Sun News - August 27, 2012

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MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2442

Why Police Affairs Ministry must go –Osayande Pages 7 & 54

•Southern, northern political leaders divided over state police

Cynthia: Killers not worthy to live among men –Gov Obi •Suspects moved to Panti Page 7

Ex-CBN boss shot dead in Owerri •Rev father escapes assassination

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Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State welcoming the USA Ambassador, Mr. Terrence McCulley to Government House in Uyo, yesterday.

FROM GRACE TO GRASS

Community chases out monarch •Over alleged misrule Page 5

Ijaw leaders rally support for Jonathan Page 10

Inside

SEC gets police unit for rules’ enforcement N150

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MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2442

Why Police Affairs Ministry Talks with Boko Haram on, FG must go –Osayande •Southern, northern political leaders divided over state police insists Pages 7 & 54

Page 6

FROM GRACE TO GRASS

Community chases out monarch •Over alleged misrule

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Embattled Oba Pius Akinfesola Adewole of Igboruwo community in Odigbo LGA of Ondo State, yesterday

Cynthia: Killers not worthy to live among men –Gov Obi

Page 7

•Suspects moved to Panti

Ex-CBN boss shot dead in Owerri

Page 3

•Rev father escapes assassination

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MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2442

Why Police Affairs Ministry must go –Osayande Pages 7 & 54

•Southern, northern political leaders divided over state police

Cynthia: Killers not worthy to live among men –Gov Obi •Suspects moved to Panti Page 7

FROM GRACE TO GRASS

Ondo community chases out monarch •Over alleged misrule

Page 5

Embattled Oba Pius Akinfesola Adewole of Igboruwo community in Odigbo LGA of Ondo State, yesterday

INEC clears Mimiko’s party, 11 others Page 7

Talks with Boko Haram on, FG insists Page 6

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Ex – CBN director shot dead in Owerri •Assassins threaten Rev. Father From VAL OKARA, Owerri.

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former director with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Charles Nwosu, was yesterday shot dead by gunmen in Owerri.

Chief Nwosu, who hailed from Emeabia in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, was reportedly killed at the Ekeukwu Owerri Central, market along Douglas Road, Owerri His body has been deposited at the Federal-Medical Centre FMC Owerri.

When Daily Sun visited the emergency/causality ward, scores of anti-riot armed policemen and relations of the deceased were seen discussing the incident while the hospital officials declined comments.

The Police spokesman Mr. Vitalis Onugu, confirmed the incident.

Meanwhile, the Principal of the Holy Ghost College, Owerri, Rev. (Fr). Cyprian Ogu, narrowly escaped assassination from suspected cultists at his college residence in Owerri .

According to the Catholic weekly tabloid The Leader, the suspected cultists shot several times through Fr. Ogu’s widow, shattering all the pillows and bed-sheets in the room.

The attack came barely two days after a cult group, the “Black Axe Confraternity” “Eiye,” wrote him threatening to kill him if he failed to quit the college before the end of the year.

In a letter dated August 16, 2012 with motto, “Forgiveness is a sin,” reads by this letter you have been warned again to leave Holy Ghost College Owerri before the end of this year. You have continued to expel our members from the school hence, we have been mandated to capture Holy Ghost College, Owerri, so you either leave dead or alive because we will stop at nothing to make sure you leave.

This is not a mere threat as more attacks will come your way if you ignore this notice and it seemed you have not learnt from our previous attacks. You have been warned again,” The letter, it was gathered, was dropped at the principal’s door-step.

Narrating his ordeal, the priest disclosed that dogs at the college Rectory barked continuously for about two hours before the cultists struck, adding that it was the dogs barking that woke them up sensing that danger was lurking around.

According to him, it was like a dream initially but, when he had the repeated gun shots very closed to him, it became clear to him that the hoodlums are after him.

Controversy trails $40m bribe to guard oil pipelines ... Nigeria is under militant siege –Northern youth From ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, Kaduna

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orthern Youth Forum (NYF) has urged the Federal Government to explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged 40 million Dollars bribe given to former Niger-Delta militants annually, to guard petroleum pipelines.

The youths also called on the National Assembly to raise a committee to investigate the allegations, the role of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as the mainstay agency of government and prosecute ex-militants Asari-Dokubo, Ekpumopolo Tompolo and fake Boko Haram middlemen, among others.

The NYF, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, lamented that Nigeria is under militant siege, considering the revelations in the last week’s edition of Wall Street Journal the, ‘Federal Government under President Goodlucks Jonathan, through the (NNPC) annually bribes some Niger-Delta militants with about $40 million to guard pipelines, adding that, it was worrisome and makes nonsense of all the audacity the government’s anti-corruption efforts.

According to the statement which was released in Kaduna yesterday, “it has become imperative to speak out and challenge President Goodluck Jonathan’s-much publicised tantrums about fighting corruption and entrenching probity and accountability in governance, as well as this government’s persistent noise about repositioning all sectors of our national life.

“It has clearly demonstrated that the government is not sincere and to an extent a watershed for corruption; what is more, its silence on the report by the Wall Street Journal has also proved that corruption is mainly perpetrated by the government and its cronies with impunity. That Mr. Asari-Dokubo, collects $9million every year to keep his estimated 4,000 soldiers at bay. ‘General’Ateke Toms and “General’ Ebikabowei Boyloaf Victor Ben earn $3.5million apiece while General” Government Tompolo Ekpumopolo is the most priced of all: he gets $22.5 million, yearly calls for serious concern, aside the multi-million naira contracts given to him to supply 20 patrol vessels, shows that the country is under militant siege”, it read.

The forum urged, the government to tell Nigerians in details the circumstances surrounding bribing Asari-Dokubo, Tompolo, who once faced treasonable charges and their fellow kingpins with over $40 million yearly to guard the nation’s pipelines.

It queried that, “are they a veritable alternative for the Armed Forces and other security personnel?”

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Representative of the Federal Government, Amb. Martin Umomoibhi, laying a wreath during the one year remembrance of United Nations (UN) house bombing in Abuja, Sunday.

Photos: NAN

Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, commissioning the Dutse Model International School, Dutse, Jigawa State, Sunday. With him are Gov. Sule Lamido (right), Gov. Umaru Ishaka of Zinder, Niger Republic and the Emir of Kazure, Alhaji Najib Adamu.

L-R: Group Head, Liability Products, Sterling Bank, Mr. John Makinde, Head, Lagos office, Consumer Protection Council, Mrs Obidike Ngozika and Assistant Director, National Lottery Commission, Mr. Obi Iregbu at the bank’s Savers’ promo draws in Lagos, weekend.

COVER From grace to grass

Monarch chased out of palace From TUNDE RAHEEM Akure

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ngry natives of Igburowo community in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State yesterday chased away their paramount ruler, Oba Pius Akinfesola Adewole from his palace over alleged gross corruption and indiscipline.

The action was witnessed by a large number of kinsmen, who trooped out to show their disapproval for his alleged sins.

The protest, which began at about 6.00a.m, involved chiefs and prominent citizens of the community, who expressed their feelings in songs over the alleged misrule of the traditional ruler, which they claimed had brought shame and disrespect to the community.

The villagers had earlier written a protest letter dated August 3, 2012, which was signed by about 21 of their representatives representing various interest groups, including high chiefs, female chiefs, otherwise called Opoji in local parlance, as well as male and female natives, members of Igburowo Development Committee (IDC), youth association and the secretary of the Akinbumiti Ruling House. The letter was addressed to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as well as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. They demanded that the Oba vacate the throne over some atrocities allegedly perpetrated in the community.

•Over alleged corruption, indiscipline …Police take him into protective custody

•Adewole

According to the letter, the monarch who bears the title of Akamuja of Igburowoland, was accused of forceful acquisition of land belonging to his subjects, frivolous litigation over subjects’ property, non-performance of traditional rites and assault on his chiefs and sub-

jects.

Other alleged crimes include connivance with an indigene to defraud the community of N3.6million meant for the payment of electricity bill to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) PLc. The indigene, who was allegedly nominated by the monarch as a representative of the community, was accused of diverting the money to his personal use.

He is facing prosecution at a Magistrate Court over the allegation.

Similarly, the monarch was also accused of running an autocratic regime by refusing to constitute the Oba-inCouncil several years after the death of some other high chiefs called Iwarefas, who traditionally are required to run the township administration with him.

Besides, Oba Adewole was also accused of refusing to convene traditional meeting places where people would gather to discuss communal matters.

The monarch was also accused of shortchanging traditional chiefs by refusing to pay them their full entitlements after he had allegedly collected same from the local government. The community also accused him of fighting with his chiefs, illegal conversion of the community’s, resources to personal use and writ-

ing of fictitious petitions and institution of several court cases against his subjects.

Meanwhile, the protesters who barricaded the major roads leading to the community carried placards bearing inscriptions such as ‘Enough is Enough, 16 years of no development, no action,” no, to backwardness,” “Igburowo says no to Akinfesola;” “Go, Akinfesola, Go, Igburowo community rejects you Pius Adewola.”

The protesters who marched from the main market to all the streets, later stormed the palace and ordered him out.

He was manhandled.

However, the quick intervention of Ore Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and his men saved the life of the monarch.

The police had hectic time rescuing the traditional ruler. He was taken to the Ore police station.

Confirming the incident, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Adeniran Aremu said the traditional ruler was in police custody after he was rescued from his subjects who forced him out of the palace.

Aremu said policemen had been drafted to the place to maintain law and order, saying investigation was ongoing.

6 DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

NEWS Kuramo Beach: NEMA attributes ocean surge to natural disaster •Concludes assessment of Lagos beaches

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fter a week of rescue efforts and assessment of the impact of the Atlantic Ocean surge at the coastline of Lagos State, a team from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has concluded its assignment with a report indicating that the cause of the surge was natural disaster, while human-casualty was man-made.

NEMA rescue officers at the weekend recovered another body floating on the water near Nigerian Navy Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Leading the NEMA team after the completion of the assessment at the weekend, the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting of the agency, Dr. Charles Agbo, said while the Atlantic Ocean surge was a natural phenomenon, the human casualty was to be attributed to man-induced disaster, when humans engage in activities close to or on the sea without precautionary measures in place.

Agbo said, “though nine bodies have so far been recovered and confirmed by NEMA officials, others, as claimed by residents, are still missing. The ocean surge at Kuramo beach and other areas of Lagos was a natural phenomenon while the human casualty could be blamed on carelessness of people living too close to the danger of coastline when early warning alert were raised by appropriate authorities on the effect of climate change and global warming.”

The agency said more beaches might be affected by wave tide after the team assessed the impact at the worst affected Kuramo Beach and also visited Oniru Private Beach and some parts of Ojo, Badagry, Tarkwa Bay, Maiyegun and Alpha Beach.

NEMA therefore urged effective collaboration among response institutions to ensure the clearing of shanties at the beaches as well as evacuation of people living close to the coastlines. It also called for the removal of shipwrecks that dotted most of the areas.

An ocean or storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system. The surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean’s surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea level. Low pressure at the center of a weather system also has a secondary effect, as can the bathymetry of the body of water. It is this combined effect of low pressure and persistent wind over a shallow water body, which is the most common cause of storm surge flooding problems.

Catholic bishops task Jonathan on security, corruption •Identify solution to Nigeria’s problems From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Osogbo

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atholic bishops in the South West geo-political zone of Nigeria have described the Boko Haram insurgency in the country as the manifestation of the country’s burden of political chaos and confusion.

They also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to provide immediate solution to the problems of insecurity and corruption in the country.

The Catholic bishops who noted that corruption had eaten deep into the country’s polity said President Jonathan needed to tackle the problem with all the seriousness it deserved if the country would experience development and progress.

In a communique issued at the end of their meeting held in Aawe, Oyo State, copy of which was made available to Daily Sun in Osogbo, the Catholic bishops advised President Jonathan to confront the menace of insecurity courageously and without prejudice or malicious intent, saying corruption and insecurity were responsible for unemployment in the country.

The communique signed by the President of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Alaba Job and Secretary, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, warned the president against handling security issues with levity.

Also, the bishops tasked the Federal Government to be serious with investigations and prosecution of the allegations of corruption levelled against some eminent Nigerians and government officials in the current administration, saying government should not shield any individual regardless of their position and interests.

The bishops stated further that “the huge backlog of unresolved murders and intrigues and very serious allegations against the top notch in government have been greatly detracting us from the credibility of the transformational agenda of the current administration and further demoralises our fractious nation.”

Responding to the allegation that religion was part of Nigeria’s problem, the bishops declared that true religion promoted the love of God and fellow men and respect for the rights of all and challenged others to clarify their stand.

They called on all religious leaders in the country including Christian and Islamic scholars to save religion from ridicule by preaching justice, tolerance and dialogue to their adherents at every opportunity.

• L-R: Rev. B.A. Obiefuna; Dr Chike Akunyili; Gov Peter Obi of Anambra State; Prof Dora Akunyili, and Mrs Uche Ekwunife, at the inauguration of the ultra-modern Agulu Town Hall in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State yesterday.

Dialogue with Boko Haram on, Presidency insists From JULIANA TAIWO- Haram persons are sitting on the other side in an airOBALONYE, Abuja conditioned room and there he Presidency yesterday are negotiations across the insisted that there was an table. That is not the form of ongoing dialogue with the dialogue. The form of the Islamist sect, Boko the dialogue is that back Haram, assuring Nigerians room channels are being that even though the sect used to reach across with the

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appears to have different factions, the insurgency will be brought under control soon.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in a chat with State House correspondents, however said those who thought such dialogue involved face to face meeting in which government officials and members of the Boko Haram sect sit on opposite sides of a table missed the point in such a delicate issue.

He said the Federal Government focus on tackling terrorism was through back room channels of reaching the members of the Boko Haram sect and through multi-level, constructive interventions aimed at addressing ‘a difficult issue that is multifarious’.

Abati stated that all what President Goodluck Jonathan was asking from Nigerians as he tackled the issue through the multifaceted levels was support.

According to him, “when government says it is already talking to Boko Haram, the form of that dialogue must be properly understood. I think a lot of people are under the impression that the dialogue involves a situation whereby government officials are sitting on one side, Boko

sole objective of understanding what exactly the grievances of these persons are, what exactly can be done to resolve the crises, in the overall best interest of ensuring peace and stability in Nigeria and the security of lifves and property. And

all of this is consistent with the position of Mr. President. So what is called dialogue is at many levels: through back room channels and through multi-level, constructive interventions to address a difficult issue that is multifarious,” he said.

N5,000 note, a step in wrong direction –Institute •ACN cautions CBN

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he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) recently announced plan to introduce the N5,000 currency note is a step in the wrong direction, a report by the Obafemi Awolowo Institute of Government and Public Policy, Lagos, has revealed.

In a statement issued in Lagos, the institute said irrespective of the desirable objectives that might have informed the plan to introduce the new currency, including possibly the need “to raise government revenue” and “reduce the cost of transactions”, such objectives were also likely to have “unintended effects” or inflict “collateral damage”.

Among effects listed in the report was that it would signify not only a regime of increased and sustained fiscal deficit financing but also generate inflation that would “erode the real value of the seigniorage revenue derived” from the higher face-value currency.

Also, the report noted that it would likely be perceived as an indication of government’s failure to effectively

control inflation, saying once this perception took hold, increased inflation expectations could be built up rapidly.

It said these had pushed many countries in the past, including Argentina (19751991), Bolivia (1984-1987), Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo (1986-1996), Nicaragua (1987-1990), Peru (1988-1990), Poland (1989-1992), Angola (19911995), the Russian Federation (1992-1998) and Zimbabwe in the first decade of this century into a situation of hyper-inflation, which culminated in the redenomination or even complete abandonment of the entire currency system.

In addition, it said it ran counter to the recent policy of the CBN to promote a “cash-less” economy by encouraging the increased use of non-cash transaction instruments. This policy, aimed at reducing the use of cash had been justified by the need to reduce the burden of the cost of printing and distributing currency notes. The introduction of a high face value currency

note would do the opposite.

Equally, the report noted that it ran counter to government’s often repeated commitment to fight corruption, saying it was widely recognised that large scale corruption tended to be facilitated by the ease with which unrecorded and large cash transactions could be made in any country.

In a related development, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has cautioned the CBN to have a rethink about its intention to introduce the N5,000 note as the highest denominated legal tender in Nigeria by year 2013.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party warned that while the introduction of the new high denomination might serve the dual purpose of raising revenue for government on the one hand and reducing the cost of transactions on the other hand, the unintended consequences and collateral damage of introducing the N5,000 might far outweigh the benefits of the new measure.

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NEWS Ondo guber: INEC clears 12 parties as Adedipe emerges as Akeredolu’s deputy From TUNDE RAHEEM Akure

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he Independent National Electoral Commission in Ondo State has announced that candidates of 12 political parties and their deputies have been cleared to contest the October 20 governorship election in the state.

Three women emerged as deputy governorship candidates while the electoral body also unveiled the running mate of the Action Congress of Nigeria governorship candidate in the state.

The INEC list named Governor Olusegun Mimiko as the candidate of the Labour Party with Alhaji Ali Olanusi as his running mate, while Chief Olusola Oke and Mr. Saka Lawal cleared as the candidate and deputy respectively, of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The list further named Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria while the Secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Olutope Adedipe was named as his running mate.

Other parties on the list are the Allied Congress Party with Adeuti Taye as candidate and Tolupe Clement as his deputy.

The All Nigeria Peoples Party has Mr. Adeyemi Bolarinwa as governorship candidate and Ikuewumi Rotimi listed as his deputy, while Mr. Ayodele Olusegun was named as the governorship candidate of the Better Nigeria Progressive Party with Mrs. Ijitola Modupe as deputy.

The Change Advocacy Party, which also made the list, has Mr. Omoyele Olorunwa as its candidate and Mr. Babatunde Bidemi as his running mate .

Mr Olusoji Ehinlanwo as the governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, with Mrs Oluyemi Damilola as his running mate.

The National Conscience Party has Mr. Oladipo Lawrence as its candidate while Mrs. Ogbetor Benedicta was his running mate.

The rest are, Abikanlu James Olusola and Adefila Olusegun Cornelius as candidate and deputy respectively, of the National Solidarity Democratic Party while the duo of Victor Oluwaremi Adetusin and Mr. Moses Iorsheer made the list for the People for Democratic Change.

The INEC also cleared Mr. Omoregha Olatunji as candidate of the Progressive People Alliance with Alonge Ahmed named as his running mate.

Skewed world economy: Tinubu, Soyinka challenge Nigerians to brace up

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ational leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Bola Tinubu and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, have decried the skewed world economic system as they urged Nigerians to work assiduously to put the country on a path to financial prosperity.

They disclosed this at the launch of a book: Financialism–Water from an Empty Well written by Tinubu and former US Consul-General in Nigeria, Brian Browne, at the Rainbow Push Headquarters, Chicago, United States at the weekend.

Tinubu advocated a new thinking and approach on how to deal with the problem, which, according to him, has been wiping away the earnings of the Third World countries.

His words: “Recurrent crises show that something is profoundly wrong with the global financial system. Unless we want to suffer these damaging jolts for the foreseeable future, we need to make systemic corrections.

“Both developed and emergent nations have committed the similar sins of turning what should be productive economies into factories of financial speculation that generate more financial paper than they do material products that real people can use to improve their living conditions.”

While saying that Nigerians still have a lot of catching up to do in achieving financial prosperity, he stated that the country needs to be put to work. He disclosed that the Asian governments support the industrialisation of their economies and wise European nations are starting to retool their industrial base.

“Nigeria cannot hope to achieve prosperity simply by exporting exhaustible natural resources. We must make, create and export what we make and create,” Tinubu stated.

Presenting the book to the public, Soyinka described the authors as key figures in the unfolding world where the book opens a new window in understanding of how the world’s financial system is architecture to the disadvantage of some people.

“The skewed world of economics needs to be challenged, a world where the umbilical cord between produce and tallycard was slashed when no one was looking, and the latter has come to be a thing-in-itself, empowering a parasitic class of finance controllers who place the mere tally over and above the material goods – yet succeed in making the rest of the world fall in line.”

R-L: Ambassador Howard Jeter, former US Consul to Nigeria, Brian Browne, Co-author of the book, Professor Wole Soyinka, Jesse Jackson, Asiwaju Tinubu, Governor Aregbesola, Governor Ajimobi and former Senator Waku at the launch of the book, Finacialism: Water from an Empty Well, written by Tinubu and Browne in Chicago, USA at the weekend.

Cynthia’s killers not worthy to live among men –Obi … Suspects moved to Panti SCID

isation rather than ingloriously enslaving themselves in the world of crime.

Meanwhile, suspected killers of Cynthia Osokogu, daughter of Major Gen. Frank Osokogu have been transferred from Area ‘E’ FESTAC Police Command to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, in Lagos.

Lagos State Police Command told Daily Sun on phone yesterday that the sus-

From GEOFFREY ANYANWU, ennobling and will return our Awka & MATTHEW DIKE, society to the path of virtue.”

Lagos Obi insisted that those that have confessed to the crime hairman of South-East should be made to face the Governors’ Forum and full consequences of the law Governor of Anambra as deterrence to other youths.

State, Mr. Peter Obi has said He however advised that the killers of Miss young men to concentrate Cynthia Osokogu, were not their energies on how to worthy to live among men. become responsible adults Cynthia, daughter of and contribute to the growth Major-General Frank and development of the counOsokogu (retd) was killed by try and advancement of civiltwo of her online “friends” who lured her to a Lagos hotel.

But reacting to the arrest of one of the suspects at Nnewi, Obi described killing of the young girl as wicked and bar• Opt for regional police baric.

Obi who spoke in his From FRED ITUA, Abuja rather than the unnecessary capacity as the Chairman of clamour for the creation of South-East Governors’ ome eminent Nigerians state police, the National Forum consoled the parents from Northern and Assembly should opt for the and relations of Cynthia.

Southern regions of the creation of regional police.

He described as unfortu- country have continued to According to him, this move nate, a situation where some react to parts of some of the is necessary in order to check people, rather than tap the recommendations of the mate the over-bearing powers enormous advantages that go Presidential Committee on of state governors who might with the Internet and other the Re-organisation of use the instrument for personsocial media, seek to use it Nigeria Police which submit- al gains. negatively, thus bringing it ted its report to President “I am opposed to state into disrepute.

Goodluck Jonathan on police,” Ezeife stated. “Our The governor noted that Tuesday at the Villa in Abuja. level of morality is too low the bad use to which people Among the four respon- for a governor to control had put the social media was dents drawn from different police machinery at the state symptomatic of the erosion of ethnic groups across the level. Even if the governor values in our society and country who spoke exclusive- may not know what they are declared that what Nigeria ly to Daily Sun, divergent doing, they may want to needed most is value re-oriviews were expressed on please the governor by going entation and ethical rebirth. whether or not state police out of their bounds.

He said, “We have got to a “The only thing I will supstage where we have com- should be accommodated in port is the zonal police where the ongoing review of the pletely lost our sense of vala number of governors will ues and this is at the root of constitution by the National control its operations as our problem as a country. Assembly.

Speaking on the issue, for- against one person.”

What we need at this time is Speaking further, he said: ethical re-birth that will mer governor of old Anambra “The people that will be State, Dr. Chukwuemeka reshape our psyche to recruited into the regional embrace things that are Ezeife told Daily Sun that

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pects, Nwabuzo Okumo and Ezekiel Odera, were transferred at the weekend.

The suspects were said to have drugged and chained Cynthia before beating her to death in Casmillo Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Phase 1, Amuwo Odofin, in Lagos.

They were paraded last Wednesday by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, confessing that they had chatted with Cynthia, 24, on social mobile before inviting her to Lagos.

Northern, southern political leaders divided over creation of state police

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police forces will speak and understand the language of those they are recruited to protect.

The creation of zonal police is in line with what we need in this country now. The Federal Government should maintain the Army and other security apparatus at the federal level while state governors should focus squarely on the regional police forces.”

Second republic adviser to President Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai differed a little from Dr. Ezeife’s position.

In his vehement opposition to the idea of creating regional or state police, Alhaji Tanko said “the day you create state police in Nigeria that is the start you build a firewall in our democracy.

Governors will interfere with their operations.

Governors will recruit their loyalists into the force and use them against their opponents.”

8 DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

NEWS Third Mainland Bridge not collapsing –FG From AIDOGHIE PAULINUS, Abuja

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he Federal Government has debunked what it termed as ‘misinformation’ in the social media that the Third Mainland Bridge was collapsing.

In a statement made available to Daily Sun in Abuja and signed by the Director, Highways Design (Bridges), Federal Ministry of Works (FMW), Mr. Dominic Avishigh, it said the attention of the FMW had been drawn to the misinformation in the social media that the third mainland bridge was on the verge of collapse.

“The FMW wishes to advise the motoring public and indeed Lagosians to disregard this unfounded rumour which is not based on any empirical fact,” the FG said.

The statement read: “The Third Mainland Bridge, which effectively connects Lagos Island with the Mainland, is the longest and most important bridge in Nigeria.

“The bridge was constructed in two phases. While the first phase was constructed in 1981, the second phase construction works was completed in 1991. The FMW is not oblivious that roads and bridges once constructed need continuous maintenance.

“In 2006, joint inspection on the bridge was first carried out by a combined team of engineers from the FMW, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and M/s Borini Prono, a member of the consortium that constructed the bridge, following insinuations that the bridge was oscillating.

“At the end of the inspection, it was resolved that an internationally reputed bridge consultant be invited to carry out further inspection of the bridge.

“An international bridge consultant was thereafter invited to carry out series of inspections and investigations along with the contractors and bridge design consultants. The studies revealed that there was no threat of collapse on the Third Mainland Bridge. It was the same process that led to the commissioning of an underwater study of the bridge substructure recently.

“The preliminary report of the underwater investigation, though not yet concluded, revealed that the metal casing housing the concrete is rotting away as a result of the activities of certain sea creatures attracted to that section of the Lagos Lagoon due to the discharge of organic effluent into the Lagoon,” the statement said.

It also said following the report, the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, wrote the Lagos State Government to stop the discharge of organic effluents into the lagoon in the area.

Navy warship combs Nigerian waters for sea robbers

By PHILIP NWOSU

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he Nigerian Navy yesterday said the locally built Seaward Defence Boat commissioned in June by President Goodluck Jonathan has assisted in the patrol and policing of the country’s waterways.

The Commanding Officer of the Nigerian built combat vessel, NNS Andoni, Commander Semiu Adepegba, said since the vessel was commissioned, she had been able to make over 10 patrols, combing the waterways in search of sea robbers.

Adepegba spoke during sea patrol with Defence correspondents, after which he arrested a barge being towed by a tugboat. The tugboat was alleged not to have the relevant papers permitting it to carry out such operations at sea.

He said the Nigerian Navy operatives would now commence investigation on the vessel and if found culpable would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for investigation.

The commanding officer, who said NNS Andoni was capable of staying at sea for four days conducting patrols, called on the Federal Government to sponsor the construction of more patrol boats for the Nigerian Navy to deter persons planning to carry out nefarious activities at sea.

His word: “This class of ship is what the Navy needs because it is good for fast patrol to check sea robbers, pirates and thieves attacking fishing trawlers. If we can have more, Nigerian Navy will be able to cover the larger part of the Nigerian territorial waters.”

The 31m Nigerian Navy Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) was conceived as a research and development project by Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye and Rear Admiral John Jonah who were then chief of the naval staff and chief of naval engineering respectively.

The project, the Nigerian Navy said was in furtherance to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Science, Technology and Innovative Policy as enunciated by President Goodluck Jonathan while speaking at the commissioning of NNPC/MPN Satellite Field Development Project Platforms in Lagos on March 17.

•L-R: Media and Publicity Consultant, Amalgamated Niger Delta Youths for Peace Initiative, Mr Sony Neme, former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the group, Mr Henry Nwabueze and Director, Projects and Finance, Mr Greg Fiberesima, during a courtesy call on the former president by the group on their forthcoming National Annual Achievement Award Ceremony, at Hilltop House, Abeokuta.

Security: Church says no to big headgears, handbags T

he St Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral Church, Nsukka, Enugu State, has barred women from wearing big headgears and carrying handbags to Sunday service.

Revd Fr. Uche Obodoechina, the Cathedral administrator, who announced this during Sunday service in Nsukka, said the ban would take effect from September 9.

Obodoechina said the measure was being introduced to ensure the security of worshippers.

According to him, the big headgears, in most cases, made the identification of persons during service difficult.

He said the headgears (popularly called canopy) turn to a ‘barricade’ when many women putting on big headgears stayed on a row during service.

“Please, in view of the present security challenges, the church has urged women to stop coming to Sunday service with big headgears and bags to enable security men know when bomb will be smuggled into the church.

“The church has directed security men at the church gate to seize big headgears and bags from September 9.

“This measure is aimed towards enhancing the security of the faithful during Sunday mass.”

Furthermore, the clergyman announced that cars would henceforth be parked at the St Theresa’s College field.

According to him, only motorcycles would be allowed to park at the designated places within the church premises.

He added that for those

coming for 5.30 a.m. mass, the gate leading into the church would be closed by 6 a.m. while the gate for those coming for the 7.30 a.m. would be closed by 8 a.m.

“So if you cannot come before this time, you are late

and you will not be allowed to enter into the cathedral compound.

“We urge members to cooperate and obey the directives in the interest and safety of all.

“These are temporary

measures and will be relaxed as soon as the security challenges in the country improved.

“The church is sorry for whatever inconveniences the measures will cause members,” he said. (NAN)

We’ll stop kidnapping if... Igbo youths tell FG, Ohanaeze Ndigbo

From EMMANUEL UZOR, child trafficking and criminal except the government at all levels positively engaged the activities in our land.”

Onitsha In his address, the youths through the creation of ouths across the five Commander of AIYIM, meaningful employment, states of the South-east Chukwuemeka Uga, attrib- “the security situation in the geo-political zone at the uted the mounting crime zone will take a turn for the weekend, converged on wave in the zone to massive worst.”

Also reacting, another Anambra State to brainstorm youth unemployment, abject leader, Annie on the security challenges poverty and neglect by gov- youth confronting the zone, espe- ernment at both federal and Onyeakpa, said the various youth groups were gathered cially kidnapping, armed rob- state levels.

He maintained that youths to meet mind with the apex bery and other violent crimes.

The meeting convened by took to kidnapping and armed Igbo socio-political organisathe Association of Igbo robbery as a result of leader- tion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo to Youths Initiative Movement ship failure, stating that, communicate their stand on (AIYIM), was attended by “Nigerian government only the current security situation leaders of various Igbo youth recognises armed struggle. in the zone to their leaders.

He said before now, politiorganizations, with the That is why today the Federal President General of Government is negotiating cians from the zone had negoOhanaeze Ndigbo, Ralph with Boko Haram and it took tiated with the Federal Uwechue, in attendance as the killing and abduction of Government for their selfish expatriates and destruction of interests without thinking of special guest.

Declaring the meeting oil installations in the Niger the consequences of the conopen at the Rojenny Tourist Delta for government to tinued neglect and misrule and Games Village, the host, negotiate with the militants.” suffered by the people of the Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, The commander noted that South-east. said the youths occupied a critical place in the socio-economic life of every nation and therefore should be prepared for the challenges of leadership. he Minister of State, Foreign Affairs (2), Dr. Nuruddeen He maintained that the curMohammed, has said contrary to a story that has circulatrent rate of insecurity in the zone released recently by the ed in the media, he did not at any time declare that Campaign for Democracy Nigeria is an Islamic country.

(CD) was worrisome and The minister made this declaration in a statement issued and demanded urgent and drastic signed by him at the weekend. measures to tackle, saying According to the minister, an interview he granted the “today we want to listen to Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) on the sideline of the you and see a way we can Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Mecca, work together and end kid- the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the middle of August, did not napping, armed robbery, contain any element referring to Nigeria as an Islamic state.

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I didn’t say Nigeria is an Islamic country –Minister

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DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012, 9

NEWS FG moves to stop food importation From AKIN ALOFETEKUN, Minna

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inister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, has said that Federal Government has taken more decisive steps to stop importation of food into the country and also provide potable drinking water to the populace.

The minister who gave the assurance shortly after inspecting the multimillion naira Agaie-Lapai Dam project in Niger State said, Nigeria had no basis for importating food into the country or lack potable drinking water, adding that the two basic problems would soon be a thing of the past, especially with the aggressive steps taken by the present administration in its agricultural transformation agenda.

She said plans had been completed by her ministry to develop 2000 hectares of land side by side the new dam to boost food production, especially rice, to put a stop to rice importation.

“We have been expending huge sums of money to import food especially rice into the country and since Niger State is top on rice production the state will further be encouraged to produce more, open cottage industries to process the rice to rank even better than those imported and thereby actualising our agricultural transformation agenda and also fighting poverty,” the minister remarked.

Mrs. Ochekpe said besides boosting food production nationwide, the dam which is 98 percent completed would also improve the supply of potable water to the people of the state, adding that what was expected of the state government was to take advantage of the facility to process the raw water for distribution to the people.

Okupe faults Falana on FG oil revenue From IKENNA EMEWU, Abuja

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he Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has faulted a figure bandied in the media about the earnings of the Federal Government.

At a press interaction with Okupe yesterday, he clarified that while the announced quantity of oil produced per day might be correct, the total amount of revenue accruable from it as reported to the public was meant to mislead.

The message that had been on the social media and sent as text messages indicating that the Federal Government made an income in excess of N101 trillion per annum and a great percentage of it misappropriated by the government.

The figure, according to Okupe, for oil production per day could actually be 2.5 million barrels but the market price of $130 per barrel was not right and possible as the 2012 federal budget was benchmarked at about $73 per barrel and oil actually sold at below $100 per barrel.

He also noted that while government made revenue from oil, the entire sum did not go into the federal pocket.

“Apart from intentional mischief, the revenue from oil is shared at 60/40 ratio between the government and the joint venture companies, that is the oil exploring companies. The 60 percent is shared between the federal, state and local governments at the known and statutory revenue allocation formula, while another designated percentage goes into the ecological fund.

“I say it without equivocation that the oil revenue is not N101.7 billion either as total cumulative revenue or the share of the Federal Government.

“What it also means is that the total oil production volume of 16.26 trillion per annum and balance of N11.7 trillion a year as excess earning is baseless and just empty politics.”

Rotary Club pledges continued support to govt on polio eradication

By GABRIEL DIKE

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en years after it was established, the Rotary Club of Ojodu, Lagos, said it would continue to throw its weight behind the quest by the government to eradicate polio in the country.

The club, according to the incoming President, Mr. Okechukwu Uche-Ukah, had also developed a community relations programme for 2012/2013 in line with its commitment to serve humanity.

Addressing newsmen on his forthcoming investiture as the 8th president of Rotary Club of Ojodu, Uche-Ukah, said the club had been participating during every immunisation exercise for children and would join hands with government and health stakeholders to eradicate polio among children.

Uche-Ukah revealed that India had left Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan, a group referred to as PANI, by successfully eradicating polio, thus leaving behind, the three nations in the fight against poliomyelitis, even as he stressed that the club was also involved in the provision of other health facilities to people.

According to him, the club, which was chartered on March 8, 2005, had touched several lives and communities through the various initiatives and projects executed to alleviate the problems confronting them.

• Director, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dr Charles Agbo (middle) leading other officials on assessment tour of Kuramo Beach in Lagos.

Flood kills 4 in Niger From AKIN ALOFETEKUN, six kilometres away from the path.

Minna In a similar incident in lood which followed a Zungeru, the two Fulani heavy rainfall swept herdsmen were reportedly away no fewer than four swept away from their grazpersons in Bosso and ing route.

It was gathered that the Zungeru towns in Niger State at the weekend.

Daily Sun learnt that two brothers, Abubakar and Abbdullahi Gwaibaita of Gungel Village of Bosso Local Government Area, were killed while returning From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba from farm.

The two others who were n view of the looming disFulani herdsmen were swept engagement of workers of away by flood along their the privatised Power grazing route in Zungeru of Holding Company of Nigeria Wushishi Local Government (PHCN), the Federal Area of the state.

Government has assured that Eyewitness account said measures were being taken to Abubakar and Abdullahi had ensure that those affected got gone to farm before the their dues. downpour but were stuck in Minister of Power, the flood that took over the Professor Bath Nnaji who footpath to the farm. gave the assurance at the It was gathered that the weekend during a power farmers were found dead in a summit in Asaba, Delta State, neighbouring village about said the 25 percent pension

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herdsmen were overpowered by the flood, which hit them on a rock leading to their instant death.

Several houses, rice and sugarcane farms in Wuya Kede, Wuya Kanti, Batati and Muregi all in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state

were also swept away by floods.

The floods in these areas in Mokwa in the middle course of River Niger were often attributed to discharge of excess water from hydroelectric dams in the state.

PHCN privatisation: FG assures of full benefit to affected workers

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demand of the workers of the company for the period they were employed was unrealistic.

Wondering how the workers arrived at the 25 percent, Nnaji explained that the Federal Government had agreed to contribute 7.5 percent while the worker would contribute a counterpart of 7.5 percent as at the time the Pension Reform Act was adopted in 2004.

“There is the Pension Reform Act, 2004, that came into force on July 1, which

State police capable of destabilising Nigeria –NLC From NOAH Kaduna

EBIJE, suspended NUPENG strike, proposed introduction of 5,000 new naira note ice President, Nigeria explained that, “the ongoing Labour Congress debate for and against a state (NLC), Issa Aremu police was uncalled for, has called on Federal unhelpful and diversionary”.

According to him, “nationGovernment to disregard those calling for the establish- al policing is not divisible,” ment of state police, saying stressing that “it is that either that it is capable of destabiliz- we have police or not.”

“The debate should rather ing the nation.

Aremu said those be on how to make the Nigerians calling for state Nigeria police more effective. police were doing the country Since the appointment of no good under the current Mohammed Abubakar as the poor socio-economic condi- Inspector General of Police, tion, where most governors we have witnessed a new found it difficult to pay mini- activist policing.”

“The commendable dismum wages.

The NLC Boss, who mantling of police road addressed a press conference blocks has for instance helped yesterday on some vital to ensure free movement of national issues, including the goods and people in the coun-

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try’s highways. These are some of the new policy measures we must support.

There is also a commendable zero-tolerance to extortionist policing by the new Inspector General.

Any attempt to decentralize PanNigeria institution like the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) into state institution is unacceptable”.

“The next dangerous call may be for state armies with all the dangers for cooperate existence of Nigeria.

“Many state governors have no moral basis to maintain critical institutions like the police. Many of them have been proven not to manage any institution under them and therefore cannot manage a state police.”

stipulated that for all contributions that may have been made by the workers for their gratuity and pension, even though there is no accumulated money and the PHCN Pension Scheme is broke, the Federal Government has decided to pay,” he stated.

According to him, the government would be magnanimous to offset the 15 percent bill from July 2004 to the end of June 2012, claiming that the company’s Pension Scheme was broke.

The minister informed the summit about the accelerated pre-paid metering in the country, adding that the distribution companies would work with banks to ensure progress in the procurement and distribution of the meters.

“We have looked at the market settlement issues and how to work with Labour unions to make remarkable progress in the reform and privatisation.

We were able to work with our partners from the National Assembly in terms of coming to observe how we are working and taking decisions,” he told the summit.

Nnaji further assured that his ministry would in March 2013, fully implement the Automated Cadre System (ACS) intended to ensure that the system was automatically monitored to ascertain problem in a particular location.

10 DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

NEWS Jonathan, governors to declare NBA conference open today From’ GODWIN TSA Abuja

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resident Goodluck Jonathan will today lead six state governors to declare open the Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at the International Conference Centre Abuja.

The conference, which was earlier scheduled for Kaduna, was moved to Abuja owing to security concerns over security issues in the Northern parts of the country.

Already, lawyers have started arriving from different parts of the country. Investigations at many hotels visited in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja especially those around the Central Business District and the International Conference Centre (ICC) venue of the conference, showed that many were almost fully booked.

Sunday, August 26 and the following day are slated for the ceremony for the conference, with the theme: “Nigeria as an Emerging Market, Redefining our Laws and Politics for Growth.”

The NBA National Executive Council (NEC) is also meeting today to deal with issues about the conference and the two-year tenure of the present administration.

Keynote Speaker is His Lordship Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto.

Six state governors are also expected to engage in a debate on the issue, “True fiscal federalism in Nigeria, the way Forward.

Ex-militant leaders condemn attack on ‘General’ Lato’s camp ...Warn against impeaching Jonathan From: TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

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epresentatives of ex-generals of freedom fighters in the Niger Delta region have criticized last Saturday attack on General Lato’s Marine camp in Bakassi, Cross River State by security operatives.

The former militant leaders under the aegis of Leadership Forum for Niger Delta, had called for immediate withdrawal of security agents from his camp.

Also, they had warned the National Assembly to drop whatever plan to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan for non-implementation of 2012 budget.

The group also advised Nothern leaders to address the problem of Boko Haram, which had threatened the peace of the country to avoid reprisal attack.

They made the statements, at the weekend, while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

National President of the group, General Reuben Wilson from Bayelsa State, accompanied by other ‘generals’, Nwaeze Adiele(Abia State), Dankoro Alfred(Bayelsa), Robert Okabo(Edo), Opunama Andabafa(Delta), Amaechi Adibo(Imo), Oteda Masimifebi(Ondo) and J.P(Rivers), said the attack on Lato’s camp was uncalled for, adding that it had frustated their peace talk with him to surrender his arms and ammunition, and embrace amnesty.

General Wilson disclosed that Lato had accepted to formally surrender his weapons yesterday(Sunday), before security operatives stormed his camp, wondering what could be his fate and his men.

1,620 Niger Delta women graduate from skill development training From CHRIS ANUCHA, Port Harcourt

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ne thousand, six hundred and twenty women from Niger Delta yesterday graduated from skill development training. The training packaged for rural women in the region, and sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in conjunction with Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC).

At the end of the training programme, the graduands, who received money and equipment depending on each person’s area of skill acquisition, were believed to have been empowered to be self-reliant and to help in training others.

Speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Dr Christian Oboh, said since its inception, the Commission had taken steps to actualize its mandate of sustainable development in the region.

Oboh, who was represented at the occasion by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Dr Henrietta Ogan, said as part of the mandate, the current leadership of the Commission resolved to empower women in the Niger Delta, considering their vital role in the socio-economic development of the society.

R-L, Prof Barth Nnaji, Minister for Power, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Arc. Dairo Dickson Ishakwu during a two-day power summit with National Assembly members held at the Grand Hotels, Asaba, at the weekend.

Ijaw leaders hold crucial meeting, rally support for Jonathan

Chief Albert Horsfall in an grammes for the country.

From FEMI FOLARANMI, cism from some quarters and He said: “For a long time, development of the Ijaw interview, said the meeting Yenagoa

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jaw leaders and elders over the weekend held a crucial meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, with a resolution to rally support for the Jonathan Presidency.

The meeting held behind closed-doors was at the instance of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson and it lasted for over six hours. According to sources, critical issues bordering on the Jonathan Presidency in face of criti-

nation within Nigeria, were discussed.

Many of the leaders were said to have expressed displeasure with the former administration of former governor Timipre Sylva for not providing a rallying point for Ijaws to support President Goodluck Jonathan.

They commended Dickson for his new initiative to rally Ijaws behind Jonathan in the implementation of his transformation programme in the country.

deliberated on issues that affected the Ijaw nation and took a common position.

“We discussed security, political issues, peace and progress of this country, but particularly, how this affects the Ijaw people who are scattered in various states throughout the country”.

According to the Alabo Graham Douglas, the ijaws had desired a common platform to articulate their thoughts and support Jonathan, an Ijaw, in his pro-

Group calls for sanction against AGIP …Over alleged subversion of local content act From PAUL Asaba

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OSUYI, the activities of the company.

n oil exploration monitoring group, Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC) has called for sanctions against Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) over alleged subversion of the Local Content Act. The group in a statement, claimed that Agip Oil was not encouraging local contractors after two years since the Local Content Act was signed into law President Goodluck Jonathan.

The statement signed by its president, Nelly Emma; Secretary, John Sailor; and Public Relations Officer, Mukoro Stanley, insisted that the management of Agip Oil was bent on frustrating the full implementation of the act.

It claimed that the company was not serving the interest of the Niger Delta people in particular and Nigerians in general, and called on the Federal Government to check

According to the group, many indigenous oil servicing companies in the region have demonstrated their commitment to make the act work, but lamented that the servicing companies were not being encouraged, a situation the group further claimed, was unacceptable.

“The time has come for the

Petroleum Minister to read the riot act to the Agip management,” the statement read, explaining that the Local Content Act was a boost to local participation in the oil sector.

NDIMRC affirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure that those attempting to derail the implementation of the act were exposed and flushed out of the system.

the Ijaws have desired such a forum to propel the people to the next level who had by several endeavours, got a president in the country, who must be supported from the home base; and to give this support, there must be a united endeavour from all concerned”.

Also speaking, first governor of Bayelsa, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha rued the dislocation that occurred during the administration of Sylva, stressing that the Ijaw nation was pleased that they had a focused leader in the person of Dickson.

His words: “One major responsibility of a leader is to make sure that those taking over from you are credible people and have the capacity to continue with your programmes. There was a dislocation, but I am glad to say that with the coming into office by Governor Dickson, I am pleased and the whole Ijaw nation is pleased that we have gotten a focused leader who will take the Ijaw nation to the next level”.

Kidnappers free Isoko leader OSUYI, leader but did not give details.

The gunmen had stormed idnappers in Delta the victim’s residence and State on Saturday night whisked him away to freed the President- unknown destination as he General of Isoko Developing was about entering his car.

Union (IDU), Mr. Gregory Akpojene’s home in Akpojene who was abducted Otor-Igho is few minutes last Wednesday by seven gunmen in his home-town, drive to Owhelogbo where Otor-Igho, Isoko North Mr. Markson Macaulay, the 28-year-old son of the Council Area.

Secretary General of Secretary to Delta State IDU, Julius Mallam-Obi Government, Ovuozorie confirmed the release of the Macaulay, was kidnapped Isoko ethnic nationality in June.

From PAUL Asaba

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But the abduction of the IDU president received condemnation from prominent Isoko natives who also expressed worries over the growing rate of insecurity in the area.

A former chairman of Isoko South Council, Mr. Iduh Amadhe attributed the growing trend of kidnapping to the actions of overambitious politicians and called on the government to do something urgent to protect lives and property of the citizenry.

DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012, 11

SOUTH EAST Woman arrested for child theft From GODDY OSUJI, Abakaliki

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he police in Ebonyi State have arrested a middle-aged woman, Elizabeth of Umoru village in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state for allegedly stealing and selling his nephew, Favour, who suddenly disappeared in July 2012.

Also arrested in connection with the crime was Izuchuchukwu from Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, who it was alleged, made the necessary contacts for the deal through Elizabeth to the actual buyer, Nkiruka, who bought the child for N100, 000.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Sylvester Igbo, who confirmed the deal, said: “Nkiruka escaped when she got wind of the matter after long arguments over the ownership of the child. This was after the father of the child, Mr. Aloysius identified the clothes of his son.”

Igbo revealed that the command was, however, able to unravel the mystery based on the information received that the boy was last seen with the suspect, who sold him at Awka, Anambra State.

According to him, “when the parents of the missing child were looking for the child, the suspect was also worried and joined in the search for the child until the information leaked that the child was seen with this very woman, who was pretending as if she did not know anything about the missing child. It was when she was interrogated by the police under intense pressure that she confessed .”

The police image maker appealed to members of the public to always volunteer useful information to enable the police to carry out their duty, promising that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Aloysius said: “On July 17 when I returned from work, I was told that my son had not been seen, I waited till 3p.m.When I did not see him, I had to go to Ohaukwu Police Divisional Headquarters at Ezzamgbo to make an entry report. The police, through their investigation helped in unraveling the situation and arrested my sister.”

Dana crash: Family accuses airline of mass murder From PETRUS OBI, Enugu

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emains of Dana crash victim, Dr. Ike Abugu, were yesterday interred in his hometown, Umuida, Enugu-Ezike in Igbo-Eze North Council Area of Enugu State just as the family blamed the airline of mass murder.

The family, in one of the emotion-laden speeches at the occasion accused Dana Airline of committing a deliberate mass murder of the 153 victims of the tragic mishap.

Mr. Emma Abugu, who presented a tribute on behalf of the family also blamed the incident on what he called “systemic rot and entrenched corruption in almost every facet of our national life. Our hearts are heavy and our shock deep and penetrating,” he said.

Representatives of the presidency, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations, members of the National Assembly, other professional groups and the clergy were among groups that attended the burial and called for a total overhaul of the nation’s policy on air safety.

President of Nsukka Professionals’ Group, Lagos, Dr. Basil Onugu, lamented the demise of the air crash victim who he described as one of the life wires of his group.

As professional bodies and individuals took their turns to announce willingness to cater for the welfare of the young family left behind by Abugu, the Federal Institute for Industrial Research (FIIR), Oshodi, Lagos, announced an offer of automatic employment to the widow of the deceased, Uzoamaka.

The late Abugu was a two-term president and chairman of the council of NASME till 2011; a member of the board of SMEDAN; chairman, National Sub-committee on Commerce and Industry; member, National Policy Committee on Appropriate Technology for Empowering the SMEs; board member, Abuja Enterprises Agency set up by the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority and governing council member, Enterprises Development Centre of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), among others.

Trained in Moscow from his first degree to doctorate in Metallurgical Engineering, the late Abugu enjoyed the Federal Government and later the Russian scholarships in view of his excellent academic endowments.

Since his return from Moscow in 1993, he busied himself with an uncommon crusading spirit to regenerate the nation’s economy through the development of productive enterprises.

Senator Ayogu Eze, who represents the Enugu North in the Senate was among the politicians who graced the occasion at Umuida alongside Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu, Chief Vita Abba, former governorship candidate during the 2011 election, Okey Ezea of the Labour Party (LP).

• A four storey building with 14 flats and three shops underconstruction at number 22 Nnewi Street, in Onitsha after it collapsed last Saturday.

Soldiers arrest 6 persons over kidnap of 3-yr-old boy in Aba OKEY SAMPSON, ness at 8 p.m.

Based on the information, the gang leader was traced to oldiers at the Ngwa High their house but could not be School, Aba Forward found and after investigation Operation Base (FOB) by the villagers, it was estabof the 144 Battalion of the lished that he was the one Nigerian Army, have arrested who led the team and this six persons, including four prompted the matter to be women and two men, over reported to soldiers in Aba. Leading his men, the offithe kidnap of three-year-old boy at Egbelu Mbutu, near cer-in-charge of the Ngwa High School FOB, Captain Aba. The six suspects were Chris Nwogu was said to arrested at different locations have swung into action.

The soldiers traced Adamu in Aba, Abia State; Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi all in to Aba where he was arrested.

He allegedly revealed how Anambra State.

Daily Sun gathered that on June 3, three kidnappers, who rode on a motorbike had at about 8.20 p.m. stormed the home of an elderly woman From EMMANUEL UZOR, whose name was given as Onitsha Onyidiya at Egbelu Mbutu in five-man gang of armed Isiala Ngwa South Local robbers have murdered Government. a 23-year-old, The gang, led by one Chijioke, aka Adamu, who Francesca Ngozi Okoli, in hailed from Amapu Umuba Awka-Etiti, Idemili South in Isiala Ngwa North Local Local Government Area of Government Area, allegedly Anambra State for resisting broke into the house of the being gang raped.

Daily Sun gathered that the woman where one of them gang invaded the quiet town reportedly wrestled her to the ground before the others went where they had a field day into the inner room where the robbing and raping young boy, Chimechefulam, was ladies unchallenged by the police or the local vigilance sleeping.

The kidnappers tied the group always stationed at the boy with his grandmother’s entrance of the community.

The deceased, it was gathwrapper before they escaped ered, was gruesomely tortured with him to an unknown desand murdered by the gang for tination.

Immediately the bandits allegedly resisting their ferofled, the grandmother raised cious attempts to gang-rape the alarm, which attracted her before her parents.

The robbery gang, who people within the vicinity and a search party was promptly were said to have stormed the premises around 4.30 a.m. on formed.

