of them now? Most of us here are graduates. We came here because of unemployment, which is a general issue in the country” he said.

Success Jacob added her voice: “Do you know how many traders do business here? Do you know how many dependants each trader has to take care of from their business? If you don’t know, there are at least 15,000 traders here. But I don’t know why government think cutting off the head is the cure for a headache. Right now everything is in the hands of God but many of us are still very confused. The government would definitely want to say they have a reason for the demolition. But did they consider us that are directly affected by their decision?”

Now imagine how much someone who makes as much as that has lost in this. It is very painful for us now that the market has been demolished,” Mrs. Ovieteme Rita said.

Checks indicated that the state government is not ready to back down as Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has urged Bayelsa and residents of the state to be prepare to make sacrifices in the interest of the development of the state.

Poverty turns 13 patients forced prisoners at UBTH Continue from Page 23 Am using this opportunity to tell the federal, government, the state government and hospital managements in the whole country that indigent patients like these ones should not be held against their wish. That is part of the reason we have over the years continued to say that a lot of these transporters are liable for so many of these accident. Once the accident happens, they abandon the victims in the hospital, and the hospitals weather the storm all alone.

We also want to use this opportunity to call for the establishment of partnership with other NGOs, so that they can come to assist the relations of these indigent patients. Imagine somebody like Chukwu who has been here for more than a year, his bill is more than N1.4 million. We are making this passionate appeals on-behalf of these families to make sure that good spirited Nigerians, politicians to also have that spirit of kindness to come and see how many of them they can help.

The implication of a situation whereby if these patients are not removed from this hospital is far reaching. The bed occupancy will be so low. That means that when critical cases are brought to the hospital, like in mass casualties, we would not have bed to accommodate them. That means that some of the casualties will die in the vehicle. That has happened several times in LUTH, because patients who have been discharged in the hospital had not gone home because they were being held back like hospital prisoners.

We are appealing to all stakeholders, this is an alert from Save Accident Victims Association of Nigeria (SAVAN), that to ensure that bed occupancy in hospitals are put to full use, those indigent patients held back in the various hospitals are assisted to pay their bills so that the beds would be available for other people.

Mrs. Kehinde Ibitoye, Senior Public Relations Officer, UBTH responds: “We can’t continue to keep them here forever.

But we want the public to know that the hospital is funded by the federal government, and the subventions we get are not adequately enough. Some of these patients are from neighbouring states. So, we want to appeal to government of those states to please come to the aid of these patients. We also appeal to different organizations and good spirited individuals to please help offset their bills so that we can get money to run the hospital effectively.

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

WOMANoftheSUN

•Victor

By KATE HALIM

M

ay Victor, co-founder of Twogether for Ever Inc., a relationship outfit based in Houston Texas, USA is unhappy that women have substituted enjoying sex with their husbands with getting pleasures from sex toys. As a Christian counsellor with 15 years experience, May Victor is devoted to laying the right foundation for sustainable relationships as well as helping couples enjoy the dividends of marriage as opposed to enduring marriage. In a recent interview with Daily Sun, she shed more light on why many marriages are hitting the rocks. Excerpts: What secrets have kept your marriage for 20 years?

The number one factor is the God factor.

The God factor refers to the place of God in your marriage. Every marriage needs a God and the bible as the most impartial referees. The next secret is the friendship factor, marry your friend and if for any reason you married a stranger or an enemy, make him or her your friend. We can never over emphasize the need to be friends with your spouse. There is also the renewal factor.

Take time out to renew, recreate, and refresh from the daily grind of life. Couples should have low-budget get-aways, picnics, date nights and take advantage of every opportunity to have fun.

Sex is a major issue in marriages, how often should couples evaluate their sex lives?

Couples have to evaluate their sex life when there is no romance between them.

Whenever you stop looking forward to being together, you need to check yourselves. Good sex is a function of the four intimacies of a relationship which includes emotional intimacy, spiritual intimacy, intellectual intimacy and social intimacy.

Every couple knows when sex is good and when sex is mechanical. If there are reasons for the lack of sex or absence of good

romance in the house, then that problem should be summarily dealt with. If you are not satisfied, say so and insist on it.

Women are probably the culprits here and the use of sex toys is not helping matters.

Don't say “I let him do his thing and I do mine later”. That is the most dangerous thing in a relationship.

Do you agree that marriage is a bitter experience as many would say today?

I don’t subscribe to the notion that marriage has a bitter side. It has it’s challenges but marriage is good. I have been married for 22 years but have been friends for 27 years with my husband and it gets better every day.

When you carefully manage disagreements, you enjoy marriage. Marriage is hard work and it is what you put into it that you will get out of it.

What has been your unique experience as a marriage counselor in a foreign land?

Helping people gives you an unforgettable experience almost on a daily basis. What comes to mind now is that many people are not prepared for marriage before they get into it. Most people learn on the job in marriage and try to make it work by trial and error. In fact, we stay longer in our profession or career than we stay in marriage. The average life expectancy of marriages now worldwide is 7 to 8 years for men and a little less than that for women. It is a complete misplacement of priority that is driven by a society which attaches a lot to money and wealth.

Parents are willing to invest more on educating their children to be doctors and less willing to invest in training them to be good husbands and wives.

In cases that involve domestic violence, how do you help your clients handle that?

Domestic violence is a cancer that is destroying the marriage institution all over the world.

Our approach to dealing with domestic violence clients is safety first. We encourage those experiencing abuse of any kind to seek help, get out of harm’s way and be patient and forgiving. Forgiving the perpetrator releases the victim from further mental abuse.

Patience helps the victim think before taking drastic steps. If your spouse is abusing you, follow the first steps of seeking help, safety and then deal with yourself before you deal with him.

In what ways do you help your clients complete the process of healing after major hurts in marriage successfully?

We believe that until you deal with the emotional hurt, the patient is not healed. The process of healing starts with forgiveness of self and the perpetrator of the harm.

Forgiveness is the final step that says- I am still standing, I made it in spite of you, and I am a better person than you. Above all, forgiveness is more beneficial to the person forgiving that the person being forgiven. Once the victim of hurt understands the dynamics of forgiveness and it's healing power, they become motivated to putting the past trauma behind them.

What are the challenges you face as a marriage counsellor?

The hardest challenge is the number of people needing help. A lot of marriages are messed up right now in Africa, North America and Europe. In fact, marriage as we know it now is becoming extinct. The next challenge is not having both spouses in counseling sessions. Most men don't take part in counseling until it’s too late. Counselling one spouse is like treating one half of the body of a person with sickness.

Have you handled a case where you almost had your fingers burnt in the process?

Yes, I recommended a lady to my cousin and that good gesture came back to hunt me from time to time. Some days, I am the messiah and on other days, I am the devil. When things are good, I am the best cousin but when things are bad, I am blamed for the marriage. As a Christian counselor, your clients know that it's not your skills that will help them but their determination and the spirit of God in them. You are only a facilitator of God’s word.

When is a good time for a couple to seek

marriage counseling?

All the time, you can never get enough of counseling especially if it’s free. Start reading books on marriage even before you find a spouse. Good books reflect the thought and ideas of the author. People generally publish their best thoughts and idea on books. Enroll in premarital counseling before marriage and continue with post marital counseling for at least 6 months after marriage. We recommend refresher courses through marriage seminars and conferences. There is a reason why virtually all professions insist on continuing education.

Do you suggest strategies to solve your clients' marital problems and what are these strategies?

We have four main areas that we call the culprits or the heroes of divorce. One is ineffective communication. Most marital problems are rooted in lack of communication. If you can speak the language of your spouse and also understand his or her language, you have a good chance of longevity in marriage. Secondly, wrong or divergent values of money create tensions.

Money is a tool and the more couples see it as a tool for the family, the better. We spend time teaching about what money means to each of the spouse. In every couple, there is usually a keeper and a spender.

How couples see money dictate how they spend money. There is also absence of romance and third party interference in marriages. Romance is a tough one especially in Africa. Women have been trained to suppress their desires in Africa. They substitute their desires to be love with house affairs and children. Men in turn share love by given material gifts and providing for the family. A man in Africa thinks that as long as he provides and takes care of his wife, she should be okay.

Women in America make that money with their spouse and spend it together.

Even when they are not making money, they still demand to be loved and cared for dutifully by their husbands. They insist on family vacations, romantic trips and date nights etc. It amazes me how Nigerian men send their wives and children abroad while they remain in Nigeria. I always laugh when the woman says we are on family vacation and I ask, where is the man?

What happens if a partner refuses to work at their marriage, what do you do at such times?

Two cannot work together except they agree. We recommend separation for a short period, and also suggest vacation among other things. Ultimately, if one party is not interested, there is nothing anybody can do but pray to God.We never recommend divorce. Separation is probably the most drastic step we have recommended. Divorce may solve one problem but it also creates many other problems and that’s why fewer second marriages succeed. At the end of the day, you may be better off staying alone than moving on.

This is not a popular suggestion but understand that we are Christian marriage counselors.

What can you tell us about yourself and ministry?

My husband and I are founders of Twogether for Ever Inc., a relationship outfit based in Houston Texas, USA for over 15 years now. We have just published our new book on marriage titled: Together for Ever: God’s Master plan for your marriage. We are trained lawyers and have practiced law for over a decade before going into Ministry. We have been married for over 22 years and blessed with three children.

We were recently in Nigeria where we held a relationship seminar. We also had a book signing session after the event to encourage couples to work on their marriages despite the many challenges facing marriages today.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

SUNSummit

DAILY SUN

amodu200910@yahoo.com Tel: 08059306448

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TAIWO AMODU

Delta 2015:

PDP must show remorse over Ibori’s tenure – Gbagi From TAIWO AMODU, Abuja

F

ormer Education Minister and Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP) chieftain, Mr. Kenneth Gbagi met with journalists penultimate Sunday in Abuja. At the session, he warns that his party stands the risk of losing Delta State in 2015, unless the incumbent Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and party gladiators in Delta State show remorse over the damage done to the psyche of the electorate during the eight years that James Ibori administered the state.

Excerpts: We will like you to confirm, reports that you are interested in the governorship race of Delta, come 2015?

I have heard of the governor, I have heard people come to me, Non-Governmental Organisation, persons, claiming that the governor has vowed to do everything to stop me from the governorship race and most probably part of which is the reason why all of these encounters, but my position is very simple: it is only God that makes governors; it is only God that knows, who will be the next governor of Delta State.

I will do my best and leave the rest to God. But my consolation is the fact that I founded the PDP, I was the first citizen of PDP in Delta state, I contested the primary, against James Ibori. I made Deltans to see the direction of things as at the time we contested election for the primary in 1999. However, it pleased God at that time for what happened to have taken place.

I will contest the governorship election in Delta State by the grace of God and it is the decision of God that we all are waiting for.

Considering the body language from the governor’s camp, are you still forging ahead and believe you will win?

You will agree with me that if you were to allow persons to determine your future, then you aren’t a complete human being. I don’t believe that the governor, when the facts are before him, the facts are before the electorate and the masses of Delta State, I don’t have any reservation as the most interested individual in the state, as a founder of the party unless I have any reason, or any record against me, I believe it will be a win-win situation, when the time comes.

Are you contesting to be a flag bearer of PDP, bearing in mind the agitation from Delta North; that the Ijaws and the Itsekiri have had it. Where is fairness in this?

Your question has a constitutional implication. Nowhere in the world, Nigeria since the inception of this democracy hasn’t recognized anything called zoning. Zoning hasn’t been part of the fabric of this government, or the PDP or any party for that matter.

I have a constitutional right to exercise my

Gbagi wish to contest an election, unless otherwise stated. By the grace of God, I will contest the election under PDP and will wait for such persons, or persons in Delta State with a better credentials to meet me in the battle field.

How comfortable are you with the last congress held in Delta State?

You see, politically, the state of awareness in the country is emerging and changing positively on a daily basis and where we had a kangaroo arrangement of hijacking congress, of hijacking persons, as cliques is over, gone and done with.

At the appropriate time people will have to as a result of the fear of God put their support where they believe it will matter and where they believe it will be of help to the state. We have suffered as a people, we have been maltreated as a people, it could appear as though we aren’t part of the modern democracy, but everything as I have said has got its time unless the will of God prevails.

For clarity purpose, do I get you right that PDP as a political party doesn’t recognize zoning, or it is dead in PDP?

I say categorically as one of the stakeholders of PDP that zoning hasn’t been practiced in PDP and at every given time, from the presidential to governorship election people haven’t been asked to extinguish their right to vote the way they wanted, as a result of which, let the best emerge in Delta State.

My question has to do with what the PDP as a party has done to the psyche of the average electorate in the state. Former governor, James Ibori is serving jail terms in London, for money laundering and we heard that the money he wanted to use to bribe the former EFCC Chairman is still with the Federal Government. With these kind of reports, do you think the people will still want to vote PDP in that state?

I have pleaded with the governor that he needs to do 10 times harder a job to better the fortunes of PDP as a party in the state. Recall that the past governor who by law, as it is now clear, except that we need to take steps as lawyers, wasn’t eligible to have been a governor except this same arrangement of god fatherism, this same arrangement of imposition, this same arrangement of zoning was responsible, and I told Nigerians when I con-

tested the primary against James Ibori, I told Deltans when I contested election against him, and never did I ever called him governor!

I have always called him by name, because I know that something wasn’t right about him becoming a governor. Today, I am vindicated.

My advise to Deltans is that they must look beyond the screen, they must look beyond what publications and news propaganda and go down to the nitty –gritty and save their state. As regarding the trust in PDP, you will agree that Oshiomhole in Edo state was voted as Oshiomhole because of his ability to perform. Everybody today knows and realize that Gbagi has contributed his quota in creating employment, irrespective of the hard and difficult terrain in Delta State. Everybody knows that I have become the most invested individual because of the transparent nature of my wealth. Everybody knows what I did as Minister for Education, when I was there, everybody knows what I did as the chairman of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, when I was chairman.

These records are there for people to judge.

It is my hope that with the unfolding situation, Delta will be better come the next election.

Once the right decision and the right persons are allowed instead of an imposition to rule them.

Don’t you think your ambition to rule Delta will be at a tall dream, considering the fact that the platform you want to use is PDP and it is apparent that you aren’t in the good book of the incumbent governor. If you acknowledge the fact that there is that mutual inclusivity of party and government in PDP controlled states.

You see, there are what you call, compelling facts beyond the imagination of man and the old order. I believe strongly in the PDP, we have a PDP government somewhere else in the country that is performing, I likened that to the situation in Rivers State for instance; Akwa Ibom for instance and I say categorically, it is time for the so -called engine of PDP to make sure that they look deep down the situation in Delta State and right the wrong of the state. Failure to so do, catastrophe, is inevitable.

Will it be right to say that Ibori was never a governor in Delta State?

As it is today, it has been declared, documentarily, it has been put before the entire world that Ibori even though ran and operated the treasury and the government of Delta State for eight years, he did that under false pretences and as such, he wasn’t a governor in law, but steps in law need to be taken to void the entire eight years he ruled as a governor, having declared false age, having sworn to an oath that he was never an ex-convict. All of those situations make it apt that he wasn’t, legitimately a governor but steps need to be taken and I am not unaware of the fact that there are people putting documents together to void that situation.

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DAILY SUN

Tuesday, August 7, 2011

SUNSummit From FRED ITUA, Abuja

P

rofessor Ango Abdullahi was former Vice-Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello Univerisity (ABU), Zaria, and the current Chairman of the Governing Council of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. When it comes to national issues and critical matters that affect the North, the spokesman of the Northern Elders’ Forum has never hesitated to speak up.

In this interview with Daily Sun, Professor Abdullahi claims that former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, under-developed the North. He also bares his mind on the dwindling economy of the region, the Boko Haram insurgency, the state of the education sector in Nigeria, among other issues.

Excerpts: Rot in education sector Recently, I have taken some keen interest at the state of education in the country. That propelled me to write to the Honourable Minister of Education on two aspects of educational development in the country. The two levels I chose are closely inter-related and critical.

Secondary education is key. Nigeria has continued to record almost 90 per cent failure rate in WAEC and NECO. It’s a major disaster.

You cannot hope to put these children into tertiary institutions with a view to finding them various areas of academic endeavours, which will lead to various areas of manpower that will be critical to the development of this country.

Modern day development as we see all over the world today is very much anchored on the level of education the students are getting out of secondary as well as out of universities. The rate of growth, taking place in China and India is largely because of the intensity with which they pay attention to the development of technical education.

We are having a serious crisis in Nigeria as far I can see. Unless something is done without delay, we will continue to slide backwards.

You may see so many universities coming up. What we are doing there is simply addressing the quantum rather than the quality of education. I am the Chairman of the Governing Council of Abubakar Tawafa Balewa University, Bauchi. The allocation for research for a whole university every year is less than N20 million. You don’t expect serious research to happen in this kind of school. Without research, there is little you can teach students.

What is happening is that, teachers and students have to rely on researches from other universities in the world. I see a serious decline in the quality of education in the country from bottom upward. Unless something is done quickly by all the stakeholders, we will continue to have serious problems David Mark statement on Boko Haram unfortunate I didn’t realize that I was coming hard on the Senate President. All I wanted to do was to remind him that as far the constitution is concerned, he is the number three citizen of the country. He happened to come from the northern region.

Given his position as the Senate President, he is the number two political leader from the northern region. One expects naturally that he is one of our leaders. In fact, he should be in the forefront of leadership together with the Vice president. For him to unfortunately come up with that kind of statement, it portrays him as somebody trying to pass through the back.

He ought to be part of the solution in view of his special position in the north. But he is saying that northern leaders are not doing enough.

That means that, if he is part of the northern leadership, he should include himself as not doing enough. But if he has excluded himself from being part of the northern leadership, then he can pass on the blame to those who should take the responsibility. So, this is what I reminded him about. It was misread that I was being hard on him.

Addressing poverty in the North Let’s be fair to Nigeria and let’s start from the basis. If you look at the most recent report based on the indices that have been accepted world-wide, you will discover the hardship faced by Nigerians daily.

These indices are called human development indices. They are not just used to measure

Ango Abdullahi

Obasanjo under-developed the North – Prof. Ango Abdullahi economic development, but social development as well.

The recent reports claimed that over 100 million Nigerians live in poverty as defined by the international scale. The North is not 100 million. That means there is poverty in every part of the country.

I agree that there is no even socio-economic development in Nigeria.

There are reasons. Poverty is more pronounced in the northern parts of the country.

One can easily arrive at a reason for this disparity. The north has been educationally disadvantaged.

It is the decision of the region more or less.

I remember back then in the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo put education first in the region. So, I will be right to say that the South-West states are the most educationally advanced states in Nigeria. This is the disadvantage the North was in particularly at the point of independence. Education still remains the main disadvantage of which the north still remains today. That explains the inability of its people to actively participate in the economic process of this country.

People may argue that the North has been in charge of the political control of this country for years. Today, I can produce a book which we researched to show you that in the federal employees’ structure, the north is represented by only 18 per cent. The remaining 82 per cent comes from other parts of Nigeria. If you extrapolate that in budgetary terms, the recurrent budget of the federal government on personnel cost for example, 82 per cent of that

goes outside the north. You can translate that into various parts of the economy. For example, take the banks. Out of the 25 mega banks, only one is owned by northern investors. So, it is quite clear that the north is socially and economically more disadvantaged than the rest of the country.

There is no way the country can develop with the current disparity.

Even the allocations northern states get are insufficient in tackling the huge gap.

We must review current revenue sharing formula Revenue sharing is only one aspect. There ought to be a deliberate federal policy that will address specific areas of need in various parts of the country. There has been a specific policy to deal with the problem of the Niger-Delta which started from the first republic.

This led to the development of bodies like OMPADEC and others to deal with the problem of the Niger-Delta specifically. Why can’t they do the same for other parts of the country where you can identify some of the causes of economic disability and environmental degradation?

Awhole ministry in addition to OMPADEC, NDDC and derivation of 13 per cent has been created for the Niger-Delta areas. These are some of the things that indicate that people in positions of authority are not serious in dealing with the developmental needs of all the parts of this country.

Curtailing pervasive insecurity You are absolutely correct. This is the mistake some highly-placed officials always

make. They have assumed that the issue of Boko Haram is a problem of the North. This is absolutely irresponsible and short-sighted.

Where are the Igbo shop owners in Borno, Yobe and in some substantial parts of Kano State? People are afraid because they don’t know who will be attacked next. Trying to achieve peace is a major requirement for anybody in a position of authority. There are various claims as to who should be responsible for what.

Book Haram for me, started as a simple religious group. I wouldn’t even call them a sect.

They have been in existence for about 11 years.

From time to time, you will always find people who are reading their scriptures slightly different from their mainstream counterparts.

There are other groups. This is what has always been. This very group I think, their situation was badly handled in 2008/2009. From then on, instead of quickly nipping whatever problem it was in the bud, the matter took a totally different colouration. I think it was badly handled by law enforcement agencies.

If it was a religious sect, it should have been kept that way and dealt with accordingly.

Unfortunately, politicians started employing them against their perceived opponents. This matter has been politicized.

Coming down to Jos, what we have had in the Plateau was more or less ethno-religious crisis. I am glad to know what retired General Jerry Useni said recently. He said Governor Jang is the problem of Plateau State because he has refused to handle it as the governor of the state, but pandering sentimentally towards his own tribe. This is the real cause of the crisis in Plateau State as of now.

Boko Haram to me was something that would have been nipped in the bud early, but was allowed to assume a dimension it is today.

