Sun News - August 23, 2012

Southern Cameroon backs Bakassi on secession Page 10

N150 THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2440

Amnesty office disowns protesting militants Page 10

Facebook murder

Why we killed Cynthia

Pages 4 & 5

•Posers, curiosity as police parade alleged killers of General’s daughter

Jonathan reads riot act to ministers

Unexploded civil war bombs found in Enugu

Page 11

...As FEC members sign performance contract Page 6

Boko Haram denies dialogue with FG N150 THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2440

End the killings, Northern govs task peace committee

Page 4

Page 3

Facebook murder

Why we killed Cynthia

Pages 4 & 5

•Posers, curiosity as police parade alleged killers of General’s daughter

Page 6

Ministerial rivalries: Jonathan reads riot act

Anyim heads panel to resolve FG, PHCN workers dispute Page 3

Subsidy scam: NUPENG backs

trial of indicted marketers •Meeting continues today

Page 3

...As FEC members sign performance contract

Anyim heads panel to resolve FG, PHCN workers dispute

Page 3

N150 THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2440

Oritsejafor backs Mimiko

Page 12

2015: Ajimobi visits Ladoja in London

Page 12

Facebook murder

Why we killed Cynthia

Pages 4 & 5

Page 12

•Posers, curiosity as police parade alleged killers of General’s daughter Ilesa crisis: Osun govt now to prosecute Ogedengbe

2

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012,

Thursday, August 23, 2012, DAILY SUN

3

SUNG GIRL

NUPENG backs trial of indicted marketers •Meeting with FG continues today From MOLLY KILETE. Abuja

T

he National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), yesterday dispelled allegations that it was playing the script of those found guilty of the fuel subsidy scam. It has therefore, threw its weight behind the Federal Government’s decision to prosecute those found guilty in the deal.

However, the union, says its ongoing strike to press home its demands on a number of issues still continues as the meeting between it and the Federal Government ended in a deadlock.

The meeting has been reschedule to hold today, Thursday.

NUPENG’s president, Igwe Achesse, who spoke after the meeting headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, maintained that the union was fully behind attempts to prosecute anyone found culpable in the subsidy fraud.

He said “Let me say this government has all it takes. We will not as a union compromise on fraudulent activities. Any marketer that is found wanting should be prosecuted.

“If you recall, it is the union in 2010 that raised this issue of subsidy scam that was on going in PPPRA. Today, we are happy that the issue is on ground. Whether we like it or not, at least, we have been able to see one or two evidence that something is wrong.”

Speaking on state of the strike, he said the status quo remains with regards to the strike embarked upon by the union, stressing that the meeting with government will continue today by 2 pm.

FG raises panel to resolve power sector crisis

By BIMBOLA OYESOLA

A

s part of efforts to resolve the lingering crisis in the power sector, the Federal Government yesterday set up a high power panel made up of government/NLC/TUC/ NUEE/SSAEAC towards finding a lasting solution to the lingering issues in the power sector.

The panel, headed by Secretary to Government of the Federation (SFG), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, is to address all the grey areas.

The first meeting of the panel will hold next week Tuesday. The unions said hope their trust in the panel will not be in vain.

Members of the panel also include Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Ministers of Labour and Power, the Head of Service of the Federation, DG, Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Chief Economic Adviser to the President and Dr. Agary. The meeting will hold at the SGF’s office.

Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji and workers in the energy sector have been at loggerheads over government’s decision to privatise the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and issues relating the pensions of the workers.

Boko Haram denies dialogue with FG

T

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you consider yourself stunning enough to grace our Page 3?

If yes, sign our consent/release form, send your pix/bio-data to 2, Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Estate, Apapa, Lagos.

Name: Ajayi Aanuoluwapo Lydia Phone: 08057136961

he leadership of Jamaatu ahlis sunnah lil daawati wal jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram has denied engaging in talks with the Federal Government, contrary to widespread reports.

The group made this denial in an email to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday evening.

The sect not only denied talks with the government, but also flawed the purported press statement by one Abu Muhammad, who claimed to be the second in Command to the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau.

The sect said its position on dialogue was made clear in a recent video address by its leader, where Mr. Shekau foreclosed any possibility of dialogue with the government, but which it said many media houses ignored, but were quick to publicise the “purported Mecca meeting”.

The sect recalled that it was because of such misrepresentations by the media that it attacked Thisday Newspaper, adding that as far as it was concerned, “those who fight us with guns and those who use pen are one and the same”.

The sect also said it was aware that many people were using its name to get huge sums of money under the pretext that they would “arrange dialogue with us”.

It called on such fake intermediaries to “fear Allah before they get into the hands of Allah’s army.”

In the statement, the sect said since the Federal Government “lured and arrested one of our leaders, Abu Darda who was sent to dialogue on our behalf and also frustrated the one facilitated by a journalist, Ahmad Salkida and headed by Dr. Ibrahim Datti, we have foreclosed any possibility of talks with the government.”

The group says it was aware Mr. Datti had entered into a fresh round of talks with the government.

It, therefore, warned Mr. Datti to “respect his age and desist forthwith”.

The sect added that the only guarantee to peace is the full implementation of Sharia in Nigeria.

“As long as the government has not put aside the constitution and embrace the Holy Quran as the final law in the land, government should stop dreaming of peace because we will never stop fighting,” it said.

4 DAILY SUN

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Northern govs to peace panel: End the killings

Learn from Cynthia Osokogu, Facebook community warns ladies

By PHILIP NWOSU

From IHEANACHO NWOSU, Abuja

D

N

orthern governors yesterday inaugurated a peace committee which comprised of Bishop of Sokoto, Rev Matthew Kukah, former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Abubakar Tsav and 38 others with a specific mandate to stop the killings in the region.

The 41-man committee, headed by Amb. Zakari Ibrahim, is expected to submit its report within 90 days.

Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, Gov Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, who supervised the inauguration at the Niger State Lodge, Abuja, charged the committee to come up with an all-embracing ways of ending bombings and killings in the North by Boko Haram.

Aliyu, identified issues of religious extremism, intolerance and mutual disrespect as the cleavages that are causing deep separation in the region.

The governor stressed that some of the challenges the North is facing today such as poverty, unemployment, youth restiveness and violence are manifestation of the rejection of the core values of honesty, equity, fairness and justice in the Nigerian society.

Lamenting that the bombings and killings have brought the North to its knees, he charged the committee to list ways of stopping the trend. He said that efforts must be made to restore peace and development in the North .The governor equally asked the committee to synthesize every report, white papers, communique of conferences or commissions of enquiry into the insecurity situation in the nation, particularly in the northern states, so as to give them actionable proposals for tackling the issues at the family, ward, local government, state and national levels.

He said: “The decision to constitute this high powered committee of eminent Nigerians of Northern states extraction was borne out of the deep concern of the forum over recurring incidents of violence and wanton destruction of lives and property which have also not crippled the economy of the northern states and paralysed sociopolitical activities to the detriment of our development and national pride. We believe that the Northern states have excellent men and women of honour, character and integrity like you who could assist in salvaging this unfortunate situation.

“The inauguration of this committee is consistent with the commitment of the forum to the general welfare of the people who have given us the mandate to serve them. Undoubtedly, the primary and fundamental responsibility of leaders is the security and welfare of the people which to us, in the forum is sacrosanct. Hence, our focus has remained the promotion of the peace, unity and progress of all the Northern states within the wider national interest of Nigerian.

“It is against this background that the forum views recurring insecurity challenges in the Northern states and around the country as serious threats to national stability, unity and development. We therefore, believe that the nation’s security and stability are of paramount interest to the Nigerian populace and that it is our moral obligation to ensure the protection of the lives and property of all citizens of this country resident in our states.”

Other members of the committee include Prof. Tijjani el-Miskin, retired AIG Hamisu Ali Jos, His Royal Highness Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Bishop Kukah, AVM Mukhtar Mohammed (rtd), Gen Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), HRH Nde Joshua Y. Dimlong, Sheikh Ahmad Lemu and Mrs Aisha Oyebode (rtd).

•Cynthia

•Cynthia

ays after Cynthia Valerie Osokogu was allegedly killed by her suspected Facebook friends fears and apprehension have gripped members of the these social network community which had hitherto helped them to connect to old Friends For many it was an end to confirming people who daily pester them for friendship, but for others it is a hard lesson for young ladies on Facebook.

Investigation into the webpage of Cynthia Osokogu on Facebook, it was learnt that she is a very open person always accepting friends without toeing the path of caution. The volume of friends on her Facebook page points that, she had 1038 friends.

For a member of the Facebook community who was identified as Chuck Ikeji: “My heart goes out to the parents of this young lady. This only goes to show that Face Book could be used for both good and evil purposes. Face Book is like a highway you got both good and evil people cruising the highway just be very careful and extremely discriminating. In the words of Ronald Reagan “Trust but verify”. Just like your mama told you, Don’t go home with a man you met at the bar. This is mainly for you young ladies.”

But another Facebook user Umukoro James has a different view, indeed he said: “What befell that lady was a sad incident and gullibility played its role on the part of the lady. Being on Facebook is like being in a marketplace or public square. No matter how familiar the face may be, the person is still a stranger in real life.”

Ben Onuora who lives in Europe agreed that there is a lesson to be learnt from the incident, he said: “Yes, it will serve as a lesson to others, because most girls here in Europe are hooked up with guys at home, through Facebook, but this information will help them While explaining that the incident has brought a new phase to the use of Facebook, Winnie Agada said: “That is why I ignore a whole lot of people who ask to be friends with me but I don’t even know them. Too bad. You don’t get cozy with someone you don’t know and haven’t even met before. another Olumuyiwa Thomas Facebook enthusiast lamented the evil people have turned this good webpage to, indeed, he said: “Plenty of evil in the world but the grace of God exceed the evil around, may we not get into the

wrong hands.”

Insisting that the persons who committed this heinous crime should be dealt with accordingly by the law, Dupe Olusanya Sunmola another Facebook user said, “it is ridiculous, I think those guy should be jailed.” Same for Biyi Adegoroye a journalists who insists that, “if the content of our Criminal Code is anything to go by, murder attracts death penalty.”

Mary Chuks Samuel talked about regulations on social network sites explaining that “Facebook was introduced into Nigeria but no one took the time to warn the citizens of the dangers that come with social networks.......It is so sad, I will not even wish this on my enemy.....No father or mother should bury their daughter.”

Also Emmanuel Majebi who said he read the story said the lady “ fell for a cheap trick!”

Anne Damisa a former Journalists who lives in the United States said: “Always knew like every community that the Facebook community harbours all kinds of people. Where people pretend to be what they are not. The irresponsible faking to be responsible. The devilish acting Christlike. The married acting single.

And those who lack the ability to conceal their true self for long-STALKERS who constantly send harassing emails and make senseless comments. I feel sorry for DESPERATE WOMEN who cannot see the handwriting on the wall. Cynthia, a graduate student and the daughter of a Nigerian retired Army General, would have been alive today if she had not fallen for a FAKE MAN on FB. Ladies BEWARE!” Similarly Azuka Francisca Ogujiuba said: “By now we know that Facebook habours a lot of fake people who see your picture or information and think you are available or if possible dupe you in so many ways, love, monetary or whatever.

It is very true that people have met on FB and have gotten married and it is also true that people have met on FB and have gotten their hearts crashed....When we look four love or lovers on Facebook, lets be very careful, there are so many evil minded people on FB, so ladies listen up well....the story of Cynthia, the daughter of a retired Major General and a postgraduate student of Nasarawa State University who was lured to Lagos by the man she met on Facebook and was killed by him is enough for everybody to be on their tentoes.....PLEASE lets be careful because people are beginning to abuse

CMYK

Thursday, August 23, 2012

DAILY SUN

5

Ministers queuing to sign performance contract evaluation agreement of their various ministries with President Goodluck Jonathan, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, Wednesday.

R-L: Vice President Namadi Sambo, Power Minister, Prof. Barth Nnaji and DirectorGeneral, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Dr. Kandeh Yumkella during the visit of UNIDO’s boss to the Vice President in Abuja, Wednesday.

President Goodluck Jonathan, presenting the contract evaluation agreement performance system score card to the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku during the presentation of the system by the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Samshudeen Usman in Abuja, Wednesday.

COVER

Facebook murder: Why we killed Cynthia

By CHRISTOPHER OJI, MATHEW DIKE and MARIAM BELLO

T

he police in Lagos yesterday paraded suspects who killed Cynthia Ozokogu age 24 whose body was traced to a morgue in the metropolis at the weeked.

Cynthia is the last child and only daughter of Major Gen. Ozokogu (rtd). She was killed on July 22 in an hotel in FESTAC. There were a lot of posers at the parade gound in Ikeja yesterday. The suspects Okume and Ezeke (surnames withheld by us) one of them a university student, were driven there in a sleek car.

The suspects, who met their victim, Cynthia on Facebook, were alleged to have sexually molested the victim, tied and chained her before she was finally murdered.

The Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, told newsmen that Ezeke was arrested in Anambra State while his colleague, a 100 level Accounting student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Okume was nabbed in FESTAC. He stated that detectives from Area E Command, FESTAC got a lead into the case when they got the suspects’ pictures in a footage from a Close Circuit Camera TV (CCTV) that was installed in the hotel..

“We discovered that two young men came to the hotel and went to the room and after sometime came out with a package. They were arrested and have confessed that they killed the lady,” he added.

Facts about the case

•Posers as suspects arrive parade ground in sleek car, neatly dressed Manko said that on July 22 this year, in FESTAC, the police found a lady dead in her hotel room tied and chained.

He stated the police discovered that “somebody called demanding that the body of the bastard be removed.”

Manka said when the body was found, the police had no details about the identity of the deceased.

‘From the yellow card that was found’ we got her passport number from the internet and the Nigerian Immigration Service was able to link her up and was able to establish her actual identity’, he said.

Manko noted that the suspects told the police that they started with the deceased on the internet which they were able to establish that she is a businesswoman who comes to. Lagos to buy and goes to Abuja to sell and concluded that she must have money.

He said that one of the suspects gave her a flight ticket and an accommodation in the hotel.

The suspects, Manko said, drugged the drink, which they gave to the deceased.

The drug, he explained, got the deceased knocked off and the suspects settled down for what they were there for, but that unfortunately, she died in the process.

“She struggled before she collapsed and got her killed’, he added.”

Suspects’ confessional statement The suspects confessed to journalists that

they actually met the victim on Facebook and that their intention was to dispossess Cynthia of her belongings and did not intend to kill her.

Okume said that they drugged the deceased with medicine, which they injected in three of the drink they gave to the deceased.

He denied having sexual intercourse with her, adding that the condom that was found in her hotel room was not used by them.

He explained that they only used a sexual toy (vibrator) which they found on the deceased.

Okume, the 100 level Accounting student admitted that the deceased was their fourth victim.

‘We always meet with our victims in different hotels in FESTAC,” he added.

He, however, denied killing the three other victims and that the death of the only daughter of the retired General was quite unfortunate.

Posers The suspects who were smartly dressed were brought to the command headquarters Ikeja in a sleek car.

Recall that prior to the discovery of her body in the morgue last Saturday, Cynthia had been declared missing by her family since July 22 after she had left her base in Nasarawa State to come to Lagos for shopping.

Attempts by her relations and concerned

friends to ascertain her whereabouts were not successful prompting them to circulate messages on the social media, but no one could give vital information about her. Prior to the discovery of the body, her family had no inkling she was dead. Rather, she was listed as a missing person.

According to reports, the deceased who was running a postgraduate program in Public Administration at the Nasarawa State University, was lured into Lagos by a group of men whose stock in trade is to deceive young girls and kill them after dispossessing them of their belongings.

There was a twist in the case when the body was found in a mortuary in Lagos and indications pointed to the fact that the deceased was killed in the hotel she lodged in before she was taken to the mortuary.

According to sources, the deceased was said to have been robbed and killed in the hotel by the same people she was supposed to do business with.

At the hotel, the duo who went to pick her at the airport, having allegedly connived with a staff of the hotel and a pharmacist who produced the substance used to drug her, immediately executed their plan.

The deceased was tied up, robbed of all the money she brought for her business and strangled her to death. The suspects immediately dispossessed her of her phones, her identity card and other things that could be used to identify her.

6 DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

NEWS

Hit-and-run Lagos BRT driver injures LAWMA official, 2 others

A

n early morning accident on the Iponri Bridge in Lagos, involving a bus on the fleet of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), yesterday left three people, including a street cleaner with LAWMA in critical condition.

An eyewitness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the scene of the accident, that the driver of the blue bus heading towards CMS on the Island lost control and hit the people.

Mr. Akinola Ibrahim, an official of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), said his colleague was sweeping the road when the bus hit him and the two passersby.

“The impact is much; the private part of one of the men was affected. He was bleeding seriously while the two others were unconscious. The driver refused to stop after hitting them,’’ he said.

It was gathered that the accident brought traffic on the everbusy road to a standstill for several hours.

A policeman from the Iponri Divisional Headquarters, Sgt. Chimweke Zik, who was at the scene, said his men tried to stop the driver without success.

“The driver of the BRT bus failed to stop after injuring the three people. We immediately deployed our patrol team to go after the driver and arrest him,’’ he said.

Zik said the victims, who were seriously injured, had been taken to the hospital for necessary medical attention.

“We phoned the Critical Rescue Ambulance to come and take the victims to the general hospital on the Island for medical attention,’’ he added.

•Governor Babangida Aliyu (3rd right) and members of the newly inaugurated Northern Governors’ Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and Security inaugurated in Abuja yesterday.

Workers stranded at bus stops, as fuel scarcity bites harder in Abuja

Ministerial rivalry: Jonathan reads riot act

From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja

...As FEC members sign performance contracts

M

any civil servants could not make it to their offices yesterday following a hike in transport fares as fuel scarcity orchestrated by independent oil marketers bites harder in Abuja.

Workers who had enjoyed their weekend and Sallah holidays had rushed to the bus stops yesterday only to witness a 100 per cent hike in transport fare.

As early as 6a.m, a horde of workers had already gathered at the various bus stops to go to their offices, but there were not enough vehicles to convey them. The few available vehicles increased the fares by 100 per cent.

While most of the workers protested the hike and refused to board, a few of them who had no option than to be in office, grudgingly boarded the vehicles.

At 11a.m, when Daily Sun went round again, it discovered that most workers were still stranded at the bus stops.

The buses increased their fares by between 100 and 150 per cent. For instance, from Masaka in Nasarawa State to Area One, which used to be N150 jumped to N250 while a journey from Area One to Jabi is now N100 as against the former N50.

Also, from Area One to Wuse, which used to be N50 is now N100 whereas from Wuse to Nyanya is now N200 or N250 as the case may be, as against N100.

Within the city centre, a ‘drop’ in taxi from Wuse to Garki, which used to be N400 is now between N600 and N700. A movement from the airport to town costing between N2,000 and N3,000 is now N5,000 or above.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had last week disclosed that about N42.66 billion had been paid to marketers who were verified but insisted that those who were indicted by Mr Aigboje Imokhuede’s panel would not be paid until their case was addressed. She, however, reiterated her willingness to enter into dialogue with marketers who had minor infractions with a view to meet them mid-way.

Presidency deplores attempts to cause conflict over onshore, offshore dichotomy abrogation From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja

T

he Presidency yesterday expressed deep concern on the current attempt by some politicians to heat up the polity by seeking to reopen fresh conflict and controversy over the onshore and offshore abrogation law, which was enacted by the National Assembly in 2004.

It described some of the pronouncements as being ‘disruptive, mischievous and aimed at causing disaffection’.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, the Presidency strongly advised such politicians to desist from playing up sectional and ethnic sentiments, over a matter that was addressed eight years ago to the benefit of all parties concerned.

“At a time when the government is working hard to resolve security challenges in parts of the country, the political elite across board is expected to cooperate with the federal and state governments to promote the cause of peace, stability and national transformation,” he added.

From JULIANA TAIWOOBALONYE, Abuja

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday signed performance agreements with all the ministers, aimed at enhancing performance, transparency and accountability in governance.

This is even as he warned that bickering as well as hiding of information from each other in ministries with more than one minister will no longer be tolerated, adding that such was not only depriving Nigerians of the much needed services but portraying his administration of working at cross purposes.

He has also assured that the exercise was not meant to witch-hunt anybody but about delivering tangible services and infrastructure to Nigerians.

In his remarks at the contract signing ceremony during the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, witnessed by State House correspondents, Jonathan said, the Performance Contract System, which would be reviewed every six months, was developed by the Ministry of National Planning.

“There have been all kinds of speculations about this exercise. It is important to state what it is and what it is not. I want to assure everyone of you who has taken part in the exercise that this is not meant to witch-hunt anybody.

“I have read all kinds of things in the media that president wants to assess the ministers so that he will know who will go and who will stay. That is not the purpose of this exercise. We will have done it probably the first

week when we came on board. The key thing is that we have given ourselves points that we think we will get at. We believe that if we get at those points or if we achieve 70 per cent, it will be better off for our own country.

“It is to remind all of us, from president to directors general, to Advisers and other aides that we are representatives of the Nigerian people, and we are accountable to them at all times. I had stated clearly during the inauguration of the Federal Executive Council that ministers are expected to be accountable, productive, and transparent and focused,” he stated.

President Jonathan said he and the Vice President would also develop performance indicators, noting that, “it gives all of us targets and you can assess yourself whether you are really achieving that target, you will not depend on what the newspapers will want to write because the media today is highly politicized.”

He noted that since the citizenry expected the government to be more proactive and effective in its actions, the performance contract signed by each minister would also help in achieving the government’s mandate to the citizens as well as the Transformation agenda.

Stressing further the importance of the concept, the president said it would assist in delivering quality and timely services to the citizenry, improving productivity and instilling a greater sense of accountability for effective service delivery.

President Jonathan, therefore, charged the ministers to go beyond “the periodic ministerial press briefings, by continuing “to set targets for ourselves”, adding that “the

importance of a monitoring and evaluation system to track performance must now also be clear to all involved. I expect the process to be reproduced throughout the system, with the ministers signing similar agreements with their permanent secretaries and heads of agencies and parastatals.”

The president expressed optimism that the process of performance monitoring would provide the missing link between planning and budgetary allocation to MDAs by providing a basis for performance - based budgeting, that would tie their allocation to their capacity to deliver on the agreed mandate based on clear, concrete and objective results for the citizens of Nigeria.

“I, therefore, charge all MDAs to develop clear, detailed and documented strategic and operational plans to guide their implementation between now and 2015. They should also strengthen their monitoring and evaluation units to support the implementation of the plans and tracking and reporting performance on the agreed indicators”, he charged.

“We have set for ourselves a tough task and there is no going back. Nigerians expect a better deal from government and that is what they shall get, under my watch.

And that is what each and every one of you must see as your primary goal,” the President said.

On the issue of disagreement between the substantive minister and the ministers of state raised by the Minister of National Planning, President Jonathan said he expected all the ministers to know everything about their ministries.

The President spoke further on this, “I expect the

minister and the minister of state should know everything happening in the ministry just like the perm sec will know everything happening in the ministry. Where A minister does not know what B minister is doing and B minister does not know what A minister is doing but the perm sec knows what all of you are doing, then permanent secretary becomes the boss of the two ministers and the perm sec can use your heads to hit yourselves and they will laugh at you.

“I expect that if the main minister travels and I call the minister of state, that minister of state must give me information about that ministry, if the minister of state can’t give me information about that ministry, then something is fundamentally wrong.

“In-as-much-as you have your responsibilities, there is no wall separating, when one person is not there, that other person must cover all the responsibilities, the job is for Nigerians, the job is for government. You are serving Nigerians, you are not serving yourself.”

Prior to each minister signing the agreement with the president, the minister of National Planning, Dr Samsudeen Usman made a detailed presentation on the Performance Contract System, informing that he had session with each Minister to develop performance indicators as it affected their respective ministries.

Stressing the importance of the contract performing form, the Minister of National Planning, Shamsudeen Usman said, “What gets measured gets done. If you cannot see and measure success you cannot reward. If you cannot recognise failure you cannot correct. If you can demonstrate result you can win support.”

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012, 7

NEWS Navy seeks more assistance from US counterpart

By PHILIP NWOSU

T

he Nigerian Navy has commended the effort of the United States Navy in assisting it recapitalise in order to acquire new platforms necessary for the effective policing of the Nigerian waterways.

The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda who spoke during a visit of the crew of the visiting United States ship, the HSV-2 Swift said the association with the US Navy had become very beneficial especially with the installation of the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability Centre (RMAC).

He said the RMAC had assisted the Nigerian Navy greatly, urging the US to do more to enable the force have a total coverage of its territorial waters.

He said, “RMAC will enable us see much and it is laudable we hope we will continue to have more of such. All the equipment we got from US had been of assistance to us in policing of our waters.”

The RMAC system, Daily Sun learnt, enables Nigerian Navy ships on patrol to be vectored to vessels of interest with precision, especially as it is integrated into the Maritime Safety and Security Information System, a global database to track ships all over the world.

He commended the visit by the HSV-Swift, explaining that it was one of those visits scheduled under African Partnership Station (APS) especially to train Nigerian Navy officers and ratings in command and control, martial art and security of ports and Naval Criminal Investigation Services (NCIS).

His words: “This is one of those visits that are scheduled in the African Partnership Station programme which had been in existence between the US Navy and Nigeria.

The programme enables us to exchange training with them and by so doing we exchange information on what we are doing and what they are doing and how to better ensure a secured maritime environment.”

Earlier, the leader of the US team and the Commander of the Task Force 63 of US Navy, Commodore Richard Soucie said the visit was for security cooperation in Africa, adding that the training was necessitated by the realisation that 90 percent of commerce was done at sea.

He told Daily Sun that the team would be having training with Nigerian Navy’s medical team and would be providing medicine and equipment to Nigerians in need under Project Hope.

Apart from Project Hope, Soucie said supplies would be provided to persons and groups in need under Project Handsclaps.

Earlier, the Command Operations Officer, Western Naval Command, Commodore Henry Babalola, said the Nigerian Navy hoped to maximise the training the crew of the HSV-2 would offer.

Subsidy scam: FG names Capital Oil, 3 others for criminal investigation From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja

A

s the fight between the Federal Government and oil marketers gets messier, Federal Government yesterday named four additional oil marketers to the earlier 21 who have been recommended for criminal investigation.

They are Capital Oil Plc, Ceoti Limited, Heyden Petroleum and Master Energy Oil and Gas Limited.

The four names have brought the total firms whose activities are under investigation by the Federal Government to 25.

The other names earlier released include, Alminnur Resources Ltd, Brilla Energy Ltd, Caades Oil And Gas Ltd, Capital Oil And Gas Industry Ltd, Connoil Plc, Downstream Energy Source Ltd, Eterna Plc, Euraafric Oil And Gas Ltd, Lumen Skies Ltd, Majope Investment Ltd, Matrix Energy Ltd, Menon Oil And Gas Ltd, Mob International Services, Mrs Oil And Gas Ltd, Nasaman Oil Services Ltd, Natacel Petroleum Ltd, Ocean Energy, Trading And Services, Pinnacle Contractors Ltd, Sifax Oil And Gas Company, Tonique Oil Services Ltd and Top Oil And Gas Development Co.Ltd. Ministry of Finance said some of the companies claimed payments for consignments brought in by ships, which investigations revealed were either non-existent or were somewhere else in the world.

• Queue for petrol at Central Area of Abuja yesterday. Photo:NAN

Contract scam: Benue govt drags Okupe to EFCC From ROSE Makurdi

EJEMBI, payment for the contract that his company failed to execute for the state government.

Ashaver, who made docuenue State Government has finally dragged ments available to journalists Senior Special Assistant explained that Okupe’s firm on Public Affairs to President was yet to return over N635.7 Goodluck Jonathan, Dr million to the coffers of the Doyin Okupe to the state government on the Economic and Financial shoddy job it did in 2004.

Even though the state Crimes Commission (EFCC) Dr Gabriel over alleged non performance Governor, Suswam last weekend told of contract.

For over one week now, journalists in an interview there has been accusation that his hands were tied as far pointing towards Okupe on as the matter was concerned, the allegation he collected Ashaver had vowed that the mobilization fees running present administration would into over N635 million con- recover the balance of tract from the Benue State N635.7million from the presGovernment without execut- ident’s aide.

Suswam, in a chat with ing the contract. Though the state government initally was reluctant to follow up the matter, it has finally taken the bull by its horns and reported the matter to EFCC. he Action Congress of Commissioner for Works Nigeria (ACN) said yesand Transport, Mr Benjamin terday that no amount of Ashaver, while speaking with alleged cover-up or syndicatnewsmen yesterday disclosed ed newspaper reports would that the state government had stop it from asking Dr. Doyin reported the matter to the Okupe, the senior special EFCC with the aim to recov- assistant to the president to er the balance on advance step down over alleged con-

B

newsmen in Otukpo last weekend had said he would not be able to say anything about the matter since according to him, his predecessor, Senator George Akume did not give him handing over note when he assumed office in 2007.

The turn of event is, however, shrouded in uncertainty as Ashaver explained that the former governor, George Akume awarded the contract to Okupe’s company, Value Trust Investment Limited for the construction of 230 kilometre rural roads on April 21, 2004 at the cost of N2,303,561,032.50 using loamy soil stabilization.

The government at that

time made a 30 percent advance payment of N691,068,309.75 to the contractor to commence work and by July 17, 2006, the total amount paid to the contracting company stood at N886,867,913.18.

Although the project was expected to be completed within 18-months, the dream was never realized as the amount of work performed was later estimated at the sum of N195,799,603.43 before the contractor was alleged to have absconded.

Daily Sun gathered that it was a harculean task before the Akume’s administration could recover part of the money from the contractors.

...ACN insists Okupe must step down

T

tract fraud.

The party accused Okupe of winning a N2.3 billion road contract from the Benue State Government, which he allegedly failed to execute after collecting N886.6 million mobilization fee.

The Economic Financial

Catholic Knights campaign against abortion

I

n furtherance of its pro-life crusade and avowed stance against abortion, the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Nigeria, Maryland Sub-Council, has called for a moral re-awakening that will eschew all vices that tend to encourage anti-life activities.

The Knights warned parents against aiding their children, particularly their daughters to procure abortion, saying abortion, under whatever guise was simply murder and unjustifiable.

The position of the Knights, which encapsulated the stand of the Catholic Church on abortion, was underscored by

the Deputy Grand Knight of the Maryland Sub-Council, Michael Nwaojei at a seminar organized by the group for parishioners of the Catholic Church of Presentation, GRA, Ikeja, with the theme: Life: A Gift from God; Protect It. Espousing further on the group’s pro-life and anti-abortion stance, Nwaojei said: “Since life did not come from us “nobody has the right to take it in any form.”

On the ideal that informed the group’s penchant for organizing periodic pro-life lectures, he said the high moral decadence, especially sexual immorality was preva-

lent in the society and that there was the need to attack the vice at its root by talking to teenagers and sexually active youngsters.

Hear him: “We have been talking to the youths in secondary schools about the evil of abortion and the opportunities they have to abstain from pre-marital sex.”

On the group’s latest efforts that saw it taking its pro-life message to the Church Of Presentation, GRA, Ikeja, Nwaojei disclosed: “Today, we have decided to bring this same message to parents through the Christian Women Organization (CWO).”

Crimes Commission (EFCC), which the ACN ran to for redress on the allegation, said for now, Okupe was not under investigation, therefore giving the president’s aide a clean bill of health.

The Benue State Government said indeed Messrs Value Trust Investments Limited allegedly owned by Okupe was awarded a contract on April 24, 2004 to construct 230 kilometres of rural roads at the cost of N2.3 billion, adding that N886.8 million was paid to mobilize the company to site.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by the ACN’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said, in the face of this overwhelming evidence, the Presidency would only hurt its image if Okupe should stay one more day in his position as the president’s spokesman as more damaging revelations about Dr Okupe’s past would soon be revealed.

8 DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

NEWS 2015 election: OBJ denies supporting Lamido/Amaechi ticket

By SAM OTTI

F

ormer president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has denied recent media reports linking him with the presidential ticket of the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State as running mate.

The reports claimed that the former president had endorsed the two governors to fly the presidential flag on the platform of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 election.

Obasanjo, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Garba Deen Muhammad, described the report as fictitious, saying he was concerned with more pressing national issues. Above all, he said speculations on an election that would hold in three years time were uncalled for, at a time the nation was deeply pressed by national issues.

“Former president Obasanjo wishes to state that these media reports are not true. Far from thinking or planning for the 2015 elections, the former President is deeply concerned with more pressing national issues. These issues are: National security, poverty alleviation strategies, control and prevention of preventable diseases such as malaria, polio, infant and maternal mortality, among others”, he said.

Obasanjo quickly added that Lamido and Amaechi, as Nigerian citizens, had legitimate rights to vie for the post, but noted that the party would solely make the rightful choice of credible candidates for the poll.

Hear him: “However, the former president does recognize the rights and privileges of any Nigerian to vie for any elective office of their choice. This applies as much to Governors Lamido and Amaechi as to any Nigerian citizen. But in the end, it is usually the political party to which aspirants belong that determines who flies it’s flag.”

The former president said he had been actively involved in the search for viable solutions to national problems, along with other national and world leaders. Obasanjo urges all Nigerians to be mindful of the present challenges facing the country and contribute their quota towards finding a lasting solution.

He expressed sorrow for the statements credited to former governor of Oyo State, Mr. Lam Adesina, describing his comments as unedifying. The former governor was reported to have criticized the efforts of the Obasanjo administration in fighting corruption, specifically citing the issue of the contract for the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to support his claims.

Obasanjo said his role as a statesman was never in doubt, noting that no amount of slander or false accusations would smear his respectable status.

Part of the statement reads, “Former President Obasanjo feels it was sad and unfortunate that at his age, Lam Adesina would make statements that can only ridicule him and make nonsense of his elderly status. It is self-evident that no government after former president Obasanjo had fought corruption with the same commitment as his regime.”

NANS, GAC back Jonathan on security

N

ational Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) in conjunction with Goodluck Ambassador Club (GAC) have reiterated their support for the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration in finding a lasting solution to the current security problem facing the country.

In a release issued from the office of the Director-General, Students Affairs, GAC, Abuja, the President, Mohammed Auwal Jibril, commended President Jonathan on the recent appointment of Jude Imagwe as Senior Special Adviser on Students and Youth Matters.

He maintained that the appointment was a demonstration of the president’s goodwill to Nigerian students, not minding tribe or religion. He stressed that the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Goodluck Ambassador Club (GAC), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and PAN-African Youth Movement (PAYM) was ready to give their support to the present government to ensure that Nigeria is totally free from the current security mess that is sweeping across the country.

“We want to use this medium to reiterate our total support for President Goodluck Jonathan-led government, We’re aware of the current security challenges facing our nation.

These things won’t last forever. In no distance time, it will be a thing of the past, As Director-General of students affairs, GAC, and on behalf of NANS, I want to commend our leader for giving GAC, NANS, and NYCN, national recognition and for appointing Mr Jude Imagwe as one of the aides to the President on students and youth matters.

Nigerian students are the leaders of tomorrow, therefore, we are highly committed to contributing our quotas to the building of this nation no matter our religious and tribal inclinations. We must all work to ensure total unity of this nation,” He called on Boko Haram members to lay down their arms and embrace dialoque, adding that no country can do well where there is crisis.

•Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi commissioning medical equipment donated to Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) by Canada-based CASA Foundation for International Development. She is flanked by the Chief Medical Director, ESUTH, Dr. Patrick Adegun (left) and Professor Olusola Fasuba.

Jimoh Ibrahim yet to pay for Newswatch shares – Ray Ekpu, Agbese, others

By OLA AGBAJE

F

our aggrieved shareholders in the Newswatch Communications Limited have declared that business mogul and Chairman of the company, Jimoh Ibrahim, is yet to fully pay for his shares.

Reacting to a statement credited to Ibrahim in the media, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Yakubu Mohammed and Soji Akinrinade on behalf of the 49 percent shareholders, debunked the claim by Ibrahim that he had liquidated all his indebtedness relating to the acquisition of the outfit through his firm, Global Media Mirror Ltd. According to the founding directors, “If Mr. Ibrahim’s company, Global Media Mirror Limited, was supposed to pay N510 million for 51 per cent shares and also pay within three months N500 million in cash or kind.

“The question is, has the company or Mr. Ibrahim (what’s the difference?) met these obligations? Here are the facts: ‘Mr. Ibrahim transferred N510 million on May 9, 2011 from Nicon Investments Limited into an account we opened at Mainstreet Bank (Defunct Afribank) in the name of Newswatch Communication Limited.

“He is the signatory to that account. As you can see, Mr. Ibrahim transferred money from himself to himself. If

this is not abracadabra we wonder what it is,” the statement said.

Picking holes in the methods of the new core investor in the company, the aggrieved shareholders said, “We were paid our terminal benefits from that account.

The seven months salaries that the company owed the staff were paid in two installments from that account.

“Soon after, he transferred N150 million from that account back to Nicon Investments Limited. In other words, he took back N150 million from the N510 million he put in that account. So, has he fully paid for his 51 per cent shares?

“The answer is unequivocal NO. Besides, his company has not invested the N50 million either in cash or kind which was due in August last year.

So, has he performed according to the terms of the agreement? Again, an unequivocal NO.” The statement also faulted, Ibrahim’s claim that the company had not made any significant improvement since the death of one of its founding directors, the late Dele Giwa, who was killed on October 19, 1986.

“To say that Newswatch has not made significant achievement since Dele Giwa’s death is the most asinine piece of nonsense we’ve heard in a long time,” the directors fumed.

They reeled out the quan-

tum leap made by the company since the demise of Dele Giwa 26 years ago.

“Since then, we have published uninterrupted for 26 years. Only Mr. Ibrahim has broken the magazine’s rhythm.

“We have published more than 20 books; we have acquired a choice and real estate with three office buildings erected on it; we have established full prepress facilities; we have established one of the best reference libraries in the country; we have won more than 60 professional awards from respectable national and international award organisations. We have established a strong brand name which Mr. Ibrahim himself admitted when he was interviewed by Newswatch on May 5, 2011.

He said the paper is super integrity and the brand name is very strong.”

Besides, the statement also faulted the claim by the publisher that staff were owed 13 months salaries by the former owner and that the staff wrote off the company’s indebtedness to them saying it had never happened since the existence of the company.

Similarly, the statement faulted the claim by Ibrahim that the company’s liabilities were over N510 million, pointing out that indebtedness was actually N470, 403,079.32 including staff salaries, trade debt and statutory deductions.

According to the statement, the aggrieved shareholders claimed they were tricked on several occasions by the new publisher who has fulfilled most of the agreements they endorsed together.

“In our various discussions with Mr. Ibrahim he said repeatedly: ‘You are my senior brothers, I can never cheat you.’ Was that said to make us drop our guard and to trust him absolutely so that he could achieve his predetermined ambition of trying to take over our company by trickery?

“We are probably naïve old men to have trusted this man absolutely,” they said.

According to the statement, the new publisher had allegedly neglected to pay Messrs George Etoun and Partners that handled the share purchase transaction and payment of tender fee to Bankole Makinde, who introduced him to them, contrary to the agreement entered into by the parties.

Worse still, the aggrieved shareholders alleged that the severance benefits paid to them were contrary to what were agreed upon and even tax deductions made on their benefits were yet to be receipted for after 15 months.

Consequently, the shareholders vowed they would not allow the billionaire businessman to breach the agreement entered into with them.

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012, 9

NEWS

Senators are not president Jonathan’s rubber stamp –Sen Marafa From ATTAHIRU AHMED,Gusau

A

Senator representing Zamfara Central, Senator Kabir Garba Marafa has said that the current members of the Senate are not rubber stamp to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking in an interview at Yandoton daji, his home town, Marafa revealed that the present senate comprised people of integrity, proven character and honesty who were ready to serve their country.

“Wherever we notice that something went wrong, we would draw the attention of the executives for correction, let Nigerians be fair to us, we work for the benefit of people.”

“I want you to understand one thing. The National Assembly is one family. For instance, if the House is discussing an issue, the Senate does not have to join, likewise if the senate is discussing something the House does not have to join in the discussion.”

On 2012 budget implementation, the Senator said: ‘Leaders should be able to summon courage and tell those they are governing about the true positions of things. And where they failed to perform, they should even apologize.

It is not a big deal.

He explained that, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi OkonjoIweala was invited by the Senate to come and defend her assertion but failed to show up but when the Senate threatened to issue a warrant of arrest, she appeared telling us that the performance of the budget was not more than 13 percent.

The senator, therefore, insisted that the above scenario showed that the senators were not a rubber stamp of anybody rather they advised government to sit up and correct certain issues.

Salami: S’West PDP accuses ACN of hypocrisy

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the SouthWest has described the call by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for National Assembly’s intervention in the reinstatement of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) , Justice Isa Ayo Salami as not only preposterous but criminal.

The party’s Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kayode Babade, who reacted to the ACN statement in a release issued yesterday, said the ACN was aware of the pendency of not less than five court cases on Salami’s suspension, including the one instituted by Salami himself. The PDP said ACN was only living up to its hypocritical self by asking the National Assembly to compel the president to over-reach the court.

The party said instead of prevailing on President Jonathan to reinstate Salami, the National Assembly should lend its voice to the call for his prosecution .

“This is one of the reasons we say these ACN people are incurable hypocrites.

“As at today, there are two recommendations of the National Judicial Council (NJC) on Justice Salami. One was for him to be retired and the other that he be reinstated. The one asking Mr. President to retire him was made last year and the suspended PCA could not be retired because of the case he filed, challenging the recommendation. That case is still pending.

“Again, the NJC report stating that Justice Salami lied on oath, thereby committing perjury is still a subject of various court actions, and no sane individual or organisation would take up the defence a man, who lied on oath not to even talk of a whole Court of Appeal President.

“It is therefore our advise that the ACN and its town criers should come out clearly and tell Nigerians what their interest is in the Justice Salami issue? Why is it that they are the ones defending the suspended judge, organising protests and mobilising media support for him?

“Are they not indirectly confirming that Justice Salami actually sold Ekiti and Osun States to the ACN and the party is now paying him back by standing by him during his travails? More so that the travails was occasioned by the ignoble role he played on the two controversial judgments?

“Therefore, it is our call to the National Assembly that it should assist in the cleansing of our judiciary of liars like Justice Salami by making sure that he (Salami) is tried for perjury and sanctioned in accordance with the laws of the land,” PDP said.

•L-R: Malachi Davids, Express Logistics Centre Manager; Funmi Glover, Human Resources and Admin Manager; Femi Olaiya, Head, Customer Service, Anglophone Africa and Yemisi Adeyegbe, Credit Controller for Logistics and Aviation, at the annual Certified International Specialists training of DHL Express staffers tagged: Welcome to My Country 2012, in Lagos recently.

Terrorism: FG orders NAF to take over air border patrol From UBONG UKPONG, instruction were needed to right inability of the agency tions. enhance the commencement saddled with the duties to Speaking on the retreat, the Abuja

T

he Nigerian Air Force (NAF), yesterday, said it had received orders from the Federal Government, to take over the nation’s air borders patrol as additional responsibility. The decision was taken to save the country from its present security challenges arising from terrorists’ activities.

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Mohammed Diko Umar, made the disclosure in Abuja while declaring open a two-day retreat for Air Force commanders and directors across the country.

Umar, who expressed regrets that the internal security problems of the country had reached the level of military involvement, said they were ever prepared to take up any additional duties assigned to them by government to save the situation from deteriorating.

He disclosed that the Air Force had the competence and facilities to handle the assignment, stressing that only additional support and

of their operations.

“We are ready to carry out any tasks the nation wants us to do, all we require now is directives and we will commence operations,” the CAS stated.

Stressing that air border patrol was not part of NAF’s primary responsibilities, Umar said the need to cede the duty to NAF became obvious following the out-

effectively execute it to the nation’s security advantage.