It was in the course of the fateful day was armed with searching for the boy that a shot guns, cutlasses, cudgels villager provided information and other dangerous weapons that he overheard someone with which they broke the telling Adamu in the after- doors of the small bungalow noon of the fateful day that he where the victims were residshould remember their busi- ing.

The Anambra State Police

From Aba

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his gang abducted the boy and took him to a woman in Onitsha.

Daily Sun also gathered that the woman at Onitsha, in a bid to get a buyer for the boy, transferred him to another woman in Awka, the Anambra State capital and from there, a buyer, a man said to be in his 70s was found at Nnewi.

The boy was finally sold for N200, 000 to the septuagenarian in Nnewi who claimed he was involved in the act because he was childless and needed a boy who he

could live with and train.

Six persons, including four women so far identified to have played one role or the other in the kidnap and subsequently in the sale of Chimechefulam had been arrested while the boy was rescued last week at Nnewi.

When Daily Sun visited the army base in Aba, the officerin-charge was said to be away on official duty, but an army source confirmed the incident, saying the boy had been re-united with his parents while investigation continued.

How girl, 23, was killed for resisting rape

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Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ralph Uzoigwe, confirmed the incident and said investigations were ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of the deceased and possible arrest of the assailants.

Narrating their ordeal, parents of Francisca, Mr and Mrs George Okoli, said they were shocked beyond imagination at the incident and could not explain the reason behind the attack and eventual killing of their daughter.

According to the father, a mason by profession, the hoodlums broke into their house at about 4.30a.m. on the fateful day, searched the rooms after they had taken their money and valuables before dragging her late daughter to a nearby detached room beside the bungalow where they wanted to gang rape her.

Okoli further said his attempt to save his daughter from the hoodlums failed when the robbers gave him the beating of his life and chased him out of the small room where he saw them tearing the dress and underwear of his

daughter in a bid to rape her.

In the process, her daughter beckoned on him and invoked the mercy of God and anybody that could save her even though she posed a strong resistance against their move.

Angered by her continued resistance, Okoli said, the robbers made good their threat to kill her by hitting the butt of a rifle on her head, neck and waist, adding that they were totally helpless hearing their daughter’s cry in the hands of the armed robbers.

“I could not do anything because they locked us inside one room and one of them was at the door threatening to kill us if we open the door. My wife and the little children you see here were all afraid and shivering and at a point they beat my wife mercilessly when she wanted to react.”

Okoli said due to the shock and fear which overwhelmed him and his entire family, they resigned to fate until about 6.30am after the robbers had left only to discover that their daughter had been killed with bruises all over her body, her head smashed with clubs just as blood oozed out from her.

12 DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

SOUTH WEST PDP chief condemns attack on Okupe

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hieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Otunba Kola Akinyemi (Tonight) has condemned the attack by leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on the newly appointed Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the president, Dr. Doyin Okupe.

Otunba Akinyemi in a statement in Sagamu wondered why the ACN leaders always believed that they had monopoly of wisdom and were the only group of people who knew how to criticize.

According to him, the appointment of Dr. Okupe was one of the best decisions by President Jonathan, adding that the senior special assistant was a well exposed, urbane and intelligent personality, who would contribute to the success of the administration.

“The constant attack on Dr. Okupe and President Jonathan in newspapers is most unwarranted and ungodly. Why do the ACN leaders always love to cause crisis when non-exist?” he querred.

Otunba Akinyemi averred further that, Dr. Okupe was not the only medical doctor to be given political appointment, stressing that medical practitioners like Dr. Olusola Saraki, Dr. Chris Ngige, Dr. Jubril Aminu, Dr. Olikoye Ransome Kuti and Dr. Olorunnibe Mamora had in the past occupied politial position.

The PDP chief maintained that there was nothing wrong in appointing credible people like Dr. Okupe into political position, arguing that the Ogun State born politician was a tested hand in public affairs.

Cleric advocates death penalty for corruption From GBENGA ADESUYI, Ibadan

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orried by the high level of corruption in all sectors of the nation’s economy, a cleric, Most Apostle Solomon Adegboyega Alao has advocated death penalty for offenders.

Alao, who is the Grand Patron of the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church in Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, said death penalty would go a long way in checkmating corruption in the country.

While speaking on the occasion of the 6th annual convention of C and S Church at the district headquarters of the state chapter of the Unification Church in Nigeria, Ibadan over the weekend, Apostle Alao said corruption should carry stiffer penalties like in China and other countries, adding that corruption is against God’s injunctions in all its ramifications.

He lamented that bribery and corruption had continued to gain acceptability in country Nigeria while its virus was spreading at alarming rate to the various sections of the nation’s economy.

He said: “A serious disease require an unusual treatment. Government itself has been fertilizing corruption in this country especially in the civil service with some of its fiscal policies. Those incriminated in the Police Pension Fund saga should not only be jailed, but all their assets should be seized. In addition, Government should make asset declaration for public office holders compulsory on assumption of office and immediately on leaving the

Osun inaugurates 8, 000 calisthenics students

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overnor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun is set to inaugurate 8, 000 students drawn from the state’s schools who have been trained in calisthenics.

The event, which would take place at the Osogbo Township Stadium, the state capital, would crown weeks of intensive trainings aimed at producing a new generation of calisthenics experts.

A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy in the office of the governor, Semiu Okanlawon, said the programme was conceived by the administration of Aregbesola not only as an out-of-school activity but also a life-style changing project to enhance the emergence of a new generation of students who were physically fit, mentally sound and socially responsible and well-adjusted.

“The first phase of the scheme to be launched on Tuesday at the state capital comprises 8,000 students and 60 local trainers under the training of 2 Cuban calisthenics experts, Francis Rodriguez and Raiza Guerra.

“All the students in this scheme have been drawn from Junior Secondary School One to Junior Secondary School Two,” the statement explained.

The statement also recalled that similar programmes had been put up under the administrations of the late Chief Bola Ige in the old Oyo State and Chief Bisi Akande as governor of Osun. The scheme was tagged: Young Pioneers, then.”

L-R: Eminent lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, Owa of Ogbagi Akoko, Oba Victor Adetona, Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, at a meeting between Alaafin and Yoruba Conflict Resolution Committee on Yoruba Unity at Alaafin’s Palace, Oyo town at the weekend.

Fayemi threatens to sue NULGE ...Over allegation of deduction from LG funds From CHARLES ADEG- record of his administration the allegation.

BITE, Ado-Ekiti The Chairman and consequently issued a

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kiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has threatened to sue the leadership of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) over the allegation that he withdraws N1 billion monthly from local government purse.

Describing the allegation as wicked and malicious, Fayemi said it was a calculated attempt to smear his image, reputation and good

seven-day ultimatum for the NULGE to withdraw the allegation or face court action.

Fayemi was reacting to a publication in a national daily on Saturday, where it was alleged that the governor was allegedly deducting N1 billion from the 16 local governments monthly In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode and made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Fayemi said there was no iota of truth in

of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ekiti State chapter, Rotimi Ajidara at a press conference in Ado Ekiti yeaterday, said the Fayemi-led administration was not tampering with the money accruing into the local government purse from Federal Account Allocation of Fund Committee (FAAC).

According to Ajidara, “I wish to note that the bone of contention between NULGE and local government admin-

Agunloye blows hot, as Ondo ACN members join LPOctober 20 election. We are

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ormer Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Dr. Olu Agunloye at the weekend berated leaders of the ACN. He described them as people who want to control the destiny of the state.

Agunloye had defected to the Labour Party because of what he called lack of internal democracy in picking its standard bearer for the coming governorship election in the state.

He said Ondo people wanted a government that would take care of the masses and not one that would use the state’s resources to develop other states.

Agunloye made the submission in Idanre at the official defection ceremony of top ACN members in the town. The defectors were members of the former minister’s Omoluabi Group being the major group in the ACN. Insisting that the Labour Party’ standard bearer in the October 20 governorship election, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, would sweep the polls, Agunloye said there was no consideration for any

foreigner in the coming election neither would the people give in to the dictate of one man.

“We are no foreigners, Ondo people are not DSTV or video player that is remote controlled. We want a government that will take care of the masses without using the state’s money to develop another state.

“Our aim is to win the

winning the election and we are winning well,” Agunloye said.

Agunloye charged the defectors to ensure that they do all within their limit to ensure that they cast their vote for the Labour Party and also guide it, assuring them that there shall not be preferential treatment against them in the Labour Party.

istration is the payment of the minimum wage and CONHESS/CONMESS salary to workers.

It is the legitimate right of trade unions, to agitate for the welfare of its members, but the activities of NULGE leadership in Ekiti State, border on brigandage and criminality.

“Therefore for the purpose of record, it is important to state unequivocally that at no time did the governor order the deduction of N1billion from the allocations meant for the councils as alleged by NULGE and orchestrated by some political charlatans in the dubious attempt to score cheap political point.

“As a matter of fact, a simple breakdown of the monthly allocations to Ekiti State and the 16 councils shows that it is practically impossible to deduct N1billion from the councils’ allocation.

“It is quite ridiculous for anyone to claim that N1 billion is deducted from the councils’ allocation giving the fact that what is accrued to the 16 local government areas are usually pre-distributed at the Federation Account Allocation Committee based on some sharing indices.”

No nation can develop, prosper in atmosphere of insecurity –Aregbesola

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o nation can develop and continue to prosper in an atmosphere of insecurity and breakdown of law and order.

This was the theme of an address delivered at the weekend in Osogbo by Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the 10th year anniversary of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC).

He said constant prayer was in harmony with the dictate of God for people to promote peace in their communities.

He averred that fervent prayer for the state and the entire country was one of the cardinal objectives with which the government closely identified.

The governor lamented that in several parts of the country, incidents of violence and deaths were on the rise, which posed severe threat to national peace and security.

According to him, the country was bedevilled with multifarious socio-economic challenges such as gross insecurity, violence and terrorism

as well as corruption in high and low places.

“Our country is passing through a particularly difficult time and facing challenges that constitute direct affront to its existence as a nation.

“Violence and terrorism, corruption especially the recent revelation of fuel subsidy scam of almost a trillion naira and pensions running into hundreds of billions, seems to have overwhelmed the government at the top,” Aregbesola said.

DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012, 13

AREWA Dangote canvasses local investments to lift Nigeria’s economy

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lhaji Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group and a member of the National Economic Management Team, has urged Nigerian businessmen to invest in the country and delve into manufacturing to reduce unemployment and poverty among the people.

Also, investing in the local economy, according to him, would help in reducing inflation, which had reduced the purchasing power of Nigerians.

Speaking at an investment Forum in London, the foremost entrepreneur challenged Nigerians to look inward and invest, saying opportunities abound within the national economy for investment to thrive better than many foreign countries.

Besides, doing so would not only stimulate the economy by adding to the number of jobs created but it would also yield good returns on investments, pointing out that the destiny of Nigeria as a country was in the hands of Nigerians themselves.

Dangote noted that the government of President Goodluck Jonathan was very desirous to see as many Nigerians embracing the ongoing economic transformation agenda of the administration and put efforts together to lift Nigeria’s economy through investments in manufacturing.

He stated that the manufacturing sector held the key to any meaningful economic development if Nigeria was to be ranked among the top 20 economies of the World in 2020 (Vision -20:2020) as being targeted by the Federal Government.

Said he: “The manufacturing sector is critical to the actualization of this vision. It is one of the most powerful engines for economic growth as it acts as a catalyst to transform the economic structure of a nation.”

Dangote said manufacturing had one of the highest multiplier effects on indirect employment generation and urged government at various levels to see to the provision of infrastructure to ease the burden on businesses and serve as incentives to investors.

He said his business conglomerate had put in place and would not deviate from its growth strategy of organic expansion and development of Greenfield projects to make Nigeria net exporter of basic products to save her foreign earnings.

In doing this, he disclosed that Dangote Industries Limited would extend its policy of import substitution to cover other sectors such as sugar, wheat and salt by investing in production to meet consumption needs and export purposes, thereby removing the country from the list of importers of the commodities.

The move, though would be fraught with challenges, he explained, but with the right government policies in place, the basic products could be produced to local taste and improved upon with time for export later.

Sultan advocates right institutional framework in teaching future Ulama From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin

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he Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II yesterday in Ilorin, advocated for the entrenchment of right Islamic teaching framework by Muslims to curb the growing social upheaval in the country.

Sultan Abubakar who made the call in his address at the international conference on the “Life and work of Shaykh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory 1917-1999,” organised by the Department of Religions University of Ilorin, urged Muslims to remain united irrespective of their ethnic groups to achieve excellence and development among the Ummah.

According to him, “it is only by coming together that Muslims will be able to overcome their challenges and move to greater height.”

He said muslims should to preserve the work of intellectual scholars to spread knowledge which would assist in solving problems that could emerge in their domains.

The Sultan explained that Islam is predicated on knowledge in an Islamic society, adding that muslims should always try to put in place a society that thrives on education for development.

He urged Muslims to always ensure that the work of Muslim scholars were consciously preserved for use of the younger generation.

The monarch admonished Muslims to learn from the work of eminent Islamic scholars, so that they would use their wisdom in solving their contemporary problems.

He said the programme being organised on Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory was a welcome development in the Islamic community.

He noted that Sheikh Adam had been able to demonstrate his support for the development of islamic education through the establishment of his Arabic school “Markaz” in Abeokuta and Lagos State.

While declaring open the international work conference the Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Cooperative, Alhaji Muhammad Raji said Sheikh Adam AlIlory had contributed immensely to the development of Islam.

•Nigeria Customs Service, North-East Marine Headquarters in Jimeta, submerged by flood following the release of water from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon yesterday.

Flood ravages 125 communities in Adamawa Agency, From DAVID MOLOMO, Management NEMA. Daniel said the Yola SEMA would approach the o fewer than, 125 NEMA for the purpose of communities mainly ameliorating the victims’ sufin the riverine areas ferings.

Flood disaster has become were ravaged by flood in eight local government areas a perennial phenomenon in of Adamawa State last week. the state during rainy season The Executive Secretary of coupled with the release of State Emergency water from Lagdo Dam in Management Agency, The Cameron Republic in SEMA, Shadrach Daniel who Central Africa because it confirmed the flood disaster said many houses were submerged by the flood.

Mr Daniel told Daily Sun that the local government areas affected included o fewer than 100 Numan Yola South, Yola houses and 146 farms North, Madagali, Guyuk, had been destroyed Lamurde, Demsa and Future.

According to him, paliative by flood in Kofa and Tofani measure was being done villages in Kusada Local before the intervention of the Government Area of Katsina National Emergency State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

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often overflow beyond its capacity.

A number of victims interviewed by Daily Sun in Yola North appealed to the government and other spirited individuals as well as corporate organizations to come to the aid of the victims.

Hajiya Mamuna, a mother of six told Daily Sun that throughout of her 15years of marriage, the family had

never experienced such a disaster, where the family’s house was submerged by water in the night last Saturday, while a lot of the family property overtaken by the heavy downpour.

Hajiya Mamuna Maigadi urged the government to assist the victims as a matter of urgency in view of the adverse effect of the flood disaster.

...8 persons injured, 100 houses,146 farms destroyed

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NAN also gathered that eight persons sustained injuries during the flood which occurred last Friday in the two villages.

The injured persons were said to be receiving treatment at various hospitals including Katsina General Hospital and

Drunkenness of corps members attracts outward dismissal –Commandant-general From MARIAM ALESHIN- tolerate misapplication, misuse of weapons. The issues of LOYE AGBOOLA, Jos stray bullet or accidental disommandant-General charge are not in our dictionNigeria Security and ary. You must be prayerful,” Civil Defense Corps, Dr he warned.

He reminded the corps that Ade Abolurin has warned the armed squad of the corps that the arms must strictly be used any act of drunkenness would for the maintenance of peace and security. attract outright dismissal.

The commandant who was In his message to the passing out parade of the second represented by Commander batch of the armed squad held Ahmed Abubakar Audi said at the Nigerian Prison Service the Commandant-general was state command headquarters aware of problems the comin Jos, Abolurin said that car- mand in Jos was going rying of arms by the corps has through and because the complaced extra responsibility on mand had remained resolute the members and any act of and it was forging ahead, over-zealousness would not everything possible would bee done to reduce the challenges be condoned.

“Do not be overzealous to the barest minimum.

Plateau State Governor, because it kills. You need to be careful, as the force would not Jonah Jang who was repre-

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sented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Shedrack Best, urged the graduating corps members to use their knowledge acquired in fighting terrorism and in maintaining security in areas they were posted to.

While urging them to operate within the orbit of their mandate, he said the state government had already entered into dialogue with their officials in a bid to find a lasting solution to the problems bedeviling their operations in Plateau.

Commandant of the Corps in Plateau, Desmond Agu had in his welcoming address, requested for the provision of five Hilux patrol vehicles and the renovation and fencing of their defunct NRC secretariat.

Kankia Hospital, with three treated and discharged.

The flood was said to have destroyed 85 houses and 95 farms in Kofa village and 15 houses and 51 farms in Tofani village.

The victims were said to be squatting with their neighbours in the affected villages.

When contacted, Alhaji Mansur Murnai, the Caretaker Chairman of the local government, confirmed the incident, describing it as a “calamity”.

“Shortly after the flood, we visited the affected villages to sympathise with the victims.

“The local council has set up a 12-man committee to assess the magnitude of the disaster,” Murnai told NAN on Sunday in Kusada, Katsina State.

Murnai said that the council would soon donate relief materials to the victims and advised the victims to consider the flood as “an act of God’’.

NAN recalls that in a separate incident, flood destroyed 1,400 houses, killed 150 animals and rendered many families homeless in Mai’adua Local Government Area of the state.

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DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

Foreign Affairs Angola deports 37 Chinese for kidnapping, robberies

Nigerian gets death sentence for drug trafficking in Malaysia

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Malaysian court yesterday sentenced a Nigerian man to death after convicting him of trafficking more than 14 kilos (31 pounds) of marijuana over the land border with Thailand, a report said.

The court said there was little doubt Moses Chinedu Nwosu, 50, was guilty of the crime punishable with death by hanging after the drugs were seized from him on the night of March 25 last year, Bernama news agency said. The man's lawyer could not be reached for comment.

The accused testified the drugs carried in a black bag belonged to another man he was travelling with from the Thai border to the northern Malaysian town of Alor Setar, Bernama said citing the judgment. "However, according to a witness, Moses was seen carrying the black bag... and its key was found in his pocket," the judge said.

The court decision is the latest in a clampdown by Malaysian authorities on alleged foreign drug traffickers. A Kuala Lumpur court charged 10 Iranians, an Uzbek and a local with trafficking methamphetamine last week.

36 killed as bus collides with tanker in China

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double-decker bus rammed into a tanker loaded with highly flammable methanol on a northern Chinese highway on Sunday, causing both vehicles to burst into flames and killing 36 people, state media said.

The official Xinhua News Agency said 39 people were on the long-distance sleeper bus when it crashed and only three survived. It said the survivors were hospitalized, but didn't describe their condition. The tanker had just returned to the highway after a rest stop when it was apparently rear-ended by the bus at around 2:40 a.m. close to the city of Yan'an in Shaanxi province, the official China News website said.

The bus had left Hohhot in Inner Mongolia and was headed south to Xi'an city, it said. Xinhua photos showed the charred metal skeleton of the bus rammed up against the back of the tanker.

An official with the local Communist Party propaganda bureau in Yan'an confirmed that the crash occurred but was unable to give details and was unsure of the death toll.

Syrian VP surfaces in Damascus after defection claims

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day after more than 440 bodies were recovered, the highest single-day death toll to date in the nation's civil war at least 90 more people were found dead in Syria yesterday.

New video shows Syrian Vice President Farouq al-Sharaa in Damascus holding an official meeting in the capital, despite reports this month that he had defected. The video, distributed by Reuters, showed al-Sharaa meeting with a top Iranian official, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, who according to Syrian state media arrived in Damascus at the weekend.

Iran's state-run Press TV also reported that al-Sharaa had met with an Iranian official "amid anti-Assad TV's defection rumors." More than a week ago, a spokesman for the rebel Free Syrian Army said al-Sharaa had fled the regime.

Syrian state-run TV, at the time, did not explicitly say whether al-Sharaa had defected, but reported that the vice president's office issued a statement saying al-Sharaa "has never at any moment thought of leaving the homeland to whatever direction."

EU condemns Gambia executions

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he European Union yesterday called on Gambia to stop executing death row inmates, and said the bloc would come up with a quick but unspecified response.

Gambia, in West Africa, had declined on Friday to confirm or deny an Amnesty International report saying that nine of its 47 death row inmates had been killed overnight on Thursday. President Yahya Jammeh said in a speech last Monday that he planned to execute all of the country's death row inmates by mid-September.

"I strongly condemn the executions which have reportedly taken place on Thursday 23 August 2012, following President Jammeh's stated intention to carry out all death penalties before mid-September," EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement. "I demand the immediate halt of the executions."

The European Union has previously condemned death sentences passed in Gambia, but yesterday's statement went further by indicating that action might follow.

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ngola has extradited 37 Chinese nationals, accused of extortion, kidnappings, armed robberies and running prostitution rings.

They allegedly targeted other Chinese, kidnapping businessmen for ransom and sometimes burying victims alive.

They lured women to Angola, promising well-paid jobs, but then forced them into prostitution, Chinese police said.

Tens of thousands of Chinese live in Angola, and Chinese state-run firms have large interests in the country. China's Ministry of Public Security said a special police team was sent to Angola in July to help investigate criminal gangs.

The ministry said the officers had helped their Angolan counterparts break up 12 gangs and free 14 victims, most of whom were thought to be women forced to work as prostitutes. The 37 suspects arrived at Beijing airport in handcuffs with balaclavas covering their faces. They are due to be tried in China.

Mineral-rich Angola is China's biggest trading partner in Africa, with some $24.8bn (£15.7bn) in 2010. Commercial opportunities have attracted private businesses and state-run firms. But according to Chinese media, crime had begun to seriously affect operations in the country.

China Police, a website run by the ministry, published an article documenting 14 kidnappings during 2011 in which five • Hooded and hand-cuffed suspects are escorted to get victims were killed. The article said Chinese business owners off a plane after arriving in Beijing at the weekend. The had moved away from the capital Luanda, while others had hired private security guards and bought bullet-proof cars. suspects will now face trial in China. Photo:BBC

Togo women call for week-long sex strike to unseat President Gnassingbe

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he female wing of a civil rights group is urging women in Togo to stage a week-long sex strike to demand the resignation of the country's president.

Women are being asked to start withholding sex from their husbands or partners as of Monday (today), said Isabelle Ameganvi, leader of the women's wing of the group Let's Save Togo. She said the strike will put pressure on Togo's men to take action against President Faure Gnassingbe.

Ameganvi, a lawyer, told The Associated Press that her group is following the example of Liberia's women, who used a sex strike in 2003 to campaign for peace. "We have many means to oblige men to understand what women want in Togo," Ameganvi said.

The sex strike was announced at a rally Saturday of several thousand in the capital city, Lome. The demonstration was organized by a coalition that is protesting recent electoral reforms

• Gnassingbe

which they say will make it easier for Gnassingbe to win reelection in the polls set for October.

Gnassingbe came to power in 2005, following the death of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled the West African country for 38 years.

Gnassingbe has not commented on the sex strike, nor has his wife. Earlier this month, two anti-Gnassingbe protests were dispersed by police using tear gas and more than 100 people were arrested.

At Saturday's rally, which ended peacefully, Jean-Pierre Fabre, leader of the National Alliance for Change opposition party, called for Gnassingbe's resignation.

Other opposition leaders called for civil disobedience.

But it is the sex strike that has people talking in this small country of 7 million people. "It's a good thing for us women to observe this sex strike as long as our children are in jail now. I believe that by observing this, we will get

them released," Abla Tamekloe said. "For me, it's like fasting, and unless you fast, you will not get what you want from God." When asked if her husband would agree, Tamekloe said: "It is easy for me to observe it. I am used to it, but I am not sure my husband will accept, but I have to explain to him."

Another Togolese woman said she supports the sex strike, but she does not know if she can carry it out for a full week.

Obama leads tributes to Armstrong, first man on Moon

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nited States President Barack Obama has led tributes to astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man on the Moon, who died on Saturday at the age of 82.

Mr Obama said on his Twitter feed: "Neil Armstrong was a hero not just of his time, but of all time."

Hundreds of millions watched Armstrong land on the Moon on 20 July 1969 and describe it as: "One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." The line became one of the most famous quotes of the 20th Century.

Born in 1930 and raised in Ohio, Armstrong took his first flight aged six with his father and formed a lifelong passion for flying. He flew Navy fighter jets during the Korean War in the 1950s, and joined the US space programme in 1962.

Correspondents said Armstrong remained modest and never allowed himself to be caught up in the glamour of space exploration. "I am, and ever will be, a whitesocks, pocket-protector, nerdy engineer," he said in February 2000 in a rare public appearance.

Armstrong's family con-

• Armstrong

firmed his death in a statement on Saturday, saying he had died from complications after surgery to relieve four blocked coronary arteries.

The family statement praised him as a "reluctant American hero" and urged his fans to honour his example of "service, accomplishment and modesty".

DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012,

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Foreign Affairs

Bakassi, 45 days to go

By EMMA EMEOZOR

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igerians are angry! They are angry because 45 days from today, a local government of Nigeria – Bakassi will officially fall under the jurisdiction of Cameroon.

But the anger of the people including the indigenes of Bakassi is exacerbated by reports that Nigeria lost the peninsula to Cameroon due to failure of state policy.

Thus the wind of agitation swelling across the country has put the government at a cross-road. As it is, the government is confronted with the problem of what appropriate action to take to avoid blood shared.

Nigeria has two options to consider. The first and of course unpopular option of abiding by the ruling of the International Court of Justice. The second and of course popular option of calling to call for the review of the judgement and or the Green Tree Agreement with a view to respecting the wish of the Bakassi people in particular and Nigerians in general.

The beginning of the journey of Bakassi Peninsula is traced to the Marou Agreement signed between former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon and former Cameroonian President Ahmadou Ahidjo. That agrrement tacitly ceded the peninsula to Cameroon.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo would later oversee the end of the journey following the verdict of the International Court of Justice in the Hague and the consequent signing of the Green Tree Agreement by he (Obasanjo) and Cameroonian President Paul Biya in New York in 199…

The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs organized a brainstorming session to analyse the implications of the looming danger for Nigeria.

The venue of the event, the Bolaji Akinyemi Auditorium of the institute was not only packed-full but the atmosphere was tension-soaked from the beginning to the end of the session, bringing to fore the degree of pains and anger of the people. The pacifist approach of the Chairperson of the ocassion, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemidid little to douse the tension that filled the hall.

Akinyemi started with “Lead Us Not Into Temptation,” expressing concern that “the brewing crisis over the Bakassi Peninsular has all the potential of brewqing “NigeriaCameroon Kashmir” if care is not taken.

He was blunt when he told participants including the paramount ruler of Bakassi His Royal Highness Etinyin Etim Okon Edet that he “accept the view that the acceptance of the judgement of the Court and the handing over of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon were not only acts of indecent haste, the handing over without an act of the National Assembly was itself an act of illegality and unconstitutionality.”

Apparently, Akinyemi hit the nail on the head as his thinking was echoed repeatedly by all discussants in their position papers. Interestingly, there was no previous meeting between Akinyemi and the discussants who were drawn from across the country.

Beyond Akinyemi’s prayer for peace was his revelation that while serving as the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, following expert study of the Bakassi situation, the institute “advised the Head od State that irrespective of what it took, Nigeria must never, never allow Bakassi issue to be taken to a court of law. We were that blunt as to tell the Head of State that if Nigeria went to court, we would lose.”

Continuing, Akinyemi said, “this advice was given to every Head of State namely, President Shehu Shagari, General Mohammed Buhari, and General Ibrahim Babaginda, and they accepted this advice.”

Akinyemi believes that if Nigeria had not entered appearance at court in response to the suit filed by Cameroon, “it should have been regarded as a hostile act on the part of Cameroon to have taken Nigeria to the World Court.”

The Green Tree Agreement gave the Bakassi indigenes three options: (a) Remain in Bakassi and become Cameroonian citizens, (b): Remain in Bakassi, retain their Nigerian citizenship, but live like immigrants and (c) Retain Nigerian citizenship and relocate to Nigeria.

On the surface, the three options look attractive. But an indepth analysis would reveal the constraints they put on the Bakassi people. No wonder the Governor of Cross River State Senator Liyel Imoke could not hide his disgust for the Green Tree Agreement. Cross River is home to the Bakassi people.

While noting that the agreement “may have been made with the best of intention,” Imoke observed that in putting in place the agreement, “some of the greatest atrocities or mistakes in the world were committed, some in honest error, with the best of intentions.”

He was emphatic when he said , “However well intentioned the ICJ judgment and the Green Tree Agreement may have been, they have produced untold hardship and difficult and unintended outcomes “In the ICJ judgment, for the first time, an organ of the

• Jonathan

United Nations set up the foundation for people to be uprooted from their ancestral lands and to become refugees in their country of birth forever.” And Imoke’s candid verdict is that “ The Green Tree Agreement, while recognizing the need for amicable settlement of the dispute and the promotion of peaceful co-existence between Nigeria and Cameroon after the judgement, set out terms that completely violated the Bakassi society.”

From the governor’s remarks submitted by his representative, the Secretary to Cross Rivers government, Mr Mike Aniah, Imoke is at a loss as to why the UN “treated Bakassi like vacant land; giving little regard to the wishes of the people, and completely disregarding the of the people to self determination – a right generously granted all the people of the world and jealously protected by the United Nations.”

Imoke therefore wants the UN and ICJ to tell the international community and Nigerians in particular the reason for “giving effect to the Anglo-German Treaty of 1913 to which the Bajassi people were not parties, was moer important than protecting rights and humanity of the Bakassi people in the 21st century.”

While condemning the recent declaration of independence by militant groups among the Bakassi people, Imoke warned that the action was “a clear signal that however well intentioned the ICJ judgment and the Green Tree Agreement were, the people of Bakassi were accorded little premium.”

He reminded participants that “the people of Bakassi are Nigerians. Therefore, the people “look up to Nigeria as a prominent member of the United Nations to project and protect their rights and basic freedoms and their lives” just as he stressed that “presently, with their resettlement disputed and inconclusive, the Bakassi people have been disenfranchised by the Independent National Electoral Commission” as “Federal elections are not conclusive in this region.”

Imoke’s words sounded like that of the gavel of a judge when he said, “We have to face the reality: the ICJ and Green Tree Agreement have not worked. We either review these documents by engaging all the parties through stipulated processes, or we wait and allow the situation to play out with unintended consequences.”

He was quick to caution that “it will be irresponsible for Nigeria or indeed the UN to abdicate responsibility for a peaceful solution and allow a degeneration of the already volatile situation. Certainly the option of standing by is not open to the United Nations and must be avoided by the leadership of both countries.”

Making a historical escortion, Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), recounted the events that culminated in the joining of Southern Cameroon with French Cameroon, Falana wondered why the Bakassi Peninsula was not immediately annexed to Cameroon at the time. He rhetorically aske: “…Could it have been that the United Nations did not want Bakassi to form part of the French Cameroon at the time given the territory’s cultural homogeneity with Nigeria?”

Falana told participants that when confronted with the Bakassi problem, Gowon had the choice to “call on the UN to conduct another plebiscite to determine the fate of the people of Bakassi” but he (Gowon) chose “to cede the territory to Cameroon in accordance with the 1961 plebiscite.”

He however noted that “the most weighted consideration by Gowon was the lergal opinion which was prepared in 1970 by Professor Teslim Olawale Elias who argued amongst others that given the legal precedents and the role of Cameroon dur-

ing the civil war, Gowon should cede the territory to Cameroon.

“I also understand that Gowon was influenced to take the decision by a “well thought out brief from then Commissioner for External Affairs, Okoi Arikpo, (who was of South Eastern State origin), in which he clearly stated that Nigeria had no legal claim to the Baakassi Peninsula.”

Falana expressed alarm over the recent judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Attorney-General, Cross River State v. Attorney-General, Akwa Ibom State which declared that Cross River is no longer a littoral state. He said the judgment has reopened the controversy over the ‘ownership of the Bakassi Peninsular.

He believes the judgment was a clear signal that the Federal Government of Nigeria has abandoned the people of Bakassi.

But he did not stop there. He challenged the pronouncement of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr J.B. Dauda (SAN) that the declaration of independence by Bakassi militants is treasonable. “I wish to submit, without any fear of contadition, that the Bakassi people have “the unquestionable and inalienable right to self determination” under Article 20(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peopls Rights(Ratification and Enforcement) Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

He is of the opinion that “instead of criminalizing the action of the frustrated Bakassi people, the Federal Government may wish to enter into dialogue with the genuine representatives of the Bakassi people.”

But can the Green Tree Agreement be overturned? Though the Federal Government of Nigeria says it cannot, two Nigeria experts, R.A. Akindele and Adeoye A. Akinsanya in their presentation insist that “the agreement can be impeached pursuant to appropriate articles of the Law of Treaties, arguing that the rights to self-determination of the Bakassi people have been trampled upon and sacrificed on the altars of political expediency and strict adherence to crass legalism.”

On the way forward, they three lines of action: “plebiscite by the UN to ascertain the wishes of the Bakassi people; repudiation of the Green Tree Agreement, particularly under the rule clausula rebus sic stanubus; and Nigeria’s appeal to the ICJ for a review of its ruling of October 10, 2002 on or before October 10, 2012.”

In his remarks, Fred Agwu said, “Bakassi was also a loss that dramatized the contradictions of foreign policy in federalism, the Nigerian federalism in particular.” According to him, “This is because, as in Fernando Poo, so has it also become of the Bakassi Peninsula.”

Agwu explains further, saying that “in the Fernando Poo, while the argument for it to form part of Nigeria raged, views were split into partisan political lines with the National Council of Nigerian Citizens, NCNC, arguing in favour because of the proximity of the territory to the eastern part of Nigeria, while the opposition practically remained essentially aloof or indifferent.” Concluding, Agwu said “the loss of Bakassi is the result of Nigeria’s national negligence.

He may be right as reports say General Sani Abacha regime sent ‘Third Eleven’ defence team to ICJ because some members of the ‘First Eleven’ team initially assembled were accused of being NADECO members. NADECO was opposed to Abacha rule and indeed military rule in Nigeria.

Another contributor, Charles Dokubo believes that “Nigeria can decline the implementation of the judgment, including the Green Tree Agreement.” He was however quick to add a proviso: “This is only if she can effectively show new facts to ICJ and capitalize on Southern Cameroon’s threat to secede and if Nigeria cedec Bakassi, politicize and drag the matter to the United Nations Security Council.”

As if to corroborate Dokubo’s position, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) in his remarks made on his behalf by Professor Deji Adekunle saidArticle 61 of the Statute of the ICJ does indeed permit such review where the application is based upon the “discovery” of a “fact” which is “decisive and was unknown” to the Court and to the party claiming revision when the judgment was given.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ogbole Ode in a statement has said that “the Federal Government will not renege nor review on the Green Tree Agreement as being canvassed by the Bakassi people.Rather, the ministry will engage Cameroonian authorities to ensure that the rights of the people living in the ceded region are respected.

“As a responsible, peace loving and law abiding nation, Nigeria is guided by the provisions of its constitution which enjoins the country to respect international law and treaty obligations and to settle international disputes by negotiations, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and adjudication,” the satement said. Ogbole was silent on Section 12(1) of the constitution, 1999 as amended which provides that “No treaty between the Federation and other country shall have the force of law except to the extent to which any such treaty has been enacted into law by the National Assembly.”

16

DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

NewsPlus Dangerous weeds threaten Delta community From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba

F

rom time immemorial, River Ezute has existed in Abala-Uno community in Ndokwa East Local Government area of Delta State.

It served the agrarian community as a source of water for drinking, bathing and other domestic purposes. It also provided aquatic games for the fishermen. In fact, the importance of the natural water body could not be overemphasised, as life was practically anchored on it. It had no enemies then.

However, that was in the good old days. River Ezute is fast turning to a curse rather than a blessing to the community that prides itself as the food basket of the oilrich Delta State. It is now a death trap and a foe to the natives of the area, no thanks to the water hyacinth that has taken over more than 90 per cent of the entire water space.

The dangerous weeds were first discovered about six years ago, and they were said to have floated from nowhere and settled in River Ezute. Its growth, however, perplexed the community as it spread across the water body in rapid proportions. As if that is not enough, the roots of the unwanted plant have become home to dangerous reptiles that have obviously eaten up edible fishes in the lazily flowing water.

As a result, social activities like swimming and canoeing have taken flight as the seaweeds make navigation and paddling impossible tasks. People no longer use the river to wash farm produce such as cassava, just as asking someone to go and fish in it is tantamount to sending the person to an early grave.

Indeed, the fear of River Ezute in recent years is the beginning of wisdom. Those who have dared it ended up paying the supreme price. Four persons are said to have been swallowed by the water in the last three years. While the decomposing bodies of two of the victims were recovered, the whereabouts of the other two remained a mystery to the community.

Sadly, a leader in the community identified as Chief Mogbolu would not be given the burial deserving of his age and status, as his body is one of the two that has not been retrieved from the depths of the river which he plunged into on Thursday, August 9 while on his way to farm. Said to be in the region of between 83 and 87

… As water hyacinth takes over river • Town leaders appeal for intervention

Water hyacinth on the surface of the river years, Pa. Mogbolu’s passion for farming led him out of his house on the fateful day only to get drowned when he missed his step at the edge of the river.

Eyewitnesses said the octogenarian struggled with the tide to swim to safety but the overwhelming effect of the water hyacinth hampered his swimming skills.

The alarm raised by those who witnessed the tragedy resulted in the immediate constitution of a search party to comb the river but their efforts remained fruitless as the search team members return every evening with forlorn faces of disappointment.

Pa. Mogbolu’s mysterious drowning had unsettled the community and the chairman of Abala-Uno Community L-R: Nwosu, Omordi and Okiah Development Union (AUDU), we enjoyed it. But now it is not Mr. Onyekoeli Omordi aptly only a death trap, we are not getdescribed the present mood of res- ting the commercial gains that we idents in the area when Daily Sun are supposed to get from it.”

“Our people are good fishervisited.

“The community is annoyed men,” he continued. “We hardly because this is the fourth victim buy fish before now but asking the river has killed in the last three somebody to go and fish in the years. We were able to recover the river is like asking him to go and bodies of two, but the other two, kill himself. The water hyacinth including this community leader has taken over. Where would they thrust their hook lines and nets? were not found,” he stated.

The embittered financial secre- There are dangerous reptiles tary of the union, Sunny Okiah beneath the weeds ready to stated that River Ezute, being a pounce on preys.”

Okiah wants the relevant natural endowment, “was supposed to bring blessings to our authorities to extend the dredging people. We met it as children and of the River Niger to River Ezute

and possibly site a port in AbalaUno, arguing that the community had more land space than Onitsha which is host to a port. He claimed that the vast expanse of land was wasting away in the community “and our resources are unutilised as a result of negligence on the part of government.” He said the clearing of the water hyacinth was capital intensive and more than what the community could shoulder.

However, Mr. Azuka Nwosu told Daily Sun that Ndokwa East Local Government Council had, about three years ago, claimed that the council had executed the clear-

ing of the dangerous water hyacinth at the sum of N25 million, adding that “nothing was actually done in the physical.

“Then the man we had as chairman of the council, Mr. Chike Ugwummadu was from AbalaOshimili, one of the villages that make up Abala clan. But like I said, nothing was done in the physical. There was a claim that they spent about N25 million for that project between 2009 and 2010.

“The councillor representing the area at the council then also said to my hearing that the council purportedly awarded the contract.

But it was not executed in the physical. We don’t know what the funds earmarked for that project was used for, that is the truth.”

In a swift reaction, former chairman of the council, Mr. Chike Ugwummadu said it was not true that his administration awarded such a contract but that financial assistance was given to over 20 communities within the council to assist them in carrying out such tasks through direct labour, insinuating that the money meant for Abala-Uno might have been hijacked by a few individuals for their personal interests.

Ugwummadu said he sympathised with the community over what it was passing through but insisted that his administration never contemplated awarding contract for clearing of water hyacinth to the tune of N25 million which he described as outrageous.

Nevertheless, the community leaders called on the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to come to their rescue by clearing the dangerous weeds and save the community from being wiped-out through serial deaths.

“Our people are very industrious, we have very good farmers and we produce cassava, plantain, yam and other food items. In fact, we are the food basket of this state.

That is why we are appealing to the government to come and help clear this water hyacinth because our farmlands are located on the other side of the water. We use to cross it with canoe, but now paddling is no longer possible,” Mr. Omordi, the AUDU chairman

Monday, August 27, 2012

DAILY SUN

17

NewsPlus

Family, police at daggers drawn over man’s death • ‘They shot our breadwinner in cold blood’ • No, his fellow cultists gunned him down – Police From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa

H

ow did 29 year-old Kingsley Ayebaemi Benjamin die while in the custody of the State Central Investigating Department (CID) of the Bayelsa State Police command?

Right now, that is the question on the lips of everyone in the state.

The father of the deceased, Mr. Benjamin Godspower and his widow, Mrs. Patience Benjamin are insisting that their breadwinner was killed while in police custody on Sunday, August 19, 2012. But the police think otherwise and have in fact washed their hands off his death.

Investigation revealed that Benjamin was arrested on August 1, 2012, along the NTA Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital by soldiers, and was taken to the Bori camp where nobody was allowed to see him.

On August 10, the deceased was transferred to the headquarters of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) Opolo, where his wife was allowed to see him once before she was barred from seeing him.

Further investigations indicated that on August 17, the deceased was moved to the State CID, where his family alleged that he was shot on both legs and denied medical facilities. According to his widow, a mother of two who is currently six months pregnant, she was allowed to see him on Sunday, August 19 when she went to give him food.

Mrs. Benjamin explained, amidst sobs, that she spoke with the deceased and she promised to pay him another visit in the evening. But when she got back there a few hours later, she was told that he had been being moved.

She said: “I saw him on Sunday at about 1pm when I came back from church. I went there and I saw him. He was shot on both legs. He was far from me and we spoke. He asked after the children and told me to pray for him. He said he didn’t understand what was happening to him, and he was pointing at his legs. I told him that he should not worry, that he would come out.

“I told one of the policemen that I would like to come back by 5pm to give him food and the man said there was no problem.

When I went back, a policeman said there

•Benjamin were instructions that nobody should see him. A policewoman told me that after I left in the afternoon, they took him out and nobody knew where they took him to.”

The father of the deceased, in an interview, corroborated his daughter-in-law’s story. He said that since he heard of his late son’s arrest, he had been making frantic moves to see him and ascertain his offence.

He lamented that nobody told him anything.

His words: “On Sunday, August 19, when I came back from church service, his wife told me she was able to see him and that she provided food for him. I was happy and I said I would follow her again when she would be going back since she said the police told her she could come back at 5pm.

When we got there, we were told that they had taken him out and that nobody knew where he had been taken. Some people told us that there was a directive that nobody should see him. So we left. The next thing I heard was that he had been killed. Now as a father, the proper thing is that if your son is dead you should be allowed to see his corpse. But they have not allowed me to see his body.”

Pa. Benjamin, who said he had been to the mortuary and was denied the opportunity to see his son’s corpse, said the family would carry out an autopsy and demand for

•Patience justice.

“I demand justice. I do not require money.

The police are not authorized to kill people like that. If somebody has committed an offence, the place you take him to is the court. You don’t kill him.”

Sources at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yenagoa said some officers of the Homicide Department of the State CID came to deposit Benjamin’s body with over 20 bullet wounds. His body was said to have been deposited with his name simply as Kingsley Obani and his wife’s phone number.

The attendants reportedly called the wife and broke the news of the death to her, requesting that she should come and identify his body. The wife, who was accompanied by some friends, was shocked to see her husband’s body riddled with bullets, and right there she demanded to know how he died.

A reliable source at the FMC morgue said one of the attendants on duty was promptly arrested by the police for allowing the family take a picture of Benjamin’s corpse in the mortuary.

The media officer of the JTF, Lt. Col Onyema Nwachukwu had, in an interview, confirmed that Benjamin was brought to the JTF headquarters from Port Harcourt. He said, however, that the deceased was not arrested by JTF operatives but by members of the anti-kidnapping squad in Port Harcourt. He disclosed that the deceased was arrested for kidnapping related offences and was moved to the JTF headquarters where he was handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Fidelis Odunna, denied the involvement of the police in the death of Benjamin. According to him, Benjamin was a self-confessed cultist who had committed heinous crimes in the state before fleeing to Port Harcourt.

A twist was introduced to the case when the Bayelsa State Police Commissioner, Mr. Kings Omire paraded a suspect, Sunny Andie, from Ekeremor Local Government area who allegedly confessed that Benjamin and a certain Obafe Gold, who is also dead, were the masterminds of the recent high profile murder of two middle-aged men,

named British and Orlando. British and Orlando were working closely with the Bayelsa State Government and security agents in the fight against cultism.

Andie, who said he was a former militant, said their death was planned by Benjamin and Gold but was executed by nine men after over a month of surveillance in Delta and Bayelsa states before they were eventually killed at Azikoro Road, Yenagoa.

On how Benjamin died, Omire said the deceased and another suspect, Gold planned with fellow cultists to ambush the police when they were being conveyed to where they kept their arms. Omire, who explained that it was providence that saved the policemen from death, said, however, that Benjamin and Gold were not lucky as they were hit with bullets from their fellow cult members.

Hear him: “The homicide section, on a tip off, had arrested one Sunny Andie who confessed to how they were trailing two victims, British and Orlando before they were killed recently in Yenagoa. He said the killing was hatched by Obafe Gold and Ayebaemi Kingsley Benjamin a.k.a Obani.

The homicide section on August 19 took them out to where they said they kept their arms at Igbogene. The police went there in a convoy of three vehicles and never knew it was a set up. Immediately they got there, they came under heavy gunfire and it was a close shave for them. The suspects, Benjamin and Odafe were chained to the car and because they could not escape they were hit with bullets. They were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, where they died.”

But the Benjamin family from Diebu in Southern Ijaw Local Government area of Bayelsa State is not satisfied with the police explanations on the death of their son.

Sources close to the family said they have already contacted their lawyers and have written letters to the Inspector- General of Police, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Police Service Commission, the Nigeria Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International, demanding for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kingsley Ayebaemi Benjamin’s death.

18

DAILY SUN Monday August 27, 2012

Ministers and performancebased contracts

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan, last Wednesday, signed what he called “Performance-based contracts” with ministers and heads of parastatals.

The President, while performing the signing ceremony during the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, underscored the objectives of the initiative. He said it was meant principally to improve quality service delivery to the Nigerian people through enhanced accountability. Under the initiative, ministers and heads of parastatals will, henceforth, have timelines for meeting specific set goals in the implementation of budgets allocated to their respective ministries as well as in the execution of other government policies. The performance contract also affects heads of public institutions.

Also in the performance contract is sanction against ministers who are proved to have under-performed. Such officials are likely to be relieved of their posts as a punitive measure. To ensure its effectiveness, government says it has mandated the National Planning Commission (NPC) to develop key performance indicators for the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).This will serve as a guide in measuring their performance.

In addition, the ministers are, in turn, required to sign performance agreement contracts with the Directors in their various ministries and agencies.

All things considered, many ministers have, without doubt, under-performed. The President himself has also not fared any better on this key performance scale. The outcome is the present sorry state of affairs in the country and in all sectors of the economy.

Consequently, the wheel of governance is moving agonizingly slowly with little dividends of democracy to show for the huge cost of governance over the years.

Ordinarily, this performance contract, (or whatever name it is called), would be needless, and indeed, superfluous since the ministers and other heads of agencies took the oath of office and oath of allegiance when they were appointed. In that regard, they ought to know the likely consequences of their failure to perform. If ministers and other

political appointees were committed to their oath of office, that would have rendered any other oath or contract absolutely redundant.

However, we are inclined to believe that the President might have opted for this initiative, possibly out of frustration or desperation to compel members of his cabinet to perform or be sacked.

Considering the predilection of most of our political appointees to see public office primarily as an avenue to feather their own nests, the performance contract could be a wake up call for ministers. This policy, though an aberration, could make officials who want to make a difference to put up their thinking cap and draw up ideas and timelines towards achieving specific projects, provided they are in line with the President’s agenda.

Whether this performance will work is too early to say. But one thing is sure: Nigerians want to know how the president’s appointees are performing, in line with the pressing needs of the citizens and that of the country at large.

We, however, want to caution that this initiative may not yield the expected gains if the president fails to tackle the systemic problems that have become the Achilles heels of service delivery in the country. In this direction, the President should lead the way for others to follow. The gritty truth is that there is so much frustration in government because of these systemic problems that hinder performance. It will be meaningless to expect wonders in the face of these obvious handicaps. One of the key problems government should address is the late release of budgetary allocations to the ministries, departments and agencies.

It is also necessary for the president to appoint people who are experts and assign them portfolios that march their expertise. If this is done, a performance contract/agreement becomes of little consequence. Over all, it is vital for the president to realize that every assessment of an individual’s performance must be taken in the context of a team’s failure. That is the standard rule in government across the world, especially in a democracy.

When a cabinet as a team fails, any other yardstick to monitor performance becomes an aberration, if not a witch-hunt.

COMMENT

LETTERS I am not a religious bigot

MY attention was drawn to an article written by Mr. Chika Onyeani in his weekly online newspaper “The African Sun Time” of August 14, 2012, on the unfortunate accident of 21st July, 2012, which claimed the lives of five Nigerians and left some wounded. My prayers go to the families of those who lost their loved ones. May the Almighty accept them unto His keeping and grant their families fortitude to bear this irreparable sad loss. May God also quicken the recovery of the wounded ones and provide their families succor.

I wish to place on record the fact that Mr. Onyeani tried to contact me while I was attending the Road Show on Aviation hosted by the Honourable Minister of Aviation. At the end of the Road show, I called him. He pointed out the complaints, for which I told him that I received an invitation letter for the church service of Friday, 10th August, 2012. I told Mr. Onyeani that since it was a church service, I wouldn't know what to do during the service as a Muslim. I have never attended a church service. However, I sent one of the most senior staff of the Consulate General, who incidentally, is an Igbo man and a Catholic, to represent me and the Consulate General.

I wish to point out, for the avoidance of doubt,

that since my arrival in New York, I have had the pleasure of attending meetings, dedications, baptismal in churches not only in New York but in other states under the Jurisdiction of the Consulate General. I never ever told Mr. Onyeani that “I can never enter a Church”. I have had the pleasure, both in Nigeria and USA, of joining my friends in all their events held in churches. But I have never attended a church service. .

In conclusion, I wish, once again, to state I never ever told Mr. Onyeani that “I can never enter a Church”. I am proud of being a Muslim but it has never ever clouded my judgment of other Religions or people of Religion. Like most Nigerians, I was born into a Religion and grew up to love and appreciate it. If I had been born by Christian parents, I would have grown up being a Christian. Almost all Nigerians were born into a Religion which they adhere to and love. I don't think Mr. Onyeani whom I had been treating as an elder brother and adviser would descend to the level of insinuating my being a Religious bigot.

Habib Baba Habu New York

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’

A dance on the precipice INTERESTINGLY, we supported the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as the President of Nigeria. Even though we have an APGA Governor, our vote reflected in PDP to elect him.

He is our son and we pampered him to power.

We believed that his humble background which he reflected in his campaign would count. Any way it has counted to some infinitesimal extent, but the expectations are still porous.

We are aware of distractions from the unrepentant, criminally masterminded Boko Haram onslaught. It has brought us to recognize the standard which God gave us in the bible. Give us this day. This is an efficacious method or style of prayer which provokes God to action. As a result, we have been praying for him to jump this hurdle which may make or mar his administration.

Succinctly, Boko Haram is enough trouble for Mr. President. We believe his explanations. We accept his apologies for not reacting, violently till now. Infact, we sympathize with him. He has some what succeeded in cowing our anxiety for the deliverance of dividends of democracy which he promised.

But “na like this we go dey dey”? Shall we

continue to live in fear? Shall we continue to stay without jobs? Shall we continue to embrace mediocrity in place of meritocracy? Must we continue to accept that the rich must get richer and the poor, poorer? Shall we continue to be toothless bull dogs? For how long shall this dribbling continue? Yesterday fuel, today Boko Haram, tomorrow tanker drivers, in future what?