The question now is, who is going to stop it?

Everybody has a role to play. Some are more responsible than the others. Government has a larger role to play. The primary responsibility of who to find a solution to this problem is the government. From community leaders to traditional rulers, everyone has a role to play. We should start asking questions as to why this is happening. Dealing with the matter by force is not the solution. They are now learning that using military might will not solve the problem. We even reminded the government in our recent submission to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Government at all levels should enlist every stakeholder they consider important to come out and find a way of reaching out to these boys in the bush. They always give the excuse that they don’t know them, but they are not fictitious. We believe that with the current approach through the communities, they will be able to reach out to them.

The North and 2015 The position of the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) on 2015 is that there should be free and fair election. As I told you, I was in the constitutional conference for three times. In 1994/1995, the question of power sharing was a major discussion at that conference.

Eventually, it was argued that the north by virtue of its size had dominated politics at the centre and this will continue unless special concessions are made.

The delegates reluctantly accepted that power should be shared between the north and south. There were no geo- political zones then.

The agreement was that power should rotate between the north and the south. We put it in the constitution and the government said no, because the constitution is a permanent document. They said at some point, Nigerians will trust themselves and will not care where the president of the country will emerge from.

They said the parties could use it.

That was how it was incorporated into the constitution of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). It was a major attraction to all parts of Nigeria. That was why the PDP was generally accepted by many Nigerians. The argument was where the rotation would start. That was how Obasanjo emerged. It was agreed that after 8 years, the presidency will come back to

Continued from page 29

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

SUNSummit ‘Obasanjo underdeveloped the North’ Continued from page 28 the north. We agreed and Obasanjo signed it. Even President Jonathan signed it as number 37 then, when he was the deputy governor of Bayelsa State.

These are the same people who came out first that there was no zoning in the PDP thereby sowing the seed of disaffection in the nation. This means that, there is a certain agenda being pursued by some people against the north. You can see some of the reasons behind the disaffection all over the north and it will spill over to other parts of the country.

How Obasanjo under-developed the North It was our decision in the north that Obasanjo should be the civilian president of this country. I sat with him in Ota with his late wife, Stella Obasanjo when he declared for the presidency. At that time, we had not enrolled him into the PDP as a member. I was there with him in Ota representing the interest group that decided that the south should have the presidency.

I remember very well what transpired on that day. The southern press, particularly those from Ibadan and Lagos were hard on Obasanjo. They said he was not representing the West or the Yoruba. He was accused of being used by certain northern leaders. I defended him on that very day that Obasanjo was the person northern leaders wanted as the president. In the case of Obafemi Awolowo, he couldn’t get the presidency because we in the north refused. But we sided with Obasanjo.

One would therefore wonder what happened to Obasanjo when he came to office.

His appearances and pretences perhaps attracted us. He was once a military head of state. He handed over power to the civilian.

We imagined that transition to a civilian government will begin with somebody who is neutral because we felt Obasanjo was not a politician.

We knew Obasanjo was not a democrat.

We thought he would be able to build strong institutions of government because of his performance as military head of state.

But when he came, things started to look different. He had personal grudges against northerners. He was angry with so many people whom he thought were behind his imprisonment. He said he was beaten up while in prison by Abacha’s men and all that. It was as if the whole north treated him unfairly. He turned the heat on the north. He retired top military officers from the north because they occupied positions. He called them military politicians.

He started creating policies which in our minds were anti-north. Now, we talk about poverty in the north. The north is an agrarian area. Their main economic activity is agriculture. We were expecting that Obasanjo would come and address agricultural problems in the country and also as an instrument of lifting the north. It was a good opportunity considering the fact that he too is a farmer.

My first job was to draw his attention to the fact that agriculture was not receiving attention. He asked me to go and discuss the issue with the Chief Economic Adviser which I did. We presented him with the memo. We suggested that instead of the regular 2% budgetary allocation the agricultural sector has been getting all through the years, it should be raised to 8%. We suggested to him that incrementally, 2% will be added in every budget and by the time he was done with his term, it would have been raised to about 12%.

This is what other countries have done. He said he was happy with the recommendations and promised to implement it.

Ironically, in his first budget, he gave agriculture 0.9%. I went to his office straight away as his adviser. He promised to do something about it. So, he kept veering off from issues that will impact the northern economy and its social structure. This I am prepared to assert and defend.

When he came with this mega banking thing, again it was very clear.

You cannot do business without finance.

You must have somewhere to go and borrow money to do business.

When the mega banking system came, it destroyed the financial base of the north. He will tell you the banks are for everybody, but he knows he is not telling the truth. The leadership of the banks will determine who they will favour.

Considering all the support we gave to this man, we expected him to have at least shown some gratitude. Instead, at every time he worked against the interest of the North.

Adbullahi

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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

DAILY SUN

SUNSummit Between President, lawmakers and 2012 Budget Jonathan

By AHMED MAIYAKI

T

he House of Representatives has been engaged in a tug of war with President Goodluck Jonathan, even threatening to impeach him over allegations of poor budget implementation. Members of the green chamber, like their counterparts in the Senate, are indeed saddled with the responsibility of checking the excesses or inactivity of the Executive arm of government and Nigerians can only be happy if they perform these duties, as expected of them.

The lawmakers threatened to commence impeachment process should the president fail to fully implement the 2012 Budget by the end of September. This is a quick reminder on the frequent face-offs that have ensued between the executive and legislative arms of government since 1999. Both arms have often tried to lay greater claim to the budgetary process, a situation that had led to many unhealthy rivalry.

While the executive led by Mr. President views allocation of revenues accrued to the federation as its sole responsibility, the National Assembly always argues that as representatives of the people, the lawmakers have superior knowledge of the needs and aspirations of the people. The executive on its part, continues to hang on to claims that it is the arm that is saddled with responsibilities of sourcing for revenue as well as executing the programs of government.

The argument advanced by the House of Representatives is only relevant in the present situation where the ruling party has the majority in the assembly. Assuming the National Assembly is controlled by the opposition party, would that have translated to automatic control of governance through appropriation?

The answer certainly is no.

In all honesty, it can be said that attempts by the lawmakers to unilaterally control the budgetary process can only slow down the pace of economic growth that is desperately needed to better the lot of Nigerians. To put it mildly, the battle cry of impeachment, coming out of the Green Chamber at such a delicate period, under the prevailing circumstances can only be ascribed to political neophytes trying to create problem where there is none.

By the way, the House does not enjoy the prerogative power to sack a president, it shares that with the Senate. The process is also very

Tambuwal

cumbersome which I dare say may never come to pass.

While I do not hold brief for the president and his team, I dare say that the National Assembly is a major part of the causes as to why budgets have not been fully implemented in the past. The president had warned ministers and other heads of agencies not to seek budget adjustments at the National Assembly, but the warning was flagrantly avoided as lawmakers allegedly encouraged MDAs to increase budgetary allocations. Most committees in the National Assembly still engage in budget ‘padding’ which distorts the original budget proposal sometime by as much as 30 percent. No president implements such a budget.

The so-called constituency projects usually built into the budget is another way of siphoning public funds and making budget implementation difficult. It was as a result of such practice that former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) and late Umaru Yar’adua (2007-2010) found it difficult to implement yearly budgets. Today, Jonathan is also suffering from legislative impunity which may also hinder budget performance.

The lawmakers must realise that during the budget preparation, the executive never contemplates the issue of constituency projects because the president has the entire country as a constituency.

The recent revelation by the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, does not come as a surprise to those that understand the intrigues that go into budgetary process. Her revelation that constituency projects have become the clog in the wheel of the country’s progress is not far from the truth. Most of these projects are usually without plan or design and sometime without even locations.

They are just a means to over reach some peo-

Mark ple. Nigerians should begin to question their present and past lawmakers to identify such projects in their constituencies.

Before they commence the impeachment process, perhaps it would be pertinent to remind the legislators that every minute spent by a minister during the myriads of invitations they receive to appear before a committee also contributes to the delay in budget implementation. The present session of the National Assembly has made invitation of ministers and heads of agencies a past time. Everyday a dozen or so ministers and officials are summoned while their official duties suffer.

Like Okonjo-Iweala said, everyone is interested in high budget performance because that is the sure way to transform the economy.

However, with 56 percent achieved in July, the implementation rate could rise to about 75 or 80 percent by September, which is an excellent by all reasonable standards.

The House should pursue any other grievances it has with Mr. President amicably without attempting to overheat the polity. For instance, I am aware that the president is yet to honour a summon to address the House on the issue of security, that can be addressed separately. The executive and legislators must work together to confront the many problems facing the common man. The last thing anybody around here wants is for a few people to start another round of political crisis just to advance their selfish interests.

*Maiyaki wrote in from Abuja.

As PDP women go digital…

By JIDE OLUMIDE

S

ince the information technology revolution started some years back, it has become conventional for every organisation and even individuals to become ITcompliant. There is virtually no set up that takes itself serious or wants to be taken as such that does not require or train staff to be reasonably equipped or skilled in information technology.

Taking due cognizance of the imperative of the successful politician to be trained on the use of the computer, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) National Woman Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe, organised an EConference for PDP Women from all the states of the Federation last Thursday in the nation’s Federal Capital.

Dr. Chikwe stated that the initiative was rooted in her belief that there is a vacuum in the political sphere in the country, underpinned by a noticeable gap in the participation of young, dynamic, intelligent generation of young women in politics.

“Information will become instantly translucent and accessible. The exchange of information through social media highways will ensure that accountability is immediately apparent’’. It is her ambition to build the new PDP with knowledgeable, modern and

dynamic young women.

Having listened to Dr. Chikwe and other speakers including Mrs. Josephine Anenih, Barrister Ime Udom, Honourable Nnenna Ukeje of the House of Representatives, Hajia Bilikisu Magoro, Mr. Zubairu Atta, Honourable Nkoyo Toyo, also of the House of Representatives and Mrs. Olive Onono, one gets the impression that Dr. Chikwe intends to add value to the Nigerian youths in the PDP in particular and the country generally.

The youths who are said to be leaders of tomorrow can only effectively and efficiently play this role if they are as knowledgeable as their counterparts in other parts of the world.

The trend these days is to read through the internet, issues being exhaustively discussed on facebook, twitter.

Since the world has become a global village the knowledgeable youth, skilled in the use of computer will in the very near future receive due and greater attention from the Nigerian electorate than the soap box politician. The youths will be very crucial in the success of President Jonathan’s National Transformation Agenda. Already their impact was felt during the 2011 Presidential Election campaign when the President interacted with millions of Nigerians living in the country and abroad on facebook. Dr.

Chikwe Chikwe’s agenda which will involve hundreds of thousands of young women interacting on the Internet, holding meetings and articulating programmes for a better Nigeria will definitely increase awareness by Nigerians of the major development planks being planned for the country by the party. It will adequately prepare the young women for

participation in politics and for employment.

By the time the analog politician mounts the soapbox to address the electorate, some of them rented crowd in the rain or sunshine the digital politician would have interacted with millions of her fellow youths on the Internet and convinced them about the Way Forward for the country. These youths are the children of the house and will have to convince their parents on the candidates the family will vote for. The youths are those that will guide the votes at the polling and collating centres and ensure a rig-free election.

The IT compliant politician will have no need for thugs and hangers-on as the campaign will be issues-based and not on persons.

This is at present the type of politics being played in the developed world to our admiration. Bringing it down to us in Nigeria will be a great leap forward from our politics of godfathers, thuggery and distribution of rice and cash to uneducated and unenlightened voters.

Dr. Kema Chikwe’s initiative is very innovative and a soothing balm to our politics of the stomach. May our youths embrace and utilize it to the greater benefit of the Nigerian people.

•Mr. Olumide wrote in from Abuja

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

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Our reforms on course, says Abolurin, NSCDC boss

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he Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ade Abolurin, has dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the corps is engrossed in corruption saying such assertion is far from the truth. He spoke with NGOZI UWUJARE in Abuja, recently.

According to him, the corps is rather undergoing genuine reforms aimed at making it the best security outfit in the country in reducing if not eliminating crimes.

He said the new reforms are receiving the full support of Interior Minister Comrade Abba Moro and the Board, adding that the corps has got to the level that the issue of corruption is no more visible: “ We have ensured that the bad eggs in the corps who may want to tarnish our image are discovered and we have shown them the way out. Some of them before their dismissal were given the opportunity to face the disciplinary committee. As far as we are concerned in the corps family, we have zero tolerance for corruption. We are determined more than ever before in reducing the crime rate in the country.”

Abolurin stated that prior to its transformation, the corps was a voluntary organization established in 1967 as Lagos Civil Defence Committee to protect the then Federal Capital Territory of Lagos and assist the victims of the civil war: “ Our intention is to reposition the corps to be more responsible and proactive in fighting crime and other criminality in the society.

The corps also intends to sharpen the skill and knowledge of not only its personnel, but operators and operatives of private guard companies to make them more relevant in our efforts to wipe out crime.

“Today, the corps is celebrating the fact that the Federal Government through the Minister of Interior has given us the permission to carry arms and ammunition in our legitimate pursuit of fighting and eliminating crime in our society. We have an armed squad not a killer squad. We are ready for any battle against crime and corruption.”

Abolurin disclosed that the leadership of the corps discovered that some people are using the NSCDC to defraud innocent members of the public by either collecting money and promising them jobs or through other means of extortion, saying the public should be wary of such fraudulent people as vacancies into the corps are filled through the normal and acceptable means of looking for the best talents across the country: “We have arrested several fake corps members who are

civilians and we have paraded them before the full glare of the media. It has also been discovered that some people used fake letter-head papers of the corps and placed them on the internet.

When we discovered it, and quickly our Public Relations Department quickly alerted the public over the internet fraud.”

Abolurin said he has warned corps members against corruption tendencies. He said he has also travelled to some of the state commands to check their excesses: “ Also, I have my surveillance outside there monitoring those who are involved in any crime. Those caught weres shown the way out of the corps. Today, the transformation of the corps is cre- Dr Abolurin (sitting left) with an Army officer signing a training agreement ating awareness that we are not corrupt. Rather, we are personnel with the Nigerian through intelligence reports He said the fight against set to teach them morals and Army: vandalism is on course saygathering.” “ We have first batch of 58 ethics of the job.”

He explained that the pri- ing the corps has consistently He said that it was a mis- personnel who have com- vate guard companies have put in place measures for interpretation about some pleted their training with the been sanitized and they have effective monitoring of oil members shown the way out Nigerian Army while the embraced professionalism pipelines and other public of the corps recently. He second batch made up of and that competence could utilities: explained that there was a about 220 personnel are be seen in the conduct of “The corps has anti-vanverification exercise carried already in training at the their operations. dals equipment including out by the Board leading to Nigerian Army Training The corps sealed over 672 communication gadgets for the dismissal of some offi- Ground in Jaji, Kaduna. The companies, re-opened 205 e f f e c t i v e mission of the corps is to companies saying with effec- communication.” The anticers: “The public should under- ensure the safety of lives and tive monitoring and constant vandalism statistical data stand how we work. We have properties of Nigerians and supervision of private guard generated show that about done our best to make sure other countries nationals companies, crime rate has 6.6million litres of PMS was that we serve the humanity residing within Nigeria. been reduced drastically. He “ Also, to stamp out crime said the corps has equally and fight criminals within and guarantee safety of all established a college of secuour environment.”

He said he is more con- government properties espe- rity management in cerned about the efficiency cially where it concern Abeokuta, Ogun State, which of the armed squad which power transmission lines specifically takes care of according to him, led to the and oil pipelines as well as to training and retraining of priretraining of these corps of rid Nigeria of all conflict vate guard operators.

lost through vandalism while 78 per cent of the same figure was recovered: “ About N200billion has been saved for the government coffers through its antibunker and closure of over 400 illegal refineries sites throughout the federation.”

Suspected vandals, bunkerers and those arrested for other related offences since 2011 are over 11,105, while cases pending since 2011 are 805 and number of suspects prosecuted since 2011 is 318. The corps established a disaster management unit which has been reinvigorated to enhance quick response to emergency situations: “ The corps has established emergency response units at the airports in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

We have good relations with the NEMA and other stakeholders to enhance proper management, mitigation and reduction of disaster in the country. We have also rescued 497 victims and recovered 188 dead bodies from accidents.”

He explained that the corps has been incorporated into the operation of the Joint Task Force (JTF), operating within the Niger Delta region.

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DAILY SUN

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Police send 800 officers on peacekeeping mission General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, has given the order to repackage transform the Peacekeeping eputy Commissioner of Police, and Director of Peacekeeping at the Department. He said the mission to rePolice Headquarters, Abuja, Mr package the peacekeeping by providing it Kayode Aderanti, has said that with good outlook and proper training and over 800 police officers have been retraining of personnel for the good image of the force. sent on peacekeeping mission.

Aderanti explained that they have 1000 He told Daily Sun that that the Inspector police officers in different countries on foreign mission like African Union Mission in Liberia and Somalia, South Sudan United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Daffur, United Nations Mission in Haiti and Democratic Republic of Congo among others.

He said the officers are trained to counter terrorism, adding that police officers from Nigeria are deployed to go on peacekeeping mission to expose them to international policy so that they can imbibe international best practice in policing. He said the peacekeeping mission has helped in capacity building: “It has enhanced our policing standard.”

He said the selection into peacekeeping operation is not based on any prejudice but rather on merit and experience: “However, we consider those who have shown great discipline to go for peacekeeping mission. Before they go, they undergo medical fitness test.

Aderanti “Our Department is a place where

By NGOZI UWUJARE

D

L-R: The Rt. Rev. Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham, Auckland, Castle Market Place; Rev. (Dr) Williams Okoye, CAN’s Director of National Issues; Mr Tony Blair, former British Prime Minster; Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President of CAN; Pastor Ladi Thompson, Special Adviser to the CAN president on Anti-Terrorism and Rev. (Dr) Musa Asake, General Secretary of CAN shortly after a meeting at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja recently.

(L-R) Akin Abiola, Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori and Ola Adedeji, Branch Head, Zenith Bank Plc, Osogbo during a courtesy call to the Deputy Governor in Osogbo on Tuesday

we have officers who are intelligent, hardworking as well as disciplined and ready to comply with the rules and regulations of the Police Act.” He warned the officers not to involve themselves in any corrupt act and urged

them to ensure that the transformation of the force by the IGP is successful. He said that when the officers return from the peacekeeping mission, they will go back to their various commands to enable them display the experience they have gathered.

Core Group Africa launches latest ipad in Nigeria

C

ore Group Africa, the Value Added Distributor (VAD) for Apple in Nigeria has officially launched ipad with starting price of N105,000 (one hundred and five thousand Naira) only. The new iPad is now available from as part of the next global rollout by Apple. This is the first time it will be available through the official Apple channel in Nigeria.

The new iPad Wi-Fi and iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular will be available in black or white in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models. It features a stunning new Retina display, Apple’s new A5X chip with quad-core graphics and a five megapixel iSight camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video.

The new iPad delivers the same all-day 10 hour battery life, is amazingly thin and light and runs almost all of the over 650, 000 apps

on the iTunes App Store. It provides the most versatile, on-the-go user experience whether checking email at home, reading a magazine while waiting in a queue, watching a movie on a plane, updating documents before a meeting, checking sport fixtures, uploading a Facebook status, or sharing a bedtime story.

“Apple’s category defining mobile device, the new iPad, has revolutionised the mobile computing industry and delivers the most amazing experience people have ever had with technology. We are thrilled to make this unbelievable product available to Nigerians”, says Rutger-Jan van Spaandonk, Executive Director of Core Group Africa.

Core Group Africa has appointed Apple Authorised Resellers to ensure the product is available through official channel partners.

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

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Good Health Medical experts raise alarm over Ischemic heart disease

By AZOMA CHIKWE

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edical experts and practitioners in Cardiovascular Medicine convened in Lagos during the 5th edition of Cardiovascular Summit organised by Pfizer (Nigeria and East Africa Region) to raise awareness on the rising incidence of Ischemic heart diseases in Nigeria. The summit was aimed at seeking cohesive preventive measures as well as actionable recommendations for the government.

Tagged ‘Ischemic Heart Disease’, the summit provided an elaborate platform for healthcare practitioners to engage in a robust discussion on the current trends in Ischemic heart disease and its management.

Declaring the summit open, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe, in his remarks, described Ischemic heart disease as the ‘next epidemic in Nigeria, if drastic measures were not put in place to mitigate against it.

Also known as coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease is a condition that affects the ability to provide adequate oxygen to heart muscle resulting in damage to the heart muscle or heart attack (Myocardial Infarction).

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) fact sheet, an estimated 17.3 million people died from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in 2008, representing 30 per cent of all global deaths. Of these deaths, an estimated 7.3 million were due to coronary heart disease and 6.2 million were due to stroke.

Speaking on the “Nigerian Perspective on Ischemic Heart Disease”, Emeritus Professor of Cardiology of the University of Ibadan, Prof.

Ayodele Falase, stated that previous studies in Nigeria revealed insignificant incidence of ischemic heart disease compared with the developed countries. However, a 2001 study on predisposing factors to Myocardial Infarction in 26 cases showed sedentary lifestyle to be the major cause of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).

Attributing the rise in the cases of ischemic heart disease in Nigeria to increase in the standard of living which, enhanced adoption of western dietary habits especially amongst urban elites, Prof. Falase, urged the promotion of our local diets which contain less saturated fat as well as increased physical activity . He said,”like all things in Nigeria we tend to deride our local diet and regard the diet of advanced countries as superior and healthier. The challenge is to prevent this rise because, the consequences could be grave. We do not have the infrastructural capability to adequately cater for it. The key is to stick to our local diets and exercise.”