He stated that NAF would maximise the opportunity to tackle the security problems in the country. He said they were still awaiting formal handover of the assets and liabilities of the air border patrol to the NAF by the agencies concerned to enhance its commencement of opera-

Pregnant woman collapses as fire guts home From PAUL Asaba

OSUYI, affected by the fire.

A

pregnant woman, Mrs. Ofasua, yesterday collapsed after her apartment was gutted by an early morning inferno in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The woman was rushed to the hospital where she was revived and presently receiving medical attention.

Five apartments of the residential building located on 291, Nnebisi Road in the Delta State capital were

Although the cause of the fire which started at about 7a.m. was not immediately established, it was gathered that the fire followed electricity sparks following the restoration of power by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Meanwhile, prompt response by men of the Delta State Fire Service prevented the fire from spreading to other apartments.

Although no life was lost in the incident, property

Strike: Oil cabal has infiltrated NUPENG – PDP …Says FG cannot be stampeded From TAIWO AMODU, National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, it called on Abuja

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed dismay over the decision by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to embark on a nationwide strike over the non–payment of subsidy claims to oil marketers.

It accused the union of sabotaging the efforts of the Federal Government to ensure transparency and accountability in the petroleum industry.

In a statement by the party’s

CAS said the assignment became imperative following the needs to review their operations to effectively tackle insecurity in the country.

He stressed on the needs for commanding officers and directors to live up to their responsibilities as the present security challenges in the country left no rooms for errors.

Nigerians to rally round the FG, as against a tiny cabal “of oil marketers and their political collaborators which it alleged was instigating NUPENG.” The statement reads: “The decision by NUPENG to embark on a nationwide strike over the decision by the Federal Government to stick to unimpeded transparency in the payment of subsidy claims is unpatriotic and barefaced insensitivity to the outcry of Nigerians over the rot in the oil industry as well as a clear inclination to use the pivotal posi-

tion of the union to promote actions that are inimical to our economy.”

The party further said that no sensible government would allow a policy in a vital economic sector to be dictated by those who did not have the interest of the nation at heart.

“The PDP led Federal Government will never relent in fighting for the interest of the people. Nigerians are greater than her oil marketers and the bargain of NUPENG must not be allowed to appropriate the interests of the generality of the people who bear the brunt of shady transactions in the petroleum subsidy management.”

including electronics, mattresses, foodstuff, furniture, kitchen utensils, books, household items were lost in the inferno.

Ofasua’s husband, Emmanuel told Daily Sun that his pregnant wife was rushed to the hospital as a result of the shock. Mr. Ofasua, a police officer expressed gratitude to God as he was able to salvage his certificate from the fire.

He said he had gone to the market to get breakfast items for his wife when he received the distressed call that his apartment was on fire. He added that when he got there, he quickly removed his certificate.

“Even though some property were destroyed, I thank God that my certificate was not among items consumed.

The certificate is very important to me. My wife is receiving medical attention in the hospital as a result of the shock of the fire incident,” he stated.

Landlord of the resident building was said to have gone to see his lawyers as at the time Daily Sun visited.

But residents in the area appealed to relevant authorities to assist the affected families in getting back their lost items.

10 DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

SOUTH SOUTH Amnesty office disowns protesting militants

T

he Niger Delta Amnesty Programme office has said it has no links with some youths who claimed to be Niger Delta agitators that staged a protest in Abuja yesterday.

A statement by the Head of Communications and Public Affairs of the office, Mr. Daniel Alabrah said the claims of the group that they belonged to the third tier of the amnesty programme of the Federal Government were false.

“A group of youths claiming to be from the Niger Delta were said to have staged a protest in Abuja and demanded to be included in the Federal Government amnesty programme for former Niger Delta agitators.

“The amnesty office understands that this is part of an ongoing agitation for inclusion in a purported Third Phase of the amnesty programme, which has now been hijacked by impostors claiming to be former agitators in the Niger Delta.

“For the avoidance of doubt, only 26, 358 amnesty beneficiaries have been demobilized and documented in Phases One and Two of the amnesty programme.”

The office described those in the protest that had earlier held in Benin City, Warri and later Abuja as mere impostors and challenged those claiming to be Third Phase beneficiaries to come forward to state their camps or who their leaders were.

“It is important to reiterate that the Amnesty Office does not yet run a Third Phase of the amnesty programme, as neither the office nor its Chairman/Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku, has received such directive from the president, who has the sole authority.”

Group calls on youth for revival of Nigeria

By HENRY UTSALO

T

he Amalgamated Niger Delta Youths For Peace Initiative (ANDYFPI) has called on youths in the region to be peaceful -and shun acts of violence.

National President of ANDYFPI, Mr. Henry disclosed this in an interaction with journalists in Lagos. According to him, youths were the leaders of tomorrow who would take over the mantle of leadership in future.

He said Nigeria could not bring persons from other countries to lead them anymore as that was for the days past. “I say this with humility as Nigeria will not go to another country to import people that will make us a proud nation. The job is for you and I, and the time to start is now.”

He said the reason for the ANDYFPI was to make a good Nigeria as not only the youths in Nigeria were called upon but those in the western world to make a better Nigeria. This, he said, was the vision of the ANDYFPI as the organisation pooled all like minds from different youth organisations in the country for a common goal to make a peaceful co-existence so that the economy of Nigeria would boom like other countries.

He stated that the ANDYFPI event was dedicated to finding innovative means of increasing the inclusiveness of Nigerian youths in the current socio-economic revival of the country and also to strengthen the capacity to contribute to sustainable development at the local and international level, as they were aiming at redefining the role of the youths in the country in a systematic return to a better polity.

Accolades as book on Amaechi, state website are unveiled

R

ivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has commended his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor for the wonderful work he’s doing as his spokesman. He lauded him particularly his efforts at setting up the first ever website for the Governor and for compiling into a book, press clips of the State Governor’s activities, projects and initiatives.

Amaechi spoke at the unveiling of the website and the Volume One of the book “Governor Amaechi’s Giant Strides In Rivers State And Beyond, The Press Testify”, which held at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House, Port Harcourt, Tuesday.

Represented by the senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District and chairman of the petroleum downstream committee in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, at the occasion Abe said: “His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi is actually very pleased with the work of the office of the Chief Press Secretary and the several innovations that the office has brought on in trying to manage the image of the governor and the image of the activities of the governor in this e-age that we are in now”.

“I want to use this opportunity to publicly commend Mr. David Iyofor for the work that he has been able to do. So what you (Iyofor) have done again is another important process in that difficult assignment of trying to let the world see the governor as he really is, see the impact of what his work and his contributions have actually brought in the lives of ordinary people.”

• Representative of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Magnus Abe (4th from left); Chief Press Secretary to Governor Amaechi, David Iyofor (3rd from left); Rivers State NUJ Chairman, Opaka Dokubo (1st from left) and some members of the Rivers State Executive Council holding the new book-Governor Amaechi’s Giant Stride in Rivers State, the Press Testify, edited by David Iyofor at the unveiling of the book and the first ever website for the Governor of Rivers State in Port Harcourt, Tuesday

Southern Cameroon hails Bakassi’s move for self-determination From JUDEX Calabar

OKORO, Cameroon in determining where they ought to belong.

Ntangnir, a Buea-based group, under the aegis activist, said: “I support you of Southern till the end. The declaration of A n g l o p h o n e independence by Bakassi “is Cameroon, has hailed the a lesson to the entire region of former British moves by Bakassi people for the self-determination, saying it Cameroon.”

“Our Bakassi brothers was a step towards total liberhave seen what we have ation of the area.

Barely two weeks ago, failed to gain from La Bakassi Self-Determination Republiqe du Cameroon in Front, BSDF, led by Commander-General, Ekpe Ekpenyong Oku purportedly declared a separate state of Bakassi, which culminated in the hoisting of its flag and setting up of Bakassi Community radio station at From CHRIS ANUCHA, Port Harcourt Dayspring Island.

The Bakassi Radio, a.k.a even mobile policemen Dayspring Radio, is said to have been arrested in Port have started transmission on Harcourt, Rivers State, Monday, August 6, 2012 at 12 noon and operating on for illegal/private escort and improper dressing.

4.2MHz and 5.2MHz band.

One of the arrested mobile The spokesman of the group, Dr. Fru Ntangnir, in an policemen, Bulus Gambo, e-mail sent to Daily Sun, Daily Sun gathered, was said hailed the boldness of the to be escorting one of the state militant group in daring commissioners before his

A

50 years. We are not Nigerians, we are not Cameroonians. All former British Cameroonians should rally behind Bakassi for independence.

“The nation of Bakassi extends to all the boundaries of La Republique du Cameroon and The Federal Republic of Nigeria at independence in 1960. Bakassi is not limited to the peninsula. It

is the entire territory of former British Cameroon.

“The United Nations Organization refused to give us independence in 1961 and instead annexed us to Cameroon in a fake referendum. Now is the time for us.

We must seize our independence or be slaves either of Nigeria or Cameroon forever, Dr Ntangnir reiterated,” he said.

IGPs’ monitoring team arrests 7 mobile policemen in Port Harcourt

S

arrest.

The arrest of policemen was part of the crackdown on mobile policemen involved in acts capable of bringing the name of the Nigeria police into disrepute. Another reason was that mobile policemen were primarily to handle crisis situations, like riot and not to be used as escorts.

The unlucky mobile policemen fell into the trap of the monitoring team, which just

Benin jailbreak: Prison authorities commence investigation From Benin

OSAUZO, Jimoh Ewulo confirmed the escape of eight inmates, Balogun said no prisoner fficials of the Nigeria escaped during the jailbreak Prisons Services incident.

During a brief interaction (NPS) have commenced in-house investiga- with journalists yesterday in tions into the jailbreak, which Benin, Assistant Comptrolleroccurred at the Oko Medium General (ACG), Nuhu Zuru, who is the director in charge Prison, Benin last Sunday.

Eight inmates of the prison of operations, explained that reportedly escaped while four he was in the state to ascertain what happened at the prison. others were re-arrested.

“Until I am done with the There have been conflicting accounts on the incident tour of facilities, I may not be by the prison’s management able to speak to you. The and the state Commissioner minister was here, the CG of Police, Mr. Olayinka was here and I am here to make on-the-spot assessment Balogun.

While the Edo State of the situation and to make Comptroller of Prisons, Mr. further investigation to unrav-

O

TONY

el what actually happened.

“We are still on the investigations and as a matter of fact, I had to cut short my meetings because you are here and the respect I have for the press. One has to be empirically sure before you make a categorical statement on any issue,” Zuru said.

The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, visited the prison on Tuesday to access the situation, just as the ComptrollerGeneral of Prisons, Zakari Ibrahim, also visited.

The minister who had a closed door meeting with officials of the Prison Service had blamed them for not being proactive.

drove into the Garden City from Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, where they also arrested about eight mobile policemen over alleged illegal escort, indecent dressing, among others. Some of the arrested mobile policemen were wearing uniforms that looked like prison officials.

Bulus Gambo, with force number 240450 on his uniform, Daily Sun exclusively gathered, was handed over to Mile One Police Station. His service pistol was also recovered from him and also handed over to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Mile One Police Station, Diobu, Mr. Anthony Adeyi.

Another mobile policeman attached to MOPOL 19 was also arrested by the monitoring team. He was arrested on the Imo Bridge where he was said to be performing illegal duty. Meanwhile, there is apprehension among the mobile policemen in Rivers State over the presence of the team. The monitoring team is led by the Commander, Police Mobil Force (PMF), Ethics and Monitoring, Anietie Eyoh, a superintendent of police (SP), attached to the commissioner in charge of Mobile Police Force office, Abuja.

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012, 11

SOUTH EAST We’re not kidnappers, Nri community tells Obi From GEOFFREY ANYANWU, Awka

N

ri community in Anaocha Local Government of Anambra State where two buildings linked with kidnap racket were sealed off last week by the state Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday absolved itself from kidnapping activities.

The community said as the custodian of Igbo traditional values it knew the obvious consequence of indulging in any vicious circle of business, which the gods of the land abhorred and which penalty for any culprit was disgraceful death.

Reacting to the event of last week, the youths of the community under the aegis of Nri Youth Assembly (NYA), who were piqued by the image the sealing off of the two buildings had given the community as one that haboured kidnappers, said Nri was not a safe haven for kidnappers.

But following the development, NYA said it was planning a youth conference in December to address some issues, particularly kidnapping and youth restiveness.

At a press briefing yesterday jointly addressed by Okeke Ebuka and Nwokoye Emeka, NYA chairman and secretary respectively, the youths applauded Governor Obi for the bold step taken in sealing some buildings used by kidnappers, particularly the one in their town.

They, however, urged the governor to “do the same in other towns to eliminate and reduce the kidnapping menace to the barest minimum in the state.”

The youths expressed surprise that the sealing off of the buildings was done last week when, according to them, the same government arrested some kidnappers in them last year November, saying, “we have expected that the governor would have sealed off the houses then.”

ESUT VC: Kinsmen recount woes, cry to Sullivan

By SAM OTTI

T

he kinsmen of the abducted Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Cyprian Onyeji, have cried out to the Enugu State Government and other security agencies to speed up the process for his release.

Onyeji was kidnapped in front of ESUT gate at Agbani main campus of the university on Wednesday, August 15, at 11:30am by gunmen. He had been in captivity since then, as his abductors stuck to their demand of N200 million ransom for his release.

Reacting to the incident, his kinsmen in Lagos, united under the umbrella of League of Friends, a cross-section of elite groups from Aku Community, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, described the incident as embarrassing and appealed to the Enugu State governor to hasten up security efforts to rescue the embattled vice chancellor from the kidnappers’ den.

In a statement signed by the President, Declan Ifeanyi Ugah and the Secretary, Matthew Obinna Ezike, the group frowned at the porous security network around the vicechancellor, which they claimed was unbecoming of a high profiled public official.

“It is important to note that great men and rare gems of the status of Prof. Onyeji deserve to be accorded air-tight and impregnable security in our present day society where robbers, kidnappers, cult men and Boko Haram have gone bestial and barbaric,” the group said.

S’Africa, Senegal, others to feature in Enugu cultural, tourism fiesta From PETRUS OBI, Enugu

T

raditional wrestlers from South Africa, Kenya, Senegal are among those expected at the 2012 edition of the Enugu State cultural and tourism fiesta scheduled for December 13 to 22.

The state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ozo Joe Mmamel, told newsmen that the state was already discussing with some countries on the continent to participate in the event.

Among the events expected to feature in the fiesta include symposium, city walk and Christmas carol, cultural day and food display, children and teens’ day, sand beach party and traditional wrestling, among others.

He stated that Enugu State had extended the event from seven days to 10 days to enable all and sundry participate in the laudable venture.

Mmamel recalled that the maiden edition of the festival, which held last December, featured various cultural events including masquerade festival, cultural display, cultural beauty, among others.

He noted further that some illustrious sons and daughters of the state, including Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Madueke, wife of Akwa Ibom State governor, Mrs. Ekaette Uloma Akpabio would be honoured during the occasion.

• A masquerade group from Izombe in Oguta Constituency of Imo State, dancing in front of the state House Assembly in Owerri during the botched swearing-in ceremony of Chief Eugene Dibiagwu, member-elect for Oguta yesterday.

3 unexploded bombs found in Enugu From PETRUS OBI, Enugu

T

hree unexploded bombs believed to be remnants of explosives used during the three-year of Nigerian civil war have been discovered at a construction site in Enugu by labourers digging a foundation.

The Field Administrator of the Nigerian Mine Action Centre, a department of the Federal Ministry of Defence, Dr. Emeka Uhegbu, told newsmen shortly after removing the three unexploded bombs at the site, which is close to the 9th Mile area of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, that if the unexploded bombs were not found and detonated, they could kill innocent people.

He noted that over 50, 000 unexpended explosives were presently scattered across 12 states of the South-East, South-South and NorthCentral, warning that residents of the affected areas

must be careful of such objects.

The affected areas include all the states of the South-East and South-South zones and Benue and Nassarawa in North-Central zone of the country.

He disclosed that following the discovery by the labourers, the anti-bomb unit of the Enugu State Police Command was alerted, who in turn informed the ministry leading to the removal of the bombs by their officials.

He noted that if the labourers had made mistake of hit-

ting a hard object on the explosives, it had the capacity of killing thousands of people around the area, which was less than a kilometre to the country home of Governor Sullivan Chime.

“We have our zonal office in Owerri with the responsibility of removing the explosive remnants of the civil war in 12 states; we have continued to remove some of these unexploded explosives since 2009. Not long ago, we equally removed bombs in Enugu and detonated them at the Ugwu-Onyeama area in

Imo LG crisis: Court orders stay of action From GODWIN Abuja

TSA, review of the action.

Justice Gladys Olotu had in granting the leave stated Federal High Court that it would operate as a stay yesterday in Abuja of all actions and proceedings granted the 27 local in the dispute between the government areas chairmen Council chairmen and the in Imo State sacked by state government pending the Governor Rochas Okorocha determination and hearing of leave to apply for a judicial the suit.

A

Avert impending crisis in Ekwulobia, community urges Anambra govt From GEOFFREY ANYAN- a matter of urgency, wade into the matter to forestall an WU, Awka impending crisis as they had muchi community in taken enough maltreatment Ekwulobia, Aguata from the town union.

Speaking to newsmen Local Government Area of Anambra State, has shortly after their general called on the state govern- meeting at Obi Umuchi, the ment to investigate how ancestral headquarters of developmental funds given to Umuchi people, Chairman of Ekwulobia town by govern- Umuchi Development Union, Nze Anselem Ezenwankwo, ment were utilised.

The community, which alleged that Ekwulobia had also petitioned the Aguata over the years denied Umuchi Local Government Area on of its rights, entitlements and the same matter, lamented the dividends of democracy what it called apparent mar- from the local and state govginalisation by the Ekwulobia ernments.

He said: “We know how Town Union, called on the two tiers of government to, as much Ekwulobia and the

U

the presence of Governor Chime represented by his deputy, the then minister of Defence, Shettimah, the police, soldiers and other security operatives.

“Today, we removed three from a construction site close to 9th Mile in Udi. We are not supposed to move about with it but we decided to come hear to show it to newsmen and use the opportunity to ask our people to be vigilant because these objects are scattered across the states,” Uhegbu said.

Aguata Local Government Area make from our land and yet the community is not given any kobo. Even the funds sent by the state government for security and other development projects, none comes to Umuchi Community. Is it not a case of marginalisation?”

The chairman urged Ekwulobia leaders to do the right thing by giving Umuchi its share and warned that a stitch in time saved nine, just as he warned that they should not wait until Umuchi community petitioned relevant authorities or to take their collective destinies in their hands.

The application was moved by counsel to the plaintiff/applicant, Mr. C. 0.

C. Akaolisa.

After granting the chairmen reliefs in favour of the plaintiff/applicant, the trail judge, Justice Olotu adjourned the case to September 11, 2012 for hearing of the substantive application for a judicial review.

It was learnt that in a separate matter before a High Court in Owerri, Imo State, the state government had argued that the council bosses were inaugurated on August 9, 2010 on a two-year tenure and were supposed to vacate office on August 8, 2012.

Similarly, at the Owerri High Court where the 27 local government areas bosses sued Imo government for sacking them against the relevant laws, lead counsel to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Niyi Akintola (SAN) said Rochas acted legally.

But the chairmen of the 27 local governments differed with the argument, saying that they were elected on a three-year tenure that would elapse in 2013.

12 DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

SOUTH WEST

Ilesa traditional crisis: Osun govt takes over case From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Osogbo

O

sun State Government has taken over the prosecution of Chief Matthew Oyekanmi Ogedengbe (62), the

second in command to the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, who is currently standing trial on a three-count charge of stealing, breach of peace and unlawful destruction of property before a Magistrate Court sitting in Ilesa.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, a senior state counsel, Mr. Ayoola Babalola, told the court that the state Ministry of Justice would henceforth takeover the prosecution and directed the police prosecutor, Corporal Jimoh Mufutau to handover the necessary documents to the ministry. Babalola told the court that he had the approval of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wale Afolabi, to immediately takeover the prosecution of the case from the police. The police prosecutor, though told the court that he had no objection to the taking over of the prosecution by the Ministry of Justice, demanded that the takeover exercise should be properly done.

“We are not opposed to the taking over of the prosecution by the Ministry of Justice, but I want to compel this court to order the ministry to produce a written document in respect of it. You know I am representing the state Commissioner of Police and it would not be proper for me to go back to tell her that the prosecution have been taken over without any document to back it up,” he added.

Magistrate Adebayo Lasisi, at this point told Corporal Mufutau that the court did not have to compel the Ministry of Justice for a written document in that regard, saying that once the matter had been mentioned in court and it was recorded, it automatically became a document.

Lasisi noted that the attorney general could takeover any case at any time, whether by oral or written application, adding that he did not have the power to compel the attorney general for a written document.

He, however, directed the police prosecutor to liaise with the official of the state counsel, who was present in the court if he needed any assistance.

Lasisi adjourned the case till September 5 for further hearing.

Oyo LG begins Okada identification scheme From YINKA FABOWALE, Ibadan

T

o check crimes and enforce their ban on major highways in the state, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Oluyole Local Government area of Oyo State , Ayodeji Abass Aleshinloye has commenced identification of commercial motorcycle operators (Okadas) in the council area.

The measure, Aleshinloye said at the flag-off of the weeklong activities to mark his first year in office yesterday, was to prevent the preponderance of negative use of motorcycles for crimes such as robberies, kidnappings and road safety offences among others.

The occasion was used by the chairman to distribute crash helmets and reflective jackets with corresponding identification numbers to the commercial bikers, during which he also gave account of his stewardship to the people of the council at a Meet-the-People Forum.

Specifically, Aleshinloye said the move was part of the council’s strategies for ensuring security of lives and property in the local government area, saying, “a specially designed emblem with corresponding identification numbers would also be pasted on the motorcycles.

He warned that: “Hence, it has now become an offence to be operating commercial motorcycle business in the local government area without putting on these security identification kits”.

Furthermore, he explained that the council had designed a log book in which names, addresses and other information about the motorcycle owners/riders would be registered while their numbers in the log book would in turn be registered with all the security and regulatory agencies in the council.

With this in place, Aleshinloye said, “our society would be better secured with a significant reduction in the use of commercial motorcycles for nefarious activities as currently being experienced”.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (left) addressing students of University of Ibadan who were in his office to identify with his administration on the various develoment projects it has been embarking upon, yesterday in Ibadan. Photo: OYO STATE GOVERMENT HOUSE

Ajimobi woos AP for 2nd term …Visits Ladoja in London

By RAZAQ BAMIDELE

A

lthough 2015 is three years from now, Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi is taking no chances as he has started making moves towards actualising his second term in office.

One of the strategies being deployed by the governor, Daily Sun can authoritatively reveal include courting the Accord Party (AP), under the leadership of one of his predecessors in office, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

Daily Sun has it on good authority that Ajimobi had visited Ladoja in his London home, at least, four times within the last two months, with the third one being during the justconcluded Olympic Games in London. The last visit, planned to be a surprise did not hold as Ladoja was said to have travelled out of London before the arrival of the visitor.

Daily Sun gathered authoritatively that the first meeting was at the instance of the

Commissioner for Special Duties in Ajimobi’s cabinet, Nureni Adisa, who was also the former National Secretary of the AP. A source close to the meeting also confided in Daily Sun that “Ajimobi tendered two proposals before his guest for consideration,” disclosing that “the two proposals are for Ladoja to fuse the Accord Party into the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), or in case of any eventuality in the ACN, he (Ajimobi), should be allowed to contest on the platform of

the AP.” The second meeting, according to investigation had in attendance, a member of the House of Representatives and the Leader of the AP caucus in the National Assembly, Busari Olayemi, Ladoja’s Campaign Director, Adeolu Adeleke, lawyer wife of Ladoja and an ex-Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The third visit, which a close confidant of Ajimobi, who did not want his name in print said was after the Nigerian Investment Forum in London organized by the Bank of Industry was said to be on

Mimiko’s govt has transformed Ondo State - Oritsejafor

N

ational President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor declared yesterday that the three and half year administration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko

has brought positive changes to the state capital, Akure and the entire Ondo State.

He also described as unique, Mimiko’s humility and accessibility to his people.

The CAN President made the remarks during a tour of

Arms importation: Ondo Govt demands probe of ACN allegation

T

he Labour Party (LP)controlled government in Ondo State has called for the probe of an allegation made by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that weapons were being imported into the state to cause mayhem in the build-up to the October 20 governorship election in the state.

The opposition party had alleged that more than 100 AK 47 rifles, shotguns among other dangerous weapons had been imported into the state.

Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode

the same two proposals.

Feelers from the meetings, however, showed that the proposals were yet to scale through as Ladoja appeared not to be disposed to the proposals. He was said to have told Ajimobi’s lobbyists to table their proposals before the Oyo State Congress of the AP before seeking for his position.

Daily Sun learnt that the governor wanted to break the jinx of the mantra, “Oyo does not serve a leader twice,” and decided to prepare well ahead of time so as not to be caught napping at the end of the day.

Akinmade, during a chat with newsmen in Akure yesterday said going by the dictum that says whoever alleges must prove, the security agencies in the state must probe the allegation made by the ACN. Expressing the need for security agencies to step into the issue of the alleged arms importation, Akinmade noted that political parties in the past had been known to engage in acts inimical to the conduct of peaceful election, only to turn round and blame others.

The commissioner said that since the beginning of

the incumbent government, Ondo State had been peaceful, until the advent of the ACN in recent months.

ACN, he said, brought thuggery and intimidation into the state as a result of its desperation to win the forthcoming election and add the state to its arsenal of conquered territories.

Condemning the opposition for its provocative language since the beginning of the electioneering campaign, Akinmade said Governor Olusegun Mimiko was an embodiment of peace as being attested to by the people of the state.

projects so far executed by the Mimiko led-administration in company with other members of the CAN executive.

The CAN executive members are in Ondo State for the National Executive Council Conference of the association taking place in Akure, the state capital.

Oritsejafor said Ondo State had changed from what it was in the past, saying the positive changes are being noticed as soon as one enters Akure.

“There are differences in Ondo State from what it used to be in the past. We saw the difference as we entered Ondo State. People outside Ondo State hear what you are doing.

All executive members approved Ondo State as host of this conference in our last meeting in Akwa Ibom of all the states in South-West.”

Oritsejafor, who doubles as the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) said he and others were happy for Governor Mimiko and prayed that God should give him grace to do more for the people of the state.

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012, 13

AREWA Gov Nyako’s wife tasks Nigerians on maltreatment of women, child trafficking

T

he wife of Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, Justice Binta Nyako, has enjoined Nigerians to condemn all acts that are targeted at dehumanising women and children.

Justice Nyako, who made the charge in Yola at the flagoff of her pet project, Adilaku Legal Clinic, aimed at fighting against maltreatment of women and child trafficking within and outside Nigeria and also to bring the culprits to book through legal process.

The occasion, which attracted the presence of the royal fathers, chairmen and members of the Adamawa State executive council, chairmen and members of boards and parastatals, women organisations, was presided over by the Chief of Staff to Governor Nyako, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abba Jimeta.

The guest lecturer on the occasion and the Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Alhaji Mohammadu Babandede, said child trafficking was both a national and international phenomenon, which was condemnable in view of the dehumanising nature meted on victims by the perpetrators of the ignoble acts.

Babandede disclosed to the stakeholders that child trafficking was done by deceit, force, against the consent of children below the accountability age whose aftermaths were pathetic because they were being dehumanised.

Kogi partners CIPMN on capacity building From EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, Lokoja

K

ogi State Government is to partner with the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN) to enhance the capacity of its workforce for effective and efficient service delivery.

Dr. Moses Atakpa, Kogi head of service (HoS) disclosed this yesterday when executive members of the state chapter of the institute paid him a courtesy visit to intimate him on the activities of the institute.

Atakpa underscored the global need for capacity building saying, “people need to be capacitated; people need to be built up in their intellectual talents to ensure effective service delivery.”

He said the society was dynamic and changing fast, adding that in trying to understand the complexities of modern times, the productive efforts was needed to be developed and built to meet the challenges.

“The intellectual ability of the people should be improved so that they can appreciate the contemporary values in our society,” he said, adding that the institute was “focal in the affairs of humanity. Personnel is the most dynamic element of production. It changes and because of the complexity of the element, it needs to be coordinated and harnessed in a very delicate and concerted effort.

“We will develop a synergy with you and collaborate with you to develop the management forum in Kogi State,” he assured and promised the state government’s participation in the next annual congress of the institute.

Credible leadership, recipe for peace, unity –Mamman Nasir From ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina

T

raditional ruler and former president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mamman Nasir, has emphasised that peace and cordial relationship among all in Nigeria could only be attained through credible leadership.

The Galadiman Katsina and district head of Malumfashi in Katsina State made the assertion at the annual dinner organised by the Chief Judge of Katsina, Justice Abdullahi Saddiq Mahuta, to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr.

Nasir, in his remarks at the dinner, called on those in leadership positions to be fair and just to the people they govern.

The retired jurist commended Mahuta for his untiring effort at sustaining cordial relationship and brotherhood among the Galadimawa family and others in the state, while stressing the need for continued prayers for peace in the state and the country.

Also speaking, former secretary to the state government, Bello Musa Dankano, observed that the nearly two-decadeold event had been playing a significant role in promoting harmonious relationship in the state.

Dankano, a stalwart of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, who advised the chief judge to sustain the yearly event, advised other public-spirited individuals and well-meaning groups to emulate the laudable gesture.

• Binta Haruna rescuing her goat from flood that affected their house at Hayin Gada in Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa yesterday.

Man’s kidney removal: Police arraign 2 suspects From PAUL Bauchi

ORUDE, illegal

T

wo suspects were yesterday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Bauchi State for allegedly removing the two kidneys of 25-year-old Abubakar Buba.

Mijinyawa Abdulkadir Abdullahi and Yusuf Mohammed Zangina appeared before Chief Magistrate Court number eight presided over by Chief Magistrate Isah Mohammed.

Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Amos Ukpe, told the court that the suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy, attempt to commit culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt contrary to Section 132 of the Penal Code.

Ukpe said: “One Buba Ahmadu reported to police that his son, Abubakar from Bununu in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area felt sick and was taken for treatment.

One Mijinyawa Abdulkadir, who is a nurse by profession in Aminchi Clinic, a private hospital in Bauchi introduced himself as a doctor of the said hospital, went and diagnosed Abubakar and recommended him for scanning at Almanzoor scanning centre. Together with Yusuf Zangina they conducted an

surgery on his Appendix which led to the removal of two kidneys of Abubakar who is now critically ill at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.”

When the case was mentioned, counsel to the accused, Garba Hassan, applied for bail saying that the accused was granted administrative bail by the police and he reported himself to the police.

He also cited the accused age, saying that he was cur-

rently undergoing medication. Hassan then tendered before the court evidence of his client’s medical prescription and referred the court to Section 341 of the CPC and Section 36 of the constitution.

But the police prosecutor objected to the bail application on the ground that the victim, Abubakar, was still in hospital undergoing treatment.

In his judgment, presiding Chief Magistrate Isa Mohammed granted the accused bail on the ground of

NDLEA arrests 3 drug suspects in Azare, seizes drugs worth N7.4m From PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi

T

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bauchi State Command, has arrested three drug suspects and seized 498 kg of cannabis sativa worth N7.4 million.

The state Commander of the NDLEA, Paraha Julius Bawa, who disclosed this to newsmen in his office yesterday, said the suspects were arrested in Azare while concealing the substance inside a truck with registration num-

ber XP 67 MUS. Parah said the owner of the truck who also doubled as the driver was one Olisemaka, a native of Delta State residing in Akure, Ondo State.

The NDLEA commander said: “What makes this arrest spectacular is the fact that it is the largest seizure by this command since I assumed office here as the state commander and indeed the largest singular seizure ever made in the history of this command.”

He said the arrest came at a time when all hands were supposed to be on deck towards curbing the fragile

Zamfara govt recruits 500 Holy Quran memorisers for prayers From ATTAHIRU AHMED, Memorisation Board, Mallam dropped, compared to last Hadi Suleiman, disclosed that year’s Ramadan where 1, 000 Gusau

N

o fewer than 500 memorisers of the Holy Quran have been recruited by Zamfara State Government who led prayers during the just concluded Ramadan fasting across the state.

Speaking in an interview in Gusau, the Executive Secretary, Qur-anic

his illness.

Mohammed said the accused must deposit N2 million with two sureties each in like sum, adding that one of the surety most be a resident within the court jurisdiction, who must owned and deposit the Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property worth N10 million within the court jurisdiction at the registry of the court, verifiable by the court registry.

The case was adjourned to September 13 for further mention.

the state government, under his tenure, screened and interviewed some Islamic scholars who memorised the Holy Quran to lead congregational prayers during the month of Ramadan and prayed for peace, stability of the state and country.

According to him, the number of memorisers had

scholars were recruited and taken care of for the prayers across mosques in the 14 local government areas of the state.

Hadi attributed the reduction of memorisers’ numbers to the fact that his office wanted to regularise the data to avoid inadequate record of what was needed, problems encountered and what was spent.

security situation in the country, adding that involvement of people in drug stood condemnable considering the fact that drug intake fueled crime.

Parah disclosed that last month one Benjamin Swande was arrested with 13kg of cannabis sativa and implicated a notorious drug baron called Dogon Samuel, who in an attempt to get off the hook, attempted to bribe officials of the NDLEA with N500,000.

He said: “Dogo was arrested and the amount offered seized while the suspects, their vehicles, the bribe money and the exhibits are in our custody for prosecution.”

The NDLEA commander called on religious bodies, community leaders, sister security agencies and indeed the general public to identify with the agency in its drug war to pave way for a drugfree, crime-free and healthy society.

He said: “I also want to call on the good people of this state to collaborate with us by exposing drug peddlers. All information shared with us will always be treated with utmost confidentiality.

14,

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

Foreign Affairs Odd World

Special Report

Burning question: Do germs spread on airport security

W

e live in a germy world, says W i l l i a m Schaffner, infectious-disease specialist and chairman of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tenn.

"If we went down to Times Square and began culturing people's noses, something like 10% to 20% of them carry the antibiotic-resistant staph infection MRSA," he adds.

For the most part, however, those bacteria are harmless since we all have immunities against them.

Simple hygiene, showering, washing hands "will keep the bad guys at bay," he says. Same goes for the barefoot march through airport security. The risk of catching athlete's foot or another fungus from fellow travelers is very low.

"It's in prolonged dampness that a toe fungus can get a foothold, so to speak," says Dr. Schaffner. "So unless you're in the middle of a monsoon and the airport has flooded, you're not going to be sloshing through a sea of water and spreading foot germs." Even in the humid month of August, when sweaty feet traipse through airport security, the area is essentially a dry environment.

ThinkstockStill worried?

Wear socks, "not sandals or flip-flops that oblige you to go barefoot through security," he says. Should your fashion sense not permit socks, then wipe your feet with disinfecting cloths after security "although I travel quite a bit and have never seen anyone

do that," he says.

Those dirty bins where you might set your mobile phone in the same spot a road warrior just put his smelly shoes may carry some of the typical bacteria circulating around us, but again, the risk of infection is likely to be very low. "There is nothing in the medical literature about catching hand, foot and mouth disease or anything else from airport security," Dr. Schaffner says.

If you're one of those people who considers wearing a face mask on longhaul flights, he adds, bring a pack of disinfecting wipes or sanitizing gel and slather some over your phone before putting it to your face. Just don't overdo it.

Covering yourself in hand sanitizer and wiping down everything that comes into contact with other humans is not only impractical, it may work against you, says Dr. Schaffner. "There is a growing body of research that says that all of us benefit from exposure to the germy world," he says.

It increases our immune system and makes us more resistant to harmful germs when they do get into the wrong place. "Growing up, there was a saying that 'you've got to eat a peck of dirt.' To me that still holds true. A little germ exposure can be good for you."

So, wear socks and carry hand sanitizer, says Dr. Schaffner, "just don't obsess."

Courtesy:Wall Journal

Street

South Africa plans birth control for elephants A

South African province home to thousands of elephants is planning a birth control campaign for the pachyderms to prevent a population explosion that could threaten plants and wildlife.

Unlike other parts of Africa where elephant stocks have dwindled to dangerously low levels due to poaching and a loss of habitat, South Africa has seen its populations

Woman arrested for theft blames nonexistent twin sister

P

olice say a western Pennsylvania woman blamed her nonexistent twin sister for stealing items from a hotel room.

The Beaver County Times (http://bit.ly/Sm5XDv ) reported yesterday that police charged 31-year-old Jennifer Brown, of Rochester, with false reports and theft.

State police say Brown took some bed clothes, an alarm clock, coffee pot, basket and a hair dryer worth a total of $206 from the Holiday Inn in Big Beaver on Aug. 5. Police say they found Brown in another hotel nearby and she claimed her twin sister had taken the items.

When police found no record of a sister, they say Brown claimed her sister had just returned the items, which police found in the other hotel room. Brown doesn't have an attorney. Police say relatives confirmed she doesn't have a twin.

steadily grow through conservation, with the country pressed for room to house the massive animals with hefty diets.

KwaZulu-Natal province, in the southeast, is looking to expand a project running for more than a decade where elephants populations have been controlled by injecting cows with a vaccine that triggers an immune system response to block sperm reception.

"Slowing the growth rate will allow time to be gained to achieve other biodiversity objectives, such as land expansion, without having to cull the elephants," said Catherine Hanekom, an ecologist for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

South Africa, which had just over 100 elephants nearly a century ago, now has more than 20,000, studies said. The overpopulation problem is the most dire in neighboring Botswana, home to at least 133,000 elephants, where vast forests have been lost to satiate their appetites. With a human population of 2 million, it has the highest elephant-to-people ratio in Africa, at one for every 14 people.

Adult elephants consume about 100 to 300 kgs (220 to 660 pounds) of food a day and most elephants in South Africa are in fenced-in reserves where vegetation could be decimated if populations grow too large.

"Because we have taken away opportunities, they don't have the chance to remedy the overpopulation naturally as they would through

migration," said Audrey ing studies for years on conDelsink Kettles, an elephant traception at Makalali Private ecologist who has been lead- Game Reserve.

Woman strangles elderly neighbour with bra

A

woman strangled her elderly neighbour with her bra when he refused to lend her money.

The 26-year-old was drunk when she and her boyfriend asked the 65-year-old for cash to buy alcohol. When he refused to lend them money, the woman punched him in the face and tried to strangle

him with her hands.

She then took her bra off and strangled the OAP with it, according to Russian investigators. A woman, who has not been named, has been charged with murder and is being held in custody. The incident took place last month in the town of Zakamensk, eastern Siberia, which is on the Russia/Mongolia border.

Miss Dairy Cow beauty contest highlights third world hunger

A

uthorities in China niche beauty win for them- the event, we still can’t tell who emerged victorious. have used a sense of selves.

We’d love to offer them a Even after consulting humour to highlight the issue of poverty and many, many udder pics from hunger in developing countries by holding Miss Dairy Cow beauty contest.

Among other such worthy hopes of bringing about world peace and solving third world hunger by means of sequins and standing around in bikinis, the cause of dairy cows is frequently peculiarly neglected by beauty pageant contestants.

Presumably the Miss Dairy Cow Pageant held in Shuozhou, China over the weekend was set up to redress the issue balance. But had you heard about it?

Unfortunately, information on the prestigious show is a little hard to come by and we’re not sure which of the feathery-mask wearing competitors actually calf-ed out a

cow pat on the back. That’s enough cow puns, now.

Think we’ve milked them until the cows came home.

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012,

15

Foreign Affairs

• Consolata Melis, (sitgting 4th right) who turned 105 yesterday, poses with her nine children, 24 grand-children and 25 great-grandchildren, outside her house in Perdasdefogu village on the island of Sardinia on Tuesday. The Melis family are officially the world’s oldest with nine brothers and sisters clocking up a total of 818 years

Acting PM to run Ethiopia until 2015 poll •Meles Zenawi lies in state

E

thiopia’s acting prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn will run the country until an election in 2015, showing that the ruling party is determined to ensure a swift and smooth transfer of power following the death of Meles Zenawi.

Meles, 57, died late on Monday in a Brussels hospital after a long illness, leaving a gaping hole in Ethiopian politics and depriving Western powers of a trusty ally in the fight against Islamist militants in the Horn of Africa.

“He (Hailemariam) will be the prime minister until 2015.

He is to be sworn in and he is to finish the five-year term of government and that is indisputable,” government spokesman Bereket Simon told Reuters. Parliament would be summoned within the next two days and Hailemariam would be sworn in as prime minister, Bereket

said.

Meanwhile, the body of long-time Zenawi is lying in state at the national palace in Addis Ababa, where it will stay until his funeral.

Thousands of people poured

• Meles Zenawi

A

• Hailemariam Desalegn

Bereket said that the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) party, a coalition of region-based parties, would hold a party congress at an undisclosed date to nominate a leader but said there was no scenario under which Hailemariam would not remain as premier.

After taking power in 1991 from Mengistu Haile Mariam’s military junta, guerilla fighter Meles became one of the central political figures on the continent and drove domestic economic growth into double figures.

An astute economist, Meles advocated a blend of heavy state spending and foreign private investment, with a focus lately on energy and infrastructure projects.

•Plans trip to Iran

U

nited Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon plans to attend a summit meeting of leaders of non-aligned developing nations in Tehran next week, defying calls from the United States and Israel to boycott the event, U.N. diplomats said yesterday.

A spokesman for Iran’s U.N. mission said it appeared that Ban would be attending the summit next week, though he declined to speak on behalf of the secretarygeneral’s office. Several other U.N. diplomatic sources said that barring any unexpected scheduling changes, Ban would attend the meeting of some 120 non-aligned nations in Tehran.

“It’s a very important bloc of nations,” a diplomatic source told Reuters on condi-

Paralyzed Briton dies days after court refused him right-to-die

A

British man suffering from “locked-in syndrome” who fought a long legal battle over assist-

48 killed in Kenya communal clashes ttackers armed with machetes, bows and arrows and spears killed at least 48 villagers and set houses ablaze in Kenya’s coastal region overnight in an attack over land and water, police said yesterday.

“They were armed with crude weapons: machetes, bows and arrows and spears.

Some had guns. As a result

onto the streets of the capital on Tuesday evening as his casket arrived from the Belgian capital Brussels.

Crowds of mourners, many holding candles, gathered to witness Meles’ casket arriving in the capital, Addis Ababa as preparations are made for a state funeral.

UN boss defies US, Israel

we have lost 31 women, 11 children and six men, all totaling to 48. Sixty cattle were also killed,” Robert Kitur, Coast deputy police chief told Reuters by telephone.

Cattle rustling and clashes over grazing and farming land and water are relatively common among pastoralist communities in the arid patches of east Africa.

ed suicide died yesterday, his family said.

Tony Nicklinson, 58, had been refusing food since last week, contracted pneumonia over the weekend, and “went downhill rapidly,” said his lawyer, Saimo Chahal.

“Before he died, he asked us to tweet: ‘Goodbye world the time has come, I had some fun,’” his Twitter account said.

The former rugby player was left paralyzed from the neck down by a catastrophic stroke seven years ago, and lost a High Court battle last week to gain a legal right to end his life when he chose.

The fight seemed to go out of him after the court’s decision, leaving him “heartbroken,” Chahal said after his death was announced.

His wife, sister and daugh-

ters were with him when he died, she said. “He was gutsy, determined and a fighter to the end,” said Chahal, adding it had been “an absolute privilege” to represent him.

•Tony Nicklinson’s wife Jane wipes away his tears as he reacts to a judge’s decision last week not to allow him to ask a doctor to end his life. Photo:CNN

tion of anonymity. “Of course the SG (secretary-general) is going. He can’t not go.” A Security Council diplomat said it was important for the secretary-general to go. He said Ban should not turn his back on the entire nonaligned movement because one member, Iran, happens to have a president who doubts the Holocaust and questions Israel’s right to exist.