Look let me tell us, Nigeria is tired. We are grossly over-stretching her. If not, it is high time we called a spade a spade. We can no longer be, no matter the kind of pretext. We should stop pretending. Our prefect have told us earlier than now that Nigeria is likely to go into oblivion in 2015.

Surprisingly, our leaders have taken this divine prophecy for granted. We have kept a blind eye to our heterogeneous nature. As much as disintegration flows in our veins, we are still downcast to accept the fact that we are not one people. I am not trying to be revolutionary in my conception of our precarious situation but to state the obvious no matter whose ox is blade.

Samuel Abaleke Port Harcourt.

CMYK

DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

19

INEC and the Federal Character principle “T Life and Issues he composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the Federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic of other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies”.

That is and has, since 1979 when the country embraced presidential democracy, been the guiding principle for appointments in the areas referred to under the third sub-section of Section 14 in the 1999 constitution under its chapter two, which deals with the “Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy”.

The framers of the constitution cannot be faulted for their foresight in coming up with such a law, especially as they also subscribed to the idea of “National Integration” covered in section 15(2) of the same document, and described as an objective which “shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited”.

Relying on the findings of an investigation by TheNews Magazine, a body named the Election Integrity Network last Wednesday, August 22, took a whole page for advertising what it regarded as a gross violation of that principle in for example, the Daily Sun, titled “The Take-over of INEC!”.

Knowing what it costs nowadays to have products, causes or ideas advertised in any major newspaper, the concerns expressed in the publication are weighty enough for amplification, not only in appreciation of the patriotic step taken by the network's members, but as evidence that their expenditure achieved the desired effect of sensitizing more people to the development at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over which they raised that alarm.

The first focus was in the “disparities and inequities in INEC top management and the danger for 2015 “. The complaint was that out of 17 personalities in various designations from chairman to estate and works, only two of them were from the Delta and Bayelsa States (South

with Tunde Thompson

tunsthompson@yahoo.com

- South) and one from Anambra State (South East zone); four from the North- West zone (Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto) with nine from the North- central zone (Niger, Benue, Plateau and Kogi) and one from the North East.

There were also side-comments: That the Secretary (from Jigawa), had been appointed since the year 2005 for five years, but had “exceeded mandatory 35 years service and 60 years “regarded as continued stay”, and a breach of practice since 1960); that two other persons failed their promotion examinations but were retained as acting directors, “over and above senior directors who now report to them.”

The second focus area was the composition of national commissioners who head the vital committees that oversee important departments of the commission - Logistics, Operations, Procurement, Finance and General Purpose, ICT and Political Monitoring. The news was that chairpersons for those committees came only from the North-East and North West zones of the country.

Finally, it was publicized that in a recently composed nine-man Strategic Planning Committee (SPC), as many as seven of the members came from the North, and two only from the South regional origins. They then went on to comment thus: “…This structural Inequity in the top management of INEC, as structured under Professor Jega, displays a suspiciously skewed regional interest, particularly at a time when the struggle between the geopolitical zones has taken a violent dimension in the quest for power. This lopsided structure raises some questions that have been echoed by recent studies around the world concerned with electoral integrity (see the recent works of Professor Pippa Norris and others at Harvard University).

Such studies suggest that electoral outcomes

08056180022

can be predetermined by the nature of the management structures which give effect to the implementation of electoral laws. The results of such studies and the on-going insurgent use of Boko Haram as a political instrument of engagement, therefore, call for a closer examination by Nigerians in order to avert early enough the inherent dangers of the 2015 election, that may put our dear country in a perilous and irrecoverable crisis that we may not survive under Professor Jega's INEC…..”

Furthermore, the Election Integrity Network posed three interesting questions: Why, unlike all those Southerners who had headed that electoral body that had always had the commission's secretaries from outside their own geographical areas, Prof. Jega had ensured “the position of the Secretary of the commission is also retained by the North for over two years of his leadership by all means possible…?”

Next, why a section of the country should “be in charge of the crucial electoral departments of printing ballot papers; distribution, allocation of logistics, funds and operation, to the exclusion of the Middle Belt, South -West and the South - South zones within INEC”?

And finally: “How can probity, accountability and more importantly the principle of checks and balance in the management of the huge funds of INEC be enforced, where both the auditor and the director of finance (newly appointed over his seniors from the South) are from the State?”

It is usual for those at the receiving end in this sort of situation to feel hunted or maligned or even brush aside all allegations, regarding them as mischievous, malicious and a campaign of calumny by individuals or groups desirous of bring them or their organizations into disrepute.

However, from the contents of the publicized

materials, it is necessary to avoid that disposition this time around, because these are the actions of proactive citizens at work for democratic progress in their country.

From the days of Justice Ovie-Whisky up till Prof. Jega's assumption of office as chairman, the observation made regarding who occupied the position of secretary to the commission remains valid; care had always been taken to avoid disrespect for the principles of Federal character and National integration enshrined in the constitution even during military rule.

Perhaps there had been silence on the matter because not enough was known about the regional composition of the various departments within INEC and also, as indicated in the publication, because Prof. Jega had won a great deal of public trust and confidence, based on his record as a respectable academic and dependable leader in that field.

No re-organization of INEC can be deemed as comprehensive if these observed aberrations are not corrected without delay.

Of course, the saying “do unto others what you wish them do unto you”, applies in this case. Every Nigerian ought to see INEC as a national institution and nobody who works there should be treated as a stranger; someone being excluded from certain operational areas not because he is irresponsible, but because he is regarded as “not one of us” by those who call the shots there.

Perhaps all those appointments now being scrutinized and criticized were decided in a hurry; at a time when the need to get results made adherence to the cited principles difficult, if not impossible.

Also, while efforts will hopefully be made within the organization to bring about the proposed remedial actions, the National Assembly committees on INEC and the Presidency, as well, need to take an interest in the allegations of inequities and unusual practices there, in terms of conventions and administrative standards.

Our INEC deserves a very good image and whatever has been done that is capable of creating negative impressions elsewhere ought to be corrected in the national interest, with the vital inputs of those with oversight functions at INEC and all those concerned about the overarching need to lay a solid foundation for the forthcoming elections, “with malice towards none”.

What Oteh owes the Nigerian investor

BY ONIDARE SOMEFUN

F

rom an all-time high market capitalisation of N13.5 trillion in March 2008, the Nigerian capital market crashed to N4 trillion by January 2009. The AllShare Index also nose-dived from a historic 66000 basic points to less than 22000 within this same period. The summary of this grim statistics is that millions of Nigerians who invested in the market lost life’s savings and investments. As with any tragedy of such magnitude, the government sought to find out what happened.

Three prominent reasons stood out – the global financial crisis of 2008, the unprecedented growth of the Nigerian banking sector being partly spurred by high-level insider trading and the fact that regulatory bodies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) were caught napping. Predictably, the House of Representatives, in 2011, moved to exercise its oversight functions by probing the crash with a view to resuscitating the market and avoiding a repeat. In the course of this campaign, the lawmakers crashed into Arunma Oteh.

The SEC, as the primary regulator of the capital market, changed leadership in 2010; one year after the crash and Ms Oteh emerged as the director general. She came highly qualified; with an impressive resume in the capital market section of the African Development Bank and a history of managing capital in excess of billions of dollars.

Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief as she hit the ground running with a series of reforms and interventions all in the name of protecting investors and building a world-class capital market. However, this run was halted with the House of Representatives probe.

Ms Oteh’s clash with the Herman Hembe-led House of Representatives Committee on the Capital Market is widely known and this article will not go into the sordid details. The summary is that Mr Hembe is on trial for soliciting bribes, while Ms Oteh has been cleared by an independent investigator of the various financial misdeeds the lawmakers threw at her. However, the battle is yet to be over as the House has gone ahead, through its ad-hoc committee constituted after Hembe’s version was disbanded, to call for her removal. While the diversionary tactics continue, Ms Oteh has been put back on the saddle and Nigerians are watching keenly to see how she continues the task of rebuilding confidence in the market via the powerful regulator.

The SEC, as a regulator and developer of the Nigerian capital market, is primarily mandated to register and protect investors, ensure fair-play among all players, and develop and facilitate efficient markets. As the supervisor of operations at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the SEC has the task of ensuring that the estimated 28 million Nigerians that own shares in listed companies, and their dependants, are not shortchanged. Sadly, prior to 2010, the SEC lacked the requisite capacity to effectively carry out this mandate. The regulator did not possess the technological capacity to ensure adequate monitoring; it lacked sufficient human capital to enforce compliance; it also lacked the will power to function effectively. All these factors, and more, exposed the Nigerian investor to significant danger, and that danger became a reality when the market crashed taking life savings along with it To avoid a repeat performance, the federal government has rolled out various inter-

vention programmes – from improving liquidity via a proposed forbearance package to revitalising the banking sector - all aimed at removing the dangers and encouraging the resuscitation of the capital market.

While the banking sector reforms have been successfully carried out via the CBN, the federal government needs to move faster on regaining investors’ confidence by intervening in the estimated N300 billion debt overhang that emerged from margin loans incurred by stockbrokers. The government has shown sincerity in this regard via the various speeches credited to Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. It has also shown a sincere commitment to revitalising the market by swiftly resolving the crisis at the SEC. As all stakeholders will agree, the SEC is the real driver of this reformation and Ms Oteh’s agenda has been thrust under a brighter spotlight as she gets back behind the wheels. The four-part agenda that she introduced before the leadership crisis build a world class capital market; address investor education and capacity building; support the strengthening of the NSE; and strengthen SEC – has been widely acknowledged by financial experts both in Nigeria and internationally as the required road map to lead the capital market out of the woods.

We’ve already seen action. There are ongoing legal proceedings against 260 firms and individuals that committed infractions and put investors at risk. The litigation has been backed up by investor education through outreach programmes. In terms of supporting the NSE, the SEC approved revised listing criteria that make it easier for oil and gas companies, along with mediumsized indigenous companies, to list on the stock exchange. And on the home front, the SEC has injected its ranks with young professionals and provided training across the

cadres.

However, industry experts will expect Ms Oteh to take it a notch higher by ensuring that ongoing legal proceedings against the 260 individuals/entities found to have engaged in sharp practices is taken to a logical end. Nigerians are tired of law suits against fraudsters that rarely result in convictions. People have to be made to pay for their crimes. Investor protection needs to be backed by reasons for confidence in the market, which will only happen if the approved listing criteria engender new listings, and don’t fall victim to being another great change on paper. Finally, there is the house-cleaning, which continues to generate friction between workers and Ms Oteh.

It is expected that the workers will come round and see the sense in getting equipped with international operating standards in order to be able to effectively carry out their roles. The workers will only be able to say they have justified tax payers’ funds if the average investor can go to sleep knowing that he/she is being protected from sharp practices.

The debt that Ms Oteh, the federal lawmakers, and indeed all stakeholders in the nation’s economy owe the Nigerian investor is to strengthen the system by these reforms to forestall a repeat occurrence. The Nigerian capital market, and indeed the economy, is one that holds immense potentials and can be positioned among the global leaders given the right enabling environment. Ms Oteh should then be allowed to do her bit in ensuring this environment by building a regulator that will outlive us all and benefit generations to come.

Somefun writes from Lagos.

CMYK

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DAILY SUN

Monday August 27, 2012

Jonathan and Nigeria’s season of anomie

BY EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO s year one Philosophy students years back at a Catholic Major Seminary in Owerri, Imo State, affiliated to an Italian University, we were introduced to the scholarly writings and thoughts of the French Sociologist and Thinker Emile Durkheim and this gentleman was synonymous with popularizing the use of the word ‘anomie’.

Briefly, anomie describes a lack of social norms; normlessness. The erudite writers of Wikipedia, the online Encyclopedia, recalled that anomie describes the breakdown of social bonds between an individual and their community, resulting in what they rightly identified as fragmentation of social identity and the rejection of self regulatory values. The same contributor to this online Encyclopedia also vividly noted that the word anomie was popularized by the French Sociologist Emile Durkheim in what they regard as his most influential and authoritative book titled ‘SUICIDE’ [1897].

This great thinker was said to have borrowed the word from the French Philosopher Jean Marie Guyau. The very learned writer of this piece used in the online Encyclopedia also was quick to add that Emile Durkheim never used the word normlessness to describe anomie, rather he describes anomie as ‘a rule that is a lack of rule’, a ‘derangement’, and an ‘insatiable will’. Going down memory or historical lane, these respected writers asserted that Durkheim was of the profound philosophical conviction that anomie arises from a mismatch between personal or group standards, or from the lack of a social ethic, which produces moral deregulation and an absence of legitimate aspirations.

The first reaction of the reader of this piece would be to wonder why this writer took time to undertake deep historical reflection of the import of the term anomie and any perceptive observer

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would therefore expect that the next line of thought would logically be to adduce sufficient empirical and verifiable reasons and a sound body of evidence to show that Nigeria is experiencing this awful sociological phenomenon which is one of the fundamental causes of gross underdevelopment and lack of advancement in the different fields of human endeavors in Nigeria, a country of over 150 million black people and a nation regarded as the country with the largest concentration of black persons in the World.

This is not an avenue to lay all the blames for the current existential problems in Nigeria to the door steps of the current Nigeria’s President Dr. GoodLuck Jonathan who is generally believed to be so weak, inept, indecisive and unfocused so much so that anarchy is reigning supreme across board in Nigeria now. Again, there is no gainsaying that Nigeria has never witnessed the quantum of violence and terrorism that are currently hapening all across the Country and especially in the Northern States of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Adamawa, Taraba, Kogi and parts of Niger state. The Federal Capital Territory of Abuja has had more than its own fair share of these terrorrelated violence so much so that foreign embassies and airlines have restricted their movements into the nation’s political capital.

During her recent high profile valedictory African nations’tour, the United States Secretary of State Mrs.Hilary Clinton who visited Abuja to hold a meeting with President Jonathan on the general state of insecurity and corruption in Nigeria, never slept in Nigeria but had to fly out to Accra, Ghana whereby she spent the night before jetting off to Turkey. Indeed Mrs. Clinton cancelled a meeting she called for in Abuja with representatives of the organized civil society community, no thanks to the general state of

insecurity and anomie in Nigeria. Abuja for the first time since 1992 that it became a political capital of Nigeria in reality has never suffered this horrendous monumental security challenge posed by the clandestine activities of the armed Islamic extremist group who are emboldened by the lack of concrete intelligence-driven panacea by the men and officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Sadly, Nigerian Armed Forces is now headed by a Commander-in-chief who would gladly watch innocent people and worshippers wasted in their Churches by these armed insurgents than take decisive and effective action to end the killings because according to this current President of Nigeria Dr. GoodLuck Jonathan, since members of the armed Islamic rebels are members of the Nigerian family, as a ‘father’ he would not allow the military might to be visited on them to end this rebellion that has caused the deaths of several thousands of innocent civilians and peaceful Christian worshippers including of course, moderate Muslims who have raised their voices against the murderous activities of these armed non-state actors that are carrying out genocide and mass killings in Nigeria.

It is therefore safe to conclude that the current Nigerian President by the less than decisive way that he has steered the ship of state and especially the ways and manners he has so far deployed the members of the armed Forces ineffectively and therefore failed to curb the menace of armed rebelion and mass killings could be described as a major factor in the general state of anomie that has overtaken the political space called Nigeria.

The fact that the Federal Government has for two years running watched helplessly as thousands of innocent Nigerians are wasted by these armed insurgents in the North, the Nigerian Government has inadvertently promoted the current state of anomie and indeed Nigeria is

now overcome by the reign of impunity, lawlessness and total moral degeneration which represents the worst manifestation of anomie.

Another dangerous dimension of the total lack of respect for the established moral values in contemporary Nigeria is the increasing media visibility of war mongers, ethnic jingoists, irredentists, and religious bigots who have bombarded the public space in Nigeria with threatening messages of beating war drums precariously and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria just sit by and indeed has gone ahead to hire his own ‘attack dog’ or should I say both sides of his mouths and is indeed verbally engaging the perceived adversaries and political opponents of the President in a ferocious war of words. The newly hired spokesman of the president has by the way has gone about his job without decorum added more fire to the prevailing state of anomie which was heightened by the coming of Goodluck Jonathan as executive President in 2011. I wonder why the President rather than take decisive action to reign in the growing army of anarchists and lawless people has gone ahead to hire someone who has now stoked more fire and increased the tempo of anomie in Nigeria.

Even some states including Bayelsa the President’s own state of birth has proclaimed some levels of autonomy within the Nigerian federation by launching its own flags and anthems just as the Ogoni people and the displaced people of Bakassi in Cross River have also declared their self rule and hoisted their flags without the Federal Government doing anything. This is anomie in action actively supported by the silence of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Will Nigeria’s season of anomie ever end? Only time will tell.

Onwubiko writes fom Lagos.

Letter to my Representative

BY OLUWATOMILOLA K. BOYINDE n May 29, 2011, you, Nathaniel Agunbiade, was sworn-in to represent Ijesha North Federal constituency, and you immediately assumed your office.

You affirmed your promises to the people as you took the oath of office. Many of our people even witnessed you being sworn-in as their new representative in Abuja. You were challenged in court by your opponent; he alleged that you rigged the election, but our people stood and reaffirmed your victory, they were with you throughout the court sessions and thank God you won; Of course they know who they voted for.

They supported you through thick and thin but what has been their lot since then? They’re already abandoned. It saddens my heart!

During your campaign, you made a lot of promises, which you know it’s a debt you must pay. You told them you are confident and won’t renege on your promises.

Need I remind you that you promised to visit the towns and villages in Obokun/Oriade Local Government after your inauguration, to liaise with the people in order to know their needs and make the provision, but have you visited any? I don’t think so! Are your promises mere empty words or gimmicks to win the election?

I tuned my radio one day and I heard an advert of people congratulating the representatives of their State/Area for their achievements in their One Year of representation. I then pondered on what you’ve achieved so far during your One Year stay in office; lo and behold, I can’t pin-point to any. In that case, what have you achieved so far in your One Year stay in office? Sincerely, I have been thinking of the answer(s) you may give to that question. Maybe you will say there was peace in Ijesa North Federal Constituency during your One Year stay in officemaybe you will say exactly what the former Representative of Osogbo Federal Constituency told his people after promising Heaven-on-Earth before election- “my duty as a legislator is to pass law that will benefit you all, not to embark on constituency projects; if you’re thinking that I will embark on infrastructural devel-

O

opment, forget it, I won’t do that because it’s not my duty.” Then I will ask, why collecting the Money for Constituency Projects at the National Assembly if you won’t do any project?

Anyway, this is not the time to castigate you but to remind you of the covenant you made, your bond and the contract you signed with your Constituents. You need to be reminded of your promises in case you’ve been carried away with the good life in Abuja. Your Constituents are really yearning for the change you promised. They are waiting to be given an ounce of hope to live and wings to fly. The Youths can’t wait to attend the maiden of your promised annual Youth Conference in the Constituency, they want to exchange information and cross-fertilize ideas towards self development and leadership roles.

The students have revived their reading culture as they want to be beneficiaries of your promised scholarships. They are waiting to hear of your partnership with foreign institutions that gives tuition scholarships. They want you to communicate with them, they want you to spend some amount of time fielding phone calls and reading letters or emails for you to know what they’re concerned about.

Thy people are waiting for an “Unusual Representation”. They want to be allowed to have a say in how they are being represented.

They want to see the office you promised to open in all the 22 wards of the Constituency after your inauguration, to bring governance to their doorstep, such that, whoever has a suggestion as well as criticism will lodge it there without intimidation or fear.

There are challenges facing my people which you’ve promised to tackle and I think I have to highlight some here. First of all, the spate of unemployment among our youths is alarming, it calls for serious attention. Many go into Okada business which endangers their life while some hang around doing nothing and keep impregnating our innocent girls.

I think it is high time you started fulfilling your promises. You said you’ll strive to assist at least 50 YOUTHS annually to be gainfully employed, an average of 2 persons per ward in a year. In addition to that, you promised to employ at least 2 persons at each ward to attend

to people. You told us that they shall be recruited immediately after inauguration, but it’s a year already and you’ve done nothing.

You promised empowerment for all. You promised to create vocational centres in order to give the training required to the youths who have prowess for craftsmanship and artisan-ship. You said you will not just ensure they are trained; you will access funds to establish them after the period of their trainings. The funds which you said are parts of the Funds that are readily made available by the Federal Government, that we are not aware of, or denied of its existence.

Our peasants and subsistence farmers need help. You promised to establish a farm settlement in order to train the farmers and would-be ones, in modern farming techniques; you said they will be supplied fertilizers and other farming chemicals at discounted price. Also, you promised to support them and other Associations and Co-operatives with business interests with micro credit facilities which will be interest-free. I also think micro-credit should be given to entrepreneurs to procure working capital.

Another problem facing my people is poor health and sanitation.

It calls for immediate intervention because it is only someone with long life that reaps the fruits of his labour. Health they say is wealth!

What kills people is not hunger but scourge of diseases that could be prevented even before it stems. There is urgent need to facilitate access to medical treatment and campaign against deadly diseases like HIV-AIDS and water borne diseases through mobile clinics and subsidy for medicine and referrals to specialists’ hospitals for further treatment.

There is a dire need for clean water in most of the villages in Oriade-Obokun Federal Constituency, and as God will have it, there are readily available sources of water for Obokun/Oriade Local Government- Esa-Odo Dam and Olumirin Waterfall, Erin Ijesa. EsaOdo and Olumirin Waterfall can supply water to towns and villages in Obokun and Oriade Local Government if dammed; modern technology that is capable of pumping the water, with a treatment plant is only what is needed to be put in place.

Boyinde writes from Lagos.

New order in Benue State the state and those who think their words should be young man if he was so clever to neatly forge a cer- himself to the hearts of Benue sons and daughters

BY PHILIP AGBESE

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look at the self styled people’s Governor of Benue State with a face always beaming with smiles will never reveal to anyone that behind that soft mien lies a determined Spartan who never gives up in pursuing a just struggle for his people. The business of governance either in a democracy or in a military rule inarguably is a battlefield where forces naturally rise up either within the system or outside to confront ideas that are meant to impact positively on the lives of the citizenry.

Experiences from the past have shown that no government comes into power without a clear bailout approach to tackle the surmountable challenges militating against the good of the nation but the very enemies of the people who masquerade themselves as lovers of the people have always gone to town to blacklist the very people who chose the rough path to leave indelible footprints behind.

Learning from the Benue State example in this era where many of us have been privileged to watch activities from the sideline since 2007, it has become crystal clear that a silent war has been brewing between those who believe in the future of

a command even in a democracy.

The people’s Governor, Rt. Hon Gabriel Suswam by virtue of his determination to rescue his people from the shackles of squalor, hunger, poverty, ignorance and sickness doubles as the people’s General without a khaki while some past failed leaders who misused very rare golden privileges teamed up on the other side. In their wildest imaginations the 2011 gubernatorial elections in the state was the presumed battle ground to finally test their strengths with a young man who has carved a niche of excellence for himself.

Unfortunately, the first primary point of politicking known to the Nigerian constitution which is the party saw their ratings as a mere joke and never took them seriously. This was the same platform where they held sway for years and could not provide any visible leadership until the coming of Governor Gabriel Suswam as leader of the People’s Democratic Party in Benue State who brought the elders together at various caucuses and fully institutionalized the principle of internal democracy in order to enforce discipline and promote peace and unity within the party.

Certain silent truth lie within the strings of lies about Suswam’s forged WAEC certificate, the

tificate could have passed all his papers with distinction defiling their ill reasoned logic. An ambitious young man like Suswam who was more interested in studying law instead of other courses could have waited patiently for a year or two knowing well that he was to study a field that exposes one to the defence of truth.

And to finally accept their tissues of malicious tales against a man who was voted by his people to serve when he was rightly rejected in 2007, how many people received Suswam’s original certificates when it was sent to him or before he did falsified it. To uphold the sacred nature of the Tiv man’s nature, Professor Daniel Saror should apologise immediately to Suswam and all Benue sons and daughters who felt slighted by the Saror’s cheap political strategy to defeat Governor Suswam.

When the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Governor Gabriel Suswam as the winner of the 2011 Governorship Elections those who claimed to have won elections only in Gboko, Buruku and Tarka immediately and openly rejected the results. I was shocked to my bone marrows that a man barely known to the people thought he could defeat a fellow who has endeared

both at home and abroad.

Let me remind them that Barack Obama before becoming the President of the United States of America had co-habituated amongst the Americans since he was born, schooled in America, served as a community worker, voted into the Senate and had made useful impacts in and outside his community. Nigerians are too archaic in principle to entrust a man with power based on his fluency or academic credentials. It must be based on past experiences and strength of character like the one demonstrated by Suswam from his days in the House of Representatives.

In all their attempts to bring Suswam down, he was over promoted against their age and political records while in office as failures that were angry at Suswam’s skyrocketing credentials. It is on record that he won awards that they never dreamt could come to Benue.

The recent Supreme Court’s judgement in favour of Governor Gabriel Suswam has turned the people’s Governor to a super general having defeated his enemies who deplored the worst form of blackmail to challenge his hard earned academic credentials. l Agbese writes from Abuja.

DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

Memories

Philip Nwosu 08176449110

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

Today in History Romania enters World War I On this day in 1916, after Romania declares war on Austria-Hungary, formally entering World War I, Romanian troops cross the border of the Austro-Hungarian Empire into the much-contested province of Transylvania.

By the outbreak of war in Europe in 1914, Romania had long been at odds with AustriaHungary over the issue of territory—specifically Transylvania, which was ethnically Romanian but then part of Hungary. Seeing Russia’s success against Austria on the battlefields of the Eastern Front during the summer of 1916, Romania hoped to make an advantageous entry into the war in order to realize long-held dreams of territorial expansion and national unity. On August 18, 1916, the Romanian government signed a secret treaty with the Allies; by its terms, in the event of an Allied victory Romania would acquire Transylvania, up to the River Theiss, the province of Bukovina to the River Pruth, and the entire Banat region, all territory under Austro-Hungarian control. On August 27, Romania fulfilled its treaty obligation by declaring war against Austria-Hungary.

As Romanian troops opened a new front of the war in Transylvania, British forces pressured Germany on the Somme River, and Austria faltered against Russia in the east, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany briefly panicked, telling close confidantes that “The war is lost.”

He regained perspective quickly, however, and moved to strengthen Germany’s defensive position, replacing Erich von Falkenhayn with Paul von Hindenburg as chief of the German General Staff on August 28. Within two weeks, at a conference that included Turkish and Bulgarian leaders, Wilhelm sanctioned the creation of a Supreme War Command, effectively giving Hindenburg command of all the armies of the Central Powers in World War I.

1916

• Premier of Northern Nigeria , accompanies Tafawa Balewa ,the Prime Minister of the Nigerian Republic, during one of his visits to Northern Nigeria. Both of them were assasinated in the military coup d’etat of 1966

Babangida topples Buhari On this day in August 1985 Major General Ibrahim Babangida who was Chief of Army Staff under Head of State Major General Muhammadu Buhari staged a coup toppling the government in which he had served since 1984.

General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida popularly known as IBB, was a Nigerian Army officer and military ruler of Nigeria.

He ruled Nigeria from his coup against Major General Muhammadu Buhari on August 27, 1985 until his departure from office on August 27, 1993 after his annulment of elections held on June 12 that year.

1985

There is evidence of a severe lack of human rights under his regime.

Babangida was the Chief of Army Staff and a member of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) under the administration of Major General Muhammadu Buhari. He later overthrew Buhari’s regime in a bloodless military coup that relied on mid-level officers that Babangida strategically positioned over the years.

He came into power in a military coup promising to bring to an end the human rights abuses perpetuated by Buhari’s government, and to hand over power to a civilian government by 1990. Eventually, he

allegedly perpetuated one of the worst human right abuses and lots of unresolved political assassinations.

Babangida issued a referendum to garner support for austerity measures suggested by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, and subsequently launched his “Structural Adjustment Program” (SAP) in 1986. The policies entailed under the SAP were the deregulation of the agricultural sector by abolishing marketing boards and the elimination of price controls, the privatisation of public enterprises, the devaluation of the Naira to aid the competitiveness of the export sector, and the relaxation of restraints on foreign investment put in place by the Gowon and Obasanjo governments during the 1970s.

Beatles manager, Brian Epstein dies On August 27, 1967, Brian Epstein, manager of the Beatles, was found dead of an accidental drug overdose in his Sussex, England, home.

The following day, the headline in the London Daily Mirror read “EPSTEIN (The Beatle-Making Prince of Pop) DIES AT 32.”

Brian Epstein was, by all accounts, the man who truly got the Beatles off the ground, and in John Lennon’s estimation, it was difficult to see how they’d manage to go on without the man who had managed every aspect of the Beatles’ business affairs up until his unexpected death.

“I knew that we were in trouble then,” John later recalled. “I didn’t really have any misconceptions about our ability to do anything other than play music. I was scared. I thought, ‘We’ve had it.’”

The relationship between Brian Epstein and the Beatles dated back to Liverpool in late 1961. Entirely self-managed and without a recording contract, the Beatles had just recently returned from Hamburg and begun playing Liverpool’s Cavern Club. Epstein was then running his family’s record and musical instrument shop on Walton Road, just blocks away from the Cavern, but as he would later tell the story, he hadn’t heard of the Beatles until he had two young customers in quick succession enter his store looking for a copy of a record they’d made in Hamburg as the backing group for vocalist Pete Sheridan. Based on this rather modest “buzz,” Epstein arranged to go see the future Fab Four several weeks later.

1967

22 DAILY SUN

Monday, August 27, 2012

By ALVAN EWUZIE

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vidently the dust raised by the dastardly murder of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde erstwhile Principal Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo state has not settled. The trusted aide whose life was snuffed out on May, 4, 2012 at his GRA, Benin home on the heels of the last governorship elections in Edo added to the prevalent security challenges in the land.

A distraught Oshimole and, indeed, all well meaning citizens insisted that security agencies must fish out the culprits speedily and bring them to justice.

But in carrying out this duty the Nigeria Police and the State Security Service[SSS] now bicker over which is on top of the situation. The two agencies have gone public with obvious contradictory findings in respect of Oyerinde’s killers and their motive.

The SSS last Thursday through Marylyn Ogah, a Deputy Director presented six suspects before the media insisting that the people who had earlier made such public outing on the SSS instance had a hand in the sad incident. Three physically took part in the act while four bought goods stolen from Oyerinde. The preliminary clue to their finding can safely put their motive as robbery.

The police sang a different song. Mr. Frank Mbah who spoke for the police listed seven principal suspects and other accomplices he says are the mastermind, accomplice and abetter of the crime. He said police findings show that contrary to SSS investigations Oyerinde may have been sent to the great beyond by assassins who they allege may have been sponsored by rights activist Reverend David Ugolor currently held by the police. Mbah says the police still beam the search light on the suspect to unravel his motive. Although a court has granted bail to Ugolor following a motion ex parte by his counsel Mr Afolabi Olayiwola, the police later filed a counter affidavit to contest the ruling.

Certainly both agencies are not on the same page even when Frank Mbah wants the pub-

The bickering over Oyerinde

Oshiomhole

Oyerinde

lic to believe that the SSS and the police are the shortest route to discredit and make nonsense of the findings. When the public inseparably tied. He said: ‘’…our destiny, our mission, our vision and seemed to cast aspersions on the SSS for our desire to serve the nation are inseparably parading same suspects for different crimes their spokesperson described it as and intricately tied, therefore the issue of ‘’deliberate misinformation’’. rivalry does not arise…what we have are two she said ‘’…certain interests security agencies working together to help IS have exploited both social and S keep the nation working’’ Y print media to peddle false insinuBut available information from AL N ations that some of the suspects paradboth agencies contradicts the A S ed on August 1, 2012 in connection with foregoing. Was Oyerinde W Oyerinde’s killing had been earlier paraded murdered by assassins or robNE by this service on March 14, 2012 as they bers? The SSS and the police appear to have been dressed alike…it is perare not in tandem on the answer, which shows a clear picture of rivalry bound tinent to state that the suspects paraded on to do incalculable damage to the investiga- March were three young men between the ages of 19 and 20 who were discovered to tion.

As things stand the evident rivalry provides have conducted surveillance on the expatriate

staff of Stabilini Visionini Construction Company namely Christopher McManus Franco Lamolinara before their abduction” she this in a bid to put to stamp of authority on their findings and dispel and iota of doubt.

A wrong signal has evinced from the imbroglio. The public must now be at a loss over whose position is right. Certainly both cannot be right which is why they should descend from their high horse and arrive at an amicable settlement of the matter. One is bound to be right and both cannot be. Two different sets of people could not have killed the same person. Having gone to the public with distinct facts the tendency would be for each to stick its guns to retain public confidence.

But that stance holds no hope for anybody since the truth will come to light. Both parties should come together, reconcile their findings and come out with a harmonized position otherwise both agencies will bite the dust on this matter. They must arrive at a conclusion and tender deserved apologies to Nigerians.

If no one admits to have made a mistake in the procedure then they have both exposed themselves to ridicule in the court of public opinion. The wrong party should be bold enough to own up in a gallant manner and thus curry public favour. The current trend of where no one wants to own up to a mistake portrays both agencies as either incompetent or engaged in a deliberate move to pull the wool over every eye and steep the investigations into deliberate murky waters and ultimately shroud the outcome in mystery. Either the SSS is wrong or the police is. Both run the rist of being labelled incompetent if they fail to ccme up with a common position.

They owe Nigerians a harmonised position and a harmonised apology. The Oyerinde murder puzzle must be untied. It should not go the way of some investigations that die at the level of parading suspects,

DAILY SUN

Monday, August 27, 2012

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DAILY SUN

Monday, August 27, 2012

FG DISTRIBUTES 1.2M CASSAVA BUNDLES -pg. 30

ENACT INVESTOR-FRIENDLY TAX LAWS -pg. 32 25

www.sunnewsonline.com/businessweek

Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012

•Money •Companies •Commodities •Analysis •Technology •Interview •Management •Stocks

More bank workers to lose jobs to cheque truncation

By CHIMA TITUS NWOKOJI

T

he era of mass job losses that has become part of the nation’s banking industry since 2006 is yet to abate, as a new clearing technology introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), early this month, may push more bank workers into the labour market.

This time round, retrenchment axe is dangling over the head of clearing officers of deposit money banks, whose jobs seem threatened by the newly introduced cheque truncation regime.

The scheme, which is part of the apex bank’s initiative to further fast-track its Cashless Lagos initiative, was introduced specifically to reduce the clearing cycle of financial instruments in the Nigerian banking industry.

Daily Sun checks indicated that the new technology, which clears financial instruments electronically, marks an end to the traditional daily gathering of bank clearing workers at the Lagos clearing house.

The technology, which also reduces financial instruments’ clearing cycle to two days, may, when fully operational, take some critical jobs

FG can’t invest pension funds in infrastructure, stock market – Uduanu

“People should also realize that as banking gets more and more reliant on technology, the industry is going to get fewer and fewer bank’ staff involvement per transaction.”

PAGE 27

CROSS RATES NAME OF CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL US DOLLAR 154.84 155.3 POUNDS STERLING 245.6986 246.4922 EURO 194.2121 194.8394 SWISS FRANC 161.7217 162.244 YEN 1.9682 1.9746 CFA 0.2748 0.2848 WAUA 233.7636 234.5186 YUAN/RENMINBI 24.3609 24.4401 RIYAL 41.2778 41.4111 DANISH KRONER 26.0698 26.154 SDR 235.4663 236.2268 Official exchange rates as at 23/08/2012

SELLING 155.8 247.2858 195.4667 162.7664 1.9809 0.2948 235.2737 24.5192 41.5445 26.2382 236.9874

NIBOR TENOR RATE Call 11.2500 7 Day 12.3333 30 Day 15.2500 60 Day 15.8333 90 Day 216.5000 Source: FMDA

CHANGE -0.33 0.04 2.38 2.54 2.88

DATE 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012

NEWSPHOTO

from the banking industry, considering that the scanning of the clearing instruments can now be handled by fewer hands, as opposed to the large contingent of workers in most banks’ clearing departments.

Confirming fears of possible job losses as a result of the new clearing technology, Executive Director at the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), Mr. ’Niyi Ajao, said banks’ clearing officers no longer come to NIBSS to physically exchange cheques, as a result of the commencement of cheque truncation technology by the Central Bank and the clearing house.

According to him: “Cheque truncation has started at the Lagos Bankers Clearing House.

Banks’ clearing officers no longer come to NIBSS office in Lagos for clearing,” Ajao confirmed.

A top banker in Lagos, who spoke to our correspondent, also agreed that banks now scan cheques and other paper instruments. By this, banks convert physical cheques into electronic form (scanned image) for transmission to the paying bank.

In an era of stiff competition, observers believe

CONT’D ON PAGE 26

Genuine marketers paid N42.7bn – DG, budget office

By CHIMA TITUS NWOKOJI

D

irector General, Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okogu, has insisted that a total of N42.7 billion has been paid to 31 genuine oil marketers, assuring that the names of the recipients would soon be published by the Ministry of Finance.

His words: “Rammaniya and six others were among oil marketers who, most recently, were paid. So, to say nobody has been paid is really not being truthful to Nigerians. 31 marketers have been paid over the last couple of months. And this was for the value of N42.7 billion. I didn’t just cook up the figures.”

This is against the backdrop of the face-off between • L–R: Corporate Services Executive, MTN, Mr Akinwale Goodluck; Chief the Federal Government and some major oil marketers Executive Officer, Murtala Mohammed Foundation, Mrs Aisha Mohammed Oyebode, and Founder, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Mrs Cherie over subsidy claims. The marketers are challenging the Blair, at the 2012 Women’s Conference, tagged: ‘Connecting Nigerian CONT’D ON PAGE 26 Women to Business Success’, in Lagos.

26

Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012

THIS WEEK

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Banking & Insurance, Suntech

Business News

Aviation and Maritime

Money/ Entrepreneur

Brief Conoil forecasts N33bn earnings from lubricants business

By LOUIS IBA

I

ndigenous oil firm, Conoil, is projecting a N33 billion earnings from its lubricant business. Daily Sun learnt that the company is investing N1.5 billion over a fouryear period to re-invigorate its lubricant business, and the company hopes the huge investment will increase earnings to about N33 billion within the same fouryear investment period.

And in a bid to achieve the projected revenue, Conoil has upgraded the filling lines at its Apapa Plant with additional four lines, to increase its production capacity to 50 million litres per annum.

The company has also projected 25 million litres per annum each from its Port Harcourt and Kano Plants.

Strategically, the Apapa Plant in Lagos is positioned to cater for the engine oil needs of the South-West, while Port Harcourt and Kano plants will cover South-East and the North, respectively.

The oil marketing company, which recorded N8 billion revenue from lubricant sales in 2011, is projecting a growth rate of N13 billion in 2012, N18 billion in 2013, N25 billion in 2014 and N33 billion in 2015.

The Nigerian lubricant market, according to statistics from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is projected to grow by 25 per cent over the next three years.

Conoil currently controls 20 per cent of the industry market share, from its current production of 20 million litres per annum.

Conoil lubricant brands, Quatro and Golden Super Motor Oil, are formulated to industry world set standards for automobile and industrial machines’ engines. The brands consist of a range of high quality brands of automotive engine oils, gear oils, transmission oils and multi-purpose bearing greases.

The Team Emeka Okoroanyanwu Group Business Editor Amechi Ogbonna Deputy Business Editor Omodele Adigun Assistant Business Editor Moses Akaigwe Ime Ola Foster Obi Isaac Anumihe Chima Nwokoji Uche Usim Louis Iba Dennis Mernyi Maduka Nweke Adewale Sanyaolu Kelechi Mgboji Bimbo Oyesola Bisi Olaleye

: : : : : : : : : : : : :

Motoring Agribusiness Maritime Banking/Finance, Abuja Banking/Finance Aviation Energy Energy, Abuja Insurance Industry Capital Market Labour Telecommunication/ICT

Festus Odume, Blaise Udunze Charles Nwaoguji, Chinenye Anuforo Oloke Tokunbo, Steve Agbota, Walter Ukaegbu Contributors ’Niyi Okiri Production Editor Ben. Njoku, Favour Onwuka Layout & Design Businessweek is a weekly publication of THE SUN Publishing Ltd., 2 Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Layout, Apapa PMB 22776, Ikeja, Lagos. 01-8983893, 01-5875560 website: www.sunnewsonline.com

• L–R: Mallam Ahmed Kuru, managing director/chief executive officer, Enterprise Bank Limited; Mrs Louisa Olaloku, an executive director of the bank; Sir George Efugbinamba Akomas, a customer of the bank; Chairman of Geolly Farms and Chairman of Enterprise Bank Board, Mr Emeka Onwuka, and Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, another executive director of the bank, during the bank’s ‘Customer Forum’ at Onitsha, Anambra State, recently.

More bank workers to lose jobs to cheque truncation that some banks, who are keen on reducing cost, may not hesitate to lay off workers considered surplus to requirement under the new regime.

At a recent presentation of an award by Forbes Magazine in Lagos, Governor of the Central Bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, noted that although his reforms in the banking industry has led to job losses in some cases, people should also realize that as banking gets more and more reliant on technology, the industry is going to get fewer and fewer bank staff involvement per transaction.

This means in effect that the cheque truncation technology, which may be considered a boost to the cashless Lagos initiative, may indeed be counted as loss to some Deposit Money banks, which may be constrained by the new regime to restructure or further downsize staff, especially in the clearing departments.

Under the new regime,

financial instruments rather than the former three days, now clear in only two days, thereby encouraging customers to use alternative payment channels instead of cash.

The CBN had recently informed all banks and the general public that cheque truncation in Nigeria was to commence in August 10, 2012, and that the Lagos clearing area will serve as the pilot zone; stressing that as soon as possible, the scheme will be extended to other clearing zones across the country.

In a Press release, signed by the Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Ugochukwu A. Okoroafor, the apex bank stated that under cheque truncation regime, settlement of Cheques is obtained in two days after the cheque deposit date as opposed to the usual three days. This it said, is applicable to all clearing paper instruments including dividend warrants and drafts.

It further explained that the clearing cycle will reduce by 1 day, from the current T+2 to T+1, meaning that a customer that deposits a cheque on Monday will get value on Wednesday, as against Thursday under the pre-truncation clearing cycle.

Under the new regime, there will be 3 clearing sessions daily. 1st session which will be for presentation of all clearing instruments while the 2nd session is for presentation of all clearing instruments except fresh Cheques. 3rd session takes care of return of dishonored clearing Instruments only.

While maximum limit for Cheques under cheque truncation will still be N10 million as currently obtainable, except CBN advises otherwise, fresh Cheques paid in will be sent for clearing the next day as only the 1st clearing session which ends by 8am is available for presentation of fresh cheque

CONT’D FROM PAGE 25

instruments.

The apex bank had further clarified that customers will have access to their physical instruments if dishonoured while a returned cheque can be represented for a maximum of three times in line with clearing rules.

Earlier in an interview with Daily Sun, Ajao said it was part of NIBSS duty to continue to improve the overall clearing system by introducing the new technology called cheque truncation.

“Under cheque truncation, a cheque of First Bank that Fidelity Bank collects for instance, would be coming to NIBSS the following day, Fidelity Bank will scan the cheques back and front on dedicated machine right from their office. It will then convert the picture to electronic file, which is now sent through NIBSS to First Bank,” he explained.

N116bn matured T-bills crash inter-bank rates

Genuine marketers paid N42.7bn – DG, budget office CONT’D FROM PAGE 25

By OMODELE ADIGUN

Federal Government to publish the names of their members and traders who received subsidy payments in 2012, insisting that none has been paid.

Two of the marketers, Oando and Conoil, a few days ago, insisted that they have nothing to hide. Over N4.2 trillion is allegedly owed marketers and traders for the importation of refined petroleum products this year.

The marketers also dared government to institute and wait for the outcome of legal proceedings against them.

Answering questions on Channels Television morning programme on Thursday, Akogu said government is concerned, and wants this matter resolved amicably. The government’s concern, he said, informed its decision to talk with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to avert a national strike. He added that it does not want Nigerians to suffer.

On the allegations that the government is still paying 2011 subsidy claims and that such claims has already eaten into 2012 budget for subsidy payments, Akogu revealed that during government’s engagement with major marketers and bankers in February, “We realized that some of their claims were for 2011 which has been the subject of verification. By the time government realized this, it ceased payment and asked some of them to refund monies paid to them.”

T

he inter-bank rates were down last week due to the N116 billion that hit the market in maturing treasury bills (TBs) from an open market operation (OMO), just as foreign investors swooped on the N50 billion TBs that was on auction.

The inter-bank lending rates fell by 200 points on Friday to an average of 11 per cent, down from the 14 per cent of the previous week.

According to market operators, about N116 billion in maturing bills from an Open Market Operation hit the market on Thursday, helping to lift liquidity and pushing down the cost of borrowing among banks.

The dealers said the market opened with a cash balance of about N237 billion on Friday, up from the N197 billion deficit of the prior week.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) fell to 10.50 per cent, from 14 per cent, which is 1.50 per cent lower than the central bank’s 12 per cent benchmark rate, and 50 basis points above the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate. Overnight closed at 11 per cent compared with 14 per cent last week, while call rates dropped to 11.50 per cent against the 14 per cent previously.

“We are anticipating a situation where the central bank would intensify its effort to mop-up idle funds from the system this week and this should see rates inching up to around 14 per cent for overnight,” one dealer said.

Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012

27

CEO INTERVIEW

DAVE EMENIKE UDUANU

FG can’t invest pension funds in infrastructure, stock market – Uduanu

By MADUKA NWEKE ave Emenike Uduanu is the Chairman, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp). An Engineering graduate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Uduanu qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1994. He started his career as an Audit Assistant in Ernst and Young, Lagos, in 1991, and subsequently joined the consulting firm of IBFC Limited in 1993. In 1996 he had a one year stint at Hamilton Hammer & Co Limited as an equity research analyst and later became a partner in Alliance Consulting, as a result of a merger of IBFC and Agusto & Co Limited, in 2002. He later led a group of investors to set up a special purpose vehicle that acquired control of African Alliance Insurance Co Limited in 2004, and became its Executive Director in charge of Business Strategy and Investments.

Dave has held board positions in African Alliance, PAL Pensions, Hygeia Nigeria Limited, PathCare Nigeria, IBFC Agusto Limited, in the past five years.

He is also a CFA Charter Holder (2000), the highest professional investment management qualification in the world. In this interview by Daily Sun, he fielded questions on the activities of PenOP, and other salient issues relating to pension and administrators.

Excerpts:

D • Uduanu Recapitalisation of PFAs enCom has concluded the first phase of the recapitalisation exercise. They have said it would be two phases and the first phase was to state the number of Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) that have in principle met the new minimum capital requirement, and they are 18. What they have also said is that they are going to do verification on the capital contributed by other PFAs. The verification exercise is a throw back of the banking recapitalisation days, where Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) used to do verification of capitals to ensure that they were sourced genuinely. It is just to ensure that operators do not contravene the Anti-Money Laundering Act. We do not expect that number to reduce. So, I would say, today, we have 18 PFAs, because we believe that corporate institutions and individuals of high pedigree own a lot of the PFAs. The check is not about whether the money came in, but to ensure that there is no issue of money laundering. The recapitalisation was seamless. There is nothing to worry about. Some PFAs were bought over by others and there were two PFAs that were adjudged not to meet the minimum capital and are not bought over by anybody. After 28 days, if nothing happens, their licences would be revoked. The law states that every PFA should be given 28 days notice of intention to revoke their licence. We believe that by the end of this month, the approved 18 would become the conclusive list, and that would draw the curtains on the consolidation.

Expectations e used to have 27 PFAs, but now we are 18. Consolidation happens in phases. While some people were expecting 10 PFAs and others, 15 PFAs, people should note that the pension industry is a bit different from banking. I do not think we were expecting anything significantly lower just like other people.

We really need certain number of pension fund administrators to go round the country – doing

P

W

registration and canvassing for new members because this is pension, not banking. Also, the industry is stratified, and there are top 10 PFAs and others, depending on how one looks at it. I think that consolidation would take its natural course. There would be mergers and acquisitions over the next one or two years, but they would not be induced by regulation, but by competition. People would decide then ‘rather than being alone, let me come together with one or two pension fund administrators’, so that we would be stronger and bigger. Remember also that in the pension industry, one crosses a certain number of assets under management, you can invest in other businesses. It all depends on the ambition of the owners of the company. The outcome is not different from what we expected. PenOP is an association of willing members of the industry. Whilst everybody is supposed to be a member of PenOp, the association is not the regulator. So, it is not really our business to deal with whether a company recapitalises or not. It is the duty of the National Pension Commission (PenCom). We are not at liberty or allowed to interface. What we know is that today we have 18 Pension Fund Administrators. If PenCom says tomorrow, it is 19, so be it. So, members of the industry are those that have been cleared and have clean licenses from PenCom. Impact on economy he industry’s shareholders’ fund is more that N18 billion. N1 billion is the minimum for a PFA, but some PFAs have N2 billion, while others, N3 billion. The sharehold-

“It is this N2.6 trillion that is invested in the various instruments, whether it is the money market, bond, capital market, infrastructure and others that would impact the larger society”

T

ers’ fund of PFAs is not what determines the impact of the pension on the larger economy.

It is the size of the pension fund, which is about N2.6 trillion. It is this N2.6 trillion that are invested in the various instruments, whether is the money market, bond, capital market, infrastructure and others that would impact the larger society. Pension fund administrators need capital to run their businesses.

They need capital to rent offices, employ staff and do marketing and branding activities. It is not really the capital of the pension fund administrators that matter, it is the size of the pension assets. As the pension assets grow, the PFAs become stronger. This is because they would have more assets to look after, technically. We are going to see better services from PFAs. We would also witness recruitment of quality staff, have good offices, move outside main areas of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt to other areas of the country. In Pension Alliance Pensions Limited, for instance, we would be opening offices in other parts of the country. Pension fund administrators are being

repositioned to play a better role in the larger economy. By way of rivalry, the only financial institution that is bigger than the PFAs today are the banks. PFAs are now bigger than insurance companies because they manage bigger assets. So, the size of a company does not depend on its shareholders’ funds, but the assets it manages. The biggest PFAs manage excess of N500 billion, while the biggest insurance firm may be N50 billion. This shows the role of PFAs in an economy.

Pension contributors t is not the capital that the pensioners are relying on, rather is it the pension fund or the assets the PFAs are managing. A well capitalised pension fund administrator would be able to give better service to pensioners. If an operator does not have enough capital, he would not be able to open offices across the nation. One of the emphasis operators are making is to ensure that they place their services close to the retirees. This is because we know that when people retire in Lagos, they often do not stay in Lagos. The fact is that with stronger capital base, PFAs would be able to provide services very close to the retirees, and that gives them assurance that their pension assets is available...and that they can access it any time they need it.

Investment here is a clamour for pension funds to be invested in every sector of the economy.

The stockbrokers want the pension fund to pump-up the equity market; the housing sector wants pension funds to be used to finance housing; the Ministry of Power wants pension to be used for power. There are all sorts of demands. We had a session two weeks ago with the capital market community, and the Finance Minister was there. The issue was why can’t we use the pension fund to support the equity market? Our response was that pension fund is not national savings. It belongs to

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CONT’D ON PAGE 28

28

Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012

CEO INTERVIEW

‘Nowhere is pension fund used to stabilise capital market’ CONT’D FROM PAGE 27 individuals who need it when they cannot afford the money when they turn 60 years old and above. The first job of every PFA is the security of the pension funds. Their number one objective is to ensure that when a contributor retires, there is money to finance the pension. However, as financial players, we know that we cannot take this money and keep them in a bank because we are afraid of losing the money. So, PenCom, therefore, came up with guidelines on how the fund should be invested.

The first guideline that was issued was very conservative. It was only money market and bonds with some equities. The guideline has been revised three times and we are going to the fourth revision. The last revision includes all sorts of instruments. There was inclusion of infrastructure, private equity, mortgage-backed securities and real estate investment trust.