On his part, Consultant Cardiologist, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Prof. Osaretin Odia, identified the modifiable risk factors as; hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, cigarette smoking and obesity, sedentary living, age and gender as the non modifiable risk factors.

Prof. Odia, who also suggested that SubSaharan Africa may be at the early phase of the epidemiological transition of the disease, recommended the following preventive strategies including: increased attention of health officials on the primary prevention of ischemic disease, community–based control of the major risk factors, control of hyper-cholesteronaemia through the modification of dietary habits and government‘s support especially in the discouragement of western dietary habits through its food and health regulatory agencies.

In his remarks, Country Manger, Pfizer NEAR, Enrico Liggeri, reiterated Pfizer’s continuous commitment to education of physicians and the general public saying the Summit is part of Pfizer’s contribution to the advancement of medical knowledge and patient care in Nigeria

L-R: Prof. Falase, Prof. Akinkugbe, Dr. Johnson, Mr. Liggeri and Dr. Soroh at the cardiovascular summit and the NEAR region (Nigeria, East Africa Region) by keeping healthcare professionals aware of new trends in medicine; the summit further exemplifies Pfizer’s commitment to world class medical education, capacity build-

ing and excellence in service to the Nigerian health sector .

Emphasizing the objective of the summit, The Medical Director, Pfizer NEAR, Dr. Kodjo Soroh, said its aim is the reach specific action-

able recommendation for implementation by government. ‘We need to get prepared for this prevailing CHD incidents and that is the essence of this summit, to come up with some recommendations for government on how to stop the further rise of CHD because when the epidemic happens we do not have the capacity to control it.

The Summit is witnessing growing popularity among health care practitioners. In 2011, the CV Summit was endorsed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria as a CPD provider for the award of continuous medical education points (CME) to attending Physicians.

In a bid to continually improve the outlook of the summit, a scientific advisory board composed of seasoned professionals spanning various fields of cardiovascular medicine was inaugurated in March 2012 to oversee the content and conduct of the CV Summit.

NAFDAC builds capacity on phamacovigilance and post-marketing surveillance

By JOB OSAZUWA

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he National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO), has reminded importers, marketers and distributors of drugs of their mandate to monitor and report every unprecedented effect of drugs in Nigeria.

This call was made recently in Lagos during a capacity building workshop on pharmacovigilance/post-marketing surveillance.

The training was aimed at sensitising actors and stakeholders among Marketing Authorisation Holders in the pharmaceutical business to improve their knowledge, attitude and practice of medicine safety monitoring.

Speaking at the event, NAFDAC’s Director General, Dr. Paul Orhii, noted that despite immense benefits of medicines, they could also cause adverse drug reactions. The DG said this became more urgent, owing to presence of counterfeit and substandard pharmaceutical products in the market.

NAFDAC story“In order to effectively safeguard the health of Nigerians, NAFDAC is at the forefront of activities designed to ensure that all medicines used in Nigeria are safe and efficacious. The Agency is leading a fight against all substandard pharmaceuticals and counterfeiting of all regulated products,” he noted.

Stressing the significance of drug monitoring, Paul Orhi maintained that pharmacovigilance system should include all entities and resources that protect the public from medicine related harm, be it personal health care or public health services.

Meanwhile, the DG unveiled a guide for pharmaceutical Marketing Authorisation Holders in Nigeria which will help them in reporting adverse reactions to marketed drugs.

Once a product is marketed, new information will be generated, which can have an impact on the benefits or risks of the product. Evaluation of this information should be a continuous process in consultation with regulatory authorities,” he said.

The National Pharmacovigilance Centre which was established in 2004 was saddled with the responsibilities to oversee early detection of increase in frequency of previously known Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs), detection of unknown ADRs, promotion of rational and safe use of medicines, education and information of patients, among others.

Dr Paul expressed optimism that the training would provide stakeholders adequate knowledge and the requisite skills to conduct post marketing surveillance of their products in the market and making necessary reports to the appropriate authorities.

Similarly, the national coordinator of National

I can manage HIV/AIDS -Clergyman

By ONYEKACHI JET

E

xperts say communication technology has become a more veritable source through which millions of people in the world access information on virtually all areas of human endeavour, including health.

Attesting to this fact, a clergyman and natural healer, Prophet Samuel Ogungbade, who spoke from his Morgaji Street, Bethlehem Parish of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Ijanikin, Lagos, narrated his experience with a health website he launched.

He revealed that as it was the case with several other health sites, within a very short period, an overwhelming number, who were curious to take matters, affecting their health in their hands visited the victory campus site.

“Although the site is basically designed for

people who are living with the Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) to access information on how their health can be fully restored with the restoring power of natural remedy.”

He speaks more on the remedy. “After losing my only brother, God revealed this nature’s gift to me. It is a natural herb. With it, people affected by HIV/AIDS now have a chance of being managed. I have managed a good number of affected persons with this remedy for close to four years.

The herb according to him is completely of local content. “When people even in America and London read reports about the therapy, they ordered for it. After use, they called to confirm its potency. I’ve made it known to some health facilities. I have appealed to health authorities to come and investigate my claims.”

Pharmacovigilance Centre, Mrs Adeline Osakwe corroborated the DG’s remarks that Marketing Authorization Holders have the primary responsibility of minimizing the risks of the adverse effect of drugs.

Explaining the concept of Pharmacovigilance, Mrs Osakwe said it is new in many developing countries, Nigeria inclusive. This she said underscores the need for continuous concerted effort to build capacity in effective safety monitoring of medicines across the country.

“Pharmacovigilance is the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse drug reactions, drug abuse and misuse, medication errors and lack of efficacy and counterfeits.

“The system is aimed at protecting public health through efficient and timely identification, collection and assessment of ADRs and subsequently communicating risks and benefits to support decision making about medicines at various levels of the health care system.

The Centre has trained over 10,000 health care practitioners on detecting and reporting of ADRs,” she disclosed.

The National Coordinator further stressed the need for a closer collaboration between the Centre and all other stakeholders from private and public programmes, primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions across the country. She revealed that gap still exists which need to be bridged urgently.

Ogungbade, who said he gives a money-back guarantee of 120 days after treatment says first, the person would present medical report showing he or she is HIV/AIDS positive, indicating his or her immune level. When Prophet Ogungbade the treatment is concluded, the patient will go for another HIV test and bring the result from a recognized hospital which will state his immune level,” he said.

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DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Good Health

Firms introduce solution for reflux disorder

Church, JAAIDS create awareness on HIV/AIDS

By ONYEKACHI JET

By BRENDA EBVODAGHE

A

T

Gastroenterologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Professor Funmilayo Lesi, has said diseases that are related to reflux and heartburn in Sub-Sahara Africa, are more prevalent than the Human Immune Virus (HIV).

Speaking at the launch of Gaviscon in Lagos, she listed coffee, pepper, chocolates and a few others as predisposing factors to reflux and heartburn diseases. The disease, according to her, can present as chronic cough, sore throat, nocturnal asthma, dental erosion and non-cardiac chest pain.

She said the introduction of Gaviscon provide the best form of alternative in the cure and management of heartburn. “The drug is a physical defense against reflux, especially in patients who have mild symptoms. It will stand alone in mild symptoms. In people who have moderate to severe symptoms, it can be used with other drugs.It can be used by pregnant women.

“So this drug has strategic advantage in pregnant women and in the management of mild symptoms of reflux disease. It has been shown in studies worldwide that it’s effective.

What we want to do now is even show with studies in Nigeria that it is effective even amongst Nigerians” Continuing, she said while it is permissible for people who have occasional symptoms to obtain drugs over the counter, “but when patients have what is called alarmed symptoms –this is a patient with Grad who is losing weight or who has difficulty in swallowing, or who’s vomiting blood, there’s no way for self-medication. He needs to come to the hospital and see a doctor”.

Also speaking, Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH),

• M.S Pranshant with Isidore Ogunjiofor, Head, Marketing Dr. Charles Onyekwere said the major challenge in the management of heartburn-related diseases is being able to recognize the disease in its entirety. Other challenges he said include ensuring rapid symptom and healing of muscular injuries.

Onyekwere, who commended Reckitt Benkisar for introducing Gaviscon into the Nigerian market, regretted the lack of enough resources to manage reflux diseases complications. His words:”we need a lot more resources to help us cope with the problem of acid reflux.

In her presentation, Lynd Uwoma stated that Gaviscon is not an antacid. She explained that the product is a true reflux suppressant designed to provide faster, effective and safe relief from heartburn.

She further explained while carrying out practical demonstration of how the drug

works, the drug when consumed, penetrate the floor of the stomach from where it forms a foam at the top of the stomach against acid peptone contents to bring soothing relief.

In his address, General Manager, Reckitt Benkisar, Mr. Pranshat Pranshant disclosed that the organization has the distinction of being the fastest growing global OTC player in 2011, said the his company is partnering with all stakeholders in the health sector to provide better solutions to patient needs and the community as a whole.

He explained that in collaborating with healthcare professionals, seeks to make the medical community aware of the extent of reflux disorder in Nigeria and enable them to identify the correct patient type, teach the right options and reduce the gastrointestinal reflux disorder burden in Nigeria.

Pathologists pledge to improve laboratory medicine standards tionally established accreditation scheme, such as ISO 15189.

“The clinical laboratory functions span confirmation of diagnosis, monitoring therapy and assessing progress in health status. Its importance in medical practice cannot be overemphasized as accurate and appropriate diagnoses depend on the expertise of clinical pathologists.

Standard clinical laboratories are essential to modern day practice of medicine with an estimated 60 to 80 percent of diagnosis in developed countries relying on effective clinical analysis of patient’s specimen.”

Prior to the 2008 Maputo Declaration by WHO, World Bank and Global Fund to strengthen laboratory systems in developing countries, Nigeria recognised the importance to be in the fore-front of this development and in 2006 had the first ISO 15189 accredited laboratory in West Africa, Pathcare Nigeria.

While giving the lecture at the conference on “Repositioning clinical laboratories for effective and efficient health care delivery”, Professor Ibironke Akinsete, Chairman Pathcare, reaffirmed the need for pathologists to continue to lead the way and ensure the WHO AFRO accreditation scheme is speedily implemented in Nigeria and that laboratories adopt it.

She emphasised that if there are many more ISO 15189 laboratories, Nigeria’s health indices will be significantly better. She also asserted that “South Africa, a country of 50 million has 312 of the 340 accredited laboratories in Africa. In Nigeria, with over 160 million people we currently only have Pathcare and this is not enough. As pathologists, we are the key to improving the health indices in our country and must ensure that we achieve it.

Cancer of the neck defile four surgeries on patient

surgeries. He puts the cost of each of the four surgeries at between “N80, 000.00 to N300, 00.00. But in all, I can’t really recollect because I’ve spent a lot of money. Even my father, who died last two years, spent all his savings, trying to get this burden off my shoulders.”

He speaks on the sort of pain he goes through. “I’m suffering. I can’t sleep at night.

I feel pains and itches. I can’t sleep. I can’t do anything because the pains won’t let me get focused. The pain is terrible. It’s killing me.

It’s sending me to the grave. I don’t really know the kind of words with which to describe it.

“The surgery and every other expenses involved has been put at N3, 000.00 US dollars. That’s a little close to N3, 000,000.00 (three million naira). I need assistance to go for the surgery,” Ajayi pleads.

Please note: You may wish to reach Ajayi on 07062749421 or through Guaranty Trust Bank, Account no. 2041918781590, Ajayi Babatunde.

By JOAN IKEKHIDE

A

t the 12th annual Association of Pathologists of Nigeria (ASSOPN) Conference, held in Abuja recently, the president, Dr. Iregbu pledged to redress the declining quality of laboratory standards in Nigeria via pathologists, using the WHO AFRO accreditation scheme.

This stepwise accreditation scheme, which was initiated by the WHO AFRO and US Centre for Disease Control, encourages the Ministry of Health (MOH) in African countries to evaluate clinical laboratories and score them according to performance.

Based on percentage score, accreditation levels are assigned from one to five stars.

Laboratories that receive five-star ratings are strongly encouraged to transit to the level of a reference laboratory by acquiring an interna-

By ONYEKACHI JET

A

jayi Babatunde is in dire need of a lifeline. He hails from Osun State.

The 32 year-old, who claims to be on the payroll of the Nigerian Ports Plc., is gradually dying of cancer of the neck.

The young man said he was exposed to the cancerous growth through shaving in a barbing salon.

He recalled that the growth first started like a pimple at the back of his head, just by the nape. He narrated that the cancer later started growing like an external lump.

“Then I went for an operation to get rid of it in 1999 at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. After a while, the lump grew again and I went for a second surgery in 2000, this time, at the Lagos University Teaching

Hospital (LUTH).

After undergoing the second operation, the tumour grew the third time, for which he underwent the third surgery at Ilesha in Osun State. But even the third surgery did not bring lasting solution to his plight.

“After sometime, the cancer grew the fourth time. In all, I have had four operations without success.”

Ajayi is not only crying out over the pain he has been living with in the 14 years when he was afflicted by the ailment, he has also been over-burdened by the cost of treatment and

he World Health Organisation (WHO) records affirmed there are now 33.5 million people, living with HIV. An estimated 2.7 million were newly infected with the virus and two million died in 2008.

A United Nations agency report revealed that Nigeria has the third largest number of HIV infections in the world with roughly four million men, women, children and youth, with the highest prevalence between age groups of 15 and 24..

In an effort to reduce its high prevalence especially among youths, the future leaders and the sexually active population of the country. The Mike Okonkwo Educational Youth Initiative in collaboration with Journalist Against AIDS, JAAIDS, organized HIV/AIDS campaign programme for youth at the Mega Football Viewing Centre at Federal College of Education Akoka.

The programme was organized purposely during UEFA EURO 2012 Championship, to reach out to youths.

Creating awareness on HIV/AIDS,the co-ordinator of Mike Okonkwo Educational Youth Initiative , Pastor Johnnie Agbaje said that the programme saw the need to empower the youth spiritually, educationally, medically and in all aspects that will ensure proper development of Nigeria future leaders.

He mentioned that the time and place of the event was strategically chosen to reach out to youth that are lovers of football at the common viewing centre where the lovers of football usually participate in group viewing and exchange ideas, opinions, and perspectives on various football clubs, players and countries that participate in various matches.

He emphasized that HIV/AIDS constitute the greatest challenge of our time , “for this reason the church is taking responsibility to educate teenagers and youths in the church and outside the church on HIV/AIDS. Speaking on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the age group, the programme co-ordinator from Journalists Against Aids ,JAAIDS, Ben Adeoye pointed out that 2005 survey revealed that the highest prevalence of HIV was among the 25-29 years age group.

“To cut down this high prevalence, it must be the responsibility of all sectors to educate the youths on how HIV is spread, prevention, and management to reduce the its scourge in the society ’’ Speaking on the spread of HIV, Adeoye disclosed that HIV can be spread through semen, vagina and cervical secretion, aminiotic fluid, synovial fluid around bone joint, breast milk, re-using and sharing of needles and sharp objects, unprotected sex, motherto child and unscreened blood transfusion.

“Prevention is better than cure, HIV/AIDS can be prevented through total abstinence, faithfulness to one partner, use of condom, avoiding sharing of sharp objects’’ he stressed.

With great concern for the future generation, Adeoye advised the youth who at one time or the other had never undergone voluntary testing for HIV/AIDS to do so for their own good.

Adeoye also regretted the wrong perception of people who still believe that HIV is spread through sweat, shaking of hands and eating from the same plate.

Adeoye emphasized that “everybody should undergo voluntary testing to know their HIV/AIDS status, AIDS does not show on the face.

Agbaje said: “Everybody should know that, you might be infected but we are all affected as a church, community and as a country at large. It is everybody’s responsibility to spread the message on HIV/AIDS, including the churches.’’

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

EDUCATION

EDITED BY CHIKA ABANOBI

By ONYEKACHI JET

O

ne of Africa’s leading novelists and author of the prize-winning novel, Weep Not, Child (1964), Professor Ngugi wa Thiong’o, has sensationally revealed in Lagos how his mother inspired him as a child in primary school to imbibe the culture of reading books. He explained that the habit paid off for him with his passion to write books.

According to him, his love to read books dates back to his early years when he set foot in the four walls of a classroom at Manguu and Kinyogori Primary School, Kamandura, Kenya. Since then, he has never looked back, he said. He has, aside from Weep Not, Child, authored several novels such as A Grain of Wheat (1967), The Black Hermit, Homecoming (1969), Writers in Politics (1981), The Petals of Blood, Decolonising the Mind (1986), Moving Centre (1994) and several others.

The 78-year-old novelist shared his secret with the audience during the recent launch of the second edition of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Read Africa project at the UBA conference hall, Marina, Lagos. The project, according to the organisers, is an initiative of the bank, designed to rekindle the reading habit of Nigerian students.

For the second edition of the project, one of his the books, Weep Not, Child, was selected by the foundation to be distributed to students in the country and other African countries where the bank operates. His passion for books made the organizers to invite him from his Atlanta base to serve as a role model for students as well as to make them tap from his wealth of knowledge.

He disclosed to the audience which includes students, the story (book) of how his mother inspired him to greatness, even when he had no knowledge of what going to school meant then. “I brought black slate and white chalk for my writing materials. We copied on our slate, what the teacher had written on the blackboard. Later, the teacher went round to grade on the slate, putting an ‘x’ or ‘checked’ against each word or number.

“At first, I did not know that after she had graded, I needed to wait for her to enter the number in a register for the record. I rounded off my work as soon as the teacher had graded it. But, whenever I got home, my mother would ask me what and how I had fared in school. I would tell her that I got everything correct. She would in return say, ‘you didn’t.

You must wait for the teacher to tell you what to do.’

“And when later my teacher started to write on my slate, 10 over 10 and my mother asked me what I had, I said, ‘10 over 10.’ She’d ask me probing questions; ending with, “is that the best you could have done?’ These are questions she would keep asking as regard my school work, assignments and tests. Even when later I told her proudly that I scored 100 per cent, my mother would ask the same question in different ways until I said, ‘yes. I have tried my best.’ That kept me reading.

“Strange enough, she seemed more interested in the process of getting there than the actual result. And within a year, I was in grade two. And still my mother continued to ask me the same question, “is that the best you could have done?”

The Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, USA, described knowledge as an invaluable possession which cannot be taken away from an individual, while pointing out to his audience that knowledge is the gains of reading.

“It is important for us as a people to realize that the economic, political, cultural and the psychological aspect of our lives must go together. They are all integrated parts. And reading is an important part of the integrated wholeness. The wealth and properties we have can be taken away from us anytime. But what we have in mind can never be taken away from us. It means that through reading

email: abanobichika@yahoo.co.uk

DAILY SUN 35

Tel: 08034041645

Whip not that child!

•Ngugi Wa Thiongo (Centre) flanked by Miss Aso (L), Mr. Oduoza (R), with officials of UBA and school pupils, after the event.

How my mum inspired me -Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Africa’s leading novelist and acquiring knowledge, we have that which can never be taken away from us,” he noted.

Facing the students, the revered Kenyan novelists advised them to always be imaginative, noting that every tangible thing that exists is a product of imagination “As corporate manager, students, journalists, engineers, no matter where we are, imagination is integral to our lives. Food feeds the body, everyday we go to church or mosque for things of the spirit to feed the spirit. So, morality feeds the soul. But, what feeds imagination, without which it is impossible to learn how to build, it’s impossible to have religions, even; since we must imagine God and heaven and so on?

But, what is it that nourishes that faculty of our being?

“Reading books is what feeds the imagination. So, think of books and arts, music, fiction, dance etc., as that which nourishes our imagination. The more we read, the more we nourish that imagination and the less we read, the more we shrink the imagination, just the same way if you don’t feed the body, the body shrinks. If you don’t feed the soul, the soul shrinks and so reading is an integral part of expanding our imagination.”

Speaking earlier, the chairman of the UBA Foundation, Miss Ijeoma Aso, disclosed that the youths do not appreciate books as gifts, thus the bank is strongly committed to education and empowering Africans, particularly youths through its CSR programmes while revealing the plan of the foundation to give out French and English translations of Weep Not, Child.

Aso added: “This is something we’re going to continue doing. We started this last year and we’re committed to doing it every year. This

year, we decided to pick a book across Africa by one of our own. And to show that we’re Africa’s global bank. We’re going to give out the book, Weep Not Child, in French and English languages. We appeal to you to also help us get the children around you to read.”

Representative of the Education Minister at the event, Mrs. Nelly Ibukun-Oyewole, a director in the ministry, lauded UBA for living up to its CSR responsibilities by investing in the Nigerian child. She said the initiative couldn’t have come at a better time than now, when the reading habit is fast eroding. She pointed out that the Bring Back the Book project launched by the Federal Government is part of effort by the Jonathan administration to revive the reading culture in the country even as she disclosed that the President is inviting Nigerians to support his administration’s effort to promote reading to further advance the development of the nation.

The Group Managing Director of UBA, Mr. Phillip Oduoza, who gave reasons for the Read Africa project observed that many distractions stand in the way of today’s youths and their books stressing that “the reason why we’re engaged in this project is to inculcate the reading habit in our children. When most of us were growing up, we had little distractions. We didn’t have the Internet and email because these are the things that actually keep them busy and they find it very difficult to read books. So, we want to go back to the basics because they spend most of their time on the Internet, surfing, chatting and sending text messages.”