Syria: Chemical weapons excuse, US ploy to intervene militarily – Chinese media

C

hinese state media have accused United States President Barack Obama of planning to use Syria’s chemical weapons as an excuse for intervening militarily.

The state news agency, Xinhua, was responding to a warning from Mr Obama that Syria would be crossing a “red line” if it tried to use such weapons. “Once again, Western powers are digging deep for excuses to intervene militarily,” it said.

China and Russia have blocked attempts to impose UN sanctions on Syria.

Xinhua’s commentary is not an official statement but it reflects fears among China’s communist leaders that the West wants regime change in Syria under the guise of humanitarian action, the BBC’s Damian Grammaticas reports from Beijing.

16

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

NewsPlus Grandpa battles ex-lover over house •She bewitched me with oral sex and took over my building –Man •‘No, I only put his name on the receipt out of love’

By WOLE BALOGUN

T

hings have fallen apart between two old lovers in Lagos and right now, the centre can no longer hold.

At the centre of the furore between Pa Moses Adesanya Agboola, an Ilesa, Osun State-born grandfather, and his lover of 11 years, Madam Funke Omoolugbe Alasiri, who hails from Emure-Ekiti, Ekiti State, is a house in Ojodu area of Lagos.

Right now, the two have become archenemies. Pa Agboola, 66, claims his ex-lover, Funke has taken possession of his only house.

He says the woman is threatening to take his life if he ever attempts to reclaim the building.

The property, located on Yakoyo-Apode Street/Association Way, Ojodu in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State, was bought about 12 years ago. The documents bear Agboola’s names, but Madam Funke says she actually bought the property. She tells our reporter that she only permitted Agboola to use his name on the deed of transfer of ownership before their love story turned sour because she trusted him.

Looking forlorn and dejected, Agboola explains his side of the story.

“The time I met her in 1993, she had left her husband for whom she bore three children. She claimed that she had been defrauded by fraudsters and had lost all she had. She further explained that she had no one to help as her husband had deserted her and her children.

“Then I decided to help her. I was giving her money to take care of herself and her three children. About three days later, our mere benefactor cum helpless woman relationship developed into a romance and I started sleeping with her. But once this started, I couldn’t control myself whenever I was with her. I discovered that I was always doing her bidding. Whatever she asked me to do, I did.

She would ask me to perform oral sex on her and I would succumb. I was just helpless.

“The unholy affair grew so deep that I later abandoned my wife and children and rented an apartment in which we were living. And I was taking care of her and her children.

“About five years later, I was with her one day when one of her female friends came to inform her that there was a building that was up for sale in the same neighbourhood where we were living and that coincided with the time I was trying to get a loan from my employers. So, once I got the cheque from my company, I took it to Funke because I trusted her then. We both went to her bank at Ketu to cash the cheque and make the payment. Once we paid for the house, the seller instantly handed all the papers of the building over to me. And we prepared all the agreement papers and settled everything. The papers of the house all bear my name. I bought the house from Mr. Mukaila Oladele Adams.

•The disputed house “But in 2003, we had a serious disagreement and I made up my mind to discontinue the affair. I just didn’t want to have anything to do with her any longer and I made it clear to her. I had several reasons I wanted things that way. First, I realised that I was not benefiting from the relationship, as she had no child for me. I also discovered that I was neglecting my wife and children, the ones I should be spending my hard-earned money on. She had squandered my money and sold my valuable property, including a landed property. Lastly, I discovered that she was fetish. In fact, she must have bewitched me during those years that I was dating her. I just thank God that I had not married her legally so she could not lay claim to any of my property.

“But once I made these things known to her, she began to play smart. She first reported me to a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), alleging that I wanted to take illegal possession of her building. But when I showed up to the police and explained that I owned the house and that the original papers were in the possession of the bank from which I had secured additional loan to offset the debts incurred on the purchase of the house, the police threw away the case and asked us to settle the matter amicably.

“But I do not want to settle the matter amicably. I want to have my house back. Right now, she is living in the house and collecting the rent and claiming that she owns it. But I don’t want to give her my house. It is the only house I’ve built and my children are asking me about the fruit of my labour. This woman made me to neglect my wife and children throughout the many years I wasted with her.

Enough is enough. I want the Inspector General of police and the government to help collect my house from her. I have photo-

•Agboola copies of the documents of my house.”

Madam Funke Alasiri has a different tale, however. She describes Agboola as a pathological liar in a telephone chat with this reporter.

Her words: “That man is a big liar. He did not own the house and he is only trying to reap from where he did not sow. I am a trained accountant and I had worked in many establishments, including the Lagos State

•Alasiri Ministry of Justice, before I went into private business many years ago. I bought the land with my money, through a cheque I issued for the payment of the property via First Bank, Ketu Branch, Lagos. I asked the former owner to put Agboola’s name on the deed of transfer of ownership because I did not know that he would later betray me.

•Continued on Page 17

Thursday, August 23, 2012

DAILY SUN

17

NewsPlus Weeks after, Uyo mystery killers still walk free From JOE EFFIONG, Uyo

T

he family and friends of the Effangas in Akwa Ibom State are worried that those that snuffed life out of Mrs. Erasmus Effanga and her son, Basil, are still walking free, as the police seem to have made no headway in their investigations.

The decomposing bodies of the mother and brother of the spokesman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Francis Effanga, were found in a room in their residence in Mbinkpa Atan village in Akwa Ibom State on Sunday, August 5.

Up till now, neither the police nor the community have been able to come up with any clue that could lead to the identification of the suspects.

Mrs. Erasmus Effanga, a retired teacher, and her son, Basil Effanga, a graduate of Agric-economics and Extension, and an assistant superintendent with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), were found dead after they were last seen in public the previous Thursday.

Basil, who stayed in Uyo, the state capital, had gone home to visit his mother, whom Daily Sun learnt, was having a choir practice session at the nearby St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She had to cut short the choir practice to go and welcome her son. But neighbours said ever since they went into their moderately fortified house, a bungalow, in Mbiakpan Atan, Ibiono Ibom, a village about 10 kilometres from Uyo, they were not seen outside again till their corpses were discovered on Sunday morning by one of the children of the deceased woman.

The village head of the community, Chief Linus Effiong Okon, had told Daily Sun that the community was jolted by the incident and was consulting with traditional authorities with a view to using the unorthodox method to ferret out the perpetrators of the crime.

“We have begun our own traditional method of investigation. The police have not arrested anybody yet and they say, so far, they don’t suspect anybody but I’m sure we will get to the root of the matter. The person leading us to carry out the traditional investigation will soon come,” Chief Okon had said last week.

But nearly one week after that declaration, the community has not yet come up with any evidence to point to any direction. The village head said last week they were still investigating even as he expressed optimism that they were sure to succeed.

“We’ve not concluded the investigation yet.

The police are aware of what we are doing. On Tuesday, the assistant police commissioner was here and we briefed him on our effort. We are sure we will come up with something,” Okon said.

The Akwa Ibom State police public relations officer, (PPRO), Mr Etim Dickson, a deputy Superintendent of police reiterated his earlier stand that there were arrests yet, as the police were yet to get any clue that would lead to such arrests. He said the autopsy would reveal whether the mother and son were murdered or whether they died due to food poisoning or any such mishaps.

The eldest son of the deceased, Mr Benedict Effanfa, a superintendent with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, told Daily Sun that the family had paid the police for autopsy on the corpses which had since been conducted but noted that the results were yet to be handed over to the family. This statement was equally corroborated by the ACN spokesman, Mr Francis Effanga, who lamented that the family were waiting for the police to release the autopsy result and the corpses so that they could begin the burial plan.

“As it is, we are in total confusion. I’ve left my station in Edo State since last week that this incident happened yet I don’t know what message to send back as we have not yet known when to fix for the burial,” Benedict said. He, however, hinted that there appeared to be some conspiracy of silence among members of his extended family as even the family head who is the nearest neighbour to their house, has not shown any concern in what has befallen the Effanga family.

“There is no way you would claim that such an incident happened and you live about five metres away from this house, yet you didn’t hear anything. You are the family head; you have a way of finding out such mystery in the family, yet each time you pass, you wouldn’t even look in the direction of this compound. It is very curious,” Benedict said while conducting our correspondent round the building.

Nobody seems to have faith that the police would unravel the mysterious deaths of Mrs. Effanga and her son. Even the police seem to be leaning on the chiefs to use their unorthodox means to fish out the suspects. Will that help to unravel the mystery in this digital age or would its failure add to the number of unresolved murders in the state? Everyone is watching, with interest.

•The late Mrs. Effanga

•The late Basil Effanga

Everyone knows I own the house –Alasiri •Continued from Page 16 “Everyone in our street knows that I own the house and you can come and find out the truth. I borrowed plenty of money from various sources to build that house and I have all the receipts of the building materials purchased during the construction. I was the one that paid all the workers on site and many of the receipts are in my name. It is because of the fact that I don’t have any child for him that he wanted to drive me out of the house so he can take over.”

Speaking on what eventually led to their separation, Alasiri said Agboola was messing around with other women: “He once impregnated one woman called Omolara and he brought the woman to my house when she had a child for him. The woman then started giving me problems to the extent that she reproached me for being

childless. It was then that I asked that she must leave the house because I could no longer stand her despicable attitude.”

Madam Alasiri denies that she ever bewitched Pa Agboola, dismissing the allegation as ridiculous and unfounded.

“Please, ask him to tell you the name of the Alfa and where he lives,” she begs the reporter.

“When we went to Agege Customary Court where he had filed for a divorce, he mentioned the same thing - that I was always forcing him to perform oral sex on me but he was rebuked by the president of the court for such nasty remarks. I want you as a journalist and an educated man to look at the kind of question you just asked. So, it means he was performing oral sex on me for the 11 years that we lived as couple?

What kind of a life is that? He left me when debtors started disturbing me for their

money. He said he never asked me to borrow money from anyone to build the house and that was how he took his belongings and left the house. He had petitioned the office of the Inspector General of Police that I took over his house from him but the IG dismissed his petition because it lacked merit. His intention is to kill me so that he can take over the house.”

Some of the residents in the area admit that the tussle has been on for some time.

They suggest an amicable resolution of the matter in the interest of peace.

A woman, who identifies herself as Iya Pelumi, informs the reporter: “This issue has been on for long. The controversy over who the real owner of the building is between the ex-lovers started a long time ago and we can’t say much on it, as none of us knows how the land was purchased. I believe it is a serious domestic affair but that

does not mean that it cannot be resolved.

We used to know them as a couple until the man left the house a few years ago. And that was when the tussle over ownership of the house started.”

A copy of a receipt allegedly issued by the former owner of the property to Mr. Agboola on April 3,1998, and which is in possession of Daily Sun reads in part: “I, Mukaila Olakunle Adams, hereby acknowledge the receipt of N650,000 from Mr. Moses Agboola of Ashland Oil Nigeria Ltd., being the purchase price of my parcel of land and the uncompleted structure thereon, consisting of a three bedroom bungalow situate, lying and being at Yakoyo-Apode Street/Association Way, Ojodu in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State of Nigeria. I accept the said sum of N650, 000 in full and final settlement of all my interest whatsoever in the said property.”

18

DAILY SUN Thursday August 23, 2012

Brutalisation of journalists n August 9, a photojournalist who works for Leadership Newspaper, Mr. Benedict Uwalaka, was heinously brutalized while on an official duty by a horde of miscreants led by one callous Debayo Ogunshola, son of the concessionaire of Lekan Ogunshola Memorial Morgue conceded by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). The victim was a pitiable sight on television and in newspapers as blood gushed from his broken head and covered his face like a haemorrhage!

The shameful incident, which took place on the premises of LASUTH, was during the release of corpses of victims of the June 3 Dana Airline crash. The bullies had sought to prevent Uwalaka from taking shots of the process when he was grievously assaulted by them. The prime suspect has since been arrested.

At the end of the investigations which the hospital has initiated, the culprits must be thoroughly punished for this criminality to serve as a deterrent to other irresponsible officials who take the law into their own hands. The violent assault was unnecessary, uncivilised and indefensibly demonstrative of crass impunity.

During the military dispensation, cases of this type were understandably rampart because of their entrenched disregard for civilians’ rights, generally. But, it is clearly an anathema in a democratic setting where the rule of law is adhered to and decency in public conduct is supposed to be eminently upheld.

It is apposite to mention here that Sections 22 and 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantee citizens’ freedom of expression and association. The body of laws declares that on no occasion and in no circumstance should anyone within the sovereignty and territorial confines of this country be subjected to any maltreatment or discriminated against in the exercise of his right of this constitutional provision, among others.

We commend the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), for swiftly con-

O

demning the brutish act and ordering a probe into the disaster. Equally, the maturity and responsiveness exhibited by the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and its national body based in Abuja to this needless provocation are worthy of note.

Shortly before this disgraceful incident, another photojournalist, Mr. Tunde Ogundeji, former Photo Editor of Nigerian Compass Newspaper, had also been battered by some social miscreants in Ikeja as he tried to take pictures of passengers atop overcrowded coaches of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) ready for commuting. Both sad events took place in Lagos which is usually accommodative of all shades of opinions and tolerant of diverse views because of its cosmopolitanism.

Government needs to ensure that journalists are not molested in the execution of their legitimate functions. They have constitutional roles to play as professionals in the society.

Recently, a journalist who works in the Tejuosho station of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Rasak Gawat, disappeared mysteriously and is yet to be seen weeks after. The police and the State Security Service (SSS) should intensify efforts towards unravelling the whereabouts of this missing journalist, too.

There should be minimal safety standards and measures to forestall this soaring molestation of members of the fourth estate of the realm. If they become exposed and endangered species, it will be an ill-wind that will not blow anyone any good.

Even in the detrimental days of the colonial masters and the subsequent lawless military interregnum when adversarial and guerrilla journalism was the vogue, journalists did not experience this increasing pulp treatment by the civil society. This growing blue and black treatment being meted out to the media must stop in the country’s developmental interest. If people disagree with any professional on any issue, there are legal steps and options to take instead of descent into animalistic tendencies and the concomitant lawlessness.

COMMENT

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

LETTERS Story of a broken bridge A while back, I was crossing a pedestrian bridge at night and my leg got stuck in a hole. It was night time and I couldn’t see how large the hole was but I was grateful that I wasn’t injured and I went home safely. But still, I was intrigued by the fact that there was a hole on the bridge and so I decided to check the bridge the next day.

This said bridge is the Ilasamaja Bridge, across Mile 2-Oshodi Express Road and there are holes along the bridge layers; some large enough to see moving vehicles beneath; others, too tiny, but growing at rapid geometric progressions amidst constant traffic of pedestrians. Also visible on the bridge are hawkers and beggars trying to make a living despite this unsafe condition of the bridge.

I plead that the bridge be repaired as soon as possible, not forgetting to commend the government’s continued effort towards sustainable development.

As at press time, cement and bricks have been supplied for the repair of the bridge. But is that enough? How soon will repair work start as this bridge is the only link through which pedestrians access the other side of the divide?

If history does us well, in 2007, the said bridge was damaged due to impact from a truck. The prosecution of the erring company was in secrecy. My neighbour said it took six months to fix the bridge (during which pedestrians and road users managed to avoid accidents); hence, my concerns on what possible alternatives could be put in place during this expected ‘refurbishment’.

Common Civil Engineering will not recommend this approach, thus I recommend that a new bridge should be built in the vicinity. Places like Onipanu, CMS Orile have ‘modern’ bridges. As such, Ilasamaja Bridge should be built to the same standard (You don’t need a master plan or rocket science to replicate the template).

I am not an engineer, but common logistics planning would recommend that, in the advent of fixing this bridge, road wardens should be deployed to the vicinity to help control traffic (did I mention LASTMA and KAI?). An old adage says, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. When we gamble with our safety, we bet our life.

The fire brigade approach of doing things in the country should be discouraged. Why should we

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

IFY ANYALECHI Procurement & General Services Manager

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

replay another June 3rd Manifest across our skies, when we have the opportunity and people that can take proper precautions before damage is recorded? Why should we wait until people die, before we take action on this bridge?

My primary school teacher taught me to ‘make

hay while the sun shines’. As a little girl, I took that to mean ‘Acting Now’. That little girl in me screams now ‘ACT NOW. Fix the Ilasamaja Bridge before tragedy strikes’.

Ijeoma Unegbu Ijeyoma @mail. com

Ogoni declaration of independence The Ogoni declaration of independence in my view was akin to a toothless bulldog barking all night long in a bid to attract cheap publicity and praise. Independence entails far more than calling pressmen to witness the unveiling of a beautiful flag and an uplifting anthem. Have they put the infrastructure to affect this self rule in place?

Have they started issuing their own passports and identity cards? No. Have they started printing their own money and ascribed a set exchange rate? No. Have they set up a police force and security apparatus to enforce law and order as well as secure their nation's borders?

No. Have they applied to either ECOWAS, the African Union or United Nations for recognition? No. Has any country on earth recognised them? No. Thus, I dare say this declaration of self-rule is as worthless as toilet paper and it belongs in a waste pipe!

Thus, it is understandable why the GEJ-led Federal Government is not losing sleep over this declaration. The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said "the Federal Government is unaware of such a declaration of independence by the Ogoni People." Thus, what could be the reason for this declaration? It is just a cheap publicity stunt to embarass the President in order to compel him to expedite the clean up and development of Ogoni land.

The declaration lacks substance and now their tactic has worked. The FG clean up team has moved to site and the Ogoni have welcomed them with open arms instead of arresting them for invading the territorial integrity of their newly declared republic. Thus, it is best to withhold judgment on some issues till the real motives behind them is established.

Emmanuel Nicholas, email whitebombom@yahoo.com

DAILY SUN

Thursday August 23, 2012

19

Re:The novel WIC F ollowing this piece, ‘The Novel WIC,’ I am elated that most people are gleefully receptive to the status of World Igbo Congress and the innovative path the apex organization is currently charting.

Most importantly, many well-meaning people of Igbo ethnic extraction in both Nigeria and abroad have expressed unprecedented interest in helping WIC achieve its lofty goals. Thus, they seem to conflate WIC’s progress and Igbo success in the Nigerian socio-political terrain.

Though that may be a stretch, but there is a tad of truth in that assumption. Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that Nigeria, particularly the Igbo will benefit from a strong and viable World Igbo Congress, which has a sleuth of resources at its disposal to affect change in Igbo land. Therefore, the strong yearn for strong and unified WIC prompted many reactions to the aforementioned piece.

Based on the level of the outpouring of positive reactions I received on the story, I thought it wise to share them with my readers.

In an unrestricted emotion, Charles O. Sado expressed, “This is a very heartwarming story. I just pray that your leadership and Ndi Igbo as a whole continue to receive God’s guidance as you embark on this transformational journey. You have set out shooting for the moon. If you miss the moon, you can take pride in cohabiting with the stars. It’s not going to be easy as this will require total reconciliation and redirection of disparate energies in the realization of WIC’s lofty objectives. Through the contentious debate process for days, weeks and months to come, you must preserve the rights of the minority to freely express their opinion while the voice of the majority must be accepted. You must not pick winners and losers because at the end of the day, the ordinary citizen of Igbo land, and by extension Nigeria, benefits from WIC’s effort. That’s a universal motivation that cannot be faulted

VIEWS FROM AMERICA

Acho Orabuchi a_orabuchi@yahoo.com regardless of your side in the debate. I salute your courage and pray that you remain focused on your goals. This is very commendable indeed!”

Similarly, Dr. Ojum Ogwo happily stated, “Dear Chief Acho Orabuchi, I am Ojum Ogwo, a medical doctor and a Permanent Secretary in Abia State. I just finished your column in today’s Sun Newspaper Thursday, August 16, 2012, titled “The novel WIC”. This is a great service to humanity in general and Igbos in particular.

I have recommended your article to a good number of my Igbo brothers in Nigeria.

Silver or Gold we cannot give you now, but be rest assured that your patriotism is well noted by a lot of Igbos. Meanwhile, we pray that God should shower you with His Grace, and provide you with the wherewithal to keep up the good fight for the Igbo cause.

God bless you.”

As the words of encouragement and support continued to pour in for WIC for its transformation, I was compelled to conclude that our folks genuinely want the success of World Igbo Congress; in fact, some people look up to the organization for bold actions.

Accordingly, their reactions largely demonstrated people’s disappointment as they agonized over the unnecessary spat that plagued WIC over these years.

In a long and scintillating statement that aptly captured the sentiments of most of the people that reacted to the article, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim clearly opined, “First, permit me,

fast in leveraging leadership at home with your expertise and experience. You must help our people to overcome the limiting factors I identified in my Aka Ikenga lecture. There is still so much name-calling.

There is still dog-eat-dog mentality to the detriment of our future in Nigeria. There is still the nshiko mentality in our politics.

Unfortunately, many of our brethren in the Diaspora dabble into the murky issues and swallow false information without asking questions. In fact, sometimes, it is the false information from home that filters into your ranks and cause confusion and division. As enlightened people, we must subject what we hear or read in the internet to stringent verification.

“Let me end this by asking whether it is not yet time for the World Igbo Congress to hold a convention in Nigeria? A World Igbo Conference in Nigeria will help revive the sagging spirit of our people in a presently troubled Nigeria and help mobilize our people to action. It will also help our people in the Diaspora to confront and engage the realities at home firsthand instead of relying on faulty channels of information. Please give a thought to this. Once more I congratulate the leadership of WIC and wish you all a very fruitful deliberation.”

Well, in talking with Joe Eto about the new WIC, he assured Ndi-Igbo without reservation that the present status of WIC is not a fluke. He indicated that the leadership is not merely engaged in a solipsistic narrative to shine a temporary light on the organization for selfish reasons. “As a matter of fact, I have invested a lot of my own resources to ensure the success of WIC,” Eto said. For the most part, Joe said that the leadership of this WIC proffers glib programs that will help it achieve its broader goals. Knowing our people, Eto and company will be judged harshly if they drop the ball.

ladies and gentlemen, to express my happiness that the World Igbo Congress is united again! It is a great sign that oga n’iru ga adi n’ala Igbo that this conference is taking place again in peace and unity. Many of us were worried when it seemed that we could not find peace among ourselves. But thank God that at the end the World Igbo Congress was able to overcome the challenges. I thank all those who played different roles in resolving the conflict. I also congratulate the Board of Directors led by my friend and brother, Mr. Joe Nze Eto and the various leaders that have emerged from the peaceful resolution of the conflict.

“Conflict is a way of life. Therefore, we must let the recent experience strengthen us.

But we must guard against a re-occurrence.

We must consolidate and remain focused on the greater challenges ahead of Ndigbo in an unsettled Nigeria. We must eschew selfish interest and focus on how to achieve our collective interest in Nigeria. It is therefore very important that we understand and appreciate who we are and our essence as Ndigbo and let our great history propel us to greater achievements, not for ourselves but for posterity!

“After my address at the 2007 WIC in Detroit, Michigan and my Aka Ikenga lecture in Lagos on 14 May 2008, it is not necessary for me to repeat my admonition to my people. Luckily, my Michigan address is still on the internet. All I can add today is that those of you in the Diaspora must act You may follow me on twitter.com/achosr.

Nzeribe’s Hobbesian Imo

BY JIDEOFOR CHIEMEKA

K

een followers of political events would have been startled by the recent re-entry into the nation’s contemporary politics of maverick politician, Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe. In a very well publicized media chat, Nzeribe who has been politically docile for sometime now, took liberty to offer opinion on sundry national issues. The former senator challenged elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, to tell Nigerians all he knows about the sponsors of the Boko Haram sect while berating President Jonathan for not implementing the recommendations of the National Judicial Council to reinstate Justice Ayo Salami. He equally had very unkind words for his state governor, Rochas Okorocha, for failing to reinstate the 27 local government Chairmen as directed by the Court of Appeal, among others.

The first thing that will strike those who have followed the antecedents of Nzeribe is his comments on the proposed impeachment of the president, especially because of his very unenviable track in that regard. He had described as “an effort in futility” the threat by the House of Representatives arguing that with the high level of corruption in the system, it will be impossible for any serious-minded legislature to implement the threat. He should know better, having been famous for his dexterity in the gale of impeachment threats that marked his previous tenures in the Senate. It may not even be surprising if he has a role in the unfolding saga in view of his experience of the game.

Perhaps, his comments on Boko Haram, impeachment of the president and the reinstatement of Justice Salami were largely designed to attract national attention. But

beneath that seemingly national fervour, was their deployment as a very convenient entry point to get even with those he saw as having stood on the way to his interest in the Oguta local government council in the last couple of months or so. That could explain why he devoted copious time to events in Imo state which he claimed may degenerate into a Hobbesian jungle.

According to Nzeribe, the state is groaning under a rudderless leadership and may sink deeper with the ‘cowardice’ of those who should ordinarily speak against the slide.

From the above, the impression given by Nzeribe is that his comments (nay unfounded) are designed to serve the general good of Imo state. The picture he has painted is that Imo is sinking and the leadership there is visionless and inactive. Far from it! This is more so, when much of the claims bandied are clearly at variance with extant facts. What signs are there in Imo State that compares with the atavism of the state of nature as Nzeribe would seek to hoodwink and deceive the public? If the truth must be told, his interest is in the Oguta local council where his wife holds sway. Having been sent out of office in the last couple months, there is everything to expect that the development must have brought serious reverses to the fortunes of the Nzeribes. It is, therefore, not surprising that he has taken refuge under the court ruling to bandy false alarm against the state for very personal reasons.

The truth of the matter is that the foreboding scenario which he bandied for obviously self-serving reasons does not exist in the state. There has not been anything either remotely or otherwise to point to the possibility of a threat to law and order in the state. From where, therefore, did Nzeribe invent his imaginary state of nature characterized by the war of man against man? His grouse is with the inability, before now, of the state government to reinstate the sacked

local government chairmen. But, they had since resumed even as their term of office has just expired. Even at that, their fate cannot lead to the awful scenario painted by Nzeribe. If anything, the people of the state view the re-emergence of Nzeribe and his co-travelers as a distraction to the peace and tranquility that have reigned supreme since Okorocha assumed the mantle of leadership. Nzeribe belongs to the class of politicians that has pushed the state to its knees since inception without anything positive to show for it. He has represented the state at least thrice in the Senate without attracting a single constituency project for the Imo West Senatorial District he represented. His foray in the Senate was more of a political liability as he deployed it for self-serving ends sometimes sabotaging the collective interests of his constituents. Does such a person possess the moral right to posture as an apostle of good governance? Definitely no!

Rather than rudderless, Imo people have, in the last one year or so, for the first time been experiencing a very active, ambitious and very eager to perform regime. The projects initiated by that administration both those completed and the on-going ones have exposed the inadequacies of the last regime in the state. It is, indeed, a big surprise that so much can be achieved in one year in terms of infrastructural development. This feat has continued to evoke questions and comparison with the immediate past regime which, after four years, could not post any single serious project to advantage. If Nzeribe could not talk when that regime was deceiving the people with phony projects, if he could not talk when that government was assaulting the collective sensibilities of the Imo people; if the bazaar of loans and bonds that was the order of the day then without the projects for which they were obtained taking off the

ground could go unchallenged, wherein is Nzeribe’s patriotism? Why did this later day saint close his prying eyes to the wonder project called Oguta Wonder Lake Resort sited at his backyard, for which a loan of N40 billion was obtained by the last regime without anything to show for it. That loan still runs till 2016.

It could not have been out of omission that Nzeribe said nothing and did nothing when the bazaar was on. Even as Okorocha is paying back those suffocating loans that could not deliver any project, his achievements on ground in the last one year have been so phenomenal for Nzeribe to have noticed if he is really conversant with subsisting realities in the state. How could he have seen the disaster called Oguta Wonder Lake Resort with his obsession to cajole and lure the last government to have his wife as the Chairman of that local council?

Why did he not speak out when that government was obviously sinking to the extent the people of the state had to resort to self help by voting it out at the election in spite of every attempt by the Nzeribes to foist it back? These are the posers that expose the deceit in his recent posturing in respect of affairs in the state. He said he has maintained silence since Okorocha took over.

Why not, especially given the disgrace his party suffered at the last election. With that defeat, he could not have been speaking for anybody except, perhaps, himself.

The issue here is that Nzeribe is not coming to equity with clean hands in this matter and cannot ascribe to himself the conscience of the Imo people. We should, therefore, do what is right by dismissing his recent tantrums as the burden of a politician out there to seek undeserved relevance. It will amount to de-odorizing such a person to have him get away with an undeserving ascription.

Chiemeka writes from Owerri.

CMYK

20

DAILY SUN Thursday August 23, 2012

Orhii and the battle against counterfeit drugs

BY SUFUYAN OJEIFO

T

here is no doubt that Dr. Paul Botwev Orhii means well for the Nigeria nation in the area of food and drug administration and control. His efforts in these regards are daily crystallising at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) where he is leading a team of committed bureaucrats to revolutionise operations of the agency.

This positive revolution has been practically and quite significantly demonstrated in the agency’s fight against counterfeit drugs. Indeed, a number of technological innovations in this sphere by the Orhii leadership have forcefully repositioned NAFDAC as a progressive agent in the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts at transforming the nation.

In fact, such innovations as the TRUSCAN, black eye, mobile authentication service, radio frequency identification for detecting counterfeit medicines have upped the ante in the agency’s battle against the menace of fake drugs; and these innovations have enabled NAFDAC to gain global recognition as one of the top medicine regulatory agencies in the world and one that is at the front of fighting counterfeiting with the use of cuttingedge technology.

Indeed, it is on account of this that Nigeria (NAFDAC) is currently a member of the prestigious International Medical Products AntiCounterfeiting Task Force (IMPACT) that is made up of 103 member states with Orhii as Vice Chairman. He had also been invited for the sec-

ond year running by Council of Foreign Relations in the US to discuss the way forward on counterfeit medicines.

Notwithstanding these achievements, the leadership is not resting on its oars. Its restlessness to expand the frontiers of effective food and drug administration and control is tangibly remarkable.

The leadership is making deliberate efforts to upgrade the agency’s laboratories to international and WHO standards to bolster fundamental experiments.

It has deepened efforts in pushing through international collaborations with other Food and Drug Control agencies. For instance, it was from such collaborative efforts that NAFDAC leadership has been able to appraise the weakness in the law prescribing punishments for drug counterfeiters.

Whereas, in China the punishment for drug counterfeiting is capital punishment, the punishment for manufacturing of fake drugs under Nigerian laws is 15 years jail term with the alternative of N500,000 fine.

It is thus understandable why the Orhii leadership is pushing for a review of the law (Decree No. 15 of 1993) which set up the agency to make the punishment, life imprisonment, as is the case in India, including confiscation of assets of the culprits. The passion and commitment to emplace this legal architecture underscore the disposition of a revolutionary and sharply focused leadership.

The NAFDAC DG had rationalized this in a recent interview. Read him: “…I would have wanted death penalty for fake drug dealers.

Unfortunately, I had to come to terms with civil rights activists who believe that death penalty is no

longer fashionable globally. So, we have come to the middle term that, like it is done in India, we should sentence these people for life and confiscate their assets because we know that at the heart of counterfeiting lies the incentive to make huge profits.

“So, we want to take the incentive out by saying that if you engage in counterfeiting, you would lose your assets; that will discourage him or her from engaging in counterfeiting in the first place.

Therefore, we are asking for life jail term, confiscation of assets and in situations where we can prove that the fake products caused death or severe bodily injuries to the victims, then some of the assets that are confiscated should be used to compensate the victims….”

To underscore the seriousness of the agency in combating the menace, it is also proposing to make the offence a non-bailable one so that once the offenders, who are powerful or well-connected, are caught and put out of circulation, they would not be able to interfere with and prolong the course of justice.

Already, the Federal Government has bought into the proposal of the agency, which will also help to outlaw substandard drug and food products. Government decided at a meeting of the Economic Management team (EMT) on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, to fine-tune details of the proposed review of provisions of the existing law and present it to the National Assembly as an executive bill.

Although, three agencies-NAFDAC, Standard organization of Nigeria (SON) and Consumer Protection Council (CPC)- reportedly made pre-

sentations at the meeting, according to the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela, there is no doubt that the proposal by NAFDAC, to wit: life jail for drug counterfeiters, if passed into law, is a novelty that will send a strong message to the world about the nation’s seriousness to combat the menace of counterfeit drug.

The era, when NAFDAC deployed propaganda and noise making in the media, was long over.

Orhii leadership, consequent upon stepping in the saddle on January 13, 2009, had realized that Nigerians were tired of rhetoric and had moved to quickly and quietly set off a process of revolutionizing the battle against fake medicines, which is the agency’s core mandate. Today, the Russiantrained pharmacologist and physician, biomedical scientist must be dancing to the quiet rhythm of his soul seeing the mileage NAFDAC has covered under his watch.

It should be recalled that the agency recently proposed to the Presidency a N200 billion Pharmaceutical Intervention Fund (PIF), which is intended to aid the reanimation of the local pharmaceutical industry. This is, no doubt, part of the revolution that is geared towards bringing about positive growth and transformation of the industry.

This is the visible transformation trajectory on which Orhii has taken NAFDAC in the last three years and he is still pressing on. It must be clearly stated that NAFDAC has not completely won the battle against counterfeit drugs, but it has so far put up a huge challenge. This is to encourage the Orhii leadership to continue with the revolution.

Ojeifo writes from Abuja.

Destruction of Igbo social structures in Imo

BY COC AKAOLISA

I

t will seem a paradox that Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the present Governor of Imo State who rose to power under the warrant of the great Ezeigbo gburugburu, His Excellency, Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu, could within just one year in office orchestrate the most potent administrative instrument capable of destroying the long established and well cherished Igbo Town Union system in Imo State.

My long period of legal and political activism in Imo State will not allow me keep quiet over what is clearly a senseless, illegitimate and hastily thoughtout plan to emasculate the most potent and credible network for Igbo socio/economic and cultural advancement in Imo State. I wish to state categorically that the Igbo nation and its component parts have a right to retain their socio-cultural/traditional administrative structure that has over time sustained their communal harmony and existence as a people. To now attempt to place the people’s traditional structure within a contrived governmental administrative contraption is to politicize our natural, social and cultural identity platform and destroy its potency.

It is unfortunate that Chief Rochas Okorocha who lived all his life in the Northern part of Nigeria without proper knowledge of the place of Town Unions in Igbo social network is putting in place in Imo State an awkward governmental structure to take the place of the long established and tested

town union structure. What the planners of this 4th Tier Government are really telling the Igbos of Imo State is that they are not real Igbos because no sane Igbo person can seek to legislate the destruction of the social system that has sustained the people’s advancement. Unfortunately, our people are today victims of a costly experimentation in fascism and those with the clout to oppose are labeled enemies of the state just like in the days of Hitler in Germany.

Should the Igbo communities’social structure of Town and Development Unions be put under a governmental barricade of uncertainty to be toyed with at the whims and caprices of politicians? Does this not amount to a Bokoharamisation of Imo or does the governmentalisation of our town unions and development associations not amount to a revolution of the jihadist type? Placing Town Union Presidents as secretaries of community councils under traditional rulers will not fly in the face of the reality that Ezeship is alien to the Igbo and the (Umunna) or Town Unions represent the Igbo cultural republicanism that cannot be destroyed by any governmental fiat.

The Igbos are certainly watching Okorocha and, sooner than later, he will discover what the colonial masters saw in Igboland to abandon the warrant chief system. If Chief Rochas Okorocha believes that the politicization of the town union structures in Imo State will enhance the development speed of Imo State, he must think again. If he also believes that the commercialization of governance is ideal

for an Imo State with one of the lowest industrial capacity and per capita income in Nigeria, then he must be living on the moon, not in Imo state. The commercialization policy will not only destroy the civil service but also trigger the highest level of economic and social disharmony ever witnessed in any part of the globe. Commercialization without industrialization and without the essential (needed) infrastructural development of the state will only lead to joblessness, redundancy and increase in social vices and crime. The present duplication, replication and wasteful recreation of existing structures, has no economic value and what the present Imo needs is not the wasting of its scarce resources on ecstatic improvement otherwise called “shine shine projects.”

The government should not concern itself with the use of the resources of our people to build senseless gates and barricades that cannot really secure the people’s lives and property. What the people of Imo State need now is not the huge capital investment in the non-economic sector but the creation of job opportunities for its teaming jobless youths. We have not yet witnessed any governmental policy that has increased the employment capacity of the state, neither have we seen a desire for industrialization. What we see is a hasty construction of all manner of structures targeted at giving Imo a new look without any economic benefit and at a huge financial cost to the state.

The 4th Tier contraption is anti-Igbo, anti-development, anti-people and labour unfriendly. The

commercialization policy is economically unrealistic; a voodoo policy that is full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. How can a less motivated civil service drive a commercialization policy within the framework of the Okorocha economic strangulation of Imo State? Commercialization and downsizing of the civil service ought to be based on a realistic strategic investment development policy capable of creating meaningful jobs for those civil servants to be thrown back to their rural communities. What job opportunities have been created under the 4th Tier contraption to absorb the workers to be laid off from the state and local government service system?

The greatest factor of nonproductivity is a worker’s lack of interest in the job he or she is assigned to do. How does the government of Chief Rochas Okorocha intend to ensure that the workers to be transferred to their local communities can accept the type of jobs they are given. The international convention on forced labour clearly outlaws forced labour and employment. Downloading civil servants who applied for specific jobs to their communities to do work for which they were not employed amounts to forced labour and against all international conventions on labour. It is unfortunate that it appears the Okorocha administration is filled with less educated persons without proper knowledge of both state and international laws. The administration obviously lacks trained administrative technocrats capable of leading the government aright.

Akaolisa writes from Owerri.

Obakpolor Committee got it wrong on aviation

BY COSY CHIKWENDU

I

n the last one week, commentaries both in the print and electronic media have continued to trail the retired Group Captain John Obakpalo-led committee report on the aviation sector.

Recall that the committee was set up shortly after the ill-fated Dana crash of June 3, 2012, to carry out Administrative and Technical Audit, with a view to reposition the ailing aviation industry.

But, industry watchers that commented after the committee was set up expressed misgivings on the competence of those appointed to audit the aviation industry and possibly recommend the way forward.

The argument, then, was that the committee’s terms of reference were not guided by any known established aviation standard practices.

Among the committee’s terms of reference were to find the immediate and remote causes of the accident and proffer solutions to avert future recurrence.

These serious issues were clearly beyond the technical competence of members of the committee. Now, the question is, did all the members have the requisite training and certification to undertake such an important assignment? Did many of them have the moral standing to be so included in the committee?

For reasons which may not be unconnected with lack of technical know-how and experience, the members failed to observe the laid-down procedures for undertaking such an onerous task in a spe-

cialised industry as the aviation sector.

It has virtually become commonplace that soon after any fatal air crash, government is quick to set up a probe panel to investigate such crash and even go beyond to review the state of the aviation sector.

This may be a way, somehow, to always douse the apprehension of the people, instead of tasking the established aviation agencies to do a perfect technical job.

The consequence has been that the nation has been in fits and starts in matters related to air safety management in the country since 1996.

Many will recall that soon after the Bellview Airline crash of 2005, Engineer Mrs Folashade Odutola was appointed to head a technical committee to probe the crash as well as other problems in the aviation sector. For over four weeks, during the probe, Odutola and her team grounded for inspection all B737-200 series that were operating in Nigeria, causing the airline operators losses running into millions of dollars in revenue. To date, the report of that committee is yet to see the light of day as it remains shelved away in the Aviation Ministry.

In 2008, Air Vice-Marshal Salihu Atawodi chaired another committee to unveil the mystery that surrounded the disappearance of Wings Aviation Beech 1900, en route Bebi airfield, Obudu.

Without proper accident investigation by the appropriately designated authority, the Atawodi committee went ahead and blamed the accident on the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The discovery, later, of the

wreckage of the ill-fated aircraft clearly showed that pilot error was responsible for the crash.

Another blunder in hasty decision-making!

Just last June 3, the DANA Air disaster occurred and in line with old habits, a committee independent of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) – a purely professional agency for such probe, was constituted by government.

Penultimate week, the committee submitted its findings, dwelling more on the accident and blaming DANA Air’s maintenance system and the unsatisfactory discharge of safety oversight functions by the NCAA as factors that led to the crash.

Though the Commissioner of AIB was part of the panel, it was not sufficient criterion to confer legitimacy on the committee for the task it was asked to perform because of its lack of collective technical incompetence.Certain moral issues were clearly discernable to observers of the Committee’s activities.

Why, for instance, would Captains Austin Omame and Mfon. Udom, both professional pilots, be morally justified to audit DANA Air and the NCAA, in view of their involvement in ADC Airline’s top management, when two of the latter’s aircraft had had two fatal accidents? To date, the NCAA is yet to release to service, the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) of ADC Airline because of the airline’s adjudged irresponsible attitude to the families of the accidents’ victims.

Second, Engeer Fidelis Oneyiri was the immediate-past Director-General of the NCAA, who was relieved of his job in the wake of series of air

crashes in 2005 and 2006 that involved ADC, Bellview and Sosoliso airlines.

How could he then effectively probe a sector he had failed to properly manage?

Thirdly, Capt. Adamu Mshelia had, at numerous times attacked the NCAA for refusing to grant air operating permit to his company to operate a flying school. NCCA had cited incomplete documentation as reasons for its refusal to grant the permit for the school.

Though retired Group Captain John Obakpolor is respected for his critique and vigilance over the Aviation industry over time, his technical competence to audit the industry cannot be honestly justified, in the opinion of perceptive aviation analysts.With benefit of hindsight, it is obvious that all three committees so far appraised had failed to live up to the expectations of Nigerians.

Without doubt, personal sentiments devoid of straight-forward professional deductive templates had been at play in the discharge of their respective duties. Being an airline pilot or an aircraft engineer does not automatically provide the required skill and knowledge to properly audit an airline or investigate an aircraft accident.

Such fields are specialized and only experts so trained in such areas are best disposed to do the work, in order to achieve the required objectives.

Stake holders in the aviation industry believe that the industry can only record appreciable growth if every stakeholder genuinely supports the existing specialized structures move forward.

Chikwendu writes from Lagos.

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

Memories

Philip Nwosu 08176449110

21

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

Today in History

West German spy chief defects to East On August 23, 1985, the head of West German counter-intelligence was unmasked as an East German spy.

Hans-Joachim Tiedge’s treachery became known after he defected to East Germany.

The spy chief’s defection was made public by the East German authorities.

They also revealed that in the past 18 months they had arrested nearly 170 West German agents in East Germany after acting on intelligence from Mr Tiedge.

When security officials searched Mr Tiedge’s home in Cologne they found many top-secret documents.

The West German Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, has described the former spy chief’s defection as “catastrophic”.

In what is rapidly turning into the biggest spy scandal in recent West Germany history, three other key government staff have also disappeared.

1985

• Nigeria’s Governor General, Sir James Wilson Robertson, during elections in 1959

GSM: 250,000 handsets stolen in 2002 2003

It was announced on this day in August 2003 that Nigerian GSM subscribers lost more than N2.5 billion to robbers, thieves and other kinds of

unscrupulous people, who stole handsets in 2002 alone. This figure was arrived at after it was announced that a total number of 250,000 telephone handsets were either forcefully removed from their owners or lost by the same persons in the year under review.

Investigations by network operators, which report was made available to the media shows that by December 2002, subscribers had lost about 250,000 handsets to thieves.

According to the result of the investigations, Econet subscribers reported a loss of 92,105 handsets requesting the network operator to block the lines. Econet occupies the second position in the Nigerian mobile market with a market share of 34 percent.

The investigations also showed that subscribers on the MTN network, which presently occupies the number one position with a market share of 60 per cent and with a wider spread across the country may have recorded more than 150,000.