However, there are strict guidelines as to how these things should be applied. The challenge we have is that in Nigeria, people do not care to read those guidelines before they make pronouncements. People say we want pension fund to be used for housing, the law has said we can invest in mortgage-backed securities and real estate investment trust. However, there are clear guidelines that must be met before we can do that so that the pension assets are protected. Yes, we expect pension fund to be used in financing some of the deficit we see in infrastructure, but has to be used in a manner that the pension funds are secured. Specifically, on infrastructure, what we asked for is that, for us to finance infrastructure, it must be public/private partnership projects and those projects must have a guarantee of the Federal Government.

Infrastructure financing here are pre-conditions that must be met before pension funds can be used for infrastructure. If those conditions are not in place, the fund cannot be used for infrastructure. Why it is required that the projects must be guaranteed by the Federal Government is because we know that one government can give someone a concession and another government would come and revoke it. We want an irrevocable guarantee from the Federal Government, that these projects cannot be changed. Also, we want a principal guarantee that is ensuring that the money going into the infrastructure projects are guaranteed by the Federal Government. Therefore, the two ways pension funds can go into infrastructure is either through a bond; a dedicated infrastructure bond that is tied to a specific project. Take for an example; Lagos/Ibadan Expressway is a project that is adjudged to be viable because of the traffic on it. If the Federal Government says it wants to do the road and would give it to a project manager who is reputable, who would employ a contrac-

T

“For us to finance infrastructure, it must be public/private partnership projects...and those projects must have a guarantee of the Federal Government.”

•Uduanu tor, and the government says it wants to issue infrastructure bond of N100 billion to finance the project, and we know that when the project is finished there would be toll which would enable them collect the money, of course, pension funds can be deployed to such a project.

Like what they do in Chile, they use pension fund to finance the national housing deficit, but it was through mortgage bonds that were issued and guaranteed by the Federal Government of Chile. Those bonds meant that pension funds put money in a pool and people borrow this money to build house, and contributors to the scheme had the guarantee that the money would not be lost.

Power sector hen officers of government said pension funds should be used to finance power, a lot of contributors said their money should be refunded if their money is to be used to finance National Electric Authority (NEPA).

In Nigeria, power means NEPA. People are not really interested in investing pension funds in power sector due to problems associated with Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Nevertheless, there can be a tripartite meeting between the government, PenCom and PenOp and we would work out a survey for some of these projects on case-by case basis with government guarantee. Obviously, if we set out five or 10 per cent of pension funds and invested them appropriately, we would have good projects financed with pension funds. What we do not want is when people call for investment of pension fund in projects not guaranteed.

There is no place in the world where pension fund has been used to stabilise the stock market. It is not done. You cannot use pension fund to pump up the stock market because we know what happened at the market.

When the scheme started, we were allowed to invest up to 25 per cent in the stock market.

Some of our members, indeed invested, but when the market started having problems, they retrieved their funds.

Now the investment of pension fund in the stock market is about 11 • Uduanu

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per cent. Some people want pension fund to have up to 30 per cent in stock market but it is not going to happen. This is because nobody can decree how pension money should be used except PenCom, for it does not belong to us. It belongs to everybody. There is moral hazard in using pension fund to support the stock market.

What that simply means is that whether stockbrokers or the investors, they would take reckless risks knowing that if anything goes wrong, they would fall back on the pension fund. If there is anybody that can finance the stock market, it is the government. If the government wants to bail out the stock market, it can. When the banking crisis happened, it was the government that bailed out the banks. It is important to make this clear that pension fund cannot be used to bail out the stock market. The stock market would achieve a natural recovery as the economy continues to grow. There is a bit of dishonest argument about the stock market recovery.

The stock market loses are larger in the financial sector because of loss of confidence that happened in the sector. Companies like Nestle were not that affected by the crisis. In fact, the company has achieved an all time high profit.

Stocks like Nigerian Breweries, Guinness are doing well. Let us separate the problems of the banks and insurance companies from the stock market. If they are isolated, there is no problem at the stock market. The capital market is not just made up of stocks; it also has bonds, which is doing well. We should not use the problem of people who borrow money and could not pay to say that the stock market is in crisis. There is no crisis in the stock market. It is achieving a natural recovery. The discussion should be that pension fund should engage the stock market in an intelligent way. We invest in the stock market, but in companies that are well managed with good corporate governance and available good results. Pension funds cannot be forced to invest in companies that are not doing well. On infrastructure, we are engaging PenCom to see how practically it can be invested in. We want to invest in critical sectors that would create jobs.

Benefit Every profit made from investments belongs to the contributors. The only thing we collect is our management fee. We need to distinguish between the capital and the fund. The fund belongs to the contributors and the company raises capital to grow the funds. And from the fund, we collect our management fees which belong to the shareholders and are used to run the company. The statutory fee is 2.25 per cent.

PFAs’ focus FAs focus on programme withdrawal than annuity although both are retirement exit plans. It is natural to sell what you would

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benefit from. That is human nature. What happens practically is that when someone retires, he/she is given an option and told the features of annuity and programme withdrawal. A lot of people chose programme withdrawal because the money is with the pension system, which is regulated by PenCom, and they feel their money is secure. Insurers still have a lot to do in building public confidence. As the confidence improves over time, people would begin to go for annuity. In fact, insurers market more aggressively than the pension operators, but a lot of people still choose service withdrawal.

Getting contributions obody can collect his or her benefit until time of retirement. The scheme is Retirement Saving Account (RSA) and not a bank account. What the regulator said is that if an employee loses his or her job or if you are sacked but not when you voluntarily resigned before age 50.

Six months after the employee loses the job and do not find another job, he or she can apply to collect 25 per cent of the balance on his or her account. But the PFA has to prove that the person was dismissed and that his or her company has remitted all the contributions, otherwise, the employee has to wait until he or she is 50 years.

Challenges e have two major challenges. We have people that have died but their next-ofkin have not shown up for their benefits. We want the next-of- kin of those that died to come and claim their benefits. Next-of-kin are normally the spouse, but some people use their children. If a child is below 18, he/she needs a legal guidance to get the benefit. People should also prepare their Will, so that when they die the benefits would be disposed according to the Will. We also have people that have retired and relocated from where they used to live to places where their PFA cannot reach them. We have the money of these classes of people, either their dead benefits or terminal benefits. We still have those that have not submitted their documents. Their money is ready, we are appealing to them to come to their PFA to complete their documentation and collect their money. In the pension industry, once someone completes the documentation he or she would be paid within one week. Another problem we have is that in Nigeria when a company wants to sack somebody he or she is asked to resign.

When an employee resigns, he or she cannot get 25 per cent of the contribution. A lot of banks staff that were sacked were asked to resign; now they cannot get 25 per cent of their benefits. It is important to let people know that their employer must sack them for them to get 25 per cent of the benefit. If your employer tells you to resign, tell him to sack you for it is better than forceful resignation.

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Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012

29

AGRIBIZ

‘Your pet dog can infect your family with disease’

By GODDY OSUJI

T

he Director of Veterinary Services, Ebonyi State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Ibiam Okoro, is known for his love for Veterinary Medicine, to the extent that he abhors anything that would bring indignation and disrepute to the profession.

Therefore, when recently Dr. Dowing alleged that there were quacks in the veterinary services in Ebonyi State, Okoro was angry.

In this chat with Daily Sun, he warned Nigerians to be wary of the dog they keep in their houses as pet, saying they could transmit diseases to the entire family, if not taken care of.

Dog owners and quacks in veterinary services in the state Many dog owners in the state are keeping these dogs to add to their social status. When you are keeping a dog, then you must take care of the entire house.

Therefore, you are required to bring your pet here. We have the staff and the equipment. Some of them will only call you to complain that we have this problem, and they want you to stay there and do long distance diagnosis. They want you to know what is wrong with their animal; they want to stay there without seeing the animal. For anybody to say there are quacks at our control post, no; they do it somewhere else, but not at the approved official place. They won’t even want us to see them. I am saying that there are no quacks at our control posts. That you saw

some government agents collecting revenue after the vet has done the professional job does not make them veterinary doctors and quacks.

There are quacks in every profession.

Here in Ebonyi State, you get veterinary services department, veterinary clinic, veterinary control post, you cannot have quacks in such departments. We don’t know who Dr. Dowing is, who said there are quacks in veterinary services in the state.

At the control posts, we have desk officers and some government officials who see to it that the cattle traders comply with the rules and ensure animal disease control. That has nothing to do with quacks. Collection of fees has nothing to do with veterinary services. The staff at the control post do their job and those collecting the revenue will collect.

What we do at control post?

What are we supposed to be doing at the control posts? Animal disease control Act of 1998 says every animal that comes into the country, at our international borders then coming into our states through the interstate must pass through our control post. The law gives us the authority to stop these animals, the vehicle conveying them, then examine them to ensure that the ones coming into the state are not infested with what we call trans-boundary animal diseases.

There are many trans-boundary animal diseases and at that control post, it is only trade animals that we are checking not these cattle led by the Fulani men.

These cattle are for breeding and are coming from other states in the North to the South. The law requires the trader to stops at the control post but these cattle traders are very stubborn. They never allow the veterinary officer to inspect the animals.

We want to find out whether at the point of loading they have the permit and if they don’t have, then here we issue them. Rather they come into our state whether they have the permit at the point of loading or not. Because they don’t know how to handle the animals it is the duty of the veterinary officer there to consider whether they are fit to travel.

From point to point, they have to stop, allow the animal to rest and because they don’t do that before they get to their des-

tination, some of the animals die when they stop we see these dead animals which are not good for human consumption and these are the people who claim that there are quacks in the veterinary services.

We have always discussed this matter at National council of Agriculture. It is the duty of the animal owners to look at their animals to know if they are okay.

It is your responsibility to report to the veterinary services or go to the next control post and report; they just want to run away from their responsibility.

Animal diseases surveillance There is what we call animal diseases surveillance and we have surveillance staff at slaughter houses, life bird market and control post has surveillance. Their job starts from live stock farms, they go there for inspection.

When you go come to slaughter houses, abattoirs slaughter slabs as early as 5.30 am you will see veterinary officer, veterinary technician, and veterinary technology they are already there to carry out what we call postmortem inspection.

And I can say that since 2003 when I became the Head of this department, there has never been any case of major disease that can be contracted from animals. We have never had such a case here and that is when you talk of the standard of hygiene at our abattoirs at the slaughter slab. You know the problem of Nigeria you cannot rule out that somebody can go anywhere and slaughter animal.Our job starts from the farm, we make sure we examine them and anyone with disease we treat those that are sick then we follow the animal to the slaugh-

IITA inaugurates Central African hub in DR Congo

T

he International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, has inaugurated its Central African hub with the commissioning of an official building in Kinshasa.

It is the fourth established by the institute. The East African hub has its operations in Tanzania; Southern African hub in Lusaka, Zambia; while the West African hub is based in Nigeria.

The hub concept aims to accelerate the Institute’s response to the different opportunities and threats to food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

At the inauguration of the hub, IITA Director General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, said the choice of DR Congo “is important because of the country’s agricultural potential, which serves as a focal point for research for countries of the Central African region.”

According to him, the inauguration of the building in Kinshasa is part of the Institute’s strategy for efficient delivery of research outputs and to ensure more effectiveness.

According to him, in Central Africa, IITA will work with national agricultural research systems such as Institut National pour l’Etude et la Recherche Agronomique (INERA), universities, nongovernmental organizations, farmers and the private sector.

Dr Sanginga said the establishment of the hub would also consolidate the longtime collaboration between IITA and partners in that region.

For instance, since 1974, IITA has been contributing in strengthening the capacity of INERA. Both institutions have been involved in the breeding of disease-resistant varieties of cassava against major diseases such as cassava

mosaic virus. Such collaborations and many more will continue in the years ahead.

The Prime Minister of DR Congo, Augustin Matata Ponyo, commended IITA for establishing the hub in DR Congo. He expressed optimism that with research, DR Congo could tap its agricultural potential for economic growth and development, and could feed the entire sub-Saharan Africa.

In addition to improved varietal development, IITA and INERA research activities will focus on natural resource management to boost crop production and to improve livelihoods.

Dr Sanginga was accompanied by Prof. Paul Mafuka (INERA Director General and IITA Board member) and Dr Nzola Mahungu (IITA DRC Country representative).

• Dr. Okoro ter house and approve them fit for human consumption. Anybody slaughtering an animal is required by law to go to that approved place to slaughter his animal between 5.30 and 6 am and if you must go to slaughter after 12 o’clock you call us.

We supervise our staff seriously to avoid compromise. We follow the animal right from the farm to slaughter house to the market to make sure that it is not contaminated. People are now trained in animal anatomy, animal physiology no other person has any business to come into the abattoir.

Challenges We encounter a lot of challenges like unqualified people coming into the profession. We also have people from the local government going to abattoir, what business do they have there but we tell them to leave the place when we encounter such intruders. You know we are still backward, and another problem is the butchers hired to kill these animals. You discover too many people working in the abattoir. You look at a farmer who will not want to report that his animal is sick only when the animal is down and people who do not know that the dog they have in the house must be properly taken care of.

We have veterinary officers who are trained in this job who go to their duty post as early as 5.30 am and they are highly motivated by the state government paying them 100 percent of their entitlements. They are happy therefore nobody abandons his job. We advice people to go to these slaughter houses to slaughter their meat and take them to the market. Every slaughter house has three vet officers , two veterinary doctor and four health assistants and this is the only state that has veterinary school owned by the former Eastern Region at Ezzamgbo and some of them have be retrained there for two years and later go back for another two years.

30 Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012 AGRIBIZ

FG distributes 1,233,000 cassava bundles in 30 states • Lagos farmers get 25,000

Stories by IME OLA

I

n line with its transformation agenda, the Federal Government has distributed 1,233,000 cassava bundles worth N460 million to farmers in 30 states of the federation.

The Head of Root/Tuber Division at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Ademola Efuntoye, disclosed this at the flag-off of the Cassava Growth Enhancement Support to farmers in Lagos State.

Efuntoye, who is also the desk officer, Cassava Value Chain, said: “This is the 30th state and Lagos is getting 25,000 bundles.”

He explained to the farmers, who came out in large numbers to Agric-Yes premises, Araga, Epe, venue of the event, that the input was meant to increase their yield per hectare.

The desk officer said government decided to provide them with improved varieties in order to checkmate the scarcity of cassava flour when the implementation of the 40 per cent inclusion takes off fully.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, described the programme as another effort of the state to revamp the sector which is its main focus in the next three years.

He said: “In the state, we understand that agric is the main driver of the economy. Agric is a sustainable resource that has not been well tapped. We have realised that in agric, we can create a lot of jobs. So, it is important that our farmers get the necessary support.”

• Technical Adviser to the Minister of Agric (Cassava Value Chain), Mrs. Toyin Adetunji (3rd left), with Prince Lawal, presenting a cassava bundle to a beneficiary at the event

According to him, cassava as a major crop in the transformation agenda can bring more than it is currently limited to. Given its various uses, he said, the state decided to increase its yield beyond the 12 tonnes per hectare in the state to more than 25 tonnes.

He said: “The state is collaborating with the Federal Government to provide improved planting materials and other yield increasing inputs to farmers at 50 per cent subsidy.

Similar exercise for maize aid and rice farmers is ongoing and I urge all farmers in the state to take advantage of the programme.”

While highlighting some of the intervention programmes in the state to assist farmers,

• Dr. Adesina, Minister of Agric.

the commissioner assured the Agric-Yes graduates for Course II and III that they would soon be empowered. He also disclosed that arrangements had been made for interested graduates to take plots within the settlement for their use pending when their empowerment process is through.

He told the farmers that government projects and programmes place emphasis on cooperative and urged them to look into the economic development of their members through effective participation.

He said the inputs would be distributed at the farm service centres at Epe, Ikorodu, Ajah, Oko-Oba and Ojo.

Also speaking, the Permanent secretary, Dr. Olajide Bashorun, lamented the low level of redemption of the inputs for maize and rice.

He urged the farmers to take their allocation for the next planting season. He said the intervention became necessary to enhance the yields of the various crops.

“I wish to advise all stakeholders to play their parts very well so as to ensure that sustainability of the various intervention and move our society from a net importer to a net exporter of food within the shortest possible time,” he said.

Dr. Odeyemi Julius, the Regional Director South West, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, told the farmers that government was intensifying efforts to improve their livelihoods.

He said: “Agriculture is undergoing transformation. Farming is no longer the way it used to be. It is now business. Government wants to stop the importation of wheat to increase the incomes of cassava farmers.”

The representative of cassava growers in Epe, Evangelist Azeez Michael, urged the government to also support them with farm implements and funding.

‘Investment in agric, key to youth empowerment, economic growth’

P

resident of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, has called on Nigerian leaders to invest in the future of children, through agriculture.

He made the call at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, recently while delivering a lecture titled: Rejuvenation: Investing in Agriculture for the future of Nigeria and its young people.

Dr. Nwanze, who was on a two-day visit to IITA, said: “Our leaders need to know this. If we are thinking of investing in the future of our children, then we must think agriculture. The impact of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by agriculture in any country is twice that of other sectors.”

According to him, increasing investments in agricultural research for development (R4D) could bring the much-awaited agric transformation to Nigeria and help address the rising wave of youth unemployment and its attendant poverty.

Dr Nwanze said Africa and, indeed, Nigeria, should not shy away from committing more resources to agricultural research and development if they really want to witness an African Green Revolution.

“Agric research is the cornerstone of development… it is the vehicle that conveys development and we must invest in it,” he said.

The IFAD boss also supported calls for investments to rejuvenate research institutions such as IITA – a position earlier made by Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

According to him, such investments will have a positive trickle down effect on the youths by way of generating improved technologies that could attract youths to agriculture and build their capacities in solving both present and future challenges to food security.

Citing research studies, Dr Nwanze said that for every dollar invested in agricultural research, returns on investments were about US$9 in subSaharan Africa.

He said: “In 2003, African governments made a commitment to allocate at least 10 percent of national budgets to agriculture but not many have actually met the target.

• L–R: Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Dr. Nwanze, former minister of state for Agriculture, Chief Bamidele Dada, and Dr. Sanginga, at the lecture.

Consequently, low investments in agriculture places Africa in a disadvantaged position behind its Asian and Latin American counterparts in areas such as irrigation, fertilizer usage, and advanced seed technology. Despite its agrarian nature, Africa spends billions of dollars

each year importing food, including 45 percent of its rice and 85 percent of its wheat.”

He told the audience made up or agric stakeholders that Africa could turn around its ‘fortunes’ for the better by paying more attention to agriculture.

As one of those that led IITA’s work on the bio-control of cassava mealybug in Africa in the early 1980s, he said the success of the bio-control program to saved cassava – a staple to more than 200 million people in Africa noting that every dollar invested in bio-control research had saved one person in Africa.

He said the breakthrough in the bio-control program also demonstrated the importance of agricultural research, stressing that even the Green Revolution in Asia was a product of agricultural research.

The IFAD president said that the growing population in Africa, which in the case of Nigeria will double by 2050, demanded more attention to agriculture.

“This is the only way to have regional stability, cohesion, peace, and development,” he said.

He commended IITA for its work on agricultural research, and pledged IFAD’s support in rejuvenating the Institute.

On his part, IITA Director General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga described the growing youth population as both an opportunity and a ‘time bomb’ for Africa.

“It is an opportunity if we convert its energies to agricultural development but could be a ‘time bomb’ if we fail to do so,” he explained.

S’West farmers to boost agriculture with exhibition

By THERESA ONWUGHALU

A

n agro based firm, Chubbies and Fields, has collaborated with Oodua Chambers of Commerce and the states in order to achieve its aim of enhancing agricultural productivity in the South Western states.

Addressing newsmen on Thursday, the company’s Managing Director, Dr. Akin Ajiboye, said the collaboration was motivated by the crisis of livelihood that had been the lot of the people.

“In the past few years, our people have become more impoverished due to lack of access to the essentials of life, which is food for sustainable livelihood. A nation that cannot produce food for its citizenry faces that peril of poverty, crime, starvation and depression, there-

fore, the search for a critical solution to food challenges,” he stated.

Ajiboye lamented that the natural condition of the country is good enough to be able to feed the whole nation but unfortunately, the reverse is the case.

He explained that: “In the South West for instance, the temperature throughout the years ranges between 21–28 degrees. One major natural resource in the area is the wide expanse of arable land suitable for growing variety of crops.

South West farmers produce cocoa, yam, vegetables, rice, cassava, maize, cocoyam and palm oil.

The people are predominantly farmers who still practice the traditional shifting cultivation system but are largely uncoordinated. Ekiti State with a population of about three million people faces the challenge of exploring the vast agricultural potential which reason could be adduced to

the years of neglect and lack of commitment by the previous governments.”

Ajiboye is glad that the present administrations in the South West states have moved to consolidate its gains in agriculture by intensifying farming activities and venturing into agri businesses.

According him, this will enable the government to achieve its objectives in mass food production, security and efficiently harness the agricultural resources to contribute significantly to its GDP adding that, with this new agrarian revolution in the states, “we think there must be private initiatives to strengthen the current state of affairs, that is why we came into the scene.

Based on this, we have decided to hold the F irst Farmer and Food Security Exhibition from September 10 to 14 at the Trade Fair Complex, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.”

31

Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012

ESOKO

Briefs NEPAD to raise $1bn for youth empowerment for agric R&D

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he New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), has disclosed plans to raise $1 billion to increase investments in agricultural research and development (R&D) amongst the unemployed youths that could bring agricultural transformation to Nigeria and help address food scarcity.

The National Director, Information and Mobilization, NEPAD Youth initiative, Prince Clement Enweremadu, said this during the launching of CIS-Trade for Peace, Unity and Development and, MoU signing ceremony by the Institute with NEPAD Youth Initiative, in Lagos.

Enweremadu, who is the initiator of Collaboration, Initiation and Stabilization (CIS) framework, explained that with the NEPAD Youth initiative, the strategy was to empower young and talented individuals through trade in agriculture produce and other commercial ventures, and as well achieve peace, unity and development via trade.

According to him, NEPAD’s emphasis on agricultural produce for trade among other commercial ventures, will enable Nigeria achieve food security as a nation.

However, he explained that the provisions of CIS trade for peace, unity and development framework was procedural and is the coming together of stakeholders in the identification of local products packaging agencies like the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nigerian Customs and others.

Nigeria exports non-oil products worth $113m to Ghana

T

he Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) said that Nigerian non-oil export to Ghana increased by 38 per cent in 2011.

Mr Aliyu Lawal, NEPC Director of Trade Information, provided the nation’s non-oil export data in an interview in Abuja.

He said Nigeria exported goods worth 113 million dollars (N17.52 billion) to Ghana in 2011, compared with $81.76 million (N12.67 billion) in 2010.

According to Lawal, the bulk of the exported products were cosmetics, footwear, textiles, confectionaries, insecticides, plastic (empty bottles), electric cables, food and beverages, including noodles.

The director, who described Ghana as one of Nigeria’s biggest markets in West Africa, noted that the export data covered only official transactions and registered businesses between the two countries.

“The figure only puts registered non-oil export transaction into account. So, officially, the volume is $113 million, excluding unregistered businesses. This is because most of the transactions are not registered.

“If the unregistered transactions are included, then the volume should be more than double the official volume,” he said.

Esoko Nigeria Commodity Index MARKET/COMMODITY

WHOLESALE

RETAIL

LAST WEEK’S PRICE

Bag(kg) Price(N)

LM

Price(N)

P/Kg(N)

VARIANCE W(N)

R(N)

W(N)

R(N)

Bodija Market Oyo State Drum Beans (Olotu) Groundnut (Edible) Garri (White) Maize (White) Palm oil Rice (Imported) Sorghum (Red) Soya Beans

100 100 100 100 25L 50 100 100

24000 18000 9500 7500 5000 8400 7700 12500

Congo Congo Congo Congo Bottle (0.75L) Congo Congo Congo

370 260 100 110 180 280 120 200

308.33 200 83.33 91.67 240 233.34 100 166.67

21000 18000 9500 7500 5000 8400 7700 12500

330 260 100 110 180 280 120 200

3000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Danwanua Market Kano State Drum Beans (Olotu) Groundnut (Edible) Garri (White) Maize (White) Sorghum (Red) Soya Beans

100 100 60 100 100 100

20000 18000 4000 6400 6000 12800

Tier Tier Tier Tier Tier Tier

500 450 200 165 155 320

204.92 218.45 107.53 65.48 60.08 142.86

20000 19000 4000 7000 6400 12800

500 490 200 175 165 320

0 -1000 0 -600 -400 0

0 -40 0 -10 -10 0

Gombe Main Market Gombe State Garri (White) Maize (White) Palm oil Rice (Imported) Sorghum (Red) Soya Beans

100 100 25L 50 100 100

6000 6300 5500 9000 7000 11000

Mudu Mudu Bottle (0.75L) Mudu Mudu Mudu

120 85 170 260 100 150

120 70.83 226.67 180.56 76.92 127.12

6000 6300 5500 9000 7000 11000

120 85 170 260 100 150

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0

Igbudu Market Delta State Drum Beans (Olotu) Garri (White) Maize (White) Onion (Violet) Palm oil Rice (Imported)

100 50 100 100 25L 50

30000 3500 7700 13000 5000 9000

Paint Bucket Paint Bucket Paint Bucket

1000 300 350

270.27 100 94.59

550 300 300

4L Gallon Paint Bucket

1200 800

300 195.12

17700 3500 6800 9000 5000 10000

1200 850

12300 0 900 4000 0 -1000

450 0 50 0 0 -50

Keffi Market Nassarawa State Drum Beans (Olotu) Groundnut (Edible) Garri (White) Maize (White) Rice (Imported) Sorghum (Red) Soya Beans

100 100 100 100 50 100 100

40000 22000 9000 10000 9500 8000 17000

Mudu Mudu Mudu Mudu Mudu Mudu Mudu

400 220 90 100 300 90 170

357.14 189.66 121.62 81.97 241.94 71.43 163.46

40000 22000 9000 10000 9500 8000 17000

400 220 90 100 300 90 170

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Mile 12 Market Lagos State Drum Beans (Olotu) Groundnut (Edible) Garri (White) Maize (White) Onion (Violet) Palm oil Rice (Imported) Sorghum (Red) Soya Beans

100 100 60 100 100 25L 50 100 100

28000 19000 5800 7500 10000 6000 8500 7500 13000

Paint Bucket Paint Bucket Paint Bucket Paint Bucket

950 750 280 350

263.89 241.94 96.55 94.59

950 850 250 350

200 750 400 600

266.67 182.93 100 166.67

-1000 -2000 0 0 0 0 100 0 0

0 -100 30 0 0

Bottle (0.75L) Paint Bucket Paint Bucket Paint Bucket

29000 21000 5800 7500 10000 6000 8400 7500 13000

Mutum Biu Market Taraba State Groundnut (Edible) Garri (White) Maize (White) Onion (Violet) Palm oil Rice (Imported) Sorghum (Red) Soya Beans

100 100 100 100 30L 50 100 100

10000 6000 6000 7000 5500 8500 6500 9500

Tier Tier Tier

350 150 200

170.94 80.65 73.53

5L Tier Teir Tier

1200 600 200 300

240 270.27 73.53 113.64

-4000 0 0 1000 0 0 0 0

-50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

100 100 100

Paint Bucket Paint Bucket Paint Bucket

700 200 300

209.58 68.97 78.95

Bottle (0.75L) Paint Bucket Paint Bucket Paint Bucket

200 750 350 550

226.67 193.3 87.5 153.63

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Paint Bucket Paint Bucket Paint Bucket Paint Bucket

1100 850 230 300

299.47 283.33 79.31 81.08

Bottle (0.75L) Paint Bucket Paint Bucket Paint Bucket

200 800 300 650

266.67 195.12 75 171.05

4200 0 0 200 0 100 -200 0 300

200 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Ogbete Market Enugu State Drum Beans (Olotu) Garri (White) Maize (White) Onion (Violet) Palm oil Rice (Imported) Sorghum (Red) Soya Beans

25L 50 100 100

22000 5000 7000 8500 5200 10000 8500 15500

Relief Market Anambra State Drum Beans (Olotu) Groundnut (Edible) Garri (White) Maize (White) Onion (Violet) Palm oil Rice (Imported) Sorghum (Red) Soya Beans

100 120 60 100 100 25L 50 120 120

29000 22000 2600 7500 8000 6100 8800 9000 16300

• Source: Esoko Nigeria [Email: info@esokonigeria.com//Tel: +234-1-8501145]

14000 6000 6000 6000 5500 8500 6500 9500

22000 5000 7000 8500 5200 10000 8500 15500

24800 22000 2600 7300 8000 6000 9000 9000 16000

200 700 400 600

400 150 200 1200 600 200 300

700 200 300 200 750 350 550

900 850 230 300 200 800 300 650

50 0 0

32 Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012 TAX ISSUES

Judgement puts TAT’s major role on radar

T

Enact investor-friendly laws to deflate tax havens, FG urged

he recent judgement by the Abuja Division of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT) which ordered TSKJN to pay Stories by OMODELE N5.14 billion tax liabilities to the Federal Inland ADIGUN Revenue Service (FIRS), has put the major role of the tribus global efforts to tax nal in the limelight. trillions of dollars hidTAT, it will be recalled, was established in February 2010 to den in off-shore tax handle disputes between aggrieved tax payers and tax author- havens gather momentum, ities. This is to reduce cases of tax evasion and ensure fairness the Federal Government has and transparency of the tax been urged to formulate system. investor-friendly policies and But before the TSKJ Vs regulations that would disFIRS case, most tax payers courage capital flight to these had little or no knowledge of locations. the Tribunal. TAT stemmed According to Mr Fred from Section 59 FIRS Ijewere, the Managing Director (Establishment) Act 2007, of LearnAfrica (formerly which provides for its estabLongman Nigeria) Plc., the tax lishment, replacing the Body havens continue to boom of Appeal Commissioners because of investors’ appetite and the Value Added Tax for maximum returns on their Tribunals, with powers to investments, adding that “Once • Aganga settle disputes arising from the operations of the Act and oth- you have opportunity to have a tax haven, many people would states that super-rich individuers, as spelt out in the Fifth Schedule to the Act. Section 18 (2) of the Companies Income Tax (Amendment) want to take advantage of it to als and their families have as Act, 2007 states that appeals shall be as provided for in the maximize profits.” much as $32 trillion of hidden On how to tackle the chal- financial assets in offshore tax FIRS Act, and Section 68 of the Act states that the provisions of the federal tax laws shall be read with such modifications as lenge, Ijewere, in a chat with havens, representing up to Daily Sun, advised that only $280 billion in lost tax income to bring them into conformity with the FIRS Act. The board or a relevant tax authority is authorised under the conducive business environ- revenues.

Using data from the World law to sue and recover in a court of competent jurisdiction, tax ment could reverse the ugly Bank, International Monetary charged against taxable persons, but which remains unpaid at trend.

His words: “What the gov- Fund, United Nations and the expiration of a given notice issued to demand for such payernments [around the world, world central banks, the report ments. the Federal puts Nigeria on the list of top The new Tax Appeal Tribunal has jurisdiction over disputes including arising from the Companies Income Tax, Petroleum Profit Government] need to do is to 20 countries with global capiTax, Personal Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Value Added formulate policies and regula- tal flight of $7.6 trillion in tions to encourage individuals 2010,out of 139 countries’$9.4 Tax, Stamp Duties, Taxes and Levies.

It is against this background that TSKJN filed three separate and businesses to invest in their trillion. The nation’s figure was countries because they have a put at $306 billion. appeals before the tribunal.

The LearnAfrica boss, howIn the first ruling on TSKJ II appeal of FIRS assessment for lot to gain if the investors come ever, praised efforts being 1997-2002, the Tax Appeal Tribunal upheld FIRS assessment in.”

A recent report by a UK- made so far in Nigeria,particuthat TSKJ II is to pay $16,688,267 dollars as tax.

TAT operates in eight different locations which areß based Tax Justice Network larly by the Joint Tax Board Bauchi, Kaduna, Jos, Ibadan, Enugu, Benin, Lagos and Abuja. (TJN), a pressure group that (JTB) and state governments, campaigns against tax havens, to discourage multiple taxa-

A

$16.688m tax to be paid

by TSKJ II for five years

Olympics: Did Team Nigeria, 125 others pay losers’ tax?

T

he 2012 London Olympic Games may have come and gone, but a new tale from the Olympiad – that losers paid taxes, while winners walked home free with tax exemptions – is currently giving bad taste to the mouth.

According to the UK-based New Statesman magazine, “Organizations like the Olympics promote the idea that only the losers pay tax and the winners, be they competing athletes or corporations that get brownie points for monopolising industries, are lucky enough to get out of helping the [hosting] country function.”

If this is true, it would be too great a cost to the participants without laurels, who would have to pay through their nose to boost the tax revenue profile of the hosting country.

Lest we forget, the three-week event featured about 10,000 athletes from 205 countries, who competed in 300 events.

Out of these, only 79 countries won medals, while the rest 126, including Team Nigeria, went home empty handed.

Commenting on the ‘Great Olympic Tax Swindle’ in the wake of the rumpus generated by tax break granted the sponsors of the Games, Tax Justice Network, had wondered why highly paid athletes should not pay tax and why profitable corporations should not contribute towards the massive cost of hosting the Olympics.

In guessing the answer, New Statesman said: “Tax exemption is far from [being] unknown in the Olympic world; in fact, such legislations have long since been endemic to the Games for years.”

But defending the government’s position on the issue, an official of the UK’s revenue agency, Her Majesty Revenue and Customs(HMRC) told a local newspaper that “the Government put in place a tax exemption so that non-resident Olympic and Paralympic athletes would not pay UK tax on their income from Olympic and Paralympic appearances.

But any tax on other UK income such athletes receive can in most cases be set off against tax paid in their home country.” Then does this mean that Team Nigeria and other losers got taxable income from other sources that helped boost the tax revenue of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games? How? NOC should explain this.

• Ijewere tion.

He stated: “The Joint Tax Board( JTB) itself in collaboration with the states has been working hard to streamline the issues of multiple taxation. The state governments themselves are quite conversant with the fact that they do not want to discourage industries from their states because of multiple taxation. For instance, many companies have moved from Lagos to the outskirts of the state.

“This is a move to avoid multiple taxation. The states have begun to look at the issue for their own benefits so as not to discourage investors from establishing industries. It is obvious that once you have opportunity to have a tax

haven, many people would want to take advantage of it to maximize profits,” he said.

The global campaign against tax evasion was launched three years ago by the leaders of the G20 group of leading Western and developing nations, aiming to claw back billions in lost tax revenue at a time when many governments are trying to cut huge budget deficits.

The G20 leaders agreed at their London summit to crack down on tax evasion and banking secrecy, and asked the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD) to publish lists of tax havens according to how cooperative authorities there are on releasing information about offshore wealth holdings.

Tax professionals and new anti-money laundering regime

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he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), by a circular dated August 2, 2012, has imposed additional KNOW-YOUR-CUSTOMER (KYC) requirement for account opening on commercial banks. Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBP) are required to provide evidence of registration with the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), an agency of the Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment, among other things, before they can open accounts with commercial banks.

Existing customers in this category are also required to register with SCUML within six months, in order to regularise their accounts documentation or have those accounts frozen on expiration of the grace period.

Designated Non-Financial Institutions (the statutory name for DNFBP) have been defined in section 24 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004 to include hotels, jewelry dealers, car and luxury good dealers, investment brokers and trust firms, lawyers, legal firms & notaries, accountants, audit firms and tax consultants, religious organizations, real estate firms, casinos,

PAYING TAXES supermarkets, dealers in precious metals and stones, clearing and settlement companies, non-governmental and charitable organisations, and other businesses and professions as the Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment may from time to time designate.

DNFBP customers include sole practitioners, partners and employed professionals within the professional firms. They do not refer to professionals that are employees of other types of businesses or to professionals working for government agencies or financial institutions.

SCUML is a unit at the Federal Ministry of Trade & investment that is invested with gathering intelligence on A n t i - M o n e y Laundering/Combating of Financial Terrorism [AML/CFT]. Its counterpart in the financial sector is called the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

Registration with SCUML may involve the registrant making an undertaking to fill and return necessary forms on Cash Transaction Reports

• Eze (CTRs) and Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) periodically to SCUML for inhouse analysis with a view to using relevant information to track money launderers, many of who have diverted their investments to the non-financial sector.

The new anti-money laundering regime has been in the works since 2009 when the then Minister of Commerce & Industry, Chief Achike Udenwa, inaugurated the National Advisory Council of Designated Non-Financial Institutions in Abuja.

SCUML, NFIU, EFCC, NBA, ICAN, CITN, ANAN, NIESV, and some other sundry organisations are pioneer members of the National Advisory Council.

The fight on combating of terrorist financing and anti-

money laundering measures assumed a global dimension for DNFBP after the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a scion of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) registered Nigeria in their Black Book for lethargy in this direction.

Although Nigeria has been let off the hook, however, the consequence is that Nigeria must be compliant on antimoney laundering measures.

In this regard, a tax consultant, like other professionals, is required to gather as much information as possible from his client and record transactions in the prescribed manner so as not to run foul of the prevailing regime. It is also expected that the Rules and Regulations guiding each profession must incorporate antimoney laundering provisions, a breach of which will result in disciplinary measures against the professional, independent of measures that may be taken

by SCUML for such infraction.

The new anti-money laundering regime will definitely impact negatively on the hitherto privileged communication between a professional and his client.

• Eze is the Chairman, Publicity & Publications Committee, CITN

Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012

33

STOCKWORLD

Briefs Central bank uncertainty weighs on investors …As European shares dip 0.2%, MSCI global index drops

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nvestors generally sold riskier assets across financial markets on Friday, remaining to a certain degree in limbo until they learn how much of a punch central banks will give to the stumbling global economy.

The euro zone's struggle to prevent its own break up continues to dominate markets and play on economic confidence. European shares, which have suffered their worst run in over a month in the last few days as euro zone uncertainty has returned, were flat but MSCI's main global index was down around a third of a percent on the day.

"We are in a vacuum policy wise ahead of the Jackson Hole meeting and the (European Central Bank) meeting on September 6 so we are in a wait and see mode," said Saxo Bank chief economist Steen Jakobsen.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and other central bank leaders meet in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, next week for an annual get together that often hints at what monetary policy is to come.

"We are waiting to see whether we get QE3 (another round of asset buying from the Fed) and to see how the ECB is going play the promise that it will help the peripherals, so right now the market is just concentrating on technicals."

Key global stock markets have risen 15-20 percent since June as hopes of a resolution to the euro zone crisis have sustained investor optimism despite a deterioration in company earning outlooks.

Flour Mills announces acquisition of controlling stake in Thai Farm

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lour Mills of Nigeria Plc. has notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange of its acquisition of a controlling interest in Thai Farm International Limited (Thai Farm).

In a statement it submitted to the Exchange on Friday, the company stated that the move was part of a radical drive to expand its business interests in the Nigerian Agricultural sector.

Adding that the development further confirmed its unalloyed support for the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

The statement also disclosed that the company has already commenced major agro-allied investments in significant areas such as rice cultivation and milling, sugar growing, milling and refining.

Other areas it claimed to have commenced significant investment included maize and soya beans, growing, palm oil cultivation and refining and production of animal feeds.

Thai Farm has which has grown to be one of the two leading corporate suppliers of cassava flourvbegan operations in 2010, and grows and processes cassava in Ososa, Ogun State.

The projected availability of cassava flour is expected to boost the implementation of the cassava inclusion policy of the federal government.

By the acquisition therefore, Flour Mills would be able to ensure consistency in quality, availability and affordability of cassava flour to millers in the country.

According to the statement, Thai Farm presently has about 100 staff in its employ and supports a further 1,700 small cassava farmers through its “out grower program.

“The company’s use of modern equipment and skilled staff in conjunction with effective management of the cassava out grower program has made very significant impact in the agricultural sector within the very short time of its operations,” the statement added.

Bombadier invites Arik chairman to partners meeting in Montreal

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anadian based Bombardier Aerospace has invited Arik Air Chairman, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, to a meeting of select business partners in Montreal, Canada.

Sir Arumemi-Ikhide is one of just four partners of Bombardier Aerospace invited for the meeting, which will dovetail into the Premier CSeries (Bombardier’s Next Generation aircraft) event in Charlevoix, Quebec from August 25 to August 29, 2012.

The meeting between Arik Air Chairman and Bombardier Aerospace led by the President of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, Mr. Mike Arcamore, will seek to strengthen the existing business relationship between the two.

Key areas of collaboration such as establishment of maintenance facility, support services, training and exchange of personnel are some of the issues that will be discussed at the business meeting. Future aircraft order by Arik Air will also be on the agenda.

• General Manager Marketing, Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Mr Oyewole Adegoke (middle) flanked by Customer Service representative, Mouka Foam Ltd., Ms Ebunoluwa Adeyemi (left) and Product Manager, Mouka, Mr Stephen Uwazota, during the Eko Expo 2012, Lekki Trade Zone.

MDRI: N1trn forecast brightens outlook of insurance equities Stories by KELECHI MGBOJI

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enewed interest in insurance stocks following the birth of NAICOM’s Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI), which projected a N1 trillion gross premium for the industry in 2012, has brightened yield potentials of insurance stocks.

Going by the figure presented by the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), the sectors’ volume of business written for the financial year ended 31st December, 2011 stood at N200 billion.

But the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) said the industry is capable of achieving a N1 trillion mark

by December 2012 if the practitioners should work harder and take advantage of the MDRI. In response to this initiative, insurance companies have

come up with dedicated department towards actualizing the N1 trillion gross premium mark for the year 2012.

Speaking in interview with Daily Sun, the chief executive officer, Niger Insurance Plc, Mr. Justus Uranta, said that growth opportunities and return on investment prospects of the industry have received tremendous boost stressing that all the insurance companies are working hard to actualize the projection.

“Well, I like to see that achieved because it will improve my bottom-line.

From now till December something can happen and we can get there. Seriously speaking, all the insurance companies are working hard to actualize the forecast. Here, we have a department that is taking care of that and every insurance company has done so,” Uranta stated.

The Niger Insurance boss who spoke during the compa-

ny’s annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos recently noted that though the industry is still grappling with challenges arising from economic recessions sweeping across the world, he is optimistic of improved financial performance for the current fiscal year.

The underwriting firm posted a profit after tax of N1.23 billion for the financial year ended 31st December, 2011, up from a loss after tax of N124 million in 2010, an improved financial performance which Uranta attributed to cost cutting strategy.

Also commenting on the growth and yield potentials of insurance equities, the head of research team at Meristem Securities Limited, Mr. Afolabi Oriola, said unfolding policies in the industry show that it holds a lot of promise for investors.

Specifically he said that with only less than 3 percent of the population having

SEC goes tough on rules, gets police unit for enforcement

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o further enhance the enforcement capability of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), arrangements have been concluded for the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar, to officially hand over a Police Unit to the management of the Commission.

Although details of the handover event going to hold September 5 at the Police Headquarters Abuja were not available at press time, Daily Sun gathered that the objective is to keep a handy manpower to beef up enforcement of its policies, rules and regulations.

Like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and

other government agencies that make use of the Police in the conduct of its operations, the SEC will after the handover deploy its police unit when the need arises to deal with erring market operators in the capital market.

Since the commission does not have the power to arrest suspects, the police unit will be handy to effect arrest, seal business premises of suspects, even in the prosecution of cases of infraction and market abuses.

To this end, the Commission may organize training programme to equip the assigned police officers so that they will have basic knowledge of the workings of the capital market that is required of them to operate effectively in their new role.

Before now there had been mere collaboration between SEC and the Police which detail officers to Commission when the need arises. But with the new development, the Commission will retain a Police Unit to give bite to its regulatory activities.

Recall that one of the recommendations of the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee that recently investigated the near collapse of the capital market emphasized the urgent need to reorganize SEC with a view to making more efficient its regulatory functions.

The Ibrahim El-Sudi led Committee also recommended that the Commission should carry out its regulatory activities in strict compliance with the rule of law.

insurance policy, the growth potential is huge if the practitioners exploit the NAICOM MDRI initiative that seeks to raise earnings of the sector.

The research and investment analyst said that on the long term outlook, there are huge potentials in that sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) which he noted is recently recording significant turnover volume at the trading floor.

Data compiled by Proshare Nigeria, an online medium, showed that investors are increasingly switching patronage to penny stocks as transactions during the week ended August 17, showed high turnover volume of penny stocks.

The data showed that 64 percent of turnover volume was deals on penny stocks while the remaining 36 percent represented deals on other stocks traded on the Exchange.

Among these penny stocks, Sovereign Trust Insurance, Mansard Insurance, Custodian and Allied Insurance, Royal Exchange Insurance and a couple of others were actively traded although there is no indication that the increased volume turnover impacted on share price value of majority of the penny stocks as the NSE Insurance Index plummeted significantly.

The NSE Insurance Index which had opened that week at 124.69 had appreciated 2.19 basis points or 1.8 percent to 126.88 as of Wednesday to emerge as second best behind Consumer Goods sub-sector.

But despite the fact that investors turned to penny stocks that week, all gains recorded by insurance subsector were relinquished in Thursday’s trading session as the sector’s performance index closed with 0.02 basis points deficit to 124.67.

34 Businessweek AUGUST STOCKWORLD

27, 2012

Briefs Islamic Index lifts stocks to N82.3bn gains in 3 days

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quities enlisted under the new Lotus Islamic Index of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) propelled value of stocks to an impressive cumulative gain of N82.281 billion in the 3 trading days of the week, Wednesday to Friday, the Federal Government having declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays in commemoration of Moslem Eid El Fitr.

The equities market capitalization which measures value of stocks opened at N7.37 trillion and appreciated by 1.12 per cent to close at N7.45trillion while the benchmark All-Share Index which opened at 23,141.08 rose 1.12 per cent to 23,399.58.

The impressive gain was largely driven by performance of NSELotus II which appreciated by 2.46 percent to close at 1,376.28, the highest gain among the six NSE sectorial indices.

The NSE 30 Index also rose by 1.01 percent to 1,095.59 just as the NSE Consumer Goods Index rose by 0.67 percent to close at 1,978.34 leaving the NSE Banking Index with the least 0.59 percent gain in the week to close at 362.26.

However, the NSE Insurance Index depreciated by 1.78 percent to close at 122.22 followed by Bloomberg NSE Oil/Gas Index that also depreciated by 0.37 percent to close at 165.09.

A total turnover of 878.53 million shares worth N9.907 billion in 11,633 deals were recorded in the week under review in contrast to a total of 932.58 million shares valued at N7.277 billion that exchanged hands in previous week in 17,711 deals.

There were no transactions in the Federal Government Development Stocks, State/Local Government Bonds, and Corporate Bonds/Debentures sectors.

Also traded were 1,200 units of NewGold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) valued at N3.05 million exchanged in 9 deals in contrast to a total of 5,877 units valued at N14.36 million transacted last week in 12 deals.

Measured by turnover volume, the Financial Services sector was the most active during the week with 694.02 million shares worth of N4.56 billion exchanged by investors in 6,905 deals.

Volume in the sector was largely driven by banking subsectors led by shares of Zenith Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and Diamond Bank Plc. Trading in the shares of the three banks accounted for 254.87 million shares, representing 48.72 percent, 36.72 percent and 29.01 percent of the turnover recorded by the subsector, sector and total turnover for the week, respectively.

Investing in Nigeria will reduce inflation, lift economy – Dangote

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ncreasing investments in local economy by Nigerian businessmen would help in reducing inflation, which has reduced the purchasing power of Nigerians, according to the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

He also urged investors to invest in the country and delve into manufacturing as a sure way of reducing unemployment and poverty among the people.

Speaking at an investment Forum in London, the foremost entrepreneur challenged Nigerians to look inward and invest saying opportunities abound within the national economy for investment to thrive better than many foreign countries.

Besides, doing so would not only stimulate the economy by adding to the number of jobs created but it would also yield good returns on investments pointing that the destiny of Nigeria as a country is in the hands of Nigerians themselves.

Alhaji Dangote noted that the government of President Goodluck Jonathan was very desirous of seen as many Nigerians as would embrace the on-going economic transformation agenda of the administration and put efforts together to lift Nigeria’s economy through investments in manufacturing.

Dangote, who is also a member of the National Economic Management Team stated that the manufacturing sector holds the key to any meaningful economic development if Nigeria is to be ranked amongst the top 20 Economies of the World in 2020 (Vision -20:2020) as being targeted by the Federal Government.

Said he; “the Manufacturing Sector is critical to the actualization of this vision. It is one of the most powerful engines for economic growth as it acts as a catalyst to transform the economic structure of a nation Dangote stressed that manufacturing had one of the highest multiplier effect on indirect employment generation and urged government at various levels to see to the provision of infrastructure to ease the burden on businesses and serve as incentives to investors.

To this end, he promised that his business conglomerate has put in place and would not deviate from its growth strategy of organic expansion and development of Greenfield projects to make Nigeria net exporter of basic products to save her foreign earnings.

• Representative of the Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Chief Chukwuka Odia (left) and the Director, Corporate and Indirect Sales Channels, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Ken. Ogujiofor, at the opening of the new stateof-the-art Etisalat Experience Centre in Onitsha.

‘Moderated entry, operation, exit of foreign investors counter-productive’ Stories by KELECHI MGBOJI

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he recommendation to institute a national policy of moderated entry, operation and exit of foreign portfolio investors has been hotly criticized as counterproductive.

Investment analysts, who spoke to Daily Sun on the desirability of the policy or the lack of it, concluded that such regulatory policy, if adopted will hurt the market more than it can halt the pull out of foreign investors from the market.

Stunned by the revelation that foreign portfolio investors pulled a whopping $15 billion equivalent to about N2.3 trillion out of the Nigerian Capital

Market in 2008 before stock market crash, the Ibrahim ElSudi led House of Representatives Adhoc Committee which recently investigated causes of the near collapse of the market recommended that a policy of regulated entry, operation and exit of foreign investors be put in place to check such investment outflow.

The recommendation contained in the final report of the Committee which was however adopted by the House recommended that “Considering the high dependence of the Nigerian Capital Market on foreign investors, and in view of the fact that they were able to pull $15 billion out of the

Nigerian Capital Market, the CBN, SEC, the Debt Management Office, Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investments are hereby requested to produce guidelines and a national policy that should govern the entry, operation and exit of foreign portfolio investments in Nigeria.”

Reviewing the implication of this recommendation, the Head of Research Team at Meristem Securities Limited, Mr. Afolabi Oriola, stated that the market being one of a free entry and exit, compelling an investor to remain in the market when in actual fact he would like to exit might work against the market.

HoldCo: Over N200bn may be wiped off shares’ value

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wo cases of shares reconstruction involving Stanbic IBTC Bank and First Bank of Nigeria Plc., both of which are in the process of adopting the Holding Company structure in compliance with the CBN directive on universal banking, may cost shareholders about N200 billion.

In spite agitations against shares reconstruction by companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), more and more companies are increasingly adopting the scheme, and market analysts fear it could wipe huge sums of money off the value of shares being reconstructed.

Barely a month after Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc secured approval of its shareholders to adopt holding company structure and reorganize its shares down to 10 billion units from 18.75 billion, Federal High Court has granted the bank leave to convene a courtordered meeting of its share-

…As First Bank moves to seek shareholders’ approval holders to approve its planned restructuring.

A notice it filed to NSE on Friday, the bank stated that it had decided to adopt a Holding Company Structure in compliance with Central Bank of Nigeria’s regulations on the Review of the Universal Banking Model regulations.

The bank informed the NSE that it had received the appropriate regulatory approvals to create a holding company, FBN Holdings, which will serve as the vehicle through which its shareholders will indirectly own its banking and non-banking businesses.

The Exchange said it has directed the bank to seek the appropriate approvals from its management for the restructuring adding that it expects to receive the bank’s application to that effect shortly.

The bank has already hinted that it is going to relist shares of its FBN Holdings, and that

means it is going to restructure its share capital to smaller units just as Stanbic IBTC has done.

It is believed that FBN Holdings is going to reduce its share capital of 32.632 billion units valued at N425.848 billion to less than 20 billion but its price may be adjusted to over N20.00 per share which implies that shareholders may have share price value depleted by over N100 billion if bear trend sets in after reconstruction of the stock.