Oduoza, who dished out recipes for success, also tasked stakeholders to join the efforts of the bank to revive students’interest in reading.

Facing the students, he remarked: “All of us in this hall were like you. The calibre of people you’re seeing here got to the level they are through commitment, dedication and most importantly, hardwork.

“We are not doing it just in Nigeria, but across Africa. This is because UBA is a bank that operates in 19 countries in Africa. And the reason for this is because we want to assist in the economic development of Africa as a whole.” To this end, he advised adults to assist in getting the child to read books.”

After the event, Ngugi wa Thiong’o accompanied his son who is also an author and members of the Foundation, to visit Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos where he and his son read from their works in the classrooms just as 200 copies of Weep Not, Child were distributed to students free.

Achubu Chidera, a student and one of the finalists in the essay competition organized by the Foundation in 2011, told Daily Sun that meeting Ngugi wa Thiong’o was a very nice experience noting that “I didn’t know that we still have such people in our continent. He is a big inspiration to us and he told us how he started writing at the age of 24. At that age, sometimes, you’re mostly discouraged.”

She said the author has inspired the youths to love writing. “After listening to everything he said, I want to get back to my habit of writing. I am happy and I thank UBA for providing us with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To be sitting or standing face-to-face with such an icon and legend like Ngugi wa Thiong’o, is a great opportunity one will cherish for the rest of his/her lifetime. I’m greatly motivated and inspired by him.”

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DAILY SUN

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

EDUCATION

Japan to partner with Nigeria on education, science

L-R: Prof. Gbadegesin and the Japanese Ambasador to Nigeria, Mr. Shoji during the lecture GBOLAGUNTE, campus to deliver the institution’s fourth post-graduate school lecture.

Shoji, who was received amidst pomp and adoke Akintola University of pageantry by the authorities of the university, Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho led by the acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Niyi was agog last week as the institution Gbadegesin, left the audience without doubt played host to the Japanese Ambassador to that he understood the present educational Nigeria, Mr. Ryuichi Shoji, who was in the system in the country, as his lecture centred

From BAMIGBOLA Osogbo

L

the on some thought-provoking issues about nation’s educational system.

The students paid rapt attention as the ambassador rolled out the basic needs for an improvement in the nation’s educational system even as he proffered solutions to the decaying educational state of the country.

Ambassador Shoji, who reiterated the desire of Japanese government to support Nigeria in its efforts to combat corruption and uphold the tenets of democracy, also assured the country of Japan’s readiness to support the government in the areas of education, science and technology, stressing that both countries would henceforth work together for the common good of Nigeria.

The lecture titled “Democracy, Technology and Development in Africa”, Mr Shoji disclosed that the Japanese government is resolute on ensuring that there is peace in all parts of the country, just as he restated his country’s commitment to the development of nation’s youths through qualitative education and technological innovations.

“I believe so much in the future of Nigeria and Nigerian people. If the future is still in the form of potentials, it is the young generation in this country that should turn these potentials to realities,” he said. “The country needs people who are eager on providing comfort in private life with giving service for the welfare of the society.”

Shoji who called on Nigerian government to develop its youths for the future of the

country, said the future of the country depends largely on its youths, stressing that the nation needs young individuals in engineering, science, medicine and other professional fields to sustain its economy.

According to him, for Nigeria to strengthen its economy and be among the advanced nations in the world, it must develop its science and technology, pointing out that the country has enormous potentials to meet up with other advanced nations. He explained that the Japanese government would not hesitate to partner with Nigeria in the area of science and technology, just as he advised the government to make constant efforts to narrow the technological gap and keep up with the ongoing technological innovations in the country.

While advising Nigerian government to intensify efforts at diversifying its economy, Mr. Shoji noted that there are opportunities from which the country could gain from diversification of its economy, adding that, “many advanced nations of the world became greater due to diversification of their economies.”

Earlier in his speech, the acting VC of LAUTECH, Prof Gbadegesin, said Nigerian universities have great roles to play in bringing about technological advancement of the nation even as he solicited for the support of the Japanese government in the attainment of the vision of the university in the areas of science and technology.

Odumosu twins, S.T.T & S students, rate Nigeria’s education best in the world

BY VERA WISDOM-BASSEY

A

s a popular saying or adage goes, “the taste of the pudding is in the eating”. The proverb has found expression in the lives of two foreignbased Nigerian students (twins) who recently graduated from S.T.T & S Regency Schools, Lagos, as they rated the nation’s education among the best in the world.

The Odumosus (Posi and Shubomi), who are twins, spoke to Daily Sun after the 2012 prize-giving day of the school acknowledged that Nigeria’s education system was far better than those of the developed countries.

They told our correspondent that they came down from the US to get education at S.T.T & S Regency Schools because “this was the only way to get us to imbibe Nigerian culture instead of the foreign life abroad.”

Posi acknowledged the fact that the standard of education in Nigeria was higher, compared to the advanced nations but stressed that over there, they have better facilities.

He sensationally revealed that what was done in our secondary schools in Nigeria was better than what the universities abroad are doing.

For Shubomi, it was great, graduating from S.T.T & S Regency Schools. He admitted that he was not happy, leaving the school because he would miss a lot of people. However, he consoled himself with the fact that he was leaving to sit for his SAT, following his application for admission in the U.K. Looking back, he, like his twin brother,

acknowledged that Nigeria is a better place for him to imbibe the culture and the heritage of his people. “Here it is good to learn the culture and heritage of my people,” he said, “but over there (meaning America), they are not serious academically.

There they focus more on talents and things outside the school system.”

While praising the teaching and the academic activities at S.T.T & S, as one of the best in the country, he called on the Minister of Education to ensure that the standard is used as a benchmark for other private schools.

“What we learn at S. T.T & S Regency Schools is what they teach in the tertiary institutions abroad,” he said. He added that the Nigerian child is more disciplined and focused than the The twins American child.

During the ceremony, Miss Oluwaseyi Olaniyi-Sholanke emerged the best among the graduating class of 2012 academic session. In doing so, she clinched several awards including the best student award.

In her remarks, the girl who intends to read Geology at the University of Florida or Arizona, appreciated the proprietress of the school, Mrs. Margaret Ibru, and her teachers for seeing them through their secondary education.

She then called on fellow outgoing students to be worthy ambassadors of the school by achieving success in their chosen

at S.T.T & S Regency Schools’ graduation

fields warning that “success does not come in a day, it takes hard work.”

Another student, Nene Henshaw, who placed second, thanked the school authorities for the quality education they gave her and others noting that “S.T.T & S. Regency schools has brought out the best in me. I will go back to the US to read Law, in one of the best universities over there.”

Speaking, the principal of the school, Mrs. Ngozi Nwadialo, revealed that the school offered scholarship to about 45 students stressing that those who benefited from the scholarship have not disappointed

the management.

In her speech, the founder of the school, Mrs. Ibru, prayed for the graduating students to feed families, people, nations. She admitted that “it wasn’t an easy task for the students, but you all pulled through.”

She then admonished them to be good ambassadors of the school wherever they go. “Whatever you do out there will be traced back to where you are coming from,” she said. “I charge you to represent the school as best as you can, always remember where you are coming from.”

Tuesday, August 7, 2012 DAILY SUN 37

EDUCATION

By VERA WISDOM-BASSEY ONYEKACHI JET

S

AND

ixteen year-old former pupil of Queens College (QC), Yaba, Lagos, Okunamiri Phinuella, was the star attraction at the school’s annual speech day and prize-giving ceremony, as she emerged the overall best student, carting home 25 awards.

During the award ceremony, which attracted stakeholders, Okunamiri, who was represented by her father, Prof. Innocent Friday Okunamiri, received a standing ovation for her feat. It was gathered that she gained admission to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan and could not participate at the award event because she was writing an examination.

Speaking after receiving the many awards on behalf of his daughter, Prof. Okunamiri condemned the idea of parents, registering their children at “special exam centres”, which, according to him, is unpardonable.

“Phinuella is an exceptional child, a gifted child but when we discovered that, we tried to encourage her so that she can walk on the right path. Right from primary school, she was always taking first position, even when she enrolled at Queens College, she was coming out with high marks before gaining admission.”

According to him, she understood the price of hard work, did not fail to do her school assignments and at any point in time when she encountered problems, she would ask questions, adding: “From her youth, she cultivated the habit of reading. She did not write JAMB twice; she scored the highest mark, which saw her through to UI. She avoids funny characters but mixed with good characters.”

Speaking earlier, principal of the school, Mrs. Margaret Ladipo, was full of praises for the best girl in the school and admonished oth-

Okunamiri, 16-yr-old whizkid, bags 25 awards at Queens’ College regretted that youths and women in particular have not been given equal opportunity to participate in politics and governance of the country or nation building while also noting that they are not integrated in the developmental agenda or programmes of the Federal Government.

She remarked that the youths resort to negative tendencies such as armed robbery, prostitution, drug trafficking, addiction, 419, illegal bunkering and disrupt the flow oil and recently, the internet fraud known as yahoo, yahoo because “they are neglected, abandoned even by their parents and peers as well as the community, Miss Okunamiri, receiving award from a guest they are insecure and not economically empowered to take care of ers to emulate her good qualities of hard work. their needs.”

Ladipo’s words: “Queens College has Commending parents of the graduating stubecome a name that is synonymous with dents for investing in their children, the forexcellence in all ramifications. It has become mer Kogi State Commissioner for Education, the dream college for every girl child, when a child gains admission, she is sure that she is attending a great college of repute.”

In a related development, the Assistant Director, Medical Services, Lagos State, Dr. Atinuke Onoyiga, has described youths as change agents warning that they should not be left out in the task of nationbuilding.

Onoyiga who was special guest at the 2012 valedictory service of the QC, Yaba, Lagos,

Mr. Sylvester Onoja, said it was an opportunity to associate with the most prestigious girls college in Nigeria. He expressed hope that the quality of training the out-gone students had received while in QC would make them worthy ambassadors of the school and the country.

Fielding questions from newsmen after the event, the Principal revealed the efforts made to ensure that the 2012 set were not faced with the challenges the 2011 set had in subjects such as Mathematics and English Language.

“I got teachers and organized Math clinic.

And today we can see the result. Our students have improved greatly,” he said.

On the challenges facing the college, Mrs. Ladipo, urged parents to complement government efforts noting that “government cannot do it all. We run the college on diesel and petrol 24 hours, seven days a week. Right now, the transformer has blown. In the last two months, we’ve not had electricity from PHCN. So, since then, the college has been on generators”.

NISLT, stakeholders brainstorm on laboratory equipment maintenance, repair

Why Buckswood School runs both English, Nigerian curricula

BY CHRISTY ANYANWU

T

and interact with other Buckswood students.

“Our mother school is in UK and we operate both British and Nigerian curriculum.

Buckswood Nigerian has a lot in common with our parent school in UK. We have the same logo, wear the same uniform, and operate the same thing but the difference is the need to imbibe Nigeria culture into our students such as greetings, respect for your seniors and other values,” she explained.

The Deputy Director of Academics and House Master, Mr. Daudu Olusegun, revealed that the school French club, debating society and press club are of high standard noting “we do take the Christians to church while the Moslems go to the mosque. With that they have a glimpse of what the town looks like.

The school also offers opportunities for scholars who want to become serious footballers”.

He said the school runs a football academy under the Buckswood Overseas School umbrella while stressing that the students are paired two in a room to afford them to interact and relate with one another outside their homes.

The school which was founded less than two years is part of the Buckswood Overseas Schools and it is owned by Oba Adedapo Tejuoso. It is located in a serene environment with hostel facilities. According to Nmezi, the school was established as a British school to offer what many call a “traditional English education”, to boys and girls.

he Head, Operations and Admininstration of Buckswood School in Nigeria, Mrs. Chika Nmezi, has explained why the United Kingdom-based school with satellite campus in Abeokuta, Ogun State, runs both English National Curriculum (EXDCEL BOARD) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for its students.

Nmezi told Daily Sun in her office at Abeokuta that the school runs what is termed “Buckswood Curricula”, which is meant to enable the pupils have a broader knowledge and be able to sit for both examinations.

She disclosed that the school also ran an ‘A’ level programme for pupils who desired to continue their university education abroad by taking their final exams in Buckswood UK. Nmezi described the school as unique because it took only few pupils in a class, adding that “even if the applicants are 200, we still can’t have more than 15 pupils in a class.”

According to her, the reason for the number of pupils in a class is to enable the teachers to identify each child’s weakness/strength, noting that it used the parents’ evening forum to discuss issues about their children. “The parents have to be involved; it has to be a 50/50 thing and taking care of these children cannot work without the parents.”

Nmezi, who insisted that the school was not basically for the rich, said it also had scholarship slots for eight pupils as its community development programme.

In a related development, the Public Relations Officer of the school, Dolapo Ladipo, explained that the pupils once every year, in their third term have the opportunity to travel to UK to meet • Officials of the school, addressing newsmen

Participants watch as one of the experts demonstrate how to fix an equipment

By GABRIEL DIKE

F

or a week, the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) and key stakeholders from tertiary institutions, government agencies and parastatals gathered in Ibadan, Oyo State, to deliberate on issues, affecting the use of laboratory equipment.

The week-long advanced training workshop was attended by scientists, technologists, laboratory managers and those involved in the use and maintenance of laboratory equipment in higher institutions, government agencies, parastatals, and organisations.

A communiqué issued at the end of the event said the training workshop was designed to expose participants to the techniques of maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment, involving use of sophisticated fault detection and diagnostic methods.

Other decisions taken at the week-long training including the demand for government to encourage science and technology practice in the country by supporting and approving policies and customs regulations that are conducive for equipment purchase and importation.

The participants also stressed the need for Nigeria to develop its own sustainable technologies where ownership is indigenous, so

that local solutions to equipment maintenance can be found while noting advocating for laboratory scientists and technologists to be computer literate in order to be able to handle and operate the latest versions of equipment and to have access to vast information on the internet.

The Director-General of NISLT, Dr. Ighodalo Ijagbone, who declared the workshop open, reiterated that human and material equipment are the two major elements in a laboratory system adding the training of laboratory personnel in all aspects of laboratory practices, especially on equipment handling, maintenance and repair was essential for effective and efficient laboratory operations.

He tasked the participants to take advantage of the training opportunity to equip themselves by acquiring the required knowledge that would be useful in their respective organizations and institutions.

The Director of Education, Training and Inspectorate of the Institute, Mr. J. I. Osuh, explained that laboratories could not produce good and reliable results if equipment used are not in the best condition.

Osuh also said the one week training on equipment maintenance was expected to impact on the participants with knowledge to troubleshoot and maintain equipment in their respective organizations and institutions.

Page 38

DAILY SUN

The State of Our States

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Special Report

The Mbanefo Report at a glance Yesterday, we served you the first part of what the States Creation,Local Government and Boundary Adjustment Committee set up by the late General Sani Abacha in 1996 recommended on creation of more local government areas in Edo State.Today,we continue with that aspect of the committee’s assignment.

Continued from yesterday JIGAWA STATE POPULATION: 2,829, 929

EXISTING LGAs: 21

RECOMMENDED LGAs: 30

REQUESTED: 43 S/N

PRESENT LGA

PRESENT HQ

S/N

PROPOSED LGA

PROPOSED HQ

COMPOSITION

1

BABURA

BABURA

1

BABURA

BABURA

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

2

BIRNIWA

BIRNIWA

2

BIRNIWA

BIRNIWA

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

3

BIRNIN KUDU

BIRNIN KUDU

3

IGGI

KANTO TSOHUWA

IGGI, YELWA, WARWADE, KAWO, YARMA, UNGUWAR’ YA, AROBADE, YARMA

4

GANTSA

GANTSA

10 VILLAGES OF GANTSA. TIJIYO, HIRIN, JAJI KOLI, MADEBE, AHOTO, CHIRBIN, SAKWAYA, NAFARA AND KWARI.

5

BIRNIN KUDU

BIRNIN KUDU

WHAT REMAINS OF PRESENT LGA-17 VILLAGES AREAS

4

DUTSE

DUTSE

6

DUTSE

DUTSE

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

5

GUMEL

GUMEL

7

GUMEL

GUMEL

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

6

GWARAM

GWARAM

8

AJAH

FAGAM

VILLAGES OF FAGAM, KONDIKO, DINGAYA, FARIN DUTSE, GASAMA, GALAMBI, Y ARFI, KWAKO, JINGINO AND LAFIYA

9

GWARAM

GWARAM

WHAT IS LEFT OF PRESENT LGA AFTER CREATING AJAH LGA.

7

GWIWA

GWIWA

10

GWIWA

GWIWA

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

8

HADEJA

HADEJA

II

AUYO

AUYO

AYAMA, ADAHA, GATAFA, UNIK, SAFA, TSIDIR, AUYOKAYI, AYAN AUYO, GAMSARKI, GAMAFOI, KAFUR AND GUYU

12

HADEJA

HADEJA

WHAT IS LEFT AFTER CREATING AUYO LGA.

13

MIGA

MIGA

MIGA, MADUGA, AGUFA, SAMSANI, KOYA, ZAREKU, TAKALAFIY A, GARBO, DANGYAUN, BURJI, YARD UNA, GWARI, TSAKUWAWA, HANTSU, SABON GARI, TSAGAIWA ADUCUWA.

14

JAHUN

JAHUN

WHAT IS LEFT OF PRESENT LGA AFTER CREATING MIGA LOA

15

BULANGU

BULANGU

15 VILLAGES OF SHAKATO. JABO. KAIGAMARI, KULLUMI, ZAGO. SHAMAKERI, KARALBALI, TUREMI, MAJAWA, HAGO, GAMAYIN, GILADORI, KWATOLO. MEZAN AND YAY ARI.

16

KAFIN HAUSA

KAFIN HAUSA

WHAT IS LEFT OF PRESENT LGA AFTER CREATING BULANGU LGA.

17

DAKAYYAWA

DAKAYYAWA

VILLAGE AREAS OF DAKAYYAWA, HADIN, MARKE. YALO, SHAKEWA UNGWANJIBRIN, NGARINWA, ASKANDU MASAMA AND DABUWARAN

9

10

11.

JAHUN

KAFIN HAUSA

KAUGAMA

JAHUN

KAFIN HAUSA

KAUGAMA

DAILY SUN

Page 39

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The State of Our States

Special Report

18

KAUGAMA

KAUGAMA

WHAT IS LEFT OF PRESENT LGA AFTER CREATING DAKAYYAWA LGA

12

KAZAURE

KAZAURE

19

KAZAURE

KAZAURE

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

13

KIRIKASAMMA

KIRIKASAMMA

20

GURI

GURI

ABUNABO, ADYANI, ARIN, DAGAN A, DAWA, GADUWA, GAGIY A, GABAGAL, GURI, KADIRA. LAFIYA, MARGADU, MUSARI. MATARA BABBA

21

KIRIKA SAMMA

KIRIKASAMMA

WHAT IS LEFT OF PRESENT LGA AFTER CREATING GURI LGA

14

KIYAWA

KIYAWA

22

KIYAWA

KIYAWA

NO CHANGE. EXINSTING LGA

15

MAIGATARI

MAIGATARI

23

MAIGATARI

MAIGATAI

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

16

MALLAM MADORI MALLAM MADORI 24

MALLAM/ MADORI

MALLAM MADORI

AS PRESENTLY CONSTITUTED. NO CHANGE

17

RINGIM

25

DABI

DABI

DABI, DABIGYAL, DANMARKE, DAOSHE. DINGARE. DOGAJI. KAFIN BABUSHE. KARSHI. MARAWA AND TOFA

26

RINGIM

RINGIM

WHAT IS LEFT OF PRESENT LGA AFTER CREATING DABI LGA

27

RONI

RONI

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

RINGIM

18

RONI

RONI

19

SULE TANKARKAR SULE TANKARKAR 28

SULE TANKARKAR

SULE TANKARKAR

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

20

GARKI

GARKI

29

GARKI

GARKI

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

21

TAURA

TAURA

30

TAURA

TAURA

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

KADUNA STATE POPULATION: 3,969, 252

EXISTING LGAs: 18

RECOMMENDED LGAs: 41

REQUESTED: 53 S/N

PRESENT LGA

PRESENT HQ

S/N

PROPOSED LGA

PROPOSED HQ

COMPOSITION

1

BIRNIN GWARI

BIRNIN GWARI

1.

KUYELLO

KUYELLO

THE WHOLE OF KUYELLO DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES TABANNI, KWALA-KWANGI, KUYELLO, KWADAGA, KWASAKWASA, DAMARI, TAKAMA, KUTEMASHI UNGUWAN GAJERE, INGADE, UNGUWAN DANKO, DOGON DAWA, OLD KUYELLO.

2.

RANDAGI

RANDAGI

THE WHOLE OF RANDAGI DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES RANDAGI, KAKANGI, AND KUKI, KUNUN GAIYA, KUNG I, DAWAKIN BASSA AND UKUGA.

3.

BIRNIN GWARI

BIRNIN GWARI

THE WHOLE OF BIRNIN GWARI DISTRICT.

4.

KAJURU

KAJURU

THE WHOLE OF KAJURU AND KUFANA DISTRICTS.

5.

GWAGWADA

GWAGWADA

THE WHOLE OF GWAGWADA DISTRICT.

6.

CHIKUN

KUJAMA

THE WHOLE OF CHIKUN DISTRICT.

7.