M-Tel, the mobile arm of NITEL makes up the remaining figure of more that 20,000.

The pattern of theft showed that in the Econet network, subscribers lost 8,383 sets in January; 7,583 in February; 2208 in March and 6215 in April.

Other reported thefts are 7630 for May; 6320 for June; 7763 for the month of July; 9253 for August; and 7635 for September.

Other results showed that 10354 subscribers within the Econet network reported their phones stolen in October; 9176 for November and 9630 for December.

The figures show losses both on the contract and prepaid packages. While loss of handsets of subscribers on the contract package totaled 1405, those on the popular Buddie totaled 90700.

Although MTN official sources were not willing to give out the figures of handset theft of subscribers reported to the network operator, unofficial sources put it at nothing less than 150,000 for the year under review.

Kurdish revolt grows in Iran On this day, in August 1979, Kurds in Iran ousted government troops from a large area near the Iraqi border.

However, they had full control of only one town, Mahabad, the centre of Iranian Kurdistan in the north-west of the country.

The revolt began when Kurdish tribesmen overpowered Iranian soldiers in the nearby town of Paveh.

The fighting later spread to the towns of Divan Darreh, Saqqez and Mahabad which was briefly the capital of an independent Kurdish republic from 1946-7.

Iran’s four mil-

1979

lion Kurds have been disappointed the ousting of the Shah and the setting up of an Islamic state has not brought them more autonomy.

22

DAILY SUN

Thursday, August 23, 2012

L-R: Secretary to the Osun State Govt, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori, Mrs Grace Gbadebo and Dr. Rasheed Oyaromade at the commemoration of National Productivity Day in Osogbo weekend.

LG introduces L Series phones

L

G Mobile has introduced its new range of mobile phones, the LG Mobile L Series comprising of the LG Optimus L3, L5 and L7 mobile phones into the Nigerian market.

Introduced at the weekend in Lagos, Marketing Manager LG Mobile, Mrs. Bukola Arabome stated that the LG Mobile L series are smartphones with stylish craft that compliments everyone’s unique style and also comes in prices which makes it affordable to persons of various class.

Presenting the Optimus L3 Dual-SIM E405, Arabome stated that the phone which allows for the use of 2 GSM SIM, thus giving its user a choice of network also offers huge set of features and is one of the best buys in its categories.

“LG Optimus L3 Dual functions on an Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system and its users will be able to download latest apps and softwares as its speed is boosted up by an 800 MHz Cortex-A5 processor”.

The device she further noted

“offers a comfortable view with its 3.2-inch TFT touch screen display and 240 by 320 pixels camera resolution and also comes with 1 GB internal data memory which is expandable to 32 GB and also comes loaded with a 3.2 MP Primary camera and a Wi-Fi option”.

With 1,500 mAh battery strength and powered by a 384 MB RAM, Arabome stated that the new LG Mobile L series which takes its look and feel from the PRADA phones also comes with pre-loaded LG Smart World applications.

Ex-Edo Speaker loses father-in-law riends, political associates and colleagues were recently at the Auchi residence of the former speaker, Edo state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Zakawanu Garuba to condole him over the death of his Father-In-Law, Col.

F

Abudu Arunah (rtd) who died on August 8, 2012.

Col Abudu Arunah died at the age of 73 after a brief illness. He was buried in his family compound at Auchi, the Etsako West headquarters of Edo state in accordance with Islamic rites.Until his death was a devoted Moslem, disciplinarian and a retired colonel of the Nigeria Army, and was accorded brief Military farewell salute and gun shots by a team of soldiers who were at the grave side.

Arunah’s daughter, Mrs. Hassan Garuba, is a chief magistrate in the Edo state Judiciary who is married to the ex-speaker, was condoled by women across Auchi led by the former speaker’s mother.

The burial ceremony was witnessed by Auchi community leaders, Islamic scholars, politicians, family members, and well-wishers.

Garuba acknowledged the sympathizers whom had paid them condolence visit.

Among whom were Hon. Johnson Abolagba, the PDP Gubernatorial Deputy Governorship candidate in the July governorship poll in the state among others.

Bajaj introduces Button-Start bikes

By AKINSOLA OMIDIRE

B

ajaj Auto Ltd, manufacturers of Bajaj Tricycles a.k.a Keke Marwa and Boxer motorcycles has launched the Boxer BM100ES with button start into the Nigerian market amidst pomp and pageantry.

Speaking at the unveiling of the motorbike, Manager International Marketing, Mr Vidyadhar Joshi said the company was proud to introduce the motorbike,he said the performance of Boxer has improved tremendously over the years from 2008 to 2012 and said it’s the highest selling brand in the Nigerian market. Enumerating it’s features, Joshi said it has a four –stroke engine with low fuel consumption, longer engine life and low maintenance cost.

According to Joshi, it also gives better ride on any type of roads be it smooth or rugged, has bigger tank to contain more fuel, and a thermoplastic cylinder etc.

He said he hoped the bike will create a better excitement among riders.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Mimiko, the political Iroko Guest Columnist I roko is the father of all trees, the king of the forest which thrives in its God-given domain, unfettered by lesser trees, and majestic in its solid essence. The symbolic, political sweep of Iroko is captured in the Yoruba belief that, as its maturity is a potent threat to its foes. Symbolically, Iroko connotes splendour, resilience, stolidity, healthiness, pulchritude and majesty.

Iroko is the father of trees, whatever the qualms of naysayers. Iroko does not make a forest but it is the father of the trees.

Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, current Republic’s most decorated governor, brings into governance a unique blend of ideology shaped by the pragmatics of the Nigerian socio-political and socioeconomic ecology, a visionary and revolutionary template defined by solid performance as opposed to ideological legalese, unbridled propaganda in the face of lustreless performance and verbal progressivism lacking in requisite action. The Mimiko mystique is urbane, cultured, and decorum-driven even in the face of relentless assaults by intellectual minions, half-baked ideologues and moral misfits. The Iroko ise takun takun mantra, rooted in tested cultural ethos, is, analysts say, dialectically interrogatory rather than unthinkingly celebratory of history, political culture; in short, the very essence, meaning and direction of governance. Call it the new Awoism, Mimikoesque or whatever, it is the only vision/paradigm shift that serves as a benchmark for contemporary African developmental leadership, whether you are thinking of education, the health sector or the environment. Indeed, those who call him Iroko do so in deep appreciation of his sterling qualities as an agent of change.

Alluringly, Mimiko’s current acclaimed status as an unequalled progressive has an integral linkage with his upbringing and struggles for a better society. From his remarkable upbringing as the sire of a committed Awoist who believed that whatever Awo had a hand in must be good and therefore decreed that his son must read medicine at the University of Ife in the early 1970’s because Awo was associated with the school, Mimiko’s progressive credentials were sharpened as a student union

Re: For governors to control the police

L

ately the issue of state police reached a high point. Former inspectors General of police stood against it saying the country hardly stands to gain anything from such a move. But former military Ibrahim Babangida has thrown his weight behind the move. He wants Governors to control the police. Below are views of some Nigerians on the matter.

KAYODE AKINMADE

Mimiko activist and kingmaker at the acclaimed Africa’s most beautiful campus at a time the great thinkers and shakers of the African continent lectured at the university, and he was, at the same time, a highly introspective man of the arts who knew Wole Soyinka, P’Bitek and other masters by heart and committed himself to a practical application of the ideals canvassed by these intellectuals in their prodigious literary outputs.

Indeed, the young prodigy who confronted a former commissioner who had been sent by the government when he (Mimiko), while on housemanship at a state hospital, had organised nurses and doctors at the hospital to stage a protest against the government over lack of water and electricity), was a member of the Ondo Study Group which correctly predicted the fall of the Soviet Union. In the early 80s, by his own account, “Dr Mimiko’s hospital was also a centre for activism of sorts. All the young lecturers at the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, then would always gravitate towards my hospital by 4p.m; they would all come around under the mango tree to pontificate over national issues. The likes of Tola Wewe, Tunde Babawale of CBAAC, Ojo Olorunleke and other young lecturers alike would come to the hospital to discuss nation-

DAILY SUN

from the University of Ibadan, OAU and other universities. The team took its health programme to the nooks and crannies of Ondo State, spreading the gospel of free health, restoring many previously written off sights, giving hope to the downtrodden and courage to the lowly.

By 2003, when the AD governors decreed automatic tickets for themselves, Mimiko teamed up with the PDP, and became Secretary to the State Government (SSG), under the succeeding Olusegun Agagu administration, but it was a lame duck arrangement.

Mercurial Olusegun Obasanjo, under whom, as minister, the Iroko got Nigeria its building code, just would not let go of him. He drafted him to Abuja as Minister of Housing.

However, back home, the call for service were becoming more strident because those who knew the Iroko’s ideological and service pedigree knew that he would take governance to greater, unimaginable heights and bring back the Obafemi Awolowo/UPN days.

However, the “power that be”, realising the political implication of releasing an invaluable asset, eventually vowed to do everything possible to frustrate the Mimiko aspiration. But God would always make another way for His anointed: four months of mass mobilisation, powered by tested political tactics and visionary strategy, delivered the goods.

But then, the man of the people was up against the state, and took his battle to the courts, where he eventually reclaimed his mandate, setting Ondo State on the path of massive development. A progressive to the core, Mimiko has provided a credo that is impossible to deny. According to him: “When Awolowo democratised education, it was against the status quo. Even his contemporaries in the arch-conservatives of the North were afraid that he would open the eyes of the people. That later proved to be one of the greatest policies that have affected the lives of the people. That was anti-status quo.

Awolowo did not build school for the rich; he built schools for the masses. That was progressivism.

“A progressive leader cannot be selfish and amass wealth for himself/herself at the expense of the masses.

al issues.’’

Of course, the hospital was a kind of charity home where people never got turned back, and where they exploited the humane nature and munificence of the doctor/activist to get treatment for various ailments almost at no cost. A publication, the Dawn of Awareness, captured the intellectual engagement of the group on critical national issues, so deep in their political essence that many would, just like in the present, often forget that Mimiko was a medical doctor. Of course, today, there are Bolekaja ideologues, political riff raff crying integration in the face of insane conduct, and inching to arrest the Ondo revolution, forgetting, to borrow a Shakespearean word, the ides of an enlightened populace who are appreciative of the massive developmental strides of the people’s governor, builder of the first court in prison on the African continent, initiator of a World Health Organisation (WHO) benchmark Abiye (literally, safe birth) programme who, at the same time, has taken sports to unimaginable heights while paying the highest minimum wage in the country.

The drive to offer service beyond philanthropy, beyond the ambience of free medical treatment for the downtrodden by an individual with very limited resources, took the doctor/activist straight into the murky waters of politics, where he contested as a councillor despite his profile as a hugely successful medical doctor. It was, thus, with a rich history of active engagement in developmental politics that Mimiko took up appointment as a commissioner in the cabinet of the Bamidele Olumilua government in the aborted Third Republic, before becoming Commissioner for Health under the Adebayo Adefarati-led Alliance for Democracy government with the return to civil rule in 1999.

Those who recall that government would •Akinmade is Commissioner remember the festival of surgery initiated by Information, Ondo State. the commissioner in partnership with friends

Alvan Ewuzie

alvanatsun@yahoo.com 07082020392

23

for

SNAP Shots

Nigeria not ripe for state police Nigeria is not ripe for state police. The masses are in a better position to know because we are the ones at the receiving end whenever there is insecurity. The Governors are never attacked. They now want to have a private in the name of state police. May God deliver us from bad leaders.

J. T Kaan Benue state 07039009506

They are not serious The Governoers are not serious, why should they be advocating for state police. let there be dialogue We are too raw for that.

Alvan your piece titled’For governors to Predok, Cotonu control the police’ is good. But I do not +22998334659 think the litany of problems we have hinged on who controls the police. For me the soluGovernors should control the police tion lies in dialogue cum national dialogue For me the police should remain at the that will not be politisied. I suggest that federal level but we should learn to obey the there should be three representatives should law. If we adhere to the rule of law, the come from each state. I believe that what question of who pays the piper dictates the they come up with will help solve our probAbubakar tune will not arise. At the moment the lems. If we allow police to control the Governors are the chief security officers of police they will certainly abuse such pow- ers. By some of their activities it is obvious the state. This simple law is not adhered to and that is the problem. I believe that the “I suggest that there should be three police as they currently exist should take orders from the state Governors. The gover- representatives should come from each nors and the federal government can jointly fund the police but they should take orders state. I believe that what they come up from the governors since they are the chief with will help solve our problems. If we security officers. During elections the police should be independent of all three allow police to control the police they will certaintiers ly abuse such powers. By some of their activities it 07042325266

is obvious thyat it will be a dangerous move.”

thyat it will be a dangerous move.

Bona Asonta, Orlu 08055312381 The idea is not welcome The idea of state police is not welcome because it will create problem of intimidation. Government should rather equip the police properly to fight. I do not believe state police will solve the problem of insecurity.

Gordon Nnorom 08084475093 On office of the first lady If the constitution recognizes office of the first lady what happens when a lady becomes president. Shall we rewrite the constitution to accommodate the husband?

Emeka Maduabum 08108899197 There is more to the budget face off than meets the eye. I think it is the agenda of some people to truncate Jonathan’s presidency do not forget that for some Nigerians when a woman like Okono Iweala is in charge of a sensitive position as the one she now occupies it is against their fate. Where in the world does government implement budget ine hundred percent when items in the document outlast the budget?

Lai Ashadele 08023632992

24

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

ArewaReport ACF chieftain cries out: I’m dying slowly From ISMAIL OMIPIDAN, NOAH EBIJE & ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, Kaduna

M

…Needs N6m for surgery in India

ohammed Abdulrahman, you remember him? He was the first and only chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to publicly canvass support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s candidacy in the build-up to the 2011 presidential election. It was at a time the ACF and other notable Northern leaders were insisting that the Presidency must return to the North, following the death of ex-president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

For daring to go against the position of the group, he was relieved of his position as secretary of its political committee. Today, he needs N6 million to live a normal life again but those he was willing to die for at that time, appear to have abandoned him to his fate.

When Daily Sun team visited him recently at his residence, the team was almost moved to tears, after listening to Abdulrahman’s ordeal. In spite of his failing health, he was still his vocal self, speaking frankly about his ill-health and other issues surrounding it. Excerpts: You were supposed to have traveled abroad for surgical operation, why haven’t you gone?

It is funny, those who were suppose to assist, have not done anything about my case. That was why I spoke to the press the other time.

Somebody phoned me from the Presidency and said “why did I go to the press?” I said, “why shouldn’t I talk to the press? I am dying, I only look physically okay, but the spinal cord is not where you joke with. I have started getting black out.”

He said but my talking to the press, will discourage the people who want to help. I said, do they want to help me politically or they want to assist a Nigerian who has helped the government so much? Then he said no problem. But, since then, the person has stopped picking my calls. I was wondering whether it was a deliberate attempt to see Mohammed Abdulrahman die just like that.

When was this?

It was around March this year.

So, why were you crying this (Thursday August 9, 2012) afternoon?

What really happened was that last night, as I was sleeping, it was time to wake up for the dawn meal (during Muslim fasting) but I couldn’t move my limbs. I called my wife to assist, she knows that I do this exercise often. (Turned to The Sun team) Sorry, I may have to remove my cloth for you to see. (Cloth removed), can you see that there is a bridge somewhere there?

The upper part was operated upon before.

Sometimes, when you call me, it is after you call me and you keep quite that I will hear it.

This is because of the time it takes to communicate. Once in a while, I feel as if I want to lose my balance. I went to meet the (Kaduna) Deputy Governor, because I was born in Zaria.

I spent all my life in Kaduna State and I told him about my predicament and he said there was no problem.

He said that there was a vote in Kaduna State which could be used to sponsor me to India. He added that my letter has reached him and they have delivered that of the Vice President to him.

I kept calling and sending text, and he would call me back to reassure me. But recently, he has also stopped picking my calls. In fact, in the last three months, he has not replied my text or picked my call. In spite of all these, I did not relent, hoping that maybe God will touch their hearts and they will do something.

So, this (Thursday, August 9, 2012) morning when I had the blackout for a longer time, I sent a text to them again. I had to send the text because before now, the blackout lasts for about an hour, but today, it lasted for about three hours.

The longer period the blackout lasted actually made cry, coupled with the fact that I know that I needed to be assisted.

•Abdulrahman Have they replied?

I am yet to hear from them.

Must you go to India before the operation is done?

Yes, the operation in India is necessary, because, they cannot put a surgical knife on the spinal cord; they have to use solar to get those things out. They wrote me that I should come before September this year. I sent a copy of that letter to those people who are supposed to assist.

Then I called the Indian doctor in charge of my case. He said, why they advised that I come

by September was because the activities on my back were infringing on so many other things and diabetes could set in. That if I come after September, even if they remove the lipoma, diabetes will still set in and if diabetes set in, it may cause paralysis. I sent text to that effect to Ramalan Yero (Kaduna Deputy Governor), Isaiah Balat and the Vice President, they didn’t reply. When I came out of this problem this morning, I sent text again to Ramalan Yero, Isaiah Balat and ADC to the Vice President.

Don’t you have direct access to the Vice President?

I don’t. When there was an issue sometimes last year, they called me. I use to switch-off my phone by 10pm, they sent me text that, I should call immediately I get the message. That was before this illness. I am telling you that, I had access to him if he called me, but now, there is no access.

Considering the role you played in the Jonathan Presidency, and the attempt to humiliate you within the ACF because of the position you took at that time, how do you feel now?

They are confining it to the fact that I am not a PDP member. I told them that I don’t have to be a party member to know what is good for my country. I was concerned about the paradigm shift of the age of who should be our President.

I was concerned about not having an ex-military man or ex-sub-military like Atiku, Babangida and Aliyu Gusau.

I said we should have somebody below the age of 60 that was why I insisted that the Jonathan thing should be on. Since I have achieved it, it is okay. Chief Edwin Clark had told me that I would be one of the fore frontiers in the Jonathan’s government. I was even at his

declaration. I participated fully. And it later turned out that the northern establishment was feeling that since I succeeded in doing what I did, “let’s make sure he never get connected with them (Presidency.)”

Why are you feeling this way?

I feel that was what happened. I see no reason Namadi Sambo, my own classmate in the University will not want to relate with me on this issue. We were in school together. He went in for Architecture and I went in for Accounting. We had known each other a longer time before then.

Though the war at the ACF at that time was that they wanted everybody in the North to believe that if they were with me, they were against the North. It was later that the people understood my argument that we can’t have six northern presidential candidates and win an election, because, we will share our own votes, because each of the candidates has relevance in his own area. So, after dividing the northern votes, Jonathan would certainly win election even if he was a weak candidate. It was when I explained all these, that people started singing the same song with me.

At a point, they didn’t even invite me for ACF meetings. At one time, we were in the meeting and they called some people to remove me from the meeting. They said, if I was in the meeting, it would not succeed. It was later that they discovered that some people had some selfish interest when they tried to talk to northern presidential candidates one by one and they refused to show up.

They discovered that some of them had turned it to personal issue and that was why the political committee wanted me out. In fact, they wanted me suspended from ACF, but they said, “no! It is a free society.” Afew of them went into drafting a new constitution for ACF that showed that based on what I did as an individual, I could be removed. They also said we should have membership card, that if you are born a northerner, then, you are a member. When I was the first to apply and got the membership card, the whole issue of membership card went down, because, they couldn’t go that way again. All efforts were just to get rid of Mohammed Abdulrahman at all cost.

They found out that everything I was saying and doing was happening. I think I had God’s

favour as far as vision was concerned. That was how the whole issue went down.

Do you still attend ACF meetings?

Even yesterday, (Wednesday, August 8, 2012), they brought an invitation that there would be a meeting of ACF in the first week of September. But I will tell you something. When ACF wanted to see Jonathan, the people in the Villa accepted ACF’s request to see the President. But some people at the Villa said, “we want Mohammed Abdulrahman to be part of them, since he is member of the National Executive Council of the ACF.” But some people in ACF executive started fuming. They were saying if the President wanted to see me, I should go on my own, but that I cannot go with them. I said I am a member of the National Executive Council. All the trips they have been making to governors, even the ones they did when we did the peace conference, they didn’t include me.

For the first time I felt I needed to talk, because I had spoken with General Jerry Useni (ACF, BoT chairman) and Aliko Mohammed (ACF chairman) on the matter. They said they would do something about it. But later, they said since it was secretary that would compile the list, if he did not want me in the group, there was nothing they could do about it. So, that made me helpless.

I must say that I am appreciative of what Aliko Mohammed did about this issue of my illness. He spoke with the Vice President on the matter.

When the President said, “Mohammed Abdulrahman has to be in the team.” They said, “no!” Over their dead bodies. Meanwhile, Aliko Mohammed and Useni had told me on phone that I could come with them, just a night before.

When I went to the Secretariat to find out the pattern of movement, that was when some members of the executives insited I muet not follow them. Aliko Mohammed said his hands were tied. I phoned the security apparatus at the Villa, and that was how they could not see the President that day.

Don’t you feel abandoned, considering the role you played in bringing about the government?

I feel not abandoned because ‘abandon’ is a very light word, I feel betrayed, I feel devastated. Chief Edwin Clark and Gram-Douglas are the two people who were really interested and were happy that I was helping the President. One of them said, “if Mohammed Abdulrahman had not played the role he played, the northern establishment would have been very strong and Jonathan would not have won the election. It was because of Mohammed Abdulrahman’s role that made some northerners began to think and said ‘look, let’s give Jonathan a trial.’”

Whatever that looked like a political process was propelled by Mohammed Abdulrahman in the North. That was why the northern establishment and all the big people there couldn’t fight Jonathan, and that was why Jonathan won the election.

But look at me, dying slowly and no one is there for me. Honestly, I feel betrayed. I never stood face-to-face with Jonathan to discuss. But, you know, everyone has his own belief and fear of God. I am 59 years old, I am seeking God’s mercy, I can’t fight the dirty fight they are fighting. That is why I resign to fate.

I thought Namadi Sambo, a great beneficiary of the fight I fought for Jonathan to be President should have been more favourably disposed to me, coupled with the fact that we were classmates. This is the shock that I am still living with. It has not gone yet.

How much will it cost to operate on you?

It is $30,800 as at November 2011. But it will be more than that now, because of time lag. But that is apart from the cost of going from Nigeria to that place and coming back, with accommodation. They have always said that anytime I am ready, I should write them to get the new cost.

That is the situation. This is because the price

Thursday, August 23, 2012

DAILY SUN

25

Arewa Report

By RAHEEM ADEDOYIN

I

read with some fascination reports on the 2015 election scheming in Kwara State. I contribute to the discourse only to put the issues raised in clear and proper perspectives. What are the issues?

One: That Governor Abdullfatah Ahmed emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate after some horse-trading.

From his body language, ex-governor Abubakar Bukola Saraki (aka ABS), was determined that his legacy and good work would continue by his successor. So, the worry then was: Who would the cap fit?

The PDP gubernatorial race was star-studded, no mediocres. Among the high-flyers were Ahmed, Abdulrasaq Atunwa, Col. Theophilus Bamigboye (retd.), Prof.

Abdulraheem Oba, Issa Bio Ibrahim, Senator Makanjuola Sulaimon Ajadi and Bashir Bolarinwa.

From the vantage position of being in government, Ahmed and Atunwa had the edge. But as political wisdom dictated, Ahmed from Kwara State Senatorial District finally secured the nod of ABS, who pushed courageously for power shift. In a nutshell, Ahmed satisfied the two core requirements for sustaining the ABS legacy and most of the aspirants were very active in the PDP flag bearer’s campaign. The family was united behind the choice.

Two: Ahmed and Atunwa are continuing their “war” with an eye on 2015. And to this extent, the governor allegedly sponsored a failed impeachment plot against the speaker.

This is not only untrue, it is uncharitable. In the first place, there was no “war” between them, how would what didn’t exist then continue?

The suggestion of a lingering feud between the two is untrue and will not achieve the desired goal of sowing the seed of discord in the PDP family. Honestly, no one in the PDP has fallen for this outlandish propaganda; the system in Kwara does not permit wilful removal of elected heads of government by governors or power brokers.

Was there even really a plot? A member of the House of Assembly wrote a petition against the speaker. The petition was investigated by the House and the findings showed the allegations were unfounded and that the said member acted alone. The member was sanctioned by the House as were some principal officers, who reportedly did not act fast enough when the petition came to their knowledge (the speaker was out of the country then). End of story. How does

Kwara 2015 guber: The Ahmed, Saraki ‘tango’

Saraki

•Gov. Ahmed this concern the governor?

Going down memory lane, a similar failed “plot” by a member of the House in 2005 led to the removal of the alleged plotter as a principal officer of the House. Was the then governor the sponsor of the failed plot to achieve a second-term bid?

Interestingly, Ahmed and Atunwa maintain a very close friendship and even closer work relationship. The speaker has lent support vigorously to the programmes of the governor and the governor does not joke with the interests of the speaker and the House on state matters even outside the shores of this country Three: Quinssential ABS does not want to give Ahmed a second term. Why? Because the god-father, Oloye, never gave any governor a second term. Fallacy. Oloye endosed ABS for a second term. He did that not

because the then governor was his son but because the younger Saraki worked very hard to earn a second term.

And a little bit of history. Governor Adamu Atta (1980-83) placed his hope of a second-term in office on the Federal might.

Saraki only crushed them with the power of localised politics. Governor C.O. Adebayo (1983) and Governor Shaaba Lafiagi (199193) had their first terms in office terminated and second-term dreams aborted by the military, not Saraki. The late former governor Mohammed Lawal fell out with Saraki long before any talk of second term surfaced. So, leave Saraki out of this.

Enter ABS. The attempt to pitch Ahmed against his leader is discernible but laughable. In present day Kwara, if anyone desires to be governor, he ignores ABS at his own political peril. This is not sweet music

to the ears of Saraki bashers but it is the reality.

As for Ahmed, his pre-occupation is doing well in office with the mandate he has now.

The talk of any scheming for 2015 is completely diversionary.

In the same manner that you have Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling the political shot in Lagos, leaving governance to Babatunde Fasola, Bukola Saraki, being in charge of the political leadership in Kwara, allows enough space and latitude for Ahmed to face governance.

In a nutshell, for now, the focus is on the performance of the PDP government so that whoever flies the party’s flag in 2015 has a good platform to return PDP to power.

•Adedoyin is Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed on Communication and Strategy.

My scorecard by Ex-CP Tambari, now AIG, Zone 3

By NGOZI UWUJARE

T

he newly promoted Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 3, Yola, Adamawa State, Mr. Tambari Yabo Mohammed, has said the little time he spent in Oyo State as Commissioner of Police has been a glorious period of his career.

According to him: “When I came on board, I met the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) crisis. I came at a time when the two factional leaders of the union were declared wanted by the state police command. But through consultation, I was able to bring peace to the troubled state.

“As at the time I was promoted AIG Zone 3, Yola, the Oyo State Command under my commissionership had arrested several armed robbers, recovered a lot of arms and ammunition, rescued victims from the hands of kidnappers and recovered stolen vehicles abandoned by criminals.

“I want to thank the men of SARS, under the command of Supol Seyi Okenla (SP), the Skynet Officer, Inspector Mohammed Dimka and the Monitoring Unit as they were my backbones who made it possible for me to achieve success in the state. I appreciate the effort of the State Security Services (SSS), Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the

Immigration and Prison services. We all worked together to achieve whatever I achieved in the state.

“I appreciate the effort of Governor Abiola Ajimobi who gave us good support as his administration provided us operational vehicles. Recently, the state government launched its security trust fund to support the security agencies in fighting criminals. Also, I want to thank the media, they really gave us a good coverage and carried our policies to the public.

“During my period, I dismissed five policemen for their disobedience to the rules and regulations of the police code of ethics.”

Mohammed who hails from Yabo Local

Government area, Sokoto State, explained that Nigeria Police remains one of the best in the world: “If Nigeria Police go for peace-keeping assignment outside the country, we will be the best among the delegations of other countries. The Federal Government is doing its best”.

He said he would remain eternally grateful to the government and people of Oyo State for their support and cooperation which he said made him to achieve much in the short time he spent in the state.

‘Man O War Nigeria illegal’ From EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, Lokoja

T

he Commandant General of Man O War Association Nigeria (MOWAN), Mr. Gbenga Oloba, has described the purported Man O War Nigeria as illegal and unconstitutional, urging the public to disregard them.

Oloba claimed that Decree 38 of 1989 and Act of Parliament of 1960 empowered MOWAN, which is for the matured minds and the Man O War Club for students in

colleges and tertiary institutions to function as non-governmental paramilitary organisations in Nigeria.

According to him, the clarification became necessary to dispel misinformation contained in a newspaper report. He added that the publication was dubious, callous, misleading and amounted to ignorance of the workings of MOWAN. “It is a statutory responsibility of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to set up a board, which the

Director General of Citizenship and Leadership Training centre is a member and whose function is to advise Man O War association and Man O War club,” Oloba explained.

He urged those behind the Man O War Nigeria to consult the Ayida Panel White Paper pages 156/157, relating to MOWAN. He advised them to stop malicious publication against him. He extened olive branch to them but urged the people, however, to beware of Man O War Nigeria.

•Mohammed

26

DAILY SUN

Thursday, August 23, 2012

POLITICS...&Polity The Bakassi drama,

by Ita-Giwa The issue of the people of Bakassi Local Government Area, whose ancestral home in the Bakassi Peninsula was ceded to Cameroun by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is still on the front burner 10 years after. Last week, the leaders of the Bakassi Peoples General Assembly led by Senator Florence Ita-Giwa addressed a press conference in Lagos on the state of things in the area and the plight of the people. NDUBUISI ORJI, who was there brings the excerpts: Did you make any move to discuss with the Bakassi Self Determination Front, which declared the area a sovereign state before coming here to avoid internal conflict that may arise. nybody in any form that wants to draw attention to the Bakassi issue, we appreciate. We don’t know anything about that(secession). If that is their effort in helping us in bringing attention to the Bakassi issue, we are not going to sit here and condemn anybody. We are saying that as responsible grown up Nigerians, who are leaders, we do not believe in it, and we are not part of it.

You were senator in the National Assembly, and worked with ex-president Obasanjo as special adviser. As somebody who was close to the seat of power, why was it difficult for you to get anything done before Obasanjo left office. Two, given the fact that the incumbent president is from the Niger Delta region, what do you think is pulling him back from doing anything for your people?

You know that in Nigeria, anything I say about Obasanjo is always seen to be in defence of Obasanjo. But you have said it the way it is here. And this is a life long struggle. We started this struggle when I was young, and I have gotten into old age now, and we are still in the struggle.

The truth is that I was actually invited to New York for the ceding. But unfortunately at the last minute, I was asked to leave the room because I am too emotional. The first meeting we went to in Geneva, I had a confrontation with the president of Cameroun, which was said not to be diplomatic. But my desperation did not look into the issue of diplomacy. I had a direct confrontation with him ( camerounian president) . And we now went for the ceding and only Donald Duke, the then governor was allowed to be there. I don’t know what I would have done at that time. I am not saying that I would have done anything to stop the ceding.

But subsequently, President Obasanjo kept asking me questions about what I think would be comfortable, and painless in relocating the people. And in Nigeria, decisions can be taken at the level of the federal government and implementation at the state level will be another problem. I do understand that even before Obasanjo left office, he provided money for the immediate development of the area, that we are to be relocated to. But certain things happened quickly.

I will also own up here that sometimes, it may not be to the advantage of the people that you are leading if you are friendly with government and are also trying to protect government by allowing things to go on. Because we were actually taken to an area that was very horribleIkang. But because it was done hurriedly, these things have to be done you have no choice at

A

the time than to go along. And of course, overnight, at the state level, they have brought out law no 7, which now made it imperative for us to go along with any arrangement.

So, I will not say that Obasanjo made it as painless as he promised. But I would also say that Obasanjo made efforts at the level of the Federal Government. But whether those efforts were implemented at the state level, is another thing.

I will also like to let you know that the reason why I am called mama Bakassi is because from constitutional conference to the Senate, I have never stopped talking about this issue, which has virtually consumed me. I am very happy today that everybody is crying with us.

But I was alone voice in the wilderness for so many years.

The state (Cross River) did set up a resettlement committee. In fairness to the present governor, (Liyel) Imoke, he made me chairman of that committee, and we sat for almost six months or there about, and worked out ways and means that the resettlement will be conducted in a very painless way. We made recommendations. But unfortunately, as it is with this country, up till today, those recommendations have not been implemented.

It is also note worthy for me to mention here that (late President Musa) Yar’Adua in his life time also set up a committee which was headed by the present president, who was then vice president. And I know that maybe as Niger Delta son, he showed enough interest and enthusiasm in ensuring that a body was set up to actually come out and see our state and see the areas that we actually want to be relocated to. And I believe that Jonathan committee also

•Ita-Giwa

made recommendations that would have facilitated our resettlement. But again, nothing has been heard about the report of that committee.

You talked about the possibility of being relocated permanently to a location of your choice, would having a permanent settlement not militate against moves by the House of Reps to seek for a review of the ICJ judgement.

There was no Bakassi person that was involved in the process. At that time, we wished that Bakassi indigenes were invited to the Hague. I am sure you all know that at the time that Cameroun took Nigeria to court during (late General Sani) Abacha regime, Abacha ignored that process. As the soldier that he was, he refused to subject the country or himself to that judicial process. He rather chose to go to war to liberate the area. But at the time, that we say we are now democratized we want to play the good people, and we subjected ourselves to that process, and we lost the case. But I would want to say that no Bakassi indigene was asked for any input in that matter. No Bakassi indigene. Just like a mixed commission was set up and it was a non Bakassi person that was made a member of that commission. I actually came out, because sometimes out of desperation, I will come out to say I want to do this, I want to do that. And I was described as being too emotional, too militant over the Bakassi issue. It was felt that I would not be able to work with other countries.

The issue of resettlement, let’s be realistic. I don’t like play acting, especially when you are dealing with peoples lives. We have said it over and over again that we appreciate the

efforts of the House of Representatives, even though it has taken ten years, eight weeks to the final day that we can appeal the ICJ judgment.

Now, the people of Bakassi have been on the streets all these years. They have been completely marginalized. When it got to the point that we could not even vote, we now felt that we have to rise up and act. Because if we cannot vote, then it means that these children that we are raising, when they grow up they will not be part of the democratic process of this country. Now, we have been disenfranchised. I did not vote (in the last general election). I do not know if I can contest elections again, and I am still politically ambitious. So, where will I go and use my voter’s card. What we need now is immediate resettlement, and if there is any possibility of going back to Bakassi peninsula, well and good.

You all know that going through an appeal in an international court is not an easy thing. It probably will take at least 3,4,5 or 10 years. We need to be resettled. We need to resettle our traditional institutions. Most of the traditional rulers are now refugees. We left things in Bakassi. We left our homes, we left the graves of our fore fathers in Bakassi, which is very painful. We almost lost our identity. They started describing us as numbers. I do not have the name of a village again, I was known as no 10 or ward 2. Can you imagine Ita –Giwa not having a village? I cannot go and claim my mother’s village, because I have a father. My father was a traditional ruler. So, what we need now is where we can go and settle down and call our home and it is also part of the former Bakassi.

It is also worthy for you to note that it is the Bakassi Peninsular that was ceded, not the local government. And that is why they say we can move with our structure. We want to be resettled in Dayspring. If you like call it temporarily, but we want to be resettled in Dayspring. Dayspring is Nigeria. So, if we are living there as a temporary arrangement, it is Nigeria and it can be made permanent after the court judgment.

We are going to resist strongly any attempt by anybody to exclude us from being part of the review , from giving evidence, and part of the process of resettling us. We wear the shoes, and we know where it hurt.

You kept talking about being resettled in Dayspring Island. Why is it difficult for the government to allow you go.?

I wish I have an answer. All I know is that we were forcefully taken to the place called Itang through law no 7. There is always drama going on in Nigeria, because as we speak now, law no 7 has been abandoned. But at the time, the resettlement committee, we recommended Dayspring. But I will like the government of Cross River state and Nigeria to tell Nigerians why they have not taken us to our place of choice. They took us to a land locked area. We were born in riverline, ocean front area. We earn our incomes from the ocean. Our life style revolves around the ocean. Our life style does not strive in farmland, we are not farmers; we are fishermen. We are aquatic people.

So, I like the government of this country to tell us why we have not been relocated to our place of choice. We actually offered to go and start developing the area for ourselves if we officially were allowed to go there.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

DAILY SUN

27

POLITICS...&Polity Hon Bethel Amadi was recently elected President of Pan-African Parliament. In this chat with Daily Sun he outlines his focus in the three years he will hold sway in the saddle. The House of Representatives member spoke on other national issues. IHEANACHO NWOSU presents the excerpts.

Pan-African Parliament and colonial hangover ell in the next three years we are going to focus on peace and security in the continent as well as look at youth employment/food security.

Gender issues will also mount the centre stage in the continent.

The parliament will also look seriously into issues that concerns unity in Africa. As for the colonial hangover you mentioned earlier, yes that has been there but the issue of ethnic cleavages has really died after we became independent nations.

In the primaries conducted in West Africa I garnered 35 votes against my Francophone opponent who scored 10 votes confirming that the era of ethnic cleavages and scars of colonialsm had drastically reduced. Do not forget that we are just five English speaking countries in West Africa.

At the continental level also my support cuts across every region, my main opponent on the day of election stepped down and I scored 160 votes as against 20 votes considered invalid.

W

Our goal of political and economic integration in Africa –Bethel Amadi, president, Pan-African parliament

Trade inbalance between Africa and the rest of the world For now, African trade in the world market stands at 10 per cent and an additional 2 per cent trade among Africans will spiral into about $200billion annually; an amount far higher than donors and and certain foreign trades. Which do you prefer? Trading among ourselves or the other way round?

For now European trade stand at 20 per cent at the same time their resources are retained.

Intervention in trade-disputes among African nations I strongly believe in ECOWAS, and I believe they are doing something positive towards finally reaching an amicable solution for both countries. In trade, there are countries with more advantages but if there is a collective bargaining in the legal framework it would alleviate most countries that are disadvantaged. I believe the regional body is seriously looking into the matter.

But a strong legislative framework could also help to solve the problem permanently.

Changing the trend in Africa No. That is not true we made a categorical statement on that issue. What happened in Egypt which was the revolution was significant because the people chose their own path and I can assure you that there will soon be a full restoration of the constitution in the country. Remember that for over 50 years there was no democratic structure in that country. So we must ensure due process is followed.

Benefit to Nigeria We are set to provide the necessary platform that would launch Africa into the global market by coming out with a blueprint that the parliament would submit to the Assembly of Heads of state. We will gather all the vital information required from our people about the problems that are presently confronting them in Africa.

As you are aware, Nigeria is the most populous nation in our continent if the integration of the continent gains momentum, Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from an economically integrated Africa.

We have the highest level of migration in the African continent, and some of us are illegal immigrants within our continent that should not be with a good legal framework that must be domesticated by other African nations. You cannot integrate when you are building walls and particularly when fellow African citizens need visa to visit fellow countries in same continent. No African should be treated as an alien in Africa.

It is only in Africa that fellow citizens obtain visas to go to other parts, and with that development you cannot integrate politically and economically. We have plans to build a transcontinental high way from Algiers to Lagos and from Cape Town to Egypt.

Whatever legal frame work put in place in this direction would be subject to individual laws of countries involved. In this direction, the laws would be domesticated to reflect the laws of the nation Nigeria stands to benefit a lot from an integrated Africa we can already see what we are enjoying in the West African subregion via the ECOWAS. The sub-region has a substantial role to play in this whole

from other continents.

An economically integrated Africa will enhance intra-continental employment because I have gone to African countries where labour is hired from Asia, I have gone to countries within the continent where there are no skilled teachers and we have more than enough skilled teachers here in Nigeria, yet we have abandoned them here whereas there are opportunities in fellow African countries.

What is obtainable here is a situation where Nigerians cross the Mediterranean to Europe in search of greener pastures, and once their travel documents expire they go to prison. We have hundreds of thousand Africans and Nigerians languishing in jails in foreign countries. But an economically integrated Africa will nullify all that for good.

•Amadi

Focus of the Pan African Parliament during the forthcoming Speakers’ confab in South Africa?

The focus of the parliament is to find ways and means with which a legal framework that would embrace good governance for African nations and African people.

Finding remedies to the problems of insecurity in the continent, food security and employment for the teeming youths in Africa that are jobless.

The continental body also needs more constitutional powers to achieve its mandate as spelt out by the founding fathers of the body. You are quite aware that Nigeria is the most populous nation in the continent with a very mobile people so our thrust is to ensure that our legislative agenda encompasses free movement of people and goods and services within the continent. As for political integration of our continent, that can take place after we have conveniently achieved an economic integration of the continent. This will form the bulk of our deliberations at the confab and subsequent conferences of the parliament.

arrangement. Nigeria being the most populous nation in the continent equally has a vital role to play.

The case of Nigeria in terms of unemployment is alarming going by the survey

Integration of African Political Parties as suggested by Bamanga Tukur The Chairman is doing a wonderful job, and do not forget that he is the Chairman of the African Roundtable Business which he has managed very well all over the years. I think it would work out fine and I am always in league with him too, to ensure we get most things done to promote Africa.

that was conducted recently which states that of every five unemployed, Nigeria has three .It is a dangerous situation that needs quick remedy. There are job opportunities in Africa but they are filled by foreigners

“It is only in Africa that fellow citizens obtain visas to go to other parts, and with that development you cannot integrate politically and economically. We have plans to build a transcontinental high way from Algiers to Lagos and from Cape Town to Egypt.”

28

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012,

Thursday, August 23, 2012

DAILY SUN

29

ARTS

By CLEMENT ADEYI

T

he first non-profit-making private museum in Nigeria which was founded

by Dr Newton Chuka Jibunoh about 30 years ago after his personal solitary journey from London to Lagos across the Sahara Desert in a car and recently with a group of young environmentalists, is located at 175, Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The re-opening ceremony, which was well attended by dignitaries from different fields of life was opened by Didi Museum chairman, Alhaji Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano, who was represented by Alhaji Tijani Abubakar Tafida of Kano.

Dr Jibunoh, while reliving his experiences in the expedition and passion to build the museum, noted: “Didi represents the first private effort to coordinate, preserve and exhibit our collective heritage from the North, South, East and West of Nigeria and indeed from across the continent of Africa. The museum represents our struggles, our progress and most importantly our shared African character.”

“Today, the new Didi Museum is a reflection of the sensitivity and delicateness of nature, the importance and preservation of our historical past, and the role and contribution of

Didi Museum re-opens with tributes to Sahara the new generation,” he added.

Didi Museum was re-opened with a fitting tribute to the Sahara with an exhibition of photos called “Whispers from the Sahara” by Kelechi Amadi Obi, one of the members of the group who travelled across the Sahara with Dr Newton Jibunoh in 2008.

Alhaji Bayero recalled that his relationship with the Jibunohs and Didi Museum dated back to 30 years ago. He commended Dr Jibunoh and his wife, Elizabeth, for their commitments to Nigerian development and prayed for the museum to attain a greater height.

Chief Jibunoh who is also the founder of Fight Against Desert Enchroachment (FADE) Africa, Nigeria’s foremost environmental organisation, told reporters that he started collecting pieces about 46 years ago. He enthused that his tireless work had progressively seen the museum’s elevation to its present status.

Participants were ushered into the museum

proper to catch a glimpse of Jibunoh’s collections, which are a huge delight to behold. As they moved from one collection and artwork to another, they never stopped appreciating the fine works that were tacit portrayals of true African settings.

Dr Jibunoh said the splendid paintings and carvings were embodiments of the African tradition, adding that Didi Museum had always identified with traditional rulers, with whom it exchanged cultural ideas and seek their advice, getting clarifications on some controversial issues of arts, culture, history and tradition.