According to head of research team at Meristem Securities Limited, Mr. Afolabi Oriola, it is not in the interest of shareholders to reconstruct shares in a bear market such as the NSE, instead they argue that sharebuy-back option is preferable.

In the case of Stanbic IBTC shareholders are likely to have about N90 billion wiped off their shares value due to the shares reconstruction exercise.

He reasoned however that if regulators of the Nigerian capital decide to adopt the recommendation, though it might stem the problem of speculation by investors but it would no doubt affect the inflow of foreign direct investments from fund managers.

He however, advised that if such policy must be instituted in the market there has to be commensurate returns on investment attractive enough to compensate the compelling stay beyond exit time the investor has projected.

Corroborating, Mr. Tinuaye of Afrinvest Nigeria Limited argued that it is against the spirit and letter of capital market operation to produce guidelines or a national policy that should govern the entry, operation and exit of foreign portfolio investments either in Nigeria or any other market for that matter.

In his argument, market speculation is part of the workings of a capital market operation and foreign portfolio investors capitalize on it to move their funds into and out of the market. Any policy meant to pin them down to a spot will definitely be counterproductive.

He warned that Nigerian market being dominated presently by foreign investors that constitute over 80 percent the danger is that those foreigners still patronizing the market may eventually exit leaving the market further worse for it.

The research and investment analyst therefore urged the regulators to explore other options for stabilizing the market and disregard the recommendation of the Adhoc Committee as regards to moderating entry and exit of foreign investors.

Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012

35

STOCKWORLD THE DAILY STOCK SUMMARY AS AT 24/08/2012 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector Company Name

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

Main Board AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. 13 30.00 54,770 1,662,941.70 PRESCO PLC 13 14.89 92,600 1,383,731.65 Sub Sector Totals 26 147,370 3,047,000 Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. 12 1.33 282,478 379,254.02 Sub Sector Totals 12 282,478 379,000 Sector Totals 38 429,848 3,425,927.37 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. 8 1.19 309,910 367,696.02 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC 72 0.95 15,134,741 14,449,711.42 U A C N PLC. 42 33.86 650,225 22,145,141.82 Sub Sector Totals 122 16,094,876 36,963,000 Sector Totals 122 16,094,876 36,962,549.26 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 26 26.25 253,191 6,424,348.94 ROADS NIG PLC. 1 6.94 50,000 347,000.00 Sub Sector Totals 27 303,191 6,771,000 Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED 11 9.70 186,836 1,794,738.20 Sub Sector Totals 11 186,836 1,795,000 Sector Totals 38 490,027 8,566,087.14 CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC 2 0.50 40,000 20,000.00 Sub Sector Totals 2 40,000 20,000 Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. 2 3.28 10,000 34,400.00 GUINNESS NIG PLC 69 249.00 725,276 179,289,730.46 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. 72 8.42 2,754,013 23,115,433.35 NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 173 119.70 3,217,325 386,024,982.49 Sub Sector Totals 316 6,706,614 588,465,000 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. 13 38.50 526,652 20,203,703.59 Sub Sector Totals 13 526,652 20,204,000 Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 98 6.49 2,808,549 17,581,917.43 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 70 4.40 1,217,927 5,403,354.83 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 127 52.00 2,150,997 107,887,835.60 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 9 2.00 884,500 1,768,380.00 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. 2 21.48 1,000 20,410.00 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 33 4.90 940,006 4,580,845.90 P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC. 1 5.94 5,000 29,700.00 Sector Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N) Main Board CONSUMER GOODS Food Products U T C NIG. PLC. 1 0.86 7 5.74 Sub Sector Totals 341 8,007,986 137,272,000 Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 49 16.65 805,896 13,376,226.86 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 55 525.06 230,248 121,202,586.26 Sub Sector Totals 104 1,036,144 134,579,000 Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 12 3.01 227,437 685,057.26 VONO PRODUCTS PLC. 1 2.88 5,000 14,400.00 Sub Sector Totals 13 232,437 699,000 Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 50 23.98 429,960 9,871,210.79 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 35 35.24 3,093,030 109,005,515.73 Sub Sector Totals 85 3,522,990 118,877,000 Sector Totals 874 20,072,823 1,000,115,696.29 FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 203 7.70 21,334,757 164,736,795.14 DIAMOND BANK PLC 53 2.68 17,588,737 47,175,413.38 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED 81 10.25 4,468,158 45,737,457.21 FIDELITY BANK PLC 80 1.30 8,006,886 10,417,150.81 FIRST BANK OF NIG. PLC 572 13.05 34,439,317 447,416,282.65 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. 75 3.00 2,392,874 7,128,079.75 GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 366 17.53 6,144,521 107,968,100.81 SKYE BANK PLC 148 2.65 18,919,653 50,281,806.78 STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC 32 6.44 437,901 2,784,217.16 STERLING BANK PLC. 65 1.01 10,194,427 10,286,892.70 U B A PLC 258 4.29 10,705,209 45,570,552.01 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 92 5.00 1,072,587 5,211,515.08 UNITY BANK PLC 1 0.50 230,000 115,000.00 WEMA BANK PLC. 30 0.50 5,797,888 2,899,199.20 ZENITH BANK PLC 287 15.48 47,549,396 728,522,069.35 Sub Sector Totals 2,343 189,282,311 1,676,251,000 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 8 0.50 1,125,158 562,579.00 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC 1 0.50 200 100.00 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 19 0.58 4,073,007 2,354,927.99 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. 2 0.50 100,000 50,000.00 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 12 1.30 417,623 521,392.52 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. 1 0.50 2,000 1,000.00 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 2 0.51 37,367 19,245.84 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 4 0.51 140,000 71,410.00 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 0.50 6,482 3,241.00 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 2 0.50 700 350.00 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC 3 1.60 50,000 80,500.00 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. 2 0.50 30,000 15,000.00 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. 9 0.50 750,000 375,000.00 Sector Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N) Main Board FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. 9 0.50 534,031 267,015.50 STACO INSURANCE PLC 2 0.50 100,300 50,150.00 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. 1 0.50 500 250.00 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC 1 0.50 2,000 1,000.00 Sub Sector Totals 79 7,369,368 4,373,000 Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 3 5.75 2,050 11,787.50

Sector Company Name No of Deals NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 4 Other Financial Institutions ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. 3 Sub Sector Totals 3 Sector Totals 2,429 HEALTHCARE Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 2 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 7 GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. 12 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 16 NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC 9 Sub Sector Totals 46 Sector Totals 47 ICT Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Sector Totals 1 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC 58 BERGER PAINTS PLC 14 CAP PLC 10 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 17 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 16 DN MEYER PLC. 1 IPWA PLC 1 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 65 Sub Sector Totals 182 Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC 1 CUTIX PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 2 Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS 1 Sector Company Name No of Deals Main Board INDUSTRIAL GOODS Packaging/Containers NIGERIAN BAGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC 67 Sub Sector Totals 68 Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC 2 Sub Sector Totals 2 Sector Totals 254 NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Non-Metallic Mineral Mining MULTIVERSE PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Sector Totals 2 OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC 68 Sub Sector Totals 68 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC 103 Sub Sector Totals 103 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC 20 ETERNA PLC. 10 FORTE OIL PLC. 17 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 10 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 19 Sub Sector Totals 76 Sector Totals 247 SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. 33 Sub Sector Totals 33 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 10 Sub Sector Totals 10 Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 4 Sub Sector Totals 4 Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC 2 TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. 4 Sub Sector Totals 6 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC 4 Sub Sector Totals 4 Printing/Publishing Sector Company Name No of Deals Main Board SERVICES Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. 1 LEARN AFRICA PLC 2 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 17 Sub Sector Totals 20 Road Transportation ABC TRANSPORT PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 5 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC 39 Sub Sector Totals 44 Sector Totals 122 Type Totals 4,174 Grand Totals 4,174

Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N) 1.05 2,500 2,500.00 4,550 14,000 0.50

24,345 24,345 196,680,574

12,304.18 12,000 1,680,650,285.56

7.39

338 338

2,376.14 2,000

1.14 0.77 30.52 1.59 0.90

150,000 266,362 1,325,558 426,623 155,000 2,323,543 2,323,881

166,000.00 211,861.22 40,456,111.36 657,059.96 145,699.75 41,637,000 41,639,108.43

0.50

500 500 500

250.00 0 250.00

9.50 7.27 26.58 4.12 113.00 0.66 0.73 44.00

778,776 72,350 29,179 161,409 224,079 80,000 254 1,333,538 2,679,585

7,400,534.14 542,567.38 811,639.00 663,487.56 25,330,695.84 52,800.00 177.80 58,853,359.86 93,655,000

2.00 1.51

1,000 14,600 15,600

2,000.00 21,024.00 23,000

2.19 250 522.50 Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

1.53

3,337,942 3,338,192

5,190,501.67 5,191,000

7.85

10,000 10,000 6,043,377

78,500.00 79,000 98,947,809.75

5.98

750 750

4,267.50 4,000

0.50

2,000 2,000 2,750

1,000.00 1,000 5,267.50

0.61

3,862,703 3,862,703

2,338,186.57 2,338,000

14.10

889,510 889,510

12,476,038.50 12,476,000

20.76 84,154 168,016 81,483 5,286 11,241 350,180 5,102,393

1,660,358.42 386,130.40 853,705.94 569,865.77 1,405,549.32 4,876,000 19,689,834.92

1.61

1,604,063 1,604,063

2,618,845.12 2,619,000

2.76

211,300 211,300

556,489.00 556,000

0.50

132,400 132,400

66,200.00 66,000

1.14 4.53

12,200 7,800 20,000

13,670.00 33,618.00 47,000

0.50

19,000 19,000

9,500.00 10,000

2.28 10.42 111.51 128.01

Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

1.64 2.03 4.54

100 30,000 2,232,597 2,262,697

156.00 60,300.00 9,865,089.85 9,926,000

0.50

8,700 8,700

4,350.00 4,000

1.74 6.00

254,500 206,388 460,888 4,719,048 251,960,097 251,960,097

444,520.00 1,204,956.84 1,649,000 14,877,694.81 2,904,880,511.03 2,904,880,511.03

36 Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012 INVESTMENT GUIDE

Currency restructuring: Our perspective E

quities market opened this week on a bullish note recording its second consecutive gain, following the trend from August 1.

However, the NSEASI broke from its 3-day gain/loss cycle on the second trading day of the week with the sectoral indices following suit save for NSEBANK10 which gained marginally (+0.01%).

WtD the All Share Index returned a positive 1.12% after two weeks of depressing performances (1.21% and 0.42%). With the positive rally in the last trading day, Year-toDate return rose by 124 bps to peg at 12.87% this week. We see market activities in the coming week being further buoyed by the bulls on the back of declining rates in the fixed income market.

Money market In line with expectations, the Treasury Bills (TB) primary market auction on Wednesday saw rates steady at 14% and 15.08% for the 91-day and 182-day bills respectively.

However, trading in the secondary market witnessed declining yields on treasury bills rates across tenors.

We assign the lowering of rates to pressure from high demand for the instrument.

This is evident from the crash in 360-day tenor TB’s (which was not offered at the auction in the week) by c.4% between Wednesday and Thursday.

With no primary auctions coming up next week, we expect rates to further decline slightly as demand pressure continues to pull rates down.

The bond market witnessed minimal changes with yields rising marginally by 0.04% on average across tenors of FGN bonds. Yields on short tenured bonds should fall faster than the long tenured bonds in the coming week as we expect investors to continue their demand for higher return on the long-end of the yield curve.

In the following sections, we highlight our views on the proposed currency restructuring by the CBN in view of the introduction of NGN5,000 note in early 2013.

Going down memory lane, CBN launched N100, N200,

…Equities market reflects strengthened investor confidence N500 and N1000 in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2005 in that order. The introduction of the highest denomination [N1000] in October 2005 had a cost push effect on headline inflation M/M which was not sustained as we observed an easing over the months.

While we believe the upgrade of the currency denomination to N5000 may be a right step in the right direction to facilitate an efficient payment system and complement the partially implemented cashless policy the inflationary pressure going by its antecedence may not justify the upgrade in our opinion.

To justify our position, contrary to the CBN’s opinion, Ghana’s introduction of the 20,000 cedis notes which could be exchanged for < $2 led to an inflationary push which is being resolved by the redenomination of the currency. Similarly, although, the US issued large denominations of dollars ($500, $1000, $5000 and $10,000) in 1934 mostly for bank transfers, the effectiveness of the electric money transfer system [cashless policy] has rendered such denominations not widely used making the highest denomination in circulation currently, $100.

We anticipate a resultant effect of spiralling inflation witnessed in some countries Exhibit 1

which adopted this approach in encouraging a cashless economy relative to the opportunity cost of handling cash.

Coin culture ...Back to the basics?

The biased mindset of an average Nigerian in line with the unacceptability of coins provides an interesting basis for an analysis of the intended initiative. We opine that the financial culture and attitude of people should be determined and factored into the proposed success of the initiative.

We are of the opinion that the introduction of coins will spur producers and traders to hike prices to be at par with the currency notes. Ease of carriage makes consumers favour notes over coins, because for example in the U.S where the $1 dollar bill and a $1 dollar (presidential) coin were put in circulation simultaneously in 2007, Americans continued to use the notes for their transactions. As at 2011 over 40% of the produced dollar coins had been returned to the Fed due to lack of use.

Creature habit of preferring notes for retail transactions is more noticeable in Nigeria where avenues for spending coins (e.g. vending machines) are unpopular. The likelihood exists that if new are coins issued without enough channels for its use, it might go the

NSEASI Return Profile

Source: NSE, Meristem Research

way of the old one Naira (N1) coins. This will gradually lead to a phase out of the coins in Nigeria in the long term as experienced in 2005 when 50k, N1 and N2 coins were reintroduced.

On the contrary, the cost of minting coins is opined to be cheaper relative to notes. We propose that coins should be used for transactions of high velocity and paper notes for less repetitive transactions.

This will justify the essence of coins in our economy considering its durability.

However, the pertinent question is what will be the return on efforts if it does not gain acceptability among the major populace? ...currency review to enhance cashless policy?

Given the Federal Government’s vision 20:2020, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s currency restructuring programme/policy is set to complement the cashless policy, make effective the monetary policies and meet the pace of the evolving trend in currency technology world.

According to CBN, the need for such restructuring is due to a number of factors, among which are public apathy towards the usage of coins, challenges associated with the production of polymer notes, the need to encourage coins

usage, enhance the quality and reduce the volume of banknotes (cashless policy), discourage dollarization as well as the overall cost of currency management.

Cursory evaluations of these propositions in the light of current realities reveal both upsides and downsides, the balance of which depends on the impact on individuals, companies and the economy at large.

The need to move with currency technology and international best practice in currency management cannot be overemphasized given the long term benefits as well as brand recognition that accrue to the economy at large.

Although, the value of money depends on its purchasing power parity (PPP) relative to other countries’ currencies, the home currency durability as well as the ease with which transactions can be completed (cashless policy) without the need to hold cash adds to the value of such currency. We see long term upside in this, even though hitches would be experienced in the short term (e.g. inflationary pressure).

On the downsides, we are of the opinion that currency restructuring will fuel inflation as against low inflation posited by the CBN. Past experience from the similar move showed that currency with lower denominations lost potency and relevance in value. In 2007 when NGN2 coin was added to the redesigned coins firmly in existence since 1991, the prices of goods and services rose beyond what those coins could buy. This made the coins denominations irrelevant (even though they are still legal tender) till today. We see the lower income class being more affected, as they will pay more to for lower value.

One of the major characteristics of money is general acceptability. Where there is a general bias towards a kind of currency, there is a need to look at what is responsible for the preconceived notion. A survey estimated that 70% of currency in circulation is outside banking system. This portends Nigerian economy to be cash based with its attendant consequences. To enforce the use of coins will in our opinion achieve little or no positive result as the lower class of the economy that will be most affected by the policy decides

to keep their money at home.

This we opine will significantly impact on the velocity of money in circulation. This will invariably help in reducing the volume of money in circulation thereby justifying the CBN’s statement of inflation being a monetary phenomenon.

Social acceptability and Inflation Undoubtedly, the currency restructure exercise as intended has its pros and cons especially as it relates to the social implication while also taking cognizance of its economic undertone.

A look back in history to evaluate the acceptance and general usage of coin for transactions showed that at certain points in time up till the mid 1990s, coined currency was still widely accepted. Coins enjoyed widespread usage up until the early 1990s following the introduction of 50kobo and 1 naira coin and the re-introduction of the 1, 10 and 25 kobo in 1991.

Similar introduction of 1 naira and 2 naira coin in 2007 however did not enjoy comparable acceptance as they were totally annihilated in economic transactions; notwithstanding efforts by the CBN at that point in time to encourage its usage.

In order to ensure circulation and acceptability of the then introduced N1 and N2 coins, CBN directed that a minimum of 2% of all withdrawal by banks and customers should be in coins.

The recent announcement to coin 5 naira, 10 naira and 20 naira is not in itself the issue but the steps that must be taken beyond moral suasion as outlined by the CBN governor in the communiqué; or compulsion as attempted in 2007. This is pertinent in order to prevent the “artificial” upward re-pricing of goods. A blend of suasion, subtle legislation such as limiting the maximum number of coins per transaction [e.g. not more than 20pieces of 1p coins as in the UK] and some compulsion to collect coin at every withdrawal might be needed.

The points above more or less highlight the need for a social re-orientation among Nigerians towards accepting coins as a means of settlement.

If the status quo remains in terms of social orientation then the inflationary pressure can be imagined. Will confectionery price increase from ‘3 for 10 naira’to ‘10 for 50 naira’?, will the minimum bus fare increase from 20 naira to 50 naira?, will the shelf price of commodities remain the same at the shopping malls?

Analyst’s Certification and Disclaimer

W Source: CBN, Meristem Research

hile all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the facts stated herein are accurate and that the ratings, forecasts, estimates, opinions and views contained herein are fair and reasonable, neither the research analysts, officers or employees, shall be in any way responsible for the contents hereof, and no reliance should be placed on the accuracy, fairness or completeness of the information contained in this document. No person accepts any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this document or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. For detailed report and more information, please visit our website: www.meristemng.com. ©Meristem Securities Limited 2012.

Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012

37 Odume Festus odume_festus@yahoo.com 08028894929

FINANCIAL EDGE

F

lour Mills of Nigeria Plc. has rekindled investors’ confidence with its first quarter results for the period ended June 30, 2012. This is an improvement on the drop in profit it recorded in most of 2011 financial year, which market watchers attributed to the rise in commodity prices like wheat, along with exchange rate losses over the period.

The statement of comprehensive income of the first quarter earnings shows that Flour Mills grew its profit after tax from N2.781 billion in 2011 to N3.956 billion in the period under review.

Its basic earnings per share stood at 144 kobo against 134 kobo in 2011.

The Emmanuel Ukpabi-led company’s current revenue stood at N70.702 billion as against the N64.242 billion the company recorded in 2011. The company short term borrowing, increased from N11.078 billion in 2011 to N21.577 billion in 2012. Working capital stood at N12.579 billion against N32.165 billion in 2011.

With the current results, it appears that Flour Mills has started to reap the benefits of the right issues floated last year in which they solicited for N28.245 billion through the issuance of 455.566 million ordinary shares N62 per share in the ratio of eight ordinary shares to every 33 ordinary shares held. However, the right issue price of N62 was a contrast to N52 which the stock is selling now.

The management of Flour Mills had explained last year that the proceeds from the right issue would be used to pursue high

Flour Mills earnings rekindles investors’ confidence … As Regency Alliance & Conoil profits drop

• Ukpabi

growth expansionary business opportunities in the food and agro-allied sectors, reduce existing debt in its cement business and also provide working capital to support the company’s daily operations.

Other proceeds of the issue according to Flour Mills will be channelled to fund the company’s activities such as expansion of food business, reduction of medium term facility taken from banks to enable it increase its holding in United Cement Company (UNICEM) and development of baking and food technolo-

gy centre in Apapa.

Already the company has indicated its interest to invest N100 billion in the country within the next five years.

With 40 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in agriculture, the company is investing N30 billion in the agro-allied segment within the next five years to boost its manufacturing capacity and operations.

No doubt, with this development it’s an assurance to investors that the company is now focusing on establishing profitable ventures that are

crucial for the nation’s economy.

Meanwhile, on the downside, Regency Alliance Insurance and Conoil earnings dropped. For Regency Alliance Insurance, profit after tax dropped from N152.627 million in 2011 to N134.501 million in its second quarter unaudited results for the period which ended June 30, 2012. Its basic earnings per share stood at 202 kobo against 229 kobo in 2011.

Regency Alliance Insurance’s gross premium grew from N1.306 billion in 2011 to N1.522 billion in 2012. Its total liabilities stood at N920.266 million against N547.256 million in 2011, while net Assets stood at N4.881 billion against N4.735 billion in 2011.

On the part of Conoil Plc., its second quarter results for the period which ended June 30, 2012 show that its profit after tax dropped from N2.385 billion in 2011 to N450.933 million in the period under review. In the unaudited account as turnover also dropped from N79.907 billion in 2011 to N76.208 billion in 2012.

Austin Laz, Aluminium Extrusion, AG Leventis, others on growth path

D

espite the liquidity problem at the market, quoted companies have continued to display good performances, among those that are still on growth path are Austin Laz Company Plc., Aliminium Extrusion Industries Plc., AG Leventis Nigeria Plc., Lasaco Assurance Plc., Nem Insurance Plc., Paints & Coating Manufacturers Plc. and Cadbury Nigeria Plc. The Pat Utomi company recorded N15.766 million profit after tax in its first quarter result for the period ended March 31, 2012 above N15.164 million in 2011.

The unaudited account which happens to be the first Austin Laz is releasing to the market after its listing in February this year shows that turnover grew from N123.766 million in 2011 to N180.442 million in the period under review. Net assets stood at N1.899 billion against N1.833 billion in 2011.

Aluminium Extrusion Industries Plc. grew its unaudited profit after tax for the period ended June 30, 2012 from N27.371 million in 2011 to N37.144 million in 2012. The second quarter result shows that revenue dropped marginally from N923.061 million in 2011 to N922.369 million in 2012. Net assets stood at N546.725 million as against N509.571 million in 2011.

For A.G Leventis Nigeria Plc., which is into several areas of business such as automobiles, agriculture, provision of financial services among others, grew its profit after

tax from N287.863 million in 2011 to N367.529 million as in the second quarter which ended June on 30, 2012. The unaudited account shows that turnover dropped from N9.219 billion in 2011 to N8.318 billion in the period under consideration. Net assets stood at N10.754 billion as against N10.647 billion in 2011.

In the insurance sector, Lasaco Assurance Plc. in its second quarter results for the period which ended June 30, 2012, recorded N185.080 million profits after tax, slightly above the N182.393 million recorded in 2011. The unaudited financials show that gross premium dropped from N1.118 billion in 2011 to N1.004 billion in the period under consideration. Net assets stood at N6.238 billion as against N6.003

• Prof. Utomi

billion in 2011.

Still in the insurance sector, Nem Insurance Plc. in its second quarter result for the period ended June 30, 2012, posted N1.021 billion profit, after tax above N949.527 million recorded in 2011. Its unaudited result shows that gross premium grew from N5.275 billion in 2011 to N6.013 billion in the period under review.

Net assets stood at N7.113 billion as against N6.356 billion in 2011.

Paints & Coatings Manufacturers Nigeria Plc. posted N130.055 million profit after tax in its second quarter result for the period ended June 30, 2012 above N73.531 million recorded in 2011.

Revenue for the period grew from N898.408 million in 2011 to N1.252 billion in 2012. Net assets stood at N1.239 billion against N1.172 billion in 2011.

The Atedo Peterside-chaired Cadbury Nigeria Plc., in its unaudited results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012 grew its profits after tax from N766.313 million in 2011 to N1.065 billion in 2012,. The accounts show that gross earnings dropped marginally from N16.125 billion in 2011 to N16.095 billion in 2012. Net assets stood at N17.607 billion against N16.537 billion in 2011.

LEARNING CENTRE

International Breweries now in profit • DN Tyre & I.H.S Nigeria still in loss • Resort Savings & Loans board meets tomorrow • Wapic Insurance, Intercontinental Properties to merge operations

C

oming from a loss position in its half year result of 2011, International Breweries Plc. posted N1.090 billion profit after tax in its second quarter result for the period ended June 30, 2012, as against N92.633 million loss in 2011. The unaudited account of the Ilesa-based company shows that revenue grew from N4.788 billion in 2011 to N6.161 billion in the period under review. Net assets stood at N10.995 billion, as against N4.198 billion in 2011.

On the negative side, DN Tyre and Rubber Plc. and I.H.S Nigeria Plc. are still in losses. The breakdown of the account shows that DN Tyre and Rubber Plc formerly known as Dunlop Nigeria Plc. recorded loss after tax of N687.036 million as against N650.145 million loss in 2011. Its earnings per share, which is still in negative, stood at 14 kobo The company, which is into marketing of automobile tyres, had its turnover dropped from N380.098 million in 2011 to N131.048 million in the period under review.

I.H.S Nigeria Plc. posted N2.039 billion loss above the N1.654 billion loss it recorded in 2011 full year. Its earnings per share which is still at negative territory stood at 0.46 kobo down from the 0.38 kobo in 2011. Turnover grew from N14.853 billion in 2011 to N15.196 billion in 2012, its working capital stood at N11.481 billion as against N1.971 billion in 2011. I.H.S Plc. is a telecommunications infrastructure service provider engaged in Turnkey infrastructure development (network construction), infrastructure managed services (network operations and maintenance) and infrastructure sharing and leasing (collocation services) After weeks of postponing its board meeting due to Central Bank of Nigeria approval of the audited accounts for the year ended December 31, 2011, Resort Savings and Loans Plc. board of directors have concluded plans to meets this week.

While the boards of Wapic Insurance Plc. and Intercontinental Properties Limited have indicated their interest to consolidate both business operations into a single legal entity. The proposal, according to the Marina Securities Limited, the appointed stockbrokers to the scheme of merger explained that the proposal is to combine Wapic Insurance Plc and Intercontinental Properties Limited into a single legal entity through a scheme of merger pursuant to part XII of Investment and Securities Act 2007.

38 Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012 BUSINESSNEWS 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) Cashless banking: 3 firms to boost telcos data base 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 157 POUND ST. 250 EURO 206 Source: FMDA

SELLING(N) 160 259 212

Los-Abv: 09.55, 13.30(Mon-Fri/Sat) 10.50, 13.30(Sun)

By AMECHI OGBONNA

A

head of next year’s nationwide roll-out of the cashless banking programme in major cities across the country, three leading African software and investment management firms are partnering to further enhance the capacity of Nigerian telecommunications service providers to deliver seamless services to the banking community.

At a briefing in Lagos recently, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Rancard Solutions Limited, a software merchant, Mr Ehizogie Binitie, explained that the unfolding partnership will accelerate the growth and expansion of cloud services in the Nigerian banking industry and, indeed, across Africa.

According to him, the transaction will strengthen Rancard’s capacity to deliver the world’s leading brands to relevant mobile service providers in Nigeria and across the world with its platform, rancardmobility.com, launched in 2007.

He said the platform is a highly reliable and scal-

able multi-channel, cloud delivery platform, which processes millions of mobile transactions across several networks.

Rancard, he stated, is a leading provider of cloudbased mobile software and services for Africa’s mobile operators, which mobile operators Africa are turning to in an effort to manage the challenges arising from declining voice-based average revenue per user, mobile operators in place of content discovery platform to profitably increase data revenues by delivering targeted content to their subscribers.

Benitie explained that over the years, his firm had developed a cloud-based social recommendations engine called ‘Rendezvous’, which maps connections among mobile users and using the shared interests as a basis for recommending content to consumers.

Also commenting on the deal, Kofi Dadzie, CEO of Rancard Solutions Limited said his organization was partnering Adlevo Capital Managers to provide value added cloud services software to Nigeria’s leading African mobile content discovery software and services.

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)

• L–R: Idongesit Ntekper, chairman, Obot Akara local government, Akwa Ibom State; Mr Tony Agenmonmen, marketing manager, Nigeria Breweries; Mr Walter Drenth, marketing director, Nigeria Breweries, and Dr Clement Bassey, commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Akwa Ibom State, at the Press conference on the 9th Gulder Ultimate Search, in Lagos, recently.

Photo: AYODELE OJO

Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun)

‘N5,000 notes will protect Nigeria’s monetary sovereignty’

CHANCHANGI AIRLINES Los-Abj: 7.15, 10.00, 13.30, 15.30, 17.30

By CHIMA TITUS NWOKOJI

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

C

ontrary to speculations that the planned introduction of higher denomination banknotes will reduce the strength of the naira and lead to inflation, an economist and emerging markets strategist at the Standard Bank Group, London, Samir Gadio, believes the higher denomination of naira will reduce dollar dominance in the Nigerian economy.

This, he said, will protect the economy from dominance of foreign currencies.

He dispelled inflation fears and agreed with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that the apex bank should introduce higher denomination banknotes to discourage dollarization of economy, reduce the volume of banknotes, as well as the overall cost of currency management.

His words: “Well, you know that if you share money to the three tiers of government in dollars, you so much lose track of your monetary system,

because your economy becomes ‘dollarized’.

Some countries do it. In Zimbabwe they used the US dollar and their currency lost serious value.

“But I don’t think Nigerian authorities are ready to lose their monetary sovereignty at this stage. My understanding is that Nigeria is working on a single treasury account.

“What the account will do is that every time a specific entity or any tier of government has a need for financial flows, the account will transfer those funds on a need basis or on a daily basis.

This will be a shift away from the method of transferring FAAC funds in bulk to the system, which creates a lot of fiscal distortions,” he said.

While announcing the plan to introduce N5,000 notes, the central bank said savings that will come from reduction in cost of currency management would be channeled to provide incentives for the usage and accept-

ance of coins. Stressing that inflation in Nigeria is a monetary phenomenon; the apex bank believes higher bills will help in fighting inflation.

It cited some countries such as Singapore, Germany and Japan which highest denominations are 10,000 Singaporean Dollar, €500 and Yen10,000, respectively. These denominations it disclosed have relatively high dollar equivalent and this has brought levels of inflation low at 2.8, 1.1, and -0.7 as at 2010.

Samir further observed that using N1000 as Nigeria’s base bill at present is probably not efficient enough.

“If I need to buy something that costs N20, 000, I would prefer to have four N5, 000 bills rather than twenty bills of N1,000. This is because it is easier to carry. On the risk of your currency losing its worth, I think it is not necessarily so. The risk is more when you have a lot of zeroes on your currency and you cut them.

N40bn Delta Leisure Park to become tourist destination – Uduaghan

By STEVE AGBOTA

T

he Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has said that the completion of the N40 billion Delta Leisure Park in the state will become tourist destination of choice.

Uduaghan, who disclosed this while delivering a lecture titled: ‘Niger Delta: Beyond Resource Control - Burdens and Realities of Transformation’, at the Business Hallmark policy forum held at the Events Centre, Asaba, over the weekend, said the state has, as much as possible, partnered with big private investors in co-funding projects such as the multi-billion Naira OFN/Delta Farms, Delta Leisure Park, among others.

According to him, some of these projects are the foundations of the state’s hope of a better future in which other opportunities could become relevant in stimulating the prosperity of Delta State.

He added: “In building a Delta that will prosper beyond oil, we reckoned it was important we had the following critical infrastructures – Oghareki power plant, Asaba International Airport, upgrade Osubi Airport to international standards, industrial clusters, (Koko Industrial Park, Warri Industrial and Business Park, and Asaba ICT Park).

“We thought we should harness our people’s entrepreneurial skills through our Micro Credit Scheme and nurture SMEs. “Our success with Micro Credit Scheme is spectacular. We have won three consecutive Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) awards and we have about 100,000 beneficiaries of the scheme whose stories are as enthralling as they are varied.

Other States are understudying the Delta State model because of its acknowledged successes,” he posited.

Sad as this picture may look, he said 85 per cent

of the Nigerian economy has largely depended on earnings from crude oil sales.

On the strength of this single point, he noted that it is easy to see the fundamental importance of the Niger Delta region to the Nigerian economy and its oil to global energy resource.

He added: “Sadly, that importance does not reflect on the treatment the region gets from the federation.”

As a ranking exporter of crude oil, he said that Nigeria’s supplies from the Niger Delta region play a crucial role in maintaining global supply stability.

He added that finding the delicate balance in the well-being of the Niger Delta region, the demands of the Nigerian economy, and the global community’s energy needs, is at the heart of the complexities associated with issues emanating from and concerning the region.

Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012

39

BUSINESS NEWS TENOR

SWAP

Spot

FORWARD FIXING

DATE

157.9000/158.0000

24 Aug, 2012

7 Day

0.3731/0.3733

158.2731/158.3733

24 Aug, 2012

14 Day

0.7991/0.7996

158.6991/158.7996

24 Aug, 2012

21 Day

1.2796/1.2804

159.1796/159.2804

24 Aug, 2012

30 Day

1.9759/1.9772

159.8759/159.9772

24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012

60 Day

4.0792/4.0818

161.9792/162.0818

90 Day

6.3418/6.3458

164.2418/164.3458

24 Aug, 2012

170.6252/170.7333

24 Aug, 2012

180 Day 12.7252/12.7333

NITTY YIELD CURVE TENOR 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 9 Months 12 Months Source: FMDA

RATE 13.2886 13.3446 14.2236 15.3210 15.8400 15.8680

CHANGE -1.66 -1.66 -0.89 -0.55 -0.36 -0.46

DATE 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012 24 Aug, 2012

By STEVE AGBOTA

T

he National Council on Privatisation (NCP) over the weekend, disclosed that seven organisations have been cleared for the final financial bids in the privatisation of five of the power generation companies belonging to the state utility company, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Atedo Peterside, who briefed journalists at the end of the NCP meeting, presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa, listed the five plants cleared for privatisation as those located in Sapele, Gergu, Ughelli, Shiroro and Kainji.

The seven successful firms and the company bided for, according to Peterside, a member of NCP, are Pheonix Electricity, Transcorp Consortium and Ampiron Power Distribution Limited, were declared as preferred bidders for the Ughelli Power

plant.

However, he said that CMEC Consortium and GPN Nestoil Power Services Limitedtd are the preferred bidders for Sapele power plant.

The others are Geregu Power Plant was bid by Ampiron Power Distribution Limited; Kainji Power Plant was bid by Mainstream Energy Solution; and Shiroro Power Plant was bid North-South Power Company Limited.

Also Peterside hinted that the pre-qualification process of the prospective power generating organisations followed rigorous and thorough evaluation criteria by council member, adding that the process was made open to the bidders.

Peterside said that the firms made the pass mark of 750 out of maximum 1000 score, and therefore qualified to proceed onto financial bid opening on September 25, 2012.

International Flight Schedule

Seven firms qualify for final bid for five power plants

NIFEX YIELD CURVE

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

• Managing Director of the Chubbies & Fields, Dr Akin Ajiboye (middle), flanked by the Director of Finance, Jumoke Odeyemi (left) and Marketing Director, Mr Victor Fatunla, addressing the Press on the forthcoming First South West Farmers and Food Security Exhibition, organised by Chubbies and Fields in collaboration with O’odua Chamber of Commerce.

Photo: OLUFEMI KAYODE

CBN may postpone January 1, 2013 nationwide roll-out of cashless banking

By AMECHI OGBONNA

I

f feedback received by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers Committee from the Cashless Lagos pilot project is anything to be relied on, then Nigerians may have to wait for a while for the nationwide roll-out of the cashless banking scheme billed to hit major cities across the country on January 1, 2013.

Although the Bankers Committee had, during its last meeting in Lagos, given the Lagos scheme a pass mark, which would propel it to go live next year, indications are that acute logistics constraints and insufficient penetration of the cashless message may force the apex bank to further tinker with its implementation timetable to ensure it gets a perfect model.

Daily Sun checks reveal that conflicting statements from both banks as key stakeholders and the apex bank as project drivers clearly give indications that the January date may not be feasible after all.

A top bank executive who preferred not to be attributed told Daily Sun at the weekend that he was not convinced that the January date would be feasible, considering that both the banks and the CBN are yet to perfect work on the approved payment channels which would guarantee flawless execution of the scheme on a national scale.

He wondered why the Lagos pilot project which threw up a lot of questions should be used as test case for the implemention the nationwide project.

Under the Lagos pilot phase one of the major challenges confronting the Bankers Committee

was that despite the large number of PoS machines so far deployed only a few are really working while majority of customers are yet to learn how to use them effectively in the conduct of financial transactions.

Mr Uhugbu Casmir, a customer in one of the new generation banks told Daily Sun that he could not understand why key locations like petrol stations and supermarkets in Lagos are still transaction in cash whilst they ought to be used to drive the project.

He said the CBN must flood such places with heavy human traffic with PoS machine if it actually wants people to take it seriously on the project.

Fielding questions from the media in Lagos recently, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in charge of Operations, Mr Tunde Lemo, said the apex bank was looking at all options in the implementation process.

Lagos goes tough on tax defaulters

By FOSTER OBI

T

he Lagos State government has said that those who fail to comply with the New Tax Reform Law will be summarily dealt with, even as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Bola Sodipo, has said that those clamouring for tax reliefs should forget it, because the new law no longer makes provision for such.

According to him: “Tax free allowances are no longer available. The law has also been amended to the effect that both temporary and permanent employees are liable to Personal Income Tax (PIT).

He noted that the more important implication to this section is the effective deletion of section 3(1) (b) (ii)-(xii), which provides employees with tax free allowances such as leave allowance, housing allowance, amongst others.

... Says no more reliefs on allowances On valuation of Benefits in Kind (BiK), he said: “based on the provisions of section 3 of the Personal Income Tax Amendement Act 2011 (PITAM) all ‘benefits’ and ‘prerequisites’ provided to employees are taxable with the exception of meals generally provided in any canteen, non – assignable luncheon vouchers, protective clothing and reasonable removal expenses.”

He added that BIKs are also to be considered in determining an employee’s gross emolument for CRA purpose.

On increase in statutory reliefs, he said the PITAM replaces the personal relief of N5,000 plus 20percent of earned income that was hitherto available under section 33(1) of the PIT with the Consolidated Relief Allowance (CRA),” adding “the CRA is to be computed as the higher of N200,000 or one per cent of gross

income.”

Highlighting the new law, the government said that where a person, employer or corporation is obligated to deduct tax under the 2011 Personal Income Tax Act, (PIT Act) or having deducted Personal Income Tax (PIT) and fails to remit the tax deducted to the relevant revenue authorities, within thirty days from the date the amount was deducted, such a defaulter shall be obligated to pay the following: “A penalty of an amount of 10 per cent of the PIT not deducted or remitted in addition to paying the tax withheld or remitted and, lastly, paying interest at the prevailing monetary policy rate of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the latter two items,” he explained.

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.

40 Businessweek AUGUST 27, 2012 INDUSTRY NEWS

‘Ondo to become Nigeria’s industrial hub’

O

ndo State Government says it has perfected plans to make the state the industrial hub of the country very soon. The planned industrialization initiative of the state was made known by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Mr. Enny Akinsola, during a facility tour of some projects across the state.

Specifically, Akinola disclosed that the state government has mapped out sites for industrial park in Ore, Ondo, for the takeoff of the project which, he said, upon completion, will attract industries to the state.

The CPS explained that the need to open up the industrial potentials of the state informed the decision of government to explore the opportunities.

Already, he said, a couple of firms have indicated interest to key into the project, which ,he said will boost employment generation and revenue for the state as part of government’s effort aimed at arresting youth unemployment.

Also, he said as part of incentives to attract investors to the industrial park, government has decided to give tax waivers to companies wishing to take advantage of the opportunity to invest in the state.

The park, according to him will also have industrial clusters for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and other small scale business operators, who, he said, would be provided with infrastructure and power at a relatively cheap cost, compared to what they use in generating their own independent power.

On agriculture, Akinsola said the state has gone into massive development of the sector across the state, saying Ondo remains a state with high potentials in agriculture which, he said, she is already tapping into.

“At the moment, we are have recruited graduates into different areas of agriculture programme, which include arable farming, fish farming, cattle rearing and palm produce. These graduates are called participant owners. Government will provide all the inputs needed while the graduates are to manage it. After harvesting, government deducts the cost of the input and the participant takes the remaining,” he revealed.

Akinsola, however, said that at the end of the minimum one year minimum training and three years maximum training, a participant is at liberty to leave to start his or her own venture with government supporting them to acquire loan for the purpose of starting up their own farming venture.

Aganga gets presidential nod on reduction of sub-standard products

T

he Ministry of Trade and Investment has received a Presidential backing to ensure a drastic reduction in the current level of substandard products across the country before the end of 2013.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, disclosed this during the inauguration of the Consumer Protection Council’s Products and Services Listing and Monitoring Programme (Proserve) in Abuja.

Aganga said his ministry would intensify the fight against sub-standard products across the country, in line with its Industrial Revolution Plan and Local Patronage Initiative.

He said: “The present administration, led by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, attaches great importance to the development of our local industries. The main barriers to increased productivity of our local industries have been identified and we are already working on them. And one of the areas that have been identified has to do with sub-standard products.

“In fact, the President has asked for a presentation to be made to him at the Economic Management Team by the Directors General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Consumer Protection Council on substandard products. This shows how seriously the President takes the issue of substandard goods.

“Yesterday, the ministers signed a performance contract with Mr. President and one of my Key Performance Indicators is to reduce the level of substandard products across the country. And within the next few weeks, I will be signing KPI contracts with the DGs of SON and CPC on the reduction of substandard products across the country.

“My target is, perhaps, to reduce the level of substandard products to about 30 per cent by the end of next year. But I am going to ask them to possibly reduce to it to about 15 per cent.

So, this is to assure Nigerians that the government is taking serious action against the substandard products,” he submitted.

The minister noted that in addition to reducing the current level of substandard products, his ministry had also embarked on policies and programmes aimed at promoting the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products.

He added that the initiative would help to boost the productivity of local industries, create jobs and generate wealth for Nigerians.

Aganga said “Overtime, we have made spirited efforts at the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment to promote the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products and services.

“This is very important for a number of reasons: local patronage will enhance productivity of our industries and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises. This will increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and also create wealth for our people,” he added.

• Gov. Peter Obi (4th right), flanked by the CEO of Orange Drugs, Chief Tony Ezenna (left) and his wife, Elizabeth (right) durinmg the inspection of Orange Drugs facilities, one of the facilities Mr President will commission on Thursday, in Anambra State.

OPS rates 2012 Budget implementation below pass mark Stories by ADEWALE SANYAOLU

N

ational Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) has debunked the 56 percent 2012 Budget implementation figure as reeled out by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, saying the level of infrastructure development on ground does not in anyway tally with the figure.

Also, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) submitted that delayed implementations have a lot of implications, particularly in the area of infrastructure that needs to empower productivity in other areas of the economy, which, he said, is lacking in the 2012 Budget.

Indeed, the Executive Secretary of NASME, Mr. Eke Ubiji, submitted that the level of progress achieved, so far in the area of capital expenditure in the 2012 Budget, suggests that not much has been achieved which, he said, calls to ques-

tion the figure presented by Okonjo-Iweala.

The NASME boss maintained that the budget implementation is not a true reflection of what Nigerians want, stressing that though government has listed out some targets it intends to achieve in 2012, querying that they have not gone too far in achieving the listed targets.

“Government has not been implementing as expected.

The huge component of the budget goes into recurrent expenditure, payment of salaries and emoluments. But when it comes to the capital budget aspect, which is an area that will impact on the economy, not much has been

achieved,” he said.

Though Ubiji admitted that Okonjo-Iweala had, at a recent meeting with members of the OPS, promised that the 2013 budget will address areas that will impact on the development of the economy, especially infrastructure development, saying that until that was done, the current situation as it is falls below pass mark.

On his part, the Director General of LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf, had, in a recent interview with Daily Sun, regretted that recurrent expenditure has always achieved more success than capital expenditure, saying the reverse should be the case.

“Government needs to engage consultants to execute the budget. The public sector as presently constituted don’t have the sufficient capacity to implement budgets.”

Again, he said the reason for poor budget implementation which has led a dismal performance of the 2012 Budget remained the fact that a situation where budgets are presented in the middle of the first quarter of the year will lead to delays because naturally the National Assembly will want to peruse the draft from the executive.

Besides, he said there was also the need to improve on the capacity for budget implementation, saying government needs to engage consultants to execute the budget, the public sector as presently constituted don’t have the sufficient capacity to implement budgets.

“As far as we want to get things right as a nation, I want to believe that raising the level of implementation of our national budget requires that the draft document must be presented between August and September and not anytime in the new year,” he advised.

All these hindrances according to him have resulted in the 2012 budget to having implementation challenges, which, has thus translated to it having a low assessment among concerned stakeholders.

...Less than 20% SMEs in Nigeria active – NASME

N

igerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) at the weekend, raised the alarm over an impending collapse of the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector, saying less than 20 per cent of the over 17 million registered entrepreneurs are currently in operation.

The gloomy picture of the SME sector, which is meant to be the engine room of economic development, and tagged as the largest employer of labour, was reeled out by the Executive Secretary of NASME, Mr. Eke Ubiji, in an interview with Daily Sun in Lagos.

Ubiji lamented that it remained regrettable that a critical sector as the SME had failed to provide the needed lift and lifeline to support the economy, because government has decided not to pay

serious attention to the growth and development of the enterprises.

Essentially, he said, SMEs in the country are currently faced with a myriad of challenges, which, he said, include; poor infrastructure, lack of access to cheap credit and multiple taxation, hence the poor abysmal 20 percent of active SMEs in the country.

He disclosed that only few SMEs have access to credit through respective Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) at single digit interest rate, adding that commercial banks are not in anyway ready to support the activities of SMEs because they prefer to do short term lending to traders, rather than give support to manufacturers.

Again, he said, the issue of power has not in anyway helped SME operators because the burden of generat-

ing individual power is further killing businesses in the country.

The development according to him, has led to the closure of many businesses, NASME members inclusive because goods produced with high production cost cannot compete favourably in the global market arena.

The NASME chief decried the dearth of industrial clusters in the country, which, he said, would have provided SMEs a soft landing as a result of cheap energy cost, taking advantage of their huge numbers.

“There used to be a time in this country when we have industrial clusters scattered across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. But after sometime it went comatose, though the federal government has pledged to revive them. We are still waiting for it to come to

fruition because this is the only way SMEs can survive,” he said.

On taxation, the NASME helmsman called for a tax harmonization policy to bring all payment of taxes under a single platform, instead of the current practice, where every tier of government taxes a single business on the same type of tax, noting that this is not good for business development and growth.

Besides, he said, government should also device other means to assist entrepreneurs through the creation of other incentives like tax holidays and reduced cost of processing land title documents, such as certificate of occupancy and governor’s consent.

For instance, he said the process of getting certificate of occupancy in Lagos for the purpose of accessing loans in banks is almost equal to the amount of loan to be sourced.

DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

41

BUSINESS EXTRA Crystalife Assurance records over N200m profit

By MADUKA NWEKE

C

rystalife Assurance Plc, has declared N202.29 million profits from its operations in the last financial year ended to offset the N97.47 million losses it suffered in 2010.

This came to light during the 14th Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos recently. Its direct premium peaked at N2.44 billion, a 26.42 per cent increase when compared with the N1.93 billion recorded in the 2010 financial year.

Gross premium recorded by the life insurer last year was N2.29 billion, an 18.65 per cent improvement over the N1.93 billion recorded in the previous year just as its net premium last year rose above the figure for the previous year by 7.82 per cent, from N1.79 billion in 2010 to N1.93 billion last year.

The firm also recorded N81.01 million commission about 129.10 per cent improvement over the N35.36 million recorded in 2010. In the same vein, its investment income rose by 66.26 per cent from N44.70 million in 2010 to N74.32 million in 2011.

Crystalife Assurance also incurred claims to the tune of N820.54 million last year, a 25.29 per cent improvement in customers’ expectations met and surpassed. In the previous year, claims incurred by the group totaled N654.90 million.

The company also earned N36.07 million income from its life funds that were invested last year as against the N23.14 million recorded in the previous year.

The profit after tax and IT development levy made by the firm peaked at N224.81 million as against the N74.04 million losses it suffered in the previous year while the profit after tax declared by the firm last year was N202.29 million, reversing

the N97.47 million losses it suffered in 2010.

The life risks underwriting company within the year under consideration maintained its share capital, capital reserve and revaluation reserve at N2.89 billion, 10 million and 159.26 million respectively. It drew down the balance in its share premium account marginally by 0.12 per cent from N803.43 million in 2010 to N802.44 million last year.

The balance in the firm’s contingency reserve was increased by 23.11 per cent from N99.03 million in 2010 to N121.92 million last year.

Shareholders’ interest in the company was grown marginally from N3 billion in 2010 to N3.20 billion in 2011. The company also increased the balance in its deposit administration fund slightly from N633.71 million in 2010 to N 636.46 million in 2011 while its life fund was raised from N1.13 billion in the previous year to N1.44 billion last year.

Crystalife Assurance last year increased its short term investments 21.49 per cent and investment in properties by 39.47 per cent but reduced its long term investments by 22.83 per cent.

Short term investments owned by the firm was increased from N2.28 billion in 2010 to N2.77 billion last year, investments in properties were upped from N403.65 million in the previous year to N562.98 million last year while long term investment was reduced from N1.01 billion in 2010 to N781.65 million in 2011.

The firm’s assets were grown to the tune of 16.36 per cent from N4.95 billion as at the end of 2010 accounting period to N5.76 billion by the end of last year. Earnings per share by the insurance firm rose by 250 per cent from 2 kobo loss per share in the previous year to 3 kobo profit per share last year

FirstBank to hold EGM on Holding structure

By OMODELE ADIGUN

I

n a move that signifies a bold step towards consolidating its operations into a group structure, shareholders of First Bank of Nigeria Plc will next month hold a courtordered Extra Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) to ratify its emergence as a holding company.

A statement from the bank said the EGM, a statutory exercise that is central to the realization of the new structure, will culminate in the submission of an application to delist bank’s shares from the Nigerian Stock Exchange and listing of FBN Holding shares on October 3, 2012.

Commenting on the new structure, the Group Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya said the holding company structure is designed to enhance competitiveness, to streamline and coordinate various operations across the nonbank financial services, and further exploit opportunities for synergies between subsidiaries.

He added that the new structure would also align the ownership and operation of its subsidiaries and businesses with current CBN regulations that require the separation of commercial banking from other financial services businesses.

Onasanya was optimistic that the structure will create an operating model that will profitably grow the bank’s presence in the market for commercial banking and non-banking financial services in order to achieve the aspiration to be the dominant financial services group in subSaharan Africa.

He stated: “There is also the need to align and cluster similar or overlapping businesses under four broad “business groups” namely Commercial Banking, Investment Banking & Asset Management (IBAM), Insurance and Other Financial Services. This will result in the creation of a corporate centre with responsibility for setting strategic direction, providing group-wide oversight and ensuring the leveraging of synergies across the group.”

•L-R, Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr. Peter West, founder, Cherie Blair Foundation, Mrs Cherie Blair and Vice President Nokia West Africa, Mr James Rutherfood at the 2012 Women’s Conference tagged connecting Nigerian Women Business Success in Lagos on Thursday.

FG, China sign $500m light rail contract From FRED ITUA, Abuja

A

fter six years of delay, light has finally appeared at the end of the tunnel for the Abuja light rail project as the Federal Government and the Chinese Construction Company – Chinese Civil Engineering Construction corporation (CCECC), finally signed a modified variation of scope of agreement worth $500 million.

Signing on behalf of the country, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed said the interest rate on the loan,

which was provided by the Chinese Nexim Bank, is in a single digit. Although the minister was not explicit over the duration of the repayment plan, a senior aide to the Minister however confided in Daily Sun that the loan would be repaid over a period of 20-30years.

According to Bala, the Federal Government started the feasibility study of the project in 2006 and its design was awarded in 2009. He added that work actually started in 2009, citing lack of funds as impediment to the initial takeoff of the project. He said 20 percent of the project has been

completed and N22billion expended so far as part of the counterpart funding from the Nigerian government.

He said: “Securing the $500million loan from the Chinese Bank was a problem until the Minister of Finance mounted pressure on members of the National Assembly to grant approval for the loan. The Finance Minister and I travelled to China to negotiate the repayment plan and beat down the interest rate. With this loan, the project is expected to be completed in the next 36 months.”