FATIKA

FATIKA

THE WHOLE OF FATIKA DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES FATIKA, GALADIMAWA KIDANDAN, S/LAYI, KAGARA, IDASU, NASSARAWA, DAKO, KAYA, GADAGAU, YAKAWADA, IYATAWA, KARAU-KARAU, KUNDU, MURAI AND WAZATA.

8.

GIWA

GIWA

WHAT REMAINS OF GIWA L.G.A AFTER FATIKA IS CREATED.

2

3

CHIKUN

GIWA

KUJAMA

GIWA

40

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

DAILY SUN

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

41

42

DAILY SUN

Tuesday August 7, 2012

DAILY SUN

Tuesday August 7, 2012

43

44

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

DAILY SUN

SUN Tech

Bisi Olaleye

IT News Weekly

08094000013 b.olaleye@sunnewsonline

Best ICT Reporter of The Year

Going the way of Wifi xygen Broadband Network, an innovative start-up company has adopted a Wi-Fi technology to provide Internet connections for Ikeja Computer Village.

The company launched its Wi-Fi service last month, saying within just one kilometre radius of Computer Village has acquired over 6,000 unique users on its network.

Chief Executive Officer, Oxygen, Wande Adalemo, explained that Oxygen s partnering with Main One Cable Company, the first private

O

submarine cable company in Nigeria and open access wholesale bandwidth provider, to provide flexible and cost-effective Wi-Fi connection and make convergence of various classes of service achievable.

Also taking advantage of Wi-Fi technology that has proved largely successful in providing cheap wireless internet access within close proximity to the access point, Adalemo discloses that the company is having DS3 25 Meg connection with Main One and hoping to increase it to an STM-1 capacity as the network expands.

“It took us 12 years to build this network because we want to give Nigerians the best. Oxygen is a network that we hope will provide metro Wi-Fi networks across the major streets in Lagos over the next couple of years and we intend to change the face of broadband in Nigeria,” he adds.

At the moment Oxygen covers the entire Computer Village from Simbiat Abiola way from the North, to Kodesoh South and East and up to the Airport Road, Mobolaji Bank Anthony North East and North West, Adalemo says.

“We have over 6,000 different unique users already. We hope that we will be able to get over 10,000 subscribers on our network and then move in to another market clusters that we have around Lagos.”

According to him, the demand for traditional broadband connections is surpassing conservative forecasts while adding that the wireless market is even more exciting due to the significantly lower costs needed in the first private submarine cable company in Nigeria and open access wholesale provider, infrastructure delivery.

Globacom re-launches Glo Flexi

G

lobacom has re-launched its tariff plan, Glo Flexi, to give subscribers on the Glo network a discount of up to 40 per cent on calls made to other networks in addition to the existing discount of up to 99 per cent on Glo-to-Glo calls.

The benefit is the key feature in the Glo Flexi Reloaded tariff plan, which was re-launched on Wednesday in Lagos. In August last year, Glo had launched the first dynamic tariff plan in Nigeria, offering up to 99 per cent discount on calls within the Glo network.

Speaking at the re-launch of the tariff plan in Lagos, Globacom’s Head of Marketing, Adeniyi Olukoya, said the new Glo Flexi Reloaded plan was an amazing package that offers the biggest discounts to Glo subscribers as they can talk for as low as 1k/sec on the network.

Subscribers on the Glo Flexi plan can also enjoy up to 200 per cent bonus on recharges made on their phones.

He said Glo Flexi was pioneered and now re-engineered in line with Globacom’s dynamic approach to introducing products and services, which empower and give the biggest benefits to its subscribers.

“Described as the next big thing since we pioneered the Per Second Billing (PSB) platform so many years ago, we have reloaded Glo Flexi to bring unmatched benefits to our customers by making it possible for subscribers to enjoy massive available discounts no matter their location or the telecom network that they call”, he said.

Olukoya explained that Glo Flexi Reloaded is available to all prepaid subscribers in all the 36 states of the federation and it offers the biggest discounts on calls to any network in the country. “With up to 99% discounts on Glo-to-Glo calls and up to 40% discount on calls to other networks, there is no doubt that Glo Flexi Reloaded is a tariff plan for discerning telecom subscribers to embrace”, he said.

Elaborating on the new tariff plan, Olukoya stated that Glo Flexi Reloaded is a dynamic package that is dependent on the density of traffic on the network at any point in time.

The system looks at the network usage behaviour and gives generous discounts, making it possible for subscribers to enjoy discounts ranging from 0% to 99%, depending on the

time of day and their geographical location. “In other words, subscribers are guaranteed seamless calls on the Glo network as the massive discount on offer ensure proper utilization of network resources”, he said.

He further emphasized that Glo Flexi Reloaded has no hidden charges, no access fees and requires

no deposits while the discount offered is applicable on a per second basis throughout the duration of the call.

“To register, subscribers are required to enable the cell broadcast feature on their phones so as to be able to receive information on what discounts are available at their current

location at anytime. After activating cell broadcast on their handsets, they should just dial USSD code *135*1# to register. After registration, they can then make calls to loved ones and business associates on the Glo network at those fantastic discount rates displayed on their phone at the time of making the call”, he said.

R-L : Vice-Chairman of Computer Professional Registeration Council of Nigeria (CPN), Alhaja Sekinat Yusuf, Senator Garba Babayo, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CPN Registrar, Mr . Sikiru Shehu, Senator Sola Adeyeye, and others during the Senate Committee on Education visit to the society in charge of IT training regulation.

Tata communications leverages on Main One for video connect network

T

ata Communications, a provider of the new world of communications, has extended its Video Connect Network to Nigeria through a partnership with Main One Cable Company.

The Video Connect service will allow broadcast and production companies in Nigeria to distribute their live video content worldwide as well as enhance international broadcasters’ reach into this key emerging region.

Following increasing demand for high-quality video capability in and out of Nigeria, Tata Communications’ partnership with Main One connects

its global video network to an expansive local fibre network, creating a dedicated video network connecting to key broadcasters as well as production and post-production houses in Africa. Unlike traditional MPLS or contention networks, having a dedicated video network ensures the high quality and consistent video transmission needed for video broadcast, allowing Nigerian media companies to be truly global.

The Video Connect network offers new levels of scalability and bandwidth supported by Tata Communications’ round-the-world, wholly-owned, sub-sea fibre network

Gmail account now sends, receives SMS on phones

I

n a bid to make life more meaningful and easier, Google has put in lots of effort to make sure messages are delivered as soon as user hits “send”.

The company noted that barriers may rise between user and its email: “What if you’re not by a computer?

Or your phone is not connected to the Internet? Or the Internet is down or too slow, so that emails just won’t

load?”

“To help solve these issues, we’ve created Gmail SMS. Today, the service is available in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya.

“Users can now send and receive emails as SMS messages using your mobile phone, regardless of whether you have a data connection like Wifi or 3G. Gmail SMS works on any phone, even the most basic ones, which support only voice and SMS.”

and Main One’s cable between Europe and West Africa. Video content transfer can be purchased on a permanent or per-hour basis, opening up new opportunities for Nigerian companies through flexible payment options. The Video Connect network can carry both live and file-based content. Seamless worldwide transmission is now possible through 300+ connected media hotspots including key cable and Direct-to-Home (DTH) headends, as well as production and post-production houses around the world.

Genius Wong, Senior Vice President, Global Network Services, Tata Communications, says, “At Tata Communications we have always focused on giving our media customers access to key media hotspots for delivery of broadcast quality video for contribution and distribution across the globe. This extension of Video Connect reach, together with our existing presence in South Africa and our global Video network, will further enhance the value proposition for our customers, allowing the distribution of premium broadcast quality content into and out of Africa.”

Cisco positions women for video technology

C

isco, an IT firm, is positioned to arm girls and women with necessary IT skills for futuristic usage through its telepresence.

The session, which connected up to 77 African women live to Washington DC, was monitored across Cisco offices in Lagos, Johannesburg, Tunis, Nairobi, Cairo, Casablanca and Algiers.

Another key empowerment Cisco made to women in Africa within the same period included the provision of telepresence technology to facilitate students from Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE to meet female leaders from Cisco, who shared their backgrounds, experiences and discussed how they had developed their own careers for their respective job roles.

The gesture was its contribution to a successful marking of this year’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Girl’s in ICT Day. In 2010, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) members, agreed to recognise Girls in ICT, pitching the day of celebration to the 4th Thursday of every April.

So, to mark Girls in ICT Day 2012 Cisco MENA region offices (Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon and UAE) hosted 42 female students from secondary schools and universities who were invited to spend the day at Cisco offices to gain an understanding of the opportunities the ICT sector holds for their future and a deeper insight into professional fields and courses of study that may be overlooked when choosing a career.

The MENA offices participated with one agenda over TelePresence where female and male leaders at Cisco shared their backgrounds and experiences, discussing how they developed their careers to reach leadership positions.

Meanwhile, Botswana Ambassador to the United States, Tebelelo Mazile Seretse, who moderated the session via Cisco’s telepresence, noted that mentoring and training programs aimed at young talented females in Africa are going to be vital to help Africa’s future young workforce to be able to adapt and secure career opportunities in the global 21st century workforce.

She added that “Africa’s growing youth population needs to be equipped with the right skills to help them thrive in this ever changing world” She also revealed to the women, how technology has played a role in her day-to-day life.

Seretse shared her background, as well as the decisions she made throughout the different stages of her childhood, adulthood and her professional life to the women.

The participants had the opportunity to test their skills, ask questions, make important contacts and get to know Cisco employees in person.

This is even as they also met other students from different backgrounds and nationalities from different countries in the region.

These developments mark significant milestones for technology in Africa and testify to the whirlwind of information and communications technology (ICT) developments in the region.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

45

Banking GIABA mobilizes to curb money laundering in West Africa

Naira loses on CBN tightening measures, importers’ demand

By AMECHI OGBONNA

By CHIMA TITUS NWOKOJI

T

D

irector General of InterGovernmental Action Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), Dr Abdullahi Shehu, has described Money laundering and terrorist financing as vices that inhibit economic development, threaten social and political stability, cause artificial rise in the cost of business, and impede direct foreign investment.

He made this observeation yesterday, while delivering a welcome address at the opening session of a Regional Sensitization Workshop on A n t i - M o n e y Laundering/Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) held at Hotel TerrouBi, Dakar in Senegal.

He stated that it was against that backdrop that the agency was calling on all stakeholders to collaborate with it to stamp out the evil associated with money laundering and terror financing.

According to him, it was in recognition of the negative effects of money laundering and terrorist financing that the international community has decided to take measures to combat them.

The GIABA boss noted that the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing was a collective responsibility of all stakeholders, stressing that the agency recognises the valuable contributions that civil society can make to the public policy dialogue in various countries.

He added that partnership with civil society organizations was fundatmentally one of the main thrusts of GIABA’s Regional Strategic Plan in the promotion of sustainable partnerships with the private sector, civil society and other key stakeholders.

Dr Shehu explained that such partnerships often aim at raising awareness about the impact of money laundering and terrorist financing among civil societies, in order to empower citizens to take appropriate actions.

• Rector, Yaba College of Technology Yabatech), Dr Margaret Kudirat Ladipo; President, Yabatech, Alumni Associatiion, Chief Emmanuel Unachukwu, and Executive Director, Skye Bank Plc., Mr Gbenga Ademulegun, at the commissioning of the Yaba College of Technology Alumni Association’s ICT/Multi-purpose Hall, financed by Skye Bank Plc., on Saturday.

FG may issue $600m Eurobond to reduce domestic borrowing

By AMECHI OGBONNA

S

trong indications emerged last week that the Federal Government may be contemplating issuing a second Eurobond of about $600 million as part of on-going measures to reduce domestic borrowing, after the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, recently warned that the

nation was gradually being suffocated by huge domestic debt trap.

Nigeria’s domestic debt is currently estimated at about N5.9 trillion, while external debt stands at about $5 billion.

Outside the worries expressed by the minister, critics of government borrowing have been concerned that the 12 to 15 per cent yield on its securities at the moment was

Why intervention funds failed to impact on Airlines – CBN

By CHIMA TITUS NWOKOJI

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has cited bank’s poor credit analysis and airlines’ poor business models as reasons for inability of the Airline Intervention Fund to achieve desired goals in the sector.

The apex bank, which stated that though about N90.45 billion has been disbursed to 14 airline projects as of March 2012, commercial banks have not been able to match expect-

… Blames banks’ credit analysis ed cash flow with loan repayment.

This, CBN said, coupled with the fact that Nigerian airlines have poor business models and poor corporate governance, are barriers to achieving the desired objectives. He stressed that there is nowhere in the world where “you take bank loan and acquire a new Aircraft.”

According to the Director, Development Finance Department, CBN, Mr. Paul N.

Recapitalize development banks now – LCCI urges FG

By AMECHI OGBONNA

F

ollowing the apparent failure of the nation’s commercial banks to provide the long term financing needed by the manufacturing sector, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), last week, urged the Federal Government to urgently recapitalize development finance institutions in the country so as to accelerate her economic and industrial development.

Speaking at an exclusive interview with Daily Sun in Lagos, Director General of

already crowding out the private sector by making them irresistible to financial institutions and portfolio managers.

The proposed Eurobond issue comes as the Jonathan administration seeks to reduce domestic borrowing to N500 billion in the medium term, from N744 billion in 2012.

Government thinking is that a successful eurobond issue this time round would significantly

...Decries high yield on treasury bills LCCI, Mr Muda Yusuf, stated that by fully recapitalizing all development banks in the country, government would be empowering them to focus more on financing infrastructure development projects in the country and helping the manufacturing sector becomes more productive, since commercial banks appear to have been constrained by lack of long term fund to meet the needs of the sector at the moment.

According him, the best any customer can get from a Nigerian commercial bank

today would be one year credit, which, he said, was not enough for entreprenuers to execute development projects, whether in a manufacturing environment or other projects.

He contended that most of the nation’s development finance institutions including the Bank of Industry, NEXIM, Nigeria Agricultural and Commerce Bank, and Bank of Agriculture among others have been operating with very lean capital base, making it difficult for them to fully support activities in various sectors of the economy.

Eluhaiwe: “An airline will take credit from a commercial bank with repayment period of three years, and use the facility to buy an aircraft that is about $30 million to $40 million. From the expected cash flow, if you are flying Abuja to Lagos, Abuja to Gombe, Akure or Asaba, how can you raise $40 million to pay back the loan in three years?”

Represented by Mr. Sanni Mohammed at the recent 17th seminar for finance correspondents and business editors held in Akure, Eluhaiwe observed that it is impossible for a local Airline to have an expected cash flow that will repay over $30 million in three years.

The funds he added were meant to refinance existing facilities and provide working capital for banks not for equipment acquisition.

“We can also blame the banks because they did not do their credit analysis well. You have to match expected cash flow with loan repayment. That is why most of these airlines are so heavily indebted that they cannot pay their loans.

Their cash flow cannot support it,” said the director.

reduce the country’s high debt service obligations in view of the prevailing high interest rates in Nigeria regardless of the crowding out of the private sector in the domestic bond market.

It would be recalled that Nigeria’s first eurobond ($500 million), which was issued in January 2011, saw a record high 250 per cent subscription as the global business community moved to tap into the nation’s promising sovereign debt market. As at last Friday, the same eurobond was trading at $110.89 with a yield of 5.15per cent.

This week for instance, traders are already taking positions ahead of N142.06 billion treasury bills auction being expected in addition to treasury bills of same amount expected to mature this week too. This will be complemented by OMO bills maturity worth.N81.54 billion as the market is expected to remain flat in the days ahead.

Meanwhile secondary market activities for FGN bonds were influenced by the release of the CBN’s guidelines for accessing the lending window and repo transactions in which authorized dealers in the domestic money market were barred from accessing the WDAS window throughout the term of a repo agreement with the Central Bank of Nigeria. This is in addition to the existing guideline that disallows accessing the WDAS and the standard lending facility (SLF) on the same day.

The new guideline is expected to further strengthen the current monetary policy stance; especially with respect to the cash reserve ratio (CRR) and net forex open position.

he naira remained under pressure on Monday, losing 1 per cent, to N161.55 per dollar. This is a continuation of last week’s trend, where money market rates soared across board.

Traders said the situation was triggered by a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive restraining banks and discount houses from using obtained funds via the Standing Lending Facility (SLF) to place funds concurrently in the inter-bank market. Also, companies bought dollars to pay for imports and analysts speculated that the state-oil company (NNPC) will limit supply of the U.S. currency.

CBN sold $250 million at its bi-weekly Wholesale Dutch Action System (WDAS) yesterday, with lenders buying the entire amount on sale. Dollars were sold from N155.86 to N155.95 each. The marginal rate, which is also used as the prevailing exchange rate, was N155.86, unchanged from the previous sale on Aug. 1.

The CBN offered a total of $450.0m at the WDAS week before last; selling US$200 million on Monday and $250 million at Wednesday’s auction. The Naira recorded no change at Monday’s auction, indicating a marginal rate of N155.84/$1.00. It, however, lost 2k at Wednesday’s auction closing at N155.86/$1.00.

At the inter-bank market; the naira depreciated throughout the penultimate week, starting off at N160.60/$1.00 last week Monday and ending at N161.50/ US$1.00, recording a week-on-week loss of 40k from N161.20/US$1.00.

According to Afrinvest (West) Africa limited, Bureau De Change (BDC) and parallel markets also reflected negative sentiments experienced at the WDAS and Inter-bank market.

“The Naira lost 100k in the BDC market to close at N163.00/US$1.00, while it remained unchanged in the parallel market at N163.50/US$1.00. Inter-bank rates however eased slightly on Friday, due to an OMO maturity of N70.0billion.

“On average, interbank rates (Call, NIBOR and OBB rates for banks) rose from 14.0 per cent to 17.5 per cent. The Secured Open Buy Back (OBB) rate for banks closed at 17.0 per cent, 504bps above the MPR. The Call Rate surged by 342bps to close at 17.50 per cent while the 7-day NIBOR also rose by 354bps to close at 17.96 per cent,” analysts at Afrinvest stated.

Meanwhile, yields on the nation’s $500 million of Eurobonds due 2021 rose two basis point to 5.30 per cent Monday. The yield on Nigeria’s seven-year domestic bonds due June 2019 fell 16 basis points to 16.31 per cent, according to Aug. 3 data on the Financial Markets Dealers Association website.

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DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Banking...Insurance We recapitalized above N1bn benchmark – IGI

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he Deputy Managing Director of Industrial and General Insurance (IGI), Mr. Rotimi Fashola, has said that contrary to the speculation that the underwriting firm did not recapitalize its Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), it has recapitalized its base above the required N1 billion benchmark.

A statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by the IGI Management expressed dismay that the impression was created that it failed to meet the minimum capital requirements of N1 billion set for licensed PFAs. Describing the claims as unfair, embarrassing and misleading, the company explained that it actually recapitalised as required by National Pension Commission (PenCom) by pooling together cash and assets, which amounted to far more than the specified sum of N1 billion.

Fashola said: “It is unfair and erroneous to make the public believe that IGI PFA failed to meet the recapitalisation requirement when, in fact, the company capitalised up to N1.5 billion in cash, plus property. This amount is N500 million above the mark set by PenCom.” The company, therefore, refuted media reports that its licence to carry on the business of a PFA has been revoked by the regulatory authority, PenCom, on grounds of not meeting recapitalization benchmark.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me state categorically without any fear of contradiction that it is outright falsehood that our PFA license has been revoked. Our licence is intact and we remain a leading player in the industry,” he said.

Fashola noted, however, that the commission raised some administrative issues relating to going concerns which the company is expected to address within 28 days.

According to him: “It is true that PenCom has sought clarifications from us on some matters, but the process of recertification is ongoing and every grey area will be resolved before the 28-day deadline given by PenCom in accordance with the law. We are making representation to the commission and are of strong conviction that it will reconsider its position after listening to us.”

Weak supervision causes insurance apathy – Daniel Stories by MADUKA NWEKE

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eak legal framework for the regulation and supervision of the insurance industry in Nigeria has been

attributed to the poor penetration and low contribution of insurance to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to the Director General of National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr

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He added: “To address the constraints occasioned by poor legal framework, in March 2009, the Minister of State for Finance inaugurated a committee to review all laws and regulations relevant to insurance in Nigeria under the

• President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Barristr Laide Osijo (middle), presenting ‘Insurance Brokers Recognition Award’ to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), through its Principal Traffic Officer, Mrs S. Seriki (right). With them is Managing Director of Goldlink Insurance Plc., Mr Femi Okunniyi, during the July edition of NCRIB Members Evening, hosted by the company, in Lagos, recently.

Lack of skills hinders insurance brokers’ participation in global market

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he immediate past President of African Insurance Brokers Association (AIBA), Prince Feyisayo Soyewo, has blamed poor skills at handling mega risks for noninclusion of African insurance brokers in the global market.

Reacting to insinuations that brokers in the continent are not considered in certain international businesses, Soyewo said most insurance brokers on the continent do not have the necessary skills to singlehanded handle the placement of mega risks in the global insurance market, adding that there is the need to work with those foreign operators, who are grounded in these areas of business to get the job done efficiently.

According to him, it does not necessarily mean the operators are being sidelined by customers, insurance and reinsurance companies when such risks are placed in the global insurance market.

“It is not that they are denying us, the thing has been that we don’t have the capacity, the skills. This international risk accounts are not placed locally, for example, you want to go to Lloyd’s market, none of us has direct access into that market, so we need to go through international reinsurance brokers to be able to access such international market. That is the challenge and not that anybody is denying us.