He also said that Didi Museum “is indeed a place where art lives”, reaffirming that it was intended to maintain a strong preservation of Africa’s fast disappearing cultural norms, arts and tradition. He added that Didi Museum also helped to trace and link people’s origins, traditions and culture.

•Jibunoh

Events lined up to celebrate Onobrakpeya at 80

By THERESA ONWUGHALU

A

s veteran artist, Bruce Onobrakpeya celebrates his 80th birthday this month, programmes have been lined up to make it a memorable event. For instance, an exhibition entitled, 50 Years of Bruce Onobrakpeya: Window Into his Art: Exhibition of selected works and Installation from various periods of his artistic career spanning 1957 to date, would be held from August 25-31 at Nike Gallery of Art, Lekki, Lagos.

Each segment represents specific periods in the celebrant’s studio practice, which spans a period of over 50 years.

The first segment is the Mythical Realism (1957–1962), which represents paintings, and lino cut prints that depict folklore themes, and Northern landscapes (Zaria).

The second focuses on the artist’s workshop experiments and his Bronzed lino relief series otherwise known as the Sunshine Period (1962–1967) and the third,

The Mask and the Cross (1967–1978).

The fourth segment represents the historical vignettes. These are pictures known as the Symbols of Royalty (1978–1984). They depict historical figures, mostly royalty from the Benin Kingdom and Niger Delta.

The Sahelian Masquerades (1984–1988)), which draws a lot of attention to the role of government in relation to the issues of desertification.

The Mask Series (1990–1995) represents the development of images, which inspired depictions of masks treated in different print media that bring out the philosophies of the people. Social Unrest (1995–1999) is the period of strife within the society.

Finally there will the works from the Installations Period from 1995 till date This show promises to be exciting with over 40 landmark pieces in various media, from all of these periods spanning 1957 to date.

The show would be jointly curated by Nike Okundaye, Sam Ovraiti and Bode

Lagbaja, Crown Troupe, Nerfetiti, others for Civic Centre .... To thrill guests at Soyinka Literature Prize Grand Awards Night

A

number of top artistes have been lined up to entertain at the Grand Awards Night of Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa holding on September 8 in Lagos. Leading the group of artistes is the masked artiste, Lagbaja who is expected to thrill the audience with his Afro-Calypso genre of music, a product of various influences ranging from traditional Yoruba music to Jazz.

Also expected to add colour to the night are Crown Troupe with their energetic steps and Nerfetiti, a new sensation group with their unique style.

The fourth edition of Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa sponsored by telecommunications company, Globacom comes up on September 8 in Lagos and the Grand Awards Night event will be held at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos starting from 4.00pm.

Organisers of the event, The Lumina Foundation confirmed that former President of

Ghana, Mr. John Agyekum Kufour will grace the occasion as the Chairman. They also confirmed the attendance of the Executive Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola as host, while Mr. Ibikunle Amosun, the Executive Governor of Ogun State is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour.

The first edition of Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa was held in 2006. It was established by the Lumina Foundation in 2005 as a Biennial Award for the best literary work produced by an African. It honours Africa’s great writers and causes their works to be appreciated. It celebrates excellent writing, promotes scholarship and makes books available and affordable by subsidizing the publication of books in the top list of the judges.

The fourth edition has so far assessed four hundred and two (402) entries from 26 African countries, and the organisers said that the three short-listed candidates for the grand finale will be announced on August 28 by the board of trustees of Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa.

•Soyinka

Olaniran.

Similarly, there would be a lecture and seminar on August 28 at the same venue.

This would be supported by the Society of Nigerian Artists, Guild of Professional Artists and Committee on Relevant Art. It would feature international and national speakers on Nigerian modern art. The seminar would explore the topic: Art, The Nigerian Question, Placing Nigerian Art in the Mosaic of History. Apart from exploring the evolution of modern Nigerian art, and the influence of pan-Nigerian cultures, it would also attempt to place its contributions on a global platform. Panelist and speakers would include Ms. Janet Stanley of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C, Prof. Perkins Foss from USA, and Elizabeth Court from the U.K. Art Historians and observers would include Prof. G. G. Darah, Prof. Frank Ogiomoh, Mr. Odia Ofeimun, and Ms. Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer would bring Nigerian and West African perspectives to the lecture.

Also, the Committee For Relevant Art (CORA) would mark the occasion an art stampede. The stampede, From Brochure To Books, Emerging Trend In Visual Art Documentation, is scheduled for 2 pm on August 26, at Kongi’s Harvest, Freedom Park. It would feature panelists, collectors, co-producers of such new books, to discuss the challenging process of production.

Some of the books for discussion at the parley include: Making History, African Collectors and The Canon Of African Art by Sylvester Ogbechie, Nigerian Artistry, by Pat Oyelola, New Trees In Old Forests; Contemporary Nigerian Art in Lagos Private Collections, edited by Jess Castellote, A Celebration of Modern Nigerian Art – 101 Nigerian Artists, by Chukwuemeka Bosah and George Edozie, Ben Enwonwu: The Making of an African Modernist, by Sylvester Ogbechie.

The discussion will be used as a peg to look at prospects of documenting arts generally in other format such as film and audio.

Meanwhile, a thanksgiving church service for Onobrakpeya, a member of the Federal Republic (MFR) will hold on September 1 at All Saints Church, Yaba, Lagos, by 10:00 a.m. Reception follows immediately after.

30

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012,

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012,

31

32

DAILY SUN

Mark 9:43-44 says, “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched”

O

ur Lord Jesus Christ issued the above warning repeatedly because of His special love for us. He would not want us to experience Hell Fire. That is why He came, suffered and died for us. He defeated death and resurrected for our justification. Although, He loves us very much, but unfortunately nothing defiles shall enter the kingdom of heaven. The law that established heaven categorically states that, only holy things/beings shall enter into heaven while the wicked shall be cast into Hell Fire. And the scripture cannot be broken.

Revelation 21:8 and 27 says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life...”

From Genesis to Revelation, God has through physical experiences, dreams and visions drawn the attention of man to the consequences of wicked actions and the need to live a righteous and holy life.

The purpose of this message, the vigorous grassroots evangelism of our ministry and the numerous crusades that we have everywhere are only to let people know the danger of Hell Fire and the need for repentance. And after all these warnings, if one remains adamant and is cast into Hell fire, such a one should not blame God or anybody but himself. Ezekiel 18:4 states categorically, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”

God hates nothing that He has made, and it is not His will that any should die but all should come to repentance. Our God is a just and holy God. A just God that demands payment for sin. He did not prepare Hell Fire for us but we may choose to be there when we refused to seek His kingdom and righteousness. If you reject His son, then, you must be ready to pay for your sin in Hell Fire.

Matt. 6: 33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” The promise is made that if we seek first heaven and its righteousness, all earthly wants will be supplied. But if men are not righteous, there is no heaven to be had: if they be, they shall have heaven and earth too; for godliness has the promise of both lives. The kingdom of heaven is the real object of our hope after this earth. It must be sought first both in point of time and of interest, and it must be kept ever first in our thoughts after it is found. If one refuses to accept this fact, he will accept the fact of going into hell which is the next and only

Thursday, August 23, 2012

CHOSEN WAY

By PASTOR LAZARUS MOUKA heavenatlast2003@yahoo.com

Beware and be warned option.

1Cor. 6: 9-10 says, “9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God”.

Beloved, all unrighteousness is sin and all reigning sin committed deliberately, and not repented of, shuts one out of the kingdom of heaven, so, do not harden your heart when you hear Him today as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah or the generation of Noah did.

This is because; everybody shall give account of his/her life on the judgment day.

Ecclesiasts 12:14 says, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

You may be enjoying your life now without reverence to God who gives you the life.

May be your understanding of enjoyment is adultery, fornication or other immoral life. It may be the pleasure of banqueting, reviling and drunkenness or amazing wealth through dubious means not excluding extortion with the conviction that the end justifies the means. Or you enjoy ganging up against a servant of God. Know you that God is not mocked, whatever a man soweth that he shall reap (Galatians 6:7) the scripture states categorically in, Romans 14:12, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” God is the supreme and absolute Lord every one must give account of his actions to. You may live many years in this world, it may even be 200 years but the fact is that it is not forever. One day, you will leave this earth and will be required to give account of your stewardship for another life that is eternal. You can never live here on earth forever. Hebrew 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Whether you believe or not, judgment day is coming when all men shall stand before the Throne of Judgment of God to give account of their lives.

The bible gives us account of a richman who acquired wealth beyond human imagination and enjoyed it without regards to his Creator. He lived as if his days would not expire.

He treated everybody that came on his way as if he/she was a threat to his enjoyment.

He wished to live in this world forever and any human being on earth was regarded as a small fry. Even when Lazarus

the beggar visited him, he was so happy to allow him into his palace because his dog could benefit from Lazarus ill health; hence, he ordered the dog to feed from the sores of the poor Lazarus. May be, he could not have allowed Lazarus into the gate of his palace, if not that his dog has something to benefit from the poor Lazarus. Luke 16:19-21, “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.”

But what happened after the affluent life of the king and beggarly life of Lazarus who was very mindful of his spiritual life and relationship with the Almighty God his Maker. In the course of life, both of them died, because whatever that has a beginning must have an end.

Our Lord Jesus Christ who narrated the story said that, it came to pass that the beggar died and because he heeded the warning of Hell Fire and avoided everything that would lead him to Hell Fire, he was therefore carried to a place he would have a blissful eternity.

Also the Richman who thought the world would never come to an end died and was buried without any of his wealth. And because he did everything to oppose the warning and counselling of God he was carried to Hell Fire. His ignorant of Hell Fire did not bear against the law that established Hell Fire.

Listen very attentively there is no repentance in the grave.

The grace to repent could only be obtained when you are alive. The Richman enjoyed his life as he deemed fit while Lazarus lived with the fear of God and both died. Lazarus was taken to Abraham’s bosom but the rich man was taken into the flame of fire which the bible says in Luke 13:28“There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.”

In the Hell Fire, there is no water, food, peace, leisure or joy forever and ever. Your suffering in this world is but for a short time. All those things you are lacking are just for a while.

People mocking you because of poverty, affliction or sickness is just for a short period. If you are under any kind of oppression because of your salvation, rejoice for the kingdom of God is for you.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

DAILY SUN

33

WATCH

CRIME EDITED BY OLA AGBAJE E-mail: olapen4ever@yahoo.com

A dirge for gallant cop (ISP. Ajetunmobi)

BY SGT. VICTOR KULO And the GOOD MAN DIED (A tribute to our fallen hero, Inspector Taiwo Ajetunmobi) A good and wonderful man died But it’s not for him, it’s for me That I pray For now he’s safe, he’s home and he’s free. I am the one left here with just a memory.

Nobody can tell me why he died A bullet took his life and the heavens cried. Did he die for justice? For honour and duty?

I wish someone could explain this to me.

...As police smash robbery gangs From EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, Lokoja

I

t was harvest of arrests in Kogi State last week as the state police command had a major breakthrough in arresting armed robbery syndicates that were allegedly responsible for the series of bank robberies.

In one fell swoop, the police command recovered no fewer than 100 assorted rifles with over 1,000 ammunition including 10 exotic Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV), three commercial buses and assorted electronic gadgets and mobile phones.

Also 16 units of high calibre anti- personnel bombs with the capacity of devastating a whole community was also recovered with 16 anti-tank locally made bombs with eight of the tanks already ready for action.

Speaking on the arrest of the suspects, the state Police Commissioner, Mohammed Katsina, said his men were able to smash a gang who were going to rob a commercial bank in Akure and were fully prepared with a mobile armoury which consisted of various assorted guns and charms.

He said that his men broke into the convoy of the armed robbers along Okene-Ogori Road where they engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel killing two of them while others fled into the bush, leaving the vehicle that contained their armoury.

He gave one of the names of the suspects arrested as Maliki Garba (aka Mali), who hails from Okegwen in

Okene Local Government Area of the state, and a member of his community’s vigilance group.

Garba confessed to Crimewatch that he participated in all the bank robberies and bombing of police stations in the state.

Other suspects are Yakubu Ibrahim, Omobo of Idanre area in Okene, Ismaila Ige, Isah Abdulrazaq.

Another armed robbery gang smashed within the week, include one led by one Kolawole Kazeem with Audu Amoto, Raji Umar and Raji Ismail.

The commissioner said they confessed being responsible for the recent killing of two police corporals at the Total filling station in Okene where they carted away their Ak-47 guns.

Also paraded was an Okengwe-based popular shoemaker, Shuaibu (a.k.a KenyiKenyi), who confessed of being the mastermind of several bank robberies in the state .

A man who claimed to be a medical doctor was also arrested . He was said to be using his medical facility to treat robbers without reporting them to the police.

SEIZED • 100 rifles • 1,000 ammunition • 10 SUVs • 3 commercial buses

The shoemaker confessed to have killed Police Sergeant Yisa in Okene in 2010 and took away his riffle and when the heat was too much, he relocated to Agege in Lagos, only to come back early in the year to participate in another bank robbery.

His gang was said to be the brain behind the robbery of banks in Kabba, Aiyetoro Gbede and Iyara.

Also paraded before newsmen, was a man who called himself as a medical doctor. He said he is the medical director in Okene.

The police said he was arrested for using his medical facilities to treat the men of the underworld and for failing to report their activities to the police.

In all, items recovered include one Toyota Camry with Reg no Lagos SH 101 KJA, Toyota Hiace bus registered KWARA XF 108 LRN, VOLKSWAGEN REG NO LAGOS DV 353 LRS Nissan truck, Reg No Lagos X 945 APP, ALMERA Saloon car with Reg. KWARA XB 579 KSB, and NISSAN Saloon car, AH 157 KAA. Others are Toyota Camry Lagos CP 363 LSD, one unmarked Toyota Camry 2010 model and four other unmarked exotic cars.

Katsina said before his arrival to the state, the criminals have been robbing innocent Nigerians, killing and maiming them at will, but stressed that the criminals are no longer finding it easy as some of them had already relocated to neighbouring states.

He called on members of the public to always provide useful information to the police and vowed to rid the state of criminals and Islamic militants.

It wasn’t his job, it was his life-long dream.

To be part of the force, a part of the team.

For he would stand guard, to serve and protect.

Out of honour, duty, justice and respect.

I always knew it could happen one day That one should decide, for his job he must pay But to pay with his life – Is that really fair?

I wish the murderer knew, the depth of my despair and that of my colleagues and friends.

Does the murderer know the pain never ends?

Who am I, you may ask to write of Such a strife?

I am one of many a proud and grieving police officers.

Goodnight, my hero!

•Late Ajetunmobi

Thursday, August 23, 2012

CRIME

WATCH

34 DAILY SUN

Egun communities over siege of land

By OLA AGBAJE

T •Lawrence

Ex-minister loses N3m to hotel manager

By CHRISTOPHER OJI

T

he Manager of Communicator Hotels, Ijeshatedo, Lagos has allegedly swindled the organization of N3 million.

However, the police at Ijesha have declared the suspect Enoch Segun Lawrence wanted.

The owner of the hotel, a former Minister of Sports and Information, told the police that he employed the man when he allegedly deceived him that they were brothers.

The ex-minister, who narrated his ordeals to Crimewatch said his hotel was meant for daily pay, just like every other hotel but that he was shocked when one day he came to the hotel to discover that his manager had rented the 34 rooms as residential house.

The man who was aggrieved said when he made further enquiries, he discovered that Lawrence had bolted with the money collected from the illegal occupants.

He said the tenants now brought receipts duly given to them by the manager.

“Some paid N200,000, N100,000 down to N50,000 pending the type of suite or rooms they collected.”

He said immediately he discovered the fraud, he went to the Ijeshatedo Police Station where the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), gave him some policemen to trail the suspect.

He said when they got to the man’s house at Ikotun Egbe, he discovered that the man had relocated.

“I still to the child’s school and I was told that the child no longer come to the school.”

He said since the man came with the same surname, he was supposed to be his close relatives, he decided to trace him to Ondo when he later discovered that the man who claimed the same surname with him, is Lawrence.

He said he met with the suspect who promised to bring the man to him but that he was disappointed that Lawrence has since been on the run.

The 74-year old man who said he depended on the hotel for his livelihood, has made a passionate appeal to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and well-meaning Nigerians to assist him in arresting the manager who allegedly bolted with N3million rentage he collected without his authorization.

In his words: “My hotel is not a residential place, but a guest house where people stay for short time and disperse and not permanent residential home.”

He urged members of the public who know his whereabouts to report to the nearest police or Ijesha police station.

he quiet and serene Egun community in Idolehin, Ado-Odo Local Government of Ogun State is now enveloped with fear and anxiety as merchants of death have been prowling in the area.

The evil men anytime they visit often leave tears and wailing in their trails.

Alarmed by the impunity with which heinous crimes are being committed in their community, the people have cried to the authorities, particularly the police several times without any respite.

The traumatized villagers have become wary of the police, pointing out that policemen in Ado-Odo until recently, when a new Divisional Police Officer (DPO) was posted there, had been acting in concert with their tormentors who they described as desperate land speculators.

When Crimewatch visited Idolehin recently, the anxiety, sorrow and fear ruled the air.

They reeled out heart-rendering tales of killings and destruction that the suspected land speculators had perpetrated on the community.

A farmer, Abiodun Ogungbe was abducted in the afternoon of June 29, 2011 less than 48 hours after christening his new baby. His body was found beside the road less than two hours later.

According to his wife, Maoton Olorunwa, the abductors of her husband came in three convoy of vehicles. A traditional ruler in the area and policemen

•One of the Victims

from Ado-Odo were alleged to have accompanied the abductors.

“They just came in the afternoon, and started dragging my husband. I asked what sins has he committed, but they did not answer me.

“Less than two hours later, we just found his lifeless body with bruises all over beside the road. We called the police in Ado-Odo, they ignored my brother-inlaw that went to report the matter.

“Later, the community youths complained to the Area Command before the police could come,” she said amidst tears.

However, the case took a dramatic turn when the complainants were suddenly turned to suspects by the police. They

•Protesters were taken from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran to Zone Two in Lagos.

Another drama took place at Zone Two when the widow sighted some of those who allegedly came to abduct her husband and who have suddenly turned to complainants. It took the intervention of a senior police officer on ground to separate the grieving widow from the suspected abductors of her husband.

Surprisingly, investigation into the matter was said to have compromised.

Again, while the community were still mourning, another calamity befell them few days to the New Year celebration on December 26, 2011, when two women in

SH

Ex-securitymen, for stealing in

•Suspect From NGOZI UWUJARE, Ibadan

T

hree audacious robbery whose alleged stock in trade was raiding churches and mosques have been apprehended in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

According to Crimewatch investigation, while Lukman Kehinde and Ojo Oladipupo were arrested for allegedly raiding a church, the third suspect, Saheed Adebowale, was nabbed inside a mosque.

The three suspects have since been

handed over to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the state police command.

It was gathered that the state police command has received several complaints about burglary of churches before nemesis caught up with Kehinde and Oladipupo when they were arrested while allegedly robbing the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Ibukun along Felele Straight in Ibadan.

Speaking on the arrest of the suspects, the state Deputy Commissioner of Police, Clement Adoda, told Crimewatch that the command had been inundated with series of complaints lodged by several churches.

“In July this year, two suspects Kehinde and Oladipupo, were arrested for a robbery at the Christ Apostoic Church (CAC), OkeIbukun along Felele Straight, Ibadan when they allegedly burgled the church . They were said to have also stolen 10 white plastic chairs that belonged to the church as well as a cooler, and a cooler containing four life cat fish, he said.

DCP Adoda said that the suspects were arrested by the congregation and community members who handed them over to the Police at Felele station.

A member of the church, Pastor David Akande, told Crimewatch that they have been

experiencing armed robbery incidents in their church as they have lost several properties and that the church have been lodging their complaints at the Felele Police Station.

He said the armed robbers once stole the church’s power generating set.

Akande said that they were shocked to realise that those arrested for the robbery incident were those who were securitymen in the street where the church was located.

“We had an encounter with them when we were coming for a night vigil, they robbed some of our church members and during the day service they always pretend to come to worship God. But they robbed worshippers of their money right in the church as well as carried out pilfering of handsets,” he said.

Oladipupo told Crimewatch that , he was a security man in the area beside the church at Felele Straight. “I left the security job three months ago when they refused to pay my salary. The monthly salary was N12,000 but they were owing me some months. I went to meet my gang and we came to rob the church in the night. We broke their burglary proof and we were arrested having stolen 10 plastic chairs, microphone and a cooler that contained fish. When I was a securityman in the area I usually looked after the church. It was devil that pushed me into robbing the

CRIME

cry to Amosun speculators

•Governor Amosun

the community were beheaded.

Following the spate of killings and kidnappings, the Egun people in Idolehin staged peaceful demonstration at the Governor’s Office where they were received by top government officials with an assurance that peace will return to their community.

However, the situation has not witnessed significant changes which prompted them to petition Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

According to the petition dated July 25, 2012

and sent by their lawyer, Wahab Shittu, the Egun community comprises over 11 villagers earnestly called on Amosun to intervene decisively in their plight.

The predominantly Egun community under the siege of land speculators include Whenakon, Afiko, Seto, Hunvenu, Songbomen, Kutanko, Metowhe, Hungbeji, Hunmenu, Hunvenu Akiti, Wusu Gbegidi and other camps.

According to the petitioners, the perpetrators of the siege on their community are known and urged the governor to save them from the prowling thugs whose activities have led to the flight of peace from the entire community.

“Within the last one year alone, the Idoleyin community has witnessed three murders and two kidnappings of innocent natives namely: Mr. Bashiru Obanla and Olatunji Gbenga were kidnapped on December 24, 2011 at Gbekon village and they have not been found till date.

“Mr. Abiodun Ogungbe on June 29; Mrs. Amosa Abiodun and Mrs. Ayinke Jidomu were beheaded on December 26, 20011 during the siege on the community,” the petition read.

According to the petitioners, following the unabated attacks on the community, the Egun leaders led a peaceful protest to the Governor’s Office on February 24, 2012. The protesters were addressed by the secretary to the governor who assured them that their plight would be addressed promptly.

However, after several months, there seemed to be no respite even as the Egun people have continued to toe the line of peace.

Consequently, the petitions called on Governor Amosun to use his office as the Chief Security Officer of the state to prevail on security agencies, particularly the police and

OCKER

man arrested church, mosque

•Suspects church,” he said.

The second suspect, Kehinde, said he was operating commercial motorcycle (Okada) and that it was his friend who invited him to join him in the robbery operations and that they went to the church and stole church equipment.

DCP Adoda explained that the command succeeded in arresting “ a one man robbery squad”, one Saheed Adebowale who robbed NASFAT mosque. He was said to have carried out the robbery

when the NASFAT prayer was going on around 10pm and that he stole some handsets and money during prayer He said he was arrested at Ita Baale area of Ibadan after he finished carrying out the robbery. He was said to have wanted to rob one Jimoh after invading his house but he was arrested and handed over to the police patrol team.

DCP Adoda said the three suspects will be charged to court after investigation is concluded.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

35

WATCH

DAILY SUN

QUANTUM LEAP

Self-confessed goat thief arrested for stealing cows

•Suspects

By MATTHEW DIKE

A

man who confessed to have stolen a goat 12 years ago in Lagos has been arrested again by the state Police Command for allegedly stealing two cows.

Adio, 36, was arrested by police operatives attached to Layeni Police Station, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Chijioke Ndu, a Chief Superintendent.

Adio was said to have invited his close friend, Ganiu, to assist him in loading the two cows into a waiting Volkswagen Vanagon mini- bus driven by one Abass.

Unknown to the trio, a good Nigerian had alerted Ndu who swiftly deployed detectives to the scene.

A police source at the station disclosed that immediately the vehicle left the scene on Ezeagu Street, Ajegunle towards the agreed destination in the area, the detectives rounded up Adio, Ganiu and the driver.

Crimewatch gathered that Adio confessed to have stolen a goat about 12 years ago when he was a tenant in the residence of the owner of the alleged stolen cows, Jimoh, 34.

He said after he was nabbed for stealing the goat belonging to his landlord, their street chairman dragged him to Ajegunle Police Station over other missing goats in the area. He alleged they dispossessed him of his (Adio’s) personal goats and after selling them, shared the money among themselves.

Adio claimed that he did not steal the cows but rather moving them to the residence of a traditional ruler. According to him, a woman popularly known as Iya Ibeji called him that two cows had eaten seven baskets of her tomatoes. The suspect claimed that he wanted to carry them to the traditional ruler so that the owner would go there and claim them and possibly compensate the woman who owned the tomatoes “I was caught 12 years back for stealing a goat belonging to my former landlord, Jimoh. Policemen from Ajegunle station arrested me. I spent some months in detention. The leaders in our community seized my goats and later sold them and shared the money among themselves. In this case, I did not steal the two cows. I was only trying to remove them from the area to the house of our traditional ruler in the area. I invited Gani to assist me. I also called Abass to bring his vehicle so that we can take them to the place. I did not steal it. I don’t steal anymore,” he said.

Jimoh, the owner of the cows alleged that Adio had been an unrepentant domes-

•Stolen cows

“I did not steal the two cows. I was only trying to remove them from the area to the house of our traditional ruler in the area” tic animal thief who was bound from setting his feet on his former street (Oduduwa Street), also in Ajegunle. Jimoh also said that his cows earlier were five. He claimed that three of his cows had developed wings and the suspects connived and attempted to dispossess him of the remaining two.

“I don’t know what I have done to this man that he would not allow my animals to rest. Three of my cows were stolen.

Now he connived with other two men to steal two out of my cows. I am a butcher. I like to rear animals. Adio was living in my house before we noticed that he is an animal thief. Now that he had been arrested, he should face the law. Let him go in for it,” Jimoh said.

Ganiu claimed that he had no knowledge whether Adio wanted to steal the cows.

Ganiu said he told him to assist him to carry the cows into the vehicle and he obliged him.

The driver, Abass said he was merely contracted to carry the cows to a nearby place. “I could not say whether the cows were stolen or not,” he said.

During investigation, the police have recovered additional two goats from Adio’s house suspecting that they might have been procured through illicit activities.

36

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

Maurice Archibong 3-time winner, travel & tourism reporter of the year actsreview@yahoo.com 08056180050

Travels

Nigerians build International Market in Benin Republic A

fter almost 40 years, Nigerian traders have finally relocated from Mache Missebo (Missebo Market) in Cotonou, Benin Republic. Although Marche Missebo was established long before the famed Biafra Market berthed in the Beninese economic capital, it is widely believed that Marche Missebo’s status was considerably enhanced by the arrival around 1969 in Benin Republic by Igbos fleeing collapsing Biafra.

Many of the Igbo refugees in an attempt to pick up the pieces and continue with their lives settled as traders in Cotonou, and that it how the section of Marche Missebo, where stalls owned by Igbo traders were erected came to be called Biafra Market. Apart from the Igbos that migrated to Cotonou because of Nigeria’s civil war (1967-1970), countless other Nigerians, Igbo and non-Igbo alike, had also washed into Benin Republic as their country’s fortunes dipped due to ill-governance since the General Ibrahim Babangida-led regime, whose structural adjustment programme alias SAP effectually wiped out the country’s middle-class.

Most recently, the state of insecurity engendered by the menacing terrorist sect called Boko Haram across Northern Nigeria generally has forced millions of entrepreneurs, Hausa/Fulani and other Nigerians, to shut down their businesses and flee. Many of these victims have relocated to Benin Republic, partly because it is the nearest to their home country along the West Coast.

Expectedly, as more Nigerians poured into Cotonou, the value of real estates around Missebo and other parts of the city rose as demand had now exceeded supply. Hotels in the Missebo and Tokpa Market neighbourhoods of Cotonou are often fully booked because of the flood of Nigerian traders, importers and even smugglers. The long and short of it all is that Missebo Market quickly waxed into the Mother of All Markets in Cotonou for most Nigerians.

It wouldn’t be long before problems of overcrowding set in. Then came encroachment on public space like sidewalks, with traders setting up their wares everywhere. Indeed, a section of Cotonou’s commercial vehicle operators began setting up motor parks in hitherto purely residential neighbourhoods. To make matters worse, thieves also entered the picture.

To sanitise Missebo Market, local police frequently stormed the emporium; sometimes, they were invited by disputantes but the police raids were also spontaneous and unexpected.

Traders began to complain of being harassed. There were also rumours of routine extortion. Then public protests began. In the process some Nigerians lost their lives and many were arrested and detained for weeks. As a permanent way out of the frequent alleged harassment, Nigerians in Cotonou decided to relocated. And, voila! That, in a nutshell is how Nigeria International Market evolved.

Located in Seme Podji, shortly before Porto Novo Roundabout, along the Seme-Cotonou route, Nigeria International Market will be launched before the end of September, this year; according to the President of Cotonou Chapter of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Pastor Julius Aderinto Adebamibo.

During an exclusive chat with Travels at Gare routiere Internationale Jonquet in Cotonou on Tuesday, August 21, 2012; this NIDO President revealed that the new market falls within the precinct of Mairie Seme and that, hopefully, alleged harassment suffered at

‘…We’ll launch it before end of Sept’ Missebo was now a thing of the past.

He further revealed that over 5,000 application for stalls had been received, whereas 2,700 sheds are available. To address this situation, where demand far outstrips supply, Pastor Aderinto said, priority would be given to those that owned sheds at Missebo before allocation to other traders were made.

With 5,000 applicants scrambling for 2,700 sheds, it didn’t come as a surprise; when Aderinto declared that registration of traders at Nigeria International Market had since closed.

“That exercise ended more than two weeks ago (some time in early August)”, he remarked.

Unlike the situation at Missebo, the Nigeria International Market stands on 3 acres of land leased to the Nigerian community for 99 years; revealed Aderinto, who added that the lease was a renewable one. He went on to assure that permanent structures would be erected and that the makeshift sheds on ground were necessary to save Nigerian traders from suffering since they were sacked from Missebo roughly a year

ago.

“We have 2,700 sheds on ground now and we had to put up these temporary stalls to help our people. Since they were forced to leave Missebo last year and have had to suspend their business, life has become very hard for too many of them. In fact, there are numerous instances, where the children of some of our people that came here as traders were sent out of school over non-payment of tuition fee”, explained the NIDO chief, while adding that work on the construction of permanent structures will commence as soon as the market began running.

The Cotonou NIDO president said the market would have begun functioning by now, but for the absence of a toilet and source of water.

“We believe that the Mairie (Local Government) will eventually extend public electricity to this new market site, which is virgin land; but, for now, we plan to install an electricity generator to power the place. We are also putting up public conveniences like toilet.

We also need a borehole for water. As I said, the site is virgin land; so, basic infrastructure are necessary before the market can go into operation. This is why we need help”, he mused.

Aderinto again: “Everything we have been doing has been funded from our purse. We hope the Nigerian Government will come to our rescue. The belief is popular that there are over two million Nigerians living in Benin Republic now. This means that Nigerian Government should take our welfare into consideration. Many times, we have had crises here and the embassy could not help us. Why are they (the embassy) here, if they cannot help us?”

Concluding the NIDO President said: “I hope that, given the calibre of our new ambassador here, things will improve. The Nigerian Government must take us serious because we are closest to home and can make the difference during an election.”

Mrs. Naomi Barber King, wife of the late Alfred Daniel Williams King, younger brother of slain civil rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr; presenting the Icon of Hope for Africa plaque to Otunba Olusegun Runsewe at Martin Luther King Centre in Atlanta, USA recently.

‘Expect more American tourists in Nigeria’

N

igerians have been told to expect a boom in the number of American tourists visiting Africa’s Giant in the Sun. This came to light during a chat between a team of Nigerians on a tourism road show in the United States and an official of a US television network based in Los Angeles, State of California.

Speaking during a tete-a-tete with a visiting delegation of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), led by Otunba Olusegun Runsewe; Mr Mark Walton of African Channel, an intercontinental TV station, revealed that Nigeria would soon experience an unprecedented boom in tourists traffic from the United States, following reports

that more than 70 percent of AfricanAmericans have discovered that their roots lay in Nigeria.

According to Mr. Waltson, the current trend in Europe and America is that countless people desirous of unravelling their behavioral pattern resort to DNA test to really understand who they are and where they forebear came from.

And, the results of the majority of such texts have proven that majority of AfricanAmericans are of Nigerian ancestry.

Walton went on to add that many AfricanAmericans that went for DNA examination of their roots, were not only pleasantly surprised to discover that the results were in synch with the Nigerian gene; but, also proud that their

ancestors hailed from the most populous Black nation on earth and that Nigeria is also blessed with phenomenal wealth just waiting to be tapped.

Walton submitted that DNA testing has fostered a new wave of awareness across the United States adding that a US Senator had already confirmed that his root could be traced to Nigeria through this indubitable scientific process. While commending Otunba Runsewe for coming to America at this time, when things are looking up for Africa, Nigeria in particular; Walton further revealed that, following this discovery by the senator, several other respectable congressmen and distinguished personalities

•Continued on Page 43

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

37

TRAVELS Mayor of Annapolis in Maryland, USA; Mr. Joshua Cohen, decorating NTDC DG Otunba Olusegun Runsewe with the city’s pin during a visit to the Mayor’s office.

Runsewe: Tourism marketer like no other T

‘Expect more American tourists in Nigeria’ •Continued from Page 42

understanding of fundamental issues, using the right people and right channel at the same time.

Concluding, Walton also remarked that through this interaction and creating of awareness, his medium has been given a deeper insight into the true story of Nigeria.

had also gone for DNA test; only to discover that most of them had their roots in Nigeria.

Corroborating Walton’s assertion about the relevance of DNA tests by African-Americans to possible influx of US tourists to Nigeria, Mr Jim Holden, President African Travel Association (ATA); observed that requests for information on Nigeria by African-Americans have surged since the DNA issue popped up.

In the same vein, Mr Stephen Richer of the US National Travel Association, the umbrella body for US Travel Trade, also revealed that demand for tour packages to Africa, especially Nigeria; has risen significantly, following the DNA test fever in America. Mr. Richer, who also commended Otunba Runsewe for taking Nigeria on a US Road Show; urged the Nigerian government to gird its loins by beefing up infrastructure and and setting in motion other strategies to attract home-sick AfricanAmericans yearning to visit Nigeria.

Taking over the microphone again, Walton stressed that the NTDC US Road Show and interest in African-American roots was the first time that a Nigerian government agency would •Pastor Adebamibo Aderinto, President of be approaching the issue of its image and NIDO, Cotonou Chapter.

2012 National Yam Festival running in Igbo Ukwu, grand finale on Aug 25

T

his year’s National New Yam Festival aka Iwa ji ndi Igbo opened in Igbo Ukwu, Anambra State on August 20.

The fiesta, billed to close on August 25th and the grand finale, the Iwa ji (cutting of the yam) proper will take place on Day Six (August 25).

The closing day’s activities will also feature Living Treasures Awards, Biggest Yam Competition, Conferment of chieftaincy titles as well as performances by Egedege of Africa, Mich Phillips and Mgbajala Ifite Awka in all night outing.

Activities begin from 10am daily, and; as usual, the 2012 National Yam Festival will revolve around the National Yam House in Igbo Ukwu, Aguata Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, according to HRH Igwe Martin Ezeh, traditional ruler of Igbo Ukwu; who is also fondly addressed as Idu II. Speaking with Travels, Igwe of Igbo Ukwu, who is also Chairman Board of Trustee of Mbido Igbo Association, organisers of Iwa ji ndi Igbo, said; this year’s indaba aims at showcasing the best of Igbo Culture and Hospitality.

The 2012 National New Yam Festival will showcase over 200 masquerades and 76 species of yams; courtesy a welcome collaboration between the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and Mbido Igbo Association (MIA), organisers of Iwa ji ndi Igbo, on one hand; and, the National Root

Crop Research Institute, Umudike in Abia State, on the other.

Other bodies involved in this collaboration include the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation; International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Oyo State; Anambra State Government, Ohaneze ndi Igbo Worldwide and Igbo communities at home and in the Diaspora, we gathered.

Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Minister, High Chief Edem Duke was Distinguished Guest of Honour; Anambra State Governor, HE Peter Obi (Okute ndi Igbo), as Special Guest of Honour; while Senator Andy Ubah and Hon. Eucharia Azodo attended as Special Hosts of Honour.

This year’s festival features Dr. Ikechukwu Omenwa as Chairman, while Amb Raph Uwechue MFR, President General of Ohaneze Worldwide, Distinguished Father of the Day; while Prof. Tunde Babawale, Director General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC); Otunba Olusegun Runsewe OON, NTDC DG; Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO); Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman, DG of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM); Mr. Abdullahi Muku, National Gallery of Art (NGA) DG; Mr. M.M. Maidugu, Executive Director, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC); among others, are Guests of Honour.

ough time sometimes produces tough people. The type of people that throw all into their call or chosen profession, these people must learn or have the gift to punish the groaning of the flesh and advance the gift of the spirit; the freedom of the inner self for unhindered expression. It is not philosophy neither a creed but an inborn desire to make a difference out of life’s challenging issues.

At home or abroad, Nigerian tourism is a hard sell at least before Segun Runsewe happened on the scene some six years ago. Today, the perception of our tourism has changed and will still change. At least we now talk about it and some governors are hitting positively at it.

The job at hand is to turn the face of tourism in Nigeria, a process that requires that all the citizens must join and be conscious of its impact.

It is a score to which Runsewe has paid more than a passing interest. He has shown beyond all reasonable doubt that he loves Nigeria and I’m sure, it is at cost to health and family welfare.

During the just concluded exploratory tourism visit to the United States, I had taken more than a passing interest on how he does his job, the act of selling Nigeria. In the heart and mind of average American tourist, Nigeria does not exist on their holiday calendar as a preferred destination in the continent of Africa.

Indeed, the huge black population of African Americans disdains the country which ideally should have presented the best alternate domain for them. Tourism wise, the African Americans project a tourism receipt of about a hundred billion dollars which gains Europe and Asia, leaving Africa with trickles.

This finding is good for tourism investment cash receipts but to Runsewe, the need to call the attention of this race to their birth place is more important and of great future importance to Nigeria.

It is also important to let others know about Nigeria which many people and nations love to have their oil but plays up our challenges and the failings of the few among us.

To be confronted with issues regarding the failings of our black legs and even of past poor leadership score card of our nation, takes more than just being a government man to provide the right answers. At breakfast, lunch and dinner tables across Florida, Georgia, Los Angeles, Washington and Maryland, informed critics and key drivers of tourism out of America listened and looked out for a slip.

American tourism solution drivers, probably must have seen or heard many Nigerian delegations slip during economic and political missions to the United States, but encounters with Runsewe across many divides and interests posts a pulsating vibration.

It is also my business to watch and interpret this thought process. At each of those meetings, spanning over fourteen days, there was a strong resolve not to lose sight of being a watchman as tourism marketing is a crafty business to which many tourism classrooms may not provide any notable blue print. Nigeria as a case study contradicts all expectations or basic rules, making it difficult to avoid being mocked or jabbed.

From the vibrant, fearless and adventurous American travel media, investors, travel trade

Runsewe

People & Tourism

Frank Meke mekefrank@yahoo.co.uk 08057511885 (sms only)

and convention planners and destination marketers, doing business in Nigeria ranks high on investment risk and cannot possibly be possible.

Runsewe knew the facts and the effects of this concluded position on Nigeria. He makes no attempt to defend the Nigeria black legs and honestly preferred to ignore discuss on their failings. He takes his listeners through the rich history of Nigeria – its political evolution, Struggles for change, the desires for a structured society, diverse culture, cuisine, tradition and history.

To sell Nigeria in the mind of Runsewe is give birth to a new baby that needs nurturing and support from all. Runsewe knew that Americans are smart and would not come to Nigeria if he tells them what they want to hear or even to hint at distractions of hate Campaigners. He maintained a storyline on Nigeria filled with hope and greater future with a straight face and passion.

He knew America was built on ideas and flourishes on the ocean of discovery; and not laid out on coastline of zero sum game. And without calls to sentiment, Runsewe reminds his audience that Nigerian tourism can only grow if its storyline is given a chance to be heard without conditions and negative inhibitions.

With a resonating voice and a height over six feet, this enigmatic Nigerian tourism boss sent forth chemistry and vibrations which left the highly experienced American tourism wheel dealers asking why Nigeria had kept him away from the global tourism scene for so long.

Runsewe’s deep diplomatic insight attracted several endorsements, funding portofolios, technical and training support for all segments of tourism business in Nigeria. For sport tourism segment, the Professional Gold Association (PGA) Tour will train the Nigerian golf circuit and brand the Nigerian Golf Academy.

The African Channels would run DNA test on notable African Americans in other to help trace their place of origin in Nigeria. Others like the Corporate Council on Africa, A.D King Foundation, Tiger Woods Foundation, BARNES and THORNBURG, America Entertainment Group (AEG), and LA Sparks are all in the gains basket to make Nigeria a desirable tourism destination in Africa.

It is interesting to note that this investments outlook is not driven by sympathy to any cause but needful fallout from the skill of an accomplished marketer, probably not seen or heard in the history of Nigerian tourism.

Also that this genius of a marketer has repositioned Nigeria in the eye of global tourism is a remarkable gain and the desire of the future of the Nigerian tourism that now dorns the membership of Prestigious Destination Marketing Association International Group with Global Signature of all tourism boards and National Tourism Organisations (NTO).

Runsewe’s tourism exploits for Nigeria in Europe and America remains exemplary but is yet to get to Asia, an emerging and acknowledged power in the tourism expenditure ranking profile. The Chinese are the most adventurous people in the world and Africa ranks as top in their travel plan. Would Runsewe bring the Chinese to explore Nigeria and grow our tourism receipts? He still has two years to go, so we wait and see.

38

DAILY SUN

The State of Our States

Thursday, August 23, 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 Plateau State.Today,we continue with that aspect of the committee’s assignment.

Continued from yesterday PLATEAU STATE POPULATION: 3,488,789

EXISTING LGAs: 23

RECOMMENDED LGAs: 44

REQUESTED: 49 S/N

PRESENT LGA

PRESENT HQ

S/N

PROPOSED LGA

PROPOSED HQ

COMPOSITION

20.

WASE

WASE

41.

WASE

WASE

EXISTING L.G.A. NO CHANGE

21.

BOKKOS

BOKKOS

42.

BOKKOS

BOKKOS

EXISTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA. NO CHANGE

22.

LANGTANG NORTH

LANGTANG

43.

LANGTANG NORTH

LANGTANG

EXISTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA NO CHANGE

23.

LANGTANG SOUTH

MADUBI

44.

LANGTANG SOUTH

MADUBI

EXISTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA; NO CHANGE

RIVERS STATE POPULATION: 3,983,857

EXISTING LGAs: 24

RECOMMENDED LGAs: 53

REQUESTED: 123 1.

2.