Speaking further, the FCT

Fear grips aviation workers as FG plans automated services

By UCHE USIM

F

ear of possible job loss has gripped aviation workers as the Ministry is planning full automation and digitalization of various services rendered by parastatals under it.

The fears spring from the simple arithmetic permutation that digitalized operations require fewer hands than manual and they are having sleepless nights praying not to be affected.

Shortly after the incumbent Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah assumed office, she carried out in-depth, but silent staff audit in the parastatals which revealed a lot of equipment-manpower mismatch scenarios especially at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

The audit, Daily Sun further learnt, exposed a good number of redundant staff who are now viewed as spent forces and excess baggage, weighing down the aviation transformation vehicle.

It was further gathered that the Ministry is trying to build new hi-tech teams from the existing workforce in the agen-

cies that will drive the automation and digitalization era, all in the bid make the aviation sector stand at par with what obtains in developed climes.

Airport users have complained of poor orientation of FAAN staff, stressing that some of them see themselves as landlords rather than service providers.

A top aviation source who confided in Daily Sun said the

government was also aware of the numerous loopholes in the parastatals especially in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which robs it of over N5 billion in revenue annually.

The sources said those feeding fat from the loopholes are at daggers-drawn with the Aviation Ministry. and are fighting tooth and nail to ensure the status quo remains.

Minister said they were very passionate about the project, saying that “we have a matching order from President Jonathan to ensure the completion of all ongoing projects in the FCT, particularly the Abuja light rail.

He added: “Now that we've the money, the technical capacity and relevant agencies have been given the mandate to give all the necessary support needed to complete the project."

He warned the Chinese firm handling the project against doing a shoddy job. "You must look inward and give us something durable and qualitative," Bala warned. "We can't take anything less from you. I urge you our contractor to stick to the terms of the agreement and must not deviate" Reacting, the Managing Director of CCECC, Mr. Cao Bau Gang promised to finish the project in the next 36 months. “This project when completed will push the rapid development of the FCT. We will train Nigerians on how to manage the facility when completed. We will not fail to deliver on this mandate,” he stated.

NDLEA destroys 20,949.411kg of drugs in Kano

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he Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade has vowed to put an end to the abuse of narcotic drugs and unconventional substances like rubber solution, petrol, lizard dung and pit toilet in Kano to get high.

The NDLEA boss made the disclosure at the public destruction of 20,949.411kg of narcotics in Kano at the weekend.

“We are determined to stop the abuse of narcotics and unconventional substances such as rubber solution, petrol, lizard dung and pit toilet all in a bid to get high. All hands must be on deck to protect lives from

destruction. It is unhygienic, harmful and unacceptable. We will not fold our hands and watch our youths get involved in such unworthy practices” Giade stated.

Official statistics of the NDLEA show that no female was caught for drug trafficking and abuse in Kano State IN 2011 even as the State maintains its position in the annual list of arrested drug suspects.

Unlike in 2010 when 618 males and 20 females were arrested in connection with drug trafficking; all 1,281 suspects apprehended in 2011 in the State were males.

The destroyed drugs jointly seized by Kano State and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport

Commands consist of 20,248.973kg of cannabis also known as hemp. Psychotropic substances followed with 688.622kg, Cocaine is 11.221kg and Heroin 595.47grames. The last public destruction of drug exhibits in Kano State was in 2008 when 5,154.295kg of drugs were burnt. The 20,949.411kg of drugs destroyed shows that in the last four years, an average of 5,000 kg of drugs is forfeited annually in the State.

Giade’s address was presented at the event by the director of prosecution and legal services of the Agency, Mr Femi Oloruntoba. According to the NDLEA Chairman, “in 2011, Kano State arrested 1,281 male drug suspects.

DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

42

BUSINESS EXTRA Iweala, Sanusi, govs meet on transformation agenda

By WOLE BALOGUN

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need to set clear agenda for the on-going transformation project by the federal government has informed a town hall meeting of some state Governors, ministers, private and corporate organisations operators across the country next month in the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Courtesy of the Business Hallmark newspapers' Public Policy Forum, the proposed town hall meeting will provide a veritable platform for the participants to discuss at great length fundamental issues bordering on the country's road to meaningful transformation in all sectors.

Nigeria's former ambassador and current chairman of the Public Policy Forum, Prof.

George Obiozor and the publisher of Business Hallmark newspapers, Prince Emeka Obasi jointly explained broadly on the rationale behind convening the meeting.

Obiozor said: "The town hall meeting will showcase some of the best and brightest Nigerians at various levels of our society. These are some of the most outstanding individuals currently active in public and private sectors. It will also celebrate these individuals who have kept the Nigerian flag in full mast. Their perspective on Nigeria's road to trans-

formation will hopefully resonate with the Nigerian public and act as a catalyst to greater nationalism, optimism and resolve by the Nigerian people to take the country to the summit of global socio-economic, political and even cultural development."

Obasi also added: "We are convening a meeting of the people who actually formulate, influence and implement government policies. And we have ensured that all classes of the citizenry are represented, including the youths."

To be compered by internationally acclaimed talk show host, Mr. Steve Sackur of the BBC HARDtalk fame, the meeting will feature thirteen state governors, four ministers, ten private sector operators as well as three corporate organisations. Some of the participants include Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, minister of finance, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, CBN governor, chairman of the governors' forum and Rivers State governor, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, ministers of oil, power and Agriculture and governors of Lagos, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Niger, Ondo, Bauchi among others. Those from the corporate and private organisations include Alhahaji Aliko Dangote of Dangote group, as well as the heads of First Bank, Diamond, Access, and others.

Attahiru Jega, INEC chairman and others.

•The Managing Director of the Chubbies & Fields, Dr Akin Ajiboye, (middle) with Director of Finance, Jumoke Odeyemi (left) and Marketing Director, Mr. Victor Fatunla (right) addressing a press briefing on forthcoming First South-West Farmers and Food Security Exhibition organised by Chubbies and Fields in collaboration with Oodua Chambers and Commerce. hoto: Olufemi Kayode

155m Nigerians lack access to internet -Investigation

By BISI OLALEYE

I

nvestigation has revealed that more than 155 million Nigerians still lack access internet services provided by telcos and other Internet Service Providers, even after eleven years of deregulating the sector.

Daily Sun gathered that 11.16 million people representing seven per cent of the 167 million population in Stakeholders lament effect of Nigeria do have access to broadband internet services, substandard goods while 155million Nigerians FROM: WALTER UKAEGBU, of knowledge about products are yet to enjoy broadband and services.

Abuja services. The figure repreThis according to her could sents 93 per cent of the popuhe First Lady, Patience have been avoided if a com- lation.

Jonathan has lamented prehensive data-bank of genthat the ‘get rich quick uine products and certified syndrome’ all over the service providers existed in world has prompted indi- the country.

“The absence of a compreviduals to deal with substandard goods, defective hensive data-bank for prod- From AIDOGHIE PAULINUS, products and poor services. ucts and services created an Abuja Dame Jonathan, who spoke opening that is being currentas special Guest of Honour ly exploited by dubious busihe Federal Government during the official launch of nesses in the faking and prohas debunked the rumour making the Products and Services listing duction of substandard prodand Monitoring Programme ucts, including the offering of rounds the social media that tagged Preserve by the very poor services”, she said. the Third Mainland Bridge is Consumer Protection Council She explained that CPC collapsing.

In a statement made available (CPC) in collaboratio0n with which is responsible for proNational Orientation Agency moting and protecting the to Daily Sun in Abuja by the Director, Highways Design (NOA), Standards interest of consumers and (Bridges), Federal Ministry of Organization of Nigeria (SON), SMEDAN and other ensuring increased consumer Works (FMW), Engr. Dominic stakeholders, commended the awareness thought it wise to Avishigh, it said the attention of CPC for taking gaint strides introduce proserve to fill the the FMWhas been drawn to the gap. misinformation in the social to enlighten Nigerians.

“Proserve is designed to media that the third mainland She suggested that as concerned citizens, organization introduce a listing regime that bridge is on the verge of colshould contribute to the pro- would require all genuine lapsing.

"The FMW wishes to advise tection of Nigerians on con- manufacturers and certified sumer abuses stating that services providers in all sec- the motoring public and indeed, President Goodluck Jonathan tors of the Nigerian economy Lagosians, to disregard this is genuinely committed to to enlist their products and unfounded rumour which is not making Nigeria among the services for proper monitor- based on any empirical fact," he said. top economics in the world ing by the council.

"The Third Mainland Bridge, by 2020.

It is also intended to be used which effectively connects Host and director General as a strong instrument Consumer Protection Council towards ensuring the certifi- Lagos Island with the Mainland, is the longest and (CPC), Mrs. Ify Umenyi, had cation of all products and most important bridge in earlier in an address Nigeria.

Nigerians have been con- services by the national stanHis words: “The bridge was dards body and sector regulafronted over time with myriconstructed in two phases. ads of complaints which tors”, she explained.

While the first phase was conbothered on consumers’ lack structed in 1981, the second

T

According to the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, about 28 per cent of the population (42 million) have access to the internet, actual broadband access, which means faster internet experience still hovers at 7 per cent.

However, amidst the huge broadband connectivity gap, the country has also set an optimistic target of 20 per cent broadband penetration by 2012, though non-availability of necessary spectrum to deploy broadband services has been hindering last-mile (last user) connectivity in the country.

With Main One and Glo 1 providing huge bandwidth capacity still located mainly in Lagos, experts have insisted that, to realize increased broadband penetration, there is need to attract both local and foreign broadband-centric investors .

Investigation also revealed that the speed of most of the so-called broadband internet services being provided by the telecoms companies and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) is far below international benchmark for ‘true’ broadband speed.

According to the latest State of the internet report by Akamai Technologies Global

Third Mainland Bridge not collapsing – FG

T

phase construction works was completed in 1991. Avishigh explained that the FMW is not oblivious that roads and bridges once constructed need continuous maintenance.

"In 2006, joint inspection on the bridge was first carried out by a combined team of engineers from the FMW, Julius

Berger Nigeria Plc and M/s Borini Prono, a member of the Consortium that constructed the bridge, following insinuations that the bridge was oscillating.

"At the end of the inspection, it was resolved that an internationally reputed bridge consultant be invited to carry out further inspection of the bridge.

Internet Platform, Nigeria has, however, overtaken South Africa in terms of internet speed. It states that Nigeria has an average connection speed of 322kbps with a peak rate of 5674kbps.

“However, while South Africa’s average speed is faster at 496kbps, the country’s peak speed is only half that of Nigeria, at 2172kbps,” says the report.

And with telecommunications sector expected to contribute N29.4billion (about $190m) to the country’s Gross Domestic Product by 2015 if proper framework and policies are put in place to encourage investment in broadband. The regulator Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) has evolved a five-year Strategic Management Plan (SMP) for the industry upto 2017 with the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) handling the SMP implementation to actualize this dream.

Currently, KPMG, a consulting firm, is also working with the USPF to achieve the SMP.

Reactions trail CBN’s planned introduction of coins, N5,000 bills

By CHIMA TITUS NWOKOJI

T

he planned re-introduction of coins and a new N5, 000 bills by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has received serious criticisms from the Nigerian public.

A chartered accountant and an analyst Mr. Bala Zakka described it as “irrelevant brilliancy.” He explained that the idea may be brilliant but is irrelevant in Nigeria of today when CBN is yet to record reasonable success in its cashless policy.

In a Channels TV programme over the weekend, Bala said it will have negative

effect on the Psychology of Nigerian workers. According to him, the workers whose monthly minimum wage is now N18, 000 will see themselves as being reduced to only three N5, 000 bills plus few naira.

Zakka believed that the nation’s economy is having a lot of macroeconomic problems, such that CBN should not help to worsen it. “What can you use coins to buy in Nigeria today? The same argument that CBN advanced before it withdrew coins from circulation would be the same argument it would bring again to withsraw it in future. Can somebody explain to me the

macroeconomic convergence of cashless or cash lite policy with introduction of coins together with N5, 000 bills?” he demanded.

CBN had said that by next year, all low naira denominations: 50k, N1, N2, N5, N10 and N20 will become coins while the banknotes would be N50, N100, N200, N500, N1, 000 and N5,000.

Other Nigerians who spoke to Daily faulted the apex bank saying the new note will only increase inflation which CNB Governor, Lamido Sanusi said he wants to curtail.

Sanusi explained that the new bill is introduced to cushion the effect of “inflationary

Monday, August 27, 2012

Bimbola Oyesola bimbeechampion@yahoo.com 08033246177

T

he Nigeria labour movement may be spoiling for another round of battle with the state governors, based on the state executives’ ploy to ensure that minimum wage is removed from the exclusive legislative list of the 1999 constitution.

Labour at different fora had expressed unequivocally that the issue of minimum wage was a sensitive one as it affects the livelihood of Nigerian workers and hence should be handled with caution.

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwahed Omar, recently carpeted those governors who had been undermining the interest and well being of their workers by their sheer refusal to implement the new wage, as well as planning to scuttle it.

In the same vein the Congress’ National Executive Council (NEC), at it meeting in Edo State last week notes with dismay, the attempts by the government to remove the minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list.

According to the Congress: “NEC advises government not to embark on this unhelpful journey.

The logic of a national minimum wage is informed by the need to ensure a minimum floor which is nationally guaranteed to avoid or minimize the incidence of the working poor.

It wishes to remind elected government functionaries, especially governors and Mr. President, of their electioneering promises to the electorate, especially workers, to whom they pledged to improve the quality of their lives through payment of improved wages.”

The Labour house believed that corruption, and not workers’ salaries is the drain on the nation’s resources.

Noting with concern the gale of de-membership of Congress from institutions and organizations in which it hitherto was a member.

The insisted that it was all an orchesrated plan by the government to impose its views and decisions on the workers.

Citing the case of the National Industrial Court (NIC) among others, including the proposed de-listing of NLC/TUC from the board of the PPPRA, NEC wonders what government intends to achieve by this act of belligerence, and vowed to fight back.

The NLC NEC however has given its approval to the Congress to mobilize all the necessary resources to reclaim its membership of the NIC. TUC’s Views This also was among many national burning issues which informed the Trade Union Congress (TUC)’s National Executive Council

DAILY SUN

43

Workforce

LABOUR LABOUR ISSUES JOB JOB POLITICS

Minimum wage: Labour set for another battle with governors

•Jonathan

TUC President Esele

(NEC) meeting in Lagos last weekend. The TUC’s NEC, which is the highest decision making body of the Congress has condemned the growing campaign amongst the governors to ensure that minimum wage is removed from the exclusive legislative list and therefore said it was battle ready to take on the governors.

The statement from the labour house stated: “The session resolves to resist all such attempts as the minimum wage is the fulcrum that holds the society together, otherwise there can be total arnarchy”.

The TUC further stated that not only should minimum wage remain a constitutional issue, it should also remain in the exclusive legislative

list.

“Nigerian workers will resist any further attempt by the lawless governors and their supporters who have failed to comply with the relevant laws of the land especially as it concerns the Minimum wage, to muzzle and impoverish Nigerian workers more by trying to implement these satanic intentions”, the statement warned.

TUC NEC session gives its blessing to the Alfa Belgore panel’s observation that the cost of governance in Nigeria is too prohibitive and should be cut down drastically.

In particular, it declares that there is no justification for the office of the First Lady, which has not been provided for by the constitution and yet

gulps so much resources.

Similarly it recommends drastic reduction in retinue of special advisers and special assistance by both the executives and the legislature at the state and federal levels as they constitute monumental drains on the economy.

Unemployment In a releted development the labour house noted that the nation’s unemployment index is worsening and calls on the federal government to create an enabling environment for business and Industry to thrive.

Stressing that such will create new workplaces with greater opportunities for employment.

The NEC equally condemned the huge debt owed Construction Companies which has caused mass layoffs thus saturating the Labour market.

It therefore called on the federal government to arrest the situation by paying its huge debt to deserving contractors and restore sanity in the industry and Nigeria as a whole as the infrastructural problem has brought lots of hardship on Nigerians.

Food security The TUC body also warned on the looming food crisis which it believed that Nigerian workers would be the worst hit if not given due attention now.

It added: “NEC in session declares that there is a looming food crisis in the nation and that unless the Federal Government takes urgent steps, acute shortage of food will soon join the litany of woes confronting the people.

“It condemns the present dependence on food importation in the country in the face of our national resources which we have failed to harnes.”

Internships: Head start or labour trap?

I

nternships can provide valuable work experience to young people. However, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has alerted that as they become more common, so does the risk of abuse, especially during economic downturns.

ILO in a special report on the benefits and drawbacks of the practice expressed that with youth unemployment rates reaching dramatic levels, internships have become increasingly common in developed countries, and so has controversy over the practice.

“Internships are often considered a great way for young people to gather valuable work experience and get a foothold in the labour market”, ILO noted.

The report said the importance of internships has risen as graduates find it increasingly difficult to land a job, but harped that widely reported abuses have led to vocal criticism of internships as a source of cheap, and often free, labour.

“The main objective of internships is to provide work experience for young people who otherwise often find themselves trapped in a ‘Catch 22’ situation in which they are unable to acquire work experience because they cannot find a first job, and cannot find a job because they do not have work experi-

ence,” said Gianni Rosas, the Coordinator of the ILO’s Youth Employment Programme.

Paid vs unpaid internships ILO said that several governments have put in place legal safeguards against the exploitation of interns.

But the inappropriate use of internships has expanded in recent years, particularly in countries hit hard by the global crisis, and young people are increasingly voicing their concerns. There is, for example, a global – and vocal — community of tweeters reporting daily on internship practices.

“Internships should always have a training component, since they are about on-the-job training. If they use young people for duties that are normally carried out by core workers this can be considered as disguised employment, which can be pursued in labour courts,” said Rosas.

However the report said that one major issue is whether young interns should be paid or not.

Citing the United States law, ILO said internships in the private sector are generally viewed as employment, though unpaid internships are legal under certain circumstances.

Among the criteria for an internship to be unpaid is that it should have a strong training

component, that the intern does not displace regular employees and that the employer derives no immediate advantage.

In France, interns do not have a legal right to a wage but must be given a bonus if their internship is more than two months in the same academic year.

The so-called “Cherpion Law” of 2011 also states that internships cannot consist of tasks that could be done by a worker in a permanent position, and they must also offer training. But critics say the laws are difficult to enforce.

High-profile US court cases, in which former interns claimed they were exploited, have put the issue in the spotlight, further fuelling controversy already stirred by Ross Perlin’s book “Intern Nation: How to Earn Nothing and Learn Little in the Brave New Economy.”

Another issue that has become prominent is that of the “professional” interns - young people who cannot find a job and get stuck in a vicious cycle of internships.

A need for “best practices” According to ILO, a recent survey by the US National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) showed that 60 per cent of university graduates who had done a paid internship received at least one job offer, compared with 36 per cent of those with no intern-

ship experience.

But the survey also suggested that only interns who were paid had a decided advantage on the jobs market over graduates with no internship experience. Only 37 per cent of those who did an unpaid internship had job offers.

The International Labour body believed that an internship must give young people the chance to learn practical skills that will impress potential employers. It should also help them network and, hopefully, get a job.

It emphasized that there is a strong need to counter the bad rap that internships have received lately, by adopting good practices such as not using unpaid interns to replace salaried workers, giving interns meaningful work assignments, and providing them with proper training and guidance.

“There are a number of good practices, for example, the International Labour Organization (ILO) does provide its interns with a stipend. This is in full recognition of the fact that quite often young people need to travel and establish themselves in a city or a country where they cannot get support from family or other networks,“ said Rosas.

44 DAILY

SUN

Monday, August 27, 2012

Workforce

Neimeth rewards employees, appoints executive members I

n line with its transformation agenda and reward of hard work, Neimeth International Plc has honoured four outstanding employees with new Toyota Corolla cars.

Niemeth acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Emmanuel Ekunn said that the initiative was to motivate workers, who are an essential part of the “Quantum leap vision to quadruple sales and thereby achieve tremendous growth”.

The pharmaceutical company has also appointed new executive members among them are Head of Sales/National Demand Manager, Michael Heavens; Head of Corporate Training

and Customer Satisfaction, Mr. Charles Akinsete and National Sales Manager, Consumer Products Group, Mr. Akinola Oluwadaisi.

The management stated that no fewer than 15 workers are to be rewarded with cars in the first phase of the company’s new auto policy.

First recipients of the new cars are the Marketing Manager, ECOWAS Business Development, Folashade Olaiya-Segun; Head of Sales/National Demand Manager, Michael Heavens; Head of Corporate Training and Customer Satisfaction Manager, Mr. Charles Akinsete and National Sales Manager, Consumer Products Group, Mr. Akinola Oluwadaisi.

FITC wins regional training excellence award

T

he Financial Institutions Training Centre has been conferred with the West African Award for Training Excellence and Innovative Services by Aspire West Africa, a sub-regional magazine, in collaboration with the West African Nobles and Top Entrepreneurs Forum.

The award was presented to the institution at the 2012 International Convergence West African Entrepreneurs Conference in Ghana recently, according to the statement.

The Executive Secretary, Aspire West Africa, Mr. Theopilus Enyali, was quoted as saying that nominations for the award were based on research into the achievements of individuals and organisations within the West African sub-region with the support of media executives in each jurisdiction.

He said winners were selected based on their ability to operate truly sustainable and innovative businesses and demonstrate excellence in key areas, including return on investment and growth, long-term strategy execution and effective leadship.

Stanbic IBTC gets TNAA award

S

tanbic IBTC Plc. has emerged ‘Bank of the Year’ at the 7th edition of The Nigerian Auto Awards for its contributions to and innovations in the local automobile industry.

A statement from the bank said the TNAA, which was organised by ON Wheels Auto magazine, was instituted to reward creativity and excellence across the automobile value chain, comprising manufacturers, Sola David Burha dealers and financial instituCEO Stanbic IBTC tions.

The statement explained that the bank clinched the award for the second consecutive year, after it was unanimously voted winner by the TNAA advisory board, auto dealers and other participants.

According to the statement, the Head of Vehicle and Asset Finance, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Hentie Stemmet, said the award had strengthened the bank’s position in vehicle and asset acquisition transactions in the country.

NUPENG raises alarm over kidnappers operation in Lagos ...Charges Fashola to address the menace

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igeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has alerted the Lagos State Government of the operation of kidnappers in state, charging the state to address the menace.

National President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese, said a member of the union was recently kidnapped and released from the kidnappers’ den after a ransom was paid by the union.

“There is kidnapping operation now in Lagos and to me that will have a serious implication for the country judging by the position and importance of the state to the overall Nigeria’s economy”, he said.

He noted that he was not raising the alarm due to NUPENG experience but because of the information he gathered in the process of releasing the union’s member kidnapped recently.

According to him:”We got to know that five cases of similar kidnapping have been reported to the Police and they were still working on those cases. That is absurd, Lagos has never been known for such inhuman crime.”

The NUPENG President, who maintained that the development was a security challenge called on the Babatunde Fashola led administration to move into action to protect lives and properties in the state.

Achese harped that the issue of security was central to the overall development of the country as no investor would put his money in a country that has serious security challenge.

The Labour leader stated that it was in this view that NUPENG has given full support to the Pollice Reforms as recently presented to the Presdent,Goodluck Jonathan.

“We support the call for the creation of state Police, as it will go a long way to help in policing the states and ensure maximum security”, he said.

He stressed that the states should be granted the autonomy to operate their police system, as it was during the regional days.

Monday, August 27, 2012 DAILY SUN

45

Workforce

Unions can’t continue to rely on check-off dues ..Comrade Peter Adeyemi, NASU Gen Sec

C

omrade Peter Adeyemi, the General Secretary of the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) is one of the few labour leaders, who have come to terms with the fact that labour operates in a dynamic society, hence must move with the world and, as such, must no longer rely on the traditional check-off dues for survival. In this interview with Workforce, the versatile labour leader states that his union has concluded plans to diversify into several business ventures in line with the economic demands of the country.

He speaks on other national and labourrelated issues. Excerpts: State of the Art Secretariat The building in Abuja is a landmark in the history of our union. When we conceived this idea, we were confronted with various challenges. At a point I thought it was going to be mission impossible, but eventually we found a way out.We owed a lot of appreciation to our members because of the confidence they have in us. The levies of N200, and up till 2012 when the project is completed, it shows that the members have paid the money consistently for about 11-12 years. That shows trust, because at a time people might feel we’re just collecting the money and spending it. We believed that what we have achieved would remove doubt in the mind of few who have been skeptical. I feel very fulfilled because we have been able to leave a legacy. It is also on record that the project has been built completely through the sweat of our members. We did not take a kobo from anybody, either government or an employer of labour. We have seen some who have done similar things with the help of their employers. But everything in our building are procured from the levies and check-off dues of our members.

N200 levy The truth of the matter is that even in the 11 years that we collected it, it was not up to the 50% of the money that we used in building the secretariat, but it was the base. If we didn’t have that there was no way that we would have conceived the project. We have the confidence that until the project was completed, our members would continue to pay. We have some reasonable savings, which we marched up with the levies. Besides, we believe the secretariat in Abuja is important, because we believed that we will be saving cost moving from our secretariat in Ibadan to Abuja everytime. However, if we feel the Ibadan secretariat would no longer be necessary we can remodeled the structure and turn it into a commercial venture.

Alternative to strike For as long as incorrigible employers of labour continues, strike will always remain a portent weapon. Honestly if we remove strike, it’s like you are removing pregnancy and you expect the woman to deliver. One then has to perform some miracles. One of the biggest instruments that the trade union movement has is strike. I agreed it should be used as a last resort. But I must also stressed in Industrial Relations Parlance, the levels of insensitivity of government and our employers is what always forces the unions into strike. For instance, when you dialogue and there is no result. But when you strike and the services are paralysed; those who have avoided you in the course of dialogue would be willing to talk.For example the recall of the Lagos State Doctors was a smart and

clever attempt to get the issue resolved. Am aware that Lagos State government is a reasonable one. They have a team of tested Nigerians who are very humane. The government is always aware that government exists because of the mandate from the people. The truth of the matter is that you can’t take employer’s right away from them. Even as a trade union organization, You have to balance the equation. It is only when dialogue has broken down inevitably that a union can strike.

Business as an option to check-off Absolutely unions can not continue to rely on check off dues, there ought to be diversification.

I have told our members that perhaps in another one year or so, we will be commissioning either a multi purpose hall, which would serve dual purpose.

It will be utilized for our conferences and meetings as well as commercial purpose. The structure will be a unique one. A very standard multi purpose hall. That is going to be part of the diversification we are talking about. We have plans in NASU to also go into investments, but we felt building a structure in Abuja which is the seat of power should be given a priority.

Now that we have achieved that, we can move to the next stage. We considered going into investment without our own structure in Abuja to a tenant who is into investment, when the landlord is aggrieved, such tenants would be sent packing. Such is our line of thoughts, first a secretariat in Abuja, then the business, so that we would not have to continue to rely 100% on check-off dues.

Subsidy probe/deregulation From the word go, we in NASU have always been opposed to deregulation and that position has not changed. We have been part of everything that has happened in terms of resisting deregulation. It is a deliberate thing. This is because we believed that our country is endowed with this products, hence we must not suffer for it.We can reduce it to the non-academic thing, if I work in a factory that produces shoe,

•Adeyemi

am not supposed to be walking bare footed. If I work in a big farm, I am supposed to have food to eat. We cannot compare petrol with CocaCola. Somebody can afford not to drink Coke, but no Nigerian can afford not to use petrol. It is a very sensitive matter, it goes beyond just looking for money.

This was the reason we told President Goodluck Jonathan that as the President, he has to do more than just looking for more money. I am sympathetic with the President because I have the feeling that the government needed to generate more money. But that should not be at the expense of the people. The mass of the people will suffer and that is why we insist that even if government is to contemplate it all, more or less a suicide mission, then the government must put in place things that will ameliorate the attendant sufferings.

I have often said that if there is functional rail system, functional mass transit system, a guaranteed regular power supply that would not make one require a petrol to power a generator, if the mass transit is effective there would not be a need to drive cars all the time.I have said it severally, whenever we go to Geneva in Switzerland for International Labour Conferences, one doesn’t need a car. We use the mass transit buses. The tram is there, even if you are in Britain, it’s the same. So if there is no need to go to the filling station to buy petrol, for generator, because there is constant power, no need to drive one’s personal car all the time as there is mass transit, governments then can do whatever they like with petrol.

But right now, every Nigerian will need petrol to do virtually everything. Therefore, the moment the cost is going up, more hardship is being created for the people. Government still has a long way to go on this issue of deregulation. I think they should just put a stop to the idea of continuing with it.On the contrary, deregulation is not what a single industrial union can fight. We have to network, go into amalgamation and have a joint action with other progressives and other interest group. Naturally we are opposed to deregulation, any step would see us partnering with other progressive forces to prevail on government not to remove subsidy.

Membership drive in private institution We have tried, but we have been faced with serious problem. In a clear term, we have hit the rock with the private universities. Formal responses we got from Vice-Chancellors is that there is a clause in the letter of appointment given to the workers that they cannot belong into unions. So far we have compiled all those documents and now in the process of going to the National Industrial Court because we believe that it is an infringement on the fundamental human rights of those workers. No organisation has the right to prevent a worker from joining union.

Some of these private institutions are opposed to unionization of their workers because they have the opinion that unions will always go on strike and will not allow the institutions to function. Also because of the crisis of unemployment in this country, people are ready to go into any job under any condition.

IndustriALL condemns wild killings at South African Lonmin mine

I

nternational labour body, IndustriALL, has condemned the tactics of Lonmin’s local management, which is the root cause for the tragedy where, at least, 35 workers were shot dead by police at the Marikana platinum in South Africa.

IndustriALL also calls on the Chamber of Mines to address the need for centralised bargaining in the platinum industry to prevent companies from undermining union rights, closing the space for such unilateral destructive actions for which workers had paid with their lives.

IndustriALL and its affiliates, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), in calling for calm to return to the Marikana mine, about 100 km north-west of Johannesburg, and demanding a full and thorough investigation from law enforcement agencies that leads to arrests and prosecution for those responsible.

The shootings occurred at the Wonderkop squatter camp at the mine, after police efforts to disperse crowds of demonstrators with teargas and water cannons failed. It is now the respon-

sibility of Lonmin, the UK-based mine owner to ensure calm and safety is restored so that miners can return to work.

The blame and the root cause of the conflict, which had already killed 10 people, lie with the employer who conducted an under handed attack on the NUM and the established bargaining structure by bypassing the proper channels and offering a unilateral allowance to rock-drill operators.

NUM President Senzeni Zokwana, also Vice-President of IndustriALL, who was at the mine to appeal for calm, stated “rock drillers are always vulnerable to scam artists targeting the platinum industry in Limpopo and the North West.” Referring to the rival union he said “these guys have taken the guise of a union that promises them R12,500 – which NUM adamantly says is unachievable for a rock driller.”

Lonmin followed the example of fellow platinum miner Impala Platinum, where there has also been increasing intimidation and violence this year.

At both Lonmin and Impala, NUM is perse-

cuted by management through a number of undermining efforts that favour yellow unions and non-union members. A major contributing factor is the lack of a centralized bargaining structure inside the Chamber of Mines for the platinum mining industry, as exists for coal and gold mining. South Africa is the world’s largest producer of platinum.

IndustriALL Global Union sends heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those killed, and joins NUM in calling workers to remain united in face of management attempts at divide and rule. IndustriALL and NUM demand that the families of the deceased must be compensated as if the deceased died on duty and all workers must be paid full salaries for the period of work stoppage, as it was the company that could not provide them with transport and security to work.

“NUM always stands shoulder to shoulder with trade unions throughout the world when a worker is killed under their motto “an injury to one is an injury to all”. Condolences and solidarity messages are being sent from all regions to NUM at this time,” stated IndustriALL.

46

DAILY SUN

Monday, August 27, 2012

Dana MD on coping with aftershocks of plane crash

Me, go back to India? No, I’m a Nigerian •Awaits AIB’s final report on crash

By MOSES AKAIGWE

A

bout three months after an exclusive interview following the crash of one of his company’s airplanes in Lagos, the Managing Director of the Dana Group (owners of Dana Air), Jacky Hathiramani, spoke again to the Daily Sun recently. This time, he reviewed the concerted efforts to address issues arising from the mishap, including validation of insurance claims, the findings of both the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and Aviation Ministry’s panels and the vexed question of when the suspension on Dana Air’s operations should be lifted. But, can the lingering challenges be so daunting that, one day, Hathiramani would consider shutting down the many companies in the Group and jetting back to his country of origin, India? He gave an interesting answer.

It is about three months since the last time we spoke on the June 3 crash. How far have you gone in managing the situation, and what issues remain current?

Since the tragic accident took place, we have adhered to and even gone beyond the requirements placed on Dana… well over 100 remains of the victims have been identified and released to their loved ones for burial.

About 126 insurance claims have been validated and the vast majority has been paid. The company has cooperated fully with every investigation that has been launched, and we have continued to actively contribute to the coroner’s inquest in Lagos, and to the efforts of the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). We have continued to cooperate with all these bodies, and will continue to do so.

Were other victims like those who were not on board the plane, but died at the crash site, part of those so far covered by the insurance claim validation you referred to? What about those whose homes and properties were affected?

Those are also being currently validated and, yes, definitely, the insurance companies are also involved.

Two major official investigative actions were taken after the crash - one by the AIB and the other an administrative/technical panel by the Aviation Ministry. How would you react to the report by the AIB’s panel?

We cooperated fully with the investigation panel, and will continue to do so. We have provided to them all the information that was required. We have noted the report and will continue to be in contact with them.

The Aviation Ministry’s review panel cast a question mark on the washing of the engine compressor not long before the crash. Was that relevant to the likely cause of the accident?

The practice was a document with the NCAA (Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority) and it was a normal maintenance procedure.

So, why did the panel find it relevant? It was as if it was a contributory factor to the crash.

It was one of their findings. There are many findings and most of them are in line with our procedure. In fact, everything was in line with our procedure. All our maintenance practices have always been in full adherence to NCAA regulations.

Back to the AIB panel’s report: Were you satisfied with their own findings?

AIB is the only legal body that is supposed to investigate such an incident, and we have been cooperating fully with them, and it will remain so.

One of the findings was that the pilot encountered “a non-normal situation”, but didn’t raise the alarm until it was too late.

The black boxes were recovered and taken abroad. Were the findings based on the contents?

I cannot comment on that because the AIB is still investigating, and we will not be doing justice to the matter if we make any comment on that.

So, basically, you are leaving everything with AIB. As I said earlier, we are fully cooperating with AIB. We cannot comment at this stage because it could jeopardize the result of the investigation. So, we need to all be patient and await the outcome.

And on the black boxes you mentioned, they were both found, and they were and are still being analyzed by the AIB. There are two black boxes. One is the flight data recorder, and the other is the cockpit voice recorder. Both were found and both are in the possession of the AIB who are analyzing them.

There are some people who believe that it is taking a long time; that a definite statement should have been issued by now.

There is already a preliminary report out from the AIB which disclosed some of the findings from the black boxes. May I also remind you that in similar accidents around the world, it even took years to get the final results of such investigations.

Do you think the whole process of DNA profiling, identification of the victims and release of bodies to concerned families had been properly done? Some people think it has been slow.

The DNA results were out a couple of weeks ago, and the profiling was done for nearly all the bodies, and the collection of the bodies has also started. As I mentioned earlier, over 100 of the bodies should have by now been released to the loved ones for burial.

When you spoke to us in June after the accident, you were hopeful that Dana Air would return after the investigations.

When are you going to fly again?

On our part, we have done whatever we have to do, and now we are just waiting for the Ministry of Aviation to let us know when we can commence operations again. And that we expect will be communicated to us by the NCAA. But do you think the decision on Dana flying again is taking too long to come? I ask this question because I read a couple of days ago comments by some aviation industry analysts that the suspension was wrong in the first place and should be

Hathiramani reversed immediately.

Well, I think the government was conducting its investigation, which had been concluded now. So, we are just waiting to hear from them on our way forward.

From your assessment of the situation, why do you think you have not yet been allowed to start flying again?

As I mentioned earlier, we were still awaiting approval from the Aviation Ministry and the NCAA, but as at yesterday (Monday, August 20), it had been 12 weeks since the ill-fated incident, and in those three months, we have mainly been attending to the families of the victims, focusing on compensation and the collection of bodies, and we can now vouch that majority of those have been accomplished.

But generally, how do you rate reactions emanating from official quarters, including the Aviation Ministry and relevant bodies like NCAA, etc, since the crash?

I think all the stakeholders involved have really contributed well, including, but not limited to the Lagos State Government, LASUTH (Lagos State University Teaching Hospital), the Aviation Ministry, the Federal

‘On our part, we have done whatever we have to do, and now we are just waiting for the Ministry of Aviation to let us know when we can commence operations again. And that we expect will be communicated to us by the NCAA.’

Government… they have all been of immense assistance in the whole process, and without their actions, the current process wouldn’t have been possible bearing in mind that over 100 bodies have been released already, so that the families can conduct the burial.

What is the effect of the crash on Dana Group Businesses?

The biggest impact is actually on the over 550 Dana Air staff. The staff recently issued a passionate appeal to be allowed to resume their jobs and restore the reputation of our company which they have helped to build.

Their jobs and livelihoods are at stake due to the continued suspension.

But, do you think it is in the interest of the aviation industry for Dana Air to fly again soon?

I think that questions should be directed at others and not us, but we are determined to still make a difference given that opportunity again.

Was that your vision when you venture into airline operation?

Yes, of course.

If in the next few weeks things don’t turn out the way you expect, and coupled with the huge toll the crash has taken on you and your businesses, would you consider winding up your companies and returning to your country, India?

I don’t know why you are asking that question, but as you know, I was born and bred in Nigeria. I was born in Jos in 1975. I attended schools in Lagos and Ibadan. My parents and grandparents lived here. So, I am a Nigerian. This is my country or are you telling me to go back to Jos, where I was born?

DAILY SUN

Monday, August 27, 2012

47

48

DAILY SUN

The State of Our States

Monday, August 27, 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 Sokoto State.Today,we continue with that aspect of the committee’s assignment.

Continued from yesterday SOKOTO STATE POPULATION: 4,392,391

EXISTING LGAs: 29

RECOMMENDED LGAs: 40

REQUESTED: 47 S/N

PRESENT LGA

PRESENT HQ

S/N

PROPOSED LGA

PROPOSED HQ

COMPOSITION

22.

TSAFE

TSAFE

31.

TSAFE

TSAFE

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

23.

WAMAKKO

WAMAKKO

32.

WAMAKKO

WAMAKKO

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA

24.

YABO

YABO

33.

SHAGARI

SHAGARI

SHAGARI, GANGAN, SANYINNAWA, KAJIJI, MANDER A, KAMBAMA, LAMBARA, JAREDI, HORO, DANDIN MAHE.

34.

YABO

YABO

THE BALANCE AFTER SHAGARIIS CREATED AS A LOA.

35.

MORIKI

MORIKI

SHIYAR GALADIMA VILLAGE AREA. SHIYAR YANRUWA. DOLE VILLAGE AND BOKO VILLAGE AREA.

36.

ZURMI

ZURMI

THE REMAINING PART OF ZURMI LGA AFTER MORIKI IS CREATED AS LGA.

25.

ZURMI

ZURMI

26.

BINJI

BINJI

37.

BINJI

BIN!I

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

27.

RABAH

RABAH

38.

RABAH

RABAH

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

28.

SILAME

SILAME

39.

SILAME

SILAME

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

29.

ILLELA

ILLELA

40.

ILLELA

ILLELA

NO CHANGE. EXISTING LGA.

TARABA STATE POPULATION: 1,480,590

EXISTING LGAs: 12

RECOMMENDED LGAs: 24

REQUESTED: 64 S/N

PRESENT LGA

PRESENT HQ

S/N

PROPOSED LGA

PROPOSED HQ

COMPOSITION

I.

BALI

BALI

I.

BALI

BALI

BALI DISTRICT.

2.

GASSOL

GAS SOL

HASSAN, MAKINTA, BOSE. DANU, KARAL, BADAJA, NDUNDUNA, YERIMA, KWAWANTURU, BENDAL, NJIDDAWA (TELLA) NANGURU, ARDO ADAMU SENDIRDE, WUROJAM WURYO, SABONGIDAN ANACHA, TAKAI, SANASANI NASSARAWA

3.

MUTUM B1YU

MUTUM BIYU

DAGACI DISTRICT NAMELY. SARKIN SHIRA, ARDO BELLO GUNDUMA, TUTARE, SARKIN DUTSE SARKIN KATSINA, SHAGARDA, NAMNAI, KWALA, MAGAJ, SARKIN ZANGO, BARDE, HUSAINI ADAMU, LAWAL, ZAKARI.

4.

DAKKA

GARBA CHEDE

TIBA, NYAWATI, GANGMATA GANGLARI

5.

DONGA

DONGA

SUNTAL, DUTSE KUMBO, AKATE

6.

YAMUJE

MARARRABA

MARARRABA, GAY AMA, BEKAN BIBINU, NYIWU, BUBAN GANKWE, AND KUMBO

2.

DONGA

DONGA

DAILY SUN

49

Monday, August 27, 2012

The State of Our States

Special Report

3.

GASHAKA

GASHAKA

7.

GASHAKA

GASHAKA

EXISTING LGA NO CHANGE

4.

IBI

IBI

8.

IBI

IBI

EXISTING LGA. NO CHANGE

5.

JALINGO

JALINGO

9.

JALINGO

JALINGO

ARDO KOLA, SUNKANI, IWARE. MALYO RENEWO, KONA GARU

10.

ARDO KOLA

SUNKANI

COMPRISES 53 VILLAGES NAMELY SUNKANI, TABARI, JAURO MANU, PAMPETEL, ADAMU SHAMBA KONAN DUTSE KASUNAN LADI JIBI GARIN MODIBO G/ISHAYAKU DADINKOWA, JAURO JALO GARIN CHEUDO, PASTOR NYAMU, SIBER TIBAM, BALENE, GAMILADDE GARIN BAKA GARIN BAKALAIDE, SHAKAWE GARN TORI

11.

KARIM LAMIDO

KARIM LAMIDO

KARIM LAMIDO DISTRICT.

12.

MURI

MURI TOWN

MURI TOWN. KAUYUKAMURI OR SMAU VILLAGES AROUND MURI, NYAMBOLO DIDANDO. BARBAKALI, BAKKALI KUNSHANU,NDALA.GORA RATINTABA NYUKKI, RAFIN BOLAWA, JUKUN, BOMANDA, TONGO. AMAR KAMBORI. ARDO FULIM. AND JEBURRU (LABBASE)

13.

JEN

JEN

JEN DISTRICT

14.

BAMBUR

BAMBUR

BAMBUR. JEBJEBM. MUTUM DA Y A WUKO LACHA, MUNGEL KARIM BALASSA. BACHAMA, BAN YAM USUMARU. BANYAM. USUMARU KWANCHI, KAMBARI AMAR AMACHE ELAN I, ANDIMI NDANDO. ANGULE

6.

KARIM LAMIDO

KARIM LAMIDO

7.

LAU

LAU

15.

LAU

LAU

EXISTING L.G.A NO CHANGE.

8.

SARDAUNA

GEMBU

16.

SARDAUNA

SARDAUNA

GEMBU. NGUROJE. MBAMGA MAYO DAGA; KURMI, KAMKAM KARRI, BAISA.

17.

KURMI

BAISA

ABONG. BOKO. AKWONTO. ASHA ASHUKU, NAMA BABA. NDAFORO BAISA. GWANDA. BENTE, DIDAN TOSO. BISSAULA, NYIDO. GALEA

18.

NGUROJE

NGUROJE

NGOROJE. CHABAL. GUDALI, MAISAMARI KAKARA, FURMI, KUSUKU. ZONGON AJIYA. MAGU, GURGU, MAYO· SUMSUM. KANIYAKA. YELWA. TUNGAN MAINA, ANTERE. INKIRI. ANCHA NJI, MASABOY, BELEL. TUNGAN AHMADU. DUTIRE. TAPERE.

19.

TAKUM

TAKUM

AYIKUBEN, CHACHANJI KOGI, KASHIMBILA.

20.

USSA

LISSAM

LISSAM KPAMBO, FIKJU, LUMBU KURUSATI, KPAKYAU, KPAMBO PURI, KWAMBAI, KURU GAMTI, DISTRICTS, RUFU, JENUWA GIDA JENUWA KOGI, JENUWA ACHA, BIKKA BABBA, BIKA, BAY A.

21.

WUKARI

WUKARI

22

AMMA

AKWANA

BANTAJE, NWUKYOU. MATAR FADA, GA’AME TTEU AAYIN, GIDAN DOROWA GIDAN IDI, RAFIN KADA, CHINRA JIBU, AVYI, AKWANA DISTRICT, ARUFU DISTRICT CHNKAI DISTRICT AND KENTE DISTRICTS.

9.

10.

TAKUM

WUKARI

TAKUM

WUKARI

11.

YORRO

YORRO

23.

YORRO

YORRO

EXISTING L.G.A. NO CHANGE

12.

ZING

ZING

24.

ZING

ZING

EXISTING L.G.A. NO CHANGE

To be continued tomorrow

50

Monday, August 27, 2012

DAILY SUN

POLITICS...&Polity Party registration

The conspiracy against me, by Chekwas Okorie

•Okorie

Chief Chekwas Okorie is the founding national chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). Recently, he left the party due to an intractable leadership crisis. In this interview with journalists in Abuja, he speaks on the current leadership crisis in APGA and his moves to register a new party with the name United Progressive Party (UPP).

NDUBUISI ORJI brings the excerpts: The current crisis in APGA t should not surprise anybody that APGA is in this pitiable situation. I said it clearly when my associates and I left APGA, that we left with the spirit and soul of the party and left them the carcass. The people, who did not share in the vision of the party, held the party hostage and hijacked it. So, what is happening in APGA is nemesis at work.

I can only say that they are fighting not even over the carcass of APGA but right now, they are fighting over a decomposing carcass. It is a big tragedy what Victor Umeh, Peter Obi, and later on, Rochas Okorocha, have done to APGA. They set the political agenda of APGA backward by several years. They have given the Igbo people, who reposed so much confidence in that party, so much heartache that the level of despondency among Ndigbo today in the Nigerian political setting is unprecedented.

However, my message of hope is that we have since moved on to form yet another political platform that will restore the hope of the very masses for whom APGA was originally set up and to restore the confidence of those who had looked up to APGA as political party for their political liberation.

Failed moves to register UPGA We moved on to register United People’s Grand Alliance (UPGA) with the symbol of the rising sun, and we fulfilled all the requirement in accordance with the Electoral Act to be registered as a political party. Surprisingly, Victor Umeh, aided and abetted by Rochas Okorocha, wrote a petition to INEC protesting the possibility of the registration of UPGA, and raised issues that are not in the Electoral Act. For instance, the issue of pronunciation and acronym UPGA was considered to be an offense because it sounded, by their own imag-

I

ination, like APGA. And the Electoral Act has no provision for pronunciation, and no law in the whole world can legislate on pronunciation because the issue of pronunciation is a matter of tongue. That was one of the reasons contained in their petition.

They also said that UPGA was a party in the First Republic and that it belongs to Igbo people. That is another fallacy, because UPGA was never a registered political party in the First Republic. But it was an alliance that didn’t participate in any election.

It was an alliance of extant political parties at that time. But it was falsely described as a political party that belong to the Igbo. That alliance belonged to the Action Group (AG) of the Western Nigeria, the NCNC and the Northern Element Progressive Union (NEPU) and the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC). So UPGA in the First Republic was not an Igbo party. But like I said, it was an alliance of these parties I have mentioned.

The rising sun symbol was used as symbol for the UPGA that INEC refused to register.

Everybody knows that the rising sun is a universal brand. The sun rises from the east of any part of the world. The sun is a celestial body, and couldn’t have been a property of the Igbo people. But it was written in that petition as belonging to the Igbo, belonging to MASSOB and also belonging to the defunct Biafra. Yet, today in Nigeria, states are having their flags, coat of arms, and state anthem, but here a party symbol was made an issue and INEC surprisingly rejected our application, giving reasons that were recopied from the petition of Umeh, in other-words, a rehash of Umeh’s petition against the registration of UPGA. When we saw the intrigues and the malice in that, and we knew they wanted us to go to court, so they will take advantage of the weakness of our present day judiciary, we decided that we will not play into their plot, left everything in the hands of God Almighty, and continued again with the spirit and soul that had left APGA, that was to reincarnate in UPGA and we continued with it to a new formation.

Our current moves to register UPP Immediately after INEC refusal to register UPGA based on the petition written by Umeh

and Rochas Okorocha, which I call the UPGA fiasco as it were, we reapplied to INEC to register another party called United Progressive Party (UPP) and also came up with a new symbol of the head of the tiger. This time, we took our time to take care of all the observations that INEC gave as reasons for not registering UPGA. We decided to score 100 per cent on all criteria because we found out that in our case, the pass mark set by INEC is 100 per cent. So 99.9 per cent is not good enough instead of having our national executive members represent two-third of the states of the federation plus the Federal Capital Territory, we ensured that our NEC members represented the entire 36 states of Nigeria plus the FCT It was also difficult for us because Nigerians can remember that my leadership in APGAhad followership and membership across the 36 states and FCT. One thing that has remained a surprise to me is that such followership and membership remained committed, loyal and many of them have so much confidence in our leadership that they are ready to follow the leadership to anywhere it goes politically. So, it was not a difficult thing at all for us to constitute the NEC of UPP and our members also came to sign up the relevant INEC forms for the registration of UPP. The tiger head we used as our symbol is not even an African specie. It is a South Asian specie. So over the head, we used UPP which cannot be linked to Igbo or any tribe in Nigeria.

That is not withstanding the fact that even in INEC’s list of political parties in Nigeria, there are parties registered with symbols that can be easily linked with a tribe or association or even an institution in Nigeria. There is party with the Yoruba talking-drum as its symbol, another party has a horse as its symbol, same horse that the Union Bank has as its symbol when you go through the list of political parties in Nigeria today and their symbol, you will discover that many have symbols that can easily be linked to one thing or the other. We decided not to go near anything that will lead to another protest in choosing the symbol of UPP, which is why we used the head of the tiger.

Luckily, INEC approved our name, approved our symbol. INEC came for inspection at our national office in Abuja and saw for

themselves that we met all the requirements and they verified our claims. INEC brought another dimension that was not there before. It said that our NEC members who had already signed the relevant INEC documents for our registration, who also came for verification should produce their identification card, which will be either inform of international passport, national ID card, drivers license or ATM card to confirm that the names on those identity cards corresponded with names we wrote on relevant INEC forms for the registration week before, and that the signatures on the cards also corresponded with the signatures we signed on INEC form PA1 weeks earlier.

Because we are genuine, and there was no fluke in what we did, we were never bothered being subjected to all manners of trials for the registration of UPP, and there was no makebelief in what we did. Everything went well.

The same people, the same ID cards, the same names, the same signatures. That is why I said we scored 100 per cent on all counts. Our constitution and manifesto passed the test, and so we expected therefore, that UPP will be registered within the timeline prescribed by law.

The Electoral Act prescribed that if after 30 days of submission of application and all relevant forms, and INEC has not written you to say you are registered, such a party is deemed to have been registered. For UPP, the 30 days elapsed on 15th of July 2012. But we decided that we will not preempt INEC and launch the party. Rather we decided to wait patiently for INEC to formerly write us a letter for the registration of UPP. Our worries That is the worrisome part. On my part, I am worried. On the part of the party members, they are agitated. The members across the country are mounting pressures on their state and zonal leaders, and all these pressures are transferred on me. They call me on phones every minute to know what is happening, because the only news they want to hear is that INEC has written us. I have been trying my best to calm them down, and appeal to them to be patient and wait for INEC, so that we cannot be accused of preempting INEC or being confrontational, and so that our detractors will not find room to begin their usual antics against us.

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DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

POLITICS...&Polity

Rep dares Jonathan: Implement budget or…

Abayomi Ayeola represents Ibeju/Lekki Federal Constituency in House of Representatives. In this interview with REMI ADEFULU, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), chieftain declares that the Jonathan-led Federal Government could be likened to a rudderless ship.