“We are now putting ourselves together, equipping ourselves, showcasing our

NCRIB urges govt to patronize only registered brokers he federal, state and local governments have been urged to throw their support behind the growth of insurance industry by patronizing only insurance brokers that are dully registered with the National Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB).

According to NCRIB president, Barrister Laide Osijo, there is need for government to patronize only registered insurance brokers fold of the council in conformity with the law, and

Fola Daniel, the realisation of the various initiatives and reforms being embarked upon by the commission is constrained by poor legal framework, poor public perception of the sector, low awareness amongst the populace, etc.

to encourage sanity in the market.

She also advised the National Assembly to put machinery in motion towards the involvement of insurance brokers in the presentation and defence of insurance proposals before it on a yearly basis. “In a similar vein, government institutions are advised only to employ qualified insurance professionals to man their insurance desks and ensure effective and regular manpower training for them to attune them to contemporary

challenges in the insurance profession and business,” she said.

The NCRIB boss stated that, the invitation by the House of Representatives and their renewed interest in the broking practice is a challenge to all members to ensure sound and ethical practice. She noted that the intention of the House of Representatives in inviting the Council was to ensure that the insurance industry plays its role effectively and by so doing contribute its quota to the nation’s gross domestic product.

skills and show that we have all that it takes to be able to compete with them and then, we can have the share of the market,” Soyewo said.

He noted that AIBA parent body is supporting the association’s course, saying, “We get 100 per cent support from AIO, and if the underwriters and the reinsurance are mem-

bers of AIO, then there should be no difficulties since it is the baby of AIO, so we don’t envisage any problem whatsoever.”

Soyewo also identified some of the challenges facing continental insurance brokers in their day to day business, saying it has to do more with how to retain more risks within the continent.

Insurance sector premium to grow by 15.4% in 5yrs – Afrinvest

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research company, Afrinvest, has forecast significant growth in the insurance industry, despite its numerous challenges.

According to the company, evidence suggests considerable growth potential of the African insurance industry, given the favorable GDP growth expectations.

“We expect premiums to grow by a 15.4 per cent over the next five years, as Africa’s penetration rate converges towards the emerging market average rate of 3.2 per cent. However, regional markets continue to face the challenges of globalization and competition from foreign companies, unsophisticated basic insurance and reinsurance products, as well as weak regulation and supervision,” it said.

The research company believes that the growth prospects in the African Insurance industry are hinged on the South Africa market, as the country currently accounts for over 75.0 per cent of total premi-

um incomes on the continent.

According to it, South Africa accounts for the largest share of insurance market in Africa and remains strategically relevant in the global insurance market. In 2010, South Africa’s total Premium stood at $29.35 billion, $596.8 per capita and 10.1 per cent of GDP, the highest in Africa and much higher than the European and African average.

However, Nigeria remains one the least developed insurance markets in Africa and indeed, the world, with a premium per capita of $8.9 and a penetration rate of 0.6 per cent, well below global and regional averages.

The African Insurance market has shown significant growth in the last decade. However, growth has been typically nominal, as the number of players has increased dramatically, without a commensurate increase in scale and sophistication.

Consequently, the proliferation of players has posed a challenge to regulators of the insurance market in Africa.

chairmanship of Professor Joe Irukwu.

“The committee had since submitted its report and a new insurance draft bill is presently being reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Finance. The draft bill is expected to be passed to the Federal Executive Council soon for onward presentation to the National Assembly.”

Daniel, who stated this in Karu, at a two-day retreat for House of representatives’ Committee on Finance noted that the review of existing insurance laws in the country has become imperative specifically by the “need, among others, for a robust legal and regulatory framework that will ensure that the insurance sector contributes positively to the principal objective of the Financial System Strategy 2020 (FSS 2020) to make Nigeria the Africa’s financial hub and one of the 20 largest economies in the world by the year 2020; the need to evolve effective risk-based supervision in the regulatory system as the existing rule-based supervision, enabled by the current laws has become obsolete and therefore cannot drive the envisioned development of the sector; the need to ensure ethical practice and international best practices as required by the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), and the need for a legal and regulatory framework that allows the supervisory authority to deal promptly with issues evolving from the dynamism of the insurance business.”

The commissioner for Insurance informed the legislators that “the bill consolidates and harmonizes the various existing legislation for effective and efficient regulation, supervision and sound insurance practice in Nigeria.

The existing legal framework often creates uncertainty in underwriting processes, regulatory inconsistencies, conflict of laws, etc.”

He noted that a similar retreat was held in December 2011 in Calabar, for members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to keep them abreast of the new draft bill.

In his remarks, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin, said that the sensitization retreat has afforded them the opportunity to be exposed to the workings of the commission.

According to him, the Committee is ready to support the Commission in realising all its plans and will leave no stone unturned at ensuring that all Federal Government assets are insured. He, however, regretted the inability of members to comment on the content of the draft bill saying “it is yet to be presented to the National Assembly officially.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

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BUSINESS NEWS EFCC recovers N2trn from ex-govs, former bank MDs in 7yrs

By BLAISE UDUNZE

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conomic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed that over N2 trillion worth of assets was recovered from corrupt public and private officials between 2003 and 2010.

The recovery made by its Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), shows that in a period of 7 years, the political elite stole what is equivalent to at least one year’s budget for the entire country.

Some of the assets seized from the leaders include 238 bank accounts worth over N500 billion, 320 million shares in blue chip companies, 18 companies, 20 plots of land, 238 mansions and 400 luxury vehicles.

In 2011 alone the Commission, established that over N 1 trillion was embezzled by private and public sector officials and most of the money channeled towards the fabulous lifestyle of the corrupt.

Lekki Free Trade Zone threatened by absence of gas infrastructure

By LOUIS IBA

• Deputy Chief Security Officer, Sterling Bank Plc., Igba Austin Iwar (fourth from the right); handing over office furniture items to DPO, Ikoyi Division of the Nigerian Police, Aisha Haruna, as part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). With agos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, wants them are other officers of the division. an urgent extension of natural gas pipeline infrastructure to the Lekki Free Zone by the Federal Government, saying the absence of the infrastructure could hamper efficient energy supply to power the multi-billion dollar project.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Eko-Expo trade fair held at the Lekki Free Zone, Fashola said the trade complex, a partnership between the state and some Chinese con“This is an offshore products weekend that the facility com- petroleum products. sortia, had the potentials of turning around the economic for- By LOUIS IBA The project, he said, is being terminal infrastructure and it prises a 400,000 metric tank tunes of Nigeria. bout N40 billion is farm for the storage of petrole- executed under a joint venture will assist in the transfer of He said the project, since it came on stream in 2007, had probeing injected into the um products on the shore and it deal involving Pinnacle Oil & refined petroleum products and vided over 5,000 jobs to Nigerians and held the prospects of construction of a new is connected to Single Point Gas an indigenous firm, and gas from tankers of various more job creation in the years ahead. But while the bulk of the (SPM) and China Petroleum Technology sizes to tank farms on the shore energy utilized by the massive facility is provided via solar facility in Lagos State that will Mooring Corporation as well as for the loading of boost the discharge and distri- Conventional Buoy Mooring Development power, Fashola said, efforts were currently being made to attract bution of imported petroleum (CBM) plant. It also includes an (CPTDC). The facility is cited products on tankers for distribuinvestors to build and operate Independent Power Plants in products for consumers in the 11-kilometer sub-sea and at the Lekki Free Trade Zone tion along the West African Lekki that will also provide electricity to the free trade zone. country, Peter Mbah, CEO of onshore pipeline network with and is designed to ease the con- coast,” Mbah said.

“A lot of firms have indicated interest to build an IPP here,” Pinnacle Oil & Gas, has said. capacity to handle up to 80 per gestion at the ports in Apapa “It will help eliminate any Mbah told journalists over the cent of the total national refined and Tin Can, all in Lagos State.

Fashola said. need for lightering or other “But the constrain is that they can’t use diesel to power the trans-shipment operations IPP; the need natural gas which is cheaper. The Federal which is the norm right now.

Government should assist us by giving us a direct natural gas And it will also negate any need pipeline,” he pleaded. coms operators in the state, its data.

By BISI OLALEYE refused to acknowledge the Igbokwe said that masts for investment in the construcagos State Government letters. He however commend- used by Banks, Internet tion of a shore jetty, just as it will has warned telecoms ed 21st Century, Mobitel, Service Providers (ISPs) and enable petroleum product cargo operators, Internet Multilinks and Lighting other masts users in the state, vessels of various capacities to Service Providers (ISPs), Networks for their compli- constitute the biggest threat to anchor and discharge products challenges faced by the banks and others that pro- ance, but warned those that lives and property, since over with minimal vessel congestion From JUDEX various services were yet to comply to do so 80 per cent of the masts are as compared to the current situCommission is funding and vide OKORO, Calabar either weak as a result of over ation on the Apapa/Kirisi axis. It capacity gap, he said, howev- through the use of masts, within the next two weeks.

Banks that have complied age, or are totally defective and will also make the Lekki Free he Cross River er, the various MDAs in the towers and base stations, to Government says it state are gradually building strictly adhere to the state’s with the directive, according to do not have landscape worthi- Zone the hub for petroleum has achieved its targeted their capacity to be able to key directives on mast regula- Igbokwe, include Standard ness to continue to exist, hence products distribution in the Gulf Chartered, Wema Bank, the need for Lagos 7.5 per cent economic into the various reforms in the tion, or face the music.

General Manager, Urban FCMB, Finbank, Enterprise Government to carry out of Guinea,” he added. state. growth since 2011.

According to Mbah, the facilAs a result of the capacity Furniture Regulatory Unit Bank, Keystone Bank, Bank integrity test on all installed The Vice-Chairman of the ity will open a new vista of (UFRU), Joe Igbokwe, disof Industry, GTBank, Zenith masts and upcoming masts in build up, most of the states State Planning Commission, Prof. Ndem Ayara, who made now depend on Cross River to closed this in Lagos at the Bank, Union Bank, Citibank, the state, to ensure their fitness, opportunities to the downweekend, saying it became Stanbic IBTC, and Skye bank, in order to avert destructions to stream oil and gas industry as this known during an interac- take the lead.

He also disclosed that the necessary, following the delay while Eco Bank has written, lives and property caused by well as attract further investtive session with newsman at ment in the industry.

Press Centre, Calabar, said commission was collaborating on the part of most telecoms asking for more time to submit collapsed masts in the state. the development has placed with the Ministry of Local operators and other mast users Cross River as the leading Government in their mid-term in the state to comply with the plans, saying “planning helps Lagos State Government state in planning in Nigeria.

Prof. Ayara said “since the the state to compare its per- directives on mast regulation. averred.

UFRU is the body estab- From DENNIS MERNYI, Abuja.

Law establishing the formances each year and carEngr. Yakubu noted that According to him, “We Abuja lished by the Lagos Ministry ries out a lot of research as well Commission came into effect NNPC as a corporate entity know the impact of bunkering of Physical Planning and in 2007 as amended, it had as plan annual Budget Urban Development, to regu- n an effort to end crude oil that takes part in the maritime and crude theft on our econoimplemented government’s through Physical strategy.”

On how to determine the late the activities of telecoms bunkering, in line with the business both locally and inter- my and our environment. policies and programmes in Presidential directive for nationally must rise up to the These are vices that we must line with Mid Term economic performances of the budget, operators ISPs and banks, in crude oil bunkering to be occasion along with other gov- collectively stamp out of our the Vice-Chairman maintained the area of masts and towers plans.” stamped out in the country, ernment agencies to confront nation. We cannot claim that installations. through publishing economic He said that between 2009 According to Igbokwe, “it the Nigerian National and bring to book unscrupu- we are helpless,” he observed. and 2012 the state had imple- performances review “the Petroleum Corporation lous individuals that have He decried the daily loss of mented over 70 per cent of its Commission carry out an has been more than a month (NNPC) has expressed its deprived and depleted the several thousands of barrels of since we made formal request adjustment where necessary; nation’s economy as a result of medium term plan. enables us to know the feel- to telecoms operators, banks determination to collaborate their illegal maritime business. crude oil to illegal bunkering “We were able to show that ings of the Communities and and other builders of masts and with other Federal “The Maritime industry sig- and said blocking of this leakover the four year (2009- individuals on the social serv- base stations in Lagos to fur- Government agencies to nificantly impacts on our age would go a long way in 2012), we have implemented ices provided by the govern- nish us with the number of bring to an immediate end industry and we really do improving the standard of livover 70 per cent of the activi- ment.” their structures in Lagos and crude oil theft in the Nigeria’s appreciate efforts of Mr. ing of Nigerians. ties contained in our medium Earlier, the Chairman of the “It also helps us to get infor- addresses to enable us carry maritime industry. to address particularThis was disclosed by the President term plan.

Inter Agency Maritime mation on the poverty level of out integrity test on them and ly issues that border on crude “The plan contains activi- the rural people and the impact keep a database for record pur- Group Managing Director of oil theft. We are ready to sup- Operation Committee, Rear the Corporation, Engr. Andrew port the various initiatives of Admiral E. O. Ogboh, said the ties, usually a performance of government empowerment poses.” when the Inter the Federal Government so as committee was established a contract between MDAs, gov- programmes and the infra He said after the first letter Yakubu ernment and the people of structural needs of the com- was written, there was a Agency Maritime Operation to stem the embarrassing trend month ago to address the issue munities including education, reminder letter on the same Committee paid him a courtesy of illegal bunkering in the mar- of illegal bunkering in the Cross River,” he said.

Admitting that some of the roads and markets.” issue, but that majority of tele- call at the NNPC Towers, itime industry,” Engr. Yakubu nation’s maritime waters.

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Pinnacle Oil, China Petroleum seal N40bn petroleum facility devt pact

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Lagos warns telcos, ISPs over mast installation

C’River achieves 7.5% economic growth in 2011 – Duke’s aide

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NNPC to partner inter-agency committee to end oil theft

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DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS Eshikena succeeds Steetskamp as MD FrieslandCampina WAMCO

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ith effect from September 1, 2012, Peter Eshikena (52) assumes office as Managing Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc. In this capacity, he is also responsible for FrieslandCampina’s operations in West Africa.

Peter Eshikena takes over from Bob Steetskamp, who moves up as Director, Business Development, FrieslandCampina Worldwide with responsibility for accelerated growth across the world. Steetskamp, who remains a non-executive director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, will report directly to Cees’t Hart, the global CEO of FrieslandCampina, and will be based in Amersfoort, The Netherlands.

Steetskamp has led FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc. since August 2009. Prior to this role, he served as Managing Director of FrieslandCampina in Russia. Under his purposeful leadership, FrieslandCampina WAMCO continued a steady growth, driving a strong brand market share growth with its flagship brand, Peak milk.

Eshikena will be based in

Lagos, Nigeria. Before his recent appointment, he was the Sales Director and Deputy Managing Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO. He joined FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc. in 1985 as Shift Production Manager in Can Factory Department before moving up as Logistics Manager in the Logistics Department in 1991. He later became the Project Manager, Total Quality Management in the Quality Assurance Department in 1996.

• L–R: Barr. Ayodele Da-Silva, chairman, Education Committee, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN); Barr.

Chukwuemeka Eze, paper presenter and chairman, Publicity & Publications Committee, CITN; Dr (Mrs.) Teju Somorin, deputy vice president and representative of the president, CITN, and Dr Yusuf, chairman, CITN, Ibadan District Society, at Lafia Hotel, Ibadan, Oyo State, venue of the Mandatory Professional Training Programme (MPTP), where Barr. Eze presented a paper on ‘Dispute Resolution and Improved Relationship between Tax Authority and Taxpayers’, recently.

Juwah unfolds Nigeria’s broadband plan

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Eshikena

Diamond Bank appoints Omoigui-Okauru as independent director

By BLAISE UDUNZE

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iamond Bank Plc. has announced the appointment of Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, the immediate past chairperson of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to its Board as an independent director.

According to a statement released by the bank, the appointment was approved by the Board of Directors of Diamond Bank Plc. at its meeting of July 26, 2012.

Okauru, who is best described as a hands-on strategy/change management consultant and change agent with proven leadership ability, is expected to bring on board her wealth of experience in contributing towards the advancement of Diamond Bank.

She is currently the

•

Mrs. Omoigui-Okauru

Managing Partner of Compliance Professionals Plc. – supporting individuals and organizations to ensure compliance with rules and regulations. She is also a part-time member of the United Nations (UN) Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of DAGOMO Foundation Nigeria (Limited

by Guarantee), a family based Non-Governmental Organisation geared to community development.

As member of the UN Committee of Experts, Okauru is the coordinator of the subcommittee on capacity building responsible for identifying and executing capacity building initiatives for deserving revenue authorities and officials. Ifueko also acts as the 2012 Mentorship Chair of the African Women’s Leadership Think Tank (AWLTT).

From May 2004 to April 2012, Ifueko was the first female Executive Chairman of the FIRS and Chairman of the JTB comprising representatives of all taxing tiers of Government in Nigeria.

During her tenure, she spearheaded comprehensive tax reforms that lead to the development of a national tax policy (for the first time), modification of tax legislation and remarkable improvement in the effectiveness of Tax Administration. Tax collection in the FIRS, under the leadership of Ifueko Omoigui Okauru grew significantly.

From WALTER UKAEGBU, Abuja

...Seeks stakeholder input

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Commission has, more or less, confirmed the ‘Open Access Model’ earlier indicated by the Commission as Dr. Juwah presented a clearer perspective to the plan which he said encompasses the current State Accelerated Broadband Initiative, SABI, and the Wire Nigeria Initiative, WIN, programmes of the Commission.

“The Open Access Model is expected to help Nigerian’s plug into the global knowledge grid and stay competitive with other countries,” he said.

The key elements driving the objective focus on open

igeria’s efforts to join the global broadband community has crystallized into a focused master-plan unfolded by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah, at the Nigerian Broadband Forum, held in Lagos, with the Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Dr. Hamadoun Toure, commending government’s support for broadband connectivity.

The plan as unveiled by the

access deployment of fibre infrastructure, according to Dr. Juwah, is to achieve high level of penetration across all geopolitical zones, contribute to GDP growth and development of knowledge economy, provide commpetitive and affordable pricing, ensure intelligent incentives to support industry players while equipping Nigeria with leading infrastructure in Africa The ultimate imperatives for this objective, he said, is to realize affordable prizing, high speed connectivity, high level of coverage and targetted gov-

1000mw Ebonyi power plant to require 300m cubic feet of gas – Nnaji From DENNIS MERNYI, Abuja

•Gives conditions to states for investment

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ects He assured the governor that the Federal Government would come to the state’s aid “because the expected 1000 megawatt would help boost national supply.

“Federal Ministry of Power would provide you with experts to collaborate with your team and vet the team’s report study,” he stated.

Earlier in his brief, Governor

inister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji, has disclosed that the 1000 megawatts (mw) Ebonyi power plant will require at least 300 million standard cubic feet (scuf) of gas annually, with a meticulous proactive plan and sustainability, before it will be commissioned.

Nnaji hinted that the proposed 1000mw Power Plant by Ebonyi State Government should be located at the nearest point of gas supply, national grid and that operational licences from Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Gas Aggregator obtained as specified by law.

According to the minister of Power, who gave this hint in Abuja Monday when the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Martin Elechi, visited him with some American Investors/Partners, disclosed that the primary requisite for investing in the sector is the certainty of gas supply to such power plant as well as ascertaining the primary point of evaluation of electricity when operational.

To accomplish this, he has directed state governments with intention and capacity to complement the National Power Sector requirements to exhibit reasonable diligence before committing its funds into proj-

Elechi said as the Americans under the aegis of Cress River Consulting have been in Ebonyi State helping to give the Ebonyi State University a facelift, noting that the State Government does not have the resources to operate a multi campus system and, therefore, has to review the original plan of the Institution to provide a State University that would meet the yearnings of the State and her citizens.

ernment support.

Dr. Juwah who spoke to an international audience including Nigeria’s Communications Technology Minister, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Representative of the ITU Secretary General, Mr. Desire Karyabwite, the Secretary of the Africa Telecommunications Union, Mr. Abdoulkarim Soumaila, and a wide range of experts and Nigerian stakeholders, said the plan is focused on accelerated broadband connectivity at affordable costumers.

The message of the ITU Sec. Gen. Dr. Toure was relayed to the forum on video, where he commended the efforts of the drivers of Nigeria’s broadband efforts and encouraged the government to support every effort directed towards broadband availability in Nigeria as this is the focus of the global ICT community.

Dr. Juwah who dissected a graphic representation of Nigeria’s model, said the essence of the presentation is to equip stakeholders and the investor community on the direction of the plan to enable their input before the implementation, having completed the preliminary studies of the Nigerian situation.

BoI, entrepreneurs on collision course over N37bn SMEs’ fund From TUNDE RAHEEM, Akure

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he inability of Bank of Industry (BoI) to release N37 billion loans facilities to small scale industrialists across the country is generating serious ripples between the bank and the intending beneficiaries, as the latter vowed to fight the former to a standstill.

The loan to small scale industries is a collaborating effort between BoI and each of the 36 states and FCT to encourage and improve industrialists’ contributions and participation in the nation’s industrial growth.

Under the terms of agreement, each of the contributing state will pay a sum of N500 million counterpart fund, while the BoI will provide the other N500 million to make a total of N1 billion loan

facilities for small scale industries in the state.

Some states, it was learnt pledged to contribute more than N500 million as a way of ensuring more small scale industrialists in their states to enjoy the loan facilities.