ABUA/ ODUAL

AHOADA

ABUA

AHOADA

1

ODUALKUGBO

EMELEGO

ALL VILLAGES IN THE FORMER KUGBO, ARUGHUY A AND ADIKBOM LOCAL COUNCILS INCLUDING EMELEGO, ADADA, OKOLOMADE, OGBOLOMA, EGBAKIRI, ESALA, AGBAMABORO, OBHINAMAN, ADOKONI, OBPINKPAGHAGH, OBHO OKUN, AGHAPHEL, OBURA, OKUNUGA, OMO-EMA, UGBOINEMA, OMOROMA, ANYU, EKAGO, OBILEMUM, EMIRIKPOKO, OBOLO, OBEDUM, ODAU, EMAGO, AMURUTO I, EBILIGAHGH, AKANI, AMUROTO II, OMOMEMA” EKUGHUMA, OTIBI, OBOLOGI

2

ABUA

ABUA

ALL VILLAGES IN THE FORMER ABUA,AMUGHAN,OKPEDEN OTABA LOCAL COUNCILS INCLUDING EGHONOKOM, AGADA, EMELEGUE D1GIRIGA, OMELEEMA, ODAGA, OMOLEWA, OTASI A YINDE, OGBEMA, OKANA ARUKWO, OKOBOH, EMABU, OBARNY,EWESU, EGUNUGHAN, AMINIGBOKO, OWEREWERE, OZOCHI, EGBOAMA KOLAOGBOGOLO, OPU-OGBOGOLO, ELEBRI, EMOM-EMA SETTLEMENT OPIKIRI, IGHOM, ELOGH

3

AHOADA EAST

AHOADA

MADE UP OF COMMUNITIESNILLAGES IN EKPEYE CENTRAL, EKPEYE NORTH EAST, (AKOH) AND EKPEYE SOUTH EAST (UPATA) INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING VILLAGES: AHOADA AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES -18 EKPEYE NORTH EAST AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES -14 EKPEYE SOUTH EAST AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES -21

4

AHOADA WEST

AKINIMA

ALL THE VILLAGES IN EKPEYE NORTH WEST (UBIE). EKPEYE SOUTH WEST IGBUDUY A AND ENGENNI CLAN. THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING VILLAGES: EKPEYE NORTH WEST AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES-20 EKPEYE SOUTH AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES-24

DAILY SUN

39

Thursday, August 23, 2012

The State of Our States

Special Report ENGENNI CLAN28 VILLAGES

3.

AKUKUTORU

ABONNEMA

5

AKUKUTORU

ABONNEMA

UNCHANGED. E.XISTING LGA

4.

ANDONI/OPOBO

NGO

6

NGO

NGO

SOUTHERN ANDONI COMMUNITIES INCLUDING NGOTOWN. UKWA OKORO-IKO. IKWU. KALASUNJU QUEENS TOWN. AS UK OYEL. ASUK AMA. OKOROLO. EBUGUMA. AGBALAWA.OTOGUN.AMA SUNDAY. AGBACHICHAWA. EKWAKE. EWEDE. ATARUBA. OKOKURI IWOGONO. A Y AMA. AMANSA. IBOTOKPON. OYOROKOTO. AMAOKE, IBOTUSUT, EBON-OKOLO, AMA RENEI, DANLE, AMA-EKUT FISHING CAMP.

7

ANDONIOPOBO NKORO

OPOBOTOWN

COMPRISING OF OPOBO URBAN, NKORO AND NORTHERN ANDONI COMMUNITIES INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING VILLAGES OPOBO TOWN, NKORO TOWN, KALA FINIMA, UNYEDA, ASARAMA, EGEDEM DIMAMA, IWOKIRI AMAA EKPU, ISIODUM, OKAMA, OFONKRIKA,OWOTOKWAN, INYONG ORONG, IBOTIREM, IBOT AM A, ISOBIAMA, AMA OTAMAN, SAMANGA, AJAKAJAK, EGBORMUN, AGBADAM, DEMA, OTUNRIA, OTUAFU, OGBONTE, OTU OKOLOKOLO, UGUNG AMA IYO, UDUNG AMA, OKWANYOK, IWOMA ASARAMA, AGBAOKWAN OPUKIRI I, OPUKIRI II, OPUKIRI III, AMADIKE, IBOT OKPON, UTO-AMA, UBENE (JON, AGBAGOLOMA I, AGBANGOLOMA II, AGBANGOLOMA II, KA WERE IKO, ESU EJIT, IBOT OTOSOT, ISIMKPU, A Y AMA OWURONG, AMA ANIMISA, NKACHERE AMA OPOBO URBAN, KALA IBIAMA TOWN OZU OMUSO, OZU ADA NWAOSU OZU OCHIE, OZU MARIBO, IWOMA TOBYI, FIBIRI, ILOMA TOWNS EPELEMA TOWN, MINIMA TOWN, OLEPUKPO rows, A Y A MINIMA, OLOMA VILLAGE, MAKGBEKIRI, EKERE GBORO KIRI, OZU AGO, KALA SUNFU TOWN, OZU EDE OZU FAFA, OZU DAPPA, DOWN BEBU I & II, ABASIBIE I & II, OZU NZEKME, NKON TOWN, OLOMO NKORO, & OZU FOSEPN

8

ASARITORU

BUGUMA

BUGUMA TOWN, 1000, OWOKO, GOGO-KIRI, EGENEGENE KIRI, OWIN KIRI, PLANTATIONS AND FISHING SETTLEMENTS.

9.

KALABARI CENTRAL

KRAKRAMA

KRAKRAMA, MINAMA, SANGAMA, OMAKWE TAN-AMA, OMEKWEAMA, TEMA, OMEKWE-AMA, TEMA, ANGULAWA, IFOKO, PLANTATIONS AND FISHING SETTLEMENTS.

10

BONNY

BONNY

INCLUDING BONNY ESTUARY, BONNY TOWN, BONNY ISLAND, AND OTHER TOWNS INCLUDING FAKPA, GBEGBEKIRI, ALASIAKIRI OWAUPIRI, OTOK, OGULU·AMA, SANGAMA OPUKARI, GBOLOKIRI, ONWONWOKIRI, BONNY·ONWON, PONDOMAKIRI, EFEREWARI, OYANKWE, OKOHOMABE, SAWAI, ONWONKOKIRI, NANABIE, AKWORE, EBETOTUBO, EGELEBIE· JUMBO, DAMA·ABBY ALLISON ADDA, OTUOKOLO, JAMAICA OZUNBAG·JUMBO, ALLISON ABRAHAM EFOKRO·DOGOKIRI· DOGOKIRI

11

ALAGBARIA

PETERSIE (AYAMA URBAN)

CONSISTING OF FIBIRI, OKLIOWOAMA, SAMPIT, OGUMBA MBISU, KALAIKBAMA KURUMA TOWN,IWOAM·KURAWA ORUTORU, OGBOMEMO, BEREGEDE LEGAKIRI, MBIKARI, BIEWEKIRI BIRI YEKIRI, ANGALABIE, TUMBI·KULU, BOLOBA, GREENKIRI, BILEMEKIRI, CHADUDAMA, AMANU AND MAPKIRI.

5.

6.

ASARITORU

BONNY

BUGUMA

BONNY

To be continued tomorrow

40

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

Nigeria: The family disease of messiahs?

D

r. Tunji Abayomi is one constitutional law expert, who merits the epithet. On a recent Channels TV interview, he was insightful on a number of matters, including the vexed issue of new constitution. And when it came to state creation, he displayed the family disease of Nigerian messiahs. Unlike a counterpart European mind, Abayomi showed no sense of history or any responsibilities to her. Tragically for a mind as fine as his, only what matters is to move the nation forward.

Since he is a constitutional expert, one can assume he is at home with the relevant history of Nigeria. And we ask, does Abayomi know how and why Ogun, Osun and Ekiti States, to use these cognate examples, were created? By the way, these states are in Abayomi’s home geo-political zone.

Anyway let’s help refresh our memories. It is on record that Professor Sam Aluko and Ooni of Ife, all stated publicly and on record that Ekiti and Osun States were created as favours to them by the superintending dictators and have not been challenged. And not too long ago, another commentator also stated that Ogun State was not in the works till Obasanjo muscled in and it was created.

Now, according to Eze Ozobu, Igbo leaders in troupes went to the dictator, Babangida, eight or eighteen times, perhaps, any number in between, pleading that states be created for their people. And Babangida, Lord of the manor and winner of a civil war, only acceded by creating just one state, after he had humiliated them, with endless pilgrimages to his throne. That is for the Igbo, apparently component peoples of the Nigeria geographical delineation, or did Awolowo say expression, they needed 17 plus, supplicant pilgrimages to be granted the least, a leftover state.

Aluko and Ooni only spoke once and were given. These are matters of records, not legalistic conjecturing. And I hope, despite Abayomi’s good hearts, he knows, even as many Nigerians won’t, that the procession of Gowon and post-Gowon coups were the Biafran-Nigerian civil war, continued by other means. These coup makers, one and all, were pitilessly pushing for the final solution and like Hitler’s wars, ended in the pan-Nigerian ruin of own nation. These coups were the delegated desires and designs of the two Security Council members of the geographically expressed nation, Nigeria. (More on this latter).

Now states and local governments in Nigeria are not wealth-generating or even mere administrative units. They are mainly a device for sharing out the national or nationalised loot, aka oil revenues. More they are used in apportioning national opportunities, quotas, and vacancies to locals or indigenes from the states/Nigeria.

That is to say that those zones like the South-West, from which Abayomi hails, have had and are having loose, unrestricted and unearned access, perhaps, robbery of the national till, than others who were equally qualified. This fact is beyond dispute because states were not created under any known logic, except by the whims and cronyism of the ruling coalition, or the Security Council members of the North and the South-West.

Now, since the creation of these states, the indigenes involved have been appropriating accruing benefits. And the act of appropriating these illegal, immoral and inequitable benefits, amounts to moral robbery against others and even worse, against the nation. This is because by their actions, they have invited others to join them in robbing the nation and in good conscience.

Now, it is the political robbery, in the guise of state creations, and the trumped up constitutions, et al, generated under the cover of coups, approved and operated by the Security Council members, and little else, that accounts for the industrial scale stealing, bribery and corruption, that is going on, all around the country. And philosophically, we can assure, it is a welcome development, even a moral guidepost. Why? One party cannot steal and ask others not to. Not even the mafia will be that amoral. We are almost pre-empting ourselves, but not to worry.

Now, our objections and observations are directed strictly to the Abayomis, who number

The Turf Game Jimanze Ego-Alowes alowesjimanze@yahoo.com

08033009539

•Fayemi amongst the few, who are not artisanal in their thought processes. The others may keep their bleeding hearts and teary eyes to themselves.

Now, modern law is a Roman invention and codification. Codification is more appropriate, because all the Romans did was to bring down the wisdom of philosophy, as founded by the Greeks, from its lofty heights, to serve practical men, on the ground. That is modern law, is Greek philosophy made into consumer programmes. To illustrate, while the Greek, Diogenes of Thebes, was walking the streets in daylight, armed with a lantern, looking for one innocent man, Romans thought the matter could quickly be decided by judges, even if not honestly, at least, as a practical thing to do.

The genius of Rome was to plumb and pipe, the ocean of Greek philosophy into running and controllable faucets, in the service men and their municipalities. We are, therefore, philosophers, when we are law-abiding.

That is, we are being Romans, with the graces of the Greeks. Ahiazuwa.

Yet and alas, one can’t imagine any Nigerian philosopher, who is law-abiding in any meaningful sense of the word. They are all trapped in the artisanship of Roman law,

•Amosun without the Greek content and genius. It is like we want to build empires without being civilised. This is the bane of Nigerian thinkers, and our dear and glorious Abayomi, is exhibiting signs and wonders of this family ailment.

Now, one key concept of the Roman law, whisked out of Greek philosophy, is locus standis. While in law, it means one showing sufficient connection or danger of suffering harm from a given situation, the philosophical obverse, is that a party, who has taken benefit from a given situation or is likely to so do in the future, cannot now oppose its further circulation, democratisation and universalisation.

Incidentally, we must remark, philosophy allows a bandit to preach Christ but not to moralise. To moralise is to philosophise as a participant. And you can’t participate or draw benefit from articulated evil and preach good, or vice versa. Or take benefits from random or crony state creation, and still moralise, that states should not further be created, even when that creates equity of evils. Equity of evils is a superior moral ground to the injustice of discriminatory goods. That is why MAD, Mutually Assured Destruction, is moral and worked. And it is on record that

European-quality minds, on the side of the West, conscientiously aided the Soviet Union to acquire the bomb, if only to achieve equality or equity of evils.

That is simply put, parties like Abayomi, have no locus standi, to comment on states creation because they are unscrupulous beneficiaries and have not repudiated and or returned their illegal acquirements. And it does not matter, he did not articulate or effect the states creation. What is important is that he and his geo-political zone, have taken benefits. It is like the case of the receiver of stolen goods. In fact, that is what Abayomi and company may be considered to be, politically, as receivers of political robberies, aka coups, in the specific matter of states creation and possibly others. So, as a moralist, a participant philosopher, he or his people are tainted witnesses and cannot be admitted before Socrates or Buddha, for instance, to canvass against the creation of states. What they should be doing first, is to calculate all the unearned benefits, they and other parties received from the injustice of states/LGAs creation, monetise those, calculate due interests at IMF plus rates and pay back as reparation to parties so robbed. If he does not know who these parties are, he can write for help.

This crisis of being amoral, of confusing philosophy with moralising, is the bane of Nigeria and her messiahs presumptive. A counterpart example will do. When Mr. Assange, the Wikileaks man, fled into the Ecuadorian embassy in London, the British threatened to break in and arrest him. They were cautioned that if they did, that, that exposed British embassies worldwide to similar attacks. That is the moral law. You can’t take benefit of one illegality or legality or convention and expect others to be denied that.

Nigeria’s underdevelopment can be accounted for, by the fact that we have never had a Socrates, or a Buddha incarnated amongst us, or learnt from them. To have brains without conscience is to be Goebbels, and it all ended in the ruins by the Rhine.

Nigerians Ronu. Ahiazuwa.

“Nigeria’s underdevelopment can be accounted for, by the fact that we have never had a Socrates or a Buddha incarnated amongst us, or learnt from them.

To have brains without conscience is to be Goebbels and it all ended in the ruins by the Rhine. Nigerians Ronu. Ahiazuwa.”

Re: On the diseconomies of the monthly sanitation day Dear Sir, The diseconomies of the monthly sanitation day may not only be appreciated from the fact that it’s time – bad/6 – 10am, but also from the purview that it is inconsistent with sustainable development imperatives of employment generation and wealth creation. In other words, monthly sanitation does not generate employment or create wealth. Olorogun Socca 08035936699.

Dear sir, Please can I have your article of June 7, 2012 on I am not the accused, I am the murderer!, and other write-ups that may be astonishing as it. My email is ……

08060796508. Kindly go to the Sun office nearest to you for back copies. Thank you.

2TG Dear Sir, I read your 16/08/12 piece and I have to tell you that the environment is dirty.

The evidence is all around us! But I do agree that we should go for professional cleaning.

08034547816. *Dear Sir, Ahiazuwa and thanks for the usual Thursday tonic. Nigeria is a jungle where anything goes. Only God knows how much the nation, nay the citizenry fritter

away within those precious hours which are sacrificed on the altar of environmental cleanliness. By way of digression, the word Oshebbee is actually apes obey; and was used by early Europeans, to propel our ancestors to work. Nigerian leaders are making out of us modern apes, who are willing to do the unthinkable. Nwanevu Yenago.

08037518492. * Letter of the week*. 2TG Dear Sir, to your question – or, we are just barbarians, pinging on Blackberrys? We are.

That is why someone can steal billions of naira and be “happy” 08033017801.

Dear Sir, Re: On the diseconomies of the monthly sanitation day. We are where we are (and how we are) because we are yet to understand that political leadership necessarily entails deep intellectual and philosophical rigor. Barr. Onyema Nwosu. Owerri 08034748453.

Dear Sir, I salute your courage for daring to point out and overturn our monthly “arrests” under the nom de guerre, environmental sanitation. As Bertrand de Jouvenel said, it is better to debate a question without

setting it than to settle a question without debating it. Kudos, for daring to take the road less travelled by other writers. Agu Onwuzuruoha CEO Skills Dev Consulting. 08034034878.

Dear Uncle Jim. I don’t know you but I am proud you are a Nigerian. Who says there are no geniuses in Nigeria? Uncle Jim that is what I will always call you sir. I read your The Turf Game all time and I ask, wonder and ask myself in Yoruba (Se Omo Nigeria nani egbon yi sa?) Joh laalah. Your Confidential Memo to Young Management is next to none. Uncle Jim ha! Thank you. (I am Akin Akindele aka Bashorun of Alagbado a comedian, radio and TV presenter and finally sir, a mini CEO. Ahiazuwa).

08051354267 Dear Jimanze, what more can one say about the Thursday/Saturday sanitation days in Lagos State, than to ask the system be scrapped. The exercise is slavish and an abuse of human rights. Least to say, it is an economic waste. Lai Ashadele.

07067677806

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Radiant Encounter “...The letter killeth but the spirit gives life.” II Cor 3:6

www.radiantencounterfemiblogspot.com; radiantlife@yahoo.com;

E-mail: adorobaba@yahoo.com

21st Century English grammar and usage (57)

T

he English Language is very accommodating. Professor Emmerson, a great grammarian, and a professor of English at the University of Cambridge has rightly said: “English is a city where every builder has brought a stone.”

And in recent times, some builders have brought new and most unusual words into the city of English. They include; “Dictionary” which is a nice economists’ word or term; ‘sextortion’ and ‘sexploitation’, which are legal terms; “Blamestorming”, which is a process of determining the cause of the failure of something. It was presumably influenced by “brainstorming; “frenemy” (friend + enemy) meaning a person with whom one is friend despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry; “sorting” (not the sorting office) but a term for academic corruption whereby students of tertiary institutions pay for marks to lecturers in cash or in kind.

Others are; “abortuary”, meaning an abortion clinic. The term is used by critics of legalized abortion to place a stigma of evil upon such places. (Read the book entitled “Abortion on Demand” to understand why they coined abortuary); abortuary was recorded from 1984, on the Mac Neil/Lehrer News Hour, constructed by joining “abortion (as in abortion clinic) with “mortuary”. The rhyme of the Latin roots cleverly emphasizes the message of the antiabortion activist Joseph M. Scheidler, the Director of the Pro-Life Action league of Chicago, who popularized the term. Note: pro-abortion women argue that they own their bodies and reserve the right to abortion can you fault their argument? “alterate” (a noun) is a person who prefers watching television and movies or listening to radio to reading a book or magazine.

“Alterates” abound in Nigeria, particularly among students, hence the mass failures in public examinations, including WAEC, NECO, JAMB, etc; “binuclear family” (a noun phrase) meaning a family in which legal separation or divorce of a married couple with children creates two households. Recorded from 1981 (in science 81 magazine), constructed by joining the prefix bi- meaning “two”, with the phrase nuclear family, meaning “basic family unit”; “boom car” (noun phrase) means an automobile with a very loud radio or cassette player intended to be heard by people outside of the car.

Recorded from 1989 (in the Los Angeles Times). Constructed by combining “boom” (box) with car (as in touring car or sports car).

This term is not related to “boom car”, meaning “a railroad car with a crane”. Note; Nigeria probably has more “boom cars” than America, nation of nations, God’s own country; blog, blogging, blogger; Intranet (for an internet that is private to a company); disabled list; transgender and transgendered; “political words” include “lookism” and sexism”, magstrip (meaning to apply a magnetic stripe to film a record sound, a term common on television since the 1960s, “come clean” is slang-slang word or informal. These and many more are known as Neo-words, New words or Neologisms.

Compliment or complement?

The controversy over whether or not to base University admission on JAMB entrance examination alone or “compliment” (complement) it with Post-UME test is just part of our warped national psyche.

One didn’t have to travel from “his” (one’s) village to Nsukka, Ibadan, Ile-Ife, Zaria, Sokoto, Lagos, among others, to sit for any entrance examination.

How come or Why? The big question to ask is; “how come” (why) do we have had some similitude of peace from the Niger Delta ? THE GUARDIANS Opinion page,June 26,2012. us Nigerians or we Nigerians ?

Public money is our money. The money in the upper and lower chamber of the National Assembly is our money, “Us” (We) Nigerians, who pay taxes and work hard to provide for our families, not to provide a fancy lifestyle for those who have decided to sponge off our resources without providing us with service. So let the findings of the subsidy report give way to concrete and effective policy changes. Indeed,

this report has “proven”(proved) that the subsidy regime is a scam.-Ibid . Special notes on grammar and usage:”complement” and “compliment” are liable to be confused since they sound alike.

However, they have totally different meanings “complement” refers to “something that makes something complete”, e.g. The wine was the perfect complement to the meal and her hat and shoes were the ideal complement to her outfit. It also refers to the complete number or quantity required or allowed, e.g. We have our five complement of staff and “a full complement of passengers”.

When trying to distinguish between “complement” and “compliment” it is helpful to remember the connection between complement and complete since both have “ple” in the middle. “Compliment” is an expression of praise, admiration, approval, etc. e.g. “pay her a compliment on her hair” and receive compliments on the high standard of their work”.

“Compliment” and “Complement” are also verbs as in the context, or as in “The wine complemented the meal very well” and “He complimented her on her musical perforce”. The post-UME test compliments the JAMB entrance examination.

Another note: “proven” is allowed in the phrases: proven integrity, proven character, proven friend, proven honesty. If you start a sentence with “one”, you must continue with “one” and its parts one, one’s, oneself.

It is advisable for all readers to go back to (a) synonymous noun (b) synonymous adjectives and (c) synonymous verbs in standard textbook.

Airplane or Aircraft?

It was the noise of a Dana passenger “Airplane” (Aircraft or Airplane).

I saw my brother in pieces. He was “totally dead” (dead).

Four of the robbers who sustained gunshot “wound”(wounds/injuries) were arrested by the police, including their “informant”(informer).

ATM Machine of ATM? On June 2, “at about” (at or about) 0300 hours, the police & patrol team attached to Area “E” command that responded to the distress call exchanged gunfire with armed robbers that attempted to rob the “ATM machine” of Skye Bank Plc, Festac branch. The robbers succeeded in tying the two security guards on duty at the bank on both hands and legs; damaged the “ATM machine” (ATM) and shot Sergent Femi Ikupoluyi in the left leg.

Let me tell you that I am an “alumni” (alumnus) of UNILAG. THE NATION, June 4, 2012.

Special notes on usage; This is what Priests of usage or usagists/usage Dictators call lazy/Block English, “Aeroplane” is old-fashioned while “airplane” is a piece of Americanism. The 21st century English prefers “aircraft”.

“Dead” is an absolute. It needs no qualification or modification. You cannot say or write that a man or a woman is “half-dead” (but “halfalive”. Simply say or write; The robbers sustained gunshots wounds or injuries. “About is preferred to “at about” in current English. “the police informer” is the preferred term in British English (BE) – not “informant”, which is American English (AE).

“Automated” Teller Machine (ATM) card” is Americanism while “cash card”, meaning “a plastic card used to get money from a CASH MACHINE – a machine in or outside a bank – is Briticism/anglisasm. Therefore, “ATM machine” is pleonastic.

Flag-off or inauguration?

Governor faults N2.2bn. Amendokhan Road “flag-off” (launch\inauguration). Edo state Governor, Adams Oshiomole, has described the “flag-off” (launch\inauguration) of the N2.2bn Ada Okere Ukoni Amendokhian Road in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area by the Federal Ministry of Works as a gimmick to hoodwink unsuspecting voters, a few days to the election – THE NATION’S NATIONAL NEWS Page, July 6, 2012.

One month after the “flag-off” (beginning\set off\commencement\start) of eventful and successful one year in office —- projects commissioning still in progress “!!!” (!)- Advertorial, THE NATION, July 3, 2012.

DAILY SUN

41

Evang. Femi Olaoluwa 080561568736, 08022556887,

Christian films: Effective weapon for end-time soul winning

W

e are in a dispensation that God is using Christian movies to bring people to repentance, set the captive free and bring diverse miracles. It is not by accident that all these things are happening.

In Daniel 12 : 4, the Bible reveals that at the end of time, knowledge shall increase. And as every occurrence is pointing to the fact that the end has come and drama evangelism is one God medium at this crucial time to teach the Word of God. Christian drama can be defined as a practical gospel teaching of God’s word. For more understanding of the Scripture, drama is the demonstration of the word of God. This is simply because Gospel dramatists do not have any messages of their own but messages given by Godbased on the word of God. These revelations will then be demonstrated for people not only to see but to have divine interpretation of what the written word of God says.

The history of drama was traced and discovered to be started from the church. At a time Christian drama was seen as entertainment, but today the story has changed. Rather than making

•Adepoju people only to laugh, drama today also makes them to weep for their sins; receive the joy of salvation and the edification of the spirit and soul of man.

•Rev Pastor Yemi Adepoju (08033765082, 08057925819) is a preacher, film producer, director, actor and the President of, Victory Drama Group, Ilorin, Kwara State. E- Mail: feyiyemiade@yahoo.com) Note: Victory Drama Group is the producer of Double for shame, Sworn Enemy and other inspiring Christian films. The latest film The destroyer- evangelical film centres on Tayo, a man that God graciously showered His mercy to restore him from his fallen state but abused the grace.

...and Christian tracts too follow up, the reader can write to the adress on the back for further help.

Some people will not listen to you, but will elow are some of reasons why Christian accept a tract. Many people tracts are effective for perhave been saved through readsonal evangelism: ing (and rereading) a tract in Many people never go to privacy. church or read the Bible. A tract Radiant drama tracts (about may be the only clear presentation 25 different titles) are written of the Gospel they will ever

by Evang Femi Olaoluwa and receive. published by Radiant Life A tract can go anywhere inexOutreach Ministries. Call or pensively. You can carry it in your send SMS to 08056158736 pocket or purse, place it in a rack, for film show /tract distribuor send it through the mail. tion evangelical outreach or in A tract will reinforce your perwhatever form God is leading sonal witness. Even if you can’t you to partner with us.

By Evang FEMI OLAOLUWA

B

Word of Hope Tract: He came to set the captives free

By Pastor ISAAC OGUNDELE

T

he thought of God towards men is that of peace, and to give them an unexpected end. ..to have dominion over all other creatures. It has never been in the agenda of God for man to be dominated or ruled over or to be held captive. To be held captive means to be under the influence of a contrary power (satanic power), which transcends yours.

You are a captive, when your thought is contrary to your spirit, when you are manifesting what is not in conformity with your intentions, when you are not pleased with what you are doing, when what you are doing is not convenient, when you cannot even explain what is happening to you, when you cannot share what you are going through with anybody, when your achievement is not in commensurate with your efforts… when you dream terrible dreams always, when you pray and your prayer remain unanswered.. Then, you need a higher power, authority or altar that will alter what the contrary

•Ogundare

power, authority or altar has altered in your life, family, business, career or endeavors.

There is a Man that has this HIGHER AUTHORITY AND POWER that will give you freedom, liberty or deliverance from all your bondages, His name is JESUS CHRIST. (Matthew 28:18, Luke 4:18 Luke 1:37, Psalm 68:18) He will set you free if you confess all yours sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior from now and forever. Jesus loves you.

Note: Word of Hope Ministry Worldwide holds A-3 day power packed Hour of Miracle (Every last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the month). August – 29th/ 30th&31st, 2012 -5:30 p.m. vigil respectively Theme: God of Miracle (Genesis 18:14) @ Adesan Road, Daleko Bus-Stop, Mowe, Ogun State. Ministering: Pastor Isaac Ogundele and other ministers of God. •For more information, prayer and counseling. Call Pastor Isaac Ogundare:08057384944, 08065591017. Culled from one of Word of Hope Ministry Worldwide Christian publications, Mowe, Ogun State. Email: wordofhopem@yahoo.com

Radiant Media & Prayer Support Forum

A

and partners with each other to effectively reach out to souls and strengthen the body of Christ.

It is powered by: Radiant Life Outreach Ministries.

•Evang Femi Olaoluwa, President •Call or send SMS to Evang. Femi Olaoluwa (08056158736) for more information & publication of your Christian films or messages in The Sun.

forum for pastors\other Church Ministers, drama ministers\other Christian artistes, Missionaries\other outreach Ministers and other Christian\ corporate organizations to pray, network

DAILY SUN

42

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Demolition: Succour for shop owners on Lagos/Badagry Expressway

By CHRISTOPHER OJI

W

hen the government unleashed its bulldozers, accompanied by armed security operatives, to demolish shops and houses along Lagos-Badagry Expressway many property owners were biting their fingers and shedding tears of sorrow.

From Mazamaza, down to Abule Ado Afenifere plank market, family members and shop owners were wailing uncontrollably as their lives depended on their property. Although the government had, for a long time, given them quit notice, announcing that demolition was imminent and invited the landlords for verification and certification of their qualification for eventual compensation, sending a signal that the government meant business, yet they took the threat with kids glove However, on Monday, August 5, 2012, the axe of demolition fell on the houses and markets marked for destruction, the shop owners got more than they expected as some of them were not able to salvage their wares, as the bulldozers were destroying their shops.

Many of them saw the demolition as death sentences since they did not made alternative arrangement, since the government warned them to quit.

A shop owner, simply identified as Mama Rebecca, temporarily passed out when she saw her foodstuff shed crumbled to the attack by the

…As Oriade LCDA builds new market

Hon. Sabu showing the market under construction to a market woman bulldozers but the quick intervention of a Godsent soldier saved the situation as he used his mouth to pass some air into the woman’s mouth before she was eventually revived. Indeed, over 2000 families are estimated to have been affected one way or another by the demolition.

However, the shop owners will have cause to smile again as the Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have started making move to offer succour to them as it has started constructing shops in about ten acres of land at the Abule Ado/Ile-Epo area on old Ojo Road.

Presently, construction works have been going

on on the land so as to accommodate those who lost their shops to the demolition exercise.

The supervisor for health of the LCDA, Hon Buraimoh Mustafa Ojora who is presently in charge of the construction works told Daily Sun that it was the responsibility of the LCDA to carter for the shop owners who had been paying tolls to it before the demolition.

Ojora said it would be wicked of the LCDAto abandon the traders in their predicament hence it started the rehabilitation plan.

He noted that the council had the foresight since 2008 that there would be road expansion, hence it started making plans on what to do should the demolition happened.

Ojora said when the council sat down and saw the danger in leaving over 2000 families that the demolition affected on their own, the LCDA had no choice than to start the emergency construction.

He said: “Right now, we have started building the market and motor park because, motor parks were also affected. If we leave the affected people on their own, the police will have many more jobs to do.”

According to him, aside from residential buildings, 40 shops at Mazamaza market, 25 shops in Agboju Amuwo market, 100 open shades at Kanisuru market, 200 shops at Agboju main mar-

ket and 100 open shades at saloon line market were affected.

Other place affected were 130 shops at Agboju plank market, 130 at Oluti plank market, 130 shops at Finger plank market, 145 at Abule Ado plank market, 100 open shops at Majiyagbe market, 205 at Ogo Oluwa and 100 shops at Okoduwa spare parts market.

He said it would be dangerous if the LCDAdid not intervene , hence it started the building of the low cost market that would also accommodate a police station and a fire service station.

Ojora who said he was touched by the tale of woes from the affected shop owners appealed to them to exercise some patience and not to go into crime or develop hypertension as the new market which he claimed would be low cost would be completed in no distance time.

He warned hoodlums to desist from attacking workers in the construction site as the council has the backing of the state government who has already given approval for the market construction.

When Daily Sun visited the site, many people looking for shops have besieged the place lobbying for shades but Ojora who incidentally is the chairman of Land Property owners of the LCDA promised that only those affected by the demolition exercise would be allocated with shops.

He called on those who wished to do business with the LCDA not to entertain any fear as every transaction would be handled by the government.

Moss berths in Nigeria with mega tank firm

By CHUKS EZE

FRSC worries over ‘tollgate of death’ M

By RAZAQ BAMIDELE

T

he former tollgate at Otta in Ogun State is now assuming a sort of notoriety in claiming lives through auto accidents almost on daily basis. The notoriety is so unprecedented that the officers and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), have started to develop migraine over the sad development.

It was a black Sunday about six weeks ago at place when an early morning multiple accident claimed two lives and got at least eight others seriously injured.

Sympathizers could not help wailing when they a victim, a female child got her head smashed and her brain was splashed on the tarred road.

The accident, which occurred directly infront of the (FRSC), Otta office involved a tipper trailer loaded with gravels, four commercial (Danfo) busses, one tricycle popularly called keke Marwa and four motocycles popularly called okada.

The driver of the 18-tyre trailer with Lagos registration number XY 03 EPE, according to Otta FRSC Unit Commander, Mr. Kolawole Salami, lost control due to break failure and rammed into other vehicles infront of him.

The trailer was descending the slope towards the Tollgate from Dalemo end of the town when the incident happened and affected buses with Lagos registration numbers XN 858 MUS, XR 350 EPE, XR 608 ABC .Also involved was a Marwa tricycle with registration Y 317 FST and three motocycles one of which has registration number Qy 461 FST. Speaking with Daily Sun in his office, the Unit Commander, Kolawole Salami attributed the early crash to “recklessness of the driver, poor maintenance of the vehicle, over speeding and dangerous driving,” regretting that “these are the major causes of accidents here.”

Barely a week later, another fatal accident also occurred leaving dozen victims with fractured limbs, cracked skulls and bruised bodies and faces.

The latest was the one that happened last Friday when the whole world was in festive mood in preparation for the last Eidul-fitr celebration.

When the dust settled, five victims found themselves on the hospital bed with one of them, Mrs. Josephine Olukemi Obanla sustaining multiple fractures on her arm and left leg. This was in addition to cash and items worth almost a million naira that was recovered by the FRSC at the scene of the accident. It was to make sure that the items were handed to the real owner, Mrs. Olukemi Josephine Obanla in the presence of her husband, Felix Adebukola Obanla that prompted the Ogun State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Ayobami Owoyale to come down to Otta direct-

…Omiyale proffers solution ly to do the handing over personally.?Addressing newsmen at the Obanla’s bedside at Medicare Clinic, Otta, the Sector Commander, Omiyale explained that a trailer from the Lagos end of the Tollgate lost control and rammed into several vehicles one of which hit Obanla while alighting off a motorcycle that brought her to the tollgate area from Lagos where she went to buy the recovered items.?The items included several denominations of recharge cards worth over N800,000, a cell phone, ATM card, bank tellers and N11,000 cash.?The victim, who spotted POP on her leg and arm and her husband thanked men and officers of the FRSC for their prompt response during the accident saying but for their quick intervention, the story would have been different.?The Tollgate Acting Unit Commander, Bashiru Adeyemi told Daily Sun that four other injured victims rushed to the hospital have been treated and discharged. ?

Solution While proffering solutions to the incessant occurrence of the crashes in the area, Omiyale has this to say: “One, the solution there is infrastructural. The other is mechanical. And the third is also engineering, it is not mechanical. Julius Berger has been working on that particular section; that failed section for ages.

“And so, my men, the Unity Commander together with the officers have had to recourse to patronizing tipper drivers who give them two lorryload of sand and laterite to fill up the potholes at the turning point. That has been the palliative measure that when brakes fail from Dalemo axis, at least, the drivers of the trailers whose brakes have failed would in a position to manouvre with-

out crushing any other vehicle. Without the laterite there, the tendency has always been for vehicles who are waiting either to make a U-turn or intending to go straight are forced to queue up because those making U-turn would make them to do so because of the failed portion of the road.

“So whenever a break fails, it crushes several other vehicles. So, for now, the laterite has ensured that even when breaks fail, there aren’t many vehicles to crush. That is one.

The second one which I say is mechanical is that vehicle owners should learn how to maintain their vehicles so that their breaks stop failing at that point.

“The third which I say is infrastructural, was not prompted by anybody. The victim said so. My officers also said so. The government has done very well by relocating all the illegal parks along Idi-Iroko into the main park that we used to know as Elere Park.

The park has been rehabilitated and it has mobbed up all the vehicles that are loading along Idi-Iroko road. That is one park they used to called Baruwa, if you go to the flyover now coming to Idi-Iroko, it is a smooth drive. It is not the same thing when you are going to the flyover though.

Some works have to be done there. But the point here is that the park we used to know has Elere, we have to find a new name for it now because it is no longer Elere. It has taken up all those vehicles and there is no more space in that park. So, vehicles that are loading at the tollgate right now are not supposed to be doing so.The government should please get the will to create a park around the tollgate vicinity so that we would not be holding this type of talk very often.”

A scene of accident at the toll gate

oss Petroleum International Nigeria Limited is set to launch a high-tech mega oil firm at Koko in Delta State with a leisure, MOSS Charity as well as healthcare centres. The company, which has its subsidiary, MOSS Petroleum Limited in the UK, was registered in Nigeria in 2008.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, chairman of the company, Steve Igbinose said the vision of the company was to become a worldwide energy company committed to delivering innovation and excellence to the petroleum industry, soon after it comes on stream.

He said the era of host communities being neglected by oil firms in their domain would be over because according him, “We have come to do oil business in Nigeria with absolute transparency. We will not go the same way of other existing oil firms, which is what will make MOSS Petroleum to stand out among the existing oil firms in the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector.”

On the choice of Koko as the site of the project, Igbinose said: “After proper analysis of the current business environment, we decided to site the project outside the already hugely congested Lagos Port. Other advantages which the sites present are that the Benin River will allow for quick, easy access for bulk loading and unloading; 99 percent of Nigeria’s oil is produced in Delta State and major oil companies are also now relocating to Delta State.”

He also said the project would be a 60,000 cubic metre Petroleum storage tank and a loading gaunt with six automated high speed product pumps with the ability to discharge about 150,000 litres of product per hour.

Also speaking, the Project Manager of KOK Ventures, Engr A Ajiboye said MOSS Petroleum International project would be a massive construction. He said the proposed project would comprise six mega storage tanks, two each for PMS, AGO and DPK; ultra-modern administrative block, modern international standard fire fighting department and an eatery among others.

However, a British partner, Neoclis Neocleous, said his decision to partner with a Nigerian was based on long time relationship that has existed between them over the years.

He also expressed disappointment that Nigeria was being portrayed in the western media as a country where citizens live in trees, when actually Nigeria was a beautiful country full of investment opportunities.

Another partner, a London based Jamaican, Garey Raid, explained that he would be more involved in the proposed leisure centre and wellness aspect of the project because that was his specialty.

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012,

43

44

DAILY SUN

Thursday, August 23, 2012

MONEY

Entrepreneur, Property & Investment guide

By OBIDIKE JERRY

S

ir Benson Abalogu is the Group Chairman/CEO of Benlock Group comprising Filterland Industries, Benny Hotels, and Benny International Schools with interests in manufacturing, hospitality, and education. Benlock Nigeria was initially into the importation of industrial and earth moving equipment, transformers, cranes, generators, etc., until a chance encounter with a foreigner changed his business direction for good.

“I had a transformation experience some years back when I was solely into importation of finished goods,” said Sir Abalogu, who relishes the fact that he is now a major contributor to the growth of the economy.

“There was a particular day when I was loading my goods into containers in Germany and an Oyibo (White) man came over. Pausing for a moment in front of the vehicle, he shook his head and exclaimed thereafter: ‘Ah’Benlock, what do you need this chemical for in Africa, where you are blessed with natural fruits? Even if you want to produce fruit juice you can do better than these ones. You are buying tissue papers also. Does it mean you can’t produce them as well?’Other Oyibos were just passing and shaking their heads but this one opened up to say something that changed my orientation and attitude as a business man.”

Sir Abalogu, who now relishes the fact of being a strong player in the manufacturing sector, took Daily Sun round one of his factories, Filterland, where various products are at different stages of production, said the infrastructure challenge is very debilitating considering the massive influx of Chinese goods into the country. His words: “That is why I call on the President to address the infrastructure issues, especially the electricity problem. I also suggest zero duty on imported raw materials instead of the present situation where we pay five per cent, the same on finished products, when you consider the fact that we use original filter paper to make our products, as against some of these Chinese products that cannot filter oil properly.”

Sir Abalogu said he has strong admiration for Alhaji Dangote because of his contribution to the economy. He also said he has one ambition: to be able to employ about 3,000 Nigerians in business.

Therefore, he wants President Jonathan to keep faith with his transformation agenda so that Benlock Group will achieve its dream. His words: “President Jonathan should first give light to all industrial centres in the country – Lagos, Aba, Kano, Nnewi, Port Harcourt, etc., because of their relevance to the economy. It is good for all Nigerians to have electric light but it will be better if industrial centres have priority.”

Chief Abalogu said more in this interview with Daily Sun in his Lagos office.

Excerpts: What made you to switch from importation to manufacturing?

My dream is to employ about 3,000 Nigerians – Abalogu, Chairman/CEO, Benlock Group was very happy when former president I Obasanjo banned importation of fruit juice to Nigeria. Despite the outcry from

China manufacturers who produce for export are given 12–15 per cent discounts.

In other words, the government sudsidize my people I refused to join them in conthe exports up to the tune of 15 per cent. demning Obasanjo’s action. I told them it This is why Chinese products compete was a positive development because of that favourably around the globe. Again, in comment made by the Oyibo man years China, government will build factories and back. The truth is that do we need to import lease them to individuals for between fruit juice? Do we even need the ‘chemical- 25–30 years. That is, the government will ized’ juice, when we can grow fruits all build, equip and give individuals 25 years year round? Now we produce fruit juice to run them and pay back. In China, you and tissue paper in this country. So, during get loan at five per cent interest. But here, it one of our Manufacturers’ association is between 19–25 per cent. So, with these meeting years after Obasanjo left office, he incentives how do you think we can cominformed us that some people who critipete with them? But despite the odds cized his decision came later to thank him against us, we are still hopeful. We earnestfor taking that action because some of them ly pray for the government to solve the who used that opportunity to start small problem of low electricity supply. scale production of juice have moved into So what about the Central Bank interbigger set up now. vention?

So, what has been some of the chalhat is very laughable, a huge joke. lenges in the field?

When we went to access the loan, we hen I opened this factory, 80 perwere told it was for dead companies or faccent of the raw materials attracted tories government wants to resuscitate. The no duties. But now in President Jonathan’s companies that owe banks, believing the government we pay five per cent duty. The loan will help them to come back to life. same five per cent is paid on finished The funniest thing is that the so called dead goods. This has greatly affected our returns companies have not been able to come negatively. We are barely managing. So, it back to life and payback the loans. The was very pleasant surprise when Obasanjo, companies are still dead, as I talk to you. during our June meeting in Golden Tulip May be they used the money for something Hotels, advocated for the removal of the else. Besides, manufacturing without public five per cent duty (make it free duty) on the power supply is vain. You are just gamraw materials. I wish President Jonathan bling. You can only manage if you are will hear this and do something before the using your own money...not banks money. few of us that are still producing collapse.

That is why President Jonathan must The fact that some dubious people abuse address the power issue. I strongly believe the privilege is not enough reason to remove it. There are so many ways to identify genuine manufacturers in the sector. Again, with the hundred percent inspection or examination the customs do in the ports, it is easy to identify finished goods and raw materials. The difference is clear. But now, with duty in place, we no longer make profit. We just exist to pay salaries and other bills. owever, it gives hope to hear former President Obasanjo speak for us. It gives me hope that Nigeria will be better. In

T

W

H

• Abalogu

issue. I strongly believe President Jonathan can do it. That is why I am still injecting my money into manufacturing otherwise I would have closed this place and face importation because it is very easy to make profit there.

Still on the challenges, it’s like you are experiencing hard times? es, we are into filters: we manufacture all types of filters for trucks, cars, generators, machines and equipments.

Prior to this, I was into buying and selling and importation of finished auto spare parts.

I moved into manufacturing to contribute in moving the country forward but the present infrastructural challenges have made me to realize recently that manufacturing is very difficult, one of the hardest things to do.

Buying and selling is just child’s play.

Today tax people will come. The next day it is the environmental people, etc. These agents of government do not even bother to find out how we are still in business. Each time I go to the Manufacturers’Association of Nigeria (MAN)’s meeting, all you hear is the number of companies that have closed down and the one that moved to Ghana. This is not good news for serious investors like us, who have put a lot of money into the businesses. The funny thing is that these companies that moved to Ghana to produce will still write ‘Made in Nigeria’ on their products. But thank God I am still surviving.