Ayeola, a former council chairman, hinged this on the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration has refused to get its acts together despite being in office for over 10 years.

Excerpts: 7th National Assembly would rate the National Assembly excellent, superb. When we were sworn in on June 6, 2011, we did promise we are going to make a difference and our activities so far has showed that we performed above average. In a nutshell, we have performed.

Reps vs Jonathan We are not hard (on Jonathan). What do you mean? We are only performing our duty.

For example, we said if by the time we resume in September, he has not been able to implement this year’s budget, he risks impeachment. What is wrong in that? This is a constitutional issue. He has presented a budget, we have approved and we have expected that by now he would have implemented and we have not seen 10 per cent performance. All the projects approved have not been awarded, not to talk of being executed.

We are not being harsh, we are performing our duties.

Opposition and impeachment Once in the house, we are one (all members). You can verify this. So anybody can bring any idea. If it (impeachment) had not been a popular idea, other members would have objected. So, it is not the issue of opposition or not. We are talking about constitutional rights. You have a budget, you are making money and this budget is not being implemented.

For example, I came back to my constituency on the 24th of June, and I told them about a lot of projects that have been approved for them what happens, if they (projects) are not executed. How do you want these people to rate me? A liar? That’s what we are talking about. Let the budget be implemented. It has been approved, and there is money back up what is delaying it?

Impeachment option It (impeachment) is a conditional thing.

Nobody is interested in impeaching our president. Rather, we are saying he should implement the budget that has been approved. He should perform. And with that, he would want to do something.

Senate support Mind you, the budget was approved by the upper and lower chambers. That is to tell you that the issue as moved by Gbajabiamila is not an opposition agenda. It’s a constitutional thing. It is the right thing and it has been said rightly. It’s also Nigerians responsibility to monitor what was approved. The Senate and the House of Reps are working towards the same goal.

Okupe on 100 per cent implementation We are not saying they should implement 100 per cent. Why not even 100 per cent if there is money? A budget is a proposal of what the government intends to do.

Gbajabiamila made that assertion in July and the budget has not been implemented up to five per cent and this is budget that is supposed to run for 12 calendar months. So, if by the seventh month, somebody now raises the alarm, what is the problem in that? Don’t mind Okupe, he is saying whatever he likes.

PDP on Gbajabiamila’s credibility They PDP have to prove that. What dis-

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“I will tell Jonathan to implement the budget; that’s my advice. He should perform. The president should be advised to perform.

He cannot afford to fail Nigerians. Look at the way Nigerians voted for

him. The present’s idea of dragging his foot is unacceptable. He should perform before he is shown the way out of office.” qualifies him from saying it? He’s a member of the House. The US incident they are talking about is a rumour. I don’t have knowledge of that. So, I won’t be able to comment much on it.

Okonjo-Iweala’s Senate submission That will tell you they don’t know what they are doing. Square peg in a round hole.

That’s what they are telling us. The PDP are telling us this time around they are not up to the task directly, not even indirectly this time around. They can’t perform. Getting to 13 years now, they’ve wasted our time. If Okonjo-Iweala could say what she said before the Senate, you can imagine who she is. My brother, the PDP-led federal government has nothing in stock for Nigerians.

They don’t .

Non-implementation and transformation agenda Everything is equal to zero. A failure. That is it. It’s a direct failure. Budget is not being implemented and you are talking about transformation, what are you transforming? It’s just a gimmick to deceive us.

Implication for constituency projects It has implication on constituency projects.

On the 24th of June, I did a poverty alleviation program, and I seized the opportunity to tell my people what we have done so far. I told them these projects were undergoing the process of being awarded. People are eager to see that these projects are implemented.

So, the non-implementation is putting pressure on me from my people. We have not seen anything. That is a very serious question. It’s not minor.

Advice I will tell Jonathan to implement the budget; that’s my advice. He should perform. The President should be advised to perform. He cannot afford to fail Nigerians. Look at the way Nigerians voted for him. The present idea of dragging his foot is unacceptable. He should perform before he is shown the way out of office.

Cash crunch allegation I won’t agree to that. Our main source of revenue is petroleum. Has there been shortfall in the supply of petroleum? Are we no longer exporting petroleum? I don’t believe that. It’s an excuse.

House and oversight challenges We have performed excellently well. We have been going round, and we’ve seen

•Ayeola things not being done right we tell the authorities to put them right. We have not compromised our oversight functions. But majority of government institutions have not done well. If they have done well, you would have heard us saying that.

Benue, not broke –Suswam In this interview with newsmen, including ROSE EJEMBI, at the weekend, the Benue State Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, spoke on the position of the state finances, insisting that the state government was not owing any of its workers salaries. Excerpts:

“The problem in the state is the biometric exercise that we are carrying out to sort the issue of over bloated pay roll and strength of the

What is the exact state of the finances of Benue State, Is there any cause for alarm? o. You see, the finances of the state depend on the federation account and once there is problem in federation account, it affects all the states, not just Benue State. Of course, there are delays. When there is delay from the federation account, it means there will be delays in most of the states but Benue does not owe any person.

The problem in the state is the biometric exercise that we are carrying out to sort the issue of over bloated pay roll and strength of the civil service. You will agree with me that when you start the process of computing, it will sometimes affect one or two persons.

For instance, the deputy governor and I had in some cases missed our salaries and it is not because there is no money. This is exactly what has affected few people. But the state government is not owing anybody.

In SUBEB, there was a judgment in the month of July which didn’t start with us. It was a case of N29 million and the judge went ahead to give a judgment that the whole account should be garnished. This was a case that happened in the last administration, when the government dismissed teachers who were not of Benue origin and that case was going on before I became a governor. But even the issue has been sorted out.

I think that was the matter the Commissioner for Information responded to and the House of Assembly became sensitive in some of the things the commissioner said. I was to some extent sensitive because I expect-

and the executive have serious issue of concern.

What is happening to the chairman, Board of Benue state Internal Revenue, Andrew Ayabam. Sometimes, we are told he was on leave because there is a problem. Don’t you think there is a decline in your revenue generation?

No. He is on leave. There is so much speculation about whether he is sacked or on leave, but he gave a letter that he wanted to go on leave. However, the revenue board is not properly constituted because there is supposed to be a board and also a technical committee. We are in the process of constituting it. By the time, he returns from leave, the board would have been properly put in place. Benue state is not a state that generates much revenue. In reporting revenue, there are three components.

You have the payee which captures as revenue and so when he was reporting N1 billion, it wasn’t that they were generating it from BIRS. In fact, about 80 percent of it was from payee-this amount of money is taken from your salary and goes back into paying your salaries but it is captured when reporting what is generated as revenue not as part of expenditure. I think most people didn’t understand that and simply think Benue was generating N1 billion. No, we were not generating that amount.

civil service. You will agree with me that when you start the process of computing, it will sometimes affect one or two persons.”

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•Suswam ed that they would have gotten the fact when it was said that government was owing salaries for nine months, and you know that in Benue if you owe salary for one month, it won’t just be in the realms of speculation because the news will be everywhere.

So, we are not owing salaries. The biometrics created problem. However, they are in the process of sorting out complaints arising from the data capturing. The problem had been that if your name appears twice, the computer will reject it, and then you would not be paid, not that we are owing.

It is common knowledge that the country is going through some financial challenges and no state is exempted. But, one thing I do is to prioritize salary once, money comes, salaries are paid before any other thing is done and I don’t joke with that. So, I don’t think the House

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DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

POLITICS...&Polity The National Secretary of the Conference of Nigeria’s Political Parties (CNPP), Chief Willy Ezeugwu, examines a number of issues, including the report on police reforms, impeachment threat against President Goodluck Jonathan and crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He spoke to IHEANACHO NWOSU in Abuja. Excerpts.

How do you place the report by the police reform committee vis a vis calls by some people for the merging of the force with some paramilitary groups? don’t share the recommendation or suggestion by some. In those days we knew what the Nigerian police were able to achieve.

For instance, anytime personnel of the Nigerian police are sent on peace mission outside the country they do very well. The very unfortunate thing we normally have in this country is that those who are ruling do not want to give the police what they need to function well.

What I mean is equipping the police very well. We have not seen that. What we have seen is a situation where some leaderships of the force are made so rich. For example, the sacked Inspector-General (IG), who amassed billions of naira is a living witness to what I am saying. There is no doubting the fact that if you equip the police like is done in other countries, they will perform well.

I don’t support this idea of merging the police with other para-military organisations, because if the police is well-trained, equipped, handsomely paid and other welfare needs taken care of, they will become one of the best in the world. Like I said, our police have been taking a lot of credit when they go out for any foreign assignment.

So, for anybody to recommend the scrapping police is unfair. Those who are making such suggestion, do you scrap the force and replace it with what? The problem with most people in authority is that everybody is after him or herself. How can somebody stand up and suggest that police should be scrapped and merge them with what? Merge it with Road Safety Corps or have it as Police Service Commission? As far as I am concerned, there is nothing like Police Service Commission. If they want the Police to be strong enough to do the normal job, job of appointing any I G has to be removed from the President. They should come up with a new structure where the IG has to be reporting to the National Assembly and the President should not be the one to appoint him or her.

Which side of the divide are you on the call for state police?

That one is totally unacceptable. I dont agree at all with it. You can see what the emperors in our states are doing without state police. Our governors do not believe anybody should challenge them. They don’t want anything like opposition in their states. Look at what is happening to most of the ex-governors in various states. They had come to their states. So, if you now create state police where governors would be in charge, people like us won’t return home again. They will ensure that when you are sleeping with your wife, they will send their police to come and humiliate and arrest you and take you to the governor. If, in one way or the other you granted an interview and expressed opposition to their programmes or policies, they will send their police who are their attack dogs to come after you.

So given all these scenarios, the country is not ripe for state police. I still insist that the best thing for the nation is to strengthen the police. State governors will abuse state police.

We are not yet advanced. Let me say this, and I mean it, state police is not the main problem of Nigeria. I consider this a diversion of attention from the real issue.

CNPP recently called for the investigation of Enugu Chief Judge over his ruling on APGA; isn’t that a strange demand?

It is quite unfortunate, I don’t know whether to call it judicial rascality or what.

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Impeachment threat on Jonathan, is all about funds for constituency projects –CNPP scribe

•Jonathan Can you imagine a judge going against his own order? Inventing an order that does not exist anywhere? If you look at what happened in the judgment we are complaining of, and the issue at stake you will marvel. In Enugu state order rule 69(3/4) of 2006, in expatriate order, it is within seven days. But whereby the plaintiff, the defendant or whatever happens to apply for extension of time or in any form anything happened to the extension of time it will not exceed another seven days , that is 14 days. But you now start asking yourself a question such as how come the Enugu chief judge came up with 48 days in expatriate order? And mind you that the period when this thing happened was shortly after the Enugu State Governor said that in 2015 there will be nothing like APGA in the country.

So, for that kind of judgment to come from Enugu State chief judge means that the government is not doing the real hatchet job with the judge. He gave an extension that was outside the law. The order rule 39 of Enugu State 2006 said you can only extend only but 14 days, that is seven days each. But this one the judge gave 48 days. It is recklessness and uncalled for, it was done out of malice. It was

“I know the impeachment threat was because of the constituency project funds that they were not given.

That is to tell you how selfish Nigerians are. If Mr. President releases funds to them in terms of their constituency project, which they always pocket, the impeachment threat will be brushed aside.”

meant to witch hunt the national chairman of APGA. We can’t accept it, and that is why the CNPP, being the umbrella body of all political parties had to move into it. It is asking the NJC to probe the judgment to know if it is in tandem with the constitution.

Why did CNPP link PDP in the ruling and went further to say that the party is instigating the crisis in APGA? Of course that is the truth. I have said times without number that the major problem we have in APGA is nobody but the Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi. Is the governor a PDP member?

Excuse me, just listen attentively perhaps, because Gov. Obi has promised them the party is interested in killing APGA. Look back to the way PDP has always operated .

Just check out how the crises in AD, ANPP, PPA were instigated. Today it is APGA .

Don’t forget that APGA has two states and has shown promises of winning more states.

What about the infighting in APGA? Yes APGA has internal problem. But I am telling you the one that is very daring. How come you get some people in APGA, about five of them, waking up one morning and saying that they have suspended the national chairman and the national secretary. Out of 29 NWC members, five persons are doing this, and they are appearing on television and granting interviews and placing advertisements. Between you and I, you know how much it costs to place an advertisement, where did these people get the money?

Because of the selfishness of Anambra State Governor, because he wants to join PDP, he is aiding these people.

Let me tell you, Gov. Obi cannot, no mat-

ter what anybody tells him, succeed in becoming a PDP vice presidential candidate.

The truth is hard to be told. He is working for PDP. That is why he visits Aso Rock regularly, far more than PDP governors themselves.

He is part of Jonathan’s inner cabinet. He is almost 99 per cent PDP. He has refused to fund APGA. And I tell you that any governor in this country who has been able to lose a bye- election means that he does not have the interest of his party at heart.

All these years that APGA had been embroiled in crisis CNPP never intervened, why this time around?

CNPP has to intervene at this juncture because the case in APGA has finished. The case was between the former chairman of the party and the incumbent chairman. Why we in the CNPP had to intervene is because we have seen the hand of outsiders and that outsider is the PDP. Because this outsider has vowed to rule for 60 years, and any party that would make them not to achieve that must be hacked down. That is why it is after APGA. They are now using Anambra State governor to break down the back of APGA. Every Nigerian knows what I am telling you it is no longer a secret. The Governor, though has been denying what I am telling you but everyone knows that he is the force behind the crisis in APGA. One needs to ask himself why has the Governor refused to conduct local government election. Such election should have made APGA stronger in the state.

You said earlier that Enugu State governor asked the judge to give an unfavourable ruling against APGA as part of PDP agenda. Now you are alleging that Obi is a PDP agent in APGA, which should be taken?

I will not be in doubt if I say Obi’s hand is also in the Enugu court ruling. If his hand was not in it, how come that he has continued to fuel the crisis in APGA? Just imagine that INEC has written, confirming Victor Umeh as the authentic APGA chairman, yet these five persons are not giving up. They forged the signatures of 11 members of NWC and Police is after them. But if some forces were not behind them, Police would have, by now, come up with a definite position on the matter. But because of the kind of country we live, where the high command in the society can make a phone call and a criminal case is dropped, where they kill everything no matter how glaring, nothing has so far happened to them.

Are you not tackling Gov. Obi because you have always had an axe to grind with him?

My dear, if what I am saying is, not true please tell me. I have no axe to grind with him, I am only telling you the truth. Anybody that knows Chief Willy Ezeugwu knows that I am too straight I don’t skirt around issues.

What I can never do is to hide my feelings.

Why I am saying all these is for him to retrace his steps, I want him to come back. We all know what he is doing, and it will not be good that he continues. If APGA loses Anambra in the next election, we will hold him responsible.

What do you make of calls in some quarters on President Jonathan to resign?

The solution of insecurity in the country does not lie in President Jonathan resigning. I say this because the National Assembly came up with a threat to impeach Mr. President because of poor budget implementation. But all of a sudden, we do not hear much from the National Assembly. I know the impeachment threat was because of the constituency project funds that they were not given. That is to tell you how selfish Nigerians are. If Mr. President releases funds to them in terms of their constituency project, which they always pocket, the impeachment threat will be brushed aside.

Any person calling on Mr President to resign is not being realistic. It is not easy for him to do, so, we don’t have such culture in Nigeria.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Lawyers reflect on opportunities for practitioners …As colleague marks golden jubilee

By OLA AGBAJE

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egal practitioners gathered recently in Ikeja to brainstorm on the available vast business opportunities in the profession.

The gathering was a special colloquium with the theme: “Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Legal Profession,” in commemoration of the golden jubilee anniversary of Barrister Olusegun Tokode.

In order to underscore the importance of the occasion renowned Senior Advocate and Commercial law expert, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) led the discussion.

He poured encomiums on Tokode for his hardwork, diligence, integrity and competency.

Chief Idigbe urged legal practitioners to expand the scope of their knowledge beyond their immediate environment, reminding them that the world has become a global village. He noted that technology has become a major factor in the new business world order.

Consequently, the lead speaker urged practitioners not to be afraid of technology but embrace it and integrate it fully into their practice as according to him, it has proven to be the most cost effective option.

In order to expand, the senior advocate said, individual practitioner must be visionary.

“You must be a person of vision, a vision that could help you to develop a strategy that leads to realisable business plan,” he said.

According to him, it is important for the visioner to develop positive managerial spirit, which would motivate his team to greater height noting that, “poor managerial spirit has been a major bane in the profession. Inability to keep staff necessarily impact negatively on the firm’s growth.”

Speaking further, Chief Idigbe argued that it is important to have the right team around in order to drive your vision towards the attainment to the set targets or goals. “With the right people around you as your team, you’re insulated against the effect of global meltdown through quality service delivery to clients.” He however warned against under-valuing professional services, adding that nobody is indispensable.

In addition, Chief Idigbe urged practitioners not to be afraid of exploring new grounds why enjoining them to always maintain flexible mind in order to keep their human capital, the most critical asset of the firm.

On his part, the President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Doyin Owolabi, described the celebrant as a perfect gentleman who is never afraid to tell the truth in the discharge of his professional duties while noting that his good Christian background has helped a lot in shaping his attitude towards the society.

Dr. Rotimi Oladele, the Managing Director, Megavous (WA) Limited and renown investment expert, in his contribution enjoined legal practitioners to embrace branding in their approach to their service delivery.

According to Oladele, several great chambers have packed up because of lack of holistic business approach as a practitioners seemed find it difficult to move from the using traditional one man chamber.

In order to enhance their profile he urged lawyers to embrace diversification in order to access the various opportunities in the profession.

“Every aspect of law profession is business and that is why the modern lawyer must not be a oneway traffic person. It is not in every situation that cases must end up in court. Other options outside litigation should be explored to maximise the gains from immense business opportunities available,” he said.

Above all, Oladele tasked lawyers to always have a larger vision of their chambers beyond their lifetime. “There is no reason to hire anybody who cannot your position later in future.

Justice Abiodun Akinyemi of Ogun State Judiciary in his inter-

vention described legal profession as a divine calling, a profession that is dear to God’s heart.

“Law is not just bread and butter. It is a divine calling. It is a profession that is close to God’s heart. It is not just about moneymaking.

“Therefore a lawyer must concern about how to make the society going and better.

Lawyers must provide leadership to the society,” he said.

Secretary to the Ogun State government Taiwo Adeoluwa concerned with analysis and templates for success in the profession as highlighted by the lead discussants, Chief Idigbe, said it is important that lawyers identify their goals as early as they enter into the profession.

“Legal profession vast, countless and varies opportunities. The sky is so wide to accommodate all manner of birds to fly without any collision or hindrance. Pointing at the success story of Chief Idigbe who he said had identified his target early and set the machinery in motion for its attainment which culminated in his being awarded with the award of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeoluwa enjoined lawyers to do things that work for them individually without necessarily being a copy cat. “Identify what will work for you, give it personalised quality service delivery. Be tenacious and don’t be afraid to work in a small area and always try to do things differently,” he said.

He pour encomium on Tokode, describing him as a man of immense hardworking and tenacity of purpose with sound integrity.

Lagos State Attorney General, Ade Ipaye who described the celebrant as a brother and classmate said Tokode has always been a diligent person from his school day. “I have no doubt in my mind that he would continue to flourish as time goes on because of the sterling qualities he is endowed with,” he declared.

Speaking on the topic for discussion, Ipaye regretted that some practitioners lack positive attitude in the discharge of their professional service. While noting that the present system in the country allows lawyers to frustrate good case against their clients through filing of frivolous application, he said that such negative attitude goes a long way in discrediting in entirety administration of justice system. He called on lawyers to develop positive attitude in the overriding interest of justice and societal growth. “Corporate organisations at times because of their financial capacity get away with murder due to the negative attitude of lawyers. Lawyers should seek to advocate for the masses, especially in an environment where there are poor quality consumer goods and services.

“We must diversify our approach to accommodate poor litigants with genuine claims. We need to open up our minds to other areas outside litigation. It is not a crime if for example, as a practitioner, you don’t go to court while you’re busy in other aspect of the profession,” he said.

Responding, the celebrant thanks all those who have contributed into making the occasion a reality while pointing out that he has been humbled by every good things said about him.

Tokode said he has been challenged to continue to toe the path of integrity hardwiring and diligent in his career.

DAILY SUN

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DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

Why Police Affairs Ministry must go •Says state police, recipe for chaos

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s controversy rages over the desirability or otherwise of state police, the chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Parry Osayande, a retired Deputy Inspector-General, DIG, has reiterated his opposition to the proposal, describing it as a veritable recipe for the break-up of the nation.

Speaking exclusively with Daily Sun shortly after submitting a comprehensive report to President Goodluck Jonathan on reforms and reorganization of the Police Force, Osayande argued that even if state governments-controlled police may in the future be considered, the time was not ripe for such a move.

“Globally, people are centralizing their police because of new crimes that have evolved as a result of modern technology,” he said. “Cyber crimes, terrorism are not restricted; they are not localized...Supposing there is a quarrel between one state and another over land.

Will you take Benin or Edo police to go and fight in say Delta or Taraba. We are not yet politically matured for state police.”

The former police boss also spoke on other critical issues affecting the police and the nation. He spoke with ERIC OSAGIE in Abuja In your report to the president, you claimed the Nigeria Police is the least paid compared to sister agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Services (SSS)?

Look! Let me start with this: in the West African sub-region, the Nigeria Police is the least paid.

Why did you say that?

I made research. Côte d’Ivoire earns more than that, Cameroon, Ghana; they earn more than the Nigeria Police.

But those are smaller countries..?

That is not the issue. We are doing the enforcement of law and order, preservation of lives and property. It operates globally. The highest paid policeman is the Canadian Police. So, why will your gateman now earn more than a police man. He works day and night, he has no public holiday. Once you open a police station, you cannot find the key because the door is wide open forever and ever.

And what I did, do you know that a part can never be equal to a whole? We second officers from the police to go and man the EFCC. An Assistant Commissioner of Police and then, when he got there, I promoted him a Deputy Commissioner of Police and now he earns N1.5 a month and the Inspector General (IG) of Police earns N711,489.

But they say that is a different body, it has other duties, there are other allowances…?

He is doing part of the police job. So, don’t argue that. To investigate crime is the responsibility of the police as envisaged by the constitution. So, a part can never be equal to a whole. So, when you now carve out a part and say this man, you give him more ammunition, more powers, more equipment to work with and then, you pay him better, what the hell are you talking? It was a contraption by some people who ruled this country to weaken and deride the police so that they can now make the place ungovernable in their own interest. You also have the FRSC.It is a part of the police. That is traffic duty. By carving out the Road

Safety, you create a vacuum because the automobile is not only an object of crime, it is also a means of committing crime. When you remove that, the other one is regulating how vehicles shall move on the road. He doesn’t know what is put there whether it is dead body or stolen . So, there is a vacuum created in the information gathering mechanism.

And you have the Civil Defence?

It is our operation. To open doors; car doors and all the rest of them. You have the SSS! SSS should neither be seen nor heard. They are supposed to work like the Israeli and gather intelligence and when you find anyone useful for the police, you pass him on to the law enforcement agency and not to go to Benin City and be parading people you have suspected or you have…

You think that was wrong for the SSS in the Edo issue...?

(Cuts in) It is very wrong! Very wrong!

This is needless schism. Have you got a tape that you are running to? We are supposed to collaborate, cooperate and work together and not to come and deride each Are you not saying this because you are a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)?

That is not the issue because I have been involved in security for going to 50 years now. It is not a question of DIG. Am I an everlasting DIG? I left service 20 years ago. We are now talking as statesmen and then talking in the overall interest of the country.

Why do you think our society does not trust the police? Is it something to do with the polices itself?

It is not. No, it is not.There is one statesman who said it. He is somebody I respect a lot. The arrangement that was made for Nigeria was not to make it one.

They were talking of north, they were talking of south, they were… So, the British came here to sustain their political interest and one of the organs they used in achieving their result, was the police. When children were crying as young boys, their mothers would threaten that if you don’t stop crying, I will call the police. So, how do you want them to come and be loved. It is not that they hate them.

It is the evolution of the police?

Yes. Everybody is talking about State Police. Many Nigerians are confused between Community Policing and even State Police. What do we need now in this country?

You need a police that will sustain the country.

A Nigeria Police?

Yes. For the time being. I have always said so. You are not politically matured.

Alright! Look at when they went to arrest Ibori. His kinsmen rolled out logs and blocked the people. They did so in the time of Dariye. When you now bring State Police which the states can easily afford, then the politicians are crying that they want State Police to use them as agents of oppression of their opponents.

Are they talking of crime? When they talk of crime, they go and bring 20 vehicles and you say you have contributed towards the maintenance of the police. Is it the vehicle that the ordinary man, the jobless man who is involved in crime will eat? It must be about two or three

prong approach that if you are going to bring down crime, you must also create employment. What have they created there apart from Lagos who is bringing the Lagos State Transport Monitoring Agency (LASTMA), bringing all these things? You must create employment.

And then, you have over 100 universities and on a continuing basis, these universities are milling out, training people and when they come out, what do you do?

They don’t do anything. And what is the devil’s workshop? Is it not the idle mind?

And the people plan.

So, that is why there is an upsurge in crime?

Yes. Then, you are now saying that they must create State Police. What are you going to do with it?

To go and arrest A, to go and arrest Y. Globally, people are now centralizing their police forces because of new crimes that have evolved as a result of modern technolog y .

Cyber crime, terrorism; are not restricted. They are not localized. Alright! Supposing there is a quarrel between one state and another over land, how do you do it? You will go and bring Benin police in Edo to Delta or Taraba police. Is that what you are saying?

But the fear also, going by this argument is that even though the governors are the chief security officers of their states, they have no control over the commissioners in their states…

Because they abdicated their responsibility. They abdicated their responsibility.

Go to Police Council and then control the Nigeria Police from there. You have an assigned role. Alright! Is there anything stronger than the Governors Forum now?

Yes! So, if you take the Police Council as a permanent secretariat and the people meet about four, six times a year and discuss how to police and evolve national crime policy, then look after the budget.

But they don’t. They will only come once in three years when they want to appoint an Inspector General of Police and then withdraw and go back and start shouting for police something. Do you see the allegations that come up within a state for instance?

But the Presidency can also abuse federal police?

How will they?

They can send somebody from Abuja and say go to Kaduna or Ekiti, and effect...

Listen! How can one man who is the chairman now overrule 37 people. They are more in number. The governors are more, plus FCT minister. Let them take a more active interest in the Police Council.

Coming to budget for the Police: is it that the budget is inadequate or the

Osayande

money disappears somewhere?

It doesn’t disappear anywhere.

Because that is the worry. IGPs are some of our richest citizens. Take the case of the former IG, Tafa Balogun.

He had so much money…

I don’t want to go into that. He had so much money. Who lost the money? Let me define stealing for you. Stealing is the taking away of somebody else’s property.

So, before you can steal anything, it must have value, it must have an owner, it must be as portable. Who owns the money they said Balogun stole? When politicians were loading money to the people for the rigging of election and then, you now came; there were other people who were involved. So, I don’t want to go into that.

But people say the police have money, it is just that this money is centralized.

From the IG to the Commissioners.

They are not poor men, even if the police as an institution may be poor. . I am sure you have heard those kinds of talks?

You have come with a set mind.

No, no, no. I am just…

Listen! Do you know what it takes to bring one policeman to the street? You have to look at his uniform, you have to look at the salary; you have to look at a decent environment where he stays and then multiply by 350,000 and see if you have provided the funds. And then, there are 774 local government in this country.

Now, take your mind back to your own local government. How many patrol vehicles do you think will be ideal in that place. Then, you will now come here now and give… Well, the Ministry of Police Affairs will buy 300 vehicles and then for the whole country. As a mathematician, I want you to use 774 to divide

Monday, August 27, 2012

– Osayande 300 vehicles and see how many half of one quarter will go to each local government. So, what I am trying to tell you to use now, is to use statistics as a means of convincing people to drive your point home. So, you will buy 300 vehicles and they will make 300 vehicles available for the police. And then, some states donate like 50, 100…Yes. Who accounts for that? So, there is no money. Alright, I give you an example because I am not just confined to this place. We interact with international organizations similar to our own. The Ibori case that you people said there was no case there, did the United Kingdom (UK) government not spend 14 million pounds to drive it to its logical conclusion and win a conviction? What is the exchange rate? Come and calculate and then see how many naira that would be?

Calculate 14 million pounds multiply by 267 and see how many naira that would be. For one case! There was one girl that disappeared. I think they have found the people now. And she was murdered. They sent out 80 detectives to go and look for her. If it were here, you will assign 300 cases to one policeman.

You are looking at funding . We are also looking at the efficiency of the police…

Which efficiency?

I remember you busted the Anini case. Was the police better funded then when you led the operation to arrest Anini? You were almost going to track the killers of George Idah.

Not almost tracking the killers. I got them. You know what happened. Listen! The question you are asking…

The question I am asking is that you performed…

You said there was…

Were you better funded?

Wait now… You come with a set mind.

No Sir. The society is dynamic.

How did you do it?

The society is dynamic. Let me develop my thesis. It is dynamic, it is evolutionary. What was in last year is not this year. Dedication is one thing. We were having training. As at that time, did the head of state come and say IG, you must recruit 40,000 people every year with or without… They brought in interest of the society and nobody was willing to come in because the salary was not sufficient to attract you. So, they brought in; well, charlatans. So, when you pollute… Whereas the police should admit purest of minds and brains, when they brought it and loaded the whole thing, the same people who asked them to recruit 40,000 people every year, now said policemen have armed robbers. Of course there are. And then, they now said we should come and disengage them. It takes a lot of time. Now, all the training institutions are dead for lack of funds. Even the meager funds is siphoned by the… Is that not what I was telling you? By the same people.

By the Ministry of Police Affairs?

It is from your mouth oh.. You said it.

Boko Haram threat, terrorism is everywhere. Other agencies seem to be performing better than the police Is the police equipped as at today to be relevant?

Well, I am not going to talk about operation. Go and give that question to the IG because I left the service 20 years ago.

From what you have seen, you are in charge of discipline and…?

No, no. What did you see. What of you? From what you see? Because you are supposed to see and educate people.

But we are not in the police…

I am not there.

You are there Sir. No. you are Fourth Estate of the realm!

You are there. You interact with police…

No, no, I don’t interact. When they send their promotion, we do disciplinary matters. I cannot talk about operation because I left this thing 20 years ago.

As a retired police officer, how do we go about tackling Boko Haram?

I will just go to my farm, work and play my golf.

How do we tackle…

You said as a retired…

Yes. You are a Nigerian. You are an elder statesman.

When I have retired, I sit and watch people.

If you were to advise government, what will you tell them?

They have not given me that assignment. I have not thought of it. I have not thought of what I will do.

Osayande says in Benin language: ‘It is not me you will put in trouble!’

DAILY SUN

55

2015: Weep not for Sule Lamido but the North

By ADAGBO ONOJA

I

do not have any official relationship anymore with Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, having resigned my appointment in his government since June 14th, 2012 and I am not looking for anything from anybody other than stabilize in academia for which I have been preparing myself for some years now.

But the speculative story in the Abuja based Leadership (August 20th, 2012) to the effect that OBJ has endorsed a Lamido/Amaechi presidential ticket, come 2015, cannot pass without a response from me as me. This is because that story is contradicted by the much I happen to know about the credible but yet an imaginary ticket. Above all, it behooves on me to stand today by what I said or wrote yesterday. This, I believe, is the path of honour since serving in the Lamido government will remain a part of my CV for life. I should only stop defending yesterday if I were to be contradicted by something horrendous.

It is also important to warn that the logic of that story is not its truth or falsehood but hanging Sule Lamido’s perceived presidential ambition on Obasanjo’s sponsorship with a view to making it unacceptable to Obasanjo’s many political enemies. Sule Lamido might be the target but the story itself is an unmistakable signal of how the North will bleed from internal struggle for power between the various fractions of its elite, come 2015. Given the heterogeneity of the North and the lack of a central authority reining in everybody, there is no way there won’t be such struggle when a choice is to be made.

However, it was assumed that, in the context of an office which has eluded it, the region would strive to avoid open fight among contenders in 2015.

This assumption has been questioned by the Leadership story and it is worrisome because it was the moment Nigerian leaders of Northern origin started employing manipulation, intrigue or deception in their statecraft that the end of Northern hegemony began. My contention is that the story in question is fundamentally a product of intrigue, manipulation and misinformation. First, this is not the first time the same Leadership has come up with that sort of story. In May 2010, it ran a front page lead story to the effect that Obasanjo had positioned Lamido as Jonathan’s Vice-President. It was a very laughable story because by then, Jonathan had already received the two criteria for the appointment, all of

which automatically excluded anybody like Sule Lamido. I am sure the president and those who knew what was going on in the Villa laughed out their hearts regarding how such a story found its way into the newspaper except if it was an SSS job. Logically, if the first story about OBJ positioning Lamido for Vice-Presidency was a figment of somebody’s infertile imagination, this too must be another one.

Two, the story about Obasanjo Lamido e n d o r s i n g Lamido/Amaechi for 2015 is just a replica of the first, a strategy by a section of those fearing the possibility of real and imagined alternatives to themselves.

Otherwise, the idea of a Lamido/Amaechi pair was never there before the publication on May 21st, 2012 of a centre spread material I wrote, titled, “Sule Lamido and Rotimi Amaechi: The Communion of Nigeria’s Ultimate Trouble Makers”. This was published in no less than four newspapers viz Daily Trust, The Nation, Daily Sun and Blueprint. Neither Lamido nor OBJ had any input into it. It is a different thing if it appealed to them after it came out but Lamido, for sure, read it for the first time in the newspapers like any other person.

It was a continuation of my unprompted liking for a Lamido president of Nigeria, an inclination which took roots from a number of things I observed while working closely with him as a foreign affairs ministers and later, as a governor. Of course, he has his baggage, just like most of us but there are things that even his worst enemy cannot deny him because they are empirical or provable.

That was always the basis of my inclination thereto, inserting in an advertorial in Sunday Trust, (October 26, 2010, page 8), for example, that his aides were surprised that, instead of stepping out himself, he was stepping out for Goodluck. It was a risky enterprise even though the advertorial did proceed to rationalize GEJ as a matter of duty. In fact, the presence of some visitors, including a former minister, saved me from Lamido’s indignation when he saw that portion of the advertorial because it was never with his permission.

And it was the same inclination that informed the Lamido/Amaechi article in May 2010. I was not even in Government House, Dutse, anymore but at the University of Ibadan when Governor Amaechi visited Jigawa State earlier that month. I only saw pictures of the visit as a member of a mailing list.

But I had been to Rivers State earlier in March, 2012 on an NGO related research on governance scrutiny assignment. The assignment required of me to look around and then talk to the governor in the context of his coming to power in spite of the forces railed against him.

I carried out the assignment but I did not get to talk to Amaechi because his aides said he was busy. But I came away from my tour convinced that the guy was a clear leadership model. The conception, design and implementation of his primary schools alone should give him any serious leadership award in Nigeria.

Added to the stories I heard about him

and cross checked from an academic who was a NANS activist at the University of PortHacourt with him suggested that he is what, for want of a better term, I would call the ultimate purposive rascal. So, when I heard of his visit to Jigawa, it crossed my mind that in Lamido and Amaechi, Nigeria might find the two purposive rascals that a former Chief Justice of Nigeria has been wondering how the country could find to salvage it. That was how the Lamido/Amaechi article came up.

Suspecting how Governor Lamido would react, I did not send it to him electronically but to someone in Kano who was to ‘compel’ him to read the hard copy and who would tell me how he felt.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the person had traveled out of the country and I was only to know of this when he called me from where he was about my assignment to him. By then, I could only send a text to the governor that I had written something about Amaechi’s visit to Jigawa State which I asked a named person to take to him only to discover that the person was not in the country. I added that already, many of the newspapers I gave the material had gone ahead to print it in their advance pages because I thought his ‘silence’ meant approval, not knowing my messenger had traveled. I joked that should the material turn out unacceptable to him, I was not in fear of any reprisal since I was already several hundred kilometres away from Dutse.

That was how Lamido, not to talk of Obasanjo, read it like any other reader.

Of course, OBJ and Lamido have been together since 1999 and a Lamido presidency could have featured in their discussions but certainly not the Amaechi dimension before the piece in question and certainly not in the notion of a done deal that Leadership presented in its story based on what a source told them.

Three, if it was because Amaechi visited Jigawa, that makes the story even more problematic. Governors Murtala Nyako, Magatarkada Wammako, Babangida Aliyu, Ibrahim Shema, Ibrahim Yakowa have also been to Jigawa in the last few years.

Four, Lamido positioning himself or being positioned by someone has been the recurrent hearsay in Nigerian politics in the last 5 years, peaking during the first spasm of Umaru Yar’Adua’s sickness that the Jigawa State Government had to issue a statement then.

I have gone into details not in defence of Lamido but in defence of my thesis that the story in question benefited from a manipulative agenda. And that if that is how the Northerners are going to go about 2015, then there will be more problems than necessary. It might be Lamido this time but another person next time. It goes against the background of the imperative for the North, should power rotate there, to use the opportunity to demonstrate that it is not in the interest of social safety to give just anybody power in the name of democracy. This, it can do by producing a presidential candidate based on executive search. Whoever an executive search produces, be it Atiku, Buhari, Bukola, General Gusau, Gov Lamido or those yet to announce their intention, so be it. The North has been the theatre of unwarranted bloodshed since 1981. That must stop through a less acrimonious leadership selection process that ditches crude scheming, manipulation and intrigue. For the umpteenth time, it must be said that the road to greatness must be great or it is contradictory.

Onoja wrote from Abuja

56

Monday, August 27, 2012, DAILY SUN

By HENRY UMAHI (kinghenrysun@yahoo.com)

T

he Imo State coordinator of Rebuild Nigeria Initiative (RNI), Sir Canice Okorie, has called for tolerance among various groups in the country for sustainable peace and development in the country.

Appealing “to people to seethe their sword and let us see the best way to come together and put Nigeria back on track”, Okorie explained: “The attack on Churches in the north is an affront to draw the Christians into conclusion that this is another jihad and thereby making the country ungovernable as some people predicted. If you watch now, they are now firing at the mosques to show that the Christians have now started replying the bombing of their churches”.

In this chat, he talks about RNI, Kidnapping in Imo and terrorist attacks.

What is the Rebuild Nigeria Initiative all about?

It is a non-governmental organisation set up by people of like mind to assist in the governance of Nigeria from the grassroots to the top echelon of the country irrespective of the political party. We have been making sure that we transfer good information and real intentions of various governments towards making sure that life is better for Nigerians especially at this critical period of Boko Haramic tendencies in Nigeria. We are organising a project called Project One Nigeria. We are moving from state to state, preaching to the conscience of the people irrespective of their political class to see reason and strength in unity than in diversity by removing ourselves from any manner of religious bigotism so that we can understand and reclaim our place in the comity of nations.

That is principally what Rebuild Nigeria Initiative is doing now and we are not being funded by anyone rather people of good conscience and interest, patriotic citizens who saw in us an avenue to assist in making sure that Nigeria is transformed for the better and not for the worst.

But I learnt that most of your members are PDP members; can one now say that the initiative is an arm of PDP? People are free to hold their respective opinions. In Imo State here and in ACN control states, people of different political lineage are members of the initiative. After all, our anchor is to make sure that we transmit the programme of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as anchored by the president and respective state governments. If we are preaching more of transformation agenda, which encompasses all programmes of all government and people mistook us to be members of PDP, well it is a pity because by extension the president represents Nigeria and if we are working for the president of PDP, myopic people will think because it is PDP, we are dancing to the PDP tune. No, most of the time we disagree with the government if the government is not telling the people the truth but provided the president is saying what will make the country more effective and more governable, every good Nigeria is supposed to move in tandem with the president to make sure that all these policies generate the promises made during the electoral campaign. I think that is what the initiative stands for and that is what we are putting our energy and blood even our money to achieve. We are organising rallies as I said earlier in various state capitals solely being funded by us but we will receive donations from people provided it is not attached to any sentiment or any condition. I think that is our stand for now.

More than one year after the election, Imo State is politically charged. What is your take on that?

When the government of Anayo Rochas Okorocha came into office on May 29 last year in Imo State, people were happy that there will be a change and probably because people are expecting more than the governor can do. In view of that, the governor went in to make sure that the curiosity of people is met by embarking on projects that ordinarily couldn’t have been completed in one year. And in construction, most people don’t know that you have only six months in a

Those attacking Churches confused –Okoro year to embark on effective construction work. And anywhere you start a construction, especially road projects and you cannot finish within the dry season, if there is rain, it will turn the place into another thing and those people who were clapping for you when you are going to market will now be cursing you when you are coming back. I think that is what is happening in Imo State.

Recently, it was alleged that a former governor of the state is plotting to unseat the governor through impeachment, how do you react to that?

I think it is too early to start talking about impeaching any person. We are waiting the elementary period of the government. If by next year, the government isn’t doing enough, we can now talk about trying to call them to do more but I think no governor, whether present or former, has ever said that.

Probably it is the imagination of somebody who is expecting a jammed up or heated environment from the impacts of the local government administration and that of the governor in the state. I cannot see that coming on now; it is not ideal for Imo State. But people should be allowed to air their opinion when they see things are not going the way they ought to be.

I think we will concede people that right but I think this is a speculative journalism that we just witnessed.

How do you react to the attacks on churches in the north?

The attack on Churches in the north is an affront to draw the Christians into conclusion that this is another jihad and thereby making the country ungovernable as some people predicted. If you watch now, they are now firing at the mosques to show that the Christians have now started replying the bombing of their churches. But in Christendom, we are taught to allow God to fight and I believe God is fighting. Probably because God wants to fight, just like the tower of Babel, when he turned the people against themselves, they could not understand themselves any more, I think that is what is happening with the Boko Haram family because they are now trying to gun down the big people in the north and if that is the case, I wish them well and I thank God for that.

How do you think that country will overcome this challenge?

Part of what we are doing is to make sure that we appeal to the people’s conscience. We appeal to people to seethe their sword and let us see the best way to come together and put Nigeria back on track. But if they want to believe that by 2014

•Canice Okorie

when Nigeria will be 100 years and probably this entity and agreement we entered into in 1914 could be revisited, then we put it down in a national conference and we agree that if we are going to part, we part in peace but if we are going to continue, then the foundations and structures to make things work out will be laid. Until we get to 2014, I think it is very early for us to speculate on that, let us work on how to make this country governable so that we can shame the people who said it would be ungovernable if they lose the election. They have lost the election and we are working towards making sure Nigeria is governable and by the special grace of God, the present administration in all quarters will succeed and that is what the initiative is praying for irrespective of the political party anybody finds himself. We are talking about one Nigeria and that is the project we are pursuing, ‘Project One Nigeria.’

Sir, kidnapping remains a serious problem in Imo State, what is the cause and how do you think it can be tackled?

Well, kidnapping cannot be said to be only in Imo State; it has been a national phenomenon.

But Imo State can be described as the heartland of kidnapping Yes, it the heartland of the Southeast and it might not be wrong to say it is the heartland of kidnapping because it is political motivated by calling them the worst place. But if you come to Imo State, you will believe with me that the politicians of the past equipped a lot of people without completing what they promised them such as giving them jobs or giving them money to do their trading or sending them abroad. You cannot use somebody and drop him and expect that person to be happy but we are appealing to Imolites that kidnapping is not part and parcel of the content of any Igbo man. We have been known for struggling; we are known to survive in difficult terrains and I believe that by the special grace of God, we are going to survive and efforts being put together by the Nigeria police and army and all well meaning Nigerians will bring to an end kidnapping in Imo State. So far, many people have lost their buildings, even their ancestral building provided there is a traceable point or mark that a kidnapper has ever operated from that area or has slept in that place. I think with that a lot of people will now be wiser to guard their property by making sure that any suspected movement is reported to the appropriate quarters. If they can do that, I bet you Imo State will bounce back to its lost glory.

NUPENG PTD educates members on safety tips

By BROWN CHIMEZIE

T

he Lagos zonal council of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), a branch of Nigerian Union of Petroleum and National Gas Workers (NUPENG), recently organized a workshop for members. Entitled: Save a soul, save a future in Lagos” it’s to enlighten Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) of the union about safety tips and the new Lagos State traffic law.

On hand to address them were Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Commander Federal Road Safety Corps, represented by deputy Commander, Mr. Akpabio, the Chief VIO Lagos state also represented by Mr. Oladosun Kayode, the Zonal chairman PTD, Comrade Rasaq Akanbi, the National vice Chairman, Otunba Comrade

Salami and other top echelon of the union.

In his remark, Mr Opeifa commended the drivers for their orderliness, which has resulted in the reduction of carnage on Lagos roads adding that the seminar would further prepare the drivers for the challenges ahead.

Opeifa recalled that the Oshodi Apapa Express road was once •Lagos State Commisioner for Transport, Kayode Opeifa flanked by reprea ‘no go’ area for sentative of Lagos State VIO, Mr. Oladosun (l) and National Vice Chairman, motorist as tanker driv- PTD/NUPENG, Otunba Salami at the seminar ers often parked their trucks on the road causing traffic form of restriction because their entry point is Oshodi Apapa Road. gridlock, but with negotiations with products are essential commodities Furthermore, the commissioner PTD leaders, that section of the which must get to its destination at urges the drivers to attend Drivers road has been cleared off obstacles. the appropriate time. He, however, Training Institute and obtain valid Speaking on the new traffic law, said that trucks have been bared drivers license. “You must have Mr Opeifa explained that tanker from entering Apapa through Ijora valid license and certificate of road drivers are exempted from any road but added that the approved worthiness so as to differentiate

genuine drivers from quacks.”, he said.

Responding, the secretary of the union, Comrade Adebayo Atanda lamented that the dilapidated condition of roads had made the task of driving very Herculean for his members. “Often we are confronted with bad roads and intimidation by law agencies. Such factors often hinder our operations. Although we observed that Lagos State government has rehabilitated most of the roads, but our operations span all over the federation, hence the Federal Government should give attention to road maintenance.”

On the new traffic law, Comrade Atanda pledged the support of PTD to the state government adding that the workshop was part of the union’s bid to ensure that high rate of accident among Petroleum Tanker Drivers is reduced to the barest minimum.

Monday, August 27, 2012

DAILY SUN

57

Why Ajimobi is romancing Ladoja From YINKA FABOWALE, Ibadan

B

ut for the disturbing buzz across the political circles in the state stirred by Daily Sun’s story of Thursday, Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi seemed set to fully seal the deal he had with his opponent in the 2011 governorship election, and leader of the Accord Party in the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja for a chummy working relationship between his government and the opposition party two days ago.

This would have been the inauguration of members of the AP as chairmen of the four strategic local governments in the state still without transitional politico-administrative committees appointed to run them since the administration took off last year. indeed, he partially did when he swore in two new chairmen - Mr. Akinwale Mukaila Akintoye for Egbeda Local Government and Mr. Akanni Nurudeen Ademola for Ona Ara Local Government same Thursday.

According to the pact between the two parties the governor had agreed to concede the four local governments namely: Ibadan North East, Egbeda, Ona Ara and Lagelu, won by Ladoja’s party in last year’s governorship poll alongside 20 per cent share of political appointments and key parliamentary posts to the opposition party in return for friendly passage of executive bills and support for government’s policies and programmes.

Ajimobi’s confidants explained that the governor had been forced to enter into the accord and make the concessions, which were fiercely opposed by his party, to stave off a hostile parliament in which his party had only a marginal majority of 15 members to rival Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 10 and AP’s seven.

But the governor has been unable to fulfil this condition, owing to the ACN’s opposition.

The ruling party had, working through the lawmakers, got the House to initially reject his AP’s nominees for ministerial and board appointments, to underscore its unpreparedness to share in its “kill”. This was followed by skirmishes and mass demonstrations by party members especially in the affected council areas to protest attempted imposition of AP members on the councils.

In the face of this massive angst, the governor, who was already being accused of taking unilateral decisions and being disrespectful of party leadership’s opinion was forced to withhold the nominations into the four local governments when forwarding lists for others for screening by the assembly in order not to further alienate his constituency.

But following displeasure and misgivings repeatedly expressed by the AP leader on Ajimobi’s apparent breach of the terms of the

•Ladoja

agreement in spite of his keeping to his side of the bargain, which has ensured some measure of stability for the administration, the governor was said to have undertaken to give effect to his promise, especially after visiting Ladoja in London, where the latter had gone for vacation.

Although ACN leader and former governor of the state, Alhaji Lam Adesina and the party leadership were against the partnership, Ajimobi who claims kinship with Ladoja, has continued surreptitiously to romance the billionaire politician, who made a surprise showing in the 2011 elections, running third in the governorship and winning some seats in both the state and the National Assemblies with a party he formed less than five months to elections, after quitting the PDP, of which he was financier.

However, Saturday Sun learnt that the Daily Sun report which generated ripples in the political circle across the state, jolted the governor’s camp. The newspaper had speculated that he held talks on second term ambition with the AP boss during his London visits, with proposal for AP to merge with ACN or have him contest 2015 on its platform.

Investigations by this paper revealed that many ACN stalwarts saw the story as confirming their distrust of Governor Ajimobi as a “self willed” double-dealer who thrived in the principle of use and dump. They alleged that having exploited the goodwill of leaders of the party to realize his ambition to be governor, he had little qualms in rubbishing them only to “hobnob” with new and strange friends.

Sources said the governor was afraid that he might not be fielded for 2015, having estranged himself from the leadership of the party with his alleged unpopular and unilateral actions.

Calculating that Ladoja, may also not want to present himself for the governorship again, the governor, the sources said, hope to ingratiate

•Ajimobi

himself into the AP’s leader’s heart to get his support in 2015, more so, as he believed that there were no formidable candidates in the AP to stand against him.

But impeccable party sources told Saturday Sun last night that the governor did not need an alliance with Ladoja to get a second term. “If you have followed the history and tradition of our party, you will know that a second term ticket is an automatic thing with our governors.

From the days of Papa Awolowo and Chief Bola Ige, we don’t have a policy where you will organize primaries. As the leader of the party he will get it. Tell me who is going to contest a primary with him? Even the way he was chosen for this First term should tell you this, how much more now that he’s governor? All he needs to do is to perform for the party to have things to campaign with”, a source said.

He said contrary to speculations, the governor enjoyed a warm relationship and support of the party to echelon, especially Alhaji Lam Adesina, who, he insisted, Ajimobi confided in greatly and carried along in his various decisions, although he admitted that there were some issues on which the party elders disagreed with him.

Other party sources who spoke with Saturday Sun yesterday situated Ajimobi’s obsessive fraternization with Ladoja in his desperation to ensure stability for his administration and peace in the state as a strategy for foiling a PDP’s desperate bid to edge ACN out of power by next election. According to the sources, PDP plans to use Oyo as a launch pad to capture the South West, which they noted President Goodluck Jonathan desperately needed to shore up any electoral loss he may incur in an apparently hostile north in the next presidential elections.

To achieve this, one of the strategy the party was said to have backed on was to destabilize

the state, by making it ungovernable for the ACN government such that it would perpetually have security issues on hand to deal with and so, have little time for quality and effective governance.

Thus distracted, the source said, the PDP reasoned that there would be little for the ACN to show the electorate for its four years in office.

“To this end, they have tried to use the NURTW whose members they had always used to perfect their rigging strategies, the labour crises and even the House (of Assembly). Remember they were the first to make overtures of alliance to Accord (Party) in the House. if they had succeeded in getting the combined majority ,we won’t be saying what we are now saying. But you saw how the governor tackled them successfully on all the fronts. Having failed there, they tried to lure Ladoja back and almost succeeded. So the governor realizing their scheme is only trying to prevent him from going to the PDP, because the combined power of Ladoja and the PDP can spell trouble”, the source added.

Corroborating this, another source said it is only a political wisdom in Oyo State that; “If you‘re not a friend to Ladoja, don’t be his enemy”.