In Anambra state, Governor Peter Obi was reportedly paid N2 billion as counterpart fund to BoI to extend industrialists and businessmen across the state.

The beneficiaries of the approved loans on small scale industries, it was gathered have not been enjoying the facilities from the bank following the non-release of the funds since its approval two years ago despite the fact that the beneficiaries had fulfilled all conditions attached to the loan, including deposition of collaterals.

Investigation revealed that, in most cases, agreements between the bank and beneficiaries have been signed by the two parties over six months ago without correspondence release of funds.

The development, it was learnt is also effecting some of the banks’ suppliers who were contracted to supply equipments to the benefiting small scale industries as parts of the loan facilities.

The affected suppliers were yet to receive any payment months after delivery of such equipment to the bank for onward handing over to beneficiaries.

It was further learnt that the suppliers were considering legal option as parts of their plans to express displeasure over nonpayment of their contract sums.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012

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BUSINESS NEWS Single trade window will facilitate trade – Okonjo-Iweala

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he Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday said the adoption of a single trade window system would facilitate trade within the African continent, The minister who said this at the sub-regional workshop on single window, said the move would help to accelerate economic development within the region.

The single window system facilitates national and international transactions, through the simplification and harmonisation of processes, procedures and information flows.

The system will result in improved efficiency and effectiveness of official controls and

can reduce costs for both government and traders due to better use of resources.

The minister said that the reduction of personal contacts in trade transactions will also enhance the anti-corruption drive of government.

She was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Danladi Kifasi.

She said, “While the main objective of trading internationally is to expand a nation’s market coverage and earn much needed foreign exchange, the realisation of this objective could be hampered by inefficiencies in the logistics involved.

“The single window has been designed to drastically reduce if not eliminate these inefficiencies.”

The minister explained that international trade demands an efficient harmonisation of three flows in trade logistics.

These are the flow of physical goods from sellers to buyers, the flow of money from buyers to sellers, and the flow of information in between both parties.

She said: “It is truism that international trade has become the bedrock of economic development in the 21st century and a nation or region that does not trade efficiently will languish in underdevelopment

and poverty.

“The establishment of a single window system, therefore constitutes an important building block in the area of trade facilitation. It also serves as a global best practice for OneStop-Shop operations in cargo clearance,” she added.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, said economic development worldwide now hinges on the ability of a nation to trade effectively and efficiently in the global market.

He, however, said the com-

plexity of international trade, especially in the areas of procedures documentation and compliance with the requirements of different countries often put Nigerian shippers at a disadvantage due to poor level of trade facilitation.

NAICOM suspends 3 insurance firms From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja

N

ational Insurance Commission (NAICOM) yesterday suspended Alliance and General Insurance Company

Limited, A&G Life Assurance Plc. and Fidelity Bond Insurance Brokers from transacting insurance business for a period of six (6) months with effect from August 6, 2012.

In a statement, NAICOM

said that the companies were suspended because of non-rendition of accounts, misrepresentation and non-disclosure of liabilities; non-remittance of premiums and commissions, and corporate governance abuses.

This, the commission also said, runs contrary to the relevant provisions of the National Insurance Commission Act 1997 and the Insurance Act 2003.

So, the commission, in the exercise of the powers conferred on it by the enabling laws also stated that the suspension order may further be extended at the end of six (6) months until such a period when the Commission is satisfied that the violation of the provisions of the National Insurance Commission Act 1997 and the Insurance Act 2003 has been addressed, and that the method of transacting business is no longer hazardous to the policyholders and potential clients.

Stocks halt 3-day gains on sale pressure

By KELECHI MGBOJI

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ncreasing sale pressure halted three days of gaining streak at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) with both the benchmark All Share Index and all sectoral indices shedding weight.

Investors took to the sidelines with many raising sale orders to their stockbrokers to offload rather buy stocks with the resulting in sharp decline in turnover by 9.35 percent to 188.027 million units valued at N1.757 billion traded in 3,661 deals.

This compares with 88.90 percent increase in turnover recorded in Friday’s session to close at 207.42 million units, exchanged in 3,738 deals valued at N2.35 billion.

Taking hits mainly from Industrial Goods, Financial Services, Conglomerate, Oil & Gas and other active sectors, the Index plunged 77 basis points or 0.44 percent to close at 23,418.66 as against an upbeat by 0.15 percent recorded in the previous session to close at 23,523.16.

In the same vein, market capitalization which measures value of stocks, depreciated by N33.25 billion to close at N7.45 trillion as against as appreciation of N10.93 billion recorded last Friday to close at N7.48 trillion.?Except for the new NSE Lotus Islamic Index (NSE LII) which appreciated by 0.01 percent, all sectoral indices closed lower as NSE 30 Index which basically measures the performance of blue chips dipped by 0.58 percent; NSE Consumer Goods dipped by 1.11 percent, while NSE Banking closed with 0.33 percent, just as NSE Insurance fell 0.33 percent.

50 Tuesday, August 7, 2012

NEWS

DAILY SUN

SUN SPORTS

NEWS Akpabio Cup, celebration of Akwa Ibom unity- Ekpeyoung

By CHIMAOBI UCHENDU

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he initiator of Akpabio Cup competition, Hon. John Ekpeyoung, says the football competition is the celebration of the existing unity and love in the state since it was carved out of the old Cross River State.

Ekpeyoung, speaking last weekend when he briefed newsmen on the preparation for this years competition which kicks off September 15, said he was thrilled to be part of history as an Akwaibomite to witness 25years of the creation of his state and said the event would be used to showcase the talents that abound in the state’s hinterlands.

He hinted at the invitation of foreign clubs to grace the event which has been dubbed Silver Jubilee celebration tournament and the arrival of foreign scouts to pick talents who would be identified in the course of the tournament. “ It’s an honour to be part of this event which has united my people since inception. I’m happier because this year’s event celebrates 25years of Akwa Ibom creation.

“So, we have tagged this event Silver Jubilee celebration to kick start the celebration of the creation of our state. It has been worth the while organising this competition which has produced players for our local league and foreign clubs.

Gambia withdraws from U-20 qualifiers Bolt, Blake after 100m victory.

China, Kazakhstan in diplomatic row over weightlifting gold medallists A

diplomatic row has erupted between China and Kazakhstan amid disputed claims over the origin of two weightlifting gold medalists.

Maiya Maneza and Zulfiya Chinshanlo both claimed gold for Kazakhstan in the women’s 63 and 53kg events respectively, and the central Asian nation has responded furiously to reports that the pair were born and raised in China.

Kazakhstan has enjoyed its best Olympic Games ever, winning six gold medals. President Nursultan Nazarbayev rewarded Maneza and Chinshanlo with cash gifts of $250,000 each and hailed their triumphs as “proud glories” from “outstanding daughters of our nation.”

But China’s official state news agency begs to differ. Chinshanlo, according to Xinhua news service, was born as Zhao Changling in the Hunan province of China, and was given dispensation to move to

and compete for Kazakhstan as recently as 2008. Zhou Junfu, of the Hunan Weightlifting Association, insisted that the lifter had competed and trained with that association until her switch.

Yet, that is where the plot thickens. First, the Olympic profile for Chinshanlo states that she was born in Almaty, the biggest city in

Kazakhstan.

In contrast, Kazakhstan weightlifting authorities have both her and Maneza registered as having been born in Bishkek, the capital of neighboring Kyrgyzstan, which also borders China.

To add to the confusion, Xinhua says that the competitors are members of China’s Dungan minority.

Brazil survives scare, Britain crashes out

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old medal favourite Brazil twice came from behind to beat underdogs Honduras 3-2 and will face South Korea in the semifinals of the men’s Olympic soccer tournament after she beat host, Britain, on penalties.

Mexico will face Japan in the other semifinal after she beat Senegal 4-2 after extra time and Japan beat Egypt 3-0.

South Korea will play Brazil at Old Trafford today, while Japan will play Mexico at Wembley at

night.

After one of the greatest days in their Olympic history with six gold medals, Britain’s soccer players were looking to make history of their own by reaching the Olympic soccer semis for the first time since 1948.

The match against South Korea ended 1-1 after Aaron Ramsey scored one penalty after 36 minutes and had one saved three minutes later after Ji DongWon had put Korea ahead in the 29th minute. There were no fur-

Olympic rules for athletes anger Bolt

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lympic security officers have confused London 2012 superstar, Usain Bolt, by refusing to loosen a series of “weird” rules and regulations.

Bolt stormed to a spectacular victory in the 100 meters Sunday night, but admitted he was frustrated by the restrictions imposed upon athletes in the Olympic Village.

“There are a lot of rules, oh my God!” Bolt said a couple of hours after clocking a record time of 9.63 seconds. “It has been OK, but it has been different from Beijing. There are lots of rules, weird, silly rules that don’t make any sense to me.

“I tried to wear my tie into [Olympic Park]. They said, ‘No.’ I said why? ‘Because of the rules,’they said. Then I wanted to bring my skipping rope in and they said no because it’s the rules.

These rules just don’t make sense to me.”

However, the Dungan primarily reside in the most remote areas of the country, and many also live in both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with border controls in the mountainous regions virtually impossible to monitor.

In Kazakhstan, the feeling is that China is unfairly trying to poach some of her glory.

London Olympic officials have imposed tight security measures in the interest of both safety and protecting the branding rights of Games sponsors. However, some of the regulations have attracted heavy criticism from fans, the public, and now Bolt.

Every Olympic athlete was given a long list of rules governing his/her behavior, including

what they can’t take into the venue where they are competing and restrictions on their use of social media. Bolt’s annoyance at the measures hardly seemed to have any negative impact on his form.

Bolt will run again in the 200 meters and 4x100 relay later this week as he seeks to repeat his golden triple from the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Brazil’s Zanetti crowned lord of the rings

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rthur Nabarrete Zanetti flexed his bulging biceps to upset 2008 champion, Chen Yibing, and became the first Brazilian to win an Olympic gymnastics gold medal with victory in the rings final yesterday.

The 22-year-old gymnast, the last competitor to mount the rings, edged out Chen by 0.1 of a point with a score of 15.900 to win the strongman event. Italy’s Matteo Morandi won the bronze.

World and Olympic champion, Chen, had been expected to retain his crown and seemed to have the gold in his pocket after a strong performance and solid landing. But Nabarrete Zanetti produced an inspired display to snatch the title away from one of the greatest rings specialists.

Bulgaria’s 39-year-old Jordan Jovtchev, a bronze medallist in 2000 and silver in 2004, bowed of his sixth and final Olympics by finishing seventh.

ther goals in normal or extra time ,so the game went to a shootout.

After both teams converted their first four penalties, Daniel Sturridge’s poor effort was saved

by Korean keeper, Lee BumYoung and Ki Sung-Yeung converted to give his side a 5-4 shoot-out win.

Brazil, chasing her first ever Olympic soccer gold, fell behind Honduras when Mario Martinez scored with a stunning volley after 11 minutes, but Honduras were reduced to 10 men when Wilmer Crisanto was sent off for two swift yellow cards in the first half.

Leandro Damiao equalised eight minutes before the break, but the underdogs unexpectedly went back in front after 48 minutes when Roger Espinoza found the net with a soft, low angled shot.

Neymar brought Brazil back into the game with a 50th minute penalty before Leandro Damiao made it 3-2 10 minutes later with a well placed shot.

Brazil’s coach, Mano Menezes, told reporters: “The game was very difficult as I expected it to be. If we had scored one or two chances early in the game, it might have been different, but the first Honduras goal unsettled the team.”

Mexico survived a fightback from Senegal in a thrilling match that delighted a crowd of almost 82 000 at Wembley, who saw Senegal come from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 before two defensive errors allowed Mexico to win 42 in extra time.

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ambia has withdrawn from qualifiers for the Under-20 African Championships to be held in Algeria next year because of financial problems.

“Yes, it’s true that we have withdrawn the boys because the GFA is facing a serious financial struggle,” Omar Sey, The Gambia Football Association vice-chairman, said yesterday.

The withdrawal came as the Under-20 team players were boycotting training because of the non-payment of their match allowances ahead of their return game against Morocco in Banjul next week.

Sey said that the “do-or-die” game for the Junior Scorpions would have cost them two million Dalasis (€51,000), “money we cannot afford at present.”

Gambia’s Under-20 side was beaten 4-0 by Morocco in Rabat on July 28 as the return leg in Banjul was scheduled for August 12.

The 2013 African Under-20 Championship take place from March 16-30.

Nigeria loses another player

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ormer New Nigeria Bank goalkeeper, Christian Oke, has died in Warri. Oke died two weeks ago and will be buried Thrusday in Warri.

Former players from Delta and Edo State will converge at his house at Ijaw Street Warri Township Stadium to pay their last respect to their colleague who served Delta State from the old Bendel State Academicals.

After helping his secodary school, Urhobo College, to win major football trophies in the defunct Bendel State, he moved to Mcdermont Football Club after his secondary education. He later joined Nigeria Rubber Board, Benin, Nigeria Ports Authority, New Nigeria Bank and Ranchers Bees.

Lagos, Delta rule Sam Ocheho Handball Championship

By JOE APU

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agos State male team last weekend made good its preparation for the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival as it emerged the side of the week-long Sam Ocheho Handball Championship held at the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Hall, Rowe Park, Yaba.

The Lagos side proved to be the better side of the invitational championship aimed at reviving the dwindling fortunes of the handball in the country by displaying a superior performance, amassing a total nine points after defeating Ogun State 12-17 in the last game of the tournament played in a round robin format.

Ogun finished second with eight points, Lagos II was third with six points, while Delta finished fourth with 4 points just as Osun and Ekiti with a point each finished fifth and sixth respectively.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, male category, went to Dikko Ahmed of Lagos, while Bunmi Bossa of Delta State was the MVP in the female category. Dikko with 39 goals also emerged the highest goal scorer in the male category as Ogun’s Kate Atebo with 39 goals emerged the highest goal scorer in the female category.

Dikko, speaking on his awards, said: “I feel good for both awards, but I must give kudos to my team mates for their effort because without them, it would not be possible for me to have made it. This championship is a good build up for our team as we prepare for the National Sports Festival later this year. Despite winning, we’re still going to work on the lapses that were noticed in the team because we can’t afford to miss gold in this event when we host the festival.”

In the women’s category, it was all celebration for the coach Henry Obi side as it was the best of all other participating teams from Lagos, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo States.

NEWS DAILY SUN Tuesday, August 7, 2012 51

SUN SPORTS

Nigerians in London blame medal drought on govt

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he inabilty of Team Nigeria to the London 2012 Olympics to win any medal has dampened the morale of Nigerians residing in London. Dissappionted with the medal draught they blamed it on the government for not having policies that take care of her citizens in every sphere of nation building.

Adeniji Johnson in Strafford told Daily Sunsports that he had been discouraged by the poor showing of Team Nigeria so far in the Olympics “It’s discouraging to we Nigerians and the government is to be blamed. The games is almost at its end and yet there is nothing to show that Nigeria is in this competition.

“At the start of the Olympics, the excietment and expectations were high, but now we are not really encouraged to support our national team anymore.

“Other countries invested hugely in training their atheltes and on daily basis their atheltes are on the podium recieving medals.

Sucide victim grounds trains in Victoria

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ournalists yesterday experienced difficulties in getting to the various event centers as trains heading to Strafford from Victoria were grounded.

The journalists in groups where told by Train Station Operator to join buses that would connect them to their routes because a young man committed sucide by jumping infront of a moving train.

It was gathered that the railway lines would be opened after investigations have been carried out by relevant authorites.

The situation prompted many of the journalists to make calls to their collegues to use alternative routes in making their way to Strafford.

Flakes Unpredictable weather

Yes, it is Summer in London, but the weather is really unpredictable. I have so far enjoyed the sunny side of the weather but the rains used to come without warning drenched me yesterday when I went to a nearby store to get a new tooth brush.

One minute the sun was shining bright, and people were trying to soak up the sun and raise the level of their tan and the next second the heavens opened up. It did not rain but poured

Waiting daddies

Walked past the Woolwich Arsenal Train Station yesterday and saw men in various age brackets clutching their offspring and waiting patientlyfor what was known to them. On enquiry, I was told that the men were divorcees who spend the weekends with their kids and were awaiting their ex-wives or partners to come and pick up the kids.

I wondered aloud why the men couldn’t take the children straight home to their mums but was told by my cousin that there were restrictions and that the station was the agreed meeting point.

Can such an arrangement work with men back at home in Nigeria, where an ex would wait at Oshodi Bus Stop for Mama Okechukwu or Iya Kazeem to come pick up the child ? I asked myself.

Man, who threw bottle during men’s 100 meters, arrested

A

man, who threw a bottle at the finalists of the Olympic men’s 100 meters was arrested by London Police on Sunday night and could face a prison sentence.

Seconds before the starter’s gun went off and with the runners already positioned in their blocks, a beer bottle sailed from the stands and landed close to podium finishers Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, and Justin Gatlin.

Aspokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told Yahoo! Sportsthat the suspect was immediately detained and was expected to appear in court yesterday.

“A man was arrested inside the Olympic Stadium earlier Sunday evening on suspicion of creating a public nuisance,” the spokesperson said. “The man had been heard to shout abuses and seemed to throw a plastic bottle onto the track immediately prior to the men’s 100-meter final.”

NEWS

Bolt, Jamaicans dance reggae ...Party all night after 100m victory

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sain Bolt partied through the night after winning the Olympic 100m final - and appeared to have some members of the Swedish handball team celebrating with him.

After defending his title with a stunning Olympic record time of 9.63 seconds, Bolt headed back to the Olympic village. But he obviously didn’t go straight to bed.

Around 3a.m, he posted a picture on Twitter with the three Swedes along with the words: ‘A gaza we say hmmm mmm.’

The three players in the photo, which appears to have been taken in Bolt’s bedroom in the village, are: Jamina Roberts, Ulrika Agren and Isabella Gullden.

ASwedish newspaper reported that the trio spent an hour-and-ahalf in his room after stopping Bolt’s coach and asking for his accreditation, so they could go and congratulate the sprinter.

Roberts said they were joined by the Jamaican decathlete, Maurice Smith, and talked together, looked at Facebook and posed for photographs.

The Swedish team lost all the five of their matches and finished

bottom of its group in the handball tournament.

Meanwhile, Jamaicans, all over the world, were rejoicing in his victory. The island was already at a standstill with a weekend of celebrations to mark 50 years of independence, but Bolt’s gold gave them another reason to celebrate.

They had been battening down

the hatches for the arrival of Tropical Storm Ernesto, with forecasts of monsoon rain, thunderstorms and violent winds.

But in the end, there was only one ‘Lightning Bolt’ as the world’s best sprinter edged out his compatriot, Yohan Blake, in the Olympic Stadium in London.

Thousands spilled out on to the streets, drank, danced and partied

long into the night after Bolt romped home to win his fourth Olympic gold medal.

The party well and truly got underway when he crossed the finish line. In the capital, Kingston, fans bedecked in the national colours of green, black and gold worked themselves into a frenzy as their hero lined up on the starting blocks.

Jamaicans celebrating Usain Bolt’s 100m victory.

Referee throws Makhloufi out of Olympics

A

lgerian 1,500 metres medal contender, Taoufik Makhloufi, has been thrown out of the London Olympics for not trying in his 800m heat, the International Association of Athletics Federations said.

Makhloufi, who won his 1,500 semi-final in three minutes 42.24 seconds, had been forced to run in the two lap race after his team failed to withdraw him from it by Sunday’s dead-

line, an IAAF spokeswoman said.

The 24-year-old lined up at the start of heat five at the Olympic stadium yesterday but was already well behind in the race. He stopped running after 100 metres into the race and wandered back across the field past the pole vault area.

“The referee considered that he had not provided a bona fide effort and decided to exclude him from participation in all

further events in the competition,” read an IAAF statement.

Makhloufi stormed past Olympic and world champion

Asbel Kiprop in a stunning move to finish his 1,500 heat on Sunday, marking him out as a possible title contender.

Lithuania makes Olympic basketball q-final

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ithuania clinched the last berth in the quarter-finals of the Olympic men’s basketball tournament with a flurry of three-pointers that helped her overtake Tunisia 76-63.

The victory lifted Lithuania, who trailed by as many as 14 points in the third quarter, to a 23 record and the fourth seed place in Group A, setting up a quarterfinal showdown against Russia tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s D’Tigers quest for a quarter final

… As D’Tigers lose out ticket came to an end with a 7973 defeat in the hands of France.

Nigeria will now face other countries in classification matches.

The gritty Tunisian team could have given itself a chance to reach the quarters in its first Olympics with a victory but it finished the five-game preliminary round without a win.

Lithuania had given the powerful U.S. team a scare in its previous game but struggled against

the African champions before making a 9-1 run at the end of the third quarter to narrow its deficit to 54-50.

A three-pointer by Simas Jasaitis pulled the team within one point and a three-point play

by Darius Songaila at the end of a fast break put Lithuania ahead 63 seconds into the final quarter.

Back-to-back three-point daggers from Renaldas Seibutis placed Lithuania firmly in the lead during a 9-0 spurt that sent

Marijuana-eating American judoka expelled from Games

A

merican judo player, Nicholas Delpopolo, has been expelled from the Olympic Games after testing positive to marijuana.

Delpopolo, who had finished seventh in the 73kg judo event, accepted his expulsion, but said

that the positive test had been caused by inadvertently eating food that he did not realize had been baked with the recreational drug.