How do you remain competitive especially against the influx of imported products from China? here was a day I opened one of the filters, what I saw inside made me to weep for my country. The filter was made with ordinary cardboard paper. In this part of the world, what they want is profit. It is wrong to say that Nigerians are the ones that ask the Chinese to produce inferior goods. No, Nigerian importers are not the ones perse. The truth is Chinese will accept any bid for their products from Nigerian importers. They never say no or reject your bid. They will just go ahead and produce according to your bid. Apart from manufacturing filters, I import original things too from China. I import topflight valves from China and since I started selling them, no one has returned them as bad or poor quality products. I say all these to let President Jonathan know the plight of real manufacturers and do something urgent to help us.

This is the best way to reward us who campaigned and voted for him to continue as president of our country in 2011. And we pray for him to deliver on his promises, even though Boko Haram and other insecurity challenges are distracting him- in the north, Boko Haram and in the south east, kidnapping. It looks as if it is only in south west that we have relative peace.

At times, I ask is it the last day? But when I look at other countries in Europe and even Ghana in West Africa, I return from hopeless mode to that of hopefulness. I still believe that one day I will

Y

T

Continued on page 45

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

45

MONEY Entrepreneur

Investing in fertilizer producing plant

T • Abalogu

‘FG should reduce duty on raw materials’ Continued from page 44

hopefulness. I still believe that one day I will have more than three thousand employees in my factory.

When I look at Dangote I am actuated to carry on. Dangote is one Nigerian I am proud of.

You still believe that the support you rallied for President Jonathan during the 2011 presidential campaign was not misplaced, even with his inability to tackle the infrastructural challenges that are affecting your manufacturing business? ell, our group, South East Ndigbo in Lagos, was the first to back his ambition. We did the same thing to Governor Fashola of Lagos State. We supported Jonathan because he had that right to finish the joint ticket he won with late President Yar Adua and the legitimate aspiration to contest to continue as the president of the country. Moreover, his geopolitical zone had never been so elected to lead Nigeria before. Again, when we had audience with him, we told him about our-southeast Ndigbo problem. We requested for additional one state to make it six for our zone. The second one is our investments in Trade Fair Complex, Lagos. We are the first to buy into the privatization scheme of the federal government by acquiring some parcels of land in Trade Fair and investing billions of naira to transform it into centre for International Commerce in Africa. We have more than one million self employed people making their living in that place.

This is not to talk of about three to four million indirect jobs created by us. This was the position before the misadventure of privatising already privatised complex to another company that had no real investment on ground. But thank God that as I talk to you, our own portion has been handed back to us. This is justice.

The real privatisation is the one that will create jobs for the teeming jobless youths in the country. It is not the one the beneficiaries will go and borrow from banks to acquire the place thereafter run the place aground and refuse to pay back the borrowed money. Go and see what is happening in Trade fair today.

You will be impressed and happy.

My company has a ready market in Trade Fair and this is why we are even doing better than when the Oyibos were running this place. I bought this company from Koreans some years back and today the company is being run completely

by Nigerians.

W

he Federal Government recently stated that importation of fertilizer and rice into Nigeria has increased tremendously over the years, and that rice alone stood at about N155 billion annually. Based on this, the government is working on banning the importation of rice and fertilizer.

The decision of the government is in the right direction, considering the fact that Nigeria has all the necessary resources locally to produce all the needed fertilizer and rice in this country. The financial resources, manpower and the market is locally available. However, in terms of fertilizer production, 70 per cent of the technology has to be imported, while about 30 per cent is locally available.

In this investment profile, the projects & financial consultant writes on how to make profitable investments in the fertilizer production and bagging.

Farmers all over the country cannot do without fertilizer. They need different ranges of fertilizers every farming season(s) to move on. Based on our studies, the production base of fertilizer in this country is far below the supply. There are about four major producers of fertilizers in this country at present and only one of them has beneficiating and blending plant. About three state governments – Bauchi, Yobe and Borno fertilizer blending plants are almost at comatose and operating at very low capacity due to problems of raw materials. The plant is meant to use imported DAP & MAP as major raw materials. The costs of importation and landing are now very high, so much that the cost of production has also gone higher than the current selling price. Companies like Stallion Group, Tag Agro, Nitro-Mobile International Fertilizers & Agro-Chemicals are all importers tapping on the large demand-supply gap to survive.

Recently Dangote group announced their plan to establish fertilizer producing plant at Edo State, Nigeria. Alhaji Aliko Dangote said the move was to boost the agricultural sector; make the country self sufficient in food production and export the products to other African countries. This is what many Nigerians can do, not only Dangote. Many politicians have made enough money to establish industries in the country which would, in turn, generate employment, increase the GDP and make Nigerians self-reliance in food production...instead, they choose to engage in capital flight.

Until the late 70’s, agriculture used to be the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, contributing as much as 90 per cent of the GDP and employ-

UBA Godwin ubagodwin@yahoo.com 08034494437, 08023664368

ing over 70 per cent of the entire population, directly or indirectly. Today, Agriculture, according to recent data published by Federal Government, contributes only 46 per cent of the GPD. The discovery of crude oil in Nigeria has damaged our sense of commitments to Agriculture.

Despite the fact that over 70 per cent of the total land area of Nigeria is good for Agricultural production, Nigeria can not produce enough food for its teeming population.

Before the advent of crude oil in Nigeria, each region in the country produced different agricultural products suitable to their soil and climatic condition. The Northern parts of the country produce mainly groundnuts, Soya-beans, hides & skin, cotton seed in large quantities, while the South-East part of the country produce oil palms products. In the South-western part of Nigeria cocoa, rubber, oil palm and kola-nuts are produced in large quantities for local consumption and exports.

For Nigeria to get back to Agriculture and perform very well as at 1970s, we much be able to get all the farm inputs under our control. We must have to invest in production of basic farm inputs such as fertilizers. Luckily, all the basic raw materials for the production of fertilizers are available within the country.

The major raw materials for this project include ammonia gas, phosphoric acid, Phosphate Powder, Potash, Calcium Carbonate, Clay and fillers. All these raw materials are abundant in Nigeria.

The plants and machinery required are obtainable from overseas at competitive prices. The capacity of the plant varies depending on the capacity the prospective investor(s) may want to install. The designing, supplying and installing, training of your manpower will be handled by the technical partner to be recommended to prospective investors.

The market for fertilizer in Nigeria is National, expanding and sustainable. The market is second to Petroleum products in Nigeria. From our analysis investment in fertilizer is very profitable with high return on investment. Various tiers of Government in Nigeria give great priority to its availability and distribution to farmers. It is also

very important to note that over 75 per cent of all the fertilizer consumed in the country is imported.

The National Fertilizer Policy and current agricultural policy of Nigeria promotes the responsible use of green revolution technologies namely fertilizers, seed and crop minerals, in the strive to achieve food security and for generating exportable surplus of farm products in a market friendly way. Secondly, the Federal Government has embarked on policy reforms of the general economy through the active privatisation of public enterprises and liberalization of the markets for farm inputs and outputs.

Viability of manufacturing/agro projects From our feasibility studies, these projects can be comfortably set up and effectively managed in Nigeria. The raw materials are available, the plant and machinery to set them up are also available. The manpower will not be a problem too.

Though there may be some problems in the manufacturing sector, such as power supply, but some Chinese, Lebanese, Indians and others come to Nigeria with nothing and eventually achieve great success in the area of manufacturing.

Funding of projects in 2012 With the second round of bank consolidation and reforms just concluded, the effect is that this year will be a good year for investors. We are expecting that the cost of capital will come down and more funds will be available for investors through the banks provided that your business ideas/proposals are well packaged by professionals.

Realizing a profitable investment in 2012 We will assist you in seeing your project proposals come through by packaging a comprehensive and bankable feasibility studies reports in any of the projects of your choice, give you investment advisory services, assist in sourcing and installing formidable plants and machinery from cottage, small, medium to large scale manufacturing projects. We will provide you with information on international markets for export of your products. We will also help you to carry out market survey in the country for effective marketing of your products. We will also assist in sourcing and recruiting experienced hands for effective management of your investments.

In the area of funding of your projects, we will assist to secure funds for your projects provided they are profitable enough.

Implementation of this project The writer will guide prospective investors in setting up this project from feasibility studies, site planning, procurement and installation of machines, development of marketing strategies and recruitment of experienced manpower to manage the project for profit.

Production of quality soap for cash

Edwin Agbaike krisedbrilliant@yahoo.com 08098525122, 08023381900

S

oap, be it antiseptic, toilet or ordinary bar, can be graded along foodstuff as essential commodity, in view of the fact that it has to be used three or more times daily. With almost every street of Nigerian towns spotting at least four restaurants each, it is estimated that each of these canteens would need an average of one bar soap daily. The home front is not left out.

Nigeria, with a population of 140 million, if assumed that on the average each person uses a tablet of toilet soap fortnightly, then the demand per annum is enormously great. Though very many brands have appeared in the market recently, it has not sufficiently affected the degree of demand enjoyed by soaps. The quality of soap produce determines its acceptability within and outside the boundaries of Nigerian markets. Great export potentials exist for any investor to earn foreign currency if quality standards, as researched by our consultants, can be followed.

The major raw materials required for soap production, be it bar, toilet or liquid soap, are the same. They include caustic soda, sodium silicate, soda ash, PKO or red palm oil, perfume and colorant. These are sourced 100 per cent from our local market and in abundance through all seasons.

Equipment required includes industrial mixer, sieving machine, weighing scale, measurement utensil and other auxiliaries. These equipments are locally fabricated and readily available at reputable stores.

The technology for soap production is so simple that a primary knowledge of simple arithmetic would put a promoter through. A desired quantity of caustic soda and other chemicals are added in a specific proportion to be mixed properly. Added to this dilution is a percentage of perfume to deodorized the odour of the soap, while the deodourant plus other ingredients are added (as percentage) to the finished mixture to get out an antiseptic soap.

This service of an industrial chemist on consultancy basis is required to produce the best quality soap, conforming to international standard. This is very necessary to disassociate the product from the poorly produced soaps now flooding the market.

A well-prepared soap must be void of palm oil odour, sanities smell, shrinking water shedding, and white substance coverage. It is only on this condition that export sales can be guaranteed.

A three-bed room flat in any of the urban cities will be ideal for a start. The site location must have water, electricity and good access road, which are the basic infrastructures needed for smooth production.

The capital outlay needed for soap production is very low. For the project under consideration, the sum of N450,000 will be enough for a start. This amount can be scaled down or increased depending on the financial ability of the promoter.

Potential investors in need of capital for implementation of this or any of our listed small-scale projects may get in touch for assistance.

A small scale project will cost between

N450,000 and N1 million. This amount can be scaled down or increased depending on the financial strength of the promoter. Potential investors in need of capital for implementation of this or any of our listed Small Scale Project may get in touch for assistance.

The project is capable of offering employment opportunity to about 7 personnel for a start.

The market for the local front includes appointed distributors who are wholesale dealers on soap, supermarkets, factories, hotels, schools and the general public. On the international scene, the ECOWAS sub- region, central and East Africa Countries are potential/ready markets. Address of established export markets for these products are obtainable on request. In order to capture and maintain a fair share of the market, the company must ensure that its product is of high quality.

Furthermore, the use of effective pricing, wide distributorship, constant stock and aggressive salesmen are encouraged.

A production capacity of 300 kilogram of solid or 2,000 liters liquid soap per day is possible for the project under consideration. This will yield a minimum turnover of N6.5 million per annum out of which an after tax profit of 20 per cent N1.3 million is realizable.

This project stands a good chance of attracting finance from the banks, where individuals or corporate bodies are assisted with funds ranging from N500,000 to well over N50 million. A well-packaged feasibility report is a prerequisite to securing finance for the project.

For details on how to implement this project or any other, please contact us. We are willing to assist potential investors on any aspect of the project.

46

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

MONEY Entrepreneur

Nigeria wasting 548mw electricity with wrong set of bulbs – Ohuabunwa

By LOUIS IBA

B

• Ohuabunwa

etter known as a pharmacist who helped turnaround the fortune of Neimeth Pharmaceuticals for good, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, last year, ended his career in the firm and took a leap into the energy industry where, today, he serves as Chairman of Gloryland Limited. The company is involved in the manufacture of energy saving bulbs and by next year the plan is to commit about N500 million into the construction of a manufacturing plant for the new set of energy saving bulbs.

Ohuabunwa, in this interview with Daily Sun explains why he opted for the energy industry after retirement. According to him, so much meager generated electricity was wasted with the deployment of the wrong set of bulbs and flourescent tubes in most homes and industries.

“The incandescent bulbs we are currently using is not helping us; it is not energy efficient,” he said. “If Nigeria uses the LED lamb, which is

more energy efficient, and we are able to replace 10 million of the 60-watt incandescent bulbs with the LED lamp, then daily we can be saving about 548megawatts of electricity,” he said.

Ohuabunwa also x-rays some of the problems of the power sector, including the on-going crisis between PHCN workers and the Power minister and how best to get out of it.

Excerpts: Why I went into energy business First of all you know that I retired from Neimeth last October and I have been looking at where to put in my energy and, when I looked at all the sectors, I chose power because I believe that the power sector is the best place for me. As someone who has been involved in manufacturing I know the energy situation of the country and how the crisis in that sector has affected so many other aspects of the economy. In fact, until we sort out the problem of efficient generation and distribution of electricity, the miracle that we have been yearning for in the economy will not happen.

Our mission is to develop human capital for oil and gas sector – Engr Imumolen

By CHIMA TITUS NWOKOJI and VERA WISDOM BASSEY

L

ack of indigenous expertise and necessary equipment needed to operate profitably in the petroleum sector has become a recurring decimal. The knowledge gap has remained an investment opportunity for trainers of potential oil and gas professionals. On-shore, Off-shore Educational and Research Academy has taken up the challenge to develop human capital to drive and deliver the objectives of the Oil and Gas sector. By academic standards and exposure in the operation of the Oil and Gas industry, Imumolen has over 8 years’ experience.

According to him, the institution in conjunction with expatriate training partners, has trained several big players in the industry.

The institution is carved out to lecture undergraduates as well as graduates who desire a career in the oil and gas sector, while the Onshore, off shore professionals is a networking organization where major operators in the sector come together to cross-fertilize ideas. In this interview with Daily Sun, Engineer Christopher Imumolen Irene, the CEO/ founder, On-shore, Off-shore Educational and Research Academy, and Offshore, Onshore Professionals network talks about the economy, training and employment in the oil and gas sector.

Excerpts: Do you still have expatriates working with you?

Yes, in Oil and Gas, generally, we have partners both international and local partners, who are partners to provide expertise where we do not have such expert services. The Organization has international bodies that are affiliated to local bodies too that they work with.

Do you agree that Nigeria does not have experts in the oil and gas industry?

I would not really agree with you that Nigerians don’t have the expertise. Personally, I have some of them and have even trained some of the so-called expertise that came from abroad. When we realized that they are not capable of doing the job, we trained them. We have realized that they are not gods; we also realize that we have some Nigerians who are doing far better than them. It is just that we refused to do away with the mentality that we need the Whites to survive.

Do we have some Nigerians that can go into exploration?

Definitely, we have indigenous companies that are into exploration, as we speak now. By the time we see the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) come into play, Nigerians will see more local participation and involvement, which will be helpful.

Most of the Foreign Oil companies – Exxon, Shell, Mobil among others, have a strong backup from their country, even Chinese companies.

If Nigerian government will back us up in terms of finance, we will match them in delivery. Oil and Gas business is highly capital intensive.

When we say involve 90 per cent of Nigerians into the oil and gas, we should be ready to give adequate backing, otherwise, there will be a problem. Are there adequate training facilities available for them, are there training for Nigerians? They need to undergo training over and over again so as to make them competent and competitive. The government and the private sector could join hands together and make things work in the oil and gas industry.

Bulk of implementation Government has law enforcement agencies that will enforce the PIB. My fear is that some enforcement agencies are not working. When someone is ready to work, you will see the sign.

Remember what happened in NAFDAC when the former DG was there. So, if we have a PIB that is properly enforced, there will be a change not just in the Oil and Gas, but in every sector of the economy. Nigerians will begin to believe in themselves that they can do it. There will be so much impact in the economy because we still know that the Nigerian economy is still driven by the oil and gas industry.

Where are we going to see more impact from PIB implementation?

With proper implementation of the bills, the impact will be felt first at the grassroots. We know Oil and Gas employ five per cent of the population of Nigeria, with proper implementation, employment ratio will increase. The common man who cannot bid for contract can also get raw material products for his own business.

• Imumolen

We will see petrochemicals properly geared to companies that need them; plastic materials that are by-products of production processes in the Oil and Gas will be available. Basically, when this bill is properly implemented we’ll begin to see a turnaround in the life of individuals that actually desire to explore their knowledge. So many persons who have not got adequate chance to put in their best will have opportunities.

One major accident usually ignored by Health and Safety department Financial accident is the answer to that question. Running at loss is an accident. Accident is not only about health of individuals or damage to inventory. When a company does not make profit, it is a financial accident. It is left for top management to manage that risk by seeing the danger from a distance.

Expatriates doing jobs Nigerians could do Well, there are so many persons especially in the offshore platform. We have expatriates who are cooks. Does it mean that some Nigerians cannot render such services? There is unemployment and one of the reasons for this is having people coming from outside the country do the jobs Nigerians can do. So Nigerians who have been trained to do these jobs have been disenfranchised from applying the knowledge they have, or applying the training they’ve gone for. The only way to make sure these things work is having a proper implantation models. We have good laws, but no implementation. Laws are useless, where there are no adequate implementations.

So, it means the PIB could be useless too?

Yes, we have so many perfect laws in Nigeria that are working elsewhere, but these laws are not working here because of implementation.

So it could be useless.

Does fuel hoarding worry you?

Though we are into training, I must admit that it worries me. But I believe that if the system is organized, such would not occur. We hear about high demurrage in the ports. It is the system that created the loophole. Things like this worry us because they create undue burden on the populace. It also affects us because people can only think of increasing knowledge when their basic/immediate needs are met.

Hoarding of fuel causes low turnout of trainees for our academy.

How to solve the problem With every sense of responsibility, the government can stop hoarding if it sincerely wants to do so. The solution to Nigeria’s problems boils down to government.

Who is the government?

We are the government. But don’t get me wrong. There are people who have been voted to pilot the affairs of government. I cannot make any decision from here that will be binding on all the citizen of this country. My decision can only be binding on my staff.

And then you can even see that the government has been struggling with this issue; from President Olusegun Obasanjo to Yar’adua, and now to Jonathan, power remains a critical problem that these various regimes want to solve.

And so they set targets of 4,000megawats, 6,000megawatts, 10,000megawatts etc. and they can’t meet up with these targets. And it is not as if they are not making efforts, but the truth is that the problem was bigger than they have ever imagined by the time they got there. And you also know that even before they came the issue has been power! power! power!

So, I said, “What else can I do? How can I assist this government meet the energy needs of the country beyond investing directly in say energy generating plants as a private sector investors. And the option was to save the energy generated. That was how I became the Chairman of Gloryland Limited, which is an energy saving company; we work to cut down on energy by introducing LED-bulbs that will phase out the incandescent bulbs and CFLs currently in use in the country. If we can maximize or optimize the power we have with these bulbs and we cut down on energy loss, then we can have enough left for the industries. The fundamental issue for economic growth and development is stable energy. That is my motivation for going into this energy industry.

Floating a N500 million manufacturing plant We are an indigenous firm called Gloryland Limited. And we will be building an energy saving bulb manufacturing plant in Nigeria.

Like I said, this plant comes as a direct response to government’s vision to cut down on energy wastage in the country. It will be cited somewhere between Lagos and Ogun State and will employ an estimated 5,000 Nigerians when it comes fully on stream. It hopes to achieve a 548megawatts energy saving target via the replacement of 10 million of the 60 watts incandescent bulbs currently in use by Nigerians. And our calculation is that 10 million multiplied by 60 watts (bulb) equals 600megawatts; 10 million multiplied by our 5.2watts LED bulb equals 25megawatts; and the inference is that our own bulb will save 548megawatts which is far bigger than the entire generation capacity of Kainji power plant and double the Sapele plant capacity. And we can do just this by replacing 10 million of the bulbs we are currently using. We have been working on this project for the past two years. It is a Nigerian content thing. We will be investing about N500million into the project, and that is the first phase of it.

Like I said earlier, energy remains a critical problem in our drive to build the economy of our country; and one of the problems is that we waste even the little we generate.

Let me say that this company is designed by Nigerians in the diaspora and the products known as ‘wonddalite’ specially designed to meet the unique needs of Nigerians; they have developed the patent and we want to save energy with LED bulbs which will replace the incandescent lamp. We will start the construction of the factory by 2013 and by 2015 it should be completed. By the time it comes on stream we are looking at creating about 5,000 direct jobs for Nigerians.

Our investments in energy saving lamps would, beside creating jobs, boost tax income for government and foreign exchange earnings through export to other countries, as well as stimulation of linkages to other industries.

The government should start the public enlightenment and promotion of the LED-technology energy efficient bulbs and also legislate the phasing out of incandescent bulbs.

Wonddalite is proudly Nigerian and should be fully supported by the Nigerian government.

The Ghana experience In order to tackle the power crisis, the Ghanaian government replaced six million incandescent lamps with the same number of CFLs free of charge. This way, the construction of new power generation capacity of 200-240 megawatts was avoided. Per day, roughly 1.200 megawatts hour are saved, amounting to 480 gigawatts hour per year. Peak electricity demand was reduced by 200 megawatts, thus stabilizing the electricity grid.

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

47

BUSINESS NEWS

Fuel scarcity: Civil servants stranded at bus stops in Abuja From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja

M

ost civil servants did not go to their offices yesterday, following the hike in transport fares, which was orchestrated by fuel scarcity in Abuja.

Workers who had enjoyed their weekend and Sallah holidays had rushed to the bus stops today only to witness a 100 per cent hike in transport fare.

As early as 6am, a large horde of workers had already gathered at the various bus stops to go to their offices. But there were not enough vehicles to convey them. The few vehicles at the bus-stops increased the fares by 100 per cent.

While most of the workers protested the hike and refused to board, a few of them who had no option than to be in the office, grudgingly boarded the vehicles.

At 11 am, when Daily Sun went round again, it discovered that most workers were still at the bus stops.

The commuter buses charged between 100 and 150 per cent increase. For instance, from Masaka in Nasarawa State to Area One, which used to be N150 is now N250 while from Area One to Jabi is now N100 as against N50.

Also, from Area One to Wuse which used to be N50 is now N100 whereas from Wuse

to Nyanya is now N200 or N250 as the case may be, as against N100.

In the city, a ‘drop’ in taxi from Wuse to Garki which used to be N400 is now between N600 and N700. A movement from the airport to town which used to be between N2,000 and N3,000 is now

N5,000 or above.

Co-rodinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala had last week disclosed that about N42.66 billion has been paid to marketers who have been verified but insisted that those marketers who were indicted by Mr

Aigboje Imokhuede’s panel will not be paid until their case is addressed. She, however, stated her willingness to enter into dialogue with the marketers who have minor infractions with a few to finding a middle course.

“Government is willing to talk with those with slight

infraction and they may continue to import but those with serious infractions should forget it.

Government will not give in to their blackmail.” the Minister noted.

According to her, the government is still meeting with some marketers because government is open and willing to work

with marketers but not willing to be blackmailed.

But the marketers had insisted that the Federal Government must pay them their money without further verifications. The deadlock led to the Federal Government publishing the names of the marketers who had serious infractions.

AFRAA seeks ways to lower high operational costs

By UCHE USIM

T

he African Airlines Association (AFRAA) is seeking ways of reducing high operational cost threatening to force member airlines out of service.

The challenges include high fuel cost, charges and maintenance.

According to AFRAA Secretary General, Dr Elijah

Chingosho, one of the ways of addressing the challenges is cooperation and collaboration between members.

“AFRAA is conscious of past lapses in its relations with partners and has initiated measures to ensure that the relationship is strengthened and mutually beneficial. It was for this reason that the Secretariat scheduled a oneto-one meeting with its partners in Addis Ababa immediately

following the 42nd Annual General Assembly (AGA).

“The feedback from those discussions was very useful and AFRAA is liaising with partners to implement some of the proposals that came up,” he said.

The partnership programme currently has a total of 21 members; 6 of which joined in the first quarter of 2011 alone.

AFRAA is focused on harness-

ing available resources from partners to improve the lot of African Airlines.

“It is for this reason that we are approaching and appealing to all companies selling products or providing services to any sector of the aviation industry in Africa, to join the programme,” Chingosho stated in a statement.

He added that he is aware of the enormous goodwill and desire to help by many service

Influx of ferry operators boost revenue on Lagos waterways – NIWA

By CHIMA NWOKOJI and VERA WISDOM

A

rea Manager, Lagos Area office, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engr.

Joseph K. Ororo, has revealed that more ferry operators entered the business in Lagos State and their influx, he added, may have led to considerable increase in revenue through registration with NIWA and the

Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).

According to him, the partial closure of the third mainland bridge, a major gateway to Lagos Island, is a major factor that led to the sudden interest in this mode of transport business; even as it has led to remarkable increase in turnaround time.

While calling for more investment into the untapped maritime industry in Nigeria, Ororo said NIWA in trying to encourage operators has kept

registration fees as low as possible; and has ensured that there were no arbitrary charges on passenger surge to water transportation in Lagos State.

“We will not apply the law of demand and supply into this business so that we do not discourage new entrants. We try to be more liberal to allow them provide more services to the populace,” Ororo said in an interview with Daily Sun on Wednesday.

The Use of the waterways in

Lagos is regulated by the National Inland Waterways Authority, a federal agency. But with the establishment of an agency, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) to regulate activities on its waterways, the Lagos State Government has signaled its seriousness to promote water transportation.

Some ferry operators have been licensed to provide ferry services and have built a number of jetties along the waterways of Lagos State.

providers in Africa , their only concern being the lack of credible, transparent and accountable African organisations to implement and follow up on projects that are beneficial to the airlines.

“AFRAA under my leadership wishes to assure all current and potential partners that we are ready to dialogue with them and agree on projects and their implementation schedule that will add value to airlines and the industry as a whole,” said the scribe.

In 2002, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) launched a Partnership Programme with the objective of forging closer working relationships with industry manufacturers, suppliers and service providers and mobilizing additional financial, technical and expert support for the attainment of its objectives.

Over the last decade, the partnership programme has nurtured a cordial relationship between African Airlines and the industry service providers.

48

DAILY SUN

Thursday, August 23, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS Daily Domestic Flight Schedule

ARIK AIR Lag-Abj: 07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50, 18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun).

Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40,10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun) Lag-PH: 07:15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.10, 17.15 (Mon-Fri) 07.30, 11.40, 15.50 (Sat) 11.50, 3.50, 17.05 (Sun) Abj-PH: 07.15, 11.20, 15.30 (Mon-Fri) 07.15, 16.00 (Sat) 13.10, 16.00 (Sun) PH-Abj: 08.45, 12.50, 17.00 (Mon-Fri) 08.45, 17.30 (Sat) 14.40, 17.30 (Sun) Abv-Beni:08.00, 12.10 (Mon-Fri/Sat) 08.56, 12.10(Sun) Benin-Abj:09.55,13.30, (Mon-Fri/Sat) 10.50, 13.30(Sun)

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (PMA) TENOR

AMOUNT

RATES% ISSUE DATE

91 Day

32,057.31

14.50

08 Aug. 2012

182 Day 50,000.00

15.30

08 Aug. 2012

1 Year

15.38

08 Aug. 2012

90,000.00

MAJOR EXCHANGE RATES – PARALLEL MKT (AIRPORT AS AT 13/08/12) CURRENCY

BUYING (N)

USD 156.50 EURO 197 POUND ST. 252 Source: FMDA

SELLING(N) 160 203.50 256

Cashless policy, only way to go – Minister

By SIMEON MPAMUGOH

M

inister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, has said that the cashless policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as part of the banking model, is the only direction to go, just as it is the norm in other countries of the world. He added that Nigeria couldn’t be left behind but to imbibe the policy because it is the trend worldwide.

In a keynote address at the 30th anniversary commemoration seminar themed: Imperative and Realities of Cashless Policy organized by the Ikeja District Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (IDSICAN), Ngama who was represented at the event by Mr. Olusegun Ojo (FCA) believed that with the adoption of the policy, it will encourage local traders to explore other forms of payments, instead of relying only on cash.

His words: “If this is done, several benefits are likely to accrue on the economy. Statistics at present are lopsided from cash within and outside the system” He listed some of the challenges of imple-

menting the new policy to include: power supply, insecurity arising from the menace of Boko Haram and political situation in some of the states especially those that are planning for gubernatorial elections.

He noted that with the challenges around us, there is likelihood that they might pose difficulties in the implementation of the policy. He restated that the Federal Government places a lot of reliance on Chartered Accountants in the implementation of the policy, as attested to by the large number of them in government.

Ngama urged them to continue to maintain those core values for which they were known namely: Integrity, accuracy, and commitment to duty, charging them to continue to defend those values that the forefathers of the profession laid down.

Chairman (ODSICAN) Mr. Patrick Sanni disclosed that theme of the seminar is complementary to the efforts of CBN in the realization of the National Payment System Vision 2020 (PSV 2020) aimed at promoting electronic payments in Nigeria.

Los-Abv: 09.55, 13.30(Mon-Fri/Sat) 10.50, 13.30(Sun) Lag-Enugu: 07.10, 13.45, 18.30(Mon-Fri) 07.10, 14.00(Sat) 10.20, 13.45, 18.30(Sun) Enugu-Lag: 08.30, 12.00, 18.25 (Mon-Fri) 08.30, 12.00, 15.40(Sat) 12,00, 18.25(Sun) Abj-Enugu: 08.30, 12.00, 18.25, (Mon-Fri) 08.30, 12.00, 15.40 (Sat)12.00, 18.25 (Sun) Abj-Enugu: 10.30, 17.05(Mon-Fri) 10.30(Sat) 17.05(Sun) Enugu-Abj: 08.50, 15.25 (Mon-Fri) 08.50 (Sat) 15.25(Sun) AERO CONTRACTORS Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (MonFri/Sat/Sun), 12.30(Sun) 16.45(Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/-Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun) CHANCHANGI AIRLINES Los-Abj: 7.15, 10.00, 13.30, 15.30, 17.30 Abj-Lag: 08.00, 11.45, 13.40, 15.30, 17.30 Lag-Kad: 10.45 (on Fri), 17.00 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) Kad-Lag: 7.30 (Mon-Fri), 08.00 (Sat/Sun IRS AIRLINES Lag-Abj: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45 (Mon-Fri), 9.30, 12.45 (Sat & Sun) Lag-Kano: 6.15 (Mon-Fri), 16.30 Sat&Sun Kano-Lag: 07.30 (Mon-Fri), 10.30 (Sat & Sun) OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS LOS - ILR Mon - Fri 0715hrs LOS - MNA Mon, Wed & Fri 0715hrs LOS - IBA Mon - Fri 0715hrs

IBADAN IBA - ABV Mon - Fri IBA - LOS Mon - Fri

0800hrs 1700hrs

ILORIN ILR - ABV Mon - Fri 0900hrs ILR - LOS Mon - Fri 1630hrs ILR - MNA Mon, Wed & Fri 0900hrs MINNA MNA - ABV Mon, Wed & Fri MNA - ILR Mon, Wed & Fri MNA - LOS Mon, Wed & Fri ABUJA ABV - ILR Mon - Fri ABV - IBA Mon - Fri

0920hrs 1520hrs 1520hrs

1500hrs 1500hrs

• L–R: Victor Etuokwu, executive director (Transaction Services & Information Technology Division) of Access Bank, receiving the ISO27001:2005 Certificate from Kelechi Agbugba, managing director/CEO, Technologies Platform Business Resources Limited (TPBRL), representative of British Standard Institute, supported by Ngozi Omeruah, director, TPBRL, at the official presentation of the bank in Lagos, over over the weekend.

PHCN Pension: BPE, PENCOM partner for speedy payment of 25% severance pay Stories by LOUIS IBA

T

he Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) says it has commenced discussion with the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) in a bid to allow electricity workers ‘immediate’ access to their retirement benefits – pension, gratuity and other severance pay due them.

A statement by BPE made available to Daily Sun debunked allegations by labour unions in the power sector of the compulsory deduction of 25 per cent from the salaries towards the payment of the pension of staff affected by the privatization of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

“Government is requesting forbearance from PENCOM to allow workers immediately draw 20 per cent of their total accrued benefits from the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) instead of waiting for the mandatory six months,” BPE said.

“PENCOM is willing to give this forbearance.

The unions claim that 25 per cent is being deducted from their salaries towards the payment of their pensions and gratuity Is not true as no deduction is being affected from the workers’ salaries,” the BPE added.

The BPE said the 25 per cent pay was a “mere provision by the management of the PHCN towards funding the superannuation fund with no physical deduction reflected in the pay slip of any employee of the company and as such, it noted that the claim by the unions could not be correct.

The government pension position for PHCN, according to the BPE is as follows: terminate the NEPA/PHCN Superannuation Fund Scheme as at june 30, 2004 and implement the transitional provisions of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004; the government shall transfer accrued rights of staff as at June 30 2004 to their Retirement savings Account (RSA); and the

government will provide 7.5 per cent minimum employer contribution on active employee monthly emoluments from July 1 2004 to June 30, 2012. The government will also pay the outstanding 7.5 per cent for the employees; and N35.4billion is estimated for the 15 per cent contribution (that is 7.5 per cent employer contribution and 7.5 per cent employee contribution.)

Both the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies and national Union of Electricity Employees have turned down the government offers. They started by objecting to the use of basic salary and the ceiling of 12 months, and rather demanded for the payment of total emolument and the removal of the ceiling.

The unions argued that those that have spent more than 12 years in service will be shortchanged by the arrangements and they are also against the components of the gratuity and pension as proposed by the government.

Decline in agric sector investment crippling economy – IFAD

T

he International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) warns that the future of the Nigerian economy could still be shaky in spite of several on-going resuscitation efforts, if the current regime of a lull in investment in the agricultural sector is not speedily addressed.

IFAD President, Dr. Kanayo Nwanze has revealed.

Nwanze, speaking as guest lecturer at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on Tuesday, cautioned managers of the economy against evolving policies that failed to grow “Nigeria’s rural economy largely populated

by women farmers and youths.

“The first private sector investor person you find in Nigeria is the farmer and they are found mainly in our rural communities,” Nwanze said.

“There is therefore a great danger for the economy of Nigeria with so much concentration in urban development and the youths are abandoning farming and migrating to cities; food can never be cultivated and harvested in largescale in Nigerian cities,” he added.

Nwanze, who is a Nigerian lamented the huge volume of food imports into Nigeria (11 percent increase per annum)saying the trend was fuelled

by a lull in investments in the agriculture.

He held the nation’s over-dependence on crude oil earnings as a sole factor but noted that it spelled greater doom to the future economy and citizens. “We have to start investing in agriculture,” Nwanze said.

“We have to think long term because without a vibrant agricultural sector and rural economy things could go bad,” he added.

He, therefore, urged government to open up rural communities with good roads, electricity, potable water and healthcare facilities that are attractive to young investors.

49 Monday, BUSINESS August 1, 2011 49 NEWS

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012 DAILY SUN NAME OF CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL US DOLLAR 154.8 155.3 POUNDS STERLING 242.9586 243.7434 EURO 191.0387 191.6557 SWISS FRANC 158.9975 159.5111 YEN 1.9494 1.9557 CFA 0.2704 0.2804 WAUA 232.4657 233.2165 YUAN/RENMINBI 24.3441 24.4232 RIYAL 41.2778 41.4111 DANISH KRONER 25.6508 25.7336 SDR 233.6706 234.4254 Official exchange rates as at 17/08/2012

SELLING 155.8 244.5281 192.2728 160.0247 1.962 0.2904 233.9674 24.5022 41.5445 25.8165 235.1801

NIBOR TENOR RATE Call 20.8333 7 Day 21.2500 30 Day 21.9583 60 Day 22.2917 90 Day 22.7500 Source: FMDA

CHANGE 0.75 1.04 1.54 1.58 1.71

DATE 17 Aug, 2012 17 Aug, 2012 17 Aug, 2012 17 Aug, 2012 17 Aug, 2012

N71bn Treasury Bills sold …As naira firms on dollar

By CHIMA TITUS NWOKOJI

A

s money market resumed yesterday, after been closed for two days as a result the Eid-el-Fitri holidays, Nigeria sold a total of N71 billion ($445 million) worth of treasury bills yesterday, with maturities ranging from 3-month to 6-month.

The local currency firmed against the U.S. dollar on the interbank on Wednesday, with large inflows from foreign investors buying short-tenored bonds; even as banks sell the greenback to stay within a stipulated open position for them.

The naira strengthened to N157.90 to the dollar, recovering from an intraday low of N158.40.

“Dollar inflow from offshore investors buying treasury bills helped lift the naira

one dealer said. sells today,” At the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) bi-weekly foreign exchange auction, the bank sold $120 million at N155.80 to the dollar on Wednesday, compared with $200 million it sold at the last auction.

Dealers expect the currency to trade within the current band of N157.90N158.30 for the rest of the week but could strengthen further as month-end dollar flows from oil firms trickle in.

Last month, the central bank raised the cash reserve requirement for lenders to 12 percent from 8 percent, and reduced net open positions to 1 per cent from 3 per cent, to curb the money supply and support the naira. In the same vein deposit Money Banks with excess foreign exchange assets was asked to sell down such positions with effect from July 25th. The move was expected to lead to a revaluation of the Naira in the near term.

International Flight Schedule

CROSS RATES

Ethiopian Airlines Lagos-Addis Ababa (daily) Departure time: 12:15 pm, Arrival time: 1:15 pm Contact no: 014611869/029

AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS Lagos-Tripoli Tue, Wed, Thur and Sat Departure time: 01:30am, Arrival time: 22:25 pm Contact no: 012711506 BRITISH AIRWAYS Lagos-London Heathrow (daily) Departure time: 11 pm, Arrival time: 5: 50 pm Contact no: 012792690 0r 014615870-5 TURKISH AIRLINES Lagos-Istanbul Mon, Tue, Thur Sat Departure time: 10: 10 pm, Arrival time: 8: 10 pm Customer care no: Not available DELTA AIR Lagos-Atlanta (daily) Departure time: Btw 3pm and 5pm, Arrival time: 10:30 am Contact no: 014483111 EMIRATES Lagos-Dubai Daily (2 flights) Departure time: 3pm, 8.50pm, Arrival time:1pm, 6pm Contact no :01-2717600 LUFTHANSA Lagos-Frankfurt (daily) Departure time: 10:05 pm, Arrival time: 19:08 Contact no: 014612222, 0414480963 AIR FRANCE Lagos-Paris (daily) Departure time: 11 pm, Arrival time: 14:14 pm Customer care no: 01-4610777, 012617959 SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS Lagos-Johannesburg (daily) Departure time: 10:30 pm, Arrival time: 8 or 9 am Customer care no: 2702681-5

• L–R: The Labour Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu; the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; Power Minister, Engr. Bath Nnaji; Health Minister, Prof. Christian O. Chukwu, and DG, Bureau of Public Procurement, Chief Emeka Eze, during the Federal Executive Council meeting at State House, Abuja.

Photo: BAYO OBISESAN

Panic grips investors of Plateau wonder banks

By KELECHI MGBOJI

M

iffed by fear of losing their investments in what may pass as wonder banks, investors and operators of some illegal funds outfits resisted attempts by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to seal business premises of the illegal funds managers in Plateau State, forcing officials to beat a retreat.

In brazing disregard for the good intents of the capital market apex regulator, some of the investors accused the Commission of being too officious like typical security agencies.

The Commission had sealed the business promises of Green Planet Association International, Bukuru and Wiscom Ventures, Jos North, after they were discovered to be operating in manners suggesting they are illegal fund managers.

At the Guarantee Global Resource also known as House of Wealth, the investors resisted officials of SEC from taking away the manager of the compa-

... As SEC clamps down on illegal operators ny, saying that they were on queue waiting to be paid interests on their investments.

The investors who insisted they trusted the wonder banks claimed that the operators pass information to them on the telephone even as one of them, Adams Saleh, told officials that he invested N500,000.

Shocked by the response of the investors they had moved to rescue, leader of the SEC team, Mr. Eric Elujekor, described the development as unfortunate stressing that Nigerians appeared to have not learnt from the experience of the recent past when wonder banks made away with huge sums of money investors entrusted in their custody.

“It is unfortunate that they resisted out of ignorance and secondly out of what they perceived as an experience because they alleged that a lot of security agents came and took away the officials only to

release them after extorting money from them,” he said.

Based on information from some of the investors who alleged connivance of commercial banks, the Commission has said that it is going to investigate the alleged connivance of the implicated commercial banks in Plateau State.

Elujekor, who led the sealing of the two illegal fund outfits, said in order to restore the customers’ confidence in financial institutions; SEC would carry out a thorough investigation on the issue.

He assured investors that SEC would work toward releasing their trapped investments in the wonder banks.

“I am assuring the investors that if the money is in the banks and we are able to investigate the claims and they are genuine, we will be able to get the money out for them and give them.

Suspension of insurance firms: Court throws out interim order

By MADUKA NWEKE

T

he Interim Order of injunction made in favour of A&G Insurance, A&G Life and Fidelity Bond was, yesterday, discharged on the strength of an oral application made by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM)’s counsel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan SAN. In discharging the interim order, the Hon. Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Lagos, held that the interim injunction granted in favour of the companies on August 14, 2012 was without jurisdiction. Consequently, the interim order of injunction was discharged by the Court.

The court had last week, among others, granted an interim order restraining the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and her ministry from either approving the removal of directors and management of Alliance & General Insurance or

ratifying the appointment of new directors and management to assume control over the company.

The court also restrained the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) from proceeding with planned sack of the current management of the insurance company. It went beyond that to also restrained NAICOM from implementing a directive suspending the insurance company from transacting new businesses in Nigeria for the next six months with effect from August 6, 2012.

Justice Ajoku went further to order NAICOM to remove forthwith from its website, information regarding the suspension of the companies from transacting insurance business in Nigeria for the next six months, as well as further publishing same in the national newspapers.

The orders were to remain in force pending the determination of a motion on notice filed by the companies against the NAICOM, including

Ministry of Finance, Minister of Finance and the Attorney General of the Federation, Bello Adoke (SAN).

However, in the course of proceedings today, counsel to the Commission, Prof. Osipitan, called the court’s attention to the facts that the motion exparte filed by the companies which resulted in the interim injunction was not accompanied by a written address as required by Order 26 Rule 3 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009.

Furthermore, the summon ex-parte filed by the companies in support of the application for leave to be heard during vacation, was also not signed. The written address in support of the said summons was also not signed.

The companies had gone to court following the six months suspension slammed on them by NAICOM for various infractions ranging from nonrendition of accounts; misrepresentation and nondisclosure of liabilities; non-remittance of premiums and commissions, and corporate governance abuses.

QATAR AIRWAYS Lagos-Doha Daily Departure time: 9:45 am, Arrival time: 7:55am Contact: 012798888/014633333 KENYA AIRWAYS Lagos-Nairobi (daily) Departure time: 11:05 am, Arrival time: 10:42am Contact: 012719433 CHINA SOUTHERN Lagos-Beijing via Dubai Tuesdays, Thursdays Departure time: 12:15pm, Arrival time: 10:30 am Tuesdays, Thursdays.

Contact: 01-4610777 or 01-2617959 EGYPT AIR Lagos-Cairo Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri & Sun Departure time: 2pm, Arrival time: 1pm KLM Lagos-Amsterdam (daily) Departure time: 11pm, Arrival time: 8:30pm Contact: 01-4610777, 01-2617959 VIRGIN ATLANTIC Lagos-London Heathrow (daily) Departure time: 10:20 am daily, Arrival time: 5:30 am Contact: 01-4612750, 01-4612747 ARIK AIR Lagos-London Heathrow (daily) Departure time: 10:05pm Arrival 7.00pm Lagos-New York Tuesdays and Thursdays Departure time: 11:20pm Arrival 6pm Lagos-Johannesburg (daily) Departure 11.15pm Arrival 4.15pm Lagos-West Coast (Freetown, Banjul & Dakar) Mon, Wed & Fri Departure 8:00am Arrival 6.45pm Lagos-Accra (daily) Departure 8.00am, 5pm 8.45pm, 5.45pm Contact: 01-2799999.

50

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS

By KELECHI MGBOJI

B

ack from the two days of Eid-el-Fitr break, stocks at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), yesterday, sustained rising trend witnessed last Friday, raising hope of another season of profitable transactions on the Exchange.

The NSE benchmark All-Share Index appreciated by 0.25 percent to close at 23,199.03 as against a 0.32 percent rise in previous trading session to close at 23,141.08 just as the market capitalization rose N18.44 billion to N7.38 trillion as against N23.66 billion gain recorded in Friday’s trading session to close at N7.36 trillion.

Stockbrokers attributed the two day upbeat to

Stocks sustain rising trend after Eid-el-Fitr holidays renewed bargain hunt for stocks with strong promise for returns on investments as investors are said to be adjusting their portfolios based on financial performance of companies in the half year result.

Despite marginal loss in the share price of Dangote Cement Plc., the market leader by capitalization, and 25 other stocks that traded at losses, the performance indicators closed positive taking support majorly from 23 price gainers some of which were Large CAP stocks led by Nestle and Guinness, Nigerian Breweries, Okomu Oil and others.

Except for the NSE Insurance Index that

decline, five of the NSE sectoral indices recorded gains. The NSE 30 Index which measures the performance of blue chip companies rose by 0.33 percent while the NSE Food Index closed with 0.56 percent gain just as the NSE Banking Index appreciated by 0.32 per cent, leaving NSE Oil & Gas Index with 0.18 percent gain and the NSE LII with 0.69 percent gain. However, the NSE Insurance Index declined 1.15 percent.

Turn over volume on the exchange rose 185.62 percent to 410.72 million units valued at N3.871 billion and exchanged in 3,620 deals as against an upbeat by 2.64 percent recorded in the previous

trading to close at 143.79 million units exchanged in 3,421 deals.

The financial services sector led the market transaction volume today with 346.31 million units valued at N1.68 billion exchanged in 2,263 deals.

The volume recorded in the sector was driven by transaction in the shares of Sovereign Trust Insurance, Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank, GT Bank and Diamond Bank and the total volume of 258.95 million units valued at N1.20 billion traded in five stocks accounted for 63.05 percent of the entire market volume.

THE DAILY STOCK SUMMARY AS AT 22/08/2012 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector Company name

No of Deals

Main Board AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 2 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. 16 PRESCO PLC 15 Sub Sector Totals 33 Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. 12 Sub Sector Totals 12 Sector Totals 45 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. 8 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC 48 U A C N PLC. 32 Sub Sector Totals 88 Sector Totals 88 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. 7 Sub Sector Totals 7 Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 9 ROADS NIG PLC. 2 Sub Sector Totals 11 Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED 11 Sub Sector Totals 11 Sector Totals 29 CONSUMER GOODS Beverages—Brewers/Distillers GUINNESS NIG PLC 46 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. 12 NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 147 Sub Sector Totals 205 Beverages—Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. 11 Sub Sector Totals 11 Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 46 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 56 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 44 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 23 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. 1 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 39 U T C NIG. PLC. 11

Sector Company name Main Board CONSUMER GOODS Sub Sector Totals Food Products—Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Sub Sector Totals Household Durables BETA GLASS CO PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Sub Sector Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIG. PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. U B A PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH BANK PLC Sub Sector Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC.

Sector Company name FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. UNIC INSURANCE PLC. Sub Sector Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Sub Sector Totals Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY PLC

No of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

0.50 30.00 14.89

210,000 261,391 176,230 647,621

105,000.00 7,843,367.00 2,629,530.00 10,578,000

1.40

780,008 780,008 1,427,629

1,077,331.04 1,077,000 11,655,228.04

1.20 0.98 33.86

224,407 4,714,166 55,993 4,994,566 4,994,566

270,562.40 4,666,904.44 1,893,629.27 6,831,000 6,831,096.11

13.39

143,922 143,922

1,927,115.58 1,927,000

26.25 6.61

52,550 8,000 60,550

1,311,642.50 55,520.00 1,367,000

9.70

29,769 29,769 234,241

292,132.10 292,000 3,586,410.18

245.01 7.64 121.40

837,809 2,214,254 11,270,313 14,322,376

205,404,284.62 16,916,900.56 1,376,992,574.43 1,599,314,000

40.12

21,607 21,607

823,766.84 824,000

6.25 4.39 52.00 1.99 21.48 4.85 0.86 Quotation(N)

220

486,388 1,101,349 36,437 256,120 670 1,061,049 404,268

3,049,077.30 4,857,885.64 1,819,097.02 505,382.62 13,674.70 5,117,709.19 349,670.48

Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

3,346,281

15,712,000

67 35 102

17.19 511.03

688,630 603,555 1,292,185

11,691,177.22 308,299,897.98 319,991,000

2 8 1 11

10.03 3.01 2.88

7,960 107,555 200 115,715

75,858.80 323,587.00 576.00 400,000

15 60 75 624

24.01 35.25

209,616 753,871 963,487 20,061,651

5,032,880.16 26,539,243.83 31,572,000 1,967,813,244.39

223 89 69 55 506 58 321 131 48 62 220 72 8 14 254 2,130

7.73 2.70 10.25 1.31 12.54 3.02 17.79 2.66 6.60 0.99 4.29 4.91 0.50 0.50 15.44

10,652,618 20,986,335 2,067,849 23,414,682 19,437,131 2,972,555 21,371,071 20,157,615 812,729 10,260,570 12,504,536 681,950 1,952,000 508,000 43,180,718 190,960,359

80,790,187.05 55,953,744.59 21,195,759.21 30,665,624.10 243,191,537.04 9,088,990.75 379,920,571.96 54,722,290.02 5,255,698.58 10,281,399.97 53,391,702.49 3,324,403.89 976,000.00 254,000.00 661,303,869.67 1,610,316,000

32 5 22 7 21 2 1 10 2 5 2 3 2 4

0.50 0.60 0.50 1.31 0.50 0.51 0.50 0.53 0.50 1.60 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

278,207 301,450 24,940 59,000 22,827 451,500 500 204,157 61,894 215,375 20,000 202,000 15,582 331,217

139,103.50 180,870.00 12,470.00 76,520.00 11,413.50 226,365.00 250.00 104,120.07 30,947.00 345,650.00 10,000.00 101,000.00 7,791.00 165,608.50

No of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

3 3 1 125

0.50 0.50 0.50

150,000,000 3,002,200 1,000 155,191,849

75,000,000.00 1,501,100.00 500.00 77,914,000

2 2

1.05

40,000 40,000

40,000.00 40,000

1

1.37

500

685.00

Sector Company name

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded

ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 2 Other Financial Institutions DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC 1 ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. 3 Sub Sector Totals 4 Sector Totals 2,263 HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 2 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 9 GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. 8 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 10 NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC 4 NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. 1 PHARMA-DEKO PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 35 Sector Totals 35 ICT Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Processing Systems CHAMS PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Sector Totals 3 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC 33 BERGER PAINTS PLC 2 CAP PLC 6 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 9 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 55 DN MEYER PLC. 2 IPWA PLC 1

Sector Company name

No of Deals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 35 PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 144 Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. 2 NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 3 Packaging/Containers NIGERIAN BAGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC 39 Sub Sector Totals 39 Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Sector Totals 187 NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. 5 Sub Sector Totals 5 Sector Totals 5 OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC 69 Sub Sector Totals 69 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC 94 Sub Sector Totals 94 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC 1 CONOIL PLC 4 ETERNA PLC. 4 FORTE OIL PLC. 12 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 23 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 5 Sub Sector Totals 49 Sector Totals 212 SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. 17 Sub Sector Totals 17 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 18 Sub Sector Totals 18 Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC 6

Sector Company name

No of Deals

Value of Shares(N)

0.50

3,000 3,500

1,500.00 2,000

2.02 0.50

10,000 105,107 115,107 346,310,815

20,200.00 52,553.50 73,000 1,688,344,426.39

1.14 0.85 30.51 1.59 0.87 8.59 3.02

400,000 415,000 136,956 413,540 225,171 5,381 50,000 1,646,048 1,646,048

456,000.00 349,280.00 4,178,527.56 659,680.60 195,695.35 43,962.77 151,000.00 6,034,000 6,034,146.28

0.50

2,000 2,000

1,000.00 1,000

2.41

167 167

382.43 0

0.50

1,990,000 1,990,000 1,992,167

995,000.00 995,000 996,382.43

9.50 7.27 26.58 4.10 110.01 0.60 0.73

196,957 900 108,952 127,175 1,059,636 52,526 100,000

1,870,020.07 6,570.00 2,895,876.80 524,043.50 116,579,495.94 31,515.60 73,000.00

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

43.25 2.20

250,165 20,000 1,916,311

11,001,644.88 41,800.00 133,024,000

1.58 0.50

5,100 20,000,000 20,005,100

7,715.00 10,000,000.00 10,008,000

1.54

1,509,151 1,509,151

2,370,478.28 2,370,000

7.85

249,650 249,650 23,680,212

1,959,752.50 1,960,000 147,361,912.57

5.98

24,063 24,063 24,063

137,462.25 137,000 137,462.25

0.57

5,356,221 5,356,221

3,069,237.42 3,069,000

14.11

1,498,051 1,498,051

20,999,315.35 20,999,000

0.50 21.85 2.50 10.42 111.51 128.01

200 2,150 132,967 50,538 23,386 3,968 213,209 7,067,481

100.00 44,634.00 330,901.34 545,025.16 2,632,068.28 501,191.00 4,054,000 28,122,472.55

1.72

194,944 194,944

325,012.92 325,000

2.76

724,736 724,736

1,930,988.40 1,931,000

0.50

1,500 1,500

750.00 1,000

298,000

346,800.00

1.16 Quotation(N)

SERVICES Sub Sector Totals 6 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC 2 0.50 Sub Sector Totals 2 Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. 7 1.64 LEARN AFRICA PLC 4 1.94 STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. 1 2.78 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 22 4.30 Sub Sector Totals 34 Road Transportation ABC TRANSPORT PLC 2 0.50 Sub Sector Totals 2 70,000 35,000 Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 17 1.72 389,905 658,254.20 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC 32 5.90 153,907 900,594.48 Sub Sector Totals 49 543,812 1,559,000 Sector Totals 129 3,281,985 10,165,414.00 Type Totals 3,620 410,720,858 3,871,048,195.19 Grand Totals 3,620 410,720,858 3,871,048,195.19

Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

298,000

347,000

2,000 2,000

1,000.00 1,000

1,380 64,185 200 1,381,228 1,446,993

2,373.60 129,110.30 530.00 5,835,000.10 5,967,000

70,000

35,000.00

Thursday, August 23, 2012 DAILY SUN 51 NEWS

SUN SPORTS Federation Cup final: Every team ’ll get support in Lagos –Oshodi

NEWS

A

s the climax of this year's Federation Cup draws near, the host - Lagos State- is doing everything possible to ensure that the glamour synonymous with the competition is restored. The state Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Oshodi, told journalists that the state is poised to return the glory of the tournament, which is the oldest competition in the country.

What will make this year's federation cup different from the previous editions?

I think the most important thing this year is that His Excellency, Governor Babatunde Fashola, has advised that we have to get the passion of yesteryears back and this we can do through making sure that there is awareness of the tournament, the history and what made it such a great tournament that brings all Nigerians together.

In the cup, everybody from all corners of the federation has to fight hard to come to the centre to be the top knockout team in the country and that is what we have been working with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to recreate, so as to bring back the glory of yesteryears. So far, we are happy, as we seem to be on the right path. His Excellency has donated a new befitting trophy to symbolize the importance of this competition to the country. This is the most important national knockout tournament in Africa and we need to bring the glamour back and that is what we have been trying to do.

Also this year, we will be looking to honour the legends of the cup. The people who made the competition what it is today and what it was in those days. We look to honour them because without them, we will not be talking about the Federation Cup in this manner.

How regular is the honouring of the legends going to be?

This is a tournaments that dates back to the 1940s, therefore, there are lots of people who have excelled in this tournament and, of course, from year to year as long as Lagos State continues to host the competition, which we believe we should, we will always continue to honour the past players, coaches and administrators. This is just the beginning. I know in anything you do in football, when you select people, there will always be criticisms of the choices but this is just the beginning and we believe that whoever honour is due to we shall give in Lagos.

What is the relationship between NFFand Lagos State in staging a befitting tourney this year?

His Excellency during the unveiling of the new trophy made a very valid point when he pointed out that the greatest knockout competition is the English FA Cup with Wembley as the home of the finals, so all teams in England are fighting hard to come to Wembley. This will also help in popularizing the event and that is what we are seeking to do in Lagos. Lagos is the traditional home of the Challenge Cup and we want it to continue as the traditional home of the Federation Cup. As you know, that there will be enough support for any team coming to Lagos because people all over the country live here in Lagos. They are here in massive numbers and we need to encourage teams from the state qualifiers who know that their destination is Lagos. His Excellency has appealed to the NFF to continue to host the tournament in Lagos.

It is something we look up to do on a continuous basis and our relationship with NFF is good as they have been very accommodating in many areas.

The NFF has a cordial relationship with the state and with our state FA, which is also doing a good job. We have a good team and we hope we will be able to build on the achievements we made last year and bring this tournament back to life.

Are you not concerned that as host you don't have a team playing in the last stage of the competition?

The truth of it is that it is a knockout tournament and in Lago,s we keep on harping on fairness. All we ask is that there is fairness in officiating and the best team should be there because people want to watch the best teams and if Lagos has the best teams, then we hope we will get there, so be it.

We are really going to be working hard to get one of our teams into the premier league. With a team in the premier league, we will be bringing all the teams to Lagos and the fans are yearning for this as well. We believe things must be done properly and we hope one of the teams will get to that stage.

Sharks suspend Obuh, players for alleged match fixing

T

he management of Nigeria Premier League side, Sharks FC, has suspended its coaching crew, including Flying Eagles’ coach, John Obuh, and, at least, 17 players for sabotage and anti-club activities.

This, the Permanent Secretary to the Sports Ministry, Paulinus Nwankwoala, said was as a result of Sharks’ 3-1 loss at home to Wikki Tourists two weeks ago.

“We have set up a committee to investigate the loss, but all coaches of the team remain suspended as well as the players,” Nwankwoala said.

Nigeria’s Reuben (l) in action against Rwandan player

2013 Nations Cup qualifier

Foreign pros get Sept 1 deadline

By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

S

uper Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has given a September 1 the arrival date deadline to all the foreign-based players invited to prosecute the all-important Africa Nations Cup qualifier encounter against the Lone Stars of Liberia next month.

The former Hawks of Togo handler, rolling out his programme for the game during the weekly chat with the media at the Eagles camp in Abuja, dismissed the insinuations that he was under severe pressures from many quarters to recall some senior foreign-based players, insisting that proposed team list was a media speculation.

His words: “We are all committed to moving Nigerian football and the Super Eagles forward with the collaboration of the media. All the players, expectedly, should be in the camp on September 1. We have been trying so hard to work on the players we would be inviting.

“As we know, the game in Monrovia is going to be on an synthetic turf. So, we would need rugged players who are ready to run round every inch of the game and ensure that we come out with good result in Monrovia. What would determine the kind of players we would be inviting for that game

…Keshi denies pressure to invite senior foreign-based players would be the turf.

“Another thing to shape our invitation would be the pre-season form of the players because I know that the season just started.

However, we have players in other leagues such as Ukraine, Russia, Norway and Sweden that have been in progress. All of them have equal chances of getting the invitation. We will look

at the ones that are just starting their league in France, England and see how we could involve them,” he noted.

Asked if he was under pressure to invite certain foreignbased players, Keshi, replied: “I don't understand those category of players Nigerians feel I have bowed to pressure to invite. I have always made it very clear

that every Nigerian player has equal chance of getting the invitation to play for the country.

But, the bottom line is that we cannot pick every player for a particular game. We can only invite players that are ready to play. “I saw the story in the papers that Osaze and Mikel will return, but I can tell you that it did not come from me.

Zonal co-ordinators brainstorm over Mobil Schools’ event

T

he just concluded Olympic Games in London and the National Sports Festival to be staged in Lagos from November to December has necessitated a meeting of the zonal coordinators handling the annual Akwa Ibom State, NNPC/Mobil Schools Athletics Championships.

Rising from Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the 16 zonal coordinators drawn from the state ministry of youth and sports and the state schools sports directorate considered the meeting “very fruitful” and timely given the need to readjust the calendar this year.

Spokesman for the Coordinators, Mr Car Mike Akpabio, who is also an assistant director in the sports ministry and the coordinator of Uyo zone, thanked Mobil Producing Nigeria for 12 years of unbro-

ken sponsorship of the programme. “… We are really grateful to Mobil for keeping faith with a programme that has for the last 11 years, helped to penetrate the grassroots of this state in search of talents.”

He said the meeting addressed and “ seriously too” the issue of age cheating and proper documentation of records.

Addressing the coordinators, MPN Public Affairs Manager QIT Ibeno, Mr Akaninyene Esiere, identified the coordinators as the pillars on which the championship derived its strength and urged them to continue to be resilient and steadfast.

He decried the issue of age cheating and called on principals of schools and colleges to be more involved in monitoring the affairs of their students.

Represented by Mrs Regina Udobong, Mr Akan said Mobil would make a case for the blacklisting of schools found to have

cheated in one way or the other. “ This programme is the future of track and field in this country and we must ensure that it succeeds”, he pleaded.

Also in attendance were the deputy Director Akwa Ibom Directorate of State Schools Sports Board, Mrs Menyene Nkwo, Chair person of National Association of Athletics Officials ( NAATO), Mrs Utit Ofon Nkanta, and the Consultant to the programme Mr Paul Bassey.

Mr Bassey, in his contribution, said the programme was getting better by the day. He thanked the Joint Venture Partnership for the sponsorship and the AFN for technical support. “ Every year the president of AFN Chief Solomon Ogba and his Secretary General, Mrs Maria Wophill, have honoured this programme with their physical presence and this year will not be an exception”.

52

NEWS NEWS

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012

SUN SPORTS

Liberia tie: Keshi raises alarm over accommodation …NFF to storm Monrovia with eba, yam, Nigerian foodstuffs

Paralympians arrested over sex assault T

hree members of the Jordanian Paralympic team are appearing in court charged with sexual assault while training for London 2012 in the UK. Two wheelchair-using power-lifters and a trainer face charges of sexual assault against two children and voyeurism.

The King of Jordan has personally intervened in the case - with a government representative offering assurances in court that the three men wouldbe brought back before a court if they are granted bail.

The charges relate to alleged incidents at the Antrim Forum Sports centre in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, where several foreign teams have been training ahead of the Games.

Powerlifter Omar Sami Qarada, 31, is charged with three counts of sexual assault, two of them against children, and one count of voyeurism.

His teammate Mutaz Zakaria Aljuneidi, 45, is charged with sexually assaulting a woman.

Powerlifting trainer, Faisal Mustafa Hammash, 35, is charged with causing the sexual assault of two children.

Qarada was a silver medal winner in the 2008 Beijing Games, while Aljuneidi picked up a bronze.

The three men were arrested in Antrim, which is 22 miles from Belfast, on Monday night following claims of indecent assault made by two

girls and two women at the centre.

The Jordanian team was due to leave Northern Ireland yesterday ahead of the

start of the Games in London on August 29. The 19-strong delegation of athletes and coaches had arrived in Antrim on August 8.

P

British Airways said yesterday was its busiest day for Paralympic arrivals at the west London airport.

Yesterday also saw the first of the Paralympic Games lanes coming into force. BAis flying in Paralympic teams from 25 countries including Paralympics GB who are thought to be arriving at Heathrow next week from their training camps abroad.

Along with the athletes, BA is also transporting around 300 wheelchairs and sporting equipment such as firearms, weapon bags, physiotherapist cases, bike boxes, tandem bikes, bow and arrows, and hand cycles.

BA operations Director, Andy Lord, said: "It has been a mammoth operation that we have been planning and preparing for since the 2008 Beijing Games, when we flew Team GB and

I

f the fears expressed by the Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, were anything to go by, then the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) would have no other option than to storm Monrovia, the Liberia capital, with eba, yam and other Nigerian foodstuffs for the crucial first leg of the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup qualifier tie next month.

The Eagles' gaffer, while fielding questions from the media at the team's camp in Abuja yesterday, disclosed that substandard accommodation and poor diet might constitute major problems to his team, warning that the two factors might pose big threat to the chances of his team living Monrovia with an outright victory over the Lone Stars.

Admitting that as a human being he naturally has fears over the encounter, Keshi recalled that the toughest problems the team he took to Monrovia for an international friendly against the Lone Stars few months had were the substandard accommodation and poor diet, revealing that they would be among the things he would discuss with the federation before leaving for the match.

Asked his fears for the encounter against Liberia, Keshi replied: “I have to think positive and approach every match with an optimistic attitude. I should carry these players along and ensure we prosecute the match in high spirit devoid of any negative thinking.

“My fear probably is the hotel we are going to lodge because we stayed in a substandard hotel the last time we went there. My other fear is that we have to be able to take care of our feeding before the match. What we eat is very crucial.

“Apart from these two things, I pray for the players to be in good condition and right atmosphere for the game. However, it will be among the things we will soon open discussion on with the federation. We have to sort them out ahead of the match,” he noted.

Nations Cup 2013: Eagles need a manager to qualify - Obienu

By JOE APU

W

Aerial view of the city of London with Olympic stadium at the centre

Thousands fly in for Games aralympic competitors are flying into Heathrow in large numbers.

By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

Paralympic GB home on a gold nosed aircraft.

"It is a privilege to fly thousands of athletes, their coaching teams and their sporting equipment into London for the Paralympic Games and follows on from the great service we delivered for the Olympic Games."

The first Paralympic Games lane is between junctions 3 and 2 on the M4 which takes traffic from Heathrow into central London. It will be in operation each day as needed from 5a.m to 10p.m, with "ordinary" traffic able to use it outside these times.

The M4 lane is part of a much smaller Games lane operation than for the main Olympics with just 8.7 miles of special lanes for the Paralympics which start next Wednesday (August 29) and end on September 9.

The lanes are part of the Paralympic Route Network (PRN), which, in turn, is much smaller than the 109-mile

Olympic Route Network.

Apart from the M4 lane, the PRN will not come into force until Wednesday. It will be focused on the City of London where the International Paralympic Committee and the world's media will be based and on venues in east London.

On most days, the number of people travelling to the Olympic Park will be as many as those who travelled there during the Olympics, with up to 215,000 spectators expected.

London Mayor, Boris Johnson, said: "The Paralympic Games are shaping up to be the best ever as London continues to buzz with Olympic excitement, and Paralympic tickets are selling like hot cakes.

"One of the things that made the Olympic Games such a great success was the way Londoners changed the way they usually travel, arriving at work a little earlier or later to avoid the busiest times.

ith less than three weeks to the resumption of the Super Eagles' campaign for the Nations Cup 2013 and World 2014 respectively, former Nigeria Football Association, NFA vice chairman, Barrister Richard Obienu, has called on the leadership of the football house led by Alhaji Aminu Maigari to act fast and appoint a manager for the team from the board to see to the proper management of the team.

He noted that a situation where a junior staff in the federation is charged with the handling of the team is not in the best interest of the team and Nigeria in general.

While admitting that he has nothing against Emmanuel Atta as Super Eagles coordinator, he stressed that the job of Nigeria's qualification is so enormous that a member of staff not in the management cadre of the federation does not fit for the nation's ambition, noting that there are capable hands on the board that can do the job.

“I'll tell you that from my experience as former vice chairman of the NFA and coordinator of the Super Eagles that what is lacking today in our football is structure. The coordinator of the Super Eagles must be a board member of the FA because there are everyday problems that you need to solve on the spot without having to get back to the board. We have a manager such as Felix Anyansi of Enyimba International Football Club and he is not doing anything on the board.

All his experience on the continent as CAF Champions League champions for two years back to back (2003 and 2004) are not being tapped yet he is on the board,” Obienu, who was in the Eagles alongside coach Amodu, Keshi and Joe Erico, said. According to him, for any national team to succeed, “you need a coordinator who knows what it takes to prepare because it forms 75% of winning, while the balance of the 25% has to do with logistics, the players and the game itself. The pedigree of who coordinates the Super Eagles goes a long way than meets the eyes and it's not the job of a civil servant like is the case at present. There are situations when you come before a referee and he looks at you and know that he cannot afford to be smart.”

On the Super Eagles’performance under the charge of Keshi, he said: “At the moment, I score Keshi 80% and that means he is doing well. His pedigree goes ahead of him and he has a passion for this country that only a few players such as Sunday Oliseh and Finidi George can match. I remember Keshi did not just go abroad because he wanted to at the time he did, but it was simply because he and others were suspended by the Late Ikhazoboh. When he left, it opened the doors for many other players to emerge like Uche Okechukwu, Isaac Semitoje and many more.”

Unity Hotels ready for Eko Sports Festival

A

s the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival draws closer by the day, one of the many hospitality outfits in Lagos that is gearing up for the challenges of hosting the influx of visitors, Unity Hotels Limited, has promised to provide guests with innovations and new fun during the Games that attracts all the states of the federation.

The General Manager and proprietor of the Hotel, Prince Tunde BalogunAgbaje explained that Lagos as the host city and known for her excellence must defend the true meaning of the appellation. “We're ready to give everything we can to make guests coming for the festival have a memorable stay and truly mark Lagos as the centre of excellence. Those who choose to stay with us are in for a big treat.” Balogun-Agbaje, who praised the efforts of the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, notes that his vision for the state is one that is worthy of emulation and looks forward to a successful National Sports Festival.

Manager with the Hotels, Ebire Adebayo Isreal, added that so much has been put in place by the management in terms of upgrading the facilities, staffing and power supply.

Thursday, August 23, 2012 DAILY SUN 53 NEWS

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

Tennis referee arrested over husband’s death

Hockey Premier League final flicks off tomorrow

D

A

professional tennis referee from Los Angeles who for years has officiated matches between the game's top players was arrested Tuesday in New York City on a felony warrant charging her with killing her elderly husband in April.

Prosecutors said 70-year-old Lois Ann Goodman, a longtime line judge on the tennis circuit, was taken into custody as she prepared to work at the U.S. Open tournament.

She was charged with murdering her 80-year-old husband, Alan Goodman, in their home in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Prosecutors alleged she bludgeoned him to death with a coffee mug on April 17.

When the death was reported, Lois Goodman told police it appeared to have been an accident and she had been out all day refereeing a tennis match, according to Lt. David Storaker of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Yobo to be honoured in Lagos tomorrow

By MADUABUCHI KALU

S

uper Eagles' Captain and Fernabahce of Turkey defence ace, Joseph Ikpo Yobo, is to be honoured tomorrow in Lagos, by 'Leadership with Integrity International' (LWI), an arm of Grace Prevailing Ministries.

According to the General Overseer of the Church, Rev. Dr Godwin C. S. Nwachukwu, Captain Yobo is among the number of personalities that would be encouraged to continue with their good works through tomorrow's award to enable them remain focused with the good work they have been doing over the years.

In view of Dr Nwachukwu, the award is to show the award recipients that their efforts to better the society is being appreciated even as he explained that the lucky winners of this year's award were carefully selected through public opinion and the internal mechanism of the church.

The award, which is in its 2nd edition, is a part of a high profile international leadership conference of the 'Leadership with Integrity World Convention' holding at the church premises in Ogba, Lagos.

“Leadership with Integrity International, an arm of Grace Prevailing Ministries will be holding a three-day high profile leadership conference at the church premises. The conference is in its second edition. Many personalities are coming from different parts of the world to participate in the conference and we believe that the Lord is going to use this conference to touch and transform lives,” Dr Nwachukwu.

Speaking further, the Anambra State-born man of God explained that the theme of this year's conference is 'Character.'

The General overseer of the Grace Prevailing Ministry International also added that the activities of the three-day international conference, which will attract many men of God from different countries include: Leadership conference, ministerial workshop, integrity honorary award, maiden presentation of Integrity Legacy Magazine and the inauguration of 2020 global integrity campaign project.

“The high point of the three-day events will be the honorary award that would be bestowed on a number of personalities, who have distinguished themselves over the years in the service of mankind. The honorary award will take place today.

“Super Eagles' Skipper, Joseph Yobo, is among lucky individuals that have distinguished themselves in different fields of human endeavour that would be honoured. The selection of Yobo as one this year's award is in appreciation of his selfless service to his fatherland over the years.

“Meanwhile, I would like to use this opportunity to state that this award is unique in the sense that it is devoid of financial inducement and all the award recipients were meticulously selected without any sentiment attached in their selections,” Dr Yobo Nwachukwu explained.

Action recorded during Falconets’ match

efending champion, Yobe Desert Warriors, is expected to lead Nigeria elite hockey teams to the International Energy Insurance (IEI) Premier Hockey League which will commence tomorrow and end on September 1, 2012.

Billed for the Abuja Hockey Pitches, the tournament is the flagship of the Nigeria Hockey Federation and would signal a befitting end to the 2012 league.

The IEI league flicked off early this year with the Atlantic Conference National League holding in Port Harcourt and featuring clubs in the national league before moving on to Kaduna where the Savannah Conference held.

Kaduna and Kano teams qualified in the male category from the Kaduna zone, with matches played at the Murtala Mohammed Square, while in the female category, Benue hockey team came tops and qualified for the Premier League final alongside Kano female teams.

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup

Draw with Brazil excites Falconets’ coach N

igeria's Under-20 Women National Team were yesterday denied a second victory by Brazil who got a late

…Nigeria leads with 4pts equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw at the on-going FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in

Why NPL cannot expel Ocean Boys – Iorfa

V

ice Chairman and Technical Adviser of Ocean Boys, Dominic Iorfa, has condemned in strong terms calls for the expulsion of Ocean Boys Football Club from the Nigeria Premier League.

The Brass, Bayelsa Statebased side has been in serious financial distress lately, a situation that has culminated in the team's inability to honour its league fixtures in the current season, prompting calls for the club to be automatically expelled from the nation's elite league in line with the rules guiding the Nigeria Premier League. But Iorfa cautioned that it would be unfair to expel the club from the league when it has a reasonable excuse for not honouring its matches.

“Those calling for the expulsion of Ocean Boys must take a critical look at the rules in its totality. What the rule says is that if a team fails to honour two consecutive matches 'without acceptable reason', it would be expelled from the league” Iorfa clarified in a telephone chat, while reacting to recent call by Sharks FC of Port Harcourt for the expulsion of Ocean Boys from the Premier League.

“Don't forget that Ocean Boys have earlier complained to the NPL that they don't have money to honour their league matches.

We all know that the NPL ought to have given clubs in the

Nigeria Premier League financial grants from the title sponsorship money.

“Unfortunately, NPL also has financial problem, hence, its inability to give financial grants to clubs. The same NPL had to turn to clubs for the payment of indemnities to match officials.

Most of the clubs have overshot their budgets for the season as a result of such added financial responsibility.

Saitama, Japan.

A superb shot from Francisca Ordega in the 44th minute put Nigeria in the driving seat until the 87th minute when it was cancelled by Brazil's Olivera.

This would be the first time that Nigeria would be conceding a goal right from the African qualifiers.

It was a physical encounter that produced six yellow cards with four going to Nigeria and two to the South Americans.

Chief Coach, Edwin Okon, has, however, commended his girls for the fighting spirit.

Speaking at a post match conference, Okon said he anticipated a tough match given the level of

opposition.

"We played against a good side and l must praise them," he said.

"But my girls were equal to the task. We wanted the victory but a draw is not a bad result either. Our focus is on our next game against Italy which we have to win.

A draw with Italy would, however, see Nigeria through to the last eight should Korea defeat or draw with Brazil. In Brazil's case, it needs an outright victory.

Meanwhile, Nigeria still tops the group with four points from two matches and are followed

by Korea Republic with three points. Brazil is third with two points and Italy fourth with a point.

Don’t lose concentration, Ladipo warns Falconets

P

resident General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr Rafiu Oladipo, has warned national Under-20 female team, Falconets, not to lose concentration in their quest for the ultimate prize of the women's world event in Japan after they were forced to a 1-1 draw by Brazil yesterday.

The supporters bigwig, who was expected in Japan on Monday said the Nigerian girls deserved to play in the final of the competition with the level of their game so far in the competition.

Having won their first game in the championship against North Korea 2-0, the Nigerian girls lost concentration in the last minute of their game against Brazil to settle for draw.

He said some members of the supporters club were already in Japan to cheer the team in their

last group duel against Italy.

“In the last edition in Germany, Nigeria played in the final but lost to the host. I know this team has everything to surpass the feat.

They can win the cup.

For the second time in as many matches a late equaliser from Brazil has rescued a point for the South Americans at the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup, with Giovanna Oliveira's header denying Nigeria early passage to the knockout stage.Asuperbly hit drive from Francisca Ordega a minute from half-time appeared enough for Nigeria to claim all three points in a hard-fought and at-times physical encounter in Saitama. However, Oliveira secured another important point for Brazil with a glancing header three minutes from the end, after an injury-time equaliser earned A Selecao a draw in their opener against Italy.

Despite a good pace to the con-

test in the sapping heat, there were few chances on goal until the later stages of the first half when both teams made some inroads, with Nigeria eventually profiting from Odega's intervention.The second half was an entirely different affair with Brazil on top and narrowly failing to score on several occasions.

Notably, Ingrid headed home a free-kick at the back post only to be denied by the offside flag.

Brazil finally made her domination pay as Thais Guedes' whipped in free-kick was glanced home. Nigeria will have a second opportunity to qualify for the last eight when they meet Italy, while Brazil face a mustwin encounter with Korea Republic.“ The draw wasn't a good result, but, at least, we can control our destiny in the last match,” said Brazil coach Caio Couto.

54

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012,

DAILY SUN Thursday, August 23, 2012,

55

N150 THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012 VOL.7 NO. 2440

The separatists are here Fed Cup: It's Lobi, N

igeria must be exerting a lot of pull on President Goodluck Jonathan. We are told that his government is negotiating with the terrorists that have been holding Nigeria by the jugular. He wants to make peace with them and get them to renounce violence. That way, the President and Nigeria can heave a sigh of relief.

But while that is going on, a fresh war front has been opened in the southern flank of the country by emerging separatists. Even the President's home state of Bayelsa is being associated, somewhat, with the growing rage of separatism in the land. But the snag here is that while Mr President appears to be devoting a great deal of attention to the terror gang that is firmly rooted in the north, he seems to be grinning at the separatists that have emerged from the south. The attempt or effort to pigeonhole the concern of the president in the two issues seems to be the true metaphor that underlines Nigeria's unsettled state.

In the face of this precarious social condition, it will not be out of place to say that Nigeria, were it to be a voyager, is a dazed one. If his feet were ever nimble, they are now fatigued. He is merely ambling along, working against all odds to arrive at his Damascus.

But his unenviable condition is made even worse by the putrid scent of the atmosphere.

There is a gust of sour air sweeping through the land. The landscape is spiteful, even venomous.

The sour odour of blood is choking the people to the point of stupor. They would have got accustomed to it. But the people do not have the ruggedness of Mammon or his hard liberty.

But since they are not willing to succumb to the stultifying atmosphere, elements within the enclave have chosen the path of rebellion. They have, over the years, been enslaved by the system. They acquiesced willingly in the hope that there must be light at the end of the long dark tunnel. But their hope seems to be founded on quicksand. They have no reason, therefore, to continue to keep faith.

This much was made evident in Nigeria the other day when the Ogoni people of Rivers State chose to rise against the system. Afactional leader of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Goodluck Diigbo, had, on August 2, 2012 announced political autonomy for the self-determination or selfgovernment of the Ogoni people. The MOSOP leader said his declaration was in line with the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

A few days later, the people of Bakassi Peninsula whose territory was ceded to Republic of Cameroun following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling of October, 2002 also declared self rule. The declaration spearheaded by a secessionist group Bakassi Self-determination Front, was apparently in anticipation of the full and final implementation of the Green Tree Agreement of 2005 which stipulates that Nigeria must, by October 2012, conclude its cession of Bakassi to Cameroun.

But how did we get to where we are now?

Let us recall that the Ogoni had, in August 1990, enunciated a Bill of Rights under the leadership of Ken Saro-Wiwa. The people had thought then that the Nigerian government was trampling upon the right of the Ogoni to be who they want to be. They felt choked up and held down by the Nigerian Federation. They wanted someone to give a listening ear to their

AMANZE OBI

BROKEN TONGUES

amaobi@yahoo.co.uk

• Diigbo, Ogoni separatist leader demands.

But the government of the day was only amused by their agitation. It largely ignored them. That was why nobody took the Ogoni people to task when they boycotted the general elections of 1993.

However, the theatrics of Ogoni activists was to receive national and international attention when the people rose against themselves in an orgy of bloodletting in 1994. Then, a faction of the Ogoni leadership had murdered in cold blood four prominent Ogonis for daring to identify with the Nigerian government. The bone of contention was the National Constitutional Conference put together then by the ragtag government of General Sani Abacha. The murder of the four prominent Ogonis was to lead to the kangaroo trial of nine Ogoni activists, including Ken Saro-Wiwa. They were hanged in shady circumstances on November 10, 1995.

Ever since, the Ogoni landscape has known no peace. Their relationship with Shell, the multinational oil giant that has been exploring and exploiting their landscape, has degenerated to the point of open air antagonism and hostility. For years, Shell was banned from oil exploitation in Ogoni land owing to the inclement atmosphere.

Somehow, we thought that the Ogoni had come to terms with their degradation until the latest declaration by a faction of MOSOP. But their declaration was taken a notch higher by the Bakassi people. Following the ICJ judgment, Bakassi Peninsula became, strictly speaking, a Camerounian territory. Nigerians in the territory were asked to relocate to Cross River State. The only portion of the territory left for Nigeria was Dayspring Island from where the Self-determination Front declared independence the other day. But we are told that the Bakassi people who

were dislocated 10 years ago have not got their due from the Nigerian government. The result is that they are neither integrated into Nigeria nor recognized as Camerounian citizens.

Consequently, they have chosen to take their destiny in their own hands. That explains the independence they have declared.

But we may not bother much about Bakassi since it is no longer regarded as a part of Nigeria.

The anger of the people may boil over, but they have no territory they can call their own. But their seeming abandonment by the Nigerian government is symptomatic of the precarious nature of things in Nigeria.

It is an acknowledged fact that Nigeria's decision to deal with the Bakassi dispute through the ICJ was most impolitic. The expectation was that Nigeria should have opted for other resolution strategies. When therefore it lost its claim to Bakassi, it was caught in a lurch. The Obasanjo government committed the faux pas. Unfortunately, two successive administrations could not disentangle themselves from the web. Now, the intricacies arising therefrom appear to be even more complex than the original situation. Yet, the government of the day has not spoken up on the issue.

Government's silence over Ogoni and Bakassi declaration appears studied. But even at that, government appears to be loud in its silences. The seeming duplicity of government may even have been accentuated by the Bayelsa State situation. Here, a lot of fuss is being made about the decision of the state government to adopt its own emblem, anthem and coat of arms. The state government said its action was aimed at strengthening a sense of identity in the Ijaw people. It is also geared towards promoting Ijaw mobilization, Ijaw integration and Ijaw fundamental interests.

Ever since this issue broke open, I have taken a very cursory interest in it because I believe that Bayelsa is only following in the footsteps of states like Osun which had earlier adopted its own emblem, anthem and coat of arms. Perhaps the only difference between the two is the emphasis on Ijaw nationalism by the Bayelsa government as the primary reason for its action.

But if people have taken undue interest in Bayelsa's adoption of state symbols, it is obviously because of the fact that President Jonathan hails from there. Besides, the Governor of the State, Henry Seriake Dickson, was anointed and installed by Jonathan. The expectation therefore is that the governor is not likely to take such a decision that touches somewhat on Nigeria's sovereignty without reference to the President. In other words, the assumption is that president Jonathan understands very well the intent and purpose of the Bayelsa declaration. Since many see what the Bayelsa State government has done as bordering on separatism and a subtle declaration of independence, they are wondering why Jonathan should acquiesce to such a set-up. They see something unusual, something ominous about Jonathan's silence.

Indeed, there is a groundswell of anxiety among the people. Many do not understand why things are what they are. They are asking why.

They do not understand this willful balkanization. They cannot guess or guage the direction of the gravitational pull. Why is Nigeria tending inexorably towards ethnic or tribal leanings?

Someone must tell the rest of us where Nigeria stands in all this.

Heartland final

By CHIMAOBI UCHENDU

F

ederation Cup defending champion, Heartland Football Club of Owerri and Lobi Stars of Makurdi yesterday reached the final of the Federation Cup after they defeated Prime Football Club of Osogbo and Kano Pillars respectively on penalties.

Lobi beat Pillars 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw at full time, while Heartland defeated Prime 3-0 also on penalties.

Pillars’ defender, Nazifi Amani, failed to put away his team's final kick in the penalty shootout, while Moses Bunde made no mistakes to propel Lobi to Sunday's cup final in Lagos.

Pillars’ Coach, Baba Ganaru, said his team's attention will now shift to last match of the league season.

"Our plan was to win the league and cup double. We are out of Federation Cup now, so our focus will now be on the last match in the league," he said.

Lobi, on the other hand, stayed on course to winning its second cup competition after it first won it in 2003, beating Sharks 2-0 in the final.

Heartland will thus on Sunday face fellow NPL outfit, Lobi Stars, in the cup final in Lagos.

It was the end of the fairy tale run of lower league Prime in Nigeria's cup competition even though it seemed set to outdo another top club with a massive support from the fans at a packed Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin.

But Heartland dug deep to avoid an upset by the Oshogbo team that have accounted for the likes of Enyimba and Enugu Rangers in this year's competition.

Ashanike Sheriff, Sunday Taiwo and Abdulahi Fatai lost Prime first three penalty kicks to make the passage easy for the Owerri lads.

Heartland skipper, Chinedu Efugh, declared 'The Naze Millionaires' are on course to successfully retain the cup they won last year.

"Prime FC really played well and that was why the game dragged into a penalty shootout,” he said.

“I am delighted we won. Against Lobi Stars on Sunday, it won't be that difficult because we know them and I see us winning the trophy again in Lagos."

The cup winners will represent Nigeria in next year's CAF Confederation Cup. Players of reigning Federation Cup Champion, Heartland, will be paid their signing-on fees for the 2011/2012 season after yesterday's semifinal against Prime FC. Heartland has been in dire financial straits with players of the club going on strike a few weeks ago to press home demands over unpaid wages.

Things now seem to have turned around for the better within the ranks of the Naze millionaires with the news filtering in that the players will receive payment this week.

General manager of the club, Fan Ndubuoke, said the move was aimed to motivate the players ahead of the Cup final in Lagos.

"The money has already been approved for the boys to receive a certain percentage of their signing-on fees for the season by our sponsors, the Imo State Government.

"I can't reveal the exact percentage, but I can tell you that the money will get to the players before the end of the week,"Ndubuoke said.

You can follow me on Twitter.com/_amanze

Published by THE SUN PUBLISHING LIMITED, 2, Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Layout, Apapa, P.M.B. 21776, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Telephone: 01-8980932, 6211239, Fax: 5895396 Advert Hotline: 01-7900632, 6211236, ABUJA OFFICE: 2nd Floor, Gouba Plaza, Utako District, Phone: 09-8700273-6. ISSN 0795-7475.

All Correspondence to the above mail addresses. Website: www.sunnewsonline.com •Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Aba & Abuja. EDITOR: STEVE NWOSU