Saturday Sun learnt that Governor Ajimobi is extending the same conciliatory attitude of engagement he has adopted with Ladoja to other powerful stakeholders in the state including the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III; business tycoon, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao; Ambassador Saanu; the President of the Central Council of Ibadan indigenes, Chief Oyero and PDP Chieftain, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo. Indeed, some political appointments made by the governor seem to be to pacify these political forces who were believed to have worked against Alhaji Lam Adesina’s reelection in 2003. Besides Adeojo, who has a daughter in the Ajimobi cabinet, Arisekola, the Alaafin and others all have representation in the government.

To underscore Ajimobi’s mortal fear of the PDP game plan, Daily Sun learnt on good authority that President Jonathan invited the Alaafin to a private meeting in Lagos, wherein he tried to persuade the Oyo monarch to plod his way back to the PDP to help in the 2015 onslaught.

The President was said to have acknowledged Oba Adeyemi as one of the forces that made his party to lose Oyo State in last year’s election, imploring him to return.

But the traditional ruler was said to have declined, saying he would not destroy the house he helped in building.

“You think if Ajimobi has not been nice to him, Baba would not have swallowed the bait?” asked a source, underscoring the wisdom in the governor’s stratagem.

...Ex-gov can’t affect PDP fortunes in 2015 — Salawu, party spokesman M r. Kehinde Salawu is a former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and public relations officer of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He spoke to Daily Sun on why the PDP would win the 2015 general elections in the state with or wihout former governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. Excerpts: Refusal of Ladoja to join PDP It cannot affect PDP because the people are fed up with the ACN government. The people of Oyo State are not ready to vote for ACN. The dividends of democracy which the party is supposed to give to the people, it has failed the people. The state government has been sacking workers employed by former governor Adebayo AlaoAkala. Governor Abiola Ajimobi has disappointed the people. But I am not disappointed because I know he cannot do much. He lacks experience and the wherewithal.

Experience as a lawmaker My most troublesome moment was the crisis between former governor Rasheed Ladoja and the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu. It was a most difficult period as the two camps were wooing us as members of the state house of assembly. I decided to stay and support Chief Adedibu because he influenced the election of all of us including Ladoja. He led our compaign and since to whom

much is given, much is also expected.

Reinstatement of Ladoja I did not feel bad since it was the Supreme Court that reinstated him. As law-abiding citizens, we have no reason to oppose him.

Defeat of PDP in Oyo State To be candid, PDP defeated PDP in the last (2011) elections, it was not the ACN. You can vividly recall that most of our leaders were neck deep in crisis and we gave victory to the ACN. The ACN is not strong in the state. Now, I am very happy that all that has ended and we all realised our mistakes.

Sacked workers We are not in support of certificate forgery but sacking workers on account of alleged age falsification is eternally wrong. It is only the biological parent of an individiaul that can determine age of his or her offsprings. Affidavid should be enough proof. Ajimobi said Akala recommended their sack, why did he not sack them? He knew there were discrepancies hence, he jettisoned it. When he was saying Akala recommended the sack of the workers, what about the minimum wage? Did he implement the N18,000 minimum wage? No. The last flood disaster

This governor is not a listening governor. After the last flood disaster, well-spirited people and those in the corporate world including some state governments came around to donate money to cushion the adverse effects of the flood. Where is the money now? Before the current raining season, I advised the state government to do proper channelisation, but what do you see? The ACN government does not care about the people and my advice to our people is to join forces with the PDP to flush out the ACN from power in Oyo State.

Overseas tour of wives of state legislators It was a pure wasteful venture and I do not know the relevance of the tour to the state. What is the duty of the wives in the governance of the state? This is a government that prides itself as decent and uncorrupt. When the PDP was in power, did we embark on such jamborees? All we need to do is to pray to God to save us from this ACN government.

They can say members of our party who are in the House also partook in the wasteful journey, but what can they do? They are in the minority. I expect Ajimobi to defend that trip. A situation where graduates cannot get jobs, Ajimobi is sending wives of legislators to London. This is para-

doxical. Our legislators joined them because if you can’t beat them, you join them.

Relationship among PDP leaders in the state They are in peace with each other. Akala, Alhaji Yekeen Adeojo, Chief Hosea Agboola, Professor Soji Adejumo, Senator Teslim Folarin, Chief Lekan Balogun and Alhaji Bisi Olopoeniyan were all at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium during he state congress. They are all together.

2015 general elections This ACN government has failed woefully in all areas. All we are now seeing in the state are the achievements of Akala. The roads, LAUTECH and other infrastructure are the achievements of Akala. During the time of Akala, Oyo SUBEB was voted as the best in the country. What is the situation now?

Why can’t Ajimobi conduct local government elections? Amosun has conducted his own in Ogun State. It is well over one year now when the caretaker chairmen have been holding sway in the state. He knows too well that the party would fail in the elections.

Jonathan reelection The party would decide. The party is well organized and we are democrats. We are not like ACN which believes in imposition of candidates.

58

NEWS NEWS

Monday, August 27, 2012 DAILY SUN

SUN SPORTS FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

Akpabio Cup LOC ready to host the world

Ordega’s treble shoots O Nigeria into q-final F

rancisca Ordega grabbed a hat-trick as Nigeria smashed past Italy 4-0 to qualify for the quarterfinal of the Under-20 World Cup in Japan.

The Falconets thus finished top of Group B with 7 points, while Korea Republic grabbed the second quarterfinal ticket from the group by eliminating Brazil 2-0.

The Falconets will now battle host nation, Japan, Mexico or New Zealand in Thursday's quarterfinal to be played in Tokyo.

This will be Nigeria's fifth World Cup quarterfinal qualification after they also reached the last eight in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

In 2010, the Falconets made it all the way to the World Cup final only to lose 2-0 to host, Germany.

Ordega, who shone at the 2010 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, was on target in the 22nd, 40th and 47th minutes to shoot Nigeria clear in Sunday's Group B match.

She could have scored a

fourth goal late in the second half, but fluffed her lines in front of an open goal.

The striker, who has now

scored a total of four goals at this World Cup, will later be replaced after she picked up an injury.

Nigeria's fourth goal was scored by substitute, Osarenoma Igbinovia, in the 88th minute.

SWAN laments poor state of sports in FCT

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he Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Abuja chapter has lamented the deplorable state of sports in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), blaming it on poor administration, inadequate sporting and recreational facilities and near absence of sporting activities in the area councils.

In a communiqué raised after the association's congress last week, it further attributed the problem to the near non-existence of the sporting associations in FCT and the over bearing influence of the sports director in the running sports in FCT. “In view of the above problems and the need to urgently correct the irregularities, we recommend that there should be more sporting facilities and recreation centres in the neighbourhoods such as Maitama, Asokoro, Lugbe, Nyanya, Gwagwalada.

“That there should be immediate reconstitution of all sports association boards in the FCT. The FCT Minister should prevail on area council chairmen to facilitate development of sporting facilities in their areas. The FCT Sports Administration should overhaul the entire leadership of the sports councils to enhance effective sporting performance and delivery in the capital city.

“That the indifference of successive ministers contributed to the present poor state of sports,” SWAN FCT noted.

Ideye celebrates Eagles return with goal

S

triker Brown Ideye scored for Dynamo Kiev in a 2-0 win over Chornomorets to celebrate his recall to the Super Eagles.

Ideye, whose goal-scoring exploits with his Ukrainian club have earned him a recall to the Eagles for next month's AFCON qualifier in Liberia, was on target in the 72nd minute to double his team's lead.

He has now scored seven goals in 10 games.

Kiev is now second on the table with 15 points from six matches.

Forgotten Nigeria striker, Michael Eneramo, scored a brace to help his team Sivasspor record a 3-3 draw at home against Mersin Idmanyurdi.

The Esperance of Tunisia former captain put his side Sivasspor in front twice in the 28th minute to lead 2-1 and in the 34th minute to lead 3-1 and looked set to grab the three points before Nduka Ozokwor's Mersin equalised to end the game 3-3.

Ideye

rganisers of the 6th edition of Akpabio Cup has declared that all logistics were ready to host teams for the event. According to Uko Akpabio, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, the September 15 kickoff date stands. He advised teams and clubs that had entered for the cham ionship not to take their preparation for granted.

He boasted that the logistics on ground were adequate to stage any football event and thanked Governor Godswill Akpabio for sustaining the event which has come to stay.

He also expressed gratitude to the wife of the governor, Mrs ekaette Unoma Akpabio, for her support since the inception of the tournament, especially for gracing last year’s final.

He also thanked the state Deputy Governor, Obong Nsima Ekere, who took the kick off of the 5th edition. ' We are greatful to the speaker Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Rt.Hon Sam Ikon; the secretary to the state government, Obong Umana Okon Umana, for their fatherly advice and roles they played to ensure success of this competition.

“We also seek such support again, as we celebrate Akwa Ibom at 25 since the tourney has really made a positively impact on the youth.

Mancini threatens to quit City Falconets celebrate a goal against Italy

Eagles, Pharaohs rematch now in Dubai

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igeria will play another friendly with African Champion, Egypt, in Dubai on September 11, officials have said.

The Pharaohs of Egypt won the first Dubai friendly 3-2 in April, but this time round,

Nigeria will be fortified by her Europe-based professionals.

The seven-time African champion complete with the legendary Mohamed Aboutrika snatched a late win after a brave showing by players from the Nigeria Premier League.

As a result of the rematch, the

Eagles’ snub miffs Lawal

R

aheem Lawal has revealed he was disappointed to be left out of the next month's 2013 AFCON clashbetween Nigeria and Liberia despite that he put the country before his club.

Lawal's problems with his Spanish club, Atletico Belares, began after he defied it to join the national team for 2014 World Cup and 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers in June.

Adisappointed Lawal said: “I was very sad that I was not on the list to play Liberia, but I have learnt my lesson the bitter way, such is life.

“Patriotism almost ruined my career. I now know it is better to put my club career ahead of my national team engagement because I did otherwise

and it put me at logger heads with my club.”

However, despite his disappointment, the player said he was still looking forward to play again for his country.

“I would still love to play for Nigeria. If I am given the chance, I will honour the call,” he said. Eagles’Coach, Stephen Keshi, had warned the promising midfielder that he risked losing his place on his team if he does not resolve his dispute with his Spanish club.

Raheem Lawal has now signed a two-year contract with Turkish Division II club, Adana Demirspor.

“I am happy and I thank God that I have resolved my club issue and my career is now back on track. I am happy now and want to do well for Adana,” he said.

proposed September 5 warm-up against Sierra Leone in Freetown has been stepped down.

The Egypt rematch will be three days after the Eagles have battled Liberia in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Monrovia. “(Coach) Keshi has asked that the match in Sierra Leone be moved because he does not wish to risk any injuries too close to the match in Liberia.”

“The federation has, therefore, agreed to the match against Egypt in Dubai three days after the Liberia , so as to prepare the team for the second leg Nations Cup qualifier in Calabar.”

Eagles will host Liberia in the second leg of the final AFCON qualifiers on October 12.

Keshi

R

oberto Mancini could quit Manchester City within a year if he doesn't receive the backing he requires. Sportsmail understands he is unlikely to see out his recently-signed contract if he continues to be left high and dry over new signings.

A source close to Mancini said: 'He has three targets before the window closes -'We will see what happens in the next few days.

He feels there is no one at the club doing the transfer dealing for him and he has been left with just 19 players for the new season.

He is angry, as you can imagine.

'He is ambitious, he has just won the Premier League and wants to win the Champions League. But he can't do that without the right support.

Mikel opts out of AFCON clash

C

helsea’s midfielder, Mikel Obi, has opted out of next month's 2013 AFCON clash in Liberia because of the astro turf pitch in Monrovia.

However, with the Liberians now shifting the game from an artificial pitch stadium to one with natural grass, officials are mulling a return for Mikel.

Top officials insisted that Mikel was on Coach Stephen Keshi's list of call-ups for the September 8 clash in Monrovia, but the midfielder was later dropped after he told the coach he would struggle on the astro turf in Liberia. “There is no question about it - Mikel is very much part of Keshi's plans, but the coach had no option but to leave him out of the match in Liberia after he told him he did not like to play on artificial pitch,” a top official said.

“However, both Keshi and the player may now have a rethink after Liberia informed us that the match will now be played on natural grass.

“It's up to the coach to make the final call now.”

Keshi has already raised concerns over how his Europe-based pros will adapt on the astro turf after they struggled on the surface against Rwanda earlier this year in another Nations Cup qualifier.

He has also been very particular in this regard about Mikel, who has not hidden his disapproval to playing on an artificial pitch as a player is more vulnerable to injury on it than on a grass pitch.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have already swung into action to ensure the Eagles performance was not affected by the pitch in Liberia after kit sponsors adidas agreed to ship boots specially meant for astro turf ahead of the game.

DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012 59 NEWS

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

US Open on Murray's mind

A

s if Andy Murray did not have enough rivals in one of the toughest eras of men's tennis, now his mind has started playing tricks on him.

The Scot began his US Open campaign against Russia's Alex Bogomolov yesterday having put himself firmly alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic at the top of the pile with his Olympic gold medal and Wimbledon final appearance this summer.

Losing to Roger Federer in his first Wimbledon final was undoubtedly a painful experience, as demonstrated by Murray's tears on Centre Court, but he avenged the defeat in the best possible fashion by thrashing the Swiss in the Olympic gold medal match.

It was the biggest win of the 25-year-old's career, but no sooner had he had the gold

medal hung around his neck than he was off to Toronto for a Masters Series tournament and now, three weeks later, he has started his latest bid for grand slam silverware.

The tennis schedule, particularly in an Olympic year, ensures there is no time to dwell on success, but Murray's mind made sure the memory did not fade too soon.

The world number four said: "Four days after Wimbledon, I dreamt I won Wimbledon, and I woke up in the morning and I was just starting to feel better.

That didn't help. "Then a few days after the Olympics, I dreamt that I lost in the final of the Olympics. Obviously waking up remembering that I had won was nice. That was when I was in Toronto. "So, you think about it a lot. But the thing with tennis, I think especially, is, of course, we have tournaments and things to look forward to in the not too distant future.

Serena

Stosur

thrills at It's privilege to play Isner title defence alongside Serena J - Sam Stosur A

head of the US Open, which starts today, defending champion, Sam Stosur, spoke about extra pressure, her title rivals and Britain's rising stars.

How has life changed since you won the US Open last year?

I think I'm still pretty much the same, but I certainly get recognised much more now, especially when I'm back home in Australia. You just have that little bit of extra status, maybe, but I think everything's pretty much the same, you just know that you've won the US Open!

What was the reaction like back in Australia? How did they celebrate it?

It was pretty big. When I was in New York, I didn't quite realise the total extent of what everyone was thinking back there, even though a few people told you here and there. Once I got back, then I really realised how big a deal it was and how much everyone really got into it. So many people said they woke up especially to watch the match. It's a great feeling to know that the whole country knew about it and certainly wanted me to win and do well.

Are you feeling extra pressure going into the tournament this year?

No, I'm looking forward to it.

It's obviously going to be different going into a Grand Slam as a defending champion, but a nice feeling too to know that last year you didn't lose a match and you had a great event. It's one of those things where you'll have to try and deal with things that come up and maybe there's a little bit of extra expectation to think that you want to do it again. But at the end of the day, you have to play the first round, the court's the same and you've got to take it like any other tournament.

Who do you see as your main

rivals for the title?

There are a number of players, it's hard to single out a name. I've got to be ready for my first round.

It's going to be tough a hurdle to get over as it is with any Grand Slam. Obviously, the in-form

player at the moment is probably Serena (Williams). We'll see what happens and how the draw pans out.

Serena recently completed the golden career Grand Slam.

Where do you think she ranks

among the all-time greats?

You have to say that she's, if not the best, then definitely one of the top couple of players who have ever lived and played our sport. It's pretty cool to think you are playing in the same era as someone like her, who has been able to acheive everything she has.

Clijsters relishes return

C

lijster announced earlier this year she would retire for good after the final grand slam of the season in N e w York,

Clijsters

where she has won three of her four major titles.

Flushing Meadows is a special place for Clijsters, who took two and a half years out of a game in 2007 to start a family and then marked her comeback by winning a second US Open title.

She successfully defended her crown in 2010 and, after missing last year's tournament through injury, insisteds a title-winning finale was not an impossibility.

The 29-year-old said: "I'm obviously very excited to be back here after not being able to participate last year. This place is magical for me. I have had so many beautiful memories. I have enjoyed coming here from when I was a junior.

"I love the surface, I love the atmosphere, and I'm excited. I'm not really thinking about retiring yet. I'm still focusing on trying to be in the best shape that I can be. When I start today, I want to be playing well. " M y mindset is not any different.

I haven't played many

matches or many tournaments this year. I really believe that physically I can do it.

"I have trained very hard for the last year to try and stay in good shape. I feel that I'm probably in may be the best shape that I have been in."

Clijsters is a hugely popular figure who will be much missed by the sport and by her fellow players.

Defending US Open champion, Sam Stosur said: "It's going to be a loss for the tour, and she's obviously been a great player and a great champion, and a great role model to many people.

"I guess for her, she's decided it's time. I can imagine this is the perfect place for her to stop given the success she's had here in the past."

Serena Williams added: "She's had such a fabulous career, especially here at the Open. She just brings some special tennis. She's always so bright and has such a positiveness about her that you can't help but wish her the best."

Stosur stunned Williams to lift her first grand slam trophy 12 months ago, but she goes into this year's tournament again as an outsider having failed to build on that result.

The world number seven reached the semi-finals of the French Open but she lost in the first round at the Australian Open and the second round at Wimbledon and is yet to win a title this season.

ohn Isner saved three match points as he completed a successful defence of his Winston-Salem Open title by beating Tomas Berdych. The world number 10 was champion of the event in his home state of North Carolina last year and kept his hands on the trophy by beating Berdych 3-6 6-4 7-6 (11/9).

Isner, the 6ft 9in serving menace from Greensboro, fired down 22 aces in the match to follow up his achievement of retaining his grass-court title in Newport, Rhode Island, last month.

As America's leading man in world tennis, the expectation on Isner will be cranked up at the US Open next week.

He found fault in aspects of his perIsner formance against Berdych, but to come from a set down to beat the Czech, a former Wimbledon runner-up, was no mean achievement.

Kvitova adds another title

W

imbledon former champion, Kvitova, was pushed hard at the Yale-staged tournament by her Russian opponent before taking a 7-6 (11/9) 7-5 victory.

The Czech took the Montreal title earlier in August and followed that by reaching the Cincinnati semi-finals.

She had lost to Kirilenko in the Olympic Games quarter-finals at Wimbledon so had plenty of incentive for their sixth career meeting, looking to lock up the series at three wins each.

Kvitova looked to have the opening set almost wrapped up when she moved 6-4 ahead in the tie-break, but Kirilenko was not finished and had her own chances to move in front.

It eventually went Kvitova's way, before the second set followed a pattern similar to the first, with neither player secure on serve. The first set had seen each player drop serve three times, and Kirilenko was an early break ahead in the secKvitova ond set.

NEWS

60 DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012

SUN SPORTS

NEWS YSFON 's Mbeh denies rebel group

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Mr. Samson Adamu, Chief Executive Officer of Kinetic Sports and Mr. Kenny Aliu FCMB's Group Head, Corporate Communications

oordinator of Cross River State Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), George Mbeh, has disassociated himself from a publication which declared illegal the just concluded cadet Football Championship for Under15 boys for the Hon. Tom Agi Cup. A national newspaper recently quoted him as disassociating YSFON from the championship which was recently concluded in Calabar, Cross River State.

According to him, the statement which was purportedly signed by him and the Cross River State’s former secretary of the body, Albert Andinam, was not only false but misleading and should be disregarded because the championship has the blessing of the national secretariat.

According to Mbeh, the reporter did not speak with him before going to Press with such a scandalous story. “Neither have I signed any Press release to that effect. So, I wondered how he came about the story.”

He said that the national body was always ready to encourage any genuine grassroots competitions or programmes all over the country that was aimed at developing the country's football. But advised reporters to always cross-examine their facts before going to the Press. Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Federation, Patrick Okpavuerhe, has enjoined government and corporate organisations to always deal with the authentic executive board members of the Cross River State YSFON led by Barrister Leo Murphy in any capacity. According to the National Secretary General, the following names are the authentic and recognised Cross River State YSFON Exco members. They include, Barr.

Leo Murphy, George Mbeh, coordinator, Mrs. Owokure, coordinator, Coach Vincent, coordinator, Barrister Roland Ipuole, legal adviser, Mr. John Mark, publicy secretary, Mr. Peter Edibe auditor, Temple Amadiegwu, cultural officer, Mrs. Gift Emmanuel, finance/treasurer and Onyeka Onyewelu, welfare/ social officer.

Others are: John Odey Ekawu technical/training officer, Bob Osim, assistant secretary and George Ofem, secretary

26 Eagles resume battle for shirts against Liberia H S

Ogbemudia Cup tourney begins September 7 in Benin

tarting today in Abuja, 26 players of the Super Eagles will literally be √ up in arms against

London 2012 Olympic flop

FG won't investigate IOC grant to Nigeria -Minister

one another as they battle to impress Coach Stephen Keshi and his crew that they are up to the task of the Nations Cup qualifier against the Lone Stars of Liberia.

The Eagles crew is expected at the end of the week to name an additional 11 or nine players to complement, the 11 foreign based players already announced for the September 8

By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

D

espite the controversy generated by the grant that the International Olympics Committee (IOC) allegedly gave to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) for the just concluded London 2012 Games, the Federal Government has categorically said that it had no plan to investigate and compel the leadership of the NOC to account for the grant.

The Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Committee (NSC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, told the media in Abuja recently that Nigerians should rather hold the eggheads of the committee accountable, stressing that since IOC allegedly gave the grant to its affiliate body, the NOC, the Federal Government lacks the authority to compel the NOC to account for the money.

Asked if the Federal Government has any knowledge of the alleged grant and whether it would compel the leadership of the NOC to account for the money, Mallam Abdullahi, describing it as an internal transaction, emphatically ruled out instituting any probe.

His words: “Look, if there was any grant from IOC to NOC, the leadership of the NOC should be the people to direct the question to. The NOC should tell Nigerians if it had collected anything from IOC and what it did with it. I'm not NOC, but the chairman of the National Sports Commission.

encounter, that will hold at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in the Liberian capital For first teamers such as Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwueke, Sunday Mba, Ejike Uzoenyi and Gabriel Reuben, the battle will be stiffer as they will contest against fresh faces like Sani Sanusi, Philip Asuquo, Zango Umar, Jabason Solomon, Solomon Kwambe and Emmanuel Francis, who were

very impressive in the international friendly against the Menas of Niger Republic a fortnight ago.

Keshi has repeatedly assured all players that only current form will inform his choice of players for the encounter in Monrovia, which will make the next one week very competitive among the players who have been invited to camp.

FCMB signs for Copa Lagos Beach Soccer 2nd edition

F

irst City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB) has renewed its partnership with Kinetic Sports to be one of the official sponsors of Copa Lagos Beach Soccer tournament scheduled to hold in December 2012.

Copa Lagos Beach Soccer tournament was first staged in Lagos, Nigeria in December 2011 with four teams Brazil, England, South Africa and Nigeria competing.

The Nigerian national team, Sand Eagles, emerged tournament winners over world champion,

Artificial turf for Abuja Stadium

National Assembly vows to resist plan …Says it is path to avoid maintenance

By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

would resist such a plan.

Reacting to the plans, Hon lan to change the Abuja Gaiya said: “We visited the National Stadium to an National Stadium as a committee, artificial turf has suffered and shortly after, the Senate a setback following the Committee equally took a comNational Assembly’s declara- prehensive visit of all the national tion to resist such arrange- stadia in this country. At the end, we were unanimous in our reports ments.

The lawmakers said that the that the stadia were in a terrible National Sports Commission state of disrepair.

“We do know that the best turf (NSC) should not use such shortcut to cover up for its lack of to play on should be a natural grass and that was the original maintenance culture.

Fielding questions from the design for the stadium in Abuja. media in Abuja last weekend, the We are supposed to have natural Chairman House of grass in Abuja stadium. We canRepresentative Committee on not excuse our inability to mainSports, Hon Godfrey Ali Gaiya, tain natural grass and feel that argued that besides that the plan having the artificial turf would be negates the original plan of the the shortcut.

“There will be no such shortcut stadium, it would deny stadium opportunity to host high profile in Abuja Stadium because good tournaments or matches, warn- stadia anywhere in the world are ing that the National Assembly all natural turfs.

P

Brazil. The teams participating in this year's tournament are yet to be unveiled.

Mr. Kenny Aliu FCMB's Group Head, Corporate Communications, said: “We are proud to be renewing our partnership with Kinetic Sports as the official sponsor in the banking category for the Copa Lagos Beach Soccer tournament, which is holding for the second year running in Nigeria. Sponsoring and aligning our brand with this prestigious event is a continuation of FCMB's support for soccer and sports as a whole. We have a tradition of supporting and sponsoring FIFA World Cup tournaments locally and; our continued sponsorship of Copa Lagos Beach Soccer tournament once again is a reaffirmation of our policy to support sports and youth development.”

Mr. Samson Adamu, Chief Executive Officer of Kinetic Sports, said: “Kinetic Sports is fully committed to ensuring the 2012 Copa Lagos tournament is bigger”, promising that this year's event will be providing more value and leveraging opportunities for FCMB. He went further to say: “We are fully committed to offering value to our esteemed sponsors. FCMB was a great partner to have last year and we aim at surpassing expectations this year.”

is Excellency, Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, the two-time governor of the defunct Bendel /Midwest State Under-18 boys and girls competition will hold on September 7 through 16 , 2012 at the Ogida Police Barrack, Siluko, Benin.

According to a release signed by thePresident of the National Association of Soccer Organizers (NASO) Amos Osagie, the required weight of the the players is 65kg, while teams are expected to storm the venue with 20 players from which the eligible ones would be picked He explained that the Ogbemudia Under-18 boys and girls tournament was opened to youth and local government teams across the federation and the federal capital territory of Abuja, adding that the winners prize would be determined by the national and state executives of NASO during the competition The national president urged teams to storm the venue located along Egor local government area council to helpdiscover talent besides immortalizing the ex governor of the defunct state

Falode: Falconets will bring cup home …Hails Jonathan, NFF for support

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ational Women's teams' Coordinator, Aisha Falode, has attributed the valiant performance of the Falconets at the ongoing Under-20 Women's World Cup in Japan, to President Goodluck Jonathan, the visionary leadership of the NFF leadership and by extension that of Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi.

Falode, who spoke from Kobe, Japan after the Nigerian lasses whipped Italy 4-0 to advance to the quarter finals of the tourney, said weeks of serious preparation in Korea and timely support of the Aminu Maigari’s NFF board, has been the tonic behind the girls' splendid performance so far.

“I want to thank President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and his entire executive committee members, the coaching crew and all well meaning Nigerians who have been supporting the team through prayers and goodwill messages. What I can assure them is that the tournament is now separating the women from the girls and at this juncture, we will not let Nigerians down”, she declared.

She noted that now that Nigeria is the only hope that Africa has in the tournament, the Nigerian girls will go all the way and ensure that they win the tournament after emerging runners up at the last edition behind host and current cham- Ordega pions, Germany.

NEWS DAILY SUN Monday, August 27, 2012 61 NEWS

SUN SPORTS

Heartland retains Federation Cup … To represent Nigeria in CAF Confederation Cup … I'm happy in defeat- Iorfa

By CHIMAOBI UCHENDU

H

eartland Football Club of Owerri yesterday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos retained the Federations Cup after pipping lobi stars of Makurdi 2-1.

Pistorius in action

Lobi started the challenge stronger and got a well deserved lead in the fifth minute through Ezekiel Bassey, but Heartland cancelled the lead in the 31st minute through Jolly Osas.

The score line remained till the two minutes into the added four minutes by centre referee when Brendan Ogbu powered home a powerful header that beat Lobi goalkeeper, who had been clinical throughout the encounter.

The goal sent Heartland into dreamland as the players erupted in celebration, while Lobi supported bowed their heads in disbelief.

After the match, Vice Chairman of Lobi, Dominic Iorfa, who also doubles as technical adviser of the team, said he was happy with his players despite losing the final to Heartland.

He said no one gave them the chance to play at the final, but they braced all odds to make it to the final.

He said God must have a hand in the outcome of the match since they still have a chance to win the premier league trophy in a fortnight. “ I'm happy despite the outcome of this match, he started. We have no reason to be ashamed of our position because we fought a good fight only to lose it a few seconds to the end of the match.

That is football and as a good sportsman, I take it in good faith.

But it's not over for us because we still have a chance to win the league title in two weeks time” The Nazi Millionaires with the victory gain automatic ticket to represent Nigeria at next season's Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) confederation cup.

Prime beats Pillars Again, Pistorius runs as London ...to As third place gets set to stage Paralympics N

igeria National League (NNL) side, Prime FC, edged Kano Pillars 3-1 on penalties in the third place match of the Federation Cup in Lagos on Sunday.

T

he Olympic rings have disappeared across London, and the Paralympic symbols hoisted in their places. Let the games begin - again.

Thousands of athletes have already arrived for Wednesday's opening ceremony as the Paralympics return to their roots.

The familiar face of Oscar Pistorius and his even more recognisable blades have helped to take the Paralympic movement to the masses - with 2.3 million tickets already sold.

August has been a groundbreaking month for Pistorius.

The South African will be defending the three titles won four years ago at the Beijing Paralympics, just weeks after becoming the first amputee sprinter to compete at the Olympics.

"I am incredibly excited to be back in London," said Pistorius, who raced in the 400 meters and 4x400 relay earlier this month in the 80,000-seat Olympic Stadium. "It was an incredible experience to compete at the Olympic Games and the reception from the crowd I will remember for the rest of my life."

The 25-year-old Pistorius had to contend with battles on and off the track to become the poster boy of the Paralympics, where he will be competing in 100, 200 and 400m.

"He is massive," London Organizing Committee Chairman, Sebastian Coe, said.

"In Trafalgar Square this time last year for International Paralympic Day, (there was) a queue of kids who were screaming his name and wanting autographs."

But Coe stressed that the

medals "are not nailed on for him" at the Paralympics.

"Sport is at its best when you have head to heads," he added.

The thrilling duel should come in the 100m, with Pistorius no longer the fastest man on no legs.

The "Blade Runner" experienced his first defeat in Paralympic competition in seven years when Jerome Singleton of the United States beat him by 0.002 seconds to

win the 100 world title last year, while Jonnie Peacock of Britain has the world record.

"The 100m will be the most competitive 100m race I believe we will have ever seen at the games," Pistorius said.

"I am very well aware of the competition that's out there and I've never been one to be too selfassured or too brash," he added.

"I'm comfortable with where I am, as far as my speed work goes on the 100m but I'm very well

aware that the other guys are posting quick times."

Pistorius has helped shine the spotlight on the Paralympics more than ever before.

"The Paralympic movement has come of age," International Paralympic Committee President, Philip Craven, said.

"Having a sellout is amazing. A sellout prior to the games starting is unheard of ... it makes you feel good as an athlete."

Paralympic Games organisers accused of discrimination

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hose trying to book wheelchair tickets or check their availability 'can only do so by calling business rate phone lines' The organisers of the Paralympic Games have been accused of discriminating against the disabled by making

wheelchair users book tickets for events via business rate phone lines.

Those trying to book wheelchair tickets or check their availability can only do so by calling an 0844 number, costing up to 41p a minute, while able-bodied people can buy their tickets online from organiser Locog

Artistic prosthetic limbs exhibition to coincide with Paralympics

I

n the backstreets of London's east end, an Australian amputee is hard at work putting together an exhibition of prosthetic limbs which have been turned into wacky pieces of artwork.

Spare parts is curated by Priscilla Sutton and is being staged to coincide with the London 2012 Paralympic Games next week.

She got the idea for spare parts when cleaning out her home in Brisbane and wondering what to do with her old spare legs.

“I guess the idea came from me wanting to still keep my legs but not keep them in the cup-

board,” she said.

Sutton approached her creative friends to turn them into artwork, so she could hang them on her wall.

Then she wondered about the other spare arms and legs living in people's cupboards around the world. “I thought if I have just a few legs in a few years imagine how many legs and arms and other things there are in cupboards around the world just waiting for a second chance...and spare parts were born.”

Sutton had elective surgery to remove her right leg below the knee in 2005, owing to a worsening bone condition.

without incurring extra costs.

The arrangements have caused outrage among some disabled people who say they have been kept on hold for long periods of time running up large bills before being told there were no seats available. Many have complained about the situation on blogs and social networks with a Facebook campaign group called "Stop the Olympics from discriminating against wheelchair users!" attracting close to 700 members.

The London 2012 website has a specific section for disabled people wanting to buy tickets to the Paralympics, which start on Wednesday.

It says: "If you require a wheelchair space, you will be able to purchase one, subject to availability, by calling 0844 847 2012."

According to communications regulator Ofcom, 0844 calls are charged between 1p and 13p per minute for landline customers. Calls from mobile phones are typically charged between 15p and 41p per minute, depending on the network provider.

Both teams ended the game 1-1 in open play after 90 minutes.

Gambo Mohammed scored for Kano Pillars before Isah Akor evened things for Prime to take his cup goals to six.

Kano Pillars started brighter with Rabiu Ali's shot from the edge of the box stinging goalkeeper, Boyin Ayodele's, palm in the opening minutes.

On 19 minutes, Ali again was close to scoring, as he headed wide from close range via a Victor Namo cross.

Six minutes later, Kano Pillars took the lead. Gambo, skipper of the day in the absence of Theophilus Afelokhai, smashed Ali's deft pass with his left foot past Ayodele.

Gambo's goal appeared to awaken Prime FC, which put up a spirited display within four minutes.

On the hour mark, Akor's dipping shot nearly caught out Kano Pillars' keeper, Sani Haliru, who made an improvised block with his legs. The rebound from Prime was shot just went wide by Monday Daniel. Kano Pillars' lead lasted just 16 minutes, as Akor's half volley from close range off a corner kick put Prime even at one apiece before the break.

In the restart, Akor proved to be Prime's main threat to Pillars as he headed goal-wards with Haliru gathering with ease.

On 63 minutes, Haliru had to make a one-handed save from Babatunde Kazeem's belter from 30 yards, as Prime FC continued to press for a second goal. Two minutes later, Prime FC thought they had scored after some great build-up but it was ruled offside. In the shootout after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time, Ali as well as Super Eagles' midfielder, Gabriel Reuben missed their spot kicks but Mannir Ubale scored.

Prime FC captain, Waheed Olopade lost his kick but his team converted three spot kicks with Akor and William Okojie among the scorers.

Abdullahi urges Falconets to win W/Cup

A

s Nigeria's Under- 20 Women's team moves on to the knock-out stage of the on-going FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Japan, the Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has urged the team to go all the way to the final of the competition and bring the cup home.

Abdullahi, who congratulated the Falconets for their decisive 40 victory over the Italians yesterday, said he was impressed with the form of the girls. “ They were disciplined, tactical and very exciting to watch,” he said. “ I have no doubt that if they maintain their current form, no team can stop them.”

The minister singled out Nigeria's three-goal hero ,Francisca Ordega, for special praise. He said she was excellent and precise in front of goal. “She definitely has a great future.”

Abdullahi also commended the technical crew for its efforts and assured the team of the support of all Nigerians.

62

DAILY SUN

Monday, August 27, 2012

Biafra spirit in Anambra oil...

I

f things go as planned – and there is no reason why they will not – the government and people of Anambra State will on Thursday, August 30th, host President Goodluck Jonathan to a one crowded day of commissioning activities in their state. It will be a proud and happy people, led by their unusual governor (as the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu used to describe him) that would be marshalled out to welcome and watch the president as he inspects and commissions some solid projects which promise to touch on the socio-economic life of the people of the state and Nigeria, in very significant and practical ways.

The most significant object of the impending presidential visit would be the commissioning of the oil production activities in the Anambra basin. He will also commission some facilities that will have a tremendous impact on the socio-economic life of the people, as well as the over-all development of not just Anambra State, but other surrounding states and zones. For me therefore, that visit will be significant in three very concrete ways.

First, the visit will formally usher the state into the privileged and hallowed portal of oil producing states, alongside states that have been enjoying a jumbo chunk of the nation’s revenues that come mainly from oil resources.

The critical issue of welcoming the state into that exclusive lucrative club should be of a special significance that should not be lost on Nigerians, as it comes along with historical implications that far outweigh the event itself.

It marks a watershed that is closely following the great honour which the president accorded Ndigbo with the rousing national burial that was given their departed hero and leader, earlier this year. With that funeral, the Igbo nation felt more fully integrated into the Nigerian family, even if only psychologically. The official commissioning of oil activities next Thursday will make such a feeling more secure. And this is why: For several years, it has been established that huge deposits of petroleum and gas resources abound in the Omambala basin of Anambra state in commercial and exploitable quantities. Even as the Nigerian state rolled out drums in jubilation at every new discovery of petroleum deposits elsewhere else in the country, the Anambra discovery was somewhat different. The federal authorities embargoed its exploitation and under a very bizarre and dubious pretext, claimed that it had placed the Anambra State oil under what it termed as ‘strategic reserve’, which euphemistically speaking, meant that it was off limits to the people who should benefit from it.

Anambrarians would not have bothered had they been allowed to benefit, as an oil bearing state, and as the other states that are similarly endowed, have been doing in terms of enhanced revenue share. All efforts to reverse the vindictive situation fell on deaf ears of the successive military and civil authorities. It was, therefore, easy to see that it was a deliberate punitive policy against the people of the South East, who saw neither rhyme nor reason in the policy. The ‘whys’ and the dynamics of that obnoxious policy would be discussed in my subsequent submissions in the very near future, as I would not want its discussion here and now, to divert me from the weighty matter at hand.

For, even when Orient Petroleum Resources Plc was incorporated and expanded into a big and serious company which the people and government of the state massively bought into and obtained an operating licence to prospect for oil and build a refinery close to the site of the hydrocarbon deposits, Anambrarians were reminded of the obnoxious provision which was in place, and they knew that the crude they would refine would either be piped or ferried from the oil exploration sites in the Niger Delta, even as huge deposits were under their feet. However, being a people of faith who understand that injustice can never persist forever, the OPR was never deterred but hoped that one day, a Daniel would come to judgement with a winnowing fan of justice and fair-play in his hands. That has happened with the coming of President Jonathan.

UCHE EZECHUKWU

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0803 622 3337

onukwubel@yahoo.com It goes without saying that if the OPR was able to commence exploration and exploitation of the petroleum resources from the hitherto so-called ‘strategic reserve’, it is obvious that someone who has the right to change the situation has done just that. So, when President Jonathan goes to Aguleri-Otu to commission the activities from the site from where prime and high quality sodium-free petroleum had already been extracted, it would mark a significant step in his transformational agenda and become a major plank of the fulfilment of his election promises to the people of the South East, to end the longstanding era of structured injustice foisted against them. It will also be a glowing tribute to the dogged determination and acumen of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, who has catalyzed the process and made all that possible through his uncommon and deft sticking to principles and making the right choices of ‘friends’.

In the second place, the Anambra oil would be a celebration of the fact that nothing is beyond a people who show determination to achieve and the faith in their capacity to weather all the storms against them. The OPR and its activities are one of the few Nigerian success stories. It is the triumph of indigenous spirit and enterprise which goes to underscore that nothing is ever beyond the attainment of a determined people under a good, committed and selfless leadership as epitomised by Mr. Peter Obi’s government, in spite of the incessant noise of some disgruntled members of the elite class of the state. OPR is a completely an indigenous project of Anambra people which showcases the best in men and materials from the state.

When OPR was incorporated in July 2001 under the Chinwoke Mbadinuju administration, it took off with the same men of stature and integrity both in its board and management, who still run it today. It had Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the former Commonwealth Secretary as the chairman, while such other eminent success stories as the former vice president, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the eminent Igwe Peter Anukwu of Mbaukwu and others on its board, with the brilliant engineer and key player in the industry, Emeka Nwawka as its managing director. In spite of the giant pioneering efforts of these eminent people in laying the foundation of what has become a very big success story, the company could not achieve as much as its founders had envisaged, which says everything about the roles a political leadership is capable of playing in the affairs of men.

Obviously Mbadinuju was not an inspirer of men and events and it showed manifestly. For, it was not until Peter Obi came on the scene that OPR got a new lease of life and turbocharged into a new trajectory that has written the story which we are reading today.

Apart from investing the sum of four billion naira into the company on behalf of the state, the state governor has taken a personal and keen interest in the project and has shown other levels of commitment which has greatly catalyzed the take-off of the OPR activities. The Anambra oil sites, like every other petroleum exploitation habitat, is topographically inclement and almost inaccessible because of the difficult terrain. Before now, access to

the location had been through the Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State and across a river. But the state government has promptly constructed a 20-kilometer access road from Aguleri-Out in Anambra West local government area. Last week, OPR board members and the governor inspected that road as well as the 10 kilometer flow pipe that would evacuate the crude from the wells to a spot on Anambra River from where it would be loaded in barges for transportation to Brass in Bayelsa State where it would be processed for export or local refining. The Anambra oil would be walking that road until the OPR Refinery is comes on stream, hopefully in the next 12 months.

When oil officially starts to gush forth from the Orient Petroleum facilities, after the commissioning , it would mark the first time crude oil would be produced from an inland basin in the country. it was learnt that OPR’s service contractor has already acquired high resolution 3D seismic data over 640 square kilometers of Orient’s oil blocks OPL 915 & 916 to delineate the full extent of the hydrocarbon discoveries and prospects. Chief Anyaoku had also revealed, when the governor went for the final inspection last week, as a prelude to the presidential visit, that his company had equally finalized the detailed engineering and ad sourced the modules of its 55,000 barrels-per-day refinery and that the installation of the refinery equipment was ongoing.

Oil production activities are, as Ndigbo would say, like the carcass of a fallen elephant which is guaranteed to reach people who live far and near. In the same vein, the favourable impact of the Amambra basin oil activities will touch the lives of the people of the adjoining states and beyond in very significant ways. For, not only would all benefit from employment opportunities that would run into thousands, there would be direct and fallouts in economic benefits from the hustle and bustle of petroleum industry activities. For instance, OPR has already acquired an expansive seven hectares land in the adjourning Kogi State for the construction of a product depot for distribution of the products from the refinery to the northern parts of the country. It

Obi

goes without saying that the largely virgin parts of the Anambra North would instantly burst into booming economic vibrancy. Inside sources in the Obi government have intimated me that the government has concluded arrangements to commence the construction of an airport close to the oil facility to take care of the boom that is sure to ensue.

The third and very important aspect of the presidential visit is that he will also commission the giant SAB Miller Breweries at Onitsha. The factory is reputedly going to be the biggest brewery on the African continent, and hence the implication for job creation and economic development needs no further elucidation. SABMiller is a FORTUNE 500 company and a global player which boasts of over 72,000 employees worldwide, the figure that will definitely swell with the expected 2,000 direct jobs from the Onitsha plant. The state government has invested heavily in the facility in which other Anambra businesses have heavy stakes. The company as well as OPR are a showcase of the excellent benefits derivable from the synergy between the governments and the private sector.

The commissioning of other enterprises which include Krisoral Factory in Onitsha, only a second of its kind in Nigeria and which produces caps and labels for the drug industry with a capacity to cater for the needs of the entire industry in the country that had hitherto been importing their caps and labels from abroad. in the process, the president will also commission roads and industrial facilities at the Harbour Industrial Estate, a burgeoning estate where players like Chief Tony Ezenna of Orange Drugs fame, hold sway.

A main derivative from this visit is the showcase of the indomitable and industrial spirit of the Igbo person which is still alive and well, and the fact that once a committed leadership that leads selflessly from the front is there to give leadership and guidance, the people are also there to key into his vision for the good of all. That lesson was evident in Biafra, when the people, in spite being blockaded by land, sea and air, and under a war situation, were still able, under Ojukwu’s leadership, to accomplish such technological feats that astonished the world. That OPR is a totally an indigenous thing should shock none, when we recall that Biafra was able to drill and refine its own petroleum products all through the 30 months of the war. It also shows that no amount of political and hate machinations can stop a determined, goal oriented people; it might even make them more determined.

There is no doubt that the Biafra-of-themind and its current renaissance in Anambra and other parts of Igboland can be replicated nationwide as far as the culture of self reliance and non-reliance on federal government is concerned. If other states could buy into the vision of the likes of Peter Obi who creatively invests the people’s money and makes it to work for them (he has pledged to invest N25billion of Anambra fund in viable and money generating enterprises before he quits the stage in 2014), the era of going with begging caps to Abuja every month would be a thing of the past.

The icing on the cake of the president’s visit would be the unveiling of the statue of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and at the section of the federal highway from the Niger Bridgehead through Upper Iweka Road to the Zik’s Roundabout in Onitsha. That would also be followed by official re naming of the prestigious gateway to the East as the Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Express Drive.

Coming immediately after the end of Ojukwu’s mourning period, the act would mark the commencement of the immortalization of the hero.

Like joke, like play, President Jonathan is systematically leaving an imprint on the tenderest part of the Igboman’s heart. There is also no doubt that just within one year, the Peter Obi –Jonathan romance is paying off handsomely. All are waiting to see how further it would pay off in the long run, especially with the fate of the second Niger Bridge and the dilapidated federal infrastructure in the South East Zone, which remain a festering sore on the heart of every South Easterner.

DAILY SUN

Monday, August 27, 2012

63

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N150 MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 *VOL.7 NO. 2442

writes: Biafra spirit in Anambra oil...

Page 62

Oiling an Offshore fight L

ike a thief in the night, an issue that was once certified ‘dead and buried’ has suddenly crept into our national discourse. The midwives of this ‘strange rebirth or resurrection’, without knowing it, are unwittingly provoking a rage, hate and a fight. And God help our nation.

At a time we haven’t found solution to the Boko haram insurgency ravaging the nation; at a time our citizens are finding it increasingly difficult sleeping with their two eyes firmly shut as a result of pervading insecurity, it is indeed shocking that our politicians would think nothing of dragging the nation into another round of crisis by attempting to resurrect a once-thought dead issue.

If you have been listening to the news and reading the newspapers, you would have been confronted with the renewed agitation by the governors of the northern states for a review of the laws abrogating the onshore/offshore dichotomy. Under the aegis of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, the governors are pushing for the abrogation of the law which grants 13% of the funds derived from the exploration of oil in the Niger-Delta to the littoral states.

Their argument: they want more cash to run their states and infrastructure. You can’t blame anyone for demanding more money especially in a globally depressed economy.

They are saddened, as we all should be, by the state and pace of development in the north. With the unfortunate Boko haram insurgency and a broke nation(cash flow problem, according to finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala), the north is gradually turning into a land of little or nothing.

They believe that the Niger-Delta states, and by extension, the southern states, have ‘too much money,’ while they have ‘too little.’ The result: a wide gulf in the developments of the two regions. One brother looking more prosperous than the other.

By seeking to abrogate the on-shore/offshore dichotomy law and further whittling the 13% derivation to the Niger-Delta states, the ‘agitating’ governors want oil resources (offshore) aggregated in the federation account and then split among the federating states.

Expectedly, this renewed clamour can’t be sweet music to the governors and people of the South-South. How can the man in whose land oil is exploited be denied an advantageous benefit of his resource? The 13%, they lament, is hardly even enough to tackle the infrastructure deficit in the region. How can a people suffering all kinds of environmental degradation, pollution, diseases and poverty not be put into consideration when you are building up the common wealth? What then is the definition of justice? What then is the meaning of fairness? And the issue is seriously heating up the polity, with the possibility of igniting a combustion.

My position on this issue has been unam-

biguous. Justice and fairness are the key words. Unfortunately, those words were alien to the military that introduced this onshore/offshore nonsense.

Indeed, no part of our earlier constitutions ever had onshore/offshore dichotomy enshrined anywhere, until the advent of the military. Before then, derivation formula had always clearly been in full consideration of the resource-bearing/host communities. For example, in 1953 and 1958, there had been a 100% and 50% derivation approved for the oil-bearing communities by two commissions: The Raisman-Tree and Chick, respectively. Raisman-Tree recommended 50(host); 30(to other regions) and 20 (to the Federal Government). Similarly, the Hicks-Phillipson Commission of 1961 and the Binn Commission of 1964 had both recommended 50% derivation to host communities, 35% to the regions and 15% to the center.

What this simply means is that even the British colonialists had been more compassionate to the plight of the oil-bearing communities than Nigerian leadership. The military which seized power in 1966 appeared more interested in the nation’s resources than anything else, hence it centralized the oil resource, without giving a damn about the region it exploited the black gold.

The region was left to ruin. That was what provoked the agitation of activists like the late Ken Saro-Wiwa who was brutally killed by the Abacha junta. In no time, militancy had taken roots in the region leading to kidnap-

pings and bursting of oil pipes, and colossal loss of revenue. In a bid to douse the tension, the Abacha constitutional conference of 1995, grudgingly recommended a paltry 13% derivation to the oil-bearing communities. In 2004, The National Assembly , in its wisdom, formally abrogated the onshore/offshore law, while upholding the 13% derivation But, even that is now being bitterly contested by some sections of the country, which wants the law abrogated so that Niger-Delta states can only benefit from its onshore resource knowing full well that more exploration and resources comes offshore.

And this is the argument of Gov. Babangida Aliyu, Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum: “For example, there are oil wells that were over 200 kilometres away, off the shores of the country. Those ones before the passage of the law by the National Assembly were supposed to be oil wells for the whole country. But now, they have been made to be given to the contiguous states. So, if you look at that, it will not serve anybody well if certain parts of the country are not doing well, while some parts are doing exceptionally well.”

Pray, when has development been uniform in a federation? Not even in the United States and Europe are all states uniformly developed because they don’t earn the same resources?

We must be a funny country. In one breath, we desire true federalism, while on the other hand, we want things centralized! I had thought the ideal thing was for states and regions to develop at their own pace? We must

• Akpabio

• Aliu

come to terms with the reality that all states are not equally endowed. That’s the law of nature. All states also suffer different kinds of deprivations and degradations.

As I noted March this year when this issue first came up, leadership is largely the issue, not revenue allocation. Creative leadership. The type we find in Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Gombe and of course, Akwa Ibom State. Yes, I agree, ‘big brother’ FG gets too much for doing too little. It has idle money with which it engages in all kinds of frivolities. The states will need to get more than it currently shares. I also agree with Gov. Aliyu that the north needs money for aggressive development. But I disagree that resource allocation will solve all the problems of the north. Like other parts of the country, leadership is the big problem.

Many of those who call themselves leaders are serving self, not the people. If we have in all the states and the centre, leaders who know the meaning of leadership; who can turn stone to bread; who can find opportunity in every challenge, no one will need to be splitting hairs and raising the roof over revenue allocation.

The north should begin to look inwards and begin to govern its people as if Nigeria had no oil. What if oil suddenly dries up, will the north not survive? I share Segun Ayobolu’s view that many states in the north are indeed blessed with endowments which haven’t been exploited. “Some of the states in theNorth central zone like Taraba, Benue and Kogi have the potential of being the bread basket of West Africa. The north’s tourism potentials are virtually limitless.”

True, indeed.

The great northern leader, Sir Ahmadu Bello, provided transformational leadership without oil. Yes, the north had its groundnut pyramids and flourishing textile industry. But it took, Sir Bello all the creative ingenuity to make these work for the north. Let Gov. Aliyu and the northern governors think beyond oil. That could be one bold way out of the paucity of funds.

Indeed, overdependence on oil money has made many of our governors lazy. They just wait for the month to end and run to Abuja for the monthly FAAC allocation, pay salaries and pocket the rest. Only few governors can honestly justify their monthly allocations.

Secondly, it’s a fallacious contention the impression of a rich south and poor north.

Poverty in Nigeria knows neither regional nor territorial boundaries. We have as many poor people in the south as there are in the north, even if the north’s may be higher. But even at that, poverty walks on all four in the south, even in states of the much envied Niger-Delta. Any one who doubts this should go inside the creeks and see the meaning of poverty. They may even begin to appreciate the sacrifice of the people of Niger-Delta. I am unaware of any part of the world where oil-producing states get parity allocation as those whose communities don’t produce oil. The law of nature should also be the law of compensation. No less.

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CMYK