The athlete had eaten the food before leaving for the London Games, the International Olympic Committee’s report said.

In accepting his fate, Delpopolo apologized to his national Olympic committee, his teammates and his fans and indicated that he was embarrassed by the mistake.

He waived the right for his case to be heard before the Disciplinary Commission.

it on its way to the quarter-finals.

Sarunas Jasikevicius and Songaila shared scoring honours for the winners with 13 points each, while Amine Rzig paced Tunisia with 17 points.

In the opening game of the session, a three-point shot by Patrick Mills at the buzzer lifted Australia to an 82-80 victory over Russia.

The thrilling finish, however, had no bearing on the seedings as Russia (4-1) had already clinched the top seeding in Group B, while Australia (2-3) were set as fourth seeds.

Australia’s Joe Ingles scored 20 points, and Sasha Kaun registered 18 for Russia as the game’s top scorers.

The quarter-final match-ups were not completely decided and depended on later results, including the closing game of the day between the defending Olympic champion, US team (4-0), and Argentina (3-1).

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DAILY SUN

Tuesday, August 7, 2012 53 NEWS

SUN SPORTS EXTRA

NEWS

Lagos plans glamorous Federation Cup final

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n line with its aim of adding glamour to the final of this year’s Federation Cup, Lagos State government is working tirelessly to ensure that the stadium is filled during the competition with a mixture of sports and entertainment.

This became necessary following the concern of Governor Babatunde Fashola

over the low turn out of fans during previous finals of the oldest football tournament in the country.

Fashola, who also donated a new silver trophy to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), believes that players in the country should always look forward to take part in the championship, as the tournament had churned out great players for the country.

However, plans are in top gear

to stage a befitting grand finale on August 26 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium with top artistes expected to thrill fans during the Final.

5,000 students with uniform are expected to watch the final match free, while fans will have opportunity to watch the match live with tickets to be given out to them through a planned radio programme.

For Fashola, the competition boasts of a rich history, not only

in Nigeria, but also around the world, with lots of legends that have emerged from the event.

Listing some of the great players like Muyiwa Oshode, Ismaila Mabo, Haruna Ilerika of the blessed memory and the expressive Kenneth Olayombo, Fashola said: “With a definite venue, players and teams generally will look forward to a destination and a dream. That adds to the glamour of the competition.”

Chukwumerije: Team Nigeria’s last hope A

s Team Nigeria’s athletes continue to fall like a park of cards, expectations are high that Chika Chukwumerije will redeem the country’s image at the 2012 London Olympic Games when he files out on Saturday against Despaigne Robeli of Cuba in the taekwondo event.

The Nigerian would be fight-

…To fight Robeli on Saturday ing in the +80kg category and he is expected to put in everything to surpass his Beijing Olympics bronze medal feat when he engages the Cuban in his first match at the London Games.

Beaming with confident ahead of the encounter, Chukwumerije, the son

of Senator Uche Chukwumwrije, is expected to shoulder the responsibility of listing the country’s name among the medal-winning nations at the London Games.

The graduate of Mechanical Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, first drew attention in

Ogoke bows out, compounds Team Nigeria’s woes

By GEORGE ALUO, London

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igeria’s medal hopeful in women boxing, Edith Ogoke, bowed out yesterday after losing by 18-8 to the world’s number one in the 75kg weight category, Russia’s Torlopova

Nadezda.

It was a fight which Ogoke started well, drawing the first round 3-3. The more experienced Russian, however, took over from the second round, winning by 7-1.

All efforts the Nigerian pugilist made to bounce back

failed as the Russian kept picking up points with ease.

The crowd at the Excel Arena, however, cheered Ogoke all the way, praising her effort.

Ogoke had in the first round, surprised everybody by beating the world number two from Azerbaijan.

2003 during the qualifiers for that year’s All-Africa Games, where he eventually won a bronze medal in the heavyweight male category.

The Team Nigeria captain is ranked 29th in the world and he is the Founder of Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation, an organisation which inspires talented sporting youngsters to increase in their capacity, while also having sound education and successfully integrating both.

Chika qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, but lost his first bout to Pascal Gentil, the eventual bronze medal winner. Nevertheless, after a period of intensive training, he became one of Nigeria’s best chances for a medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing where he won bronze.

Abidal aims at Dec return

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arcelona defender, Eric Abidal is aiming to return to action before the end of the year following a liver transplant. The French international underwent surgery in April this year after he was initially treated for a tumour last year.

“I have started working in the gym and I feel fine. I will keep progressing and see if I can play before December,” Abidal told the club’s official website.

“I’m better than three months ago. I am following the guidelines that the doctors have given me and the truth is I feel fine.

“I travel and enjoy being around the team and that environment.”

Abidal joined Barcelona from Lyon in 2007 and has played 62 times for the French national team.

Meanwhile, Barcelona has snapped up Spanish international left-back, Jordi Alba ahead of the new season, and the 32-yearold is keen to make another comeback for the Catalans.

Serena eyes Rio Olympics

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fter completing a career Golden Slam, Serena Williams still wants more. Williams was already thinking about defending her Olympic tennis gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games only hours after teaming with big sister, Venus to win the doubles gold for the third time.

“I plan on being there unless an act of God doesn’t allow me to,” Williams said yesterday.

The 14-time Grand Slam singles champion, who shares the tennis record of four Olympic golds with Venus, has recovered from some health issues that sidelined her for 14 months.

“When I feel I can’t be the greatest, I shouldn’t play anymore, but I feel I belong. I’m not tired. I’m enjoying myself,” said the 30-yearold Williams, who broke into a “Crip Walk” dance after beating Maria Sharapova to add the Olympic singles gold to her titles at each of the four tennis majors.

“I was so happy to just win. I’ve been so out of it the last years, (and from) where I was to come back and win this is just an amazing thing for me, for all the hard work I’ve been doing,” Williams added.

“When I get happy, I dance.”

Now that the gold rush is over, the fourth-ranked player plans to add a few more Olympic pins to her growing collection and take in some of the atmosphere at the London Games before playing in Cincinnati, her last tournament before the U.S. Open later this month.

54

DAILY SUN

Tuesday August 7, 2012

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

OFFSIDE Musing with

DAILY SUN 55

Okey Ndibe kndibe@yahoo.com; okeyndibe@gmail.com

Olympics and the mirror of Nigeria

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s I sat down to write this piece, the Nigerian contingent had won not a single medal at the 2012 London Olympics. In fact, the country of 166 million people – aka giant of Africa; the proud host of Africa’s largest political party; and whose public office holders are some of the world’s most highly paid officials – had not seriously threatened to pick up any of the hardware (gold, silver, bronze) that’s the reward for the world’s best athletes. And as the seconds ticked away, Nigeria’s hopes, by every realistic measure, seemed to evaporate faster than the dewfall in the country’s tropical sun.

You’d think that a country like Nigeria would parlay its huge, varied and enterprising population into a medal or two. Perish the thought!

One can predict a rather predictable retort: that there’s no correlation between population and performance at the Olympics. A critic might point to India’s notorious under-performance (a mere three medals so far, despite a population that tops 1.2 billion). Or Indonesia’s far from inspiring performance (two medals, for a country with a population of 237 million). There’s also the forgettable showing by Pakistan (180 million people) and Bangladesh (152 million); as at this writing, both countries had combined for zero medals.

Yet, it may be said for India, Pakistan and Bangladesh that these are countries that are culturally indifferent to most of the events at the Olympics. If the game of cricket were an Olympic event, then they’d wake up for it.

Perhaps, a different species of cultural indifference accounts for Nigeria’s wretched outing in London. We’ve become a people allergic to planning, averse to preparation, and deeply hostile to excellence. Serious contenders at international meets have figured out that it takes serious and consistent planning, the hiring of top coaches as well as long-term investment in equipment and athletes to produce world-class talent.

By contrast, between Olympics, Nigerian sports officials seem to slip into slumber mode. Their calendars are scrubbed free of any preparations for the next Olympics. Then, sometimes with only months to go, they startle awake, scramble for funds, and assemble another ill-equipped, poorly trained contingent.

Nobody should wonder that, every four years, Nigerian athletes march at the Olympics but woefully fail to measure up against the world’s best athletes. Nigeria’s ungolden showing is a mirror of a broader malaise, a parable of a nation that’s wedded to failure.

Victims of official nonchalance, pathetic funding and overall scrappy preparation, Nigerian athletes arrived in London with – literally – only prayers going for them. Yes, Nigeria’s flag bearers are sorry specimens of third-rate equipment and training. Whether it’s the Olympics or the World Cup, we stubbornly neglect to prepare for the games. Then, come time for the contest, our pastors and imams shriek prayers to heaven. Vociferously, our prelates behave as if God owed it to us to be a permanent member of the Nigerian team, if not our standby factotum. They importune God to score goals for us that our hastily assembled soccer teams can’t manage. They ask God to make our athletes faster and stronger than their training warrants. They ask heaven, in short, to nullify other teams’ or athletes’ hard work, their superior training and fastidious preparation, and – deserving or not – to hand us the gold!

Last week, Nigeria’s men’s basketball team at the Olympics seemed to take only prayers to the court in a match against the star-studded US team. At the end of regulation, the outcome was the equivalent of a bloodless massacre. The US team scored 156 points to Nigeria’s 73. The margin of victory – 83 points – was the largest in Olympic basketball history. It was a manhandling; it was as devastating, as thoroughly humiliating an outing as any country has ever had at the Olympics.

Nobody who knows anything about basketball expected the game to be close, much less that Nigeria would eke out a win. But it was altogether within the realm of possibility for the Nigerian team to lose by no more than forty points. To concede a whopping 83 points bespoke an attitude of surrender. As a friend of mine quipped, the Nigerian players should simply have refused to play, instead indicating that they showed up merely to collect autographs from such US star players as Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony.

The US basketball players got the credit for making heroic history; their Nigerian opponents picked up the discredit for dubious history. One Nigerian player – acknowledging the historic scale of their loss – spoke as if it was an achievement to witness that history.

Yet, it’s unjust to put all blame on the play-

ers. Their coach said they were ravaged by injuries and had had little training. That’s not the players’ fault; that’s the fault of a country that permits its public officials to steal every naira, dollar and pound sterling in sight and out of sight.

Two days after raining on Nigeria, the US team came within six minutes of losing to Lithuania. The Lithuanian side demonstrated what’s possible when overmatched (but welltrained) players decide to play with grit, with tenacity, determination and pride.

My hunch is that the main difference between Lithuania’s basketball players and Nigeria’s can be found in the quality of leaders in their respective countries. Nigerian leaders – as President Goodluck Jonathan made bold to tell us recently – don’t give a damn. What Mr. Jonathan knows, but didn’t say in so many words, is that Nigerian leaders give a damn for one sport and one sport only: the corner-cutting rat race to accumulate riches. If greed, indolence and false piety were Olympic events, Nigerians would contend for many, many gold medals.

As at this writing, Kazakhstan, a nation of only 15 million people, had won five medals – all gold, four in weightlifting alone.

Anybody who looks at Kazakhstan’s medal haul can deduce that here’s a country that

‘Last week, Nigeria’s men’s basketball team at the Olympics seemed to take only prayers to the court in a match against the star-studded US team. At the end of regulation, the outcome was the equivalent of a bloodless massacre. The US team scored 156 points to Nigeria’s 73. The margin of victory – 83 points – was the largest in Olympic basketball history. It was a manhandling; it was as devastating, as thoroughly humiliating an outing as any country has ever had at the Olympics.’

takes weightlifting seriously.

By contrast, Nigeria takes no department of sports seriously.

Forget sports, Nigeria takes no sector of development seriously. The luckless populace of Nigerians is not even treated as if they were human.

Nigeria’s president, governors, legislators and local government councilors are some of the most obscenely paid in the world. And this doesn’t count the illicit haul they embezzle day after day. Each month, each of Nigeria’s thirty six governors collects enough cash (in salaries, allowances and the scam called security vote) to pay President Barack Obama’s annual salary seven or more times over. Each month!

And yet, the Nigerian president, most of the country’s governors, and virtually all its legislators are certified mediocrities. If they entered a contest for stellar leadership, they’d all be laughed out of the competition, treated as the contemptible jokers they are.

Nigerian officials don’t understand the first thing about leadership. They speak about delivering the dividends of democracy, but the only dividends ever delivered are to their fraudulent bank accounts. They wax about moving their states (or local government area or nation) forward, but fail to specify they mean forward into the deep, jagged precipice.

They have no clue how to solve the most basic of problems – and so, with predictable folly, they invoke God. Let’s take Plateau State. Thousands of residents there have either perished or being displaced by incessant acts of sectarian violence.

Yet, the state governor, Jonah Jang, has no ideas how to stem the bloodbath. So what does he do? Last week, he told besieged residents that God had revealed to him that the state’s deadly crisis was ‘‘because of their sins.’’ One newspaper reported that Governor Jang disclosed that he had received “a revelation from God that what has befallen the state was ‘the wrath of God over their sins.’”

And the governor, a former military officer, had a “God-given” solution handy. “I want to call on the youths to stop engaging in drinking alcohol. You should form vigilante groups to climb the rocks and hills to protect women and children in the area from being attacked.”

Mr. Jang forgot to add that God summoned him, as He did Moses, atop Mount Horeb to hand him a tablet with the divine decree.

Going by Governor Jang’s bizarre theology, God never gets angry with those who mindlessly loot public funds. But let some young men drink a beer or two, and God flies into a deadly rage. In any annals of true leaders, Mr. Jang’s stipulations would invite nothing but derision. The scandal is that Governor Jang’s nonsensical treatise is the rule, not the exception. Is it any wonder that we fail at tasks that demand mental or physical rigor and preparation?

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Ramadan Talk Prophet Muhammad said: “God loves the servant who is pious, self contented and obscure/inconspicuous.”

N150 TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2012 *VOL.7 NO. 2428

Re: The girl from Trinidad DIMGBA IGWE

SIDEVIEW

08055001932 dimgbaigwe2011@gmail.com

L

ast week’s article on my encounter with a Trinidad girl titled, The Girl From Trinidad, seems to provoke a mild storm from readers. These range from admiration to total cynicism. For the cynics, the question was: if my article represents a full disclosure of all that transpired, how come I didn’t disclose how I came by her picture used to illustrate the article! Did I take the picture or did she give it to me? Either way, it suggests that something more than what was disclosed must probably have transpired? And some readers, assuming that a hunter is under an imaginary obligation to disclose everything that transpired in his hunting adventure, are then demanding full disclosure indeed!

Unfortunately for such readers, there is nothing more to disclose—sorry to burst your bubble! The picture used to illustrate the article is a generic shot of a Trinidad girl from a photo agency, not the real Adanna. The mix up came from production people who captioned the picture as Adanna. The real Adanna is probably prettier in her natural ways, but I just didn’t take her picture. I met Adanna on the second day of my seven night stay in Hyatt Regency, but I was too busy with other things to look out for a hotel maid. Those of you who are stretching your imagination too far should beware of meddling with a hotel staff in a foreign land. As for those who speculate about sexual encounter, do you really need to go so far as Trinidad to find an Adanna, if that is what you need? Don’t we have an abundance of local Adannas in our clime? Oh, come off it! Below are excerpts from a broad spectrum of readers: Dimgba, please persuade Adanna to visit Nigeria and the Igbos will help her for she is one of us.

•08168997097, Victor Chigor, President, Congress for Igbo Agenda.

I hope you told the entire story about the girl from Trinidad.

•08092423493 Oga Dimgba, you and Mike are my favourite as far as journalism is concerned.

You make me happy when I’m sad. Thanks a lot.

•08035714155, Amaechi Oga Dimgba, you are being economical with the truth. Can you swear before a powerful deity that you did not touch that Trinidad girl? Oga na wa oooh! I don’t believe you one bit.

•Nnamdi from Owerri, 08037242308

Dimgba these are stuff the icons of journalism are expected of. A graphic narrative masterpiece! Having babies outside marriage; so many continents, and varied cultures. Please, take me along when next you travel. Thumbs up!

•Chinedu Chukwuka, Trade Fair Lagos Complex, 08037149947

vert temptation to a testimony.

•McDennis Igbo. 08034856005

blance she had with the women of Anambra stock. People always though she was Igbo until she spoke which she did with a characteristic accent so I do understand it all with Adanna. However, Trinis seem to be quite warm and sincere.

•08027345207

I read your story of the girl from Trinidad. It was well written, but you failed to mention how you got her picture. Did she give it to you or you snapped the picture yourself? However you answered those questions, it may seem that Oga Dimgba, are you sure that is how the there’s more than you revealed to us. Or what do story ended?

I am happy that you did not fall into adultery you think?

•08023314823 with Adanna.

•Zion. 08074560341 •Pastor Tony, Kaduna, 08033610280 Nnaa you are something else! A girl with I have just read your article “Girl from Dimgba, your write up on ‘The Girl from Trinidad’, nice one and I’m more educated on fire in her eyes as that Trinidad babe is worth losing a presidency for a tumble…. That is Trinidad’ was interesting especially when she that country.

Niaga president. understood the real meaning of her name, •Lateef. 08034416258 •08061133606 Adanna. It is a lesson to our daughters who prefer foreign meaningless names. Keep it up.

Sir Dimgba, good day! Very fine write up and Hi, I am highly impressed by the way you •08054715232 experience from Trinidad but are you saying you did not do the other thing. I know you are a articulate your thoughts on issues. The last one I read, ‘The Girl from Trinidad’(describing an Dimgba, I read your article “The Girl from Nigerian full of energy, encounter with) Adanna. To be honest, I realTrinidad” with joy. At the end you proved that •08025152533 ly like to meet her and show to her that she you are the true son of your father. Thanks to God that you never behaved like Dominique Pastor what a sweet trip, If I may ask, at what deserved a committed Nigerian as husband, if you can assist me to meet her. I know it is hard, Strauss-Kahn who lost his envied position on the point did you get Adanna’s picture? but I just want to try. laps of a woman •Alfa Katamba, Aba. 08035888774 •Jeebreal 08077877973.

•Asonta Bona, Kurudu, Abuja, 08032771114 Your column titled ‘The Girl from Trinidad” Oga Dimgba, this is a good piece on made an interesting and enjoyable read. It was a Oga Dimgba, your Adanna story was curi- little romantic. You don’t write much about sex Trinidad and Adanna. It is quite interesting to ously good. I hope Madam didn’t ask many and this one I think is a welcome departure from know that a minimum wage there is about questions. your usual stuff. However, I do hope you told us N62,790.

•Chidi Abakaliki, 07033966630 •Robert, 08034745922 your readers the whole truth. I think it’s only time that will tell if the beautiful Adanna’s third Bro Dimgba, I think you took some risk in I read your piece in the Sun, titled “The Girl child won’t have a Naija father. that encounter with the Trinidad girl. If somefrom Trinidad”. You forgot to mention when or •M.I. Okonkwo, Abakaliki 08037404602 thing had happened like it did to DSK, you what led you even to snapping her picture. Cock and bull story! You shouldn’t have written anyUncle Dimgba, I hope you didn’t commit would not have finished (…)(…)

•08037322449 thing about it at all.

Ada by DSKaying her with the dollar gift for the •08035899804 kids?

Uncle Dimgba, it is 2.40am and I just fin•08033531767 ished my prayer but I couldn’t sleep due to my Igwe, you and Mike are really wonderful people. Do you know we need stories like this to get Welcome and thanks for sharing Adanna with nocturnal habit I have developed overtime. off the bad news we hear in Nigeria every day? us. I had the opportunity of living with an aunt Then it dawned on me that I have not read Thanks to you. So why didn’t Mike subtract his from Trinidad in the 80s in Uyo. I remember her your article on the Girl from Trinidad because age to match his looks just like others are doing love and sincerity but above all, the close resem- I always take my time to devour your articles and that of uncle Mike Awoyinfa and Reuben here? Or, is it because his is a real born-again Abati (I started eating from you and uncle like you?

Mike from Concord to date).

•K.O. Peace, Owerri, 08072044112 I must confess that you literarily drew me into the conversation with Adanna and I Sir, I love the piece “The Girl from Trinidad”. admire your moral strength in avoiding the More power to your elbow.

DSK bug…I will adopt the same formula anyYour ardent reader, time I am in the same situation as a tourist.

•Akin Douglas, 0805382133 However, if I had met Adanna, I would have told her that her case is not germane to Dear Dimgba, I have just savoured your piece Trinidad alone but also in Nigeria. Visit Abuja for today, the Girl from Trinidad. I thank God for and you will see young graduates who have your high moral values. You have displayed a taken up jobs as full time mistress to massage very uncommon moral rectitude which is rare the high tensioned libido of Abuja VIP’s with among our menfolk. two to four kids for Oga and without madam •Akinye Rufus. 08059252765 (oga’s wife) or family’s notice.

•Sam Madojemu (Abuja). 08028795656 You can blame the IMF boss because you had the grace to overcome the girl from Trinidad.

“The girl from Trindad” is indeed a You escaped from the Lion’s den unhurt, thank thought-provoking write up. So other nations your God. could so much appreciate Nigeria and its cul•Uchenna, Onitsha, 08038782725 ture that most of us so much ridicule. A hotel steward owns a car!

Please, it is unethical for you to publish a priHow many of Nigerian hotel steward own vate conversation you had with Adanna from a car? God help us! Nigeria shall be great Trinidad. As a Christian, it is not good please. soon.

Amaka, E. Mrs. 08133231317 •David. 08075197897 My brother, thank God for the grace to con-